The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the forest. Mirage Carl and Mystia sat together outside their treehouse, enjoying the quiet of the evening. They'd spent most of the day settling in, but Mirage Carl had the feeling that it was time for a ge of pace.

  "Hey, Mystia," he said, looking at her with a mischievous grin. "What do you say we go explensokyo tomorrow? See what else is out there."

  Mystia looked at him, blinking in surprise. "Explore? But we live here already. What's so special about going anywhere else?"

  "Well, there's a whole world out there," Mirage Carl replied. "I'm sure there's a lot more to see than just this part of the forest. Plus, we meet new people, see new pces, and maybe even find something fun to do."

  Mystia sidered this for a moment, then smiled. "I like the sound of that. I'm always up for a little adventure."

  The m, the two of them set off. With Mystia's wings fpping softly above him and Mirage Carl walking at a rexed pace, they made their way through the dense forest. The trees towered above them, their thick branches weaving together like a opy of green. As they moved deeper into the woods, the sounds of distant creatures and rustling leaves filled the air.

  The sun was shining brightly as Mirage Carl and Mystia wandered he edge of Misty Lake. The water sparkled uhe sunlight, and a cool breeze blew through the area. Mirage Carl found himself rexing a little, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

  Just then, they heard a loud spsh followed by giggling. Curious, they followed the sound to find two fairies by the water's edge.

  One of them was freezing frogs with her ice powers, ughing gleefully as she watched them turn into icy statues. The other fairy was watg quietly, a gentle smile on her face.

  Mystia's eyes lit up. "Oh, it's o and Daiyousei."

  Mirage Carl raised an eyebrow. "You know them?"

  Mystia nodded. "Well, sort of. I've seen them around before. o's the self-procimed 'stro' fairy around here. She's a bit... childish but harmless. Daiyousei is her friend. She's a lot calmer."

  As they approached, o turo face them, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Hey! Who're you?" she demanded, puffing out her chest proudly. "I'm o, the stro!"

  Daiyousei looked over and gave a small wave. "Hi, Mystia. It's been a while."

  Mystia smiled and waved back. "Yeah, I've been busy."

  o eyed Mirage Carl suspiciously. "And who's this weirdo?"

  Mirage Carl gave a polite bow. "I'm Mirage Carl, a magi."

  o's eyes widened. "A magi? Does that mean you use magic?"

  Mirage Carl shook his head. "Not quite. I don't use magic, but I do tricks."o blinked in fusion. "Tricks? You mean like... fake magic?" She put her hands on her hips and ughed. "Calling yourself a magi without using magic? What a joke! You 't be that strong!"

  Mirage Carl grinned. "Maybe not, but would you like to see a triyway?"o's curiosity got the better of her, and she floated closer, her eyes wide with excitement. "A trick? Sure! But it better be cool!"

  Mirage Carl reached into his top hat and pulled out a deck of cards, shuffling them with practiced ease. He looked at o with a pyful smile. "Tell me, what's your favorite number?"o grinned proudly. "'s the stro number!"

  Mirage Carl held up a card and said, "The's see if I find the stro number for the stro fairy." He flicked his wrist, and the card flipped in the air before nding in his palm. Wheur around, it showed the number nine.outh dropped open. "Wha—!? How'd you do that?"

  Mirage Carl just winked. "A magi never reveals his secrets."

  o was amazed. "That's so cool! Do it again!"

  Mirage Carl tio eain her with more card tricks, eaore surprising tha. He made cards appear and disappear, pulled s out of thin air, and even made a flower pop out from his hat. o's ughter echoed across the ke as she watched in awe. Daiyousei watched with a smile, quietly enjoying the show.

  They pyed together for an hhing and having fun. Mirage Carl found himself enjoying the pany of the pyful fairies, their childlike wonder reminding him of simpler times.

  After a while, Mirage Carl looked over at the other side of the ke and noticed a grand mansion in the distance. He poi it and asked, "Hey, do you two know anything about that mansiohere?"

  o looked at it and shrugged. "Nope! But I know there's a scary maid who guards it. She's super fast and really strong!"

  Daiyousei nodded. "I've heard she's always ing and w hard. There's also a woman who guards the gate, but she's usually sleeping or zy."

  Mirage Carl tilted his head curiously. "Iing... I wonder what kind of people live there."

  ed again. "Dunno! I never go hat pce. To. But if yoing, be careful. That maid's no joke."

  Mirage Carl smiled. "Thanks for the warning."

  o pouted. "Hey, are you leaving already? Py with us more!"

  Mirage Carl ughed. "I'll py with you again some other time. I still have things to do today."

  o looked disappointed but then grinned. "Fine, but ime, I'll show you my stro ice attack! You better be ready!"

  Mystia chuckled. "I'll hold you to that, o."

  They waved goodbye to the fairies as they walked away from the ke, Mystia gng back at them with a smile. "I didn't think you'd get along with o so well."

  Mirage Carl shrugged. "She's just a kid at heart. Besides, it was fun showing off a little."

  Mystia giggled. "You're really starting to fit in here, you know that?"

  Mirage Carl looked up at the sky and smiled. "Yeah... maybe Gensokyo isn't so bad after all."