Pure white clouds drifted across the sky, mirrored in the crystal-clear river.

Nevia gazed at her reflection in the water. A gentle breeze rippled the surface, sending soft concentric circles spreading outward. Her fingers trailed through the water, savoring the subtle caress of the current against her skin.

So peaceful. Just like this world she now inhabited.

Nevia carefully sorted through colorful river stones along the bank.

Lifting a large rock from the riverbed, she unexpectedly uncovered something startling.

"Huh?"

Hearing Nevia’s surprised voice, Nina grew curious. But Nevia’s back blocked her view. Nina edged closer—and froze at the sight before her. An animal she’d never seen before…?

Beneath the overturned stone, a bluish-gray crab sat motionless in its muddy nest. Startled by the sudden light, it flailed its claws wildly, snapping the air. Nina blinked in shock.

She’d never seen anything like it. A hard shell. Those two massive pincers—like dangerous weapons. It looked terrifying.

Nina’s face scrunched in pure, childlike confusion.

But the fierce little creature was all bluff. When Nevia’s hand dipped into the water, sensing the disturbance, the crab instantly lost its bravado. It scrambled backward, kicking up silt to hide as it tried to flee.

Nevia wouldn’t let it escape. Her hand shot out, gripping the crab firmly by its shell. Precise. Practiced. Nina’s eyes widened—how had she tamed that scary thing so easily?

"Got it."

Nina hesitated, then curiosity won out. "What… what is that?"

"A crab. A fascinating little creature," Nevia replied.

"A crab? Will it bite? It looks so fierce!" Nina shrank back, fear flickering in her eyes. Nevia was surprised—she hadn’t expected her to fear such a small thing.

*But this is how children should be.*

Nevia smiled. "It won’t bite. But its claws pinch hard. Hold it like this—by the back—and you’re safe." She dangled the crab before Nina.

Nina flinched away. "Really?"

"Try it."

Nevia handed it over. Though wary, Nina’s childish curiosity won. She mimicked Nevia’s grip, seizing the crab’s shell. Watching its claws snap harmlessly in the air, a delighted smile bloomed on her face.

*So easy to please,* Nevia thought fondly—forgetting she herself looked like a little girl now.

She turned back to her stones. But moments later, a sharp cry cut through the air. Nevia spun around. Nina’s finger was trapped in the crab’s pincer. The girl flailed wildly, tears welling as she shrieked, "It hurts! It hurts!"

"Don’t move!" Nevia yelled. But pain drowned out her words.

Nevia rushed over. She disliked Nina’s spoiled nature—but seeing any child so distressed was unbearable.

Just as she reached out—flames erupted from Nina’s palm.

"What?!"

Stunned that such a young child could cast magic, Nevia dodged. Fire roared past her, engulfing a tree on the opposite bank. Sweat beaded on Nevia’s brow. *That could’ve killed me.*

"Nina, calm down!"

Nina didn’t listen. Lightning crackled from her other hand. She aimed to scare the crab off—this world’s creatures feared magic like Earth’s feared fire.

*Zzzt—*

*A dual-attribute mage?*

Nevia gasped. Most beings here were attribute-less. Those born with even one magical affinity were rare blessings of the Holy Light. Two? Unheard of.

Then Nina unleashed *more*. Fire. Ice shards. Gusts of wind. Bolts of lightning. All flung carelessly from her tiny hands.

*All this power… for a crab?*

Even in the ancient era, Nevia had never seen such raw talent. But magic drained the spirit—overuse risked backlash.

Nevia lunged to stop her. She couldn’t let a prodigy collapse over a crustacean.

Nina whirled—and blasted a miniature whirlwind straight at Nevia.

Nevia sidestepped. "Nina!" Anger flared. She made a subtle gesture.

Though small now, her soul remembered ancient magics.

Nina’s body locked for a split second. She stumbled forward, crashing into Nevia. They tumbled backward onto the soft riverbank mud.

Nevia’s lips met something warm and yielding. A sweet, strawberry-candy scent filled her senses. Instinctively, her tongue flicked out to taste it.

Then she saw Nina’s wide, shocked eyes. Their lips were pressed together. Her tongue had slipped between Nina’s lips.

Nevia froze. Staring. Forgetting to pull away.