Night fell over the lord’s manor in Rat City, like ink poured across rooftops.

After dinner, I stepped into the courtyard to practice, moonlight pooling like cool water at my feet. The fight today had carved lessons into me, and my blade felt a shade keener.

Xinuo and Hill sat on the stone steps, lantern glow painting their faces in warm amber. Lilith had slipped off to bathe, steam and laughter trailing in her wake.

“Hey, Xinuo, what profession was that Fangao De today?” Curiosity pricked like a thorn. “He used a sword, yet cast magic.”

“A Magic Sword Wielder. One branch of Mage.” Xinuo turned a page, words flowing under her eyes like a quiet stream.

“Oh, a Magic Sword Wielder?” My stance flowed from cut to cut, breath a steady tide. “So what kind of job is that? Fangao De seemed strong.”

“It’s nothing special. Magic and martial, dual-trained.” She lifted a teacup, steam curling like a pale dragon. “Anyone with a sturdy body who can swing a sword and cast a bit of magic can be one.”

“As for that ant, he’s at best S-class Magus.” She set the cup down, gaze sinking back into the book like a stone into a pond.

“Got it.” I let the curiosity fade, the courtyard settling into crickets and cool air.

Silence folded in, soft as felt.

Five minutes passed, the night breathing slow and deep.

“Hmph! It’s no big deal,” Hill burst out, her voice a firecracker in the hush. “A single Dragon Aura from me would’ve knocked those flies out cold!”

“Oh? Hill, that’s impressive.” I answered lightly, but a thought flashed—if I could do that, if pressure alone could drop foes like wheat, wouldn’t fights be easy?

The idea gleamed like a coin in the dark. “So, Xinuo,” I asked, heartbeat tapping at my ribs, “can I do what Hill does? Knock enemies out with pressure alone?”

“You can.” Xinuo didn’t look up, calm as a clear lake.

“How?”

“Sword Intent.” Her tone was gentle and cool, like moon over snow. “If you condense Sword Intent, Servant, you won’t need to swing. Just release it.”

She placed the novel aside and stretched like a cat after sun. “You’ve seen your father’s Holy Decree, right? That token carries Saint’s Sword Intent.”

“Oh, right.” The memory rose like mist—before entering the Phantom Sword Realm, that cold gleam and crushing stillness.

“So, if you don’t want to keep fighting till you drop, work hard, Servant. Aim to form Sword Intent early.” She let a sly smile curl, sharp as a blade under silk. “Though with your current level, it’s impossible.”

“I’ll work hard!” The promise felt like a fresh knot tied tight.

“Hey, Boss, don’t forget me!” Hill puffed her cheeks, a tiny drum, and turned away with a crisp “hmph.”

“Alright, Hill.” I couldn’t help a smile; she was nothing like my sister, bright as fireworks. “What d’you want for breakfast?”

“Oooh! Lemme think!” Her eyes lit up like stars. “Ramen! The kind with roast pork!”

“Greasy in the morning. You sure?”

“No problem!” Hill straightened her flat little chest with heroic pride. “The Dragon Kin have top-tier digestion in this world!”

“Okay then. I’ll add extra roast pork for you.”

“Yay! Thanks, Boss!” She sprinted at me, then jumped, a sparrow leaping into a warm branch.

“Hey, Hill, I’m still practicing.” But she dove into my arms and hugged tight, her soft face nuzzling my chest, tickling like feathers.

“Hehe! Boss, your body’s so comfy—soft and sweet!” Her eyes half-closed, a purring cat in moonlight.

“You’re impossible.” I ruffled her small head, feeling the mischief melt my focus. I let the Shattered Light Sword dissolve into Shattered Light, then into a bracelet, cool metal kissing my wrist.

“That’s enough for tonight. I’m heading back.” Xinuo stood, silk moving like water. “Servant, pack up. Cups and that plate too.”

“Got it.” I scooped Hill up, gathered the teacup and the plate of pastries, and headed inside, hallway shadows flowing like quiet rivers.

In the room, warmth spread like a quilt.

“Waaah! Beds are still king—soft and cloud-light.” I set Hill down and flopped onto the big mattress, rolling with a grin.

“Boss, Boss, I wanna roll too!” Hill shouted, springing up, and we tumbled together, two kids in a cotton sea.

“Are you two children?” Xinuo hauled us upright with a firm hand, her voice a crisp bell. She tapped our heads, light but sharp. “Stop it. The sheets and quilt are a mess. Go reflect.”

“Uuu, we get it.” Hill and I knelt in the corner, hands holding our heads, like statues under a temple eave.

“Yo-ho! Big Brother, Lilith came to play!” The door swung open, and Lilith walked in wearing pajamas, smile bright as dawn.

“Eh?! Big Brother, and big sis over there—what are you doing?” Her puzzled look tilted like a sparrow’s head.

“It’s nothing,” I sighed, fate feeling a touch bitter, like tea brewed too long. “Life’s ten troubles to one joy… uuu…”

“Boss is totally right!” Hill chimed, solemn as a sage, silly as a chick.

“Then Lilith will go for now. See you tomorrow!” Sensing the air was off, she slid the door shut, quiet as falling petals.

At last, after ten minutes of kneel-sitting, Xinuo spared us, mercy like cool rain.

“Whew, my feet are pins and needles.” I stood and kicked at the air, shaking off the ache like snow from boots.

“No more kneeling! Hooray!” Hill bounced up, instantly forgetting the lesson, hugging my right arm and swinging it like a bell rope.

“Alright, Servant. Hill. Enough mischief.” Xinuo’s voice softened, sleep like silk on her tongue. She had changed into a nightdress, pale fabric drifting. “It’s late. Sleep.”

“Okay. I’ll wash up, then sleep. Hill, get to bed.” I slipped my arm free and pinched her cute cheeks, soft as steamed buns.

“Mm-mm! Okay, Boss. Hurry!” She ran to the bed and hopped, a bird to nest.

“I’ll go wash.” I shook my head, smiling, and headed to the washroom, water whispering over skin like a mountain spring.

After washing and changing into my sleepwear, I climbed into bed and turned off the lamp. Darkness settled, gentle as soot on snow.

“Good night.”

And so, our first day on the Eastern Moon Continent closed, the night laying a quiet seal over roofs and hearts, though the day had been crowded with storms.