The little shark-girl's name was Heidi. She hovered on her battered board with an awkward but cheerful smile, fins twitching nervously. Despite her young appearance and timid mannerisms, she wasn't just some ordinary child.
She was a mage— barely 5-star Novice level, yes, but still far beyond what mortals in south could touch. The faint shimmer of water aura clung to her body like a protective veil.
As she floated alongside them, she recited her story in short, simple words. Her parents had been wanderers of the sea. One stormy night they were killed in a beast tide. Heidi drifted for days, alone, clinging to a broken spar of wood until a band of adventurers pulled her from the waves. They brought her to the Dragon Boat where she found work as a guide, earning just enough to survive.
Mathilda crouched slightly and pinched Heidi's cheek. "Aww... sister feels so bad. How about you follow me back? You'd just have to work as a maid on our ship."
