"Whose kid is this? Does anyone know?"

Rein didn’t resist. Though she’d changed identities, casting magic openly would surely be reported to the Holy Knights investigating later—and that’d be disastrous.

A little girl with magic wasn’t rare. Many nobles’ children trained as mages from childhood, learning minor spells. But a homeless girl wielding *high-tier* magic? That was different. Rein clenched her teeth. *Patience.*

"No clue! Never seen this brat before!"

The crowd shook their heads, denying any connection to Rein.

"So she’s just a stray?" The city lord barely hesitated. He slapped the oaf’s shoulder. "Toss her down to feed the Beastfolk!"

"..."

The oaf moved silently to obey. Murmurs rippled through the crowd—she was still a child, after all.

"Hold." The city lord halted the oaf as whispers grew. He faced the people. "This brat tried opening the gates to let Beastfolk in! Is that something a child would do? She’s clearly a Demon!"

Silence fell. Even Rein paused. *He’s right…* Her rash act *had* been reckless. Though many here were cruel, good souls lived among them too. Sacrificing them for the wicked? That *was* her fault.

"If no one objects—throw her down!"

The wall stood ten meters high. An ordinary girl would shatter on impact. But Rein was ready. As a mage, she could cast a soft-fall spell instantly. Yet at five meters above ground—

A golden figure flashed beneath her. Rein choked off her incantation mid-word.

Sophia. The same woman who’d healed her earlier. She caught Rein mid-air, arms buckling under the impact. Sophia bit her lip, swallowing the pain.

"Little one," she grinned through gritted teeth, "we meet again!"

"..."

Sophia set Rein down and turned toward the Beastfolk cautiously crossing the ice. Her weapon lay abandoned where she’d stood—now buried under green-skinned bodies.

"Stay behind me. Don’t move."

"..."

Rein scanned the remaining fighters. Including Sophia, only three Vindictive Knights stood. One on the bridge wore shoulder armor etched with a holy cross—a Holy Knight, not just a Vindictive Knight.

"Sophia!" The Holy Knight’s shout cut through chaos. He hurled his short sword to her.

The distraction broke their formation. A Beastfolk seized the opening, dragging another knight into the horde.

"Run, Sophia!"

"I—I know!"

Sophia slammed the sword into the ice. Cracks spiderwebbed outward. Her fist glowed gold. She smashed it down. The ice shattered, revealing the churning river below.

"Holy Light protect us!"

As Sophia turned to leap, she spotted Rein frozen in place. Without hesitation, she scooped the girl up. "Stay awake, little one—you’re lucky I’m here!" She jumped before Rein could react.

Icy water swallowed Rein whole. She’d never learned to swim. Why would she? Once a prodigy mage, she’d walked on water using Mental Force Manifestation. But her interrupted spell had backfired—magic was impossible now.

Freezing water flooded her lungs. Instinctive gasps became suicide.

*Drowning… Can’t… breathe…*

Her mind went blank. Her body surrendered, drifting limp.

*What a pathetic way to die…*

*Guess I brought this on myself…*

Then—warmth pressed against her lips. Air. Precious air.

Rein forced her eyes open against the stinging cold. Through blurred vision, she saw Sophia’s face inches away, lips sealed to hers. Sophia’s eyes locked onto hers as she kicked hard, dragging them toward shore.

*Guess I’m not dying today…*

Unseen by Rein, a faint warmth flickered on her left hand’s insignia—then vanished beneath the icy current.