After repeatedly darting in and out of the trial hall ruins, Zila was panting heavily, her legs wobbling too much to straighten.

Why? Well…

“Hey, hey, hey! Little Princess, what are you *doing*? Saving that human girl was fine, but why rescue *all* these others too?!” Jue Mo’s impatient voice crackled from the necklace resting against Zila’s chest.

“Oh dear, Jue Mo, don’t be like that! You *promised* me~ Promises can’t be broken!” Zila grinned mischievously. “Besides… I never said *how many* people I’d save! Hehe!”

“You—! Ugh, fine! You win! But remember—they’re all humans. If you get caught, I’m *not* saving you!” Jue Mo grumbled.

“No worries! I picked the most secluded corner of the academy to drop them off. No one’ll find us this fast!” Zila beamed with confidence.

She tossed the injured man she’d been carrying onto the forest floor. Around her lay five or six rescued students, all bearing various wounds. Most were unconscious; the few awake had been gently lulled to sleep by Jue Mo’s power.

Zila sighed in relief, gave her sore waist a little rub, then pulled the necklace from her chest and cradled it in her palms. “Thank you, Jue Mo! Without your power, I couldn’t have saved them.”

“…” Jue Mo stayed silent.

*How did I, a demon blade sworn to destroy humans, end up obeying this clumsy, airheaded master to save our enemies?* Regret flickered in her core.

*Ugh… Why did I even agree to this?!* Jue Mo sighed inwardly.

“Aww, don’t ignore me, Jue Mo! You’re the best!” Zila nuzzled the necklace against her cheek.

Even in pendant form, a faint blush dusted Jue Mo’s tiny face.

“Ew! Stop being so clingy! Act like a proper master for once!” Jue Mo sputtered, flustered.

“Teacher Mo! We found more injured students over here—hurry!”

A familiar voice rang out behind them. Zila spun around—and froze. It was the archer teacher from her first trial, now approaching with another instructor: Mo Feng. Panic seized her instantly.

*…Heh. “Won’t be discovered this quickly,” huh?* Jue Mo muttered under her breath, her words practically framed in invisible quotation marks.

Just as Zila prepared to bolt, a call stopped her.

“Hey, little one! Did *you* rescue these students?” The archer teacher asked, glancing at the unconscious youths.

“Yes, Teacher! It was me!” Zila stood perfectly still, answering without hesitation.

The moment she spoke, her voice—clear and sweet as a nightingale singing through a mountain valley—captivated them both. It was so enchanting it felt almost *visible*, making anyone who heard it crave another note.

*Such a lovely voice!* the archer teacher thought.

*Who… is this girl?* Mo Feng wondered.

“So you’re a little girl! Thank you for saving them—you’re very brave.”

Before the archer could add more, Mo Feng clapped his shoulder and stepped forward. “May I ask your name?”

“Me is Zila!” she chirped, forcing calm cheerfulness.

“And your surname?”

“Eh?” Zila blinked, utterly thrown.

*Tell them you’re the future empress of the Belanite Clan!* Jue Mo’s voice teased inside her mind.

*Shoo! Me is *not*! And if I said that, I’d be torn to pieces!* Zila shot back mentally.

“Can’t answer? Suspicious.” Mo Feng advanced.

Zila stumbled back, arms hugging her chest, shrinking away timidly. Fear flickered in her eyes.

“Hey! Teacher Mo Feng, don’t scare her!” the archer protested, still charmed by her voice.

“How did a little girl wander into this dangerous zone? Take off that cloak. *Now.*”

*What do I do?! Is my life ending here?! No!*

Thinking fast, Zila’s eyes lit up. She pointed behind them. “Whoa! Teacher Mo Feng—*demons*!”

“Demons?!” Both teachers whirled around.

“…Nothing’s there. Little one, did you missee—?”

They turned back.

Zila was gone. Vanished.

“Where’d she go?”

“Never mind her. Attend to the injured—*now*.” Mo Feng clapped the archer’s shoulder. Urgency sharpened his tone.

-----

“Phew~ Good thing me ran fast! One second later and that jerk Mo Feng would’ve had me torn to pieces!” Zila wiped her brow, strolling down the street.

“Your Highness, why fear those humans? If they dared harm you, I’d crush them in a heartbeat!” Jue Mo declared proudly.

“Don’t be so violent, Jue Mo~”

*Gurgle… gurgle…*

“Whimper… Me so hungry… want to nom nom…” Zila clutched her flat stomach. Even her usually lively tail drooped limply behind her.

“Heh. Serves you right. Using my power drains massive magic energy!” Jue Mo huffed.

“Ooh! A *new* Kebaxin Cake Shop! Me’s coming!”

“…”

Zila ignored her completely and bounded inside.

“Hi~ Welcome to Kebaxin Cake Shop! How can I help?” A young assistant greeted her warmly.

Though busy, the shop hummed with quiet respect—patrons spoke in hushed tones.

“Big sister, me wants a cream cake, pwease!” Zila pointed to the wall menu.

*What a sweet voice… so cute~* The assistant smiled—then noticed Zila’s dust-caked, tattered cloak. *Like a rag.* She looked like a street beggar. Still, the assistant stayed kind. “Mm! Please take a seat, little one. It’ll be ready soon!”

Minutes later, the assistant returned with a plate: a lavish cream cake, fluffy frosting sculpted into tiny bunnies, crowned with strawberries and grapes.

“Wow! So pretty! Did *you* make it?” Zila’s eyes sparkled.

“Yes! All by big sister. Try it~” She handed Zila a fork.

*Whoosh!* Before the fork settled, Zila speared the *entire* cake and shoveled it into her mouth.

The adorable girl who’d seemed so delicate moments ago left the assistant utterly stunned.

“Mmm! Sooo delicious! Big sister’s skills are amazing! Me will *definitely* come back to eat cake here!” Zila beamed, stars in her eyes.

“What a big eater! This is our signature dessert—of course it’s good. Fifteen copper coins, please!”

“Eh…?” Zila froze.

*O-oh no… Me… forgot money…* She patted her pockets frantically. Not a single copper coin.

“U-um… th-this… th-that…” Words tumbled out, incoherent. *Admit I have no money? That I’m dining and dashing? Impossible! Me is a law-abiding citizen!* Tears welled as she bowed her head.

*Ugh… How did I get *this* owner?* Jue Mo groaned inwardly.

“Little one?” The assistant’s voice softened. She gently patted Zila’s head. “You don’t have money, do you? On such a cold day… it must be hard for a little girl out here begging.”

“Huh? *Beggar*?”

???

Question marks rained over Zila’s head. She glanced down at her ragged cloak—and understood.

Having luckily scored a free meal, gratitude swelled. She lifted her face, eyes glistening. “Thank you… big sister!”