While Lilac and Carol meet with Mayor Zao, the police van arrives to pick Milla up, and she's relieved to see the driver is General Gong. After explaining that Lilac and Carol had no choice but to acquiesce to Zao's demand to see them and Gong's reassurance that she's not in any trouble, she climbs into the back of the van for the journey to Shang Tu Palace, during which she meditates to keep herself calm.

It doesn't work as well as she'd hoped.


Gong accompanies Milla into the Magister's throne room, where the enigmatic leader himself is standing on the balcony, looking out over his kingdom.

"Greetings Bái Shén Měi Lán, tiāngǒu de hòuyì," the Magister greets. "I trust your journey here was comfortable."

"It was," Milla replies, her quivering voice exposing her nervousness.

The Magister turns away from the city and faces Milla. "There's no need to be nervous, young one," he assures softly. "I simply wish to speak with you in private. Please, join me on the balcony."

Milla joins the Magister on the balcony as Gong leaves the throne room. "You used my original name," she observes.

"If you prefer, I will revert to using your chosen name," the Magister offers.

"I'd like that," Milla replies. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"It has recently come to my attention that you have discovered you are the last in a lengthy familial line that extends further back than both the Lilacs and the Teas," the Magister begins. "I imagine this discovery has come as quite a shock."

"To put it mildly," Milla confirms. "I'm not sure I know who I really am anymore."

"No‑one ever truly learns who they really are," the Magister continues. "Life is a journey of discoveries, and what matters most is how you adapt to changes both voluntary and forced."

"The last two years have been an endless series of changes," Milla sighs, leaning on the balcony rail and gazing out over the city. "I've barely had any time to adapt."

"Understandable," the Magister acknowledges. "You have experienced far more in those two years than most experience in a lifetime. The fact that you are not overwhelmed is a testament to the strength you possess, a strength that will serve you well through your entire life."

"As others insist on telling me, I have the strength of the Bái Shén."

"It sounds like that phrase is getting tiresome to hear."

"Maybe a little. Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you think the biggest changes are in the past, or are they in the future?"

The Magister chuckles softly. "That is an excellent question, Miss Basset, and the answer depends on what it means for a change to be considered 'big'. For instance, is the size of a change related to the number of people it affects? Or does it depend more on how radical the change is, even if it only affects one individual? History is replete with philosophers who have debated these very questions for entire lifetimes, yet none ever arrive at a satisfactory answer."

"You're dodging the question."

"Indeed, and for good reason," the Magister admits.

Milla thinks a moment. "Let me rephrase then: do you believe the biggest changes are in the past, or are they in the future?"

"I believe the greatest changes lie ahead of us."

"Me too, and that scares me."

"Me too." Especially considering what is hidden under the Arctic Wastes and at the bottom of the Eastern Ocean… I pray no‑one discovers what lies there.

For a few minutes, the two watch the city below them in silence.

Eventually, the Magister breaks the silence. "I must admit, I'm surprised your friends did not accompany you."

"They would've, but Mayor Zao called," Milla explains.

"I suspected as much," the Magister replies. "The events at the Battlesphere cannot have pleased him."

"He was yelling so loudly we would have heard him without the phone."

"His anger shall pass soon enough, for he is a man of… limitations."

"You think he's an idiot, don't you?" Milla asks, immediately regretting being so forward.

"Being one of limitations does not necessarily mean one is an idiot," the Magister corrects.

"You're right," Milla accepts. "Sorry."

"No need for apologies, young one; mistakes are how we learn," the Magister assures. "And yes, I do think he's an idiot," he adds quietly.

"Thought so," Milla smiles.

"And he's not the only one," Neera adds, joining the pair on the balcony.

"Ah, Neera, I was not expecting your presence," the Magister welcomes.

"I have a few minutes to spare, so I thought I'd come and see how Milla's doing," Neera explains.

"Physically, I'm fine," Milla assures. "Mentally… kinda still working on it."

"You'll figure it out, I'm sure of it," Neera replies. "After all, you have the strength‑"

"Please don't," Milla interrupts.

"Fair enough," Neera accepts. "I'm serious though: the strength and resolve you showed yesterday is beyond anything I've ever witnessed, and far beyond what someone your age would be expected to show."

"These last two years have been so chaotic, I keep forgetting I'm only twelve," Milla sighs.

Neera looks to the Magister, who nods in approval. "Your childhood is being stolen by forces beyond your control, that much is obvious," she begins. "Therefore, I'd like to give at least a little of it back to you."

Milla blinks in surprise. "You… um… what?"

"Hey, I can't be the Ice Queen all time, can I?" Neera quips, a playful twinkle in her eyes. "Besides, if anyone's earned a day of carefree enjoyment, it's you, and I'm going to make sure you have it."

"I… I don't know what to say," Milla replies.

"It'll be my honour," Neera assures. "So, what do you most want to do?"

Milla thinks for a few moments. "I… I dunno… What do girls my age normally like to do?"

"Many things," Neera answers. "For example, when I was a cub, there's nothing I loved doing more than ice‑skating. For a while I dreamt about pursuing it full‑time… but that was a long time ago. Besides, this isn't about what I want, it's about what you want."

"Are you not happy being a high priestess?" Milla asks.

"Very happy," Neera assures. "Sure, it's demanding and stressful, but it's also very satisfying."

"There's a part of you that wishes you'd followed your childhood dream, isn't there?" Milla guesses.

"Well… yeah, there is," Neera admits. "Doesn't help that I don't have a lot of time to indulge nowadays."

"Then let's go ice‑skating," Milla decides.

"Are you sure?" Neera asks.

"I am," Milla confirms. "You've done so much for me these last two years, and it's only fair I do something for you in return, even if it's something small. Also, it sounds like a lot of fun."

"It really is," Neera replies. "Gliding gracefully across the ice, feeling the cool air rushing through your fur, it's amazing."

"Then let's go!" Milla exclaims excitedly.

"I know just the place," Neera smiles. "I'm sure the Magister can handle me being gone a few hours."

"If you prefer, you may have the whole day," the Magister offers. "General Gong can cover your duties."

"I'm not so sure he can," Neera replies in jest. "Eh, I'll clean up his mess tomorrow; right now, I'm taking Milla ice‑skating!"

"Yay!" Milla chirps, giving Neera an excited hug she wasn't expecting, but welcomes anyway. "Oh! Can we get ice cream after?"

"Of course," Neera agrees. "And you can have whatever toppings you want. Fruit, wafers, nuts, chocolate sauce, anything."

"Oh, I can't have chocolate: it makes me sick," Milla replies. "Think I might be allergic to it or something. The rest sounds good though."

"In that case, you can have any toppings you want except chocolate sauce," Neera self‑corrects.

"But you said I could have anything I want!" Milla protests, pretending to be upset.

"Not if it‑" Neera suddenly realises what Milla's doing. "…you're just playing with me, aren't you?"

"A bit, yeah," Milla admits, blushing with innocent embarrassment.

Neera shakes her head in amusement. "Seems to me you know exactly how to be twelve," she chuckles. "Come on, let's go."

Giggling with excitement, Milla leaves the throne room with Neera.

Alone once more, the Magister resumes watching over his city. Enjoy yourself as much as you can Měi Lán, as I fear it won't be long before more of your childhood is stolen from you.