Mia was starting to accept that her life now involved talking animals, glowing symbols, and the occasional forest squirrel with delusions of grandeur. What she wasn't prepared for was responsibility. Specifically, the kind that involved waking up before sunrise to navigate a forest, feed a squirrel a protein-packed breakfast, and calm an owl professor who insisted he was not being "carried like luggage," despite riding in her bag with only his head poking out. "I am an esteemed intellectual, not a handbag mascot," Professor Hootsworth grumbled. "And I'm not your beast of burden.""You literally are my beast," Mia muttered under her breath, brushing aside another low-hanging branch. "Also, you're still healing. If I let you fly, your wing might heal crooked. Then you'd be the first monocled owl in history who flies in circles.""Your wit is as dull as your spatial awareness," he replied flatly. "You just walked into a spider web.""GAHHH!" she screamed, flailing wildly as a silk-thin thread of webbing clung to her face. "WHY ARE THEY ALWAYS AT MOUTH HEIGHT?!"Behind her, Bolt Nut Brawler was doing burpees on a flat rock and shouting things like "EIGHTY-SEVEN! EIGHTY-EIGHT! RESPECT YOUR CORE!" while birds flew away in horror. Mia sighed, wiping her face on her sleeve. It had been three days since her accidental soul-swap into Lina's body. They had camped in the enchanted forest during that time, gathering supplies and letting the Professor finish recovering. Now, finally, they were heading back to the town where Lina—now her—lived. Her job was waiting. Her new life was waiting. And she was about to walk into it with a bandaged owl and a squirrel who thought protein shakes were a food group.
They reached the main dirt road just before noon. Civilization lay just a few miles away, down a path that wound past shimmering blue-leafed trees and the occasional floating boulder. As they walked, Professor Hootsworth explained more about the world. "Each tamer is limited to five beasts," he said, voice clipped but patient. "The bond draws from your own spiritual energy—your cultivation. The stronger you are, the stronger your beasts can be. But if you overextend, the bond weakens. You lose control. Or worse—they get hurt."Mia nodded slowly. "So I've got a max party limit. That explains the system menu I saw in the forest.""System?" the owl asked suspiciously."Uh… magic brain words," she said quickly. "Don't worry about it."He narrowed his eyes but didn't push. "Regardless, you're already bonded to two very rare creatures. Most tamers spend years contracting one of our caliber.""Modest," she said."Accurate," he replied.
Bolt Nut Brawler caught up with them, panting happily. "Hey Coach Mia! Did you see that last set? I felt the burn in my tail fluff!""That's great, Nut," she said, patting his head. "Just don't burn anything for real, okay? You're basically a walking lightning rod.""YEAH I AM," he shouted, striking a double bicep pose. "Let's electrify the classroom, baby!"Mia froze. "Wait. Did I ever tell you where I work?""Nope!" he chirped. "I just guessed! You give off total teacher vibes! Like, firm but nurturing. Classic mentor arc material.""He's not entirely wrong," Professor Hootsworth mused. "Although I'd argue more 'chaotic substitute' than 'mentor.'"She rolled her eyes. "Thanks, guys. Great vote of confidence."Despite their banter, a small smile tugged at her lips. They were ridiculous—but they were hers. Somehow, they made the weight of everything that had happened just a little easier to bear.
An hour later, the town of Windmere appeared in the distance—tucked into a valley like a watercolor painting brought to life. Quaint houses with sloped roofs lined cobbled streets. Trees grew in neat rows, their blossoms drifting gently through the air. Children laughed near a fountain shaped like a grinning gryphon, and shopkeepers called out specials in voices that echoed cheerfully across the square. It was picturesque. Peaceful. And absolutely terrifying. Mia stared at it like it might bite her. "This is where she lived," she said softly. "Where I live now."Professor Hootsworth fluttered out of her bag and landed on a fencepost. "Indeed. According to Lina's last records, your lodging is provided by the school. Modest apartment above the west wing. You're expected to begin teaching next week.""Teaching. Right." Mia wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. "Little kids. Beast theory and safety basics.""Surely even you can handle children," the owl said. "They are like small, loud books with jam on their faces.""That's the most unsettling description of children I've ever heard," she muttered, then squared her shoulders. "Okay. Let's go see my new… old home."
The school sat at the edge of town, a graceful building made of pale stone and arched windows. The courtyard bustled with students and teachers preparing for the term, and colorful beast-shaped murals decorated the exterior walls. Mia walked through the front gate like she belonged, her head held high despite the chaos in her stomach. The front office recognized her right away, of course. To them, she was Lina Greaves—the quiet graduate who'd been hired last month to fill a vacant instructor role. No one questioned her too closely. No one seemed to notice the subtle differences in posture or speech. It was both comforting and deeply weird. They gave her a key, a welcome letter, and a syllabus. By the time she climbed the stairs to her apartment and opened the door, her head was spinning.
The room was small but cozy. A bed tucked under the window, a desk piled with beast-related scrolls, and a kitchenette with a tiny kettle that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a decade. Mia set her bag down and collapsed onto the bed, sighing deeply. "Okay," she said aloud. "This is fine. I'm a teacher now. I teach magical kids how not to get eaten by dragons. No big deal.""Don't forget to prepare lesson plans," Professor Hootsworth called from the bookshelf, where he was already reorganizing her scrolls in alphabetical order. "And review the cultivation exercises for your own training. You're woefully underdeveloped.""Gee, thanks."She opened one of Lina's old journals and flipped through the notes. The writing was neat and precise. Lina had clearly studied hard, especially in the fundamentals of beast communication and behavior. There were hand-drawn sketches of different beast species, detailed notes about their temperaments, and reminders to "never underestimate a duck-dragon. They hold grudges."Mia chuckled softly. "You were a nerd, huh? I like that."She glanced out the window. The town bustled below. This place had been Lina's home. Now it was hers.
For the rest of the day, she settled in—unpacking what little Lina had owned, reviewing school materials, and exploring the small garden behind the building. Bolt Nut Brawler tried to plant a mini gym in the yard using rocks and sticks. Professor Hootsworth lectured a group of confused pigeons about the history of aerial combat. And Mia, for the first time since waking up in this world, felt something close to peace.
No new beasts. No terrifying forests. No dramatic contracts.
Just… quiet.
She knew it wouldn't last.
Eventually, she'd need to strengthen her cultivation. Only then could she tame more beasts. Only then could she become the kind of tamer who survived in this world—who protected others and herself.
But for now, she had a job. A home. And two beast companions who, against all logic, made her feel a little less alone.
Tomorrow, she'd start preparing for her first class.
Tonight, she'd let herself breathe.