As the distant cries of birds echoed over the forest clearing, Hannah's voice gently coiled into my ears like smoke.
"Let me take control for a moment. I don't want my presence exposed."
Her words were soft, yet carried weight. I hesitated, not because I didn't trust her—but because I wasn't even sure what control meant for someone like her.
Still, I nodded. "Alright…"
And then, reality slipped from my hands.
It was like falling upward. My consciousness pulled free from my body, floating weightlessly above like a ghost. I looked down—no longer in control, just a silent witness.
My body stood there… but it wasn't me anymore.
It had shifted. Leaner, sharper, more elegant. My features were enhanced, my posture straighter, my aura more refined. My eyes were now predatory, both seductive and dangerous. A long, curving sword shimmered into her hand—a pale blue blade like frozen light, humming faintly with magical energy. The handle was long, wrapped in celestial threads, bearing symbols I didn't recognize.
The fox that had perched on my shoulder vanished. Now, she was me.
And she moved like no human could.
Slipping between shadows, she crept among the thugs—dozens of them, drinking and laughing around their campfires, oblivious. I watched, stunned, as one by one their throats opened like ribbons being cut. No sound. Just a flicker of motion, and blood mist filled the air.
Ten were dead before the eleventh noticed.
"Hey—what the—?"
His words never finished. His head toppled sideways.
Then chaos.
Weapons were drawn. Bottles shattered. Men shouted, stumbled, fumbled for blades. The air shifted from joy to terror in an instant. But Hannah—still wearing my face—just scoffed coldly.
"These insects…" she muttered, almost disappointed.
She dashed forward like lightning. The sword danced, and men screamed. My heart pounded in my floating chest—or whatever I had now. Watching this from a distance, from outside myself, was terrifying. She wasn't human. I had known that. But seeing it now—seeing what she could do with even a fraction of her power—made my blood run cold.
"This body…" she said under her breath as she cut down another. "i still need more Essence…"
Essence? I wasn't sure what she meant. I couldn't ask. I could only float, drifting helplessly as she ended lives with surgical grace.
The forest was soon quiet again—except for groans of dying men and the soft rustle of leaves. I counted at least thirty dead. Maybe more.
Then she turned.
Her eyes locked on the carriage.
It sat in the middle of the bloodbath, undisturbed. Elegant, though now stained with specks of red. Inside, handcuffed and trembling, was a girl.
Silver-gray hair, flowing even in disarray. Golden eyes, wide with fear. Her uniform—Flawless and embroidered with the emblem of a crescent moon. A noble crest. a Princess she thought.
She was beautiful—but fragile-looking. Not physically, but emotionally. I could see it in her trembling lips,
Hannah—still using my body—approached slowly.
Her sword vanished in a swirl of blue light. She crouched down, gently unfastening the girl's bindings, then offered her hand with a soft smile. Charming. Disarming.
The girl stared, stunned.
Was it admiration? Relief? Or something else entirely?
I narrowed my eyes from the void. Is she trying to seduce her?!
She was.
And it was working.
The girl blinked rapidly, visibly flustered. Her cheeks turned pink, and her voice caught in her throat. Still, she tried to maintain composure.
"Hmph… G-Good. You know your place," she muttered, gaze refusing to meet mine. "I shall reward you… with my name."
She lifted her chin with shaky pride.
"I am Clara. Princess of the Auspicious Kingdom. And for saving me, I owe you a debt I will not forget."
Princess?!
My mind spun. Hannah stilled for a moment, golden eyes flicking toward the crest on Clara's chest. She raised an eyebrow, amused.
"A Princess, huh?" she whispered in amusement. "How fortunate."
She took Clara's hand and bowed slightly—not mockingly, but with exaggerated reverence.
"It is an honor, Your Highness," she said smoothly. "Your beauty, your grace… you are worthy of being worshipped. Rescuing you is the highlight of my life."
I wanted to facepalm from my floating prison.
Hannah, please…
But Clara looked stunned.
Her lips parted. Her face flushed even redder. She turned away, ears blazing like embers.
"Y-You should be honored!" she stammered. "After all, I am royalty!"
Hannah chuckled inside my head. "She's so easy to fluster. This will be fun."
But it wasn't all a joke. Hannah had plans. I knew that look in her eyes. She was thinking several steps ahead.
Clara was more than a rescue target. She was leverage. With her backing, we could gain access to places otherwise unreachable—especially the Academy. Connections, resources, protection… perhaps even training. Clara's potential was vast. Not just as a Princess—but as a Familiar Candidate. She had that unique aura.
But her affinity was different from mine. Hannah couldn't directly pass on her powers to me—it wasn't compatible.
And so, Hannah continued the charm offensive, leading Clara gently out of the carriage, brushing dirt off her sleeves, making sure she was safe.
Clara glanced up once more, her lips twitching in a confused smile.
"Y-You'll accompany me back to the capital, right?"
Hannah smiled softly. "Of course, Your Highness. I'll go wherever you need me."
Behind the princess's proud posture, I saw something flicker in her eyes interest and Somewhat she couldn't describe what feeling it is