Due to the outbreak of fire and the cult incident, the city of Demi began an emergency lockdown. Every street was patrolled by bald-headed mages clad in crimson robes, accompanied by squads of Sael knights. The townsfolk shuttered their windows and doors, and the air above the city seemed laden with heaviness. It was rumored that this lockdown would last for quite some time.

Inside the reopened Black Horse and Crescent Moon Tavern, there were few customers. Hecor, now dressed as a serving maid, moved to and fro with a jug of wine, occasionally leaning against the counter, sighing quietly.

"Well, well! Why so glum still?" the glamorous elder sister pinched Hecor's cheek. "The tavern may be gone, but as long as people remain, all will be well."

"I know, but look at him..." The girl gestured towards the youth beside the piano, Penny Seann. His expression was lackluster, and the notes emanating from the piano were sporadic and subdued. Thankfully, the atmosphere in the city now matched the somber tones emitted by the speakers. With few patrons in the tavern, such performances would have significantly impacted business under normal circumstances.

The elder and younger beauties exchanged helpless glances, sighing in unison.

It had been ten days since the incident, and even Hecor was gradually recovering from the sorrow of losing the tavern. However, Penny Seann continued to appear listless. When asked a question, he responded with monosyllables. In idle moments, he slouched over a table, occasionally wearing a bewildered expression, leaving everyone wondering what he was thinking.

Whenever Hecor saw the youth in this state, she felt deeply distressed.

She had grown accustomed to Penny's perpetually calm demeanor, as if he always knew what to do and remained unflappable, even in adversity.

Recalling the quiet youth who once sat behind the tavern counter, Hecor felt a wave of helplessness wash over her.

Just a tavern, though it holds countless memories, but hasn't it passed? The municipal government is investigating the murderer, and surely there will be results soon. The girl sighed, she had already let go of her grief, why is Penny still in such a state?

"It can't go on like this."

With no business coming in, Vecca closed the door early, yawning as she headed upstairs to sleep. Hecor looked at Penny, straightened her back, and decided to find a way to cheer him up.

This was something she must do.

Who was it that tried to dispel the gloom when she was surrounded by pain?

Who was it that recklessly rescued her when she was in danger?

And who encouraged her, giving her the courage to face the shadows that had oppressed her for ten years?

Yes, it was time for her to do something.

Hecor thought so.

Moreover, there were deeper emotions welling up in her heart. This kind of feeling was unfamiliar to the girl, but it was not incomprehensible. At some point, she had an urgent desire to express herself when she looked at the figure of the youth.

With the last guests gone upstairs to rest, only the two teenagers remained on the ground floor of the inn. Hecor could hear the sound of her own heartbeat thumping.

"Relax, comfort her, encourage him, it's nothing..." Approaching the youth leaning on the piano, the girl kept encouraging herself, recalling how her mother used to comfort her when she cried because she was unhappy as a child.

Hecor approached with light steps and gently kissed the young man's forehead.

"This is the way elder women kiss children," Penny raised his head, his expression somewhat weary.

"Are you awake?" Hecor breathed a sigh of relief, her heart leaping wildly, her cheeks flushed but turned aside.

"Go to bed early," seeing the girl leaning towards his half-faced cheek, the youth closed his eyes again.

"Are you... alright?" Hecor felt somewhat reassured seeing the young man's smile.

"I've been fine all along, just pondering some questions," Penny propped his chin on his hand, his elbow striking a jumble of notes on the piano keys. "I've just come to terms with it."

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"Come to terms with it?"

Penny sighed, sitting up slightly straighter.

"This is a world of swords and sorcery, where powerful creatures from various upper and lower planes can easily reach the main material world through dimensional gates. Gods and demons are not mere figments, constantly interfering in this world, whether visibly or invisibly. Just considering the creatures native to Phaerun, not to mention legendary warriors, even a high-ranking spellcaster can effortlessly slaughter hundreds of lives, turning bustling towns into ash in an instant. Horrifying species are everywhere... And here I am, foolishly yearning for a 'normal life' in such a place."

Penny rattled off a long string of words, then chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Hecor's face darkened. While she didn't fully grasp the meaning of Penny's words, she could discern the deep-seated irony within them, a profound dissatisfaction with himself.

Penny Sean, whether before crossing over or after, was a man of restrained emotions. It was rare to see him display any particular emotional fluctuations, usually maintaining a calm demeanor. Unless under exceptional circumstances, he rarely revealed overtly intense emotions.

However, witnessing the tavern reduced to ruins by a blaze, he indeed felt extreme anguish, having endured countless trials during his eight years at the Red Robe Mage Academy, but none had inflicted such agony as that day.

If one has weathered hardships to achieve the blissful life of their dreams, only to have reality swiftly reveal it as a delusion, how would their mood fare? That is the reason for Penny's recent despondency.

Any person's daydream shattered out of nowhere, their mood would understandably be far from pleasant.

"Mr. Janhurst was quite correct; I am indeed a befuddled fellow," Penny muttered to himself, his gaze growing increasingly hollow.

"You..." Hecor's expression shifted, as if sensing something.

"To defend one's own life, one must possess strength commensurate with it. What right does someone without strength have to live according to their whims? I should have understood this long ago, but I've been deceiving myself, clinging to an outdated notion of society," Penny Sean lamented, unaware of the information he inadvertently disclosed. Fortunately, Hecor evidently didn't understand, paying no heed to this slip of words. Instead, she caught onto another crucial statement uttered by Penny: "Hecor, I may have to leave."

"So, is it to pursue this 'strength'?" the young girl tentatively inquired.

"We've provoked a higher-ranking demon; incidents like the tavern's will continue to occur. If I'm not adequately equipped to handle them, I will inevitably pay a heavy price."

"Where will you go then?"

"Perhaps to the west... Or I might try my luck in Candlekeep or Luskan, after all, my fundamental skills are somewhat adequate," Penny replied, glancing briefly at Hecor before speaking.

"Those places are too far, Penny. Go find your father," Hecor suddenly suggested after a moment of silence.

"Erm..." Penny was taken aback, gazing incredulously at the calmly composed young woman.

"I... have come to a realization too. I am of Serl, a daughter of the Red Robes. My father is a Red Robe, and my children may also become Red Robes. So then, there is no reason why you couldn't become one too... Perhaps it is my destiny," Hecor smiled, a hint of bitterness mixed with sweetness in her tone. "I appreciate your consideration of my thoughts, but you don't have to risk yourself a thousand miles away because of it."

Return to being a Red Robe once more? Unaware of the peculiar expression on the girl's face, Penny's gaze briefly flickered as he began contemplating this option, which didn't seem entirely unacceptable.

This world is fraught with imminent dangers, no place is exempt. After several days of pondering, Penny had arrived at this conclusion. Moreover, given his education in the Red Robes, he might struggle to conform to the traditional training of the Mage Guild. It's doubtful the Mage Guild would readily accept him either.

Being a mage apprentice from Serl—not exactly a coveted status in Phaeron.

There are few places left where he could continue his studies.

Considering this, the dangers within the Red Robes' ranks were at least familiar to him. The cost... was manageable. Once he became an official Red Robe, he would be subject to fewer constraints from the guild. At most, he'd have to shave his head, not become a monk.

"I believe you won't change, and besides, in Serl, I'll have the chance to see you often," Hecor sat beside the young man, pulling out a coin from her pocket. "This is a keepsake from my mother, a coin blessed by a lady. Carry it with you; it will bring you good fortune."

"So..." Penny took the coin, suddenly feeling a surge of courage within, making the prospect of returning to the Red Robes seem less daunting. "Thank you, Hecor."

"I should thank you, Penny, and..." Hecor leaned in closer to Penny's ear. "I haven't told you yet that I like you."

"Oh," Penny hesitated for a moment. His attitude towards Hecor had always been that of an elder to a child. Perhaps there was affection, but love was another matter. Yet, after a moment's contemplation, he smiled at Hecor. "Likewise."

Since they were soon to part, why ruin each other's moods? Penny thought. But soon, a warm pair of lips pressed against his own, the kiss lingering for several heartbeats until they both felt breathless, then slowly they pulled apart.

"Take care."

Perhaps, from now on, he wouldn't be alone in this world. Penny walked out of the inn with a tattered package on his back, glancing back at the figure in the window, a strange feeling stirring within him.

He knew that regardless of whether this confession blossomed into something more or ended up as mere theatrics, at least in the future, there would be something to occupy his idle thoughts. Someone in a small inn in a certain town would be waiting for him.

These jumbled thoughts continued to swirl around him until he reached Chancellor Janwas's chamber in the Lakeside Academy. The usher who led him in closed the door behind him and left. Janwas, a middle-aged man in red robes, blinked sleepily, a hint of weariness in his eyes, as he nodded. "It seems you've made your decision, but you must understand what price you'll pay."

"I am prepared," Penny replied solemnly.

He didn't know whether this step forward would lead to fortune or ruin. But now, there was no turning back.