On the way home, a flower pot suddenly fall from above in a narrow alley. Friley, who feels something falling, immediately avoids it. When avoid the falling pot she closed her eyes as a natural reaction and her body focus only to avoid being hurt. But when her focus returned, she opens her eyes and realizes that she is now in the middle of nowhere.
Tall buildings surround her, and then while trying to grasp her surrounding the narrow streets began to become crowded. Confused by what happened, Friley steps forward and continue walking along the narrow path. The brown buildings were made of natural stone, but there was glass. "How could a location with such an ancient setting have mirrors?" thought Friley.
Friley continue to walk until she reaches the center of the city. She look around and feeling in awe with the view of the city. She walks slowly and let her gaze wander to the buildings, people and atmosphere. She is absorbed with the surrounding and accidentally bumps into a man in robe. Smiling under his hood, the man greets her as if it's intentional bump and said, "This is not your world, go back!"
Friley becomes shocked and experienced a small electric shock in her body that made her wake up. This time, Friley wake up in a different world. When she opens her eyes, she is already lies down in unfamiliar stone chair and the hot sun greets her cornea. "Aww, what now?!" said Friley annoyed and closed her eyes back. Friley rubs her eyes, and then sit down on unfamiliar stone chair. Then she try to open her eyes. Surprised, because what she see is a row of giant lizards.
Instead of being scared and screaming, Friley try to look around to understand the situation. And sure enough, she is stranded in a foreign world again. Learning from the First World, Friley choose to sit still and wait, being panic won't help after all. While waiting for what was not there, three old men approach Friley.
"Hello miss, what's in your mind?" said man 1.
"Are you waiting for someone?" said man 2.
Friley hears them, and then a question cross her mind. "Why can I understand what he said if I'm not from this world?" Friley asked herself in her mind.
Man 3 approaches and offers her a drink, "Drink this, you seems puzzled", "Ah, yes. Thank you." Friley answers then take the bottle and drink it.
"Sir, if I... before, please take my words seriously." Friley looks into the eyes of the three of them.
The three uncles nod. "Tell me, I come from a different world. Will you believe it?" Friley asks them because things happen to her feels like unreal. Hearing that, the uncles looked at each other. Then, the 3rd man asks something. "Miss, it seems like your soul lost here. Do you remember the last thing you did in your world?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Friley reply. Shortly after answering Man 3's question, Friley start to feel very sleepy. Before falling asleep, Man 2 said, "You can come back if you're feeling rested, now go to bed and go home." Friley fall asleep. This time, she finally return home and wake up in her bed. However, for some reason, Friley became ill. Trying to think of a plausible explanation, Friley comes to the conclusion that what she has experienced was real and that it is probably having a negative impact on her body. Feeling weak and unable to move or think, Friley goes back to sleep for three days.
After three days of sleeping, Friley's body conditions begin to improve. She wake up and with her body still weak and lethargic, forces herself to take a shower. After taking a shower, Friley feel refreshed. As if forgetting what she has experienced, Friley thinks that it is good to go out for a walk while buying fever medicine at the nearest supermarket.
Friley start to get ready, she wear comfortable clothes with a small bag containing her wallet and money. Before going out, Friley put on her shoes. Weirdly while putting on her shoes she feels something odd, because she usually only wear sandals only for a walk. She ignores that odd feeling and opens the door, and Friley's face turned into shock with her mouth open because what she see is not the outside of her apartment.
As if in disbelief, Friley closed the door slowly, and then prepared herself again to open the door. And nothing change. This time it is a hallway, like in medieval times.
She pokes her head out and peeks right and left. After checking around she steps out, and the wooden door slams behind her, the sudden bang making her flinch. With no other choices, Friley can't do anything and start to try to find out. The quiet and fresh alley felt like a forest. The hallway opens to a small park, sunlight spilling across the ground in quiet, unbroken sheets, with not a sound to trouble the calm. "Where is this?" asked Friley in her heart. Not far after walking, in front of her there is a shadow of a tall man standing. With curiosity, Friley walks towards the man and the man seems to be waiting for Friley.
She drifts along the hallway beside the quiet park, the calm loosening her thoughts, softening her step. The world feels gentle, unhurried—until she notices the tall man ahead.
"Hello, may I ask you something?" she ventures, her voice light.
"Yes, of course," he replies with a friendly smile.
Up close, his face catches her off guard—handsome enough to draw a faint heat to her cheeks. She clears her throat. "Ahem, I wanted to ask—where is this place?"
Still smiling, he answers with an elegance that feels almost rehearsed. "Before I answer, may I ask who you are, young lady? Your clothes seem… not from around here."
The warmth in her chest falters. The serenity slips away, replaced by the sharp reminder that she is the stranger here. He looks polite, but his eyes carry a quiet suspicion.
A flicker of panic sparks in her chest, and she rushes to answer before his suspicion can deepen.
"Long story short, I'm not from this world," she blurts. "In fact… this is the third time I've been thrown into a different one. If I told you that, would you believe me?"
The man tilts his head, studying her as though weighing each word. Then, without a word, he turns and gestures for her to follow him into a nearby room.
"Seems like we'll need to talk more," the man says. "Please, come in—this is my study."
"O-okay… thank you," Friley replies, her voice tinged with awkwardness.
Inside, the room is lined with towering shelves heavy with books, the books worn and faded in a way unlike any from her original world. A wide desk sits near the window, cluttered with scattered papers and open volumes. In the center stands a small sofa and a low table.
The man gestures toward the sofa, a silent invitation. She sits, trying not to fidget.
"Would you like tea or coffee?" he asks.
Before she can answer, her stomach gives an unmistakable grumble—three days without food finally betraying her.
He chuckles warmly. "Ahaha… perhaps we should eat before we talk."
Her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
He sits across from her and reaches toward a smooth, glowing panel hovering just above the table's surface. His fingers slide over it, selecting items from a menu. Then his movements pause, and his brows lift slightly as if something clicks in his mind.
"You… can see this screen?" he asks, surprise edging his voice.
"Y-yes…" Friley replies, still astonished by the sight.
He finishes making his selections and leans back. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Joseph. I'm a researcher at this school."
"I'm Friley. It's nice to meet you, sir."
"No need for 'sir.' You're not my student, so feel free to call me something else."
"In that case… it's nice to meet you, Brother Joseph."
Joseph's lips curve into a satisfied smile. Moments later, the door opens and a strange creature—its form almost human—enters, carrying a tray of food.
"Please, help yourself," Joseph says, gesturing toward the plates.
Without hesitation, Friley begins to eat, the first mouthful easing a hunger that's gnawed at her for days. She barely notices when the strange, humanlike creature returns to clear the dishes once she's finished. Her eyes follow it out the door, wide with a mix of wonder and confusion—as if every small detail here is something she's seeing for the very first time.
"It seems you weren't lying when you said you're not from this world," Joseph says at last, leaning back slightly. "Would you care to explain what happened?"
Friley nods and begins to speak, recounting everything—from the falling flowerpot incident to the moment she stepped into this place. Joseph listens intently, his expression tightening with interest when she mentions the robed figure who seemed to anticipate her arrival.
"Honestly," she admits, "I've been so confused I forgot to feel scared or worried. None of this makes sense logically… but thank you for listening." Her shoulders ease a little, relief softening her voice.
"Of course." His gaze sharpens. "By the way, you said you arrived here after opening the door from your apartment—or was it a house? Could you show me which door it was?"
"Of course," Friley replies without hesitation.
They walk together to the door she mentioned. When they arrive, Joseph's eyes widen in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Friley asks, puzzled.
"It's nothing… it's just that this door hasn't been opened for five thousand years," Joseph says, glancing at her.
Friley reaches for the handle and tries again. Click—the lock gives way.
Before she can push it further, Joseph suddenly has a wand-like object in his hand, as if it appears out of thin air. His posture stiffens, his gaze sharpens.
Friley ignores the strange weapon and pushes the door open wider. Her breath catches.
It's still her room.
She blinks, confused. She expected anything—ruins, emptiness, another place entirely—but not her own familiar space staring back at her.
Joseph stands frozen.
"Uh… that's my home," Friley says awkwardly.
"May I come in? I'd like to see it more closely," Joseph asks.
Friley nods. Before stepping through, he murmurs an incantation, and a faint shimmer coats the doorframe—some spell to keep it open. They enter together.
Friley stays near the entrance, watching as Joseph moves around, scanning every corner like he's searching for hidden secrets.
Then—footsteps. Many of them.
A crowd gathers at the doorway, faces set with anger, worry, and suspicion. Their tense stances make it clear—they think she's an intruder.
Panic twists in Friley's chest. Without thinking, she slams the door shut.
Joseph rushes forward and grabs the handle, but it won't budge. His spell should have kept it open. He turns sharply toward her.
"Open it again. I'll protect you," he says, his tone firm but calm.
Friley hesitates, heart pounding, then nods. She pulls the door open.
The world beyond is no longer her room.
It's somewhere else entirely.
Together, they watch as the world outside shifts in an instant. This one is different—green, serene, almost beautiful. But then, an elf-like figure appears in the distance, his very presence steeped in malice. He says nothing, yet the weight of his intent is clear.
Friley's chest tightens. Joseph's jaw hardens. They both know—stepping outside means certain doom.
Friley slams the door shut and collapses to the floor, her legs trembling.
Joseph kneels beside her, his voice steady.
"It's okay. Don't panic. We're safe in your house. Just rest."
The calm in his tone wraps around her like a blanket. Her breathing slows. Her eyelids grow heavy, and before she realizes it, she drifts into sleep.
Joseph remains where he is, watching her with quiet thought. While she rests, he retraces every detail in his mind—the worlds, the door, the strange way events seem to revolve around her. A hypothesis begins to take shape: Friley might not just be caught up in this. She might be the reason it's happening.
Or rather… the key.
The door could be the medium, but there's still one problem—her first incident didn't happen inside. That flowerpot had been aimed at her from the very start. Someone—or something—was targeting her.
Still, if there's a way to get home, he has to try.
Two hours later, she stirs awake. Joseph offers her a glass of water, his voice gentle.
"Friley, I have a hypothesis I want to test. I want to return to my world. Will you help me?"
She hesitates, unsure.
"I promise I'll uncover this mystery—and I'll help you get back to your own world, too. I'll protect you, no matter what. What do you say?"
Her eyes meet his. The hesitation lingers, but she nods. Right now, Joseph is the only person she can trust.
He smiles faintly and begins to explain.
"My world is called Asea. Magic is part of daily life there. It's a prosperous place, home to humans and other races. We once had wars, but now we live in peace. The school you visited—it's a symbol of that peace."
Friley closes her eyes, trying to imagine it. The colors. The people. The stillness after war.
When he finishes, he rises and gestures for her to follow. Joseph leads her down the hallway toward the door, his step sure and quiet.
As they walk, Friley lets his words settle into her mind: the colors he names, the hum of magic, the markets and spires, the way people move like a community healed from old wounds. The image grows steadier with each step—emerald fields, lantern-lit streets, a gentle, watchful calm.
They stop before the familiar frame. Joseph pauses beside her and says,
"Friley, try opening it again. This time, picture Asea exactly as I described. Take your time… and when you're ready, open it."
She steadies her breath, focuses on his words, and lets the image take root in her mind. Her fingers curl around the handle. She whispers the name—"Asea"—and turns it.
The air shifts.
The world beyond rearranges itself in an instant. Guards stand ready, armor glinting; their posture is strict, but at Joseph's voice they relax and lower their weapons. He strides forward with calm authority, exchanges a few words with an elderly man who watches with measured interest. The man nods once and signals the guards to step back.
The elder approaches Friley with a warm, deliberate step.
"Hello, sweet young lady. I am the head of this academy—my name is Gabriel. Would you come and speak with us?"
Friley glances at Joseph. He gives her a small, reassuring nod.
She agrees. Together, the three of them walk into a high-ceilinged room lined with shelves—the headmaster's office.
They settle into the soft chairs, a tray of snacks and drinks set before them. Joseph begins recounting the story once more, his voice calm but precise. Gabriel listens intently, nodding slowly, while Friley, quiet and reserved, lets the flavors of the food distract her for a moment.
"Hmmm… this has never happened before," Gabriel remarks, his tone thoughtful.
"What do you mean, sir?" Friley asks, her brow furrowing.
"There have been cases of people arriving from other worlds," Gabriel explains, "but never someone who could travel between them multiple times like you."
Still chewing, Friley simply stares at him, her mind struggling to process the weight of his words.
"Hahaha," Gabriel chuckles, a teasing edge to his voice. "You must be tired after everything. Why don't you stay here for a while?"
"I don't have money to survive here…" Friley answers, her tone serious.
"What if you became my assistant? You could live in one of my houses," Joseph offers.
"Why?" Friley asks, suspicion lingering in her voice. She could try returning home herself—just like before.
"Your case is fascinating," Joseph says, leaning forward. "To an academic like me, there's no greater challenge than solving a mystery. If I can find a pattern to this world-hopping, it could help you too."
"What if I can just return home like I did earlier?" she counters, unwilling to commit to staying in an unfamiliar world.
Joseph's eyes glint with a challenge. "Then let's test it. I'll wait outside the door for thirty minutes. If you return home, I won't ask again. But if you don't, you stay here—just until we solve this."
Gabriel adds gently, "We're not asking you to stay forever. Just until the problem is solved."
Friley hesitates for only a moment before nodding. They make their way back to the door. Outside, Joseph and Gabriel stand with a sand timer, its fine grains already beginning to fall.
Friley closes the door and imagines Earth—the world she knows. On her first try, she ends up in a city like the second world. She tries again. This time, she returns to the elf world.
The same elf stands at the doorway, now more relaxed. As Friley starts to close the door, he interrupts, "Wait."
Surprised, she pauses.
"You're not a spy sent by the Srynga Kingdom, are you?" The elf continues
"…Huh?" Friley's eyes widen.
"Hmm… seems like you're not. My apologies for being rude earlier," the elf says with a soft gesture.
Stunned, Friley tries closing the door again.
"Hold on—hold on—hold on—I'm not done speaking," the elf says.
"I am," Friley replies, still scared, trying to escape.
"Earth," the elf screams just a second before the door shuts.
Shocked, Friley freezes. "How do you know that?"
"Elves live for thousands of years. Of course, we know about other worlds," he says with pride.
Friley stares, still in disbelief.
"So? Want to talk?" the old elf teases, almost like Gabriel once did.
"Are you going to attack me?" she asks seriously, searching for assurance.
"Of course not. Our races agreed long ago to stop fighting," he says, trying to gain her trust.
"Huh? Again?" Friley blurts, stunned by yet another revelation.
Though still unsure, she steps out. Outside, a group of elves wave at her—but instead of fear, she feels a strange calm. They don't seem hostile, and their beauty is almost unreal.
An elder elf approaches. "Welcome, chosen human."
"Chosen?" Friley asks. The word reminds her of a manga protagonist—a role that feels like a joke to her, because she sees herself not as a hero but as a lost person on an entirely different level.
"Yes," the elder answers firmly, a faint smile on his lips.
He introduces himself as Elgrad, and the elf from the door as Elfriy. They welcome her warmly and serve her their traditional food.
Friley asks what chosen means, but Elgrad only says, "You'll understand when the time comes. It's not our place to explain."
Annoyed, Friley crosses her arms. "I've given you my time while I'm busy, and you won't even explain?"
"The explanation is long," Elfriy says gently, "but we can tell you something else. Before that, why don't you explain your situation to us? Perhaps we can help with our power."
Friley tells her story again. Listening intently, Elgrad chuckles. "Hohoho, your hypothesis is nearly correct. But based on your story, in the first and second transfers, only your soul moved."
Friley gasps. "So that man was right—my soul was lost… but now my body?"
Elgrad nods. "We can't fully explain it, but yes. The first two times, only your soul traveled. Then it returned to your body, causing shock."
Elfriy adds, "It's best if you work with the people of Asea. They're known for their academic prowess."
"You know them?" Friley asks.
Before they can answer, another elf brings out a map—one that shows many worlds. Her eyes immediately find Earth.
Seeing her reaction, Elfriy says with a playful smile, "I wasn't lying. We know Earth exists."
Friley stays silent, refusing to give another reaction.
"This map has existed for a long time," Elgrad says. "We couldn't prove it… until you arrived."
"So how did you know I'm from Earth?" she presses.
Elfriy points to a frame near the door—it matches her front door exactly.
Friley frowns, still confused. "Explain."
Elgrad explains that the frame has existed for a very long time, though no one knows exactly when it first appeared. What they do know comes from the old documents they've kept—records that include a prophecy claiming that one day, a human from Earth will step through it.
"If the prophecy says a human from Earth will appear, then why did you assume I was an enemy?" Friley asks.
"Ehh… that was a misunderstanding," Elfriy answers quickly, his voice tinged with guilt. "My apologies."
Elgrad nods. "The last time someone emerged from the frame, they turned out to be a spy from a neighboring kingdom."
He goes on, "According to the documents, the frame can also serve as a portal. The prophecy is only one part of its purpose. We apologize for the confusion."
Friley exhales in relief and glances back at the frame. "So… what do you want from me?"
"If you're willing, we can help you find a way to return to Earth," Elfriy offers.
Friley blinks in confusion. Why would these strangers want to help another stranger?
"It's not easy to return," Elgrad explains. "Right now, the waves surrounding Earth are unstable, making it difficult to create a safe passage back."
"So that's the reason…" Friley murmurs.
A quiet moment passes as she tries to piece everything together. Still, one question lingers. "Why do you want to help me?" she asks directly.
Elgrad meets her gaze. "We haven't told you the full prophecy. It says that when a human from Earth appears, the elves must aid them. We don't fully understand its meaning, but… among us, the prophecy is not considered good news."
Friley thinks about everything—the strange way she was thrown into this world, how people immediately knew she wasn't from here, the fact she had broken Joseph's spell despite being an ordinary human, the unstable waves preventing her return, and these elves who seem to know so much. After a moment of thought, she accepts their offer and prepares to return to Asea.
Before she leaves, Elgrad tells her the name of this place—Agra Forest—so she can find her way back again if needed. Friley says her goodbyes and steps toward the door. Already used to how it works, she calmly pictures Asea in her mind and opens it.
Outside, Joseph and Gabriel are still waiting. Their faces brighten when they see her. She tells them everything she has learned.
"If the noble elves have offered their aid," Gabriel says, "then Joseph shall be our representative to assist you."
He smiles. "It seems you're not just an assistant anymore. Perhaps we should drop the title altogether—Friley needs a stronger position to remain here."
"Very well," Friley replies. "I accept your offer. Thank you."
Joseph leads her to his home, which turns out to be quite spacious, with several properties left behind by his parents.
And so, Friley's journey to return to Earth begins. Whether she will make it back—or discover something far greater—remains uncertain. For now, she only wants to rest after a long day of revelations and meetings.
She will be staying in a house provided by Joseph, rather than her original one. If she returned there, there's a high chance she might be thrown into another world again. But the question of how to get back to Earth still hangs over her—one she cannot yet answer.
Not far from her house, Friley spots the sea. It's already night. Before going to sleep, she decides to take a walk and get some fresh air. She puts on her jacket and steps out of the house. When she arrives at the beach, she sits on the sand and stares blankly at the vast ocean.
In the distance, a man is working at a restaurant near the beach. After finishing his shift, he decides to rest by the shore. While there, he notices Friley sitting alone. Concerned to see a girl by herself, he approaches.
"Hello," he greets gently.
Startled by the sudden voice, Friley snaps out of her daze. "Oh, hi," she replies awkwardly.
"Are you alone?" he asks.
"Umm…" Friley answers shortly.
"Your face looks unfamiliar. Are you a tourist here?"
Friley gives him a blank look. In her mind, she thinks he's kind of annoying, but she can't just tell him to go away—it would seem rude.
"Something like that…" she replies indifferently.
Smiling, the man turns his gaze to the sea. They sit in silence for a moment before he speaks again.
"Do you see that over there?" he says, pointing northeast.
Friley follows his finger and squints at the distance.
"Back during the war, that place was used as a hiding spot for civilians. There's an underground passage that leads to a garden."
"A garden?"
"Yeah. And it's a beautiful garden. Unfortunately, after the war, the island was closed off."
"Why?" Friley's curiosity grows.
"Even though it looks beautiful, the garden is full of mystery. A child once went missing there. When we were hiding in that place, it felt like the garden itself was hiding us even more."
"Interesting."
Hearing her curt response, the man laughs lightly. "Hahaha, that's your reaction?"
Feeling slightly guilty, Friley says, "Umm, sorry. I have a hard time empathizing with strangers."
The man just smiles. Seeing that smile reminds Friley of how the locals greeted her and Joseph with the same expression on their way from the school to her new house. Finding it odd, she asks, "Do people here smile a lot?"
Surprised, the man nods. "Our race is the Krisan. Since childhood, we've been taught to always smile."
"Like… smiling brings happiness to others and is good for yourself?" Friley guesses.
"Exactly. Wow… you got that right."
In her heart, Friley mutters, of course I could. Typical friendly people, easy to blend into society, just like where I come from. She changes the subject back to the island.
"By the way, what happens if you go there?"
"Nothing much. Even though it's closed, there's no strict ban. It's just… if you go, you have to be prepared to face whatever happens."
Their conversation continues for a while. Once Friley feels sleepy, she decides to head home. They say goodbye and return to their respective houses. As soon as she gets back, Friley goes straight to bed.
In her sleep, she has a nightmare. She sees the town she is currently living in engulfed in flames. Friley tries to escape and ends up encountering the man from the beach. He is trapped under a large wooden beam. Wanting to save him, Friley rushes to lift the beam. Suddenly, a black shadow appears and looks directly at her. It grabs her neck and demands, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Friley struggles to free herself, and just as it feels like she's about to die, she jolts awake. Her heart is pounding, and she experiences a panic attack. She tries to calm herself by tapping her chest and hugging herself, repeating the motion until she feels steady again. Once she is calm, she lies back down and sees through the window that morning has arrived.
"Ugh, bad dream… damn it," Friley mutters.
She immediately gets up and showers, hoping to shake off the effects of the nightmare and feel refreshed.
She then sits in the kitchen, eating her breakfast and drinking a glass of chocolate milk. Lost in thought, she mulls over the nightmare she had on her first day in a new world. Definitely not a good sign. Friley isn't the type to believe in dreams. Back on Earth, she always considered nightmares as nothing more than demonic disturbances that would go away with prayer. But now that she isn't on Earth, the nightmare feels like a warning—an omen that something unpleasant is about to happen.
Even so, a dream is just a dream, Friley tells herself. It's not good to overthink something so rooted in imagination. Rather than dwell on it, she decides to explore the area and get to know her new city. There are many interesting spots she saw yesterday on her way home.
After finishing her breakfast, Friley heads outside for a walk. She starts with a magic shop.
Magic is just fantasy on Earth, but here, it is real.
At the magic shop, she meets the shopkeeper, a man in his 40s. The uncle greets her, "Hello, young lady, what are you looking for?"
"I'd like to just look around for now," Friley replies.
"Of course, go ahead."
The uncle's name is Skolm. He has the appearance of a wise, well-read man. Friley strolls through the shop, browsing. Uncle Skolm observes her face and suddenly remembers something.
"Ah, you're the one Joseph brought yesterday?"
"Yes."
"No wonder I thought I'd seen you before. So, did anything catch your eye?"
"Um, I'd like to buy something, but I'm not familiar with magic."
"Hm, because you're not from this world?" Uncle Skolm looks at Friley, and she nods.
"But… you have magic potential," says Uncle Skolm.
Hearing that, Friley suddenly feels excited and hopeful. Her face shows so much excitement that Uncle Skolm flinches—everyone in Asea is already used to magic.
"Is there a tool I can use, uncle?" she asks enthusiastically.
"Hahaha, of course. Come here."
Friley follows him to a shelf lined with rings. The rings have the same function but different designs and powers. They are used as mediums to harness natural elements like wind, water, fire, and so on. Friley quickly picks one with a butterfly wing motif. Without instruction, she imagines a gentle breeze and directs it at herself.
Fyuhhh!—a soft breeze flows out, refreshing and delightful. Lost in her joy, Friley doesn't notice Uncle Skolm standing still, surprised. It's the first time he's seen someone control a ring on the first try. He chuckles, amazed by her natural talent.
"You can have that ring for free," says Uncle Skolm.
"Really? Wahhh, thank you, uncle!" Friley replies happily.
"But next time, you'll have to pay," he adds.
"Mmmh!" Friley nods eagerly.
Before she leaves, Uncle Skolm reminds Friley not to use the ring for anything evil. She agrees and promises. As she walks away, occasionally glancing at the ring, Friley catches the scent of food from a nearby snack shop. The breeze carries the aroma to her nose, tempting her to buy something. Curious about the local food in Asea, she buys some with the allowance Joseph has given her.
After spending the day wandering around and getting to know the locals, Friley runs into Joseph in front of a café. Joseph glances at her and teases, "Looks like someone enjoyed herself. Who was the person that tried to decline the offer to stay here?"
Embarrassed by her silly behavior—and the food in her hands—Friley blushes. Joseph just laughs and invites her to sit. Over coffee, Friley recounts everything: her night walk to the beach and meeting a strange man, receiving a ring from Uncle Skolm that morning, and the warmth of the locals. She talks like a child chatting to a parent.
Joseph cuts in, "Your parents would be happy to hear your stories if you ever return to Earth."
Friley's smile fades. Realizing his slip, Joseph fumbles, "Uh, haha, sorry. You must miss your parents."
Calmly, Friley replies, "No, that's not it. My parents were never really interested in my stories."
Joseph feels a pang of guilt. Her earlier cheer gives way to her usual calm, quiet demeanor. The moment lingers awkwardly—until the man Friley met at the beach suddenly appears.
"Ah, you're the girl from last night at the beach?"
"Oh, the guy who randomly started talking," Friley replies flatly.
"So, you know the professor?" he says, then pauses before adding, "Wait—you're the one who came through that door?"
Both Joseph and Friley nod. The man sits down without hesitation, ignoring Friley's unspoken thought that he clearly doesn't understand personal space.
"Oh right, we haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Rudy, a final-year student at the academy. And the professor's favorite student."
"Since when?" Joseph snaps back.
Friley lets out a small laugh at Joseph's expression. "Hahaha, so Joseph can make other expressions."
Seeing her smile again eases Joseph's guilt. He silently vows not to touch the subject of family again until she's ready to talk.
Their conversation drifts on until the afternoon sun dips lower. Before leaving, Rudy asks, "Hey, want to head out with me tomorrow?"
Joseph chimes in, "Ah, right. You're starting tomorrow, Friley."
Friley's mood drops. She's been so caught up in exploring that she forgot she agreed to be Joseph's assistant—meaning her free days are over.
"Ehh… okay," she answers with obvious reluctance.
"Pfft, hahaha! Friley, were you just disappointed about going to the academy?" Rudy teases.
"No," Friley denies.
"Alright then," Joseph says, "Rudy, please take Friley to the academy until she learns the way. I have other matters to deal with. See you tomorrow." Without waiting for a reply, he leaves.
"Alright, I'll come get you tomorrow. Don't forget," Rudy says with a grin.
Annoyed by his teasing, Friley attempts to kick him, but misses because he dodges instinctively. After Rudy departs, she heads home to rest and prepare for her first day of work. On the way, she glances up at the darkening sky and slightly regrets her decision. She could've just freeloaded off Joseph—but nothing in this world comes free.