Noelle sat beside Qiqi and Fischl.
She had originally wanted to help in the kitchen.
As the Knights' most capable maid, she could handle any kitchen task perfectly.
But Xia Zhi had gently refused her, saying she was a guest and it was her first time here—she need only sit and relax.
Noelle, so used to a life of constant work, felt a little restless just sitting idly.
She stared at the kitchen, dazed, then recalled what had happened the night before.
That one arrow of elegance…
Noelle tugged softly at Fischl's sleeve, whispering: "Fischl, could you tell me about magical girls?"
Fischl glanced at Qiqi, who was sitting nearby petting a finch. After a brief pause, she asked: "What do you want to know?"
"When did you become one?"
"Just a few days ago."
"A few days?"
"The day the monsters mutated and attacked with lightning."
"And how did you become a magical girl?"
"I happened to be outside the city that day. When the monsters attacked, Oz was badly injured protecting me. I couldn't run anymore, so I just sat there waiting to die."
"And then?"
"And then I became a magical girl. Took care of the monsters along the way."
"???" Noelle blinked. "But how did you become one?"
"Well… that's not something I can really tell you…"
Noelle whispered: "It was Mr. Xia who saved you, wasn't it?"
"…"
"He signed a Contract with you, gave you a item, and that's how you became a magical girl, right?"
"…"
Fischl frowned, giving Noelle a serious look. "How do you know all that?"
Even Qiqi, still petting the bird, turned her expressionless gaze toward her.
Noelle admitted softly: "This morning, while walking back to the Knights with Mr. Xia, he told me himself."
Fischl relaxed. "Oh, that's fine then. But if you already know, why are you asking me?"
Qiqi turned back to her bird.
"I…"
Noelle hesitated, lowering her voice even more.
"I just wanted to ask… how do you recharge a magical girl's transformation item?"
"You don't even have one, so what's the point in asking?"
"Mr. Xia said… he's going to give me one."
"…Huh?"
Fischl's eyes widened.
Qiqi also looked over again.
"Really?"
Noelle nodded.
"He said to come get it tomorrow night."
---
Elsewhere, Xia Ci and Xia Zhen were introducing Xia Le to people she didn't yet know.
"This is Uncle Mountain Shaper."
"Hello, Uncle Mountain Shaper!"
"And this is GrandmMadame Ping."
"Hello, GrandmMadame Ping!"
"And there's also Sister Cloud Retainer. She's in the kitchen now, but you'll see her when she comes out."
"Got it, Sister Xia Ci!"
Madame Ping's face darkened.
[Excuse me? I've already restored my youthful, beautiful form—why are you still calling me 'Grandma'?]
[And even if you do call me Grandma, why is Cloud Retainer 'Sister'?]
She pressed her lips together, but in the end, didn't dare argue.
[Forget it. I've been called Grandma for so many years already…]
"That one over there is Yaoyao, on the left is Klee, and on the right is Xia Lin."
"Xia Lin?"
Xia Le perked up at that name.
Because, like her, it carried the same surname as Big Brother.
She already knew that Sister Xia Ci and Sister Xia Zhen were cousins to Big Brother.
Xia Le turned to Xia Lin, giving her a once-over. She didn't sense anything unusual from the girl—no strange aura, nothing. Just an ordinary little girl.
Klee noticed Xia Le's gaze and grinned, nudging Xia Lin with her hand. "She's looking at you."
Xia Lin turned her head, meeting Xia Le's eyes.
She possessed the [Eye of Truth], able to see another's essence at a glance.
And what she saw behind Xia Le… was the familiar silhouette of a great dragon, jeweled body shimmering in the winds.
Behind that dragon's form was a massive clock face.
Another dragon.
Xia Lin pursed her lips, a little pouty, and looked away, refusing to meet her gaze again.
Xia Le was baffled.
She remembered how, earlier, when she greeted her alongside Big Brother, this same girl had stared at her with a complicated, almost hostile look—like she had stolen something precious.
But this was clearly their first meeting.
Strange.
"Xia Ci," Xia Le asked curiously, "is Xia Lin also related to Big Brother?"
Xia Ci gave a meaningful smile, nodding. "Of course. To her, your Big Brother is 'Dad.'"
Xia Le froze. "???"
Beside her, Xia Zhen added with a chuckle: "Every night, your Big Brother sleeps with Xia Lin in his arms."
Xia Le froze again. "!!!"
Xia Ci patted her shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Xia Le forced a casual smile. "Oh, nothing… so Big Brother already has a daughter, huh…"
But as she said it, something felt off.
If she really were his daughter, how could she be so powerless, just like an ordinary person?
Xia Le glanced back at Xia Lin, sinking into thought.
Meanwhile, Xia Ci and Xia Zhen exchanged a look.
[So this girl isn't nearly as innocent as she acts.]
[Interesting… very interesting.]