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Date: June 7; Time: Afternoon
Today marks another dull day. It’s been a week since training ended, but I felt to be the longest week of my life. Since I can fight with my new skills, I need some event to put them to use. Otherwise, this training would be wasted effort.
I relieve some boredom by hearing music on my computer. Gwen comes into my room to give me an envelope. I wonder what it is.
“Take this note,” she said.
I open the envelope, and it reads a list of some sort. The note contains an eight-point bullet list with four listed at the top and four listed at the bottom.
“What is this?” I asked.
“A list of basic spells,” she said. “You must know them.”
I let out a sweatdrop. “Are you serious?”
“What? Do you think the Fireball spell is the only one in the world? There's way more. The ones I listed are the basics.”
Gwen goes over the list with me.
“The first four are Fireball, Aegis Shield for defense, Recovery, and Lumination.”
“You expect me to memorize this?”
“Yes.”
Oh, great! But now I know the Fireball skill, so I better learn the others as well. Gwen continues reading the list.
“The next four are Elemental spells: Fireball, Breeze Arrow, Candice Shot, and Wind Gush.”
I assume these are the Western Elemental spells, ones that are easy to pronounce. Still skeptical, I asked Gwen if these skills have always been there or she’d just made up.
“These spells have always been there. Why are you doubting?”
“Sorry, Gwen, sorry...” I throw my hands up in defeat. I don’t know what’s real anymore. Anyway, I open the web browser to look for some event I can go to. But I can’t use my spells without due diligence. I’ll be arrested! Gwen looks at the screen with interest.
“What is this? Is this like a TV?”
“This thing is called a computer, and you use it to access this thing called the Internet. With the Internet, you can find news and other goods. You can even shop.”
“You don’t have to go to the local tavern to find the news?" Gwen asked with a raised brow. "Like, you use this to find news?" Her solemn face gives away to a sparkling expression. "Oh my gosh, so amazing! That's so different from going to taverns and inns! Technology is so cool!"
“I bet it was all word-of-mouth, right?”
“Yeah, all word-of-mouth.”
Gwen spots an article she deems newsworthy: there will be a fundraising event on June 9. I don’t care what the party is for, but I do know it will be held in Simona City’s Glandorf District. Oh my gosh! That’s where the millionaires live!
“I sense something is going to happen there,” she said in a suspenseful tone.
“Is it part of your psychic powers? Being able to visualize things?”
“Yep! And when I vision something, it will happen. Mark my words.”
Wow, Gwen sounds scary when she says it.
This reminds me of a movie about some kid seeing a vision of a plane crash only to happen for reals. Should I take this seriously?
“Do you want me to read the rest of this?" asked Gwen with a tease, but I know better she’s dead serious.
“No,” I replied indifferently.
“I’ll read it anyway: ‘Simona City’s Glandorf District is holding a fundraising event on June 9 for a ‘secret’ project. The event will take place at the Glandorf Maison, where it is expected to raise millions of donations. Spots are filling fast so reserve now. Rezo Pharmaceuticals is the leading sponsor.’”
I notice Gwen staring at the last sentence. What’s so unique about it?
“Rezo Pharmaceuticals, huh?” she muttered.
“Ever heard of them? I asked.
“Never. What is that?
“Rezo Pharmaceuticals is famous. They’re the largest provider of medicine in this world. But I don’t give a shit because I go to their High Priest drugstore chain to pick up my Plan-Z. Ha-ha!”
Gwen shrugs with a sweatdrop. “You really are something. You know that?”
Anyway, I look at the entrance fee, and the price is sky high. How am I supposed to afford it?! Gwen immediately comes up with a solution.
“I know! Let’s go to a magic shop to sell these magical rocks.”
I can’t help but laugh at this stupidity, but my laughter died when a bag of mystical rocks lay next to my keyboard. I don’t know where they came from, and I don’t care, but Gwen keeps pushing them on me.
“I know it’s already afternoon, but if we go to this shop, we’ll get the money needed to pay the entrance fee. Once spots are filled, we won’t be able to get in. I definitely know something will happen, so I insist we must go.”
“Okay, fine! But does such a shop still exist?”
“I can sense it.”
I rolled my eyes, but I asked Gwen to guide me. We quickly hit the magic shop, and to my shock, we received the money required by selling these dumb rocks. We rushed back home and reserved my spot online by pre-paying the fee. Now we can breathe knowing my place is secured. I sit back on my bed taking a deep breath.
“I’m not sure to call you crazy or amazing.”
“See, I know a few things about this modern world.”
I drag Gwen next to me as I tease her.
“Come here, silly kitty!”
By the way, Gwen’s been sleeping in my bed for a while now. It’s much better for her than sleeping on the floor. Though a stuffed animal, she’s warm to hug. I sleep at ease.
Date: June 9
Time: Dusk, Full Moon
Gwen and I are outside the building where the fundraising event will be held. We rode the 2-hour train plus a lengthy Lubber ride.
Glandorf is known for its isolation from the rest of the city. Because of this, the district attracts wealthy people. Yet the area can be crowded when it comes to parties such as this one. The building we’re going to sits on top of a steep hill.
We got off at the parking lot and looked up at the building. It's enormous, like Simona City's parliament building.
“How’s everything so far?” Gwen asked.
Gwen is inside the bag. I can’t risk getting her exposed to many people. Even though she’s light to carry, the money bag to pay the fee isn’t.
“Nothing suspicious so far,” I said.
Going off topic a bit, I asked Gwen for her opinion on my black dress.
“I like the dress, Glen. Why that one?
“Because it’s my favorite for parties like this.” I’m wearing a black fit-and-flare sleeveless cocktail dress I got as a present some time ago. My short bob is done nicely with a hairpin for my fringes. I’m also wearing minimal makeup with pink lipstick. And as for shoes, I’m wearing a pair of shiny black flats. Ain't I cute?
I see two separate lines: one to enter the party and another to pay the pre-orders. Since I pre-ordered, I must line up there.
“Aw, man! I bet only rich old people are here. I wish there’d be a cute boy to flirt. And if I’m lucky, I’ll take him home!”
“You’re hopeless...”
Oh no! Security check! I didn’t realize we must pass through security first before paying the fee. Security is super tight here. Gwen assures she’ll wait at the entrance. That makes sense. With her small size, she’s hardly going to be noticed.
Security checks my handbag, pulling out the money bag. His face looks puzzled, so I had to explain. “That’s just money needed to pay the entrance fee. My credit card was stolen!” The guard shrugged and allowed me to pass. I roll my eyes as I creep through him. The thing with the credit card was a lie. I don’t have a credit card because well... REASONS!
I went up, paid my fee, got my ticket, and made it inside the Maison. Giving the heavy money bag to the awestruck vendor was a huge lift off my shoulders.
“You got inside!” said an odd voice coming from my bag. And I realize Gwen is back in without me noticing.
“How did you get back in? Did you teleport?”
“Um, yeah...”
“Figures...”
The building is fancy inside as it is outside. It’s crowded. I scan the room looking for a cutie, but most are old farts. Gwen gets offended and gives me a scolding.
“Hey! Respect old people. You’ll be old too!”
These old people (more like middle age) are into themselves. Like I care. Anyway, I look around as I make my way to the buffet.
Meanwhile, on the other end, the professor walks along with Aster, who’s wearing his black hood. Aster and the professor must always be together when in public because he can’t be left alone. This was an order handed to her by the university out of safety concerns.
“Why we’re here?” he asked.
“This is a last-minute invitation. My cousin Alejandro was called to a sudden meeting and asked me to come in his place,” she said.
“I see, but do I have to be here?”
“Don’t complain. You should know better.” She spots an empty bench in a corner. “Go sit there. It’s unlikely you’ll be noticed.” She instructs him to sit next to a huge flower pot, which he reluctantly does.
Then a group of random people approaches her for a chat. They seem to be critical figures who know her somehow.
“Hello, Professor Agnes. I’m surprised to see you here,” said a woman.
“Ah yes, hello. It’s nice to see you."
“I expected President Alejandro to show up,” said a man in the group.
“Well yes, he was called for a sudden meeting regarding university matters. So, he told me to come here in his place instead. I had to come because he paid his fee in advance.”
“Mr. Alejandro is always busy, but he knows what’s best for students,” said another man.
“He is the university president, after all.”
“Ah, professor, I read your dissertation on Queen Lizabeth’s life as a princess. Mr. Alejandro praised your paper to the point I had to read it. I’m amazed you managed to gather material when little is known about her princess years. The fact that you are a descendant of the royal family truly shows.”
The professor blushed a bit. “Please, it’s no big deal. I simply grouped any data I could.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, professor. You have no idea how people would give to be descendants of royalty. Given the Simone family name, this is especially true.”
The gal lowered her head. She looks sad.
They continue the chat among themselves.
As for me, I yawn. I'm getting bored.
Sure, there’s music, but it’s classic type not the dance club type. I couldn’t spot a single cutie. Whatever! I should drink something to ease the boredom, but Gwen urged me not to.
“Why now?!” I asked.
“I don’t like the looks of this drink.”
“What’s so odd about it?”
“Just don’t drink it, okay?”
Aster continues to sit by himself in the corner. It seems no one has noticed his face so far. He spots a familiar figure (me) at the table.
The music of the piano suddenly stops.
People around me instantly drop dead like flies! What the heck’s going on here?!
Aster reacted fast enough to knock the cup off the gal’s hand just as she was about to drink.
“What are you doing?! I’m thirsty!!” she cried.
Aster swiftly turned her to see people lying dead before them. Her eyes widen in horror. “What happened here?! Tell me!”
Even the group she was speaking with died also.
Before she screams, Aster covers her mouth.
Wait a sec? Could this mean the drinks were spiked with poison? Aw, man! This isn’t good. Next, I hear voices that prompted me to hide behind a giant plant pot.
“We got the job done...”
“Good...”
No way! It’s them! It’s them again: the white-robed guys from the museum and the dance joint! There’s no way they’d be here... NO! I feel lightheaded.
“Are you okay?” Gwen asked.
“I’m fine.” I tried to brush off, but I knew better. No! I’m a skilled sorceress now. I should keep my head in the game.
The robed guys are going around shooting whoever survived the spike. Gwen and I remain hidden for the time being. Aster does the same with the professor as well.
Two guards rushed down the stairs, but they were killed. Yes! I get to show up and finally face these crooks.
It’s payback time!
“Alright, let’s blow this place up.”
“Not so fast!” I dashed right in the middle.
“What?! Survivors! You fucking idiots! You didn’t do the job!!” cried a random crook.
“You won’t get away with your evil schemes! This ends right now!” Wow! I’m so awesome!
Aster sees this and shows up too. The professor tries to hold him back though. “What are you doing? You can’t go!”
“No! I have a job to do.”
“Aster!!”
Good timing! Aster approaches to back me up.
“I’m not letting you be the only one to have fun. Let me have some too.”
“No shit! More survivors!” cried the dude with the machine gun. He’s so ready to fire.
The two of us are poised ready for battle. Aster does something unusual: he pulls his hood, converts his robe to full cape and reveals his sword. That's so cool! I never saw that coming.
“Damn it! We had enough of this shit! Let’s kill!” The cloaked guys fire their guns. I react fast to put myself before Aster to summon a spell.
“Aegis Shield!” I yelled.
The spell formed a large shield that blocked the attack. I can’t believe it worked!
Gwen and Aster stare speechlessly.
“That was very bold...” he said. I can tell he's grateful given his grin.
Another presence comes close to us. It’s not Gwen but rather...
“Hey, Liz! Come join the fun! We need an extra hand here!” I waved urging her to join but...
“Say what?!” Gwen and Aster yelled jointly.
“What? Did I say something weird?” I asked with a sweatdrop while scratching my head. There’s an awkward pause here.
...she hesitated.
What?! The great Queen Liz hesitate? No! This must be a mistake! She was fighting me before, and now she hesitates?
“I’m sorry... I can’t, I can’t...” she mumbled.
Oh great, I figured as such. That's not Liz but rather Professor Useless.
She is hiding, cowering in fear before running behind Aster. “What the heck?!”
“Hey, professor! Get the hell out of here!!”
She didn’t listen. She clings to Aster like a scared kid. She’s even shaking.
“Ugh, fine! Gwen, get her out of here!”
“Hey!” Gwen shouted, calling out to her, “Take the bag and go upstairs. Hurry!!”
I’m surprised she listened. She picks up my bag with Gwen in it and runs upstairs at Aster’s silent encouragement. The crooks fire their guns as they run, but I throw a quick fireball to distract them. She keeps going until she’s out of sight. Aster and I remain on the floor to battle the crooks ourselves.
***
Gwen and the professor hide in the first room they find. Gal closed the door behind her and walked to the opposite wall where the window is.
“I think we’re safe for now,” Gwen said.
Gal freaks out by throwing my bag across the room. Gwen winced in pain.
“You... You can talk.” She slowly walks to the bag and kneels before Gwen.
“Yeah, I can talk.”
“I see...” She picks my bag up and places it on a small table. “You’re not a toy, are you?” She rubs Gwen’s chin, which makes her purr since she is a cat. She also pats her head which makes Gwen ticklish, prompting her to giggle. She seems to be having fun petting Gwen around.
“Who are you, Kitty?”
“I am Gwendolyn, but please call me Gwen.”
“I am Agneyastra Simone.”
“Agni-what?”
“Call me Agnes if it's easier for you.”
“Okay!”
She takes Gwen out of the bag and holds her while looking at the window.
“You know,” said Gwen, “You look familiar for some reason.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Um, never mind. You look sad, by the way.”
The professor sighs with melancholy.
“I don’t like people treating me nice just because I’m her descendant.”
“Something wrong?”
“There’s nothing wrong. I find it disgusting people use the royal family name for their benefit. That’s not what she wanted.”
“Who is the royal family you’re descendant of?” Gwen asked. Before the gal can answer, a robed crook randomly bursts into the room.
The enemy approaches them bit by bit. Gal runs around, circling the room as she hopes to exit the door behind his back, but gets caught. Next, she’s slammed into the wall with his large hands gripping her neck. Gwen jumps to defend, but she’s knocked, hence falling and wincing in pain. Gwen gasps in horror.
Meanwhile, the crook maintains his grip on her neck. She struggles to breathe and slowly loses resistance. Still, she placed her hands on his arms. She presses in a futile pursuit to escape his grasp. Gwen struggles to stand up.
“That’s enough!” Gwen yelled.
Just as Gwen is about to use her psychic power on the crook, magical energy gathers on the professor’s hands. Gritting her teeth, she presses harder. Then something odd happens: the enemy’s arms shatter with a sickening crush! Blood splatters and the figure screams in agony like a wounded specter.
He falls to the floor, and she summons a spell to vaporize the guy. After the deed is done, the professor kneels half-fainted on the floor.
“No way... That’s...” Gwen rushes to her. “That’s amazing what you just did!”
She looks at her bloody hands in horror. “Wh-What is this? Wh-What did I...?”
“First, you have to calm down. What you did there was magic,” Gwen said.
“No! I didn’t do magic! I-I...”
“What do you mean you didn’t do magic? I saw it just now!” Gwen shouted.
“No! You got it all wrong! I didn’t do it!!”
“You just did magic, and now you don’t remember? That’s not right!” Gwen paused for a moment. She figured the last spell used to kill the crook was familiar as if she knew someone who used it before. Gwen thought if she didn’t do it, someone took over and did it for her.
Then she finally realized.
“Lizabeth, it’s you, right? You did this? Remember me? It’s me, Gwen, your friend! It’s been such a long time! Listen, do you think you can lend Glen and Aster a hand?”
“What are you talking about?”
“That's not her voice...”
“I’m sorry, Kitty. I owe you an explanation," the gal said. "Lizabeth lives inside me.”
Gwen is shocked. They sit on a nearby chair to talk. Gal wiped the blood from her hands using the curtains.
“Is it true? Liz is inside you? The very same Liz? Tell me!!” Gwen demanded.
“You knew her?”
“She was my best friend! We traveled together! But are you sure that is Lizabeth inside you? She can be anyone. What is her full name? Tell me! I demand to know right now!!”
The professor paused for the moment.
Gwen braces for an answer.
"Hurry!!" Gwen shouted.
“Lizabeth Marie de Simone,” gal responded.
Gwen is taken back, speechless at this revelation.
“That’s right! I’m possessed by her spirit. Why? Because I’m her descendant!” she cried.
“Of course, it all makes sense now: she took over your body and saved your life. She was the one who summoned the spell.”
“Liz can summon spells?” she asked.
“Yeah, she pulled those Eastern Art spells with ease. Often finished her battles in one swoop! She was quiet but never backed down even when things were impossible,” Gwen said.
“I see, I knew rumors of her magic skills, but I never expected this to be true.”
“Yes, yes, it is true! Liz was a skilled sorceress like me! She was top notch!”
“I assume you’re a spirit too.”
“Yeah, I was obviously a human. This is a toy I happen to possess. But you can summon her, right? Like, you call whenever you need her?”
“I don’t know,” she said, shifting her eyes. “This is the first time it has happened. She lived inside me for three years, and up until now, we talked through the mirror and nothing more.”
“You could use some training. Like learning how to fight and stuff.”
The professor nervously raises her hands. “Thanks for the suggestion, Kitty, but I’m not interested in combat. I want to live a normal life.”
“I understand,” Gwen said, dejected.
***
Meanwhile, Aster and I managed to defeat all the crooks now lying on the floor. The guy is impressed with my skills as I am impressed with his.
The guy didn’t waste time pulling the sword from his sheath and knocking enemy after enemy with one hand. Man, I should’ve brought my shiny new dagger. I wonder how he got past security while hiding the sword.
And of course, not to leave myself behind, I tested all my element skills. I’m getting used to saying spell words more and more. And you know what, it ain't bad. The more I yell them, the less silly I sound. But not the long chants, okay?
“The truth is, this is my first time fighting since I woke up three years ago. This fight was nothing but a warm-up,” Aster said.
“But I’m impressed you fought so well!”
“Well, yes. I was worried my skills would rust after centuries of sleep, but I still have them. In fact, I think they’ve gotten stronger because of this form.”
That’s right! Aster summoned hard-to-say elemental spells. Agni Yasta? Rabufu Rana? I assume these are Eastern Art spells.
“Let’s search Gwen and Agnes so we can get out of here,” Aster said as he placed his sword in the sheath.
“Right!” I nodded.
As we walk to the stairs, I hear the faint sound of a countdown.
Shit! It’s a bomb!
“Aster, we have to find them! The bomb’s about to go off!” I cried.
“Let’s go!”
We rush up the stairs and run through the halls in a desperate attempt to find Gwen and the professor. I’m not sure how many seconds we have, but we must seek them and fast.
Date: June 9
Time: Evening, Full Moon
“Are you done?” Gwen asked as soon as they leave the women’s restroom.
“Yes, I’m done. Let’s head back,” she said.
They see us running towards them. We grabbed the gal, who looks confused.
“What’s going on?!” asked Gwen.
“There’s no time! A bomb’s about to explode!”
We run in circles looking for an exit because the hallway feels like a maze. Aster then spots a balcony, which we run towards and jump off the second the bomb exploded!
I landed softly again thanks to my levitation skills. Aster was carrying the gal at the time of the jump, who was still carrying my bag with Gwen inside. He made a hard landing which should’ve hurt. I mean, we were high up on the second or third floor. Well, it didn’t matter. What matters is the landing didn’t affect him because of his body.
Anyway, we need to bail now.
“Um, I-I have a car,” the gal said.
The professor has a car, huh? Who knew? Aster did say she picks and drops him every day.
We rush to her tan-colored sedan. I sit in the back seat, naturally. Aster sits at the front. I’m surprised he knows how to open the car door (given how he’s been riding it makes sense.)
We finally sigh relief. Hopefully, we can go home.
Or maybe not because we hear a loud roar.
Another car, perhaps?
“We’re being followed!” she yelped. The gal sees what looks like tons of cars showing up.
“It can’t be the police, right?” I asked.
“If it were, we would hear sirens,” he said.
He’s right. We see lots of white cars following us: white vehicles that belong to those crooks! They start shooting at us, so we had to duck to make sure we don’t get hit. The shots managed to shatter the back window.
I have an idea: I consider using my Fireball spell on the shattered hole. This makes it easier to strike directly as opposed to the side window. I target the first car and then...
“Fireball!” I yelled.
The fireball knocked the white car directly off the road. Aster sees this and decides to back me up. The gal had to lower the front chair so he can move back without exiting the car.
As Aster and I hit with a salvo of fireballs, the gal continues driving on the long highway.
“What did I do to deserve this?!” she whined.
“I understand how you feel but for now focus,” Gwen said. “We need to go off-road because innocent people are getting caught.”
Gwen’s right. We’re not the only ones on the highway. Cars of other people are getting caught in the blast. We can’t risk them. Gwen used her psychic powers to steer the vehicle into the woods. And of course, the crooks follow us.
Both Aster and I are getting exhausted. I guess magic isn’t unlimited as I hoped. Anyone who has played RPGs should know a given character’s limited supply of SP.
Afterward, a sizeable vast chasm lays ahead of us. The gal starts to freak out.
“I can’t do this!!” she cried.
“Listen to me. You need to keep driving,” said Gwen in her ear. “I told you Liz never backed down. You need to believe in yourself a bit more.”
“You mean so, Kitty? Alright...” she said, gripping the wheel and pressing the pedal.
I don’t know what Gwen has planned, but I’m too tired to even think. Usually, I freak out of falling into the chasm, but my eyelids are getting heavy like I’m about to sleep.
I see Aster sitting with a horrified expression. He tried to persuade, but her eyes are pierced at the chasm. I know, I know. Whether the car jumps or not, doesn’t matter. I’m falling asleep.
.............
..................
..........................................
I wake up with a sudden thud!
Turns out the car jumped over the chasm.
When did this happen?
Aster slumps with a dazed look in his eyes.
The car landed close to the edge. Gwen tells us to get out and witness the scene: dozens of white vehicles falling like a waterfall. They fall one by one and explode upon hitting bottom. Ha-ha! Serves them right! We enter the car again after seeing that.
The sun has set so we need to settle somewhere for the night.
Date: June 9
Time: Late Night, Full Moon
Though it’s June, nights can be chilly.
Gwen and the professor are sleeping inside the car. As for me, I can’t sleep. My eyes won’t shut for some reason. And it’s not because I took a pre-chasm nap, okay?
“Why don’t you sit next to me?” said a voice.
Oh wait, it’s Aster. He’s calling me out. I don’t know. Should I?
He’s sitting with his back to a tree. A bonfire burns between him and the car.
Aw, shoot! I wish I had a sweater like her.
I hesitated but sat anyway. He placed his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. I know we’ve sat close, but it’s too close if you ask me.
“Won’t you melt?” I asked.
“It’s nothing,” he said.
I see, perhaps he has a protection spell that prevents him from being weak to fire. And the magic is still in effect? Even after centuries? Amazing!
Wow, his body is indeed made of metal! He is a living statue, after all. I inclined my head to his chest, and I hear a single heartbeat. Typically, a heart beats many times a day, but his heart beats once. I can see how he survived for being in a coma so long.
I can’t help but run my hand over his body, starting with his abs. He’s hard but smooth to touch. He’s quite slender. I move on to his chest, followed by his neck, his face and finally his ears. I tried combing his magenta hair with my fingers, but it's like having acupuncture in my hands. Regardless, his hair molds in rounded asymmetry with left fringe half-covering his eye. I feel aroused while doing this. My face turned red as a result.
He looks down at me with a sweatdrop, knowing that I’m checking out on him. I flash him a smile.
“Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?” I whispered in a flirty tone.
Aww! He turned red. He's so cute!
“What is the expression from the movie? Oh yeah... Are you hitting on me?”
“A little.” I chuckle. I look at his eyes. He has smoky bronze eyes as if he wore makeup. But that's not it. It's due to his skin dye wearing off. I assumed it would make him blind, but he can see just fine. I stare them a bit. They’re so delicate.
After flirting a little, I remain in his arms slowly falling asleep as he did too.
Date: June 10
Time: Afternoon
The three of us are struggling to push the car up the hill. The reason? Her car broke down the morning she tried to get it work.
Ugh! I can’t believe my black dress is ruined thanks to the dust and sweat. Geez! It’s hot already. You see, we kind of overslept because we were so worn from yesterday. When we woke up, it’s already afternoon.
Just as we’re still struggling with the car, the gal kneels to complain about her pain. What? Aching at a time like this? Seriously?
“My feet hurt...” she whined.
Well, deal with it!” I barked with hands on my hips. “That’s what you get for wearing heels.”
“Excuse me! I didn't expect this to happen!” she retorted.
“Um, ladies. There’s no need to argue.”
I see she has a severe case of blisters on her heel. I wanted to ignore, but I feel sorry for Aster and Gwen, so I used my Recovery spell on it. The wound closed but it will open in due time, so I decided to take out a hankie from my bag and place it on the injury.
“Th-Thank you...” she said, looking at me.
I gave her a quick glance and blushed. She’s such a beauty, but her attitude needs work.
“You’re, um, welcome...” I had to respond just to be polite. It’s good karma.
The three of us continue moving the car up the hill. I notice Gwen is sitting comfortably inside the vehicle. That’s so unfair!
“Hey, Gwen! Use your psychic powers to help us out!” This car’s so heavy!
“What did you just say?” Aster is shocked as he never heard such a thing. Psychic powers didn’t exist in his time, so I must stop to explain.
“Come on! That’s not necessary!” Gwen said. She tries to deny like she did the first time but I’m going to explain anyway. “It’s true, Gwen has psychic powers. She can levitate, teleport, predict, and lift stuff by using her mind.”
“So, that's what psychic powers are,” he said.
“Okay, Gwen, lift the car,” I said, pointing at her.
“I could, but it will be awhile...”
“Aw, Gwen! This isn’t your time anymore. Do you think we have time to walk around looking for a village?" I check my smartphone, but there’s no reception. I asked the professor to check her phone only to say the same thing I said. Great! We’re screwed!
“In my experience, there should be a village up ahead,” Aster said as he points forward.
“Really? How do you know?” I asked.
“I can sense it.”
My grandma said if you ask a vague question, you will get a vague answer.
That’s it! I had enough of this shit, so I’m going to use my wind spell to push the car into the village.
“Wind Gush!” I yelled.
Oops! I overdid it. The car flies off like a missile launch, leaving a massive trail of dust.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”
Oh, shit! I forgot Gwen is still inside!!
“OH NO! MY CAR!!!!!!” The professor screamed in agony upon seeing her car fly off.
We have no choice but to run into the village.
The car crashes into the village fountain. I finally arrived, trying my hardest to catch my breath. The damage done to the basin is considerate but not enough to destroy it. The gal catches up too. After looking at the surroundings, I get the sense we’re not in our country anymore. I think this is Izberia given the old-school feel of this village.
A local officer comes to question us. “Where is your driver’s license?”
“I’m this car’s owner. Here’s my license,” said the gal, forking over her card.
“So, the two of you are from Semona? Alright, come with me,” said the officer.
Shoot! We’re getting arrested. But a black figure shows up wholly covered from head to toe. The mysterious person approaches the officer, who gives the figure its attention.
“That will not be necessary. This vehicle broke down while driving me back to my country. We need help in getting it repaired.”
“Ah, I see. I will have the car towed and sent to the closest repair shop.”
The officer makes a phone call and ends after a few talks.
“You ladies are free to go. Make sure he returns home,” said the officer as he walks away. The three of us are shocked at how easy this whole thing was.
“Hey, Aster! You owe us one,” I said. Then I turned to the gal, “You knew about this?” I’m referring to his complete covering.
“Yes, he needs to wear it in public.”
Wow, he’s completely covered! His hands don’t even show. The only exceptions are his shoes and the net in the garment so he can see.
The tow truck shows up to take us and the broken car to “Davila’s Repair Stop.” The shop’s owner greets us upon our arrival.
“Hello there! How are you doing?”
He seems to be a typical jolly old man.
“Let’s give this car a closer inspection. Mauricio! Come here!”
He called out to his employee. I’m sure the guy’s a typical fat slob with a huge butt crack...
Cue the angels! He’s a hunk!
“The young man here is my grandson,” the owner said, gesturing at him.
Date: June 10
Time: Evening
“This is my grandson. His name is Mauricio Davila,” said the owner proudly.
“Hi!” Mauricio said, waving at us.
The owner introduces us to his grandson. Oh my gosh! He’s tall! Blond and a cutie! Gwen can’t help but stare by peeking from inside the bag. “Wow, he’s so handsome!”
I turned to the gal and asked with a nudge, “Hey, you think he’s a hottie?”
“Y-Yes, I think so...” she said, covering her mouth. She tries to keep herself calm, but she turns away with her face red. Ah, so she does have emotions after all. Aster looks curiously.
We’re hungry, so I asked if they have any food. Mauricio takes us to the kitchen. But the stock of groceries is limited, even in the fridge. Their fridge stocks beer, bread, water, and some veggies. Also, their pantry has cans of red beans.
Aw man, I hate eating beans. They make you have nasty, awkward gases.
Well, I swallowed my pride and began cooking beans anyway. The others decide to wait in the living room. Gwen stays to watch over me.
“I know a thing about lentils. I cooked them a lot, and the gasses never stopped. Ha-ha!” Gwen said, reminiscing her time. My face turned red upon hearing that.
“Keep your voice down!” I hushed. I didn’t want the owner and the cute guy hearing a cat speak. It will freak them out.
After an hour or so, I'm done with the cooking. I called everybody to the table. The guy and his grandfather are impressed with my dish.
“That’s some quality cooking you did there! I haven’t eaten this well since my wife was still alive. She knew quality, and she cooked copious amounts to last us for weeks.”
Meanwhile, Aster and Gwen stay inside a storage room. Aster drinks while Gwen eats the food. And she can get away with it because she doesn’t need to hit the bathroom.
Now with our bellies full, we go to the garage so the guy can inspect the car.
“The car is broken down. It’s going to take a week to get it fully repaired,” Mauricio said.
Oh, snap! Where do we stay? It’s too late to find an inn now. And we're also tired.
“Oh! Can we stay here for the night?” I asked.
“This place isn’t the most comfortable—”
“Of course, you can! Make yourselves at home,” said the owner, smiling.
“Fine, we’ll look for an inn in the morning,” the gal said.
“Alright, we’ll bill you once the repair is done.”
Gal provided her info to the owner.
Everybody but me retreats afterward.
I can’t stop looking at him for some reason. He’s tall but not 5’7 tall, but 6 feet tall! Did I mention he’s a cutie and a hottie? He has this long bob, silky hair, ripped lean packs, right eye-covering fringe. Gwen clings to my back after popping from my bag.
“He resembles my late husband. Could it be he’s reborn?” she wondered.
“Really? Or could it be he’s possessed by him like the gal with Liz,” I said.
“Hmm, I think so. I want to keep a close eye on him. You know, just in case.”
Date: June 10
Time: Late Night
It’s late at night, but I can’t sleep. Aster and the professor are sleeping in the storage room. I’m sitting on a veranda swinging bench of the front house. It’s chilly, but the air feels right. Mauricio shows up and sits next to me.
“Hey, aren’t you tired?” he asked.
“Yeah, but I can’t sleep,” I replied.
“Is it so? I can’t sleep either.”
“Your name’s Mauricio, huh? That’s unique.”
“You can call me Maury. It’s easier.”
“I’m Glendolyn, but call me Glen.”
“But Glen is a guy’s name...” he said.
Why does everybody keep saying that?
“Your grandfather is a nice man,” I said. I want to keep the conversation going.
“Yeah, I became a mechanic because of him.”
“That’s good. Where are your parents?”
“Dead from a car accident. I was only a kid.”
“Sorry to hear that. And yet you became a mechanic.”
“That’s alright. I love repairing things anyway.” Mauricio continues after a pause, “I lived with my uncle for a while. He works in real estate and makes lots of money. I hated it so when my grandpa asked for help at his shop, I jumped at the chance.”
“Seems you and I have a few things in common: close to grandparents and dislike of relatives.”
I shiver a bit. Maury pulls me closer to him.
“W-Wait! We just met...” I said with a blush. “Shouldn’t you sleep in your room?”
“What kind of a man sleeps when a woman is suffering?”
“My, you are chivalrous...” I murmured, hoping he takes it as sarcasm.
“Nope, it’s true.”
We clasp our hands. I remain asleep with my head leaning on his shoulder. He also falls asleep. Gwen appeared from behind to sleep on my lap.
Date: June 11
Time: Morning
The professor reserved us a room at a hostel nearby, so we went to check in. She had to book a private room for Aster’s sake. We will sleep in this room too, of course.
Too bad for the professor, they only accept cash. Thankfully, I have leftover money from the sold rocks to pay for a week’s stay.
The room is cleaner than I expected. Most hostel rooms I've heard are known to be dirty. I hope there are no bed bugs. And I also hope we don’t get kidnapped and killed like in that movie.
“You watch too many movies,” Aster said.
“Shut up!” I squealed with my face red.
Since it’s one room with two beds, the professor and I will sleep on one bed while Aster will sleep on the floor between us. Gwen will sleep with me, naturally.
The way things are set up is going to make it a long week.
Date: June 17
Time: Morning, Half Moon
The professor receives a call telling her the car is fixed. Thank goodness! We can finally go home (though they’re going directly to campus while I take the train.)
Maury’s grandfather calls him to his room.
“Yes, grandpa?”
“Mauricio, as you already know, I’m sick. This repair will be final as I’ve sold my business and my house to someone else. I’ll spend my final days at my friend’s rented room. You’re welcomed to join, but it’s best to live elsewhere. You can return to your uncle if you wish.”
“No, grandpa. I will not return to my uncle. Ever! You know I can’t stand him.”
“I see, then you should live with the young lady. She can cook and will make a great wife material for you someday.”
“You mean Glendolyn? I’ll consider it.”
“That’s my boy!”
We pay the repair fee with extra cash, and we set back to our home country.
Date: June 23
Time: Morning, New Moon
Man, it’s hot! Summer has finally started. I asked Gwen how she dealt with warm weather.
“The same way you did but without the electric fans,” she said.
Anyway, I hear a loud ring. I open the door, and it’s none other than Maury! He found my address because of the info we exchanged on our smartphones before leaving his house.
“Hi! Sorry for showing up but I have nowhere else to go. And I don’t know anyone here.”
“Don’t step further or I’ll call the cops!”
“Please don’t misunderstand! Oh well, I’ll live by the river then...” Dejected, he picked up his only luggage and turned away.
“Wait!” I called out. I don’t want him to live like a bum. Should I take him in? My apartment has only one bedroom. If I take him in, he’s going to have to sleep on the sofa. Maury is such a nice guy, and he doesn’t seem to have an ulterior motive, so I take him in.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you so much!” he said, wrapping me in a bear hug. “In exchange for your hospitality, I’ll repair anything you ask. But I don't do computers. They’re not my thing.”
Gwen’s eyes sparkle from a distance. “Wow, good for you! Having a guy around will make things easier in this house. He can repair and provide protection for the two of us!”
Things are going to be livelier now.
Date: June 24
Time: Morning
I woke up to use the bathroom like always.
Then I got hit with a shocking surprise: Maury coming out of the shower!!
I shrieked before running back to my room. Maury stands there with a red look.
“What happened?” Gwen asked.
I flew into my bed and buried my face in the pillow. I'm still deep red, and my heart beats so fast. I’m so embarrassed I could die!
“Oh, Gwen! I saw him! I saw him!!”
Gwen takes a quick peek at the bathroom. She sees him standing at the sink with a towel wrapped around his privates. She tiptoes back to my room.
“I see what happened there...” she teased.
I hate to admit, but damn he has muscles.
Date: June 30
Time: Afternoon
This was a rough week. I was buying way more groceries because of him. He eats a ton! I can hardly blame him though.
I return from the supermarket. And as soon as I did, I find Maury playing with a random black cat.
Wait, I don’t remember adopting a cat. I have never been to a pet shop. Okay...
The cat turns to me with its emotionless green eyes. Its face is familiar.
“Hey, Glen! I didn’t know you have a such a lovely cat,” he said. He giggles at the cat’s touch.
It took me to realize the stray cat is none other than Gwen herself. I yanked her from him as I rush to my room, slamming the door shut. He remains seated with a confused look on his face.
“What the heck is this?!” I demanded.
“That’s my house cat form. I can change between this and another form at will.”
“Don’t scare me like that! You creep me out!”
“No worries. I won’t talk when he’s around... for now. But he’ll know anyway.”
Oh, brother!