Since the mansion was in a remote spot, Nina and I walked half a day to reach a rundown inn.

We chose this place because I had no money at all, and Nina only had a tiny bit of savings.

Thinking about our future, she had no choice but to stay here.

As soon as we stepped inside, drinkers in the lobby all turned their eyes to us.

This place usually housed poor adventurers; it was rare to see a woman with a child checking in.

I glanced around—the lobby was fairly spacious.

A cheap glowstone embedded in the ceiling lit the hall.

Tables and chairs held all sorts of people: fierce-looking bald men, cat-eared female demi-humans, and thug-like hoodlums huddled over dice games.

Almost everyone carried weapons—a real mix of shady characters.

Behind a counter sat bottles of cheap liquor I’d never seen.

The owner was a middle-aged man with a prominent facial scar, a bushy beard, and rugged features. His dull eyes curiously sized up Nina and me.

"Staying the night?"

"Yes, one single room for one night."

"It’s not my place to say, but this isn’t suitable for a delicate young lady and a kid. You sure?"

Surprisingly, he was kind. Nina still nodded.

"Thank you for the warning, but I’m confident in my swordsmanship."

She revealed the short sword at her waist. The boss snorted.

"Fine. Ten copper coins. Meals cost extra. Upstairs, second room on the right."

Nina placed ten copper coins on the counter, took the key, and led me to our room.

Inside, she locked the door.

After helping me off with my soaked clothes, she dried my body with a towel—her care as meticulous as ever.

I lay on the not-so-soft bed, watching Nina peel off her own soaked maid uniform piece by piece.

The beautiful body I’d seen countless times since childhood was fully exposed before me.

"Nina."

"What is it, Young Master?"

"Why do you still stay by my side? I’m no longer a Young Master. If you abandoned me, you could live more easily, right?"

"Please don’t say such hurtful things. You’ll always be my dearest Young Master. I want to stay by your side forever."

She turned around, her eyes slightly red-rimmed, gazing at me with utter seriousness.

"Hey, hey, I was joking! Even if you tried to run, I wouldn’t let you go."

I hurried to explain. Sigh, it’s hardest to bear a beauty’s kindness.

"Then please never joke like that again."

Huffily, Nina turned away and kept drying herself. I snatched the towel.

"As compensation, this Young Master will dry you off. Haha."

"Ah? Young Master, you’re awful! No—ah!"

...

Late at night, I opened my eyes. Nina was still awake, sitting by the bed, staring fixedly at the door.

"Enough. Sleep, Nina."

"It’s fine, Young Master, I—"

Before she could finish, I tapped her forehead. She instantly fell into a deep sleep.

I yawned, stretched, and figured the time was right.

Sure enough, faint lock-picking sounds came from outside.

I walked over, opened the door, and found the three hoodlums from the lobby. They held lockpicks, staring at me in surprise.

"Heh heh, saves us trouble? Boss, this kid opened it himself!"

They exchanged glances and laughed.

"I’ll give you one chance: leave now, and I’ll spare your lives."

"Little fool? Still half-asleep?"

They pulled out knives, snarling. The blades glinted coldly in the dim light.

Sigh, such clueless fools. I waved my hand lightly.

"Death Freeze!"

Instantly! The three froze mid-motion, knives in hand, turned into crystal-clear ice sculptures.

...

The next morning, Nina opened the door and screamed at the sight of the ice sculptures.

I strolled over, appraising them.

"Not bad. This ice didn’t melt all night."

"Young Master, what is this???"

Nina stared at me in disbelief. I puffed up proudly.

"These are my ice sculptures. Now you know this Young Master’s power? You even boasted about supporting me—laughable! Hahaha."

"Young Master, are you a mage?"

"Hmph, mages? Compared to me, they’re nothing!"

"That’s wonderful, Young Master! You’re amazing!"

Nina suddenly hugged me, spinning like we were dancing.

"Stop spinning! This Young Master’s getting dizzy!"

Downstairs, the innkeeper still stood at the counter. Seeing us unharmed, surprise flickered in his eyes.

"Boss, three ice sculptures upstairs. Please handle them."

"Ice sculptures? Where’d they come from in this heat?"

He looked utterly confused. I just smiled lightly and left with Nina.