A white object landed on the ground, bouncing like a ball before settling. As it did, the glow around it slowly faded, revealing a fluffy, white, ball-shaped creature inside.
It was a plump little thing, with no clear distinction between body and head—just a round shape. It must be alive, Nevia thought, since it had large, human-like eyes blinking curiously at the three girls.
What is this?
Nevia raised her hand and—smack!—she swatted the round creature away with a basketball move she’d seen on TV in her past life. It flew far into the distance.
The thing slammed into the ground, bounced high, then—splash!—landed in the river.
Nina couldn’t stand it. She dropped her Magic Shield and hurried to the riverbank, watching the white ball drift downstream. It looked so cute, sparking her protective instincts for all things adorable. But she didn’t know how to bring it back. An idea struck her. She whispered a chant, and a pale blue light flashed from the necklace hidden under her clothes. Raising her hand, icy mist flowed from her fingers onto the water.
The stream froze visibly, turning into a glittering ice sheet under the sun. Nina admired her handiwork with satisfaction.
Then she noticed the little creature was frozen inside the ice too.
Ah, so was this magic a success or a failure?
As an imperial princess, Nina had a habit of collecting odd trinkets. The necklace she wore—the Woodroot Tooth Amulet—was said to be the crystallized life’s work of a legendary alchemist. It could unleash any of twenty-one elemental magics, costing only a small matching magic crystal.
“What is this?”
The three girls tiptoed across the ice. Nevia smashed the block with a stone and fished out the frozen creature.
“Never seen anything like it,” Nina said, shaking her head as she examined the waterlogged, swollen ball on the ground.
Nevia shrugged. This world held many strange beings. Even she, well-versed in dark factions and past enemies from the Light camp, didn’t know harmless creatures like this one.
After studying it awhile, they still couldn’t identify the species.
“Is it okay?” Alyssa asked worriedly.
“It’s fine!”
“But it keeps spitting out water…”
“Uh…” Nevia pointed to where its mouth should be; water trickled out steadily. “That just means it’s alive and healthy!” She placed her hands on its belly and pressed hard. A jet of water shot straight out.
“Whoa,” Nevia said, sticking out her tongue.
“Let me handle this. Some people just can’t be trusted here,” Nina said, emphasizing “some people.” Flames burst to life in her palm.
“Heh heh heh…” Nevia’s head filled with imaginary laughter. She grabbed Nina’s arm. “You’ll turn it into barbecue!”
“I just wanted to dry it off!”
“Do I look like I’d believe that?” Nevia narrowed her eyes, her tone flatly sarcastic.
“Hah! Watch me roast it right now!” Nina huffed, ready to hurl the fire.
Just then, the little creature on the ground trembled. Like a startled bird, it shot into the air, wobbled wildly, and zoomed away.
“Uh…”
“It ran away…” Alyssa gazed at the sky.
With nothing left to do, the trio stood idle.
“Alyssa, what do you usually do at this time?” Nevia asked.
“Um… pick mushrooms on the mountain, I guess.”
“Mushroom picking?”
“Yeah.”
“Perfect!” Nevia slammed her fist into her palm. “Let’s go pick mushrooms together!” She raised her hand with dramatic flair, as if announcing a royal ball rather than farm work.
Nina showed zero interest. But Alyssa agreed happily—no need to wait for them to leave before her own foraging. Nevia really is my best friend, the little girl thought warmly.
Majority ruled. Baskets in hand, they set off up the mountain path. Mushrooms thrived in dark, damp spots, so dense forests were ideal. Alyssa, a seasoned picker with “skill level 999,” led them over hills and through thick woods.
“We’re here.”
Alyssa scanned the area contentedly, then hopped onto a rock. From her perch, she surveyed the forest like a queen. No one knew this land better; she’d grown up here, feeling like its rightful ruler.
Mushrooms… plump white ones… dark ones… mushrooms were the best.
Ahem. She cleared her throat. “Right here.”
Mushroom gathering mode: activated.
Done.
Wiping sweat from her brow, Alyssa beamed at her full bamboo basket. So many mushrooms—today was truly satisfying. Ignoring the bickering behind her over who’d picked more, she looked up.
And saw the white ball creature diving from the sky again.
But spotting Nevia and Nina, it screeched to a midair halt. If Alyssa knew cars, she’d have marveled at its braking skills. It paused, then made an impossible turn, speeding away even faster.
Well, today really was a happy day.
