Shen Xuan cradled the little girl in his left arm while gripping a short sword in his right—the same weapon he had just used to engage the Undead. Because he had temporarily imbued the short sword with light-element magic, it was able to make physical contact with the Undead.
Upon hearing the word "Undead," a look of shock washed over Luo Xiaoxue’s small face. It was said that the Undead only operated near the far-off Undead Mountains, separated from the Roland Empire by countless nations. Why would one appear here?
The Undead charged again. It was draped in armor, its flesh long since rotted away, leaving only a charcoal-black skeleton. Yet, unlike its other parts, its bony palms shimmered with a metallic luster; this was why a metallic clang had erupted when the short sword struck it earlier.
Using the short sword to parry, Shen Xuan brushed past the Undead like a matador. "Xuer, I’ll hold it off, and you use fire-element magic to attack. Although it won’t be as effective as light magic, this Undead isn’t particularly strong; an Initial Stage fire spell should be enough to kill it. Hmm? Did you hear me?"
Luo Xiaoxue snapped out of the trance caused by that "Xuer," and she nodded hurriedly. "Ah, yes!"
But as soon as she agreed, she suddenly remembered—she didn't seem to be able to cast magic right now...
Hmm? No, that wasn't right!
Luo Xiaoxue was surprised to discover that the buzzing sound that had been plaguing her had vanished. Did this mean the magical restrictions were gone?
Shen Xuan set her down and charged toward the Undead. In this critical moment, Luo Xiaoxue raised her staff, cast aside all her worries, and focused her mind. "Great Fire Spirit, please lend me your power to purify all the evil in this world..."
Fire elements gathered rapidly, forming a scorching fireball.
"Shen Xuan, get out of the way!"
A massive fireball hurtled forward, slamming hard into the Undead!
*Boom!*
Flames engulfed a large patch of trees, and a heatwave whipped up ashes that scattered in every direction. Looking at the empty clearing ahead, Luo Xiaoxue asked uncertainly, "Is it over?"
"It's over. Xiaoxue did great." Shen Xuan walked over and reached out to ruffle her hair.
In truth, an Initial Stage fire spell would not have been enough to destroy that skeleton Undead. However, taking advantage of the moment the fireball exploded, Shen Xuan had snuck in a light-element spell to finish it off completely. Naturally, he wouldn't mention such details. Nor could he let anyone know how, after killing a high-level Undead, he had managed to teleport from over ten kilometers away within a single second to save Luo Xiaoxue.
The little girl loved having her head patted by Shen Xuan, but she still protested in a milky voice, "Stop it! I won't grow taller if you keep doing that!"
"Haha, I think your height is just right as it is." Shen Xuan gave a hearty laugh and beckoned her. "Let's head back."
But when he mentioned leaving, Luo Xiaoxue caught his hand and refused to budge. Noticing her strange behavior, Shen Xuan asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
The little girl lowered her head, tugging at the corner of her skirt, seemingly embarrassed. "I... my left foot hurts a little. I can't walk..."
Shen Xuan frowned. He helped her sit on a large boulder, then crouched down, gripping her left ankle with one hand and the heel of her shoe with the other.
"Shen Xuan, w-what are you doing?"
Her face turned bright red as her ankle was touched by a boy. She gripped her knees tightly, unsure of what to do.
"I'm checking if your foot is injured, obviously." Shen Xuan said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He proceeded to remove her small black round-toed shoes with their bows, along with her white socks, finally cradling her delicate, porcelain-white foot—which could easily be held in one hand—like a work of art.
Luo Xiaoxue’s heart was about to leap out of her chest! She must have been sweating a lot while running away earlier. What if there was some strange smell? What if she left a bad impression on him?!
*Wuwu, someone tell me what to do...*
Steam rose from the top of her head; at that moment, Luo Xiaoxue felt as if she were about to evaporate on the spot.
"Hmm, it looks like the skin near the metatarsal is chafed."
Having said that, Shen Xuan looked around, plucked a few leaves, crushed them, and placed them over the wound. He then tore a strip from his own clothes to carefully bandage the girl's foot. However, the most effective part of the treatment was a healing spell he quietly cast.
"It will be fine in a few hours."
"Hey, what are you daydreaming about again?"
Shen Xuan gave the little girl a gentle flick to the forehead. It didn't hurt, but it was enough to bring her back to reality.
"Ah-ah-ah? I... I was just thinking about why the Undead appeared here," the girl defended herself.
"You won't figure that out just by thinking about it." Shen Xuan picked up the shoes he had just removed, turned his back to her, and crouched down. "Get on."
Luo Xiaoxue blinked. "What?"
"I'm carrying you back." Shen Xuan glanced at her. "Or would you rather walk back yourself?"
"Id-idiot, do you even have to ask a question like that..." The girl’s face grew even hotter, and her voice became smaller.
She gingerly leaned forward onto the boy’s back, a sense of security filling her heart. Because she was so nervous, her arms, as white and tender as lotus roots, wrapped tightly around Shen Xuan’s neck.
"Cough, you’re choking me a bit..."
"Ah! Oh, sorry~" Luo Xiaoxue quickly loosened her grip.
Usually quite talkative, she found herself too nervous to say a word. The two made their way through the forest.
"We’ve been traveling for days. You should change into something easier to move in," Shen Xuan’s gentle voice broke the silence.
Luo Xiaoxue buried her face in his shoulder and nodded obediently.
"Though, um... the dress you're wearing today suits you very well..."
The girl turned her head, gazing blankly at the boy’s nearly flawless profile. A few seconds later, she smiled happily, bright and lovely, like the most beautiful flower in the world.