As Teresa strode along the cold, silent cobblestone street, her voice rang out in measured tones. "Andre, once we return, inform Decomonso to assign someone to investigate that little girl's first opponent. I want everything—identity, fears, hobbies, past achievements, and, of course, her spells and specialties."
The heavily armed swordsman Andre Augustus followed half a step behind, his heavy sword glinting faintly under the moonlight. After a long pause, he finally broke the silence. "Miss Teresa, according to the Viscount's orders, resources of the family are not to be squandered beyond the usual dealings."
Teresa stopped abruptly, pulling up her hood. Her voice turned icy. "Andre, it's true my father sent you to monitor me, but what exactly can you do if I choose to waste resources?"
Andre said nothing, his stoic demeanor unchanged. Teresa studied him for a moment before continuing. "I know what you're thinking—you'll report this to my father as soon as we return, won't you? But, Andre, let me ask—do you truly believe that little girl stands no chance at all?"
Her tone softened as she sighed. "Do you want to know what she told me? She said her mentor taught her that anything is possible. And that, as a merchant, I lack the courage for risky investments. Can you imagine?"
Andre remained silent. Teresa turned to face him directly. "I disagree with her mentor. There are things in this world that are impossible no matter how much effort is put into them. But her second point? That, I agree with. And because of that, she has value."
She resumed her walk, the soft swish of her coat filling the stillness. After several steps, she added, "If you still don't understand, feel free to tell my father everything I've said. If he and my brothers reject my judgment… well, then the Oaken family has no future."
The wind picked up, tugging at her thin coat, and the moonlight cast her shadow long and far on the empty streets.
---
In Teresa's small cabin, Ander stood holding a garish mask, his expression caught between exasperation and disbelief. "You're telling me *this* is the mask I asked for?"
Christina, looking sheepish, twiddled her fingers nervously. "I... I made it myself. It took me all afternoon! Did I misunderstand your request?"
The mask was a riot of colors, with round red cheeks and a bulbous clown nose. Ander sighed deeply. "Uh... no, no, it's fine. It's great. I love it. Really." His tone lacked conviction, but Christina's wide, hopeful eyes left him with no choice.
As Ander donned the mask and the rest of his hastily assembled outfit, he turned to Christina and struck a pose. "Well? How do I look?"
The little girl burst into laughter, her big eyes squinting into crescent moons as her long lashes fluttered. Ander scratched his bony head awkwardly. He almost reached out to pinch her cheek but stopped himself, remembering he was, after all, a skeletal mage. With a resigned sigh, he opened a portal back to the Undead Realm.
As the portal shimmered shut, Christina noticed a heap of discarded clothing on the floor.
---
Back in the Undead Realm, Ander stood, glaring at his exposed ribs. "Are you kidding me? Just once I get to wear clothes, and the planar laws won't even let me bring them through?!" He threw his bony hands in the air, fuming. "I've been running around naked for ages, and now even a little dignity is too much to ask?"
Grumbling, Ander surveyed his temporary campsite. The crimson double moons were sinking on the horizon. After ensuring his undead minions were intact, he settled into a corner to meditate and recover his mana. Tomorrow was shaping up to be far more dangerous. The zombie lord in the cave nearby had begun to stir, and Ander couldn't afford to underestimate it.
At dawn, Ander marshaled his undead forces. They marched toward the cave but stopped a good distance away. With his skeletal minion Magellan at his side, Ander crept ahead to scout. To his mild surprise, the number of low-level zombies outside the cave entrance hadn't decreased since yesterday.
"Go on," Ander ordered Magellan with a casual wave. "Have a snack. Don't come back hungry."
The skeleton floated forward, swaying with exaggerated grace. Ander's eye sockets practically rolled as he picked up a loose skull and flung it at Magellan. It passed harmlessly through the undead servant's body, landing near a zombie.
"If you keep showing off like that, I'll extinguish your soul fire myself!" Ander barked. Magellan immediately straightened up and dove into the zombie horde, launching his soul-devouring attack.
"Show-off," Ander muttered, picking up another skull. This time, he only half-heartedly tossed it before sighing. "Why do I even bother?"