I arrived early.
Too early, probably.
I stood near the narrow street where we'd met last time, pretending to examine a fruit stall while actually watching every passing face.
She said a week. Same place.
Just as I was starting to think I'd misunderstood—
"Psst."
I jumped.
She was suddenly beside me, hood pulled low, eyes bright with mischief.
"You're loud when you wait," she whispered.
"I wasn't making any noise," I protested.
She grinned. "Exactly'.
We ducked down a side street before I could ask anything.
"You ran away again?" I asked.
She scoffed. "Sneaked. There's a difference."
"Isn't that worse?"
"Only if you get caught."
She peeked around a corner dramatically, then relaxed. "I had to be careful today. People are… watching more than usual."
I didn't know what that meant, but I nodded like I did.
We explored parts of the city I hadn't seen last time.
A bookshop that smelled like dust and magic.
A bridge where the water sparkled unnaturally blue.
A training square where older kids practiced sword forms.
She asked questions again—strange ones.
"Why do people brag about small things?"
"…Because they don't have big ones?"
She considered that "Huh."
It happened near the edge of the square.
"Hey."
Three boys stepped into our path.
Older than me. Bigger. Confident in the way only kids who've never been challenged are.
"Nice clothes," one said, eyeing her. "Where'd you steal them ?"
I stepped forward before thinking. "Leave her alone."
The tallest boy laughed. "Look at this one."
He shoved me.
I staggered back, heart pounding.
Okay. Okay. This is bad. I am not built for this.
I felt the air tighten.
She didn't shout.
Didn't move dramatically.
She just lifted her hand.
The moisture in the air responded.
The fountain nearby rippled violently, water pulling upward as if gravity had briefly forgotten its job. Thin streams snapped into shape—precise, controlled, terrifyingly calm.
My breath caught.
That's not Wind Slash. That's not even close.
She flicked her wrist.
The water struck.
The boys screamed as their feet were swept out from under them, soaked and slammed into the cobblestones.
Without even saying a word they knew what to do .
They got back up and...
They ran.
I stared at her.
"…You didn't even chant."
"Why would I?" she asked.
I swallowed. "The book you gave me. It taught me Wind Slash."
"Oh," she said. "That."
"Why didn't you use it yourself?"
She tilted her head. "I don't use C-rank skills."
C-rank.
My stomach tightened.
In my old life, I'd been average.
No talent. No shortcuts.
Just… there.
Not this time.
I clenched my fists.
I won't stay that way
As the sun dipped low, she pressed something into my hand.
Coins.
"…Fifty silver?" I hissed.
She pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh."
Then she ran.
Just like last time.
On the way home, I slowed.
Royal guards.
"…Lost princess," one muttered.
I walked past, suddenly remembering
"I FORGOT TO ASK HER NAME"