Reversing the storyline? Allen's hesitation.

Lokkishi looked nostalgic.

"I asked around, and indeed, several bandit groups headed north. This was the only one south of the Red Dragon Mountain Range. It seems they had a human trafficking and smuggling hideout in the forest, so they gathered people and kept looking for information about you. That's as far as the news goes."

Allen narrowed his eyes.

"So you were worried that the bandit group might have already found Buena Village, afraid something might happen to the Greyrat Family, which is why you rushed back? So you could offer some help if anything unexpected really did occur? Is that it?"

Lokkishi glanced at Allen, then shifted her gaze and nodded.

"I was also quite worried about Rudy. After all, he's my first student. So, how have you all been recently? Has the village been disturbed by outsiders?"

"Nope~"

"I see."

Allen looked at Lokkishi, his expression troubled.

'It's another butterfly effect caused by my actions, but this time it's a bit tricky. If I don't handle this well, it could even affect the future plot. If Lokkishi stays for another year or so because she's worried about the Greyrat Family, how will the story evolve then?'

'Will Rudy and I become adventurers with Lokkishi to earn money? And then save enough for Magic University tuition? That would completely change the plot. How would the childhood and adolescence periods be defined then? And would Eris still meet Rudy?'

'No! I have to steer the plot back to its original path. I'll use words to induce Lokkishi to leave as soon as possible, minimizing the butterfly effect this time.'

"I see… So you only just breathed a sigh of relief when you saw I was safe and sound, because the expected bandit attack didn't happen?"

Lokkishi nodded. She saw Allen's serious expression and thought he was worried about the bandits showing up. Considering the situation, she carefully chose her words, trying to reassure him.

"It seems you took the main road after we parted that day, so you wouldn't leave any more traces in the forest. That's why the bandit group lost your trail and couldn't find Buena Village. You don't need to worry too much…"

"Yes, it was indeed a false alarm. So, will you still travel as planned afterward?"

"Yes, if you all are alright, then of course I'm relieved. I'll continue my journey as planned."

"…I see."

After saying this, the two fell silent for a while. Lokkishi awkwardly tapped her foot lightly on the ground. She had rushed back in a moment of anxiety, and now that she confirmed the Greyrat Family was fine, she didn't know what to say.

"Then…"

"By the way, what did you do with those bandits who blocked your way?"

Lokkishi's expression froze, and she frowned, turning to look directly at Allen, her face showing a hint of anger.

"I killed them, and I disposed of the bodies. They deserved to die."

Under Lokkishi's gaze, Allen realized his words carried a sense of distrust. However, it was only because he subconsciously felt Blue Mom was kind, and he was afraid she might release the bandits out of soft-heartedness. He was worried that Lokkishi asking too many questions about Allen might lead the bandit group to track him to Buena Village, or even secretly send people to follow Blue Mom.

Thinking this, he lowered his head and apologized.

"I didn't mean it that way, but… thank you."

Lokkishi looked at him, smiled, and gently tapped Allen's head with her staff.

"After all, I used to be an adventurer. I wouldn't make such a mistake."

"My apologies."

The two fell silent again. After a long moment, Lokkishi gently patted her face.

"Alright, since I've confirmed you're all fine, I should continue my travels as planned. So, farewell, Allen."

Allen was momentarily stunned, though he had intentionally steered the conversation to this point. He simply blinked, then nodded.

"Then, don't we need to tell Master Paul… them?"

"Ah, no need. It's too late. I'll leave now, and you don't need to tell them I came back. That's for the best."

With that, Lokkishi looked up and scrutinized Allen. The moonlight shimmered in her eyes, and a crescent moon formed on her seemingly indifferent lips.

"However, it seems you've been doing well at the Greyrat Family since we parted that day. Your expression doesn't have that anxiousness it had two months ago, and you look much gentler now. It's good that you've reined in a lot of your aggressiveness."

Allen looked up in surprise, meeting Lokkishi's gaze, which was fixed on his face.

"Really?"

Lokkishi examined Allen's obediently styled bangs and stray hairs on his forehead, as well as his straight eyebrows, in the moonlight. She nodded.

"Yes, the shape of your eyebrows has changed, your hair has grown longer, and your eyes aren't as sharp as they were two months ago. If someone were to rely solely on the description of your appearance in a wanted poster, they probably wouldn't be able to identify you right away. So, you don't need to worry too much."

After speaking, Lokkishi blinked. Seeing that Allen didn't respond, she felt as if he had no intention of continuing the conversation with her.

She quietly watched Allen for a few breaths, then her smile faded. She turned around and gave Allen a small wave.

It was the same gesture Allen had made to her two months prior.

"As you said, we meet again so soon… Life is full of unexpected encounters."

"Then… goodbye."

Allen was startled. He looked at the hem of Lokkishi's clothes fluttering in the wind and subconsciously replied, "Ah, okay… goodbye."

Lokkishi turned and walked out of the yard. Allen instinctively watched her retreating back.

In the moonlight, her magic robe was noticeably stained, and in some places, it was creased from sitting. Her boots, which had been relatively clean when they first met, were now covered in mud. As she walked, a leaf stuck to the sole of her shoe fell to the ground.

The heels of her boots showed clear signs of wear.

Allen stared at Lokkishi's boots, a little lost in thought.

"Um..."

Lokkishi paused, turning her head slightly to look at Allen. In the moonlight, strands of her soft blue hair clung to her slightly sweaty forehead.

Allen looked at Lokkishi, then, after a moment's hesitation, he seemed to deflate or perhaps relax, dropping his tense shoulders as he spoke.

His tone finally returned to its usual relaxed, leisurely state.

"...Uh...I think you should come up and sit for a bit. Staying for a few more days would be nice. Rudy talks about missing you all the time, and..."

"...And?"

"...Though we meet again wherever we go, such a rushed meeting completely loses the meaning of a reunion, doesn't it? So why pretend to say 'we meet again wherever we go'? What's the difference between you and me and ordinary passersby? Uh...no! That's not it! I mean, Rudy and the others spent so much time with you, right? Uh...how should I put it?"

Lokkishi blinked as she watched Allen struggle to find the right words. She turned around and interrupted him.

She simply replied with one word.

"Okay."

Allen stared blankly at Lokkishi's re-emerging smile.

He suddenly felt that tonight's moonlight was a little too bright.

When I wrote this part of the story, I re-evaluated the plotline.

If Lokkishi had known about the Greyrat Family's difficulties, she would have completely turned back.

Whether it was abandoning her original travel plans after the Great Teleportation to search for the Greyrat family, or when she confessed to Rudy during their candid conversation, saying that the Greyrat household was her second home.

All of this supports that behavior.

And coming back to see Allen was only one contributing factor to this outcome, and a small one at that.

But deep down, Lokkishi is a romantic (reuniting with Rudy in the labyrinth and falling in love again). This crisis, forcing what felt like a destined reunion, was the fundamental reason she chose to stay a few more days.