This was a typical conference room commonly seen across China: a U-shaped rosewood table surrounded by dozens of neatly arranged chairs. The air conditioner in the corner hummed softly, blowing cool, refreshing air.

The previous team of Ability Users sat on the left arm of the U-shaped table, while Cold Night Feather occupied the right side. She curiously observed the working air conditioner—such technological marvels didn’t exist on the Freya Continent.

Leading the Ability Users was an elderly man, part of the reinforcement squad dispatched from Tianqi City near the capital. The higher-ups took this bizarre incident seriously: for a single Devouring Sin Beast, they’d sent a renowned S+ Tier Ability User and three A Tier Ability Users. This lineup could crush not only Devouring-tier Sin Beasts but even ordinary End-tier ones. Their primary mission was investigation.

Now, however, they had an additional task: to negotiate with the breathtakingly beautiful, white-haired girl of unknown species before them. Her terrifying power and mysterious origins made the authorities wary. Their orders were clear—prioritize winning her over; at worst, avoid making her an enemy. After all, gaining a powerful ally was far wiser than creating a formidable foe.

Silence hung heavy in the room, broken only by the air conditioner’s steady hum. Neither Cold Night Feather nor the Ability Users spoke. The tension thickened until a tall, thin middle-aged man opened the door, handed a file to the elder, and slipped out.

The file contained detailed records of Bai Xin’s life—every significant event up to now. Cold Night Feather had requested this information.

The elder, known as Thunder General, cleared his throat, drawing Cold Night Feather’s gaze from the air conditioner. "The documents you asked for have arrived. Care to review them?"

Cold Night Feather nodded, took the file, and flipped through its pages.

"Seventeen years old. Orphaned young. Her only guardian, her grandfather, passed away when she was fourteen. At fifteen, she nearly suffered assault by a drunkard… hence her strong aversion to men?" She finished the thin file quickly, murmuring key points aloud.

She then looked toward the elder, uncertain. "This ‘Donglin Third Middle School’ she attends—is it an educational institution?"

The elder nodded. "Indeed. A lower-tier academy for Ability Users."

Cold Night Feather’s eyes lit with understanding. After a moment’s thought, she stated firmly, "Then here’s my first request: I’ll enroll in this academy. In the same class as that girl. And effective today, I become her legal guardian."

The elder’s expression remained impassive. After a pause, he asked, "May I inquire why you value this young lady so highly? Is she an acquaintance?"

"No. We met for the first time today," Cold Night Feather shook her head. "But certain matters concern me. For specific reasons, I must ensure her safety. I cannot disclose more."

Sensing further probing was unwise, the elder shifted focus. "Then, might this lady reveal your origin and nature? My superiors also seek this answer."

"As you see, I am human. I hail from another world—a Mystic Necklace brought me here. Why? I don’t know. That’s all I can say." Cold Night Feather shrugged.

The elder stared intently into her eyes. Cold Night Feather met his gaze unflinchingly. In her clear, crimson irises, he found not a trace of panic or falsehood. Finally, he looked away, sighed, and slid a densely written contract toward her. "Understood. Do you accept these terms, Miss Cold?"

The contract permitted Cold Night Feather to reside freely in Donglin City under one condition: she must not slaughter civilians without cause. In return, she’d assist the military and government in resolving local incidents. With the frontlines intensifying, the military lacked personnel to secure this anomaly-prone rear city. Her arrival was like a godsend—who could better safeguard Donglin than someone who effortlessly slaughtered Devouring Sin Beasts?

Cold Night Feather scanned the document and nodded. Signing was unnecessary; as an outsider, she answered to no earthly laws. A verbal agreement sufficed.

Relief washed over the three A Tier Ability Users beside the elder—and Donglin’s three local B Tier members. During negotiations, Thunder General had subtly emanated his aura to test her. They’d braced for a clash, never expecting her compliance.

Thunder General’s expression, however, darkened. His probing revealed nothing of her true depth. *Just how terrifying is this white-haired girl’s power?*

Ultimately, both sides gained what they wanted.

"Then I take my leave," Cold Night Feather rose, nodding to Thunder General. Though still fascinated by the magic-less metal contraption blowing cold air, she had no reason to stay.

"I’ll send uniforms and identification documents. Prepare to attend school with Bai Xin. I’ll handle all arrangements," the elder stated flatly.

"Understood." Cold Night Feather opened the conference room door and stepped out.

…

*Am I dreaming?* Bai Xin wondered, staring at Cold Night Feather’s flawless profile. The girl sat beside her in a decidedly unladylike pose, engrossed in the paused anime on Bai Xin’s screen. An unreal haze clung to the moment.

She recalled Cold Night Feather’s words after knocking on her door earlier:

"Hey, kid. From now on, little master here is your guardian. You’ll teach me about this world!"

*(Seriously? You don’t look much older than me.)* Bai Xin had thought.

As if reading her mind, Cold Night Feather scoffed, "I’m forty-four."

Bai Xin gaped at the face that looked twenty-four—no, younger. Instinct screamed *lie*, yet those clear crimson eyes, and a strange inner certainty, confirmed the truth.

After minutes of bewildered silence, Bai Xin noticed Cold Night Feather hovering over her computer.

"Hey! Kid! You were watching this, right? Show me how it works!" Cold Night Feather called.

Now, Cold Night Feather watched the "freeze eel" with rapt, if confused, fascination. "Hah! This ‘freeze eel’ is amusing. Freya Continent values strength—no one wastes time on such entertainment… But ‘eel’ refers to a fish, yes? Why ‘freeze’ it?" She tapped Bai Xin’s shoulder.

Startled from her daze, Bai Xin blinked. "Huh? What did you say?"

An old, familiar urge to punch her flared in Cold Night Feather’s chest—as if Bai Xin had always been this airheaded. Yet, staring at the dumbfounded girl, Cold Night Feather feared catching her stupidity by association. She sighed, repeating her question patiently.

Bai Xin gave her a peculiar look. "It’s *anime*. ‘Dong’ as in movement, ‘man’ as in roaming. How did you even get ‘freeze eel’?"

Seeing Bai Xin’s mix of pity and smugness, Cold Night Feather’s fingers itched to throttle her.

…

"Done! Taste my cooking!" Bai Xin announced, placing a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes on the table. Simple dishes filled the space: stir-fried pork with green peppers, shredded potatoes, seaweed egg-drop soup.

To Cold Night Feather, these were alien creations. Freya Continent’s cuisine leaned Western, and such dishes didn’t exist. After tasting an egg, she declared, "Hmph! You’re clueless, but your cooking’s surprisingly good!" She then wrestled awkwardly with chopsticks—another Freya Continent novelty.

Bai Xin, however, beamed, ignoring the insult. She puffed her chest proudly—modest compared to Cold Night Feather’s, yet undeniably shapely.

Cold Night Feather sighed inwardly. *She’s been lonely too long. Probably learned to cook alone…* The thought softened her gaze. *(It’s like when Master first took me in. I’d desperately try to prove myself, just to earn their attention.)* On impulse, she ruffled Bai Xin’s hair.

"W-What? Why’d you do that?" Bai Xin flinched at first, unused to touch, then slowly closed her eyes.

Cold Night Feather’s voice turned gentle, shedding all pretense of arrogance. "Regardless of the necklace or anything else—I’ll protect you, kid." In that moment, she was no longer the swaggering "little master," but a caring older sister. (Though Cold Night Feather still considered herself the cool older brother.)