Author's note: Earlier update because I might not be able to update later!

A lean, peach-haired man, dashed down the corridor, panting heavily. His appearance bore a resemblance to Xue, except for his eyed and hair. His footsteps were muffled against the carpeted floor, and behind him were two people dressed in outfits meant for servants.

He was dressed in simple blue robes of two layers, carrying a battered satchel on his back.

"Stop right there!"

"Shhh, don't shout so loudly! We can't let the intruder ruin the masters' happy mood!"

The peach-haired man glanced back, his eyes growing wide in horror. He picked up his pace, despite the increasing heaviness in his legs.

Damn it! If I get caught, who knows what they would do to me?

I heard the rich folks have some sick habits! I...I shouldn't have taken that bastard seriously!

The man was still running down the hallway, and the servant shouted out to him once more.

The man felt like crying without tears.

***

Xue and Cecil glanced at one another, they clearly heard a commotion outside. There was incoherent shouting, and the muffled footsteps of the people.

"Catch that intruder!"

Cecil hurried to the door and pushed it open, catching a glimpse of a shadow avoiding the door with a yelp as the figure stumbled.

She rushed out without hesitation, wanting to catch the intruder. Alas, Cecil felt a hard object hitting her, causing her to fall along with the person. Her back hit the carpeted floor and she grunted, squeezing her eyes close in pain.

Everything happened to so fast, by the time Xue realised it, Cecil was down on the ground.

Xue narrowed his eyes in anger, especially when he found a man laying on top of Cecil.

The soul fragments in his mind were rendered speechless at the sight.

It was a peach-haired man, his hair was short barely reaching his neck and he had a slight fringe.

The souls inside Xue were screaming out that this same man was the soul fragment they felt.

"Young mistress!"

"Oh my god, young mistress!"

The peach-haired man groaned, pushing himself up with his arms as he blinked his eyes open, a pained frown on his face. When he saw the sight of a beautiful raven-haired woman pinned underneath him, he froze as his peach eyes grew wide.

The woman groaned softly as she slowly lifted her eyes open, her long eyelashes fluttering. His breath hitched when his eyes met a pair of pellucid, onyx eyes.

This was his first time being so up close to a beautiful woman, and the first he had seen someone with such gorgeous eyes.

The man wondered if he had encountered a fairy or a goddess.

A hint of recognition flitted past her clear eyes, and she furrowed her eyebrows. She wanted to speak, only to be cut off when the man decided to speak first.

"So...pretty--"

"Get off."

Xue kicked the man away, and the man rolled across the floor in a pathetic manner. The servants could only look on, speechless.

Xue offered his hand to Cecil, and she gladly accepted his aid. He wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her up gently, and Cecil was still feeling disoriented to even notice Xue's hand on her waist.

"Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere?"

"I'm fine."

"Do you feel dizzy? Does your head hurt?"

"The floor was carpeted, so I'm fine."

The peach-haired man recovered from Xue's angry kick, and he winced, pushing himself up. He opened his eyes, glancing at Cecil, dazed, before glancing towards Xue, letting out a startled yelp.

The two servants standing by the side noticed the resemblance between Xue and the peach-haired intruder, flabbergasted.

Xue stopped fussing over Cecil, looking up coldly at the peach-haired man.

The man gaped openly at Xue, blinking rapidly.

"Yo-young mistress..."

"We are so sorry, young mistress! We turned away this man at the gate when he said he wanted to have a chat with the mistress and the lord," one of the servants bowed, sounding ashamed. "Who knew he had use some...magic tricks to sneak his way in!"

"It's fine, I will handle it from here," Cecil waved the servants away hurriedly. "You don't need to report this matter to my mother and father."

"Thank you, young mistress!"

"Thank you so much!"

The servants scrambled away, relieved at avoiding any punishments.

Xue whipped out his orb, which was red in colour. He seemed determined on absorbing the soul without any hesitation.

The peach-haired man was still staring wide-eyed at Xue, unable to recover from the shock.

Cecil turned back to the man, furrowing her eyebrows. The butterfly effect truly existed in this novel, every little action of hers had affected the timeline.

This is...Sid.

The next soul fragment Xue is supposed to encounter...but just like Kai, his original meeting point is gone.

Xue wasn't supposed to meet him here.

Nevertheless, Cecil was relieved it was Sid and not some other soul fragment, especially if that soul fragment was an evil one. However, Cecil knew Sid wasn't an evil soul fragment, but she didn't know Sid well enough.

Once again, when this soul fragment was encountered by Xue, Xue just absorbed him without any hesitation.

There wasn't a proper chance to know him at all.

The only thing that Cecil knew about this fragment was that, he was just like Alric. He didn't put up with a fight with Xue when the absorption happened.

In fact, in the novel, Sid seemed more than willing to be absorbed.

"You...you..." Sid stuttered out, pointing his trembling index finger at Xue. "You are..."

The orb started to hover, glowing slightly.

"You don't need to know who I am." Xue stated coldly, narrowing his eyes at Sid.

The image of Sid laying on top of Cecil's body flashed past his mind, and Xue narrowed his eyes even further.

"Xue, this soul fragment of yours--" Cecil said, taking a step forward when she felt something tightening around her waist.

She glanced down, seeing the arm around her waist and she widened her eyes in disbelief. It was then she realised she was practically sticking onto Xue.

Cecil blinked rapidly, looking up at Xue.

"Stopping me again?" Xue questioned, looking at her as he raised his eyebrows, putting away his red orb.

"What's the reason this time?" Xue leaned in, making Cecil inhale sharply as she withdrew back. "Hmm?"

The arm around her waist tightened even more, though, it wasn't to a point where it hurt.

Cecil glanced down, unable to meet Xue's eyes.

Moreover, she could tell that Xue wasn't happy with this alter, but she didn't know why. It was their first encounter, and she didn't know what Sid did incur his wrath.

"I-I am not stop--"

"My saviour!"

Sid clasped his hands around Xue's hand that was still outstretched towards him. There was a hint of reverence in his eyes as he stared at Xue.

The two of them turned to look at Sid, their gazes moving to the hand that Sid had grabbed.

"It's really you after all, my saviour! I have been trying to locate you this entire time!" Sid exclaimed, his eyes twinkling in delight.

Xue's face twisted in confusion, his arm loosening around Cecil's waist.

Cecil took the opportunity to extricate herself from Xue, frowning at Sid.

"Sa-saviour? Xue is your saviour?" Cecil asked, bewildered.

Sid nodded, slowly moving his gaze over to Cecil. "Yes, definitely. I have no doubt about it, because he is--"

"Don't touch me." Xue stated indifferently, snatching his hand back.

All of a sudden, Sid collapsed to the floor silently, startling the two of them. Cecil widened her eyes, looking at Xue.

Xue looked back at her, furrowing his eyebrows. "I didn't do anything, he fainted on his own."

Cecil nodded, crouching down and gently shaking Sid.

Just then, a low grumbling sound resounded throughout the quiet hallway. Cecil jolted back in alarm, since that sound came from Sid.

"I'm so hungry..." Sid mumbled out weakly, clutching at his stomach.

That sound was from his stomach, calling out for food.

"..."

"..."

Xue and Cecil glanced at one another, not knowing what to say.

***

Hana stood alone in the kitchen, eating a slice of the cake she made. Her parents, along with Cecil's parents had approved of her baking skills, excusing themselves for an appointment that had made beforehand.

Hana ate her cake happily, licking at the cream remaining on her lips. She glanced back, seeing that less of a quarter of the cake remained on the tray, pouting.

"I think I made a little too much," Hana murmured, rubbing at her tummy. "And I'm pretty full myself..."

The kitchen was still in a mess, and her parents had already instructed the servants to clean up after Hana was done using the kitchen.

I should give the remaining cake to Cecil and Xue!

Hana took off her apron, taking the tray and two forks, spinning around and heading for the exit. To her surprise, a raven-haired woman peeked her head in, and Hana brightened up.

"Cecil, you are here! Are you here to--"

"Shhh!" Cecil walked into the kitchen, putting her finger on her lips.

Hana shut her mouth, blinking innocently at Cecil.

"Are our parents here?"

Hana shook her head. "They went off long ago."

Cecil sighed in relief. "Good then."

"Here!" Hana passed the tray and the fork to Cecil. "The remaining cake I made."

"Leftovers?"

"Mhmm!"

Cecil smiled softly, nodding. "Great, I wanted to ask if there were any."

"Why?"

Cecil looked at the curious Hana, frowning slightly before she leaned in, whispering into Hana's ear. She explained the entire situation in a succinct manner, and Hana gasped silently.

"Another soul fragment of Xue? Sneaked into here?"

Cecil nodded.

"Why?" Hana tilted her head.

"I wanted to ask him that before he...fainted from hunger."

Hana then passed the cake over to Cecil again. "Then give this to him! So you can ask why!"

Cecil wanted to take the cake, until a thought struck her mind.

"You can pass it to him, Hana," she suggested, pushing the came back to Hana. "He's in the living room with Xue."

"Okay!" Hana chirped, skipping out from the kitchen, the cake in her hands.

Cecil smiled to herself as she watched Hana leave, feeling particularly proud.

This time, it's not me helping and leaving an impression on the soul fragment!

It's Hana!

Seeing no servants around to assist her, Cecil decided to make her own tea for everyone. It was the perfect company with cake after all, and she was craving some tea herself after helping the fatigued Sid to the living room.

Heading her bed to rest was no longer on her mind.

***

Hana stepped into the living room, observing Xue who was seated opposite an unconscious man, glaring at him. Cecil was kind enough to bring the battered satchel along, placing it beside the man.

The young man, as if sensing there was food nearby, suddenly sat up from the couch, sniffing the air. It startled Hana who was approaching him, and Xue frowned even further.

"I smell food...cake..."

His eyes were still closed, and his nose was twitching, the two people there immediately thought of the same thing.

A dog.

Hana placed the cake in front of Sid, and he instantly snapped open his eyes. Without any hesitation, he gobbled the cake down. The two people stared wide-eyed at Sid, it seemed like he was sucking in the cake.

Within seconds, the cake was gone, and Sid darted out his tongue, cleaning off the remaining cream on his lips. Hana gasped in amazement, clapping happily.

"You ate it so fast! That's amazing!" Hana scuttled closer to Sid. "If I made something else, can you eat this quickly too?!"

Sid turned his head, meeting Hana's blue eyes. He inhaled sharply, grasping at Hana's hands, just like he did to Xue.

"My saviour!"

Hana blinked in confusion.

Xue raised his eyebrows.

Cecil entered the room at that moment, with a tray holding a teapot and teacups. She saw the scene of Sid holding Hana's hands, secretly pleased at her plans working.

Asking Hana to send the food in was really the right thing to do.

Now, I don't have to worry about any abnormalities again.

Hana pointed to herself with her free hand, still confused. "Saviour? Me?"

Sid nodded, nudging his head at Xue as well. "You and him, Xue and Hana."

Cecil placed the tray down on the table, overhearing Sid calling out their names, surprised.

"You have your memories?" Cecil questioned.

Sid suddenly found three pairs of curious eyes on him, and he grinned sheepishly.

"That's right, I forgot to introduce myself," Sid bowed his head lightly. "My name's Sid, and I'm a wandering magician, and for my memories..."

"I recovered them about two years ago."

"But me and Xue have never saved you, why do you call us your saviour?"

"Ah, that..." Sid cleared his throat, sitting up straight. "I have two things I want in life."

Cecil began to wonder if this soul was like Leonaut. She was expecting a long story, hence, she started to pour out some tea.

"I want to sleep all day, and I want to eat good food all day."

The teapot in Cecil's hand slipped a little.

Hana laughed.

Xue remained indifferent.

"But in order to achieve those things, you need to be strong and smart, or strong and rich," Sid sighed, shaking his head. "And I am none of those."

"I am too lazy to train my fire element."

"I am too lazy to study."

"I am too lazy to work hard and get rich."

"So, I decided to learn some magic tricks for easy money, and wander around to find good food. I ran away from my home, not that I liked living there anyway."

Cecil placed the teapot down, not knowing what expression to show to Sid.

Hana continued laughing.

Xue still remained indifferent.

Kai: "...this guy..."

Leonaut: "He's an idiot."

Zasiok: "A certified idiot."

Alric: "Th-there are many types of wanderers around, but a wandering magician...that is a little..."

Sid continued to explain.

"It was then I realised this wandering magician life wasn't as easy as I thought. Until two years ago, I started to see these strange memories in my sleep, and even during the time when I am awake, and that's when I realised what I am."

"From then on, I knew the two of you would be my saviours. To give me the things I want in life, to sleep well and eat well," Sid grinned, nodding to himself. "So I set out on a journey to find the two of you, my saviours. So, that's it, that's the story...ah, I'm thirsty."

Sid took a cup of tea that Cecil poured, bringing it to his lips.

"Sid, wait! It's still--"

"Hot! Hot hot hot!"

Sid dropped his cup, fanning his tongue and lips.

Hana jumped back to avoid the hot tea from spilling onto her.

Cecil winced.

Xue closed his eyes, placing his hand on his forehead.

Even the soul fragments inside his head were speechless at Sid.

"Are you okay?" Cecil leaned in, concerned as she picked up the tea cup. "The tea was still pretty hot, you might have scalded your tongue."

Seeing Cecil up close, Sid was dazzled by her beauty.

Since he had seen Hana countless times in his memories, her attractiveness had died down in his heart. Moreover, Sid has always liked black hair, especially if those people with black hair are extremely beautiful to him.

Cecil placed the tea cup on the table, slightly surprised when she found her hand being grabbed gently by Sid. She glanced towards Sid, taken aback by the awed look in his eyes.

"Are you...are you a goddess? Maybe even the goddess of luck or something?"

Cecil was bewildered. "Wh-what?"

"Ever since I bumped into you, and saw your beauty, I have been given free food, and even a nice comfortable couch to rest on."

"...I didn't give you the free food, it was Hana."

"Mhmm!" Hana nodded, pointing to Cecil. "But Cecil was the one who told me to give you some food!"

"I knew it!"

Cecil widened her eyes, looking at Hana.

My dear heroine! You are just throwing the bone back to me!

Hana beamed innocently.

Cecil looked back at Sid, the awe in his eyes had grew.

I...I have a bad feeling.

Suddenly, Cecil felt herself being pulled away by her arm, the hand on hers were now a different hand. Her eyes trailed up, seeing an ash blonde-haired man standing beside her.

"It was definitely no coincidence that you found us," Xue narrowed his eyes at Sid, regarding him with askance. "How did you find me and Hana?"

Sid glanced at Xue, nodding. "You are right, it was no coincidence."

Sid then glanced back at Cecil, grinning. "Three months ago, I met someone and he shared some locations with me whenever we met up. Everyone tends to avoid talking to me, or even ignore me, but he was the first person to approach me personally."

Sid grinned even wider, as if recalling a fond memory. "He's a strange fella, I tell you."

Cecil didn't know why, but upon hearing those words, she grew apprehensive.

"And this same fella led me to you, it's all thanks to him!"

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Get off.

Hands off.

If there is a single cut or bruise on her, no matter who you are, I'll kill you.

Even if it's myself.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

So...so pretty!

She's so pretty, like an angel!

Maybe even a goddess...

No, she could even be an actual goddess!

My...my goddess of luck!

《 stop 》