I Was Here First

Still, Li Chen saw how professional Ram was.

In very little time, Ram had cleaned his room until it was spotless, and a fresh fragrance lingered in the air.

A comfortable living environment really did make one feel good in both body and mind.

Li Chen looked at Ram with satisfaction. "Ram, you're amazing."

Ram showed little reaction to his praise. She simply asked, "Master, have you decided how to replenish Ram's mana?"

Her reminder made Li Chen recall the matter.

Because Ram had lost her Oni "horn," she had lost her power and struggled to maintain her physical existence, since she absorbed magical energy more slowly than she consumed it.

The Oni needed magical energy to live, so Ram needed her mana replenished if she wanted to survive.

The reason Ram and Rem had stayed at Roswaal's mansion was that Ram had made a pact with Roswaal. He regularly replenished her mana to keep her alive.

Now that she had come to Li Chen and no longer had Roswaal to replenish her mana, she was fine for the moment, but she certainly wouldn't be after too long.

Li Chen asked seriously, "Ram, what is the magical energy your Oni use?"

"It's mana."

Ram answered.

"Uh..."

Li Chen said, "Whatever it's called, it's a kind of energy, right?"

Ram thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

"Then there's no problem."

Li Chen said confidently, "This energy can be called mana, magic, the Force, or even battle qi."

"But all paths lead to the same destination. Ultimately, it's the same thing."

Li Chen had no magic, but the sunlight he absorbed had left energy in his body.

"Let me try it on you."

With that, Li Chen prepared to give it a try.

Ram didn't hesitate. Since this concerned her survival, she obediently lay down in Li Chen's arms.

Li Chen: Happiness came so suddenly.

Then Ram swept her bangs aside.

To protect Rem, her "horn" had been broken during a battle with the Witch Cult.

Oni generally had two horns, yet the two sisters had only one each, and both had been treated coldly by the other Oni as a result.

Later, a great calamity struck, and the two of them were the only Oni who survived. Their past was tragic.

When Li Chen saw the place where he needed to replenish her mana, the sight stirred a tenderness in him.

He tried to draw on the power in his body. His palm turned red as he attempted to channel his solar energy into Ram.

But... his energy could only remain inside his body. It couldn't get out at all.

As a warrior, how was he supposed to know how to use his power?

Li Chen blushed a little, but the next second, he felt a suction force coming from Ram's forehead.

The power in his body surged into Ram like a tide, drawing a soft moan from her. Her somewhat pale face quickly regained its color.

She looked up at Li Chen in shock. "M-Master, you really can replenish Ram's mana."

"Naturally," Li Chen said smugly.

His understanding had been correct. Though energy went by different names, it ultimately all belonged to the same kind.

"What is sister doing in Master's room? Why is she taking so long?"

Rem knew Ram had gone to their master's room. She had felt she couldn't look after him well enough, so she had handed the job to her sister.

After all, back in their original world, Ram had been responsible for tidying the living quarters.

But wasn't this taking far too long?

She had thought her sister would be back soon. She still had endless things to talk to Ram about.

This fascinating new world, for example.

Rem liked this world better by comparison.

This world was cleaner and tidier. Even the bathroom was so clean and sanitary, and she could take a bath or, if she didn't want one, have a shower instead.

There was also a huge garden outside. Whenever she was in a bad mood, a walk around it would immediately cheer her up.

Before, the most she had felt was a little bored, because Master had to go out to work, unlike those noble lords who always lounged around at home.

But things were better now. With Ram here, she wouldn't be bored anymore. Who would have thought Ram would stay in Master's room the whole time?

"Could sister be sneaking a taste?"

The thought suddenly occurred to Rem.

Damn it, I was here first.

Master wasn't much older than them, and he was handsome. It seemed only natural that Ram might not be able to resist...

For some reason, Rem felt a little uncomfortable.

Just then, she keenly detected movement outside.

Beverly Hills was a wealthy neighborhood. The estates were all far apart, and security was thorough, with police officers everywhere.

Abroad, seeing police officers was a reason to feel reassured, because it meant the area was at least safe.

So, for some time now, Rem hadn't heard any movement outside at night, and other people didn't approach private property.

Here, an estate was like an independent little kingdom: safe and secluded.

But now, Rem heard movement outside.

"Someone's approaching."

Rem's ears picked up the footsteps more clearly.

"Has Master offended someone?"

In an instant, she switched from a gentle maid to her battle maid form.

She immediately rushed to Master's room.

The door was only partly closed. Rem pushed it open and called, "Master, please hide."

Then she saw Ram lying in their master Li Chen's arms.

Rem: "..."

"Did I come at a bad time?"

She looked at her sister reproachfully. I was here first!

After spending a few days together, Li Chen's gentleness had left a deep impression on Rem.

To put it plainly, she and Ram were both homebodies who hadn't met many people and were easily fooled.

"Rem!"

Ram jumped in fright and immediately left Li Chen's arms, her face flushed.

Her expression only made Rem more certain.

How tragic!

"What happened?"

Ram wanted to explain, but judging by Rem's expression, something important had clearly happened.

The horn on Rem's head had already appeared. Although she had only one and looked like a unicorn, she was actually quite cute.

This was Rem's Oni transformation. Her emotions were affected when she transformed, so Ram wasn't planning to explain now.

It was like when a girlfriend was furious: no matter how a man explained himself, she wouldn't listen.

Sure enough, Rem was no longer dwelling on her gloomy feelings. She said, "Someone's approaching. Their footsteps are very light."

Ram listened as well. Although her broken horn meant she was no longer as strong as Rem, she could still provide support.

Li Chen, meanwhile, looked outside with his super vision. Sure enough, he saw a group of black-clad ninjas who had slipped through the estate gates and entered the garden.

"Is this what ninjas are like?"

In Li Chen's mind, ninjas were all like Mai Shiranui, swaying back and forth to draw people's attention before taking the opportunity to launch a sneak attack.