"Miss, do you like this?"
The boutique owner rubbed his hands together, eyeing the young lady before him.
"......."
Ouyang Shi kept examining the music box in her hands, growing fonder of it by the second. *Would my little brother like this?* The thought surfaced in her mind.
"If you really like it, I can give you a discount!"
Seeing no reaction from the girl, the shopkeeper decided to sweeten the deal.
"I’ll take it. Transfer the payment."
Finally responding to the shopkeeper, Ouyang Shi offered a satisfied smile and handed over her compact intel terminal—her phone.
After scanning the anti-theft payment code on her screen, the shopkeeper received the exact amount of electronic currency owed.
"Take care, lovely miss!"
Beaming with relief at the successful sale, the shopkeeper waved Ouyang Shi off.
Her purchase complete, Ouyang Shi’s mood lifted considerably. Rarely did she soften her usual icy demeanor; today, she walked the streets with a neutral expression.
....
..
After leaving the hotel, Ouyang Shi wandered the western commercial district of Radiance. As the largest city in the United Kingdom, covering it all in a day was impossible. Fortunately, the Magic Exchange Conference would last a full month. Unhurried, she strolled aimlessly.
Eventually, she found a shop specializing in music boxes in a quiet corner of the street—the scene of their earlier exchange. For her homebound younger brother, this trinket would surely be a novelty.
"Hey, little sister! How about hanging out with big brother?"
Just as Ouyang Shi walked on, a group of flashy-dressed young men—thugs in every sense—suddenly blocked her path.
Her neutral expression froze over. Ouyang Shi stared at them silently.
"Why so quiet? Scared? Never seen a fresh face like yours around here. New in town? Let me show you the sights, huh? Hahahaha!"
Lecherous laughter erupted from the group.
Truthfully, Ouyang Shi’s beauty stood out even among her peers. Her stroll had already drawn countless gazes, though most kept their distance. These thugs, however, were clearly driven by unchecked desire.
"Get lost...."
Pfft!
Hahahahaha!
Their laughter grew louder.
"*Get lost?* How exactly, little girl? Maybe we should roll around in bed together instead?"
A chilling gust swept past. Ignoring them, Ouyang Shi simply sidestepped and continued walking.
"Hey! Where are you going?!"
The youths spun to chase her—but found their feet rooted to the ground, soles inexplicably [stuck fast] to the pavement.
"........"
Ouyang Shi paid them no mind, lost in thought. The incident served as a warning: back in her clan’s city, everyone recognized the hair of an Ouyang. None dared provoke her. But Radiance was different—a melting pot of locals and outsiders who cared little for names. Here, fists spoke louder than titles.
*—The law only binds the weak.*
Reluctantly, she pulled out the Ouyang Clan emblem and pinned it to her coat. Many of the lingering stares around her vanished instantly.
After all, the Ouyang Clan was a major power in the United Kingdom. Anyone with sense knew the meaning behind the leaping black qilin insignia.
"How revolting."
Glancing at the emblem on her chest, the words surfaced unbidden. Perhaps they reflected her feelings toward her own family.
Morning slipped away as she browsed shops. For lunch, she chose a curry restaurant. Whether luck or misfortune, the place had an unusually long queue—a testament to its popularity.
Savoring flavors unlike her home-cooked meals, Ouyang Shi left the street after lunch and resumed her stroll. Soon, she spotted a beautiful necklace at a roadside stall. Just as she opened her mouth—
"I..."
"—I’ll take this necklace."
Another voice cut in.
She turned to see a man in a suit, black rectangular glasses perched on his nose, hair slicked neatly back.
*Hmph...*
Catching her gaze, he flashed a triumphant grin—childishly smug.
"Thanks, boss!"
The stall owner’s loud gratitude followed the swift transaction.
Holding his [spoils], the man stood and faced Ouyang Shi.
"........."
*Not another bothersome pickup attempt... spare me.* The silent plea echoed in her mind, though her face remained impassive.
"Here. It’s yours, isn’t it?"
"?"
The blue-haired girl tilted her head, puzzled.
"You were going to buy it, weren’t you?"
"And if I was?"
"Then I’m giving it to you."
He extended the exquisitely crafted metal necklace. Ouyang Shi didn’t take it—accepting gifts so casually was unthinkable.
"A tiresome pickup line...."
She’d encountered this tactic countless times before. Without acknowledging his reaction, she turned and walked away.
Watching her blue hair sway gently with her steps, the man didn’t pursue her. He merely adjusted his glasses and chuckled.
"We’ll meet again, beautiful and formidable Miss Ouyang Shi."
Pocketing the necklace, the mysterious man vanished.
Unfazed by the encounter, Ouyang Shi continued exploring. Along the way, she spotted many visitors—solo travelers and entire entourages—all likely Sorcerers drawn to the Magic Exchange Conference.
Unlike her initial oversight, they prominently displayed their faction emblems, pride radiating from every insignia.
Yet whenever they noticed Ouyang Shi’s emblem, they flinched. Almost all subtly increased their distance—fear or reverence?
Ouyang Shi cared little for their reactions. As long as the emblem granted her peaceful shopping, wearing it was worth the nuisance.
The afternoon passed quickly. By 4 PM, fatigue set in. She abandoned walking and activated Magic to hasten her return.
In Radiance, minor Magic was permitted—so long as it caused no widespread disruption. Ouyang Shi conjured thin ice beneath her feet just before each step. Leveraging years of balance training, she propelled herself forward with minimal effort—a small trick, yet brilliantly efficient.
"What a fine prospect...."
Perched on a rooftop, the mysterious man adjusted his glasses, watching Ouyang Shi glide away with an appraising gaze.
"I want you more than ever, Miss Ouyang Shi..."
*Snap!*
A flame sprang to life. He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and turned his gaze toward the heart of Radiance—the Royal Palace.
