A sudden, powerful gust tore through the clearing, nearly knocking Jin off his feet.
Leaves and dust spiraled upward like startled birds.
The stern one let out a deep, almost amused chuckle.
"Seems the mongrel has actually sent us someone worth our time."
The owl tilted its head, eyes glinting like amber glass.
"Miss, what should we call you?"
"Queen," she said flatly, her tone leaving no room for question.
Jin rolled his eyes.
Queen? She's barely fifteen and already talking like royalty.
The wise one's rumbling voice broke the tension, calm and patient.
"Do not worry, Miss Queen. We are but a small step in your long journey. We're merely here to test your potential… and to teach you a few basics."
He paused, his great eyes narrowing slightly.
"Though, from what I've seen, we may not have much to teach someone as naturally gifted as you — even at the Disciple rank."
Jin's brow furrowed.
Disciple rank? That must be their first stage… like Beast Toddler. I wonder if that's where I'm at.
Queen's gaze snapped toward him, sharp and assessing.
"And who's this child? Seems weak for a mongrel's chosen."
The wise one rumbled with laughter, the sound echoing through the stones
"Do not trouble yourself. He is not one of the mongrel's chosen — merely someone the mongrel allowed us to train alongside you."
Queen scoffed, a cold smirk curling on her lips. She turned away, her voice cutting through the air.
"Then keep him out of my sight. I don't need his weakness rubbing off on me."
---
Some time passed as the two beasts questioned Queen about her abilities, her main element, and her general knowledge of magic.
Queen stood tall, arms crossed, a faint smirk curling on her lips as she listed her skillset like a noble reciting her titles.
Her main element — unsurprisingly — was fire, blazing to match the vivid red of her hair.
In this world, any magic user could learn any element.
But over the centuries, the consensus became clear: mastering a single element early on was the fastest way to grow.
Of course, prodigies like Queen rarely cared for consensus.
The truly gifted didn't just specialize — they transcended the limits of the elemental chart.
For most, elements were the foundation. Simple, raw, and structured.
But there were rarer paths — magics that were neither elemental nor easily taught.
Unique abilities that emerged only through innate talent or years of cultivation.
Queen had somehow awakened one of these rarities.
Creation Magic.
On its own and at her level, it was weak — nothing extraordinary.
But fused with her fire, it had evolved into a deadly, elegant art.
She could condense her flames into small, bead-like projectiles — bullets of molten energy that shot forward with explosive precision. It became her signature attack.
Beyond her magic, she was no stranger to physical combat either.
Her movements were sharp and disciplined, and the unconventional armor she wore — especially those blade-like boots — hinted that she'd learned to turn every part of her into a weapon.
Jin followed along easily, drawing from his lifetime of games and anime to fill in the gaps.
But the longer she spoke, the more his attention drifted.
She really doesn't stop talking, does she?
Every few seconds came another achievement, another "famous teacher," another "impossible feat."
But then her tone shifted.
When she mentioned the Mongrel, her smirk faltered, and her voice dropped an octave — quieter, heavier.
"He bought me from my family two years ago," she said flatly.
"Saw my potential. Gave my parents an offer they accepted without hesitation."
Her gaze drifted toward the horizon.
"Since then, he's stopped my combat training — made me study warfare, politics, military strategy."
"He wants me to lead armies, not just burn enemies."
She hesitated, her eyes narrowing with unease.
"I don't know what kind of war he's preparing for… but he's planning something. He's buying up talented kids like me, turning them into soldiers and advisors."
Queen let out a short sigh.
"My family lives in a mansion now. Maids, butlers, luxury… all paid for with the life they sold me into. And here I am — training for a war that hasn't even begun."
A wave of silence washed over the stony land — a heavy stillness that lingered long after her words faded.
The fiery confidence that had filled her voice moments ago was gone, replaced by the quiet crackle of something Jin hadn't expected from her.
Regret.
In the quiet that followed, Jin let out a soft chuckle.
"Well, if you're that upset they sold you off," he said casually.
"just kill them all when you're stronger."
Queen slowly lifted her gaze toward him — eyes wide with disbelief.
Even the air shifted.
The wind stirred, and the ground shimmered faintly with heat — the two teachers' surprise pulsing in the mana around them.
Still grinning, Jin opened his mouth to continue, but a sudden slash of wind grazed his cheek, leaving a thin red line.
Queen crossed her arms, chin raised in defiance.
"What do you know anyway? You're just a weakling — not even at the Disciple rank!"
Jin rubbed the cut with a wry smile.
Well, she's not wrong… I don't know jack about this world. But "weakling"? Seriously?
He looked down at his pale, thin arms.
Maybe I can create some kind of energy that makes me ripped. Tan me up a bit too… Yeah, I'll become a Los Angeles hunk.
"Yeah, you're right," Jin said aloud, his tone shifting.
"I know nothing… I was brutally tortured by a crazy magician my whole life."
Telling his fabricated story he dialed up the drama, voice cracking slightly.
"At the end of it all… he left me to die alone in the middle of nowhere."
A single tear rolled down his cheek — perfectly timed.
Come on… show a little pity. Just a bit.
But Queen didn't react. Not a word. Not a blink.
Then she started walking toward him — head low, silent.
Oh no. She figured it out. She's gonna punch me. I'm so dead.
He shut his eyes, bracing for the whollop.
I guess I deserve it…
Instead, he felt cold steel brush his cheek — then warm arms wrap around his back.
Wha—
"I'm sorry," Queen whispered.
Jin opened his mouth, stunned.
"Don't speak." she said
He froze as a few drops hit his head. Tears.
This… worked way too well.
All I wanted was a little sympathy, maybe enough for her to go easy on me later. Not… this.
"You remind me of my little brother," she murmured.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you."
Uhhhhh… great.
She released him and took a step back, smiling softly — a fragile, almost motherly look on her face.
"Since my family abandoned me," she said gently, "you'll be my new little brother, right?"
Oh no. Oh no. I've seen way too many anime that start like this.
Jin looked down, doing everything he could to stop the nervous twitch in his face.
If I say no… she might actually kill me.
Remembering Ohner's temper, and the warning about the Mongrel's temper, Jin forced his expression to soften.
Then, with the fakest smile he could muster, he met Queen's eyes.
"Of course, big sis! Please take care of me!"
Silence.
The wind stopped. Even the heat faded for a moment.
Both beasts — the tortoise and the owl — simply stared at them.
No one spoke. No one moved.
A soft plop echoed as a stray pebble rolled down a small hill.
Jin's fake grin twitched.
Yup… this is my life now.