There was undeniable magic in that voice.
"Shut your mouth and lower your sword," the girl commanded.
Cain's lips pressed together as if zipped shut. His raised blade dropped limply to his side.
**Word Spirit Magic.**
A rare gift that infused words with raw power, bending the target's will like iron to a magnet. Unlike the everyday Five Elements spells anyone with mana could cast, this was **Special Magic**—talent-born, unteachable. Only a handful of mages in the world could wield it.
Cain looked utterly lost, his body betraying him while his mind scrambled to catch up.
Since the spell hadn't touched me, I stole another glance at the girl.
Sleek black hair cascaded to her waist, glossy as polished obsidian. Her clothes screamed luxury, the silk so fine it shimmered, tailored with threads that probably cost more than a house.
Same black hair as mine... but hers was a lie.
"Protean Ring, huh?" I whispered, low enough that no one heard.
The silver band on her left index finger—the **Ring of Metamorphosis**—was a legendary artifact. It could rewrite your appearance like flipping a page. Worth a billion yen on the black market, if not more. And there were maybe five in existence.
To most eyes, it was just a plain ring. But I'd handled enough magic tools to spot the faint shimmer of enchantment.
...Hell, I'd *owned* one once. Gave it away like an idiot. Why? To look cool? I couldn't even remember who got it. Regret tasted bitter.
"I'll give you one chance to explain," the girl said, her voice softening as the spell released Cain's tongue. "You may speak."
"Release me *now*!" Cain exploded. "Do you have *any* idea who I am? Third son of House Stolz—"
"I am the client," she cut in, ice in her tone. "The one who hired an escort to Ettal. I was promised a *skilled* adventurer from your family. Clearly, I misheard."
"H-Huh...?" Cain's bravado crumbled. His face drained of color, mouth flapping like a fish.
"If that's the case, consider the contract void. But for your family's sake, I'll let you tag along. One more stunt like that, and I'll report you to the Guild *and* the Crown. Understood?"
Cain nodded so hard I thought his head might snap off.
"Good. Now..." Her gaze shifted. "You're next."
"M-Me?" I squeaked. "What'd *I* do?"
"Of course." She folded her arms, suddenly every inch the disappointed mom. "He was wrong, yes, but you *provoked* him. Why poke a hornet's nest and act surprised when you get stung?"
"...Sorry," I mumbled, shrinking. *Mama...*
She lectured me for a solid ten minutes. By the end, I'd reached nirvana-level zen just to survive.
"...Anyway, I'm not done with you," she concluded. "Get in the carriage."
"Wait, *seriously*?"
Beautiful-girl scolding, round two? I had zero masochist points to spend. But protests fell on deaf ears. The other adventurers shot me pitying looks as I was dragged away like a kid caught stealing cookies.
---
Inside the carriage, there were plush seats, velvet curtains, the works. There was more than enough room, yet we sat knee-to-knee. A liveried footman closed the door with a soft *click*.
"Call me Fina," she said, offering a gloved hand. "Real name's... complicated."
"Jirei Laro," I replied, shaking it awkwardly. "Uh, nice prison, I mean, carriage."
She laughed, a sound like wind chimes. "Sorry for kidnapping you. Truly. But I needed to ask something in private."
Lecture canceled? *Hallelujah.*
"Shoot," I said, relaxing a fraction.
"Where are you from?"
"Arrow Village. Middle of nowhere. Why?"
"Anyone else there with black hair? Wearing a mask, maybe?"
I blinked. "Nope. I'm the only goth kid in town. No masked weirdos either."
Her shoulders sagged. "I see..."
Black hair was rare, black *eyes* rarer. Throwback genes, apparently. Got me mistaken for the "hero" nonstop. People saw the hair, assumed destiny, then sulked when I denied it. If I ever met the real guy, I'd punch him for the hassle.
"Speaking of," I grumbled, "Ettal's holy seal popped last week. Black-haired hero, big fuss. Now every street vendor thinks *I'm* him. Rude awakenings daily."
Fina *shot* upright, eyes sparkling like I'd handed her the moon.
"Yes! *That's* him!" She clasped her hands, practically vibrating. "At last... my soulmate!"
I choked on air.
"...Come again?"