Alist, whose state was not minded as though she was fast asleep, looked downcast.

In her previous life, she was a runaway orphan loved by no one. Not even a single person from the orphanage.

No one cared about her health nor her need for attentive care.

But she was fine living on her own with not even a single friend from school.

So if someone asked her who were the people in her life she knew that they loved her, she would quote the title of one of Bebe Rexha's featured songs: "Me, Myself, and I."

But in this life, her answer to that question may differ from time to time.

If her new answer was 'her parents', her next answer would be 'her future siblings'.

If her new answer was 'her siblings', her next answer would be 'her friends'.

If her new answer was 'her friends', her next answer would be 'her boyfriend'.

If her new answer was 'her boyfriend', her next answer would be 'her husband'.

So if someone asked her that question again and her reply changes every time they meet, then it is assuring to know that Alist was indeed surrounded by people who care deeply about her.

Currently, she only has 'her parents' as the answer.

'I guess I was so used to being self-reliant and distrusting that I unconsciously drew the line between me and my new parents. Maybe I was brought into this world because of Mom's wish.'

'Stay Alist, stay alist…that wish turned into a plea that anchored my sailing ship next to their abundantly-supplying boat, pausing me from beginning my journey.'

'If mother deems me to "Stay Alist", I will stay. But if mother says "Stay alist" as in "stay or remain leaning on them", I cannot guarantee that I will be relying on them forever. I could have lived the life the Glassheart couple always wanted if only I wouldn't have to grudgingly play the part of a hero, like Noah from the story of The Great Flood, to save their fellow workers and friends.'

'Although I haven't got an actual solution to eliminating the Darken Pawns, my only resolve will be to develop my mana for strengthening my water magic and to become a Specialist Fighter. To start my plan, I must get on Daddy's good side first.'

Alist, comforted by the thoughts of a new plan, peeked over the sleeping Andrina's shoulder to catch a glimpse of her father's face.

She found Kyan who was wide awake and muttering sweet-nothings in her mother's ear.

'The wolfish Kyan…no, Dad must be pissed at me for taking away his lovely mate. Humph! Let's see if you can win a battle against your cute daughter who looks just like Mommy.'

When Kyan saw the little girl looking at him, Alist began her act by giggling adorably at him.

He then kept staring at her with his serious face.

Perceiving that she caught her father's attention, she hid behind her mother for some time before forcing her head upwards.

"Peee…boo!" Alist exclaimed then once again took cover behind Andrina to repeat her little game of peek-a-boo with Kyan.

The impish toddler continued the excitement for a few minutes until she stopped babbling and started to yawn.

Having finished her play, Alist climbed over her mother then plopped down in the middle of her parents and snuggled close to her father.

Appeased by their daughter's antics, Kyan made use of his right bicep as a pillow for the leaning toddler.

Out of nowhere, a round yet flat marble-sized brooch earring appeared latching on the right side Alist's romper.

It gleamed of royal gem color similar to the magnificent bluish hue of the 45-carat Hope Diamond that was famous in Alist's former life.

Seeing as the jewel fit well unto his daughter, Kyan released a sigh of relief. "I suppose this should be given to you right now instead on your first birthday. Early exposure to the jewel will supply enough mana for it make a strong bond contract between its user that it will always appear on any chosen position of your body whenever it is taken off. This Sea Bear's Glass is definitely rarer and is an even better space item compared to spatial rings and bags."

Kyan then frowned. "I haven't used it since it's an heirloom left to me from the Ducal family, but I figured that it may be of great use to you, Alist."

There was a particular tone of disgust in her father's voice so Alist took it as a signal that she shouldn't look for the Glasshearts of the Celesta Kingdom when she enters Sidero.

After speculating a possible family feud between her father and the Ducal family, she looked at Kyan who remained unusually quiet with his cerulean eyes staring at the ceiling.

She did not know much about her father as he is an unreadable man of mystery.

Contrary to his stormy look, his quiet demeanor and sincere eyes gave the impression of a man who had gone through the harsh realities of the Specialist world.

"There will come a time where you will go on longer voyages than I do, Alist." Kyan resumed his words. "But I can feel a great storm is coming that forces you to start a rough sail towards those deep waters and I feel that this disaster might separate us like The Spreading. I don't know if I'm just paranoid but we may not get the peaceful life I promised you and your mother in case such massive storm happens in all of Deo."

With those words, Alist let out a squeaky gasp. 'Damn! Daddy's intuition is so powerful. I wonder how did he come to that conclusion. As far as I know, there wasn't a single character in the novel who is a diviner or an oracle.'

Her father may not be an entitled diviner but he learned fate-gazing in the waves he travelled on.

Hydromancy is a rare divination skill involving the means of reading signs from any body of water which can only be done by a highly accomplished Water Specialist.

Excellently reading the ripples means increasing chances of seeing someone's or everyone's fate.

Alist's parents happened to be one of the best Water Specialists in the Amory Kingdom though they prefer not to showcase their skill level so as not to seek any trouble.

Kyan breathed slowly as he pondered on the many events that happened in his life.

"Like you, I was captivated by the magic of water particularly the great oceans. The oceans that separate us from undiscovered lands. I thought of joining the United Explorer's Guild once in search for a new world within the vast regions of Kaiden. That was young blood boiling throughout my whole body. But fate swept me in the direction of your mother's clinic. From that moment on, she became the whole world to me. From that moment on, I stopped seeking for another world to be curious about."

His daughter's eyes shone of anticipation as she got a possible lead towards the Black Larus' guild.

"I don't know where fate takes you, Alist. You are quite unpredictable but I'm just thankful that you became a part of our world. I don't want to force you to be strong against the incoming storm because you are my daughter, not a son. You deserve to live normally and beautifully like Rina."

Kyan turned to the child beside him and looked straight into her eyes.

"But if you turned out to be a warrior braver than I thought, I couldn't help but be prouder than sadder to let you leave for such a great voyage. "

Before muttering his final phrases, he covered the eyes of his daughter indicating her to go to sleep.

"So I choose to believe in you, Alist. Let's talk again when you are older."

With that, the father ended his admonishment and closed his eyes.

Little Alist heard every word mouthed by both Andrina and Kyan. Words that were fervently uttered like wishes that begged to be granted.

From the dead of the night, she came to a decision which will unceasingly motivate her in her worldly travels.

'My new life is surrounded by the mystery of many wishes that people want to come true. I can even grant those wishes. I may do something unusual that is anachronistic to my previous life, but I don't create miracles. Expectations of deceitful and greedy people will be thrown in my face and may follow me wherever I go. I might turn out to be hidden OP character in this novel that bees will swarm on and deeming me a pushover. In times of Deo's Apocalypse, I can't save everyone because I am not the actual savior.'

Alist took a deep breath and assimilated the memories that happened since that morning.

She peeked at her parents' faces and grasped their hands, showing warmth and full of acceptance of them.

'I'm really glad that I wasn't born in an expectant noble family. I do want to live a simple yet peaceful life. That's the future I'm protecting.' Alist renewed her vows with the moon as her only witness.

'For now, I will wait for myself to grow up. For now, I will stay by my parents' side and learn new things. For now, I will lean on the shoulders of my parents. For now, I will stay alist.'