Qiu Li’er hadn’t been reincarnated into this world for bloodshed and battles. All she wanted was to slack off daily, laze around, and enjoy a carefree, happy school life with the girls she liked—

not wear a perpetually grim, resentful scowl all day. How exhausting would *that* be?

“Though… this might sound a little irresponsible,”

Qiu Li’er sighed deeply, gazing at the sunset fading on the horizon. “But I’m not the person I used to be. I don’t care about any of it anymore.”

Xi Xi nodded slowly, half-understanding. “Ooh~ Got it! Forgetting the past is like a fresh start. Flirty Fox, it’s like you swapped souls. To you, everything before really *is* just a past life.”

Qiu Li’er’s eyelid twitched. “Ah… yeah. You’re not wrong.”

*Not wrong at all—you basically spilled the whole truth.*

“Then I’m relieved,” Xi Xi said with a soft smile, her form growing faint again. “Flirty Fox.”

“Hmm?”

“Did you know? I haven’t been human for a very long time.” Xi Xi drifted in a slow circle around her, enunciating each word: “I’m a ghost.”

Qiu Li’er froze. “A ghost? Isn’t that just your Magic Network username?”

“No, no, no. A *real* ghost—the kind only the dead have.”

Xi Xi stretched her right hand toward the setting sun. Golden light passed cleanly through her cold palm. “Because… I died when I was twelve.”

“D-died?”

“Mm.”

Xi Xi’s voice softened. “Let me tell you a story. A story about me.”

Twenty-five years ago, a loving couple welcomed twin girls into the world within a quiet forest. Joyful, they vowed to raise them well.

But ten years later, war descended. Crushed by hardship, their bond frayed. They grew distant from their daughters.

One day, as soldiers marched in, the couple’s conflict erupted. Under cover of night, the father vanished. The mother walked deeper into the woods. They parted ways—leaving two ten-year-old sisters alone.

The older sister said coldly, “Don’t chase them. They’re irresponsible parents. From now on, little sister, you have me.”

War had reached their doorstep. Scars of magic scarred the forest. Logically, two girls shouldn’t have survived.

Yet they did. Leaning on each other, they began a long, wandering journey.

“So… are you the older or younger sister?” Qiu Li’er interrupted.

“Don’t cut me off!” Xi Xi shot her a glare. “I’ve waited so long to say this!”

Outside Lilith Academy’s warmth, the continent was still at war. The sisters drifted between nations.

No clothes? Steal. No food? Scavenge. No shelter? Build. Every hardship the older sister solved with her fists.

Slowly, life improved. A small home. Steady work. Charity school lessons after shifts.

No more fear. Warm meals waiting at home. A few true friends. Hope.

And their bond deepened.

Until one night… everything shattered.

Flames—deep crimson, hellish—engulfed the house. The younger sister ran, calling for her sister, until only fire separated them. Across the inferno, she met her sister’s desperate gaze… and turned to ash.

They were twelve.

“From that day… I became a ghost,” Xi Xi said, face unreadable.

Qiu Li’er fell silent. “Why tell me this?”

Such a tragic tale. This mischievous little girl who always grinned… carried this?

This had to be her deepest secret. Why share it?

“Because…” Xi Xi circled her gently, smiling. “I actually really like spending time with you. So I wanted to share my story.”

Sunlight pierced Xi Xi’s chest, glinting on Qiu Li’er’s slightly frozen face. Inside her backpack, a fluffy tail wagged furiously—betraying her racing heart.

*She… likes me?*

Warmth flooded Qiu Li’er’s chest like honey. For a heartbeat, she wanted to pull Xi Xi close and hold her tight—

Then she snapped back.

*Not surprising. This little flirt’s always been fond of my body. Makes sense.*

What does a kid know about romance anyway? She’ll understand when she’s older.

Qiu Li’er twitched her fox ears, brushing it off.

“The body you see now?” Xi Xi spun midair, voice distant. “I retrieved it from the other side of the River Styx… one month ago. The very day I was reborn… was the day you fell into a coma.”

“Wait… River Styx? I don’t get it.”

Qiu Li’er was still fuzzy on this world’s lore—she only knew she was at Lilith Academy.

Xi Xi sighed patiently. “My original body turned to ash long ago. For over a decade, I existed as a soul beside my sister. Sometimes, I lived on the Magic Network. That’s how ‘C’ uncovered so many secrets.”

“Ooh~” Qiu Li’er’s eyes widened. “No wonder no one found your identity.”

*A ghost in the Magic Network—truly fitting.*

Xi Xi scoffed. “Nah. They were just too dumb. Served them right.”

She continued, “I lived as a ghost for years. Until a month ago—my soul magic research broke through. I built an array to the River Styx… to pull my body back.”

Qiu Li’er blinked dazedly. “And… did it work?”

“Obviously!” Xi Xi gave her a *you dummy* look. “How else am I talking to you right now?”

Qiu Li’er scanned Xi Xi head to toe. Hard to believe this doll-like, exquisitely crafted little girl crossed the River Styx.

*This world’s so fascinating…* For a flicker, she almost wanted to ditch her peaceful life and chase adventure.

But nah. What if she died mid-adventure? Who knew where she’d reincarnate next—some godforsaken place.