“So why did you end up in this forest, lost among leaves and shadow?”

“Told you already—I slaughtered the god-realm, then fell here like a burned-out star.”

Ling’s lips pressed tight, stormy as a sky before rain; Alicia’s doubt pricked like cold needles.

“Heh-heh~” Alicia’s laugh drifted light as dandelion fluff, a warm breeze meant for a mischievous child.

“Hmph, believe it or not!” Ling’s glare flashed like a fox’s eyes in dusk; cute, yet sharp enough to cut.

Alicia winced like she’d taken a snowball to the face, then stroked Ling’s head, her smile glowing like lantern light.

“Of course I believe you. My adorable Ling—when did you become mine?—is unmatched under heaven.” Her praise rang like temple bells.

Ling heard the fluff in it, like sugar in tea, yet her heart soaked it up like warm sunlight.

She narrowed her eyes, blissed out as a cat in a sunpatch, letting Alicia’s hand drift over her hair.

Pleasure purred first—soft and lazy—then pride snapped awake like a hawk above peaks: I’m above gods. This is undignified. I must escape this sinful hand. Why won’t my body obey? When did this sneak pull a trick on me?

No matter how thoughts bucked like wild ponies, her tiny head swayed side to side, broadcasting simple happiness like a windbell.

Seeing comfort take root, Alicia withdrew her hand, the warmth fading like a receding tide; Ling’s eyes clung with reluctant dew.

“Ling, when are you heading back? Do you even know the way?” Alicia’s voice went gentle, a brook under willows.

Ling’s mood lifted like kites in spring; even her words danced.

“I don’t have a home to go back to. But if we mean getting out, I know the exit—like a path through fog.”

Hope sparked in Alicia’s gaze, bright as starlight through branches; her opinion of Ling climbed another step, like a terrace in the hills.

“Then let’s get out fast. If you’ve got no home, come to mine. I’ll make you my little sister.” Her promise landed soft as down.

“Wait! Aren’t you supposed to look at a homeless me with pity, take me home, and then—things we can’t describe?” Ling’s surprise twitched like a startled sparrow.

“Why would we do that? We’ve got lots of orphans. War over borders took many parents, like frost killing crops. The state cares for them well; no one goes hungry. And if you’re homeless, I’ll take you as my sister. I’ve long wanted a sister as cute as you.” Alicia’s calm spread like clear water.

Novel-standard and very strong—Ling could only sigh, winded like a leaf in a sudden gust.

“Fine, I get it. I’ll lead you out. Being your sister needs… consideration.” Her chin tilted, proud as a crane.

After all, I’m absurdly strong; I can’t let you get the better of me. Sure, letting a beauty get the better of me isn’t a loss… but still, no. Hmph.

“Okay, okay, I know. So how are you getting us out?” Alicia asked, curiosity peeking like dawn.

Ling tugged Alicia from the water, small hands firm as ivy on stone.

“Come, come—feast your eyes on something good.” Her grin glinted like a blade under moon.

“Something good? What is it?” Alicia blinked, a deer in brush.

“It’s coming, it’s coming. You’ll know when you see.” Ling’s tone chimed like teasing bells.

“Ling—clothes, clothes!” Alicia’s cheeks flared, pink as peach blossoms.

“Aiya! Take them, quick!” Ling scrambled like a squirrel.

The little girl and the beauty changed clothes, a simple ritual like folding daylight into linen.

Their clothes dried under Alicia’s wind magic, spinning warm as summer air; she blinked at Ling’s ornate dress, rich as court brocade, but soon steadied like a quiet lake.

“Alicia, which way is your home?” Ling’s eyes narrowed, hawk-sharp.

Not sure why, Alicia pointed, her finger sure as a compass needle. “That way.”

Ling raised her right hand, palm steady as a calm sea; the Magic Cannon gathered, light pooling like a newborn sun.

Ten breaths later—BOOM!—a thunderclap tore the silence, shockwave rolling like a mountain breaking free.

Trees ahead went down like stalks in a storm; a road opened wide enough for a car, clean as a sword-cut through bamboo.

Alicia stared, stunned, her belief shifting like ice cracking in spring; even the country’s strongest mages couldn’t do this, and Ling looked fresh as morning dew.

Was I bringing a walking nuke home? The thought shivered through her ribs like winter wind.

Her gaze turned puzzled and fearful, a bird watching the sky darken.

Ling just turned, chin tipped high, pride gleaming like a polished crown.

Alicia caught the look—pure “praise me,” sweet as candied haw on a stick.

So childlike. Probably not that dangerous… right? Her hope flickered like a candle.

“Umm… Ling, you’re amazing. I believe you now.” Her voice soothed, soft as velvet.

Ling smiled, bright as sunlight on rice fields, joy rippling out like rings in water.

Alicia used her secret skill—Moser Style: Headpat Kill—palm descending warm as spring rain.

“But promise me one thing. Back in my country, don’t throw around power that strong. People will scold you. Promise me, okay?” Her plea held like a gentle net.

Under the headpat’s spell, Ling nodded, obedient as a kitten; inside, her pride stood tall as a mountain: Who dares scold me? I have a hundred ways to make them regret living.

Alicia didn’t see the blade beneath the silk; the nod made her surer Ling was a child, mind untempered, heart soft as mochi.

A child like this won’t cause trouble if brought home, she thought, her resolve smooth as stone.

She took the little girl’s hand, soft as new petals; together they walked the road toward home, a path like a silver ribbon.

Ling stepped beside her, a small shadow and a new dawn, moving toward a fresh beginning like the first light over distant peaks.