After the wound was cleaned with disinfectant three times, Alice, already nearly exhausted, finally managed to finish wrapping the bandage.

  From what she could see, she believed the muscles and nerves in the shoulder were completely torn.

  In theory, injuries like this would require professional surgery to be sutured.

  However, Thalia’s house had no surgical instruments, and Alice didn’t know how to perform any kind of medical procedure. So, even though she was worried about how serious the injury was, all she could do was apply the medicine, wrap the gauze around the shoulder, and declare, “Treatment complete.”

  “What a superficial treatment... Nisha, can you help me heal the wound?”

  Still feeling the pain throbbing in her arm, Alice couldn’t help but mutter with a frustrated frown.

  She noticed that since the moment she finished wrapping her shoulder, the little ghost who had suddenly gone very quiet had entered a sort of “blank” state and was now silently “lying” on the injured shoulder.

  Along with Nisha’s silence, a refreshing sensation, like a soft breeze blowing, slowly began to ease the pain...

  Alice wasn’t sure if this was the little ghost trying to heal her or just an illusion caused by extreme exhaustion. After all, Nisha herself didn’t really understand her own powers, and no matter how patiently Alice asked, the little ghost, with her limited intelligence, was unable to give a proper explanation.

  “Forget it... whatever it is, I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

  At least on that cold night, Alice didn’t want to worry about confusing things. She just wanted to eat something and then sleep peacefully.

  In fact, just sitting on the edge of the bed, her stomach was already growling loudly.

  “...”

  “This is a spinach and turnip soup I made. Try it.”

  Carrying a large bowl of steaming soup and a folding tray table, Thalia entered the room still wearing an apron, having already prepared a meal for Alice.

  It was a completely vegetarian, healthy, and nutritious dish.

  Although it couldn’t compare to Dr. Elock’s near-professional culinary skills, for a hungry and thirsty Alice, the food Thalia made still gave off an almost irresistible aroma.

  Even though she normally didn’t like vegetables that much, in that moment...

  “Hmm... it’s delicious. It really tastes great.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Seeing that the little ghost lying on her shoulder wasn’t reacting strangely, Alice, her appetite returning, quickly scooped up a spoonful of spinach and brought it to her mouth.

  The hot broth was light but very smooth. The vegetable fibers had been completely softened by cooking, and the pleasant flavor filled her mouth.

  Hardly needing to chew, Alice had already swallowed a good portion of the soup. Watching the girl enjoy her food so much, Thalia, who had been observing her carefully nearby, couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction:

  “I usually stay home alone, cook just for myself, and eat alone too. This spinach and turnip soup is exactly how I like it. I didn’t add much salt or any spices. The vegetables weren’t even that fresh, so I thought you wouldn’t like it. I’m really happy that you do.”

  “No need for salt or spices. This kind of light food suits me perfectly... By the way, you said you stay home alone? What about your parents?”

  While swallowing another spoonful of soup, Alice asked, a bit curious, since she found the solitary atmosphere of Thalia’s house a bit strange.

  In theory, an elementary school student should be living with her parents. But Thalia’s house seemed to only have her.

  “My parents... they’re really busy. They only come home once a month. So, most of the time, I’m alone here...”

  When she heard Alice’s question, the girl, who had been carefully organizing the medicine box scattered on the bed, seemed a little melancholic.

  Maybe a lot of kids dream about getting out from under their parents’ control early, but in practice, living alone for too long in an empty house can be unbearable even for adults.

  And for an elementary school student, it goes without saying...

  Maybe that emptiness caused by the absence of “family” was one of the reasons Thalia insisted so much on taking Alice home, even with the risks involved.

  “Well, I’m just a regular elementary school student. My life isn’t interesting at all. What about you? Tell me more about yourself! You’re one of those people with superpowers, right? Do you go out at night wearing a mask to fight evil? Do you have other friends with powers? Do you all meet up in secret to save the world together?”

  Maybe because of the time they had spent together, or because the impact of the bloody scene in the alley was already fading, the fact was that Thalia now seemed much more relaxed and at ease. So much so that, before Alice could ask any more questions, she took advantage of the moment when the girl was drinking soup to unleash a barrage of questions.

  Of course, her questions were extremely fantastical, and the poor ghost had no idea how to answer.

  “I don’t have superpowers... it’s always Nisha who fights. Nisha is... you know what? You can just think of me as having superpowers. But I don’t have some grand dream of saving the world, and I’ve never met any other ‘Entropists.’ In fact, up until fifteen hours ago, I was living like an ordinary elementary school student, just like you. If it weren’t for those damned thugs who killed my father...”

  “...”

  “S-sorry. I made you remember something sad.”

  She quickly apologized.

  When she noticed that Alice stopped talking at the mention of her father, Thalia who had already heard the girl’s accounts about the Empire, immediately realized that her curiosity had led her to ask an inappropriate question.

  Just looking at the thick bandages on Alice’s arm was enough to imagine that the “magical girl” story must have been far darker than the upbeat versions shown on TV, sadness, blood, death... all of it. And in the end, nothing.

  Realizing how childish her question had been, the girl didn’t even have the courage to lift her head.

  Of course, Alice wasn’t going to blame Thalia for it. She knew the other girl meant no harm. Even as her heart sank again, she just shook her head silently and asked in a low voice:

  “It’s fine, it’s not your fault... I’m really tired. Can I sleep a bit in your bed?”

  “O-of course you can! I mean, I’m happy to lend you the bed. I can sleep in my parents’ room. So... good night... oh, I don’t even know your name...”

  “Alice. My name is Alice. Good night, Thalia.”