Tessa leaned against the rough rock wall, arms crossed, while the flickering light of the small fire painted dancing shadows across the uneven stone.
Thor, the massive grizzly, snored softly from his corner, lost deep in his dreams.
Only Mike was awake—in her mind—thinking. Loudly.
"So, let’s review: you want to sneak into the village to observe Miko up close. The problem is... you look like a damn warrior goddess and would stand out like an exploding pumpkin in a graveyard."
Tessa snorted.
"Not my fault I was built this way."
"Yeah, well, now you’re here. And in case you forgot: this world is a very Asian-inspired, old-school Earth vibe. You’re... uh... what's the nicest word? Ah yes: a problem."
Tessa rolled her eyes.
Of course, she had realized that already.
A two-meter-tall, pale giant with glowing eyes was about as subtle here as a dragon crashing into a farmers’ market.
Mike started ticking off points like an annoying schoolteacher:
- Strangers are not welcome in the Empire.
- Foreigners are automatically seen as threats.
- Punishments? Brutal. No debate.
And Tessa?
Tessa was different in every way.
Her height, her posture, the glow of her eyes—everything about her screamed outsider.
Not to mention the sword.
Mike added:
"Only samurai, nobles, or soldiers are allowed to carry weapons here. A random giant with a sword bigger than most children? Yeah, good luck explaining that."
Tessa narrowed her eyes.
"Then I simply won’t get caught."
Mike grumbled.
"Sure. And maybe you'll also knit yourself a diploma in diplomacy out of paper and wishes."
Tessa wasn’t deterred.
"Fine. We need a disguise spell."
Mike immediately switched to full nerd mode.
"Like in Conan Exiles! Stealth was just a buff there."
But the magic of this world felt different.
Wild. Unpredictable.
Not a button to press—more like dancing on the edge of a blade.
Tessa stretched, cracking her shoulders.
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"I’ll test it outside."
Without another word, she left the cave and stepped into the gathering dusk.
The cool air brushed against her skin.
Tessa closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and gathered her energy.
She felt her magic awaken—a living pulse in her veins.
Greenish light flickered over her fingers as she shaped the forces into a veil.
For a moment... she vanished.
Her body dissolved like mist in the morning sun.
"Ha! See that, Mike?!" she crowed mentally.
But then—
a flicker.
The magic snapped, and her figure reappeared abruptly.
Mike grunted.
"Congratulations. You’re officially a lightning bug."
Tessa clenched her fists.
Once more.
This time, not with force.
This time, not against the magic.
She felt into it, let it carry her like a feather on water.
She didn’t command the world.
She asked.
A deep breath.
A quiet thought.
And this time—
Tessa disappeared completely.
Mike whistled low in admiration.
"Okay... now you’ve really got it."
Tessa moved slowly, carefully.
No sound. No shadow.
Even the dry leaves beneath her boots stayed silent.
In the distance, Thor lifted his nose briefly, sniffed the air—and slept on.
He couldn’t sense her.
Tessa had become a shadow among shadows.
But she could feel it:
The magic was eating at her strength.
Slowly but surely.
Ten minutes.
Maybe eleven if she barely moved.
After that, the veil would fall.
Mike sounded pragmatic.
"So no leisurely tea parties in the village. Get in, spy, get out."
Tessa nodded, her chin lifting in determination.
"That’s enough. I’ll finally see Miko up close."
She looked toward the village, where the first lanterns were beginning to glow.
Soon, she would slip among them.
Soon, she would find answers.
Soon, Miko would be close—
Without knowing.
Without stopping her.
The game had begun.
End of Chapter 17