Inside the Security Office’s changing room, Lia adjusted her silver-white light armor. She swept a stray strand of orange hair behind her ear while checking the mirror, took a deep breath, and offered a bright smile.

“Alright—time to give it my all today too!”

Brimming with energy, she stepped out. But before she’d gone three paces, the Warden blocked her path, face grim.

“Lia, how’s your part-time work treating you?”

“It’s been great, Warden. But… you look troubled. Did something serious happen?”

Seeing the pure innocence on Lia’s delicate face, the Warden sat heavily at his desk and gestured to the chair opposite.

Confused, Lia sat. He sighed. “Your talent is astonishing. You’re working to support your grandfather, saving for Spirit Card Academy tuition—and still turned down wealthy suitors from town. We don’t just admire you; we respect you. That’s why we made an exception. No Security Team role has ever allowed part-timers.”

“Th-thank you…”

Flustered, Lia slightly lowered her head.

The Warden looked up, voice softening. “But you’re still young. Some people… we simply can’t afford to offend. Kindness is noble—but stubborn kindness here invites disaster. Remember that boy, Su Hong?”

Of course she did. Though brief, the memory was crystal clear.

“H-he… was he bullied? I’m sorry—I’ll apologize and help him right now!”

Just as she rose, the Warden snorted. “Bullied? It’s unclear who bullied whom.”

Lia froze, staring at him.

“Su Hong… is exactly the person we can’t offend.”

“Him?! How?!”

Stunned, she rushed to explain: “He was detained in pajamas! No Spirit Cards at all—how could he—”

“That’s why it’s worse! You have no idea the trouble you’ve caused!” He slammed a fist on the desk.

Under her bewildered gaze, he muttered, “Have you ever seen a Spirit Cardmaster punch through a wall barehanded? Knock out a guard through cell bars?”

Wh-what?

Magic couldn’t be projected outward—Spirit Cardmasters relied solely on Spirit Cards. Even legends of cardless masters never described *this*. Terrifying.

“Su Hong looks my age! Impossible!” Lia cried.

“The proof is staring us down! The whole prison bends to calm his anger!”

The Warden’s roar softened as he saw her silence. “Don’t you get it? Apologize. Make him leave happy.”

Lia’s lips parted—but no words came.

*He’s this strong… and made the prison serve him?*

*But the Security Team exists to protect the town! Why surrender to someone like this?!*

After a long silence, she stood abruptly.

“I’m going to find him!”

“Lia!”

Too late. She’d already dashed out, heading straight for the prison.

Clenching her small fists, disappointment and anger burned in her chest.

*He seemed decent. I wrote fairly about him… How could he be so despicable?!*

She burst into the prison—and froze.

Every cell door stood open. Inmates crowded Su Hong’s cell, now fitted with a wool rug, a plush bed, even a sofa and table. Some fluffed carpets; others wiped surfaces or poured tea beside delicate pastries.

Worse: two guards attended Su Hong—one massaging his shoulders, the other fanning him. Dressed in a black shirt under a flowing purple robe, he lounged on the sofa.

This wasn’t a prison. It was nobility’s luxury.

Fury surged. She strode toward the cell—

Then stopped.

His expression…

Loss. Sorrow. Pain. Emptiness. Profound confusion. As if all the world’s misfortune had crushed him.

*No—don’t be fooled! After this outrage, what about the town’s safety?!*

“Su Hong! I’m so disappointed! Why destroy the prison? Why enslave others? Have some decency—this is a prison! Enslaving guards is unforgivable!”

Her sharp words pulled Su Hong from despair. A flicker returned to his dull eyes.

*She’s… scolding me?*

He looked up, startled. *Someone objected? Maybe… this world isn’t hopeless?*

Before he could speak, a guard, stung by her words, snapped: “Lia! This is your fault—arresting him recklessly! Apologize to Lord Su Hong now!”

“No! Why should I apologize to *him*? If even we submit—”

Biting her lip, Lia shot Su Hong a resentful glare.

Just then, the Warden entered. His face tightened. “Lia. Know what you’re saying? Fine. No apology needed.” He pointed to the exit. “Leave. The Security Team no longer requires your services.”

“…”

Her slender frame trembled. Fingers clenched. Eyes glistened.

Guards murmured nervously: “Warden… isn’t this too harsh? She still needs to care for her grandfather, pay Spirit Card Academy fees…”

The Warden said nothing, cold-eyed.

“Fine. I’ll leave. I don’t want to be part of a Security Team like this anyway!”

Tears in her eyes, Lia turned and ran.

Silence fell. Then Su Hong slowly stood.

“How many times must I say it? I don’t need this! Let me serve my sentence normally. I wasn’t angry—why won’t you listen? Only *she* understood… and you drove her away?”

With a loud *thud*, he kicked the sofa over. As the Warden and guards shrank back, Su Hong’s voice turned icy.

“Congratulations. Now I’m truly angry. If I don’t bring her back… the ones who belong in these cells—will be you.”