Synopsis
(Pausing to sort out the outline)
Yun Jiali has arrived in Winter Mirror, a world ruled by magic. Its creatures have all kinds of innate abilities, and humans can awaken powers, become spirit-beast tamers, and form contracts with spirit beasts.
Yun Jiali's eyes light up. "I want a dragon."
But a little phoenix smashes through the window and beats her to it. "Sure, dragons are great, but can they compare to me? I can do everything a dragon can, and things they can't. Why wouldn't you choose me?"
Yun Jiali straightens her clothes and says solemnly, "Forgive me for failing to recognize your greatness. Please, Great Phoenix, take me on a tour of the mountains. I mean, a tour of Winter Mirror."
The contract is sealed, and both sides think they've gotten the better deal.
The two worlds, the Main World and the Otherworld, once existed in peaceful balance, like opposite ends of a scale. But the sun's fire is on the verge of going out, and energy is surging out of control. The two worlds will collide before long, and a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions is about to strike.
Meanwhile, the world-destroying Demon King Nohan is awakening, secretly assembling an army to bring about the end of the world and wreak havoc in Winter Mirror.
Faced with the polite smile of the Federation commander and the persuasion of Winter Mirror's most gifted wizard, Yun Jiali waves them off. "I'm fifty-five this year. I don't have a drop of youthful fire in me. Leave saving the world to the young."
The commander puts a hand on her left shoulder. "What are you talking about? This is the perfect age to make your mark."
The wizard says, "Take a good look in the mirror. You've been getting younger ever since you became a spirit-beast tamer. Besides, the Demon King will come looking for you, too."
So Yun Jiali travels back and forth between the two worlds with the little phoenix, carrying messages and occasionally getting into fights with Nohan's minions. On the way to Dragon Island, they even pick up a bard as a companion.
And so begins the troublemaking team's adventure to take on the Demon King in Winter Mirror.
Yun Jiali leads a white horse with her left hand, holds the Great Phoenix with her right, and still has to find time to restrain the hot-tempered Ruiya, all while saying from the heart, "We're so sorry..."
Wait, why does this feel like the wrong kind of story?
Wasn't Yun Jiali supposed to carry the whole team, not apologize to everyone?
Occasional bonus scenes:
The Great Phoenix looks around the hundred-square-meter apartment, then at the steaming bowl of luosifen, and grumbles, "I'm the sole phoenix left in my clan in a hundred years, and you expect me to eat this stinky stuff?"
Yun Jiali doesn't look up as she opens a can of soda. "If you don't eat it, I'll finish it."
The Great Phoenix takes a haughty peck. "No bird would eat this... Hm? It actually smells pretty good?"
A friendly reminder:
1. This story is entirely fictional and takes place in an imaginary world. Please don't confuse it with reality.
2. The Main World is primarily cyberpunk, while the Otherworld is primarily magical.
Theme: Live wildly and love freedom all your life.