Soft silk shoes pressed against a dark red carpet, and brass wall lamps lined the corridor in neat succession. On the right-hand wall, gilded frames enclosed paintings of priceless artistry.

If Lin Jun had been here, he would surely have muttered, “Damn nobles,” but for Inanna, this was simply home.

She descended from her third-floor bedroom and stopped before the study on the second floor.

Her teacher, Julian Daniels, had been hired from the Relics Association by her father. According to the butler, his fee was simply the right to read through the ducal library in his spare time.

In truth, ever since he arrived, he had practically taken up residence in the study.

Even her lessons were mostly held here—except for the occasional practice session at the training grounds.

But today, someone else had arrived before her. Voices drifted from inside.

Of course, Inanna would never stoop to eavesdropping like some ill-mannered commoner.

She pushed the door open softly.

“Teacher, you don’t understand—at the time they shoved something that thick into my mouth and blew air in, and it literally forced me awake—”

The voice cut off mid-sentence as the door opened.

Inanna looked up. At the desk stood someone gesturing animatedly, only to freeze in embarrassment at her appearance. She recognized him—Julian’s other student, Calvin.

An overly energetic fool, always either being punished for his antics or about to commit new ones.

“You’re early today, Inanna,” Julian greeted her with a smile, beckoning her closer.

The man’s neatly trimmed mustache and noble bearing made him look like a pampered aristocrat. One would never guess he was in fact a near-fifty-year-old Diamond-ranked mage.

“Good day, Teacher.”

Only after she sat did Julian return his gaze to Calvin.

“So all of that you said—what does it have to do with this failed potion? A Truth Serum turning pitch black like ink—I’ve never seen such a thing.”

He held up the bottle, shaking the murky liquid inside.

At the mention of his alchemy, Calvin wilted like a scolded child.

“After those Pujis rescued us, they even gave us gifts!

Teacher, don’t look at me like that, I’m telling the truth!

Grey’s enchanted longsword came from them.

There was even a parasitic tree seed. Naturally, I used it for brewing.

How was I supposed to know it had been detached too long, its potency completely gone?”

Julian pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t care whether your tale about Pujis is real or not.

Have I not taught you—before mixing any potion, test the properties of every ingredient?”

Calvin opened his mouth, closed it again, then mumbled: “You did teach that… but… I was rushing to hand in homework…”

“Copy the Rules of Potion Crafting thirty times. Show me tomorrow.”

With no room to argue, Calvin slumped and muttered a reluctant “Yes.”

At that moment, Inanna leaned forward curiously.

“That… what’s this about Pujis? Can you tell me?”

Her refined face was so close Calvin flushed, edging back awkwardly—before puffing up and launching into a dramatic retelling.

He boasted of how he and Grey braved the dungeon thanks to his brilliant wits, reaching the fifth floor.

He exaggerated a battle against a dragonkin that lasted “three hundred rounds,” ending in a narrow escape.

He told of being grievously injured, only to be saved by glowing Pujis.

And he hurriedly clarified—when he’d mentioned being “shoved in the mouth,” he meant their mycelium threads helping him breathe, not anything indecent.

Inanna listened wide-eyed, gasping at parts, nodding at others, as if hearing some wondrous fable. Encouraged, Calvin grew ever more animated.

When he finally finished, Inanna exclaimed:

“That’s amazing! I want to see it myself!

Teacher, for our next field lesson, can we go a little farther—to the dungeon?”

Julian eyed her strangely, then stroked his chin.

“…Not impossible. But it would require Duke Eric’s approval.”

Before his words had even settled, Inanna cheered and dashed off to find Eric for permission—leaving Calvin staring blankly.

Was my story really that captivating!?

——

“I’m afraid I must refuse, Lady Inanna.”

“…Why?”

Eric’s unexpected rejection left her baffled.

“Teacher will be with me, and we’ll only go as far as the fifth floor. It won’t be dangerous.

If you’re worried, Eric, you could come too!”

Eric sighed heavily, frowning in thought.

At length, he pulled a pendant from his drawer.

Activating it, a translucent barrier enclosed the two of them.

Inanna felt as though she’d stepped into a sealed chamber—the outside world utterly silent.

Only then did Eric speak.

“Lady Inanna, it’s not that I wish to forbid you. It’s that the timing is too dangerous.

What I say now must remain between us. Do not repeat it to anyone.”

Seeing her nod in confusion, he continued.

“You may not know, but the Hermit Empire’s movements at the border are escalating.

Reports say small groups of demons have infiltrated our lands.

All signs point to them preparing for war.

Under this pressure, the High Council has passed the resolution… to summon a Hero.”

“A… Hero?”

Inanna could hardly believe it.

The word “Hero,” like “Demon Lord,” belonged only to legends—three centuries past.

And now the United Kingdom intended to summon one?

She didn’t know what was required for such a ritual, but the thought felt unreal.

Eric’s voice pressed on.

“The preparations are underway—nationwide resource gathering under the guise of war readiness.

The truth is confined to the highest levels.

But can we hide it from the Empire? I and the Duke both doubt it.

There are always nobles who would trade loyalty for immortality.

If traitors leak word, or the Empire notices the unusual mobilization…

Assassinations, sabotage, even premature full-scale war are all possible.

You are the Duke’s sole heir. You should know this, though it was kept from you so as not to hinder your magical studies.

Please, remain within the estate for now. I will ensure your safety.”

The sudden revelation left Inanna dazed, unable to object.

At last she asked faintly:

“But… won’t the summoned Hero need time to grow?

If danger is imminent, why not simply resurrect the Hero of three hundred years ago—Lord Link?”

Eric only shook his head, clearly not privy to everything.

The question remained to trouble her alone.

——

Meanwhile, a certain Hero elsewhere:

“Talk! What else are you hiding? Xiaohei, put on more pressure!”

[I’ve really confessed everything already—stop, please!]

[Uuuuuuuu…]