The Royal Tournament was about to enter its final match. Considering the students' stamina and strength, a three-day temporary holiday was declared, offering everyone an opportunity to recover.

Zhong Shenxiu felt unusually cheerful today. With all members of the Mysterious Mercenary Company in tow, they headed out for shopping. By noon, they casually chose a small restaurant with limited capacity but distinctive decor. The place bustled with customers, and by the time they arrived, even the upper floor had been filled. The group settled at an available table on the ground level.

Now considered celebrities among Anjifia's circle, their presence naturally drew curious glances from other diners. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd:

"Did you notice? Those are the ones who've been dominating headlines in the Royal Tournament!"

"I know them too - I watched the matches! It was absolutely spectacular!"

"Wait a second... those two children look different somehow."

"Haven't you heard yet? Though they appear young, they're actually instructors for these students. Pretty impressive, right?"

"Nonsense! Don't try to trick us!"

"Just rumors, really. Needs further verification."

Such murmurs were commonplace for the Mysterious Mercenary Company. They sat there as if unaffected by all the attention.

While waiting for their food orders, the group engaged in casual conversation - some discussing training methods, others reflecting on recent events.

Suddenly, a three-year-old girl emerged from the kitchen area behind them. Her twin pigtails bounced as she moved, big eyes peering around with circular cheeks marred by dirt. She wore an oil-stained apron clearly belonging to staff children who rarely received proper care.

The girl stood there with vulnerable eyes scanning every dining table. Each time her gaze landed on the food, she would purse her lips and display a yearning expression. Obviously starving yet restrained by some unspoken rules - merely watching felt like its own reward.

Eventually, her attention settled on Zhong Shenxiu's table where fresh meals had just been served. Curiously, instead of fixating on the dishes, her eyes flickered between Zhong Shenxiu and Robin. Perhaps sensing these two children posed no threat unlike other adults who'd shoo her away like an insect. She hesitated, one small hand in her mouth as if weighing a decision.

Judging by appearances alone, Zhong Shenxiu looked about seven years old while Robin appeared nine. To outsiders unaware of their true capabilities - evidenced by the earlier murmurs among diners - they would seem just ordinary children.

Zhong Shenxiu had noticed her from the moment she emerged but remained silent out of curiosity. Robin was next to detect the child's presence, triggering an immediate physical reaction as memories flooded back to several years prior when a similar situation unfolded in her own past. A deep resonance surged through her body, transporting thoughts to those lonely days filled with stolen glances at others' food.

Chao Xia and Anjifia soon noticed Robin's sudden shift in demeanor.

"Who is that child?" Chao Xia exclaimed aloud before anyone could answer, as all attention was drawn to the scene unfolding. To everyone's surprise, Robin rose from her seat and approached the girl.

As one of the top two powerhouses within the group (second only to Zhong Shenxiu), Robin rarely acted without explicit instructions. This unexpected move left everyone wondering what she intended to do next. Though they had spent considerable time together with Robin, none truly understood her motivations behind this action.

Zhong Shenxiu observed silently from his seat, eyes betraying no emotion yet hinting at comprehension. He never inquired about Robin's past but knew well it extended far beyond simple hardship.

Robin stopped half a meter before the girl, staring intently despite the foul odor emanating from her. "Big sister," the child whispered timidly, voice soft either from exhaustion or fear.

Just as tension thickened the air, an authoritative voice erupted: "What are you people doing? Let me handle this!" The manager's face twisted in frustration while two servers rushed forward to intervene.

The girl recoiled like a startled animal before darting behind Robin. Her oil-streaked hands gripped Robin's clothing tightly. Normally, such an action would provoke anger from guests, but Robin remained still, eyes fixed on the approaching staff instead.

Chao Xia and others leaned in with renewed interest as the servers hesitated. They had never seen their manager so shaken by a child clinging to someone's clothes - it could mean financial responsibility if damage was claimed later.

"Deeply sorry for our negligence," the servers bowed apologetically before reaching for the girl...

Their hands barely moved when both suddenly froze mid-motion, their entire bodies paralyzed as if suspended in time. Shock flickered across their faces as comprehension dawned too late.

Robin turned back to face the trembling child clinging to her attire. The girl, realizing her mistake, released Robin's clothes and stared at two handprints left behind on the fabric before shivering uncontrollably. She knew a punishment was inevitable for this transgression.

"Big sister!" she whimpered through chapped lips, "I made it dirty..."

The pitiable expression stirred compassion in all who saw it - clearly an intelligent child sacrificing hunger to avoid trouble.

Ignoring the stained clothing entirely, Robin produced dried sweet potatoes from her storage bracelet and held them out. "Have some."

The girl froze mid-step backward as Chao Xia gaped in disbelief while Zhong Shenxiu's lips curled into a faint smile.

She stared at the offered treats with wide eyes - despite not recognizing what they were, hunger made their desirability obvious. Yet she took two steps back rather than accepting them, stammering, "Thank you, but Niuniu isn't hungry!"

The blatant lie only enhanced her endearing quality. What courage must it take for a three-year-old to invent such elaborate excuses?

Robin persisted, stepping forward once more to present the sweet potatoes. "Don't worry - these are yours."

Still shaking with fear of the approaching staff behind Robin, the girl remained hesitant. She'd likely been taught never to accept food from customers.

As expected, the manager returned with renewed fury: "You stupid child! What are you doing there? Go back inside immediately! And you two - why aren't you taking her?"

The girl's body trembled even more violently at his command.

Only Chao Xia and others noticed Robin's shifting expression. They braced themselves for an inevitable confrontation, hoping the establishment remained intact.

Still unaware of impending doom, the manager continued his tirade when suddenly he was lifted off the ground by unseen forces before hurtling straight toward Robin!

The two paralyzed servers could only gawk in horror as their boss hovered inches from Robin's face. The plump man writhed against invisible restraints that tightened with each futile struggle.

Dead silence fell over the restaurant - so complete you could hear every breath mingling between strangers. Even the girl widened her eyes at this unprecedented display.

"Want my opinion?" Robin asked coldly, her tone carrying an unyielding authority reminiscent of Zhong Shenxiu himself.

The manager, no longer able to formulate coherent thoughts about possible supernatural forces, suddenly experienced searing pain radiating throughout his body. He gasped in agony but found his vocal cords paralyzed - a sensation akin to being torn between life and death in mere seconds.

After thirty torturous seconds, the torment ceased just as abruptly. The manager now floated motionless like inert meat, completely drained of strength.

"My time is valuable," Robin said sharply. "I'd hate to repeat myself." She mimicked Zhong Shenxiu's exact phrasing with uncanny precision.

The manager, recognizing this was no ordinary situation and that Robin held complete control, hastily shook his head in agreement. Another round of whatever he had just experienced would make him prefer death instead.

With a casual hand gesture, Robin sent the manager back to wherever he belonged while simultaneously releasing the two servers from their paralysis before "returning" them too with similar efficiency.

The entire first floor remained eerily silent as patrons exchanged strange glances. Some speculated about forbidden dark magic scrolls - those rumored non-sale items from the sinister Black Market - though no one saw Robin produce any.

Unaware of such theories, the girl blinked her large eyes before asking in a childish voice: "Was that you who did it just now?"

"Yes," Robin confirmed without hesitation.

"You're amazing!" the girl exclaimed with shining admiration.

This time Robin remained silent but surprised Anjifia and others by doing something unprecedented:

She knelt down gently, lifting the child into her arms.