Ryn woke up with a small headache. He'd tossed and turned last night, thinking about all the problems that suddenly made themselves apparent when he least needed them to.

A knock sounded—light, rhythmic.

"Ryn?" Sera's voice chirped from outside. "You awake?"

Ryn dragged himself to the door and opened it.

Sera stood there bright-eyed, already washed and in simple clothes. Her hair was tied up, well, what was left of it.

She blinked at him.

"…You look terrible."

"I feel like it," Ryn muttered.

Sera laughed under her breath, stepping back to let him exit.

"Come on, let's go tour the town. To get somethin' to eat."

Before he could even give an answer, she had already gone downstairs. Ryn thought about the idea of just going back to sleep, but maybe he needed to learn more about the city.

Reluctantly, he went downstairs, yawning every step of the way.

She watched him for a moment.

"Something on your mind?"

"Several things," he said.

Sera didn't push. Not verbally push, but she did physically push him outside the inn and into the sunlight.

"Well… whatever's bothering you, you should let your brain rest a bit. It's morning. Problems can wait a little."

Ryn raised an eyebrow, sighed, but didn't argue.

When they stepped outside, Lumen was already bustling—street carts rolling out, merchants arranging wares, and the smell of fresh bread drifting faintly through the air.

Sera perked up immediately.

"Ooh… Ryn, do you smell that? It's coming from over there!"

"…I smell too many things," Ryn said flatly.

"Come on!" she sprinted toward a shop, which naturally forced him to follow.

They arrived at a bakery, one with no sign. The only advertising they're doing is from the smell alone.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

A bakery. Morning shift. Jay did mention working in a bakery as well…Could it be?

Before he could think further, Sera had already reached the door of the modest little shop and pushed it.

The bell chimed as they both entered. The shop was crowded, not of customers…but workers.

Well, little ones.

A boy sprinted past holding a tray of bread rolls like they were stolen treasure. A toddler waddled in circles with a whisk. Someone in the back shouted some commands, which none of these kids probably paid attention to.

Sera's eyes lit up instantly.

"Awwwww."

Ryn's soul left his body.

"This is a violation of at least eight safety codes."

A flour-dusted girl no taller than Ryn's waist marched up to them, hands on her hips, utterly fearless.

"Welcome to Silver Bakery!" she declared proudly. "Do you want samples?? We have… uh—something!"

From the kitchen:

"NO WE DON'T—STOP TELLING PEOPLE THAT—!"

Sera crouched down, smiling brightly.

"I would LOVE a sample."

The girl gasped as if she'd passed a royal test, and started waddling back to the kitchen.

Ryn, meanwhile, stared at the scene, eyes expectant.

"…I think we found it," he murmured, mostly to himself.

And then—

Jay himself burst out of the back, carrying a tray of questionably baked pastries, hair sticking up in every possible direction.

He didn't notice them at first, too busy prying a lump of raw dough from a child who was absolutely determined to eat it.

Then he turned, and his jaw fell.

"...MR. NEGRONI?!"

Sera lifted a hand and waved cheerfully.

"Hi Jay!"

Jay blinked rapidly.

"…Sunshine girl?? Wh—what are you—how did—why are you—"

Ryn stepped forward, expression unreadable.

"Morning."

Jay made a noise that sounded like a dying kettle.

Before he could spiral further, an elderly woman hurried over and greeted them.

"Welcome, welcome!" She bowed slightly. "I'm Matron Elva. Owner of the bakery."

A crash echoed from the kitchen.

Jay flinched. Elva didn't even look back.

Ryn cleared his throat. "We… came for breakfast."

Sera leaned in. "And your bakery smells amazing."

Elva brightened immediately. "Oh! Thank you, dear. We have some pastries ready. Not many, but—"

Jay jumped in. "I—I can pack some! Yes. Pastries. I can do that. I can definitely do that."

He grabbed a paper bag a little too aggressively and stuffed in pastries that looked… edible. Probably.

Ryn paid without comment, sliding a few extra coins toward Elva.

Her eyes softened. "Thank you. Every bit helps."

Jay bit his lip at that, gaze dropping.

Sera noticed—but didn't say anything.

They stepped outside, the bell chiming behind them as the door closed.

The morning air was cool, quiet compared to the chaos inside.

The four of them stood there for a moment. Jay fidgeting, Sera cheerful, Elva polite, Ryn neutral but observing everything.

Ryn finally spoke.

"So… this is where you work."

Jay swallowed.

"Yeah…every morning." it came out a bit awkward, probably from the events of the night before.

Ryn cut to the chase, right from his observation, something was going on. Even from the start, Jay's eyes had been darting around, looking for something that wasn't there.

"Jay…something's wrong, isn't it?"

He flinched but then relented anyway.

"Look, our orphanage was in debt. The problem itself wasn't new and I made ends meet."

Elva nodded quietly.

"But two weeks ago," Jay continued, "they changed. Suddenly, they demanded triple. They wanted the land deed. They said the bakery was no longer ours."

Sera's face fell. "That's horrible."

Elva sighed gently. "We were preparing to relocate the children. We thought it was over."

Jay reached into his apron pocket.

"But last night… someone stepped in."

He pulled out the black slip.

"When we showed this to the collectors," she said softly, "they backed off instantly. No negotiation. They simply left."

Jay exhaled, relief slipping into his voice.

"She saved the bakery. Saved us. I don't know why she helped, but… we owe her everything."

Elva smiled warmly. "She must be a kind woman."

Ryn's expression changed subtly. Maria Blackwood kept appearing, offering help with no clear motive, threading herself into events she had no reason to care about.

He thought on it a moment longer… then relented.

"Let's go," he finally said. "We're wasting the bakery's morning."

Jay blinked. "You're… leaving already?"

Ryn gave him a small wave. "Think on what we talked about."

Jay nodded uncertainly. Elva bowed her head in gratitude and relief.

Ryn and Sera stepped back into the bright morning street. And only then, when no one could see his face, did Ryn exhale.

I need answers.

Tonight, she wanted to talk.

And Ryn was done guessing.

He would hear her motives straight from her own mouth.

"Sera, I'm going somewhere tonight. Will you keep an eye on the bakery for me?"

She nodded instantly, no hesitation—just quiet trust.

"Of course." Then, softer: "Be careful, Ryn."

He didn't answer.

But the tightening of his jaw said enough.

***

Once night came rolling, he was ready. Ryn figured this person was benevolent to some extent, so he decided against his usual armor, instead going with his noble attire.

Ryn had just finished preparing when—

A soft knock.

Not urgent or hesitant, perfectly measured.

He opened the door.

Outside was a woman dressed in an exquisite dark blue gown, it was simple but was the very definition of elegant. Although her expression didn't match her attire—completely void of emotion, or very good at keeping a calm face.

She did a slight bow, before gesturing for him to follow her. She spoke no words, which sort of creeped him out, but nonetheless, he followed.

Right before leaving the inn, he had gestured Sera, who nodded. She was already in full armor, and was preparing to leave for the bakery as well.

They stepped out into the cool night air.

The escort walked at a steady pace, like someone accustomed to being followed.

Ryn kept several paces behind, hands loosely at his sides, senses sharp. He kept his Blessing up the whole time, scanning every ally, balcony, and rooftop.

Nothing threatening.

But the route…

They were heading back toward a familiar part of town.

The escort didn't speak until they were halfway there.

"My Lady was impressed with your performance," she said.

Ryn didn't respond. Some Blessings required certain activation conditions, and he was not risking it.

But, to his surprise, the escort continued walking without a care in the world.

Only when they rounded the path did Ryn realize where he was…back at the House of Radiance.

"We're going back inside?"

"Yes," the escort replied. "Lady Blackwood prefers to avoid public eyes when discussing sensitive matters."

Instead of approaching the grand front entrance, she led him toward a side passage built into the marble wall. Two heavily armored knights stood there—silent, unmoving, presence heavy enough to make the air feel denser.

Even from a distance, Ryn could tell.

Essence Masters.

The escort scrolled over to them with the calm of a doll, and presented the black envelope—the VIP invitation.

The knights checked the seal, nodded once.

Ryn followed her example and handed over his own envelope.

The instant it was confirmed, the knights stepped aside, giving him a space wide enough for a noble but narrow enough to feel intentional.

No words were exchanged, just confirmation.

They descended a set of stone steps lit by thin blue lanterns, what looked a lot like a transport tunnel quickly opened into a large area with a ton of rooms.

Workers frantically ran everywhere, one almost managing to bump into Ryn before apologizing and zipping down the hall.

They finally made it to the very last room, one at the end of the corridor.

The escort stood aside, waiting for him to push the door.

Ryn gulped. He was finally about to get some answers.

But whether or not he liked them, well, that was a different story altogether.

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