In this world, human blood still tastes like iron filings.

That was my only thought before calming down—after Lem pinned me during the final stage of sparring with Yulia.

Ah, I went too far. My body’s a kid’s here, but inside I’m over twenty. Why did my mind feel childish too? I got inexplicably furious at that golden-haired little girl. If we’d kept fighting, pain and bloodlust would’ve dragged me into a frenzied Ghoul Transformation.

I might’ve even lost my sanity mid-transformation. Forget others—Yulia would’ve died by my hand. Such a close call. A real close call.

Thank goodness Lem tackled me at the end.

On Yulia’s side, Elaine Maid rushed over before she could cast magic, snatching her wooden sword and pinning her down.

“The winner will be me,” Yulia declared stubbornly, pinned by Elaina.

You’re too obsessed, kid. With such a cute face, why so warlike?

“Mm, I lost. My giant bear calculus cracked then—I couldn’t use magic anymore. You’d have won. Ah, I lost.”

I didn’t want to argue, so I pretended to concede sincerely.

“Hmph, good. But you’re strong too. Since you surrendered so easily, let’s make up,” the golden-haired girl said, her attitude softening.

“No, you lost, Miss Yulia,” Elaine Maid retorted sternly, still holding her down.

“How many times must I say it? Never use Dark Magic to meddle with the Mystic Forest. Summoning phantom beasts costs more than mana—it costs blood and flesh. And just now, you tried to overstep and summon a higher being! Miss, please cherish yourself more,” Elaina scolded angrily.

“But… if I were stronger, Mom wouldn’t have died…” Yulia sobbed, tears streaming.

I’d calmed down, so Lem released me. Seeing Yulia cry, he pulled Elaina off her. “Enough! Stop fighting. Elaina, you’re too harsh on a little girl.”

“Hmph, you dare judge me? That silver-haired kid dispelled the Unicorn with Dark Magic—Word Spirit! You taught her the worst magic! Haven’t you considered the consequences?” Elaina shook off Lem, furious.

“Hey, I was just teaching Alice the common tongue. Since she knows Great Ghoul Tongue, I explained both interpret ancient Word Spirit magic—to help her learn faster.”

“Result is, you taught her Dark Magic. Do you want her to repeat her mother’s fate?”

“You know nothing! Stop acting wise. You taught a child phantom beast summoning!”

Ah, Lem came to mediate but started arguing himself.

Helplessly, I ran over. I stroked Yulia’s head as she sat crying, whispering, “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Ouchies, fly away.”

Ugh, what a cliché comfort. Is this some Sanzu Qiu light novel?

Realizing I’m younger than Yulia yet acting adult-like, I blushed and pulled my hand back.

“Don’t stop,” Yulia murmured, wiping tears.

Huh? To me?

Surprised, I obeyed, stroking her soft golden hair.

“Good Yulia, don’t cry, don’t cry. Ouchies, fly away!”

“Good Yulia, don’t cry, don’t cry. Ouchies, fly away!”

“Good Yulia, don’t cry, don’t cry. Ouchies, fly away!”

Slowly, Yulia calmed under my touch.

Meanwhile, Elaina and Lem kept arguing until Master Dwayne’s shout silenced them. We all returned to his weapon shop. Seriously, those two act more childish than Yulia and I.

“Hey, is your maid always like this?” I whispered to Yulia.

“Nope. At the fortress, Elaina’s always stoic. Probably because it’s Lem.”

“Oh, I get it,” I laughed, watching them bicker.