Space’s Requirement

The moment Li Anqi stepped into the computer room, her eyes lit up with pure joy. Even though her hands were small and her steps still a bit wobbly, her heart danced in excitement.

The room was bright and warm, nothing cold or metallic about it. A long wooden desk lined one side of the room, holding sleek laptops and tablets. There were cushions instead of chairs, soft and perfect for someone her size. The air had a quiet hum, like a library but more alive.

She rushed, well... toddled quickly, to one of the laptops and gently opened the lid. The familiar startup chime echoed softly. Her fingers, though still chubby and awkward, moved with a confidence that surprised even herself.

Her past life flooded back. Coding late into the night, debugging until dawn, sipping coffee while lectures played in the background. She had a degree in Computer Science. This world might not know it, but the skills still lived in her.

Navigating the system felt like coming home.

She opened a browser, tested a few websites, and clicked through learning platforms. English, Country C's language, even some basic AI tools, it was all there. She practiced typing slowly, one finger at a time, giggling quietly at her own baby speed.

Xiao Bai sat near the doorway, watching her fondly.

"You really are used to this," he said through telepathy, amused.

She looked up with a proud little grin.

"I studied computers before," she said in her mind. "This feels like part of me."

Xiao Bai nodded but then tilted his head, his expression more serious.

"Since you're getting more comfortable, there's something else we need to begin."

She blinked. "What is it?"

"When you start moving freely in the outside world, like walking, running, you'll need to start learning martial arts. It's not just for protection. It's a requirement of this space."

Li Anqi frowned slightly, surprised. "A requirement?"

"Yes," Xiao Bai said gently. "Every true owner of this space must become proficient in martial skills. It's bound by the rules of its origin. Strength, mind, and spirit—they must grow together."

He padded over and sat in front of her, tail curling around his paws.

"There are multiple manuals in the library. Techniques from different eras and styles. And there's a practice room too, one that adjusts to your body and skill level."

She stayed quiet for a moment, letting the thought settle.

In her past life, she had barely done any exercise, let alone martial arts. But now… maybe it wasn't so strange. A body this young, with enough time, could be trained well. And if it was connected to this mysterious space, then learning was the only path forward.

"All right," she said slowly. "I'll start. I want to grow stronger too."

Xiao Bai gave a pleased rumble.

"You've already taken the first steps, Master. The rest… We'll do it together."

Li Anqi looked at Xiao Bai curiously, tilting her head.

"Master? Why are you calling me Master?" she asked through telepathy, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Xiao Bai blinked, his fluffy tail swaying gently behind him.

"Because you are now the owner of this space," he said simply. "So, of course, you are my Master."

She stared at him, eyes wide. "But you look so small. How old are you, really?"

His expression didn't change, but there was a soft glimmer of amusement in his golden eyes.

"I am hundreds of years old," he said calmly. "But every time the ownership of the space changes, I return to this cub form. It's like starting the journey all over again."

"Ohh," she murmured, slowly nodding as her fingers curled gently over her knees. "So that's how it works…"

Then a thought struck her. "But wait, don't lions only live around twenty years?"

Xiao Bai gave a low chuckle in her mind.

"Normal lions, yes. But I grow very slowly. I am not a lion of the outside world, Master. I was born in this space. Time works differently here."

Li Anqi sat quietly for a moment, digesting all of it. Somehow, none of it felt strange anymore. A talking cub, a magical space, martial arts, and ancient libraries it all fit together in its own quiet way.

And now… she had a guardian. A companion. A guide.

Maybe being called "Master" didn't feel so strange after all.

From that day on, Li Anqi began to study whenever she could.

Time in the space flowed differently, slower, softer, like a river winding at its own pace. What felt like hours inside passed in minutes outside. It gave her something rare: time. Not rushed or borrowed, but real, breathing time to learn and grow.

She didn't have a photographic memory, but her mind was sharp and curious. Once something interested her, she would keep digging until she understood it. The more she read, the more it felt like her thoughts were stretching open, making room for things she'd never imagined before.

Languages came first. Country C's language which fascinated her with its flowing characters and layered meanings. She practiced writing stroke by stroke, sometimes getting frustrated, sometimes laughing at her own clumsy attempts, but never stopping.

Next were the martial arts manuals. They were more complicated, full of unfamiliar terms and intricate illustrations. But she took her time, memorizing basic stances, the balance of the body, the rhythm of breathing. 

She would go to the practice room and mimic the poses slowly, sometimes falling over, sometimes wobbling, but always standing back up.

Since she still couldn't walk well outside, she focused on upper body strength and balance. Xiao Bai guided her gently, correcting her posture or encouraging her when she felt unsure.

She made it a habit: when her parents were busy, or when they stepped out, she would slip quietly into the space. At night, once they had gone to sleep and the house was quiet, she would return again, sometimes just for half an hour, sometimes until her little body grew too tired to continue.

There was no need to rush. She had time. More than enough.

And every day, as the pages of the martial arts manuals turned beneath her fingers and her limbs moved in slow, careful repetition, something inside her grew steadier. Not just strength or knowledge, but a quiet belief in herself.

She was small now. But not forever.