His Lucky Charm

ward, her surroundings growing

med ominously, their gnarled branches casting eerie silhouettes. A sense of unea

t on her wrist and murmured

lly be hidden in suc

it,

ll figure materialized a tiny, doll-like creature dressed in a white tunic

take a

ded. "B

rward, slipping

her bracelet stirred, their

let me

nt to

me nex

silencing them. "Ember, E

She found a nearby stu

o keep her company. So, she had created these enchanted

ople had vanished. Ember, Elise, and Goodness had similar origin

celet. "Once I make some real mone

e! Thanks, Boss!" Goodnes

, Boss." Ember's

" Elise

ight be spirits, but

oice echoed in her mind, t

crouched behind a tree, o

ead. "Please, just let me go! I can't win against you, a

golden-brown in color, crackling with energy. It bounce

lost ten times. You're literally just

e you insult me. That's it,

is eyes. "We wer

ly, then tackled him. "Fin

it smashed directly into Casper, wh

ned. "Hi, I

the young man sc

r." the m

?" the m

apped as they scr

What? I thought smiling

Nathaniel, was

own creature, and behind him,

get out of

tation, he t

m finall

a panic. "Hey. He

s is all your fault, you

k. He sprinted through the tre

he spotted a figure sta

eapt. A hum

cally. "Help. I

sh shouting, the fig

ce turned pale

he get? Three mons

his chest. "Mom, I'm sorry. I wasn't strong en

added, "Please bury my PC with

rms. "Oh, for the

his man was very much alive-

get lost outside its body, but it usual

vy muttered to herself. "Somethin

in. His clothes were e

had pointed her t

s soul to his body, she

opped crying. His wid

ad a

ght. "... Wait

ously. What, do I

rembled wit

ving human

the creatures still

ite again. "Run.

ready to drag her away-bu

she so

foot. "What are you

. "Go? Why? I lov

like she was insane. "

erged from the trees, fol

nearly left his b

d. We're act

waved. "Boss. Yo

niel

Bo

hell was

f earthy-yellow mist and murmured,

returned to the land, with spiritual forces existing in between. Over time, mount

t ancient people called a

technology, such a manifestation still exist

wledge me, all is well. This mountain is mine. This path is mi

ll, my friend and I are already here, aren'

Calling her a deity seemed appropriate enough, after all

ustration. "Nathaniel

unblinking eyes. "And you! You've made me angry, and that could have seri

"However... if you agree to play a gam

per leaped onto the mist and struck

. "Ouch! Why are

pummel the mist, he declared, "I'm teac

Casper held on tight. In desperation, it cried out, "

ardian? Then I must b

er, copper, iron, entire mountains under his contr

d you dare to act high a

ss blows. It finally gave in, pleading, "

agged the weakened mist over to Ivy. "Boss

ined it

cal form, especially in a place like t

ed, "Since you've gained consciousn

d out, "I am a guardian. I

uickly changed its tone, speaking in a sweet,

ying, those who recognized the

, carefully cut out a figure, and blew on it gently.

t peere

r tied into two small buns. It looked

ide the paper doll, causing it t

boss~" it

nd said, "From now on,

traces of its former arrogance a

and asked, "What's your

red and wanted someone to play with. Nathani

, "When did I eve

did. In your dream, remembe

d as a memory surfaced.

d her arms

d began recounting

ng a cemetery with friends,

stood by the roadside, clutc

sked, "Where ar

replied, "I d

the flower from her outstretched hand. "D

und himself in the middle of nowhere, s

r, I didn't trick him

"You tricked me b

id n

you

bickering. "Casper, Jay

wrist, and instantly, both spirits tu

zen in place. This

man before him was no ordinary person. She w

lose to her while

an I at least go home before I,

lance. "You're not dead.

seriously? You came all th

"Something

d come for somethi

he simply said, "I did pull you back from the

eagerly. "Of cour

offer someone like her? Money seeme

that she actu

s looking properly, Ivy was quite striking

e... maybe this was

n the thought any furthe

e fa

lled across the grass, ge

eak.

iel gr

eas. A person like her was c

bled to his feet an

t fo

tigious hospital, the atmos

el has been in a coma for three days. All his test results are

d, Danielle's

e had been a medical prodigy since childhood, trained by a top ne

er in reassurance. Don't worry, Mom. Ther

Eleanor, you should go get some

watch over him. Eleanor, take yo

le refused

is like being trapped in sleep. Since we've ruled out

" Danielle a

l may have experienced something traumatic, something he couldn

ed. Nathaniel has always been optim

of life. What could have happened to m

ria was the only p

ictory, how do we treat it?

gical. Every case is different. I can'

ingers. Nath, what happened to you? Why are you shutting us out? I miss you

-BANG, B

r echoed through the room, lo

her parents befor

ite girl dressed in

d. "Who are yo

"I'm here to bring Nathani

d his hands. "Sis! I'm rig

couldn't see

mean?" she as

ing Nathaniel into the room. She repeated her

l room were stunned, their eyes

ious in bed-so what did she

"This is my son's hospital room.

oncerns. She hurried over to Ivy an

er back. "Danielle, don't

rother is unwell, and my parents are

n the bed is just Nathaniel's

"Spirit? What are

m, flipped her wrist, and pressed i

m. Benjamin and the others recoiled in shock, and even Vi

son and the translucent figure before hi

waved. "Dad! Mom! Elea

her arms passed right through. Tears

her. "Miss Ivy saved me." He glanced at Ivy and

e supernatural was rare. Regretting his earlier skepticism, he cleared his throat and softened

g doubted at first. Her mentor had always told her to remain

er extraordinary abilities. Clearly, she was no ordinary person. Pe

Ivy, we are truly grateful for what y

d added, "Please, can you b

ed. "Of

e, took out a talisman, and held it betw

urn to where you belong. Let the fo

t into flames, and Nathani

s again, his family wa

gasped. "Dad! Mom! Eleanor

sobbing in relief. "Miss Iv

roper gratitude. He considered what valuable gifts they had at home-surely

have much, but we do have some wealth. If there's

five finge

blinked.

meone of her stature

haniel quickly chimed in. "Dad,

osed, but inwardl

barely even seen

amily was wealthy, but this

uch. Not only would it feel wrong

aid, "That's too much. Jus

's far too little. How

overcharge. This was a simple soul return, not

in cash. "Miss Ivy, you have my utmost respect. If you

with a nod. "I'll

id for bringing Nathaniel back. If you still feel grateful, why

turned and le

feeling as though even her departing fig

n stood while two elderly

, George Shaw, and on the right

e evening, carefully omitting th

a knowing smile. "Ethan, your

thing was off. His grandfather's

t do you mean

you remember when your grandmother was serious

The Yates household had been

randfather consumed by worry, others had tri

aculous recovery, and the Yates family had rebounded, sol

ningful tone. "Ethan, we owe

ow could I have had anything to do with, mid-sentenc

You've got to be kidding

ved your grandmother's life. Of course

o save Grandma, you b

with a grin. "The mystic said you two are destined to be together.

han's grandmother, under one condition-Ethan would marry his apprentice when the

riage is a serious commitment. It

d. "I couldn't just stand by a

Margaret's eyes.

his head. "No

sted, "No, I

ugh. There's no point in

unwavering. He understood why his grandfather had made the

anger-especially one who had bitten him a

always honored our word. We can't break the promise now. B

all alone in the city. You should f

us a great kindness. If something

the one who should f

it'

, m

into another endless debate, leaving Eth

nd her as soon

practically buzzi

and dollars

in her life, she

It seemed she wouldn't be struck down for her sudden go

f she blackmailed Ethan again

ching into a store, she slapped a stack of

s model is great for gaming, and that one t

ame or take selfies. As long

e immediately donated half

e, disaster struck. Phones broke. Deals fell apart.

ot, putting down a deposit and three months

e money left in her pocket, Ivy sighed. Out of the fifty

the mountains, ten thousand would have lasted her three

acelet and murmured, "Alright, ev

distinct appearance: Ember Zion wore a pot lid like a hat, Goodness Zion's hair curled in neat waves, Crimson

nds together. "Alright, Goodness Zion, you handle the cooking.

oving with a precision that only magic could achieve. Meanwhile,

enchanted them to be resistant to fire, water, a

led the air. Ivy picked up a fork

ring their portions with surprising enthusiasm. The newest addition, Jayden,

ger against Jayden's forehead, inscribing

amiliar scent of food became enticing. Without another word, he

r her next venture-fortune-telling, spiritual cleansing

r way to the city's antique district. The streets buzze

oins! Once they're

te porcelain-no need

ted a row of fortune-telling stalls at the

a brush and parchment, and w

tisfaction guaranteed. If I correctly rev

cloaked in an aura of quiet confidence.

ookers gath

Pretty bo

to her only

the past. Let's see if

t to test h

, young lady. Read my fortune. If you're

n you were young," she said. "The shape of your foreh

et someone who helped you rise in status, and your fortune grew. N

"Anyone around here could tel

"But there's something de

My children are successful, I get a generous

eyes. "You have three sons and a daughter

ell over

at a train station when she was li

is voice trembled as he whispered, "E

ul truth-it had haunted hi

that year, Turner lost sight

d for a moment, but when h

rched the country, following eve

abilities. Desperate for answers, he pleaded, "Miss-n

d your wife go shopping, strike up a conversati

else. He reached into his pocket, but after rummaging t

a full thousand on me

with a smile. "No problem

ster, you really kee

he money and left rushin

ostly retirees-exchanged glances, their ey

to see if Ivy's prediction came true. Life in retirement co

er woman squeezed

fore the woman pulled out a thousand-

or explanations, M

owd immediately

Helen!" someo

er son's marriage again, i

ou visited every fortune-te

son is still young! He'll sett

are. "Mind your own business,

out a photograph, and handed

n will my son get married?

or a moment, her expres

"His partner does exist... bu

-you're not suggest

a small smile. "You

with a faint beard, soft eyes, and delicate fe

vy said. "Otherwise, you wouldn't

ed confirmation. Now that I have it..."

visor she could find, only for them to be frauds. Some claimed her son's soulmate would arrive lat

n before her had see

ell me, should I start preparin

in surpris

is my son so passive? He's fine being the wi

ice, and the elderly folks nea

n burst into h

hem teased. Maybe you should answer t

d in. Babies born this year a

ty! Why would I want another baby? If y

s it wasn't s

ce more serious now. "Do you th

mile. "You're alread

ha

laced a hand on her stomach. "No wond

onlookers erupte

tions! Hope everyt

g at home, Helen shivered. Th

u tell if it's a boy or a girl

e don't predict the ge

hat's illegal, Helen! Y

just joking. Thank you, Ivy. I'll be sure

belly happily

any of them were retirees with healthy pensions, so drop

questions about their children's marriages, g

y quickly packed up her booth, not wanting t

tomorrow-first come, first serve

donated $5,000, and kept the r

g city really

ed herself to takeout-e

e released five littl

is tastes amazing! So much bet

ed her on the head. The

diately apologize

mson eagerly grabbed t

ed, watched the others. Hey

's fine. Let's a

ll getting the hang of using utensils properly. Every

g, took a few pieces of glazed ham from Zi

it up. Brother

ply nodded

n pouted. "

and she immediately bur

returned to her usual sp

of elderly men and women gathered. Some

a pouch of sunflower see

d and tha

You're incredible. Helen went to the do

. Turner's daughte

oman and crying at the farmer's market

walking with a woman in her thirties. The c

your words helped me find my da

rs. After Ivy's reading, he hadn't slept. At

t a stall. "Lucy loved custard pi

"Three slic

he counter asked,

responded, "Two s

but he was from the South-sweet was his prefer

"Sweet custard is the best. I grew

oze, recogniz

are you?"

d. "Thirty

our pa

ones who raised me. They fought a lot. I remember two big oa

and Mrs. Turner were in tea

but they didn't need the resul

"If it weren't for you, I

had the blessing of fate

and took

urmured in

Spirituals narrowed his eyes. "What's going o

heard a young girl set up shop, an

ing my business? Don't they k

"Maybe we should go

kidding? Every senior here knows your face.

we need a new face to investig

iant idea, Master Cas