Sophia narrowed her eyes slightly, forcing down the anger simmering in her chest as she held Hugh’s gaze.

Hugh spoke again. “I’ve said it before—my research focuses on race-specific magic. I have at least some knowledge of every race. But… from your magical fluctuations just now, I couldn’t detect your race at all.”

“In such an eerie village, an unknown race appears… and one wielding unknown race-specific magic. Do you truly believe your suspicion can be cleared?”

His voice was ice-cold.

Not once did his eyes leave the girl’s face.

He was hunting for the faintest micro-expression.

“Sister Sophia is a good person! You can’t say that!”

Unexpectedly, Yugo stepped out from behind Sophia, blocking the line of sight between them.

“I came here with Sister Sophia! This place has nothing to do with us!”

Yugo glared, his blue eyes blazing with anger and hurt.

Hugh regarded the boy in silence for a moment, then shifted his gaze back to Sophia.

He wanted *her* answer—not a child’s naive defense.

Besides, he already knew this village had nothing to do with her.

He was only testing… clarifying his own doubts.

But he’d underestimated Sophia.

Facing his accusation, she offered a faint, mocking smile. The corners of her cherry-pink lips curled slightly.

“You call *me* suspicious… Great Mr. Edward? From what I know, the Regan Empire was only recently founded—its territories still unstable.”

“And yet, a senior instructor from the Eus Empire’s academy appears in this remote borderland… inside this strange village…”

“Compared to me… isn’t *your* suspicion far greater? And your purpose… isn’t it rather obvious?”

Hugh fell silent under her taunting gaze.

After a long pause, he finally looked away and walked slowly toward the door.

“Follow me. We’re checking a few spots next. I’ve got a lead.”

Sophia didn’t move. She stood still, watching his retreating back for a long moment.

“Troublesome person.”

Often, “troublesome” and “clever” meant the same thing.

That was her verdict on Hugh.

Then her eyes softened slightly as they landed on Yugo.

She still remembered him stepping in front of her.

“Sister Sophia? Are you okay?” Yugo faltered under her silent stare. “Did… did that guy upset you?”

“I… I felt a gentle aura from him earlier. He didn’t seem bad… I never thought he’d turn around and accuse you like that…”

Regret tinged his voice. He blamed himself for making her lower her guard.

Sophia’s expression softened. She shook her head. “You’re overthinking it. Nothing’s wrong. Let’s go.”

Without another word, she hurried after Hugh, who was already far ahead.

Yugo scrambled to follow.

“Little Princess,” An’s voice echoed in her mind, laced with its usual faint mockery, “sometimes a little cub’s instincts are sharper than your eyes.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. His perception can be more truthful than what you see.”

“…”

Sophia stayed silent.

She *really* wanted to remind An—again—how much she hated his habit of leaving sentences half-finished.

So infuriating.

But she knew: no matter what she said, that stupid dragon wouldn’t change. He’d only double down just to get under her skin.

By then, she’d caught up to Hugh, trailing him through the village’s winding paths.

“So, Great Mr. Edward,” Sophia shot him a cool glance, “is your grand mission… just a stroll?”

Hugh glanced at her but dodged the question. “You arrived at the perfect time. Tonight is the final day of the village’s ‘ten-day cycle.’”

“The final… day? So everything resets to how it was ten days ago?”

“Correct. And… certain eerie things will happen. Don’t be surprised.”

“…”

She didn’t press further.

She knew he wouldn’t explain.

This vague style… just like An. Utterly idiotic.

*Sigh.*

Thankfully, Hugh soon ended the aimless wandering and strode purposefully deeper into the village.

Sophia followed without comment.

They stopped at a villager’s cottage. Hugh disappeared inside, then emerged moments later clutching an odd assortment of items.

“I’m staying here. These are materials for the magic array. Too heavy for one person—take some.”

Without warning, he dumped nearly half the load into her arms.

The weight caught her off guard; she nearly stumbled.

“You really are… *unbelievably* forward,” Sophia muttered, shooting him a glare.

Hugh didn’t even look at her. “No free lunch. Hurry. We must finish the array before sunset.”