Nyx replaced the blue mana stone and gave Alya space to use the bathroom first. Nyx also helped to bring Alya's necessities to her so she wouldn't wet the floors with her drenched clothes and hair.

When she was done, she wrapped herself in a dry towel and then proceeded to her room to dress up.

Alya wore a black off-shoulder chemise blouse with long bishop sleeves, brown high-waisted tailored mini shorts, and an under-bust corset belt with a lace-up front. She tied her full and wavy waist-length hair up in a ponytail and let a few free locks cascade down her shoulders.

She finished her look off with brown thigh-high boots and a black choker necklace, adorned with a ball-shaped fire opal hanging off of it.

She checked the mirror, then stared in awe. She still couldn't believe she wasn't human anymore. She held on to her newly groomed fox tail while deep in thought.

"hmmmm......"

Moments later she caught notice of the wooden jewelry box she had opened a while ago.

She had contemplated whether to take it with her or not. After a moment of thinking, she decided not to. There was no way she could hide it in her clothes, or her boots. She would just have to pray for her life and safety.

With furrowed brows, she sighed, then turned to the door.

She opened the door, then strutted downstairs towards the kitchen. Nyx was already there by the space cupboard.

She had worn a grey button-up shirt with a black fitted vest over it. Her black high-waisted pants were tucked into her calf-length boots, and a wide grey belt with a black buckle firmly wrapped around her waist, accentuating her figure.

She had styled her long and curly black hair in a thick braid that fell freely at her back and had worn a silver hoop earring on her right cat ear.

Nyx heard footsteps entering the kitchen. She gave a backward glance and found Alya by the kitchen door.

"Took you long enough. Come help me with breakfast."

Nyx put both hands inside the cupboard and brought out a few vegetables.

"What do you wanna make?"

"Soup."

"......"

Almost an hour later, they were done with cooking and setting the table, and soon enough, they dug in.

.........

An hour had passed, and both girls were still seated at the dining table. One's plate had already been cleared, while the other had only made it halfway through hers.

"Could you be any slower?"

With a manicured hand resting under her chin, Nyx gave a slow yawn, then turned to Alya with a sleepy gaze.

"Where's the greedy glutton I met yesterday huh?" Nyx queried with a passive tone.

"......"

Alya gave a side glare as she sipped a spoonful of soup. It had been over an hour since they both started eating. Nyx was through with hers, but Alya was only halfway done. If it was any other day, she would be done with her meal in less than five minutes, but she was stalling for a reason.

"If we don't go now, we're not gonna make it there in time."

"......."

There it was.

"The soup doesn't suit my taste."

"Then leave it. We can get something on the way." Nyx urged as she slowly stood up from her seat.

"But I don't like wasting food"

Just as she was about to scoop another spoon of soup, Nyx suddenly snatched the bowl and gorged the remaining soup down her throat. Then wiped her mouth clean soon after.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"There."

Before Alya could retort, Nyx suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her out of her seat, causing Alya to drop her spoon abruptly.

"We'll clean up when we get back."

Alya wasn't able to say anything until they were out of the house. Nyx led the way and Alya reluctantly followed, with a frown.

'I'm still hungry though...'

"So~"

"So?"

"What is this person like?" Alya inquired with a cautious tone.

"You'll know when we get there."

"......"

After strolling for nearly an hour, they finally arrived at the very last house situated at the far end of the town. Although the house was similar in style to the others, it seemed to be isolated from the rest of the town.

Nyx stood gazing at the lonesome house, taking in its distant aura. Behind her, Alya fidgeted nervously, staring at the house with wary. She had felt on edge the entire journey.

"Is this the place?"

"Yes."

Nyx walked up to the door and gently knocked. Suddenly, a small hole appeared in the wooden door, startling Alya and giving her a mini heart attack.

Moments later, Nyx turned to Alya and with a subtle smile, then motioned for her to step forward.

"Come here~"

"......"

Alya slowly and hesitantly walked up to Nyx. She felt a chill run down her spine as Nyx's hands rested on her shoulders. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead as Nyx held her firmly in place.

Both girls stared at the mysterious whole, each had their thoughts and expressions. The air grew heavy with tension as the silence lingered between the two. Moments later, Nyx whispered in Alya's ear,

"Poke your finger inside."

"Huh?!"

"Poke your finger inside."

"Why?"

"........Reasons~~" Nyx grinned.

Alya's forehead creased in worry. Nyx's hands still firmly gripped her shoulders, leaving no room for escape. Taking a deep breath, she hesitantly and shakily extended her finger towards the small hole. Under pressure, she swiftly poked her finger inside.

"Aah!!"

"Huh?!"

Instantly, Alya retracted her finger. She had unintentionally poked something.

Alya shot a quick, dopey look at Nyx, who responded with an innocent guise.

"Master, is that you?" Nyx yelled with a wide grin.

An abrasive grunt came from inside, followed by low grumbles. Alya's heartbeat quickened and her breathing hastened. The air felt tense as she stared intently at the doorknob, waiting for its click. Moments later she heard the sound of the door click, causing her to flinch in fear of who was behind that door. Nyx's grip on her shoulder tightened as the doorknob slowly rotated, leaving no room for escape. If only she had taken the dagger with her, she could've possibly found a way out.

Soon enough the door opened.

"Master!!" Nyx beamed.

Contrary to what Alya had imagined, on the other side, behind the tall wooden door, was a frail and grumpy old man with a small white beard and the height of a five-year-old holding a walking cane. His skin was pale and dry, with wrinkles and creases covering his eyes, mouth, and hands. His thick white brows furrowed as she glared up at them. Over his tiny and frail-looking body was a green robe, held with a golden belt.

"......"

The old man was caressing his left eye with his free hand, giving Alya less than a second to figure out what she had poked. With burning cheeks, she quickly placed her hands behind her back.

Alya looked away until her gaze stopped on a stool beside the door.

'..'

"What thing did you bring me this time?" The old man pointed his cane at Nyx, then at Alya. His voice was weak and abrasive, but still audible. Alya's once-flushed face instantly turned dark.

'What thing?'

She glared down at the old man, suddenly having the intrusive thought of kicking the tiny old geezer away with her foot.

"Oh....just something peculiar I picked up on the way."

"......"'(I'm not a thing.)...'

"This is Alya. She needs a master, and I thought, who else but my very own beloved master." Nyx crouched down to meet the man's gaze, with a cheeky smile.

The old man grumbled with a glare and a frown smeared on his face, while Nyx's smile stayed in place as they stared at each other. Moments later, with a grumble, he aimed his glare at Alya.

"Peculiar huh?" he mumbled, then raised his cane at Alya, gesturing for her to crouch down as well. Alya's frown deepened as she reluctantly obeyed.

The old man stared intently at the two girls, one with a bright smile that illuminated her stunning features and the other with brows knitted over a deep scowl. As he locked eyes with Alya, he raised the end of his cane and struck her on the forehead.

"Ah!"

"Fix your face, show some respect," he grunted.

Alya rubbed her forehead with a grimace and then tried to retaliate, but the old man cut her off.

"Where are you from?"

"Huh?" she froze, caught off guard by his sudden question. Her previously open mouth slowly pressed together in a thin line. Her eyes darted from the man's face to the floor, as she struggled to find the words to say.

"Umm....."

Her lowered gaze shifted to Nyx, who responded with a reassuring nod. With a deep breath, she turned to the old man.

"E-Earth." she stuttered.

The place was silent for a while.

"Earth?" Nyx and her master echoed with raised brows.

"Hm..." Alya nodded.

"Never heard of such a world. What about you, master?" Nyx queried with curious eyes.

"I haven't." Her master mumbled.

“Well........that's that then.....”

As soon as Nyx spoke, she got up and casually strolled into the old man's house. The old man glared as he watched Nyx enter his house without his permission.

The old man's eyes narrowed disapprovingly as he observed Nyx brazenly strolling into his home.

“I don't recall telling you to.....”

“I'm quite thirsty....” Nyx cut him off.

“Where do you keep your tea leaves again?”

“....”

Nyx pondered as she wandered off deeper inside the house. Her master could only shake his head with knitted brows.

The old man then turned to Alya, with the same old frown. Alya seemed to guess what he was thinking.

‘I'm not like that one.’ she answered his thoughts in her mind.

Just as Alya was about to speak up, the old man turned around and walked further into the house.

“Make sure to lock the door,” he grumbled.

........