The morning crowd had not yet reached the restaurant, but preparation had begun early. Rebecca moved from counter to counter with practiced efficiency, rolling up her sleeves, tying her apron behind her waist, and chopping vegetables while humming a soft tune. Lencar had been helping her ever since he woke up today, not because he needed the money anymore, but because it grounded him. A simple, honest routine. A place where he didn't need to pretend, calculate, or hide behind layers of magical techniques and strategies.
But today, even as he chopped ingredients beside Rebecca, his mind wasn't at peace.
Rebecca noticed the slight stiffness in his movements before he did. "You're a little quiet today," she said, glancing sideways at him. "Did something happen?"
Lencar blinked, forcing his shoulders to relax. "No. Just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing important," he deflected gently. "Don't worry."
Her expression lingered on him for a moment, but she didn't press. She simply returned to her cutting board.
He watched her from the corner of his eye. Rebecca was strong, far stronger than she believed. But strength alone wouldn't help her today. And her siblings—bright, innocent kids with zero combat training—stood no chance if the threat spilled this far into the district.
He wiped his hands on a cloth and approached the children as they played near the back room.
"Hey," he called softly. "Can you all come here for a second?"
They stopped immediately. Even though Lencar didn't act like an authority, the kids listened to him easily. Maybe it was because he treated them seriously, like capable people instead of toddlers.
The little ones approached with curious faces.
"What happened, Lencar?" Luca asked.
"I need all of you to visit Sister Theresa today."
"Huh? Now?" Mia asked, confused. "It's not even Sunday."
Lencar offered a gentle smile. "I know. But I think you should go anyway. There's something…" He caught himself before he said too much. "Something tells me it's safer for you there today."
"Something tells you?" Luca repeated, tilting his head. "Like what?"
Rebecca spoke before Lencar could answer. "He means magician intuition, right?"
Lencar turned his head toward her. She leaned against the counter, arms crossed, looking half-skeptical and half-concerned.
He nodded. "Exactly. A feeling. I don't want to take risks with your siblings."
Rebecca frowned lightly. "But nothing's wrong, right? You didn't sense anything dangerous?"
"I didn't sense anything specific," he said truthfully. "But I still want them there today."
Rebecca hesitated. She trusted Lencar—but she also needed him to explain things better.
"Lencar… this isn't like you. If something's wrong, you should tell me."
He paused for several seconds. Then he spoke plainly.
"If I sensed something concrete, I'd tell you everything. But this time… it's not something I can explain. So don't stress yourself thinking about it. Just trust me on this."
She searched his expression, looking for signs of exaggeration or panic, but found none. Just seriousness.
Finally, she nodded. "All right. Kids, go get your things."
The siblings obeyed without complaint.
A messenger arrived a few minutes later—one of Lencar's less important contacts from Mariella's side. Not an elite member of the organization, just someone discreet and reliable. They would escort the kids safely to Sister Theresa.
After the children had left, the restaurant felt much quieter.
Rebecca washed her hands, stared out the window, and then looked back at him.
"So… I'll stay, right?" she asked. "I have to help prepare for the day."
Lencar nodded. "Yes. You stay."
Rebecca gave him a curious look. She clearly wanted to ask more but stopped herself. Instead, she turned back to the stove.
Lencar stepped into the storage room.
When he was alone, he breathed out slowly and activated the thin mana-thread communicator hidden inside his sleeve.
"Mariella," he whispered.
Her reply came instantly. "I'm listening."
"The children are gone. Rebecca is staying. I need you to switch."
"You want a full disguise?"
"Yes," Lencar confirmed. "Disguise yourself as me. Same face. Same clothes. And suppress your natural mana. Match mine."
"That won't be a problem." There was a pause. "But you usually avoid unnecessary disguises. Why do you need this one?"
"Because the district needs to believe I'm still here. If people start noticing I disappeared right before the incident, we'll attract the wrong attention. You know how the capital works."
"Understood." Another pause. "And Rebecca? Should I talk to her?"
"Minimal interaction," he instructed. "Only respond if she speaks to you first. Don't offer anything additional. Just focus on protecting her and the restaurant."
"Then what about you?" she asked softly. "Where will you be?"
"Out of sight. Doing what I have to."
"I will maintain the facade," she said. "No one will suspect anything."
He trusted her skills. Mariella had the kind of precision-based spellwork that made disguises seamless. She would imitate him perfectly—not theatrically, not dramatically, just enough to pass a casual glance.
Perfect for a situation like this.
Lencar left the storage room and walked back into the kitchen. Rebecca was stirring a pot with a wooden spoon, focus fixed on the food. The moment she saw him, her eyes softened.
"You're leaving soon?" she asked.
"No."
"Okay,"She breathed a sigh of relief.
They worked quietly for several minutes. Lencar sliced vegetables, helped carry ingredients, and checked the inventory. It was a gentle, domestic rhythm he had come to appreciate.
Eventually, he stepped toward the back door.
"Rebecca."
She turned.
"Yes?"
He hesitated. Then he offered her a small, calm smile.
"Don't worry too much today. Everything will be fine. I just want to be prepared."
Rebecca exhaled slowly. "I know. You're rarely wrong about these things… even if you don't explain them properly."
"I'll… try to do better next time."
She gave a small, amused shake of her head. "I doubt it."
He didn't deny it.
Just then, someone knocked softly on the back door.
Lencar's posture straightened slightly.
Rebecca didn't notice anything unusual; she simply wiped her hands and moved toward the door.
"I'll get it—"
"No," Lencar said gently but firmly. "Let me."
Rebecca stepped back without protesting.
He opened the door just enough to see the figure outside.
Mariella stood there—in his body, wearing his face, dressed in his clothes, her posture carefully mimicking his natural stance. Her mana presence was shockingly accurate, almost indistinguishable from his.
If Rebecca glanced at her from the kitchen, she'd assume she was looking at the real Lencar.
Mariella didn't speak. She simply nodded once.
He returned the nod.
Then he stepped aside.
Mariella walked past him into the restaurant, keeping her movements controlled and unassuming. Like him. Like Lencar.
Rebecca looked up. "You're back already? That was fast."
Mariella—still disguised—gave a short, subtle nod, exactly like the real Lencar would.
Rebecca didn't think anything of it.
Lencar stepped outside and closed the door behind him.
No one saw him leave except Mariella.
No one would notice he was gone.
And Rebecca…
He looked back once, through the gate, hearing her faint voice inside the kitchen as she continued working with "him."
She would be safe.
And if Lamine erupted tonight the way he remembered, then having Mariella in disguise at the restaurant would prevent any suspicion about his involvement, movements, or knowledge.
Lencar pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and began walking toward the outer district—toward where the first signs of trouble would appear.
He didn't look back again.
Today was unavoidable.
But he had already taken measures.
Rebecca was protected.
The children were safe.
His identity remained undisturbed.
And the story would move exactly as he expected.