Nevia gazed at the tangerine-hued clouds on the horizon. The setting sun had already dipped halfway below the horizon.

"It's getting late..."

After this meaningless sigh, Nevia turned and glanced at Nina.

Nina wore a distracted expression, her face flushed as she lost in thought.

Seeing her, Nevia recalled the riverside scene. She looked away, unable to meet Nina's eyes.

Nina walked ahead; Nevia followed. Their silhouettes stretched long against the backlight, nearly merging.

The road was empty. The two girls walked in silence.

"Um..."

"Nothing happened back there, understand?"

"Eh... Yes, of course."

Nevia nodded. Everything around her bathed in the ambiguous glow of dusk.

By the time they neared Kaelen's house, the boys had grown impatient. They played in small groups—wrestling, mostly, in this world where strength was revered.

But as an "elegant" noble, Kaelen wouldn't join common brats. He'd had a servant bring a chair. Now he sat leisurely reading a magic book.

Yet the boy was distracted. He kept glancing toward where Nevia and Nina had left.

"When are they coming back?" he muttered.

Spotting them, Kaelen spun excitedly to the youth standing beside him. "See? I told you she wouldn't run home. We haven't settled our score yet!"

"Seems I was wrong," the youth replied, squinting at their approaching figures. "I thought the little girl would cry and flee."

"She's no ordinary girl. You don't know her," Kaelen said.

The youth stayed silent.

Kaelen shifted his gaze back.

*Do you really know her?* he asked himself inwardly.

*Yes.*

He stood, flashing a challenging grin at the girls. "Finally back. I thought you'd run away."

Truthfully, Kaelen had been a handsome little boy. But after Nevia's beating, his face was a lumpy, colorful mess—like an abstract painting. His menacing grin now looked comical to her.

Like a circus clown.

An image of a painted, exaggerated clown popped into Nevia's head. She suppressed a laugh. "Well, I'm back, aren't I?"

Nina sized Kaelen up and down, her gaze habitually condescending.

The boy raised an eyebrow but held his anger. *When I win, both girls will apologize properly.*

"I'm the witness for this duel. Sevein." The youth spoke. Nevia had noticed him earlier—a muscular figure with swords on both hips. A two-handed swordsman. Such weapons demanded great strength and skill. His cold focus made him seem formidable.

"What are we competing in?" Kaelen asked impatiently.

"This." Nevia pulled small stones from her pocket, waving them before his eyes.

"Stones?"

Kaelen, Nina, and Sevein all looked puzzled.

"They were just stones before. Now they're game pieces."

Kaelen listened intently.

"I call it Gomoku."

She'd wanted chess, but lacked time and materials. Chess rules might confuse kids. Pebbles for Gomoku were easier—just a whim.

Though ordinary in her past life, Nevia claimed it as her invention without guilt. *A true transmigrator copies. I'm spreading Chinese civilization's greatness.*

After explaining, Kaelen's group remained confused. Nevia drew a grid on the ground and played solo rounds to demonstrate.

"Alright, rules clear now? Let's begin?" Nevia smiled at Kaelen.

"But..." Kaelen hesitated. Competing against the rule-maker felt hopeless.

"Going back on your word?" Nevia teased. Nobles prized honor; reneging meant scorn.

"Of course not!" Kaelen gritted his teeth. Noble upbringing forbade失信.

Unsurprisingly, he lost quickly.

"A bet's a bet. You'll listen to me now," Nevia said happily.

Kaelen scowled. "No! Your rules were unfair. Rematch with mine. Only if you win again will I admit defeat."

Nevia was surprised—he seemed smarter than expected.

"What then?"

Kaelen thought. "The abandoned mine. See who dares enter?"

"No problem." Nina agreed instantly. Against a kid like Kaelen, she couldn't lose.

"Are you sure?" Seeing Nina's questioning look, Nevia felt a sudden surge of boldness.