Limitless Summoner: Rise of the Soul God

Ethan couldn't take it anymore. He laughed, his whole body shaking as he wiped tears from his eyes. "Well, I guess you're gonna be the prettiest girl in the world then."

She grinned, her tiny face lighting up. "Yes! I'll be the prettiest!" Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

He watched her, his laughter dying down to a soft chuckle. He glanced out the window, the evening sun casting a golden glow over the room. He felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with magic or power.

He reached out, ruffling her silver curls. "Thanks, kid. You're doing great."

She giggled, leaning into his touch. "I'll get stronger, so I can protect big brother too!"

Ethan smiled a genuine, warm smile. "Yeah. I'll be counting on you."

He knew he was being illogical and impractical in letting this kid of unknown origin stay with him. If anything she was most certainly going to bring trouble to his doorstep.

With her silver hair and her small pretty frame, she stuck out like a sore thumb. She was small, weak, and useless and had no idea who she was.

He was probably stuck with her for the foreseeable future. However, he couldn't bring himself to chase her away. She reminded him so much of his own sister.

Ethan's smile faded as his thoughts drifted back to his old world. For the first time since he got here, his mind wandered back home, and he wondered how his parents and his sister were doing.

What were they doing now? Did they find his body? How were they coping with his death?

His chest tightened, a hollow ache spreading through him. He could picture his mom sitting in his room, clutching his old hoodie and crying. His dad, quiet and grim, pretending to be strong for the family but falling apart on the inside.

And his sister… she'd be crying too, wouldn't she… waiting for her big brother to come back.

Ethan swallowed hard, his throat tightening. He had been so caught up in surviving this crazy world, learning magic, getting stronger… he hadn't let himself think about them. Not really. Not until now.

He glanced at the little girl still massaging his legs, her silver curls bouncing as she hummed a cheerful tune. He let out a sigh and patted her.

"Maybe one day I can see them again. There is magic and everything. Something like that should be possible." He absent-mindedly stared out the window, his thoughts drifting to the impossible.

"I'll find a way," he whispered, his voice low, barely audible. "I'll find a way back. I promise."

The little girl looked up, her humming stopping. "Did you say something, big brother?"

Ethan opened his eyes and smiled. "Yeah. I said… I'm counting on you to get even stronger, so you can protect me."

She puffed out her chest, her eyes gleaming. "I will! I'll be the strongest ever!"

Ethan laughed, his chest feeling lighter. "Good. Then I won't have to worry." He closed his eyes again, his body sinking into the mattress as sleep pulled at him. "Don't work too hard though. You might burn yourself out."

She giggled, the sound pure and innocent. "Okay, big brother. I'll be careful."

Soon Lia returned with the food, balancing a steaming bowl of stew in her hands. The rich aroma filled the room, making Ethan's stomach growl loudly. He sat up, his fatigue momentarily forgotten.

"Whoa, that smells amazing," he said, his eyes wide. "You sure you made this?"

Lia's cheeks flushed with pride. "Yep! Miss Agnes showed me how. I might have messed up a bit, but… it's edible. Probably." She looked a little nervous, her fingers fidgeting with her apron.

Ethan laughed, grabbing the bowl eagerly. "Well, only one way to find out." He took a big spoonful, the warm broth filling his mouth. It was a little too salty, and the vegetables were unevenly chopped, but it was good. Really good.

"This is awesome!" he exclaimed, shoveling more into his mouth. "I didn't know you could cook!"

Lia's face lit up, her eyes sparkling. "You… you really like it?"

Ethan nodded, his mouth too full to answer. He gave her a thumbs up, grinning between bites. The little girl watched him eat, her face a mix of awe and happiness.

Lia sat beside him, her shoulders relaxing. "I was worried… that you wouldn't like it. Miss Agnes said a woman who couldn't cook wouldn't be loved too much by her Master."

Ethan choked and spat out the soup, coughing as his eyes went wide. "She said what now?"@@novelbin@@

Lia looked at him with innocent confusion. "Miss Agnes said if I didn't learn to cook, you'd get bored of me and throw me away." She glanced down at her hands, her voice dropping. "She said no Master would keep a useless girl around."

Ethan's jaw dropped. That old hag was way too evil!

"Listen you both. Don't overdo it. This is just for a few days. We will get out of here soon enough and don't take anything that old hag says seriously."

He shook his head and continued eating. Lia went back down to get him one more bowlful of the stew and then another. Finally, after five bowls Ethan let out a satisfied burp. He leaned back, patting his stomach. "This was awesome."

"Thank you, Master." Lia smiled nervously.

Ethan sighed and shook his head. "Seriously, don't listen to that old hag. You are an amazing cook and also an amazing fighter and healer. I am very lucky to have you on my team."

Lia smiled and nodded. A soft snore interrupted them. The little girl was drooling on his lap, her tiny fists curled up like a kitten's. Ethan sighed, his expression softening.

"Look at her. Dead to the world." He adjusted her so she wouldn't slide off, his movements surprisingly gentle. "She's gonna be trouble, isn't she?"

Lia giggled. "She's already trouble."

Ethan laughed, his exhaustion melting away. "Yeah… but I guess we'll manage. Somehow."