Chapter 27: The Girl with Green Eyes

This is supposed to be a side story, but it turned out longer than I had expected so I made it a chapter instead, enjoy!

----------------------------------------

This is not a fairy tale story

            This is a story of a single orphan girl who escape death. Her story started when her mother who tried to drown her by abandoning her in a river. The same girl was then found by a villager when she came floating down. It was considered a miracle she was alive. The villager took her in, and raise her as everyone's daughter. They named 'me' Liselitte. 

             Even though I lived without knowing my parents. I lived my life happily knowing the villagers were part of my family. 

            One day, I realize what I am.

            There was a long drought one day, and the village was on the verge of famine. I didn't quite understand at first but when I tried to pray, the words that came out was unusual and I know it held power. Rain then pour for three days straight and I was bedridden for three days as well. 

             I then realized I was a witch. 

             It didn't take long for the villagers to catch on what I am since I secretly kept using my powers when tough times comes for our village. 

            I knew what kind of treatment the witches face by the public. I ran away before the people I called family began to despise me. However, contrary to my believe. They came to find me and accepted me as I am. The first to find me was the one who had found me and become an existent who I called mother. "You may be a witch, but you're my sweet little witch, don't waste my 13 years of care just so you could run away silly girl" 

            When she said that, how happy I was that my nightmare didn't come true. 

            Then, a different nightmare came. People clad in black who claimed came from the church had heard a witch was hidden in this village. When the villagers denied, one of the church's personnel stab him to death. 

             Again, they announced for us to hand over the witch or we will face the divine punishment of God. 

            I was cowering inside my house when I watched the whole scene from the window. Then, the one who dragged me out and gave me up was none other than my so called 'mother'. 

            I couldn't believe what she did. I cried and shouted how I didn't want to leave, but no one came to my aide. They all hung their head while avoiding my gaze. I desperately kept on begging not to give me up and that they had call me family, but in the end the church people cuff me and put me in a carriage where there were others as well. 

             That was how I got abandon twice. On the way, I had tried several times to get out but to no avail, these cuffs prevents me from manipulating mana, it's only been a few days and I had given up struggling. Even if I get out, I no longer have anywhere to go...is what I thought. 

            Suddenly, the carriage stopped abruptly and most of the people inside were thrown off to the side. We weren't quite sure what happened, there was shouting and the church people were saying something about a warning. Then I felt it, it was the power of mana, since I never met any other witches I was surprised at the large amount of mana flowing at the scene. Some of the people here had the same expression as mine, it seemed I'm not the only witch here. 

            There was more shouting....actually it was more of a screaming, there was also the sound of struggle. The carriage shook from the struggle and then the door flipped open. The person wore a robe that hid her face yet I knew she was a girl from her posture and I could see her crystal green eyes staring at us with a calculating look. 

             Two other people came up behind her, aiming to cut her with a sword on their hand. However, her slick movement easily dodged them even when another join the fray. One had slashed past her and she took his arm, forcing him to block two of the attacks coming her way. She used a spell and the three swords lodged themselves together while getting stuck from an ice spell. 

            There were others as well but she easily swept them away with spells I never saw, and though they had fought back with silver weapons, she overwhelmed them. 

             None had died, yet they realized it's pointless struggle to defy her. Her strong, graceful demeanor  had at some point capture me, gaping in awe. A movement you wouldn't think came from a witch. 

            She came up to us and one by one she unlocked the cuffs like a thief. Upon closer look, her features showed she was about the same age as me, surprising me even more. 

            "Everyone, escape while you can, this chance will not come to you twice so use it well" she said coolly. They all hurriedly got on their feet and followed behind her as she took them to a haven place without being spot by anyone. 

             Tears stream on some of their faces  like streaming jewels as the moonlight shone on them. She turned to face me when I was the only one left outside the village with my head hung down. 

            How strange.....I was supposed to be happy after getting freed, yet for some reason there was a hollow feeling inside of me as if a hole had opened up inside me. 

            She looked at me with the same calculating gaze as if trying to understand what's inside my heart. However, there's no way anyone could know this painful feeling inside. A soft feeling enveloped me and I was late to realize the girl was hugging me. "You're not alone." 

            As if  those words had switched something inside me, my eyes began to feel warm and wet, my feelings overwhelmed me and I burst into tears. 

            The girl stayed by my side the whole time but I can't bring myself to trust her. People can change is what I came to understand, even if she stayed with me now, there's no way she would stay with me till the end. 

            I was going to say my thanks, but then I saw her looking at me with bewildered with her hood blown off revealing her features. Red lips, short black hair, sharp cheekbones, and beautiful sea green eyes as if it could light itself in the dark. 

            I was confused why she looked at me that way. I was slow to realize that it was raining, not because I was too preoccupied to notice but because no rain drops hadn't hit any of my skin as if there was a barrier around me. Moreover, even though it had been cloudless seconds ago, I wonder why it started raining? 

            "You're a Naturalist!" She said excitedly. 

             "What's that?"

            "It's what we call those who are born loved by nature by having the same wave length with one of the element's spiritual energy. Usually they are capable of using spells without anyone teaching them or calling out spells with just their emotion."

            When I listen to her explanation. There were many things that came pass my mind, memories of the past that I could hardly explain with my knowledge alone. 

            "Hey, living alone is boring right, do you want to come live with me? In exchange I'll tell you about a lot of things about magicians, don't you ever want to see what you are capable of?"

           "No I don't, what I want is to free my self from being a monster like you!"

            I regretted telling her my feelings on the spur of the moment. I slowly turn to look at her but my eyes kept wandering elsewhere. My legs trembled knowing what I did to a witch who could easily kill me. 

            "Do you hate your power?"

             Without focusing my gaze on her, I nodded. I wonder what kind of expression she had on her, probably disgust. Then she told me, "then let me teach you how to love your power."

            By then, I could no longer understand her motive. Exactly what was she talking about? How could anyone learn to love what separates you with the people you love?

            "I may not know what you've been through, but I do know how it feels to lose or be separated with the one you love" I may have showed a surprised look when I thought she had read my mind, she then smiled wryly and continued with her soft tone. 

             "I also hated this power because of what it did to me, and many known me as a monster called witch. That's why I learn to use my power so that I won't become the monster the people see us to be and be a person I see myself instead" 

            "But most of all, it's because I want to love myself that I don't want to deny what I am"

            Her words struck me like arrows, it made me question exactly what I am supposed be? A human? A witch? Or as Liselitte?

            That kind of thing should be obvious. "I'm not insisting you to be one of us, but I do want you to discover what kind of possibility you have" she said with her hand outstretched. I couldn't know for sure what kind of future awaits me if I took her hand. I don't want to be alone, but I don't want to get betrayed either. I wonder if I am still naive, because I didn't doubt her straightforward eyes as she kept her hand hang. 

            That's why for the unknown future I wished to see, I took her hand firmly. I wonder if in that unknown future, would I be able to go back to that village? I hope I could. 

            "My name is Liselitte."

            "Liselitte is it? Then from now on I'll call you Lise, my name is Claudia, nice to meet you. Since we'll be together from now on, I guess we'll be like sisters, don't you think?" she said with a bright smile, and I too, smile at her.

            This is not a fairy tale story, this is my history. 

            Suddenly when I took her hand, my surrounding became dark and I was sitting on a metal chair. I didn't know where I was but I couldn't leave from the chair. Then a sickening familiar smell gave my spine a jolt, I involuntarily turned and saw three of my classmates with their heads rolling off their body, the blood colored the floor red and I didn't even dare to have my feet touch it. 

            I turned to the side only to see some familiar faces laid on the floor. Were they dead? I didn't go to find out. 

            The dark room was echoed by a eerily laughter. I curl up on the chair and closed my ears but the laughter only get louder. I wanted to scream for help but I was afraid even to do that. 

            Then, I felt a warm touch on my hand, I look up and saw a girl with familiar sea green eyes. I know who she is, but why can't I recall her name. She smiled sweetly at me that seem to melt my fears away. She pulled me from the chair while mouthing a word, was it a name perhaps?

            However, by the time I stood up....... I woke up. 

            

 <<<PREVIOUS CHAPTER                                                                          NEXT CHAPTER>>>

Chapter 26: Black Magic

“Master, what do you mean by the soul?”

            “Exactly what I mean, while other magic useS nature and others as its source, Black Magic uses the darkness of human soul as its source. Greed, Lust, Fear, Despair, Anger, those emotion becomes the fuel of its power. Moreover, if you use your own soul as its source, you wouldn’t need any chant or a magic circle to conjure it since the power came within you.” I inclined my head with my eyes close as I tried to comprehend Master’s words. “That is why Claudia, you must never use that magic!”

            “Why?” I asked innocently.

            “Black Magic feeds the darkness within you, once you use it, it will draw out the darkness inside you until you lose sight of yourself. Not only will you hurt yourself, you might also hurt the people close to you. The worst case scenario, if you use it excessively, it will use out your soul completely and…”

            “I’ll die.” I said that finishing his sentence when I noticed where his tone was getting at. “Because of that magic, people started to calling us Witch,” continued Master. I asked again on what he meant which he answered, “Magician used to be a reverence being and was even called as the Messenger of God. People came to seek us for our wisdom and we would aid them as much as we could. When Black Magic started to spread, people started to question our intention, and with the war going on, the people’s tension rise and put the blame on us for every misfortune that come upon them.”

            My eyes widen, bewildered when I heard the truth of the prejudice hatred on us, I could only look down solemnly while accepting the fact. “That’s why to them and to us, the word ‘Witch’ is a symbol of hatred, ill-fortune, and chaos.”

#

Another explosion echoed the floor followed by a scream of terror. 

            I fell to the floor while gasping for air. I turn toward him and found his hand that was covered with white flame had turned black. He was waving his arm trying to extinguish it, but he could only scream and writhed in pain as the fire burn his arm.

            Well, burning might not be the correct word. All though the black flame was burning him, his arm was still attached and hadn’t lost color. It looks like the fire did no damage at all, yet he kept on desperately trying to extinguish it. I guess the burning pain isn’t enough for him to withstand.

            However, not all those things mattered to me.  After a sudden burst of anger that had welled up inside me, everything went black for a moment. The only thing in my mind was my wished for that man's death, yet why did a black flame suddenly appear, is his power getting out of control?
           Before long, the anger inside me turns to fear. The black flame then violently spread through his body, and he began to roll around the floor without getting tired at screaming. The flame did not only spread on him but also around me. 
            My breathing became erratic and when I tried to turn around and drag myself away....I saw the shadows again. Master, father, Lise, Astrid, Carter, Sister Lisbeth, Old man Mor. Those people were burning at the stakes, yet they weren't screaming, they only stared at me with dead eyes. What did they think of me, and what did they feel when they look at me...because I don't know, I could only guess their feelings, yet the answer never came. 
           Just when it was getting harder to breath, I couldn't stop the tears that came running down my face. The heat surrounding me was intense as my world began to be envelop by flame and I feel I was helplessly holding down my trembling shoulder while curling up like a ball feeling I was on the verge of losing everything. 
            Please..........anyone........help me.............



            Did you call for me Master?


           I look up and saw a familiar face, even with his eyes closed I could see him looking at me with concern. For a womanizing jerk he has tact for sure, to think I would be more than glad that he's here by my side. I'm sorry to act on my own when you're orders is to safely guard the children and take out all information available, but I felt your distress so I came immediately.   
           That's right, getting the children to safety was the priority so I had Hod make sure to guard them until everything was over. I had the police had them on custody so there's no problem on me being here. 
            I smiled in relieve and took his offered hand. The shadows were gone, but the fire still was burning brightly. I rest my head on his chest, avoiding the sight of fire, honestly if I lost focus for a moment, it wouldn't be strange if I lost my consciousness by now. "Hod, can you put away the flames?" 
            That I cannot do. 
            I look up to see his face, half worried, half disappointed. It was a surprise to me since he usually readily do anything for my sake......... after I gave him a beating though. 
            The fire here isn't any ordinary fire, it's something that you created with Black Magic. It's not something one could easily handle especially for a spirit. 
            "Then how do I stop the fire?" 
            You simply need to only wish for it and it'll stop, Black Magic comes from the soul, you just need to wish it wholeheartedly for it to stop. 

            What do you mean I made this fire? 
            Is what I want to ask but right now I only want to erase the fire so badly, I don't want to think anything else. I wasn't sure if the way was that simple, but I closed my eyes and thought of the fire extinguishing itself in my head. There was nothing I wish more than that so the 'wholeheartedly' part should pass. When I feel the heat diminishing around me, I open my eyes and the fire disappear as I hoped. Hod smiled at me knowing I did my best. 
            I turn toward the psycho killer and saw he was barely standing, there were no injuries, but he's probably mentally exhausted. He had a hard time breathing like I was before, his body looked numbed, and he was glaring angrily at me. 
            He was picking up another needle but I had already took out a magic stone. Since I didn't get to check what kind of magic stone it was, I threw it at him, aiming at his hand which hit a bulls eye. 
            Hod knowing what he should do came up behind him and step on his shadow, with this, that man wouldn't be able to move. Without knowing exactly is happening, he tried to lit himself with the white fire, but maybe because he was losing energy, the fire quickly turned into red. When he realized the fire didn't help, he switched with using telekinesis toward the two of us, but unfortunate to you, I had already anticipate that and so did Hod. 
            I might not have mentioned it before, but it's possible to relay information telepathically of image or message to the spirit. That's why, without missing a beat he turned his face toward him, and for the first time since I summoned him. 
            Hod opened his eyes.
            His eyes were jet black like black pearls and when that man looked into his eyes, I knew his strength was leaving him, and his mind was losing control off his body. After that, Hod let go of his shadow and the psycho fell to his knee with a blank face as if he had forgotten his purpose. 
           With that, it was over. 
           It would have been trouble if he had teleport, but it was a good thing I grasped the nature of his power. From my observation, it would have seem he store needles with various serum to allow him to use various abilities for him to use. However, probably because of his brain expansion usage limit, he was only able to use up to two abilities and would unable to use the first ability when another is added. That's why, with that annoying Teleportation Ability gone, I don't have to worry for him escaping. 
           I came up to him and snatched the pouched full of needles. "Hod, can you manipulate his memories and make sure you erase my fight with him?" 
           Certainly.
           I turned my back on him, ready lo leave the place when I stop and added, "Also, make sure he suffer enough that he wouldn't be able to hurt a fly, afterward, dump him outside for the police to find." 
           I told him that with a cold tone and he answered me the same way as before. When I found the stairs toward the exit, I pretended not to pay heed the scream of a poor soul who will forever lost in his own nightmare. 
            Well, forever might be exaggerated, but it'd be long enough for him to lose a few screws in the head. When I reach outside, the sky had told me it was dawn and there was an uproar at the hospital entrance. It seemed the patients were evacuated when an earthquake shook the hospital. Many vans with TV stations logo on them were parked outside, each with their own reporter, reporting their news. 
          I was quite far from them, so I'm glad I wouldn't attract attention this way. Then, my vision began to blur and I stagger sideways. 
            Be careful.
            Again in the nick of time, Hod was there to catch me. As expected, he's fast at his job. You've worked hard Lady Claudia, you should rest. 
            ........that's rare for him not call me master, well, I didn't like it in the first time, calling my name is still a lot better. Just as he said, I'm tired, I still have one last job to do but it should go off in a few moment so I guess we should go back. Looks like I'll be counting on you again Hod.
            Leave it to me. 
             He lifted me on his back and before the sun could rise, he went into one of the shadows. Leaving no trace of us ever being here.

<<<PREVIOUS CHAPTER                                                                          NEXT CHAPTER>>>

Chapter 25: The Witch Known as Claudia

"Now Claudia tell me, what are the ways to use magic?"

        "Chanting or by Magic Circle."

        "What about Ritual, is it not included?"

         "Ritual is just the use of the two ways and simplify the use of conjuring complex magic"

         "Very good you're learning well Claudia."

         "Master..... there's something I'm curious about"

          "Hmmm, what is it?"

          "Why are you teaching me on a tree?"

          It wasn't much of a complain. I was only curious why he would teach me either on trees, inside a cave, on a river, or forcefully teach me on the sky. It's not like I hate most of them, even right now as I sit on the tree reliving the fresh forest air and hearing the birds singing under the warm summer sky. The bugs are annoying though. Master took my words the wrong way and lightly poke me on the forehead. "Think about the answer yourself!" or so he says in the end.

           "Next on the subject, tell me what are the elements use with Elemental Magic"

            "Old magic tells that the elements are consisted of fire, water, earth, and wind. Now, some magicians are debating whether to include wood and metal as well according to the eastern teachings."

           "Which one do you think is right?"

           "I think there are no limits to the number of elements just like Master had said."

            "Good, I would've expelled you if your mind is wrap around by what people or books tells you. That's why I'll teach you new elements today."

             When my master turned to look at me, he made a wry smile on his face, probably because my green eyes were sparkling and my cheeks puffed from excitement.

            "First look down, what do you see."

            I was hesitant to look down from  a tall tree, but I braced myself and look down, "All, I see is soil and more trees."

           "Is that all?"

           "Hmmm, I could see shadows and..... oh, AIR!" my master nods brightly at my answer as if satisfied, however, he still look at me questioningly and asked, "Is that all?" I wracked my head even harder, what else is there here? "I'll give you a hint, what would you need to see in the dark?"

           "Light?"

          "Correct, all the things unknowingly passed by us yet has supported us since the Dawn of Age, are all the elements that make up the earth, don't you think having only four or six is much too small to be making up this wide world."

          I nodded in agreement, and tried to see my surrounding as if they were a great big picture full of things I see but escaping my notice, yet I feel it's waiting to be discover. Then, my curious self unknowingly blab what I had been curious for some time, "Master, what about Black Magic, are they part of the elements too?"

          Master expression changed and yelped from his menacing eyes, there was a dark shadow looming on his face, "Where did you learn that?" I instantly felt guilty hearing his heavy tone pointing at me. "I.... I read it before when I was cleaning up your room, I was curious so I...." my eyes began to wet from tears, but I didn't want to look like a cry baby so I immediately wipe it off. Master made a huge sigh before his expression turned back to normal.

         "It's about time I teach you I guess, Claudia, how do you define Elemental Magic?"

          "Uh.... the use of our mana to borrow the element's spiritual energy to create a phenomenon, or something like that."

          "You could say that's the gist, in other words, it is needed for there to be a source of extracting spiritual energy with our own mana. Fire Magic needs fire, Wind Magic needs air, Water magic needs water, that much I'm sure you understand. In a different sense, the other branch of magic also use the same principal as this. Because of that, chants and magic circle is needed, to us magicians, no...to all people words contains power. We, magician could make use of those words to connect with the spiritual energy and make use of them. Here's the question, from what you read what kind of magic does the Black Magic governs."

          "Actually I haven't read it that far"

          "Curse Magic, Disaster Magic, Plaque Magic, Mindless Magic, etc"

          Master answered his own question with an indifferent expression, "Then here's the next question, what is the source of Black Magic?" when he asked, I tried to think carefully but couldn't come up with an answer. Master clenched his fist while sticking out his thumb and aimed it at his heart. "The answer is our soul."

                                                                               

#

This is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad!

            This is the worst situation! In what situation you might be wondering, You can say I'm in a situation running in speed a child couldn't have reach while avoiding a laser beam coming up from behind me.

             Because of the fog, it would often distort but still.... seeing it melted three pillars in a row is scary! While running off aimlessly, I had to do my best chanting anything that came up spontaneously in my head (I got my tongue bite many times while running).

             [Svell Völundarhúsins]

Ice walls started to rise randomly, the thin ice reflected my distorted self and I hid behind one of the walls. Slowly, the walls started to form together as a maze and the red death light from behind was reflected without a problem into three branch. Though the ice would melt from the heat, I had already made sure that any heat would be lost upon touch on these walls, so touching bare handed would result losing a hand.

             However, the plan might have worked too well.

            The red beam reflected into another wall, which branch off into another three, which then reflected into another wall, causing a chain reaction. In the end, the red beam come running back toward me.

            Then, just before I could dodge it, the red lights suddenly disappear.

            Unknown to me, the laser beam she had reflected had caught up to where Jacob was, leading him unable to use it well without getting himself hit.

            I waited for few seconds, but there was no reaction from the other party. I had grasped where he was but he was not making any move. Exactly what was he planning, that thought was weighing my mind. Just when I thought about setting up a counter attack, a loud booming sound shook the lot. It sounded like something explode and there was a bright red light coming from the other side of the maze. The light turned from red to blue and exploding sound was heard once more.

            I felt blood was drained from me when I suddenly feel the maze was about to be broken down. The maze automatically reinforce itself, but I can’t help but getting a bad feeling. Then again, the blue light turned into white and the explosion became bigger as it had me staggered from where I’m standing and the painful reality of what I’m seeing.

            Not just the ice walls, but also the ice field I had painstakingly made were all instantly melted from every step he make even though the maze should have not absorbed any heat. His form was covered with white light that had me cover my eyes, and the heat was overwhelming the surrounding ice.  I had tried to conserve my mana but thinking this is getting dangerous, I conjured Ice and Wind Arrows at him, but to no avail, the heat blown away the spells as if it was nothing.

            This….isn’t it getting out of control?

            The guy who sneakily try to subdue me from the shadows is now, without a doubt, trying to kill me upfront. His eyes showed no mercy or interest like before. The light around him subsided, and I saw his figure covered by white fire, one thing I couldn’t understand was why he had something what a Fire Ability User could have. I could understand three but no such record said anyone possessed four abilities at the same time.
           However, that thought didn't came up to me. When I saw the fire began to melt the ice and surrounded the  two of us. My mind was in a stale, my body froze, my lips trembled without being able to utter a sound and my breathing became heavier.
            Damn it! Out of all things why fire? Without letting my my mind take control, my body was on the verge of having a seizure. I desperately thought to move and screamed in my head many times, but it was no use.
             The man put his arm out at my direction and I feel a force coiling around my neck. It was getting harder for me to breathe and I was slowly being dragged to his side.

            No way….this is…telekinesis?

            It’s not as powerful as my sister’s but no doubt this is telekinesis. What in the world is going on? Just when I couldn’t understand the situation, at the corner of my eyes, I saw two needles rolling by. A certain thought (a crazy one) came to me but there was no explanation that I could think off right now. Even so, explaining the situation and getting out of it is a two different matter.

             I tried to chant some spell but my voice couldn't let out a simple word,  this guy probably figures I needed to speak to use my powers.

             When he finally took a hold of my neck with his own hand, I felt the intense heat he had subsided, penetrating my neck. I screamed at the pain, and he laughed at my miserable sight. He gave more force to my neck with his own hand, and I could only bare the pain while being helpless. 
            "I thought about giving you to my client, but you were more dangerous than I thought so discarding you would be the safest choice." he said that with cold eyes. 
             Is this really the end for me? Getting swallowed by my own anger, I foolishly charge in with half of my mana because of Hod, and foolishly challenged him without knowing the enemy's card. Aaaah~ then and now, I'm still foolish to the end. 
             When they say there's no cure for idiocy, they were certainly right. 
              "Die, Witch!" 
             After he said that, another explosion echoed the floor followed by a scream of terror. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again, sorry for the delay. Just got back to the city so now I have graduated from a NEET and officially became a college student, (Wooohooo!). I talked a lot with my new friends and seniors, which they told me many fun and scary stories of college life (the scariest part which involve stacking  assignment, and dreadful test) causing many freshman getting a pale face.

Enough about me, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and sorry for the cliffhanger.

Actually, I'm don't feel sorry, not really....... *evil grin*

<<<PREVIOUS CHAPTER                                                                             NEXT CHAPTER>>>

Chapter 24: Esper VS Magician

Who would have thought I would resort to my trump card so soon. All though I have many Black Bombs in store (a name I made because of the black orb that came out and destroy its surrounding like a bomb, yes I’m not that creative in names), the one in my mouth was something I hid for emergencies. 

          Still, my heart ache when I had to use magic stone so soon. It's only a stone containing my mana, but making it is really tough! Do you know the countless times the stone I used to inject my own mana only to have it crumble? If I kept the crumbled stone I've gained so far, it's enough to build a sand box. 

       Also, with just writing a magic circle you could use it anytime, perfect for creating traps. 

        That's why, I'm sure he would never imagine an outburst of my Black Bombs from where he stood. However, after eight years of peace I might have gone rusty.  

         In a slight panic state, I had invoked all the bombs in his area without regard.The man who should have had no way to escape from it disappeared from sight. I look to my left and right and even behind when I noticed the odd shadow on the floor. I look up to see him hanging on to a loose lamp. To think I have forgotten his escaping ability, but with this, I'm positive he has teleportation.

          I clicked my tongue and thought what a waste of stone. I have to make sure he pays for that! He let himself fall to the ground and became a lot more cautious. Off course he would, not knowing if there was any more trap around, he couldn't carelessly approach me. 

           Ha! Do you think you have time to be cautious? 

           I had already finished chanting, since he had morphing ability, I'm sure he would use blade weapons, then I know a perfect way to sealed that. 

            From beneath my feet, icicle came slowly spreading the whole floor. The temperature decreased rapidly, white smog came out from our breaths, and the area had a dense fog last if we've been put in a refrigerator. 

        It seemed he hadn't quite catch why I used the spell. After he wiped off his stupidly surprised look, he came up to me with his dagger turning into a giant sword in one hand. This guy has ridiculous strength swinging it with one hand (well, the sword is his hand though). 

         I easily dodged it and looked up to him that began to realize, the numbness that started to spread from his arm. Because the spell I made with my own mana, the spell wouldn't have any effect with me, but I knew the room's temperature kept sinking. That's why for someone who has Morphing Ability and specialize in metal weapons, getting frostbite would be their worst nightmare.
       Well, if he switched into a non-metal weapon it would all be for naught, but that's only the first of the three things I'm aiming from this magic.
        He made a gap from his stance because of the burden his weapon was turning, I aim a kick to his gut. Maybe because he underestimate my childish body or maybe he noticed my sloppy technique, he didn't resist much when he took my kick, I only made a guess but thank God he reacted as I had expected, even I knew my kick was easy enough to dodge just by anyone. I'm sure he's regretting now after he was sent flying and spurting blood from his mouth.
         Do you think I went and fight an adult without reinforcing my body who hasn't hit puberty?
          After getting a hit, I had already finished another chant. Another barrage of Wind Arrows came at him, he teleported again before the arrow hit them. Seriously, this guy is really fast escaping, I should have known from his assassination business. He might not be good at facing off an opponent, no... it's possible he's average, but he's escaping and sneaking ability is top notch.
          That's when my spell came into action. A special technique that can be used when using a wide area of effect spell is that as long as it's in effect, you'd be able to recognize your surrounding, without using a cloaking spell, hiding from me is useless.
          I was too late to react though.
         It was luck that I had turned behind, shifting my position and had my shoulder grazed by something flying at me in high speed passing by. I only saw just a glimpse but I knew he had changed his weapon into firearms. Wait, how did he get the bullets?
            Morphing Ability could turn turn the user's body parts into any weapon, but bullets are a separate things. Even if one's body could turn into it, shooting such thing is like shooting out your nails and teeth from it.
             Well, he did carry a pouch with him, and if his Teleportation Ability could teleport tools, then he might as well could instantly refill his bullets. all though firearm made from Morphing are unique, you would feel your whole body burning from the energy spend on rapid firing is what an acquaintance told me. that's why they aren't well used. However, it might not be a bad choice in this situation.
               While I was looking at one side, I felt his presence disappeared and an intense pain as a bullet came past my arm. I shift my focus to where it came from but he had already disappeared again and felt a stinging pain grazed my temple. That was dangerous, he almost hit my eye!
                  However, this is bad. To think he would take advantage the low visibility caused by my spell, and shooting from every direction with his ability. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but damn he's annoying.
               Though if it were easy, he wouldn't be able to satisfy my anger!
                Let's see..... what spell should I used next? I might not have realize it, but a threatening smile had plastered on my face, just like a child excited with their new toy.
               First I made an air barrier around me, sadly my mana isn't enough to make a full proof barrier so this barrier is only used to slow down the bullets before it hits me. Next, I took out (reluctantly) another magic stone with different symbol on them. The next step is to make sure I spot him. Bullets kept coming suddenly at me with irregular interval which makes it hard to pinpoint him, and I don't want to do something like enduring bullet wounds to wait for him at one spot, only a muscle head would do that.
               Instead I reuse the mana on the spell to manipulate the fog, since it's also hard for him to see me, let's make use of my shadow and have him misfired. I then examined where the bullets came from to predict where he was. It paid off fast and immediately I had thrown the stone at him which turn into a light spear headed toward him.
                Before he knew what hit him, four spears had pin him to the ground. I was expecting him to teleport but he didn't, was it because the pain hinder his concentration or because I use magic? Either way, now that I had him where I want. It's time to finish him...... is what I'd like to do, but hearing him doing works for a client won't let me at ease if I don't know who he's working for.
                At first he was yelling in pain that gave my ear a ringing, then after he got used to it for only a while, his hand had taken something from the pouch.
                  It was a needle.
                  No, not a sewing needle, but those needle a doctor would use. again I was late to realize (Is my reaction time slower?) he had strength to move his free left arm and used the needle toward his neck. I was surprised what he was doing but then his eyes became bloodshot red. Because it looked creepy I moved away from his line of sight before a red beam from his eyes came at me. I followed his line of sight and saw the ice covering the floor melted along with concrete floor.
                   EEEEHHHHHHH? Laser Beam..... you've got to be kidding me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's it for chapter 24, sorry it's late, thinking up battle plot is hard :(

I would also like to add a fun fact about Shape shifting in Claudia's world. Since explaining every skill here would just hinder the plot of the arc, I want to talk about it in this corner.

First about Shape shifting is just as the name says the ability to change the shape of the face or the body's structure. Those who could only change s/he face is considered Rank 3, and being able to change their whole body structure and face is Rank 4.

Next, it's possible for Shape shifting to evolve into two different branch. One is Animal shifting where one not only could shape shift into a complete animal but also to turn or add parts of their body into an animal. Like getting bat wings to fly, or having suckers to walk on walls, or getting a kangaroo legs. Second is I'm sure you realize, is Morphing which is to change parts of their body into inorganic materials. those two are both Rank 5 ability, which is a rare and hard ability to master.

So in a few words, it's a branch to change the structure of the body to organic or inorganic shape. 

 <<<PREVIOUS CHAPTER                                                                           NEXT CHAPTER>>>

Chapter 23: The Killer Mole

Chapter 23 is out! At first I had wanted the title to be The Confrontation, but then I thought 'nah, too simple' so in the end, the title turned out like that.
Also, the language I use this time for the spell uses a mix of german and old norse language since it was hard to make a proper sentence with old norse, so if anyone tries to google translate it out of curiosity, i'm sure it would only sound gibberish.

anyway, enjoy!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My name is Jacob.

            Last name you say? No, I’m only Jacob. Since I had long forsaken my name long ago, I went by the name Jacob. To other people, I go by different aliases; [Head Slasher], [Death Wisp], [Slayer Hand], and many others around the world. Recently, I’ve been known for one nickname the FBI had came up for me.

            [The Killer Mole]

            I heard because I kept popping up in different place, making it harder for them to catch me, they branded me a mole-like name. Seriously, what’s with that lame name? Can the FBI be more creative? They could at least make something more catchy and cool; do you know what I mean?

            Anyway, it’s been roughly 15 years I worked as a killer for hire. However, my first client who I had been contract with and my benefactor as well had given me an interesting job after he held curiosity of an esper’s brain development.

            Well, even for me killing kids didn’t sit well for me at first, but one thing I’m most proud about myself would be the ability to adapt. In these 15 years, no matter what the situation, I always act accordingly even when the most unexpected thing was thrown in my way is what I always thought.

            However, anyone would be thrown off when a small child used a middle finger on you.

            I had gotten back from retrieving an interesting girl I had come by. Before, even though she was invisible I had noticed the difference in light, rather turning invisible she was more like cloaking herself and she was new to it too, she didn’t even hid the sound of her footsteps as she ran off, how adorable that was.

            Tracking her down was a piece of cake. I had a time off as I went to do work of other clients. It’s so funny when I think once they had nothing to do with children, they couldn’t pinpointed it to me. It was mostly thank to my Morphing Ability that made it easier going in and out with a different face.

            So, while checking the girl’s ability, one of the surveillance monitor had to interrupted me. Turning it to full screen, that one girl appeared.

            After I had the girl locked with the others, I teleported to the end of the hallway she was taking. Somehow, I wanted to try testing her so I planned to go up to her ask her as if she was lost and led her out. Slowly, as to not to startle her, I walked up toward where I had last seen her in the monitor. The wall and floor started expanding after I walked up to the spacious parking lot.

            I tried searching for her, but the silent lot gave no sign of anyone present. Then, a high pitch sound echoed, I felt my head was about to overcome with drowsiness.
             [Bregða, drehen und brydda. Bregða Qr]. 
            I heard foreign words that came from behind, I turned my head to find something I did not believe was an arrow-shape wind coming toward me at frightening speed. [miðgarð , greifer] there was a sudden bulge on my feet and saw the floor covered my feet. “WHAT THE FU—”

            A sudden burst gave tremor to the entire floor, creating a cloud of dust.

#

“Did I get him?”

            I can’t help but feel optimistic when I said it, but based on experience, when things were looking up and forgot to look down, you’ll end up falling instead.  Without stepping out from behind the pillar I was hiding behind. I had tried to went all out by using ancient language. Because spells depend on the power of words, it is said the older the words the stronger the spell.

            My master once told me that because magic is a gift from God, the first magic should have been taught with the first language born in this world. Master also said there’s a theory that there existed a particular language called the Language of God and learning it is the wish of all magician. However, the language is too old for it to left any record and what was left was old language that had evolved with time.

The only ancient language I’m familiar are old Norse, Latin, and Wicca.

            When the dust finally subsided, there was a trace of my Wind Arrows. Creating a crater that would fit three to four cars inside.

“Did I over did it?”

“You quite did.”

The sound behind me froze my heart; I turned at him only to have my neck faced on the blade his hand had turned in to. My back was drenched in sweat as I could only gulp my own saliva. When did he get behind me?

Without knowing much of my opponent’s ability, I never intended making a full confrontation. That’s why, after I had Hod make sure the number of my enemies, I waited to ambushed him. I even went as far to make him unconscious first with my recorder that I had enchanted, immobilized him with Earth Magic and went full out with my Wind Magic.

I saw blood dripping from his mouth, this guy—he bit his mouth to force himself awake. Then how did he get out from that situation? I know this guy has the evolved form of shape shifting, the Morphing Ability that let’s your body changed into inorganic material. As far I know though, there’s no way he could get away with just that.

Don’t tell me….he’s a dual ability user? If he is, then most likely his second ability would be teleportation. I just hope he doesn’t have a third.

After being caught off guard, the recorder in my hand drop and rolled toward the man’s feet. He didn’t kill me immediately then it seems he’s interested what I had used on him. His face was smiling but his eyes gave a cruel and angry look on me yet with a hint of interest.

“You…what did you just use on me?” he said with a demanding rather than a curious tone. Look, he’s curious, just as I plan it would be!

Well, I was mostly betting on it actually.

“Is this how you usually ask people?”

“……Yes.”

I went silent at his response, without being surprise at his answer.

#

I somehow escaped by a hairbreadth and head toward the source of the voice I heard. When I saw the glimpse of the child I saw, I had no doubt she was the perpetrator. She had a slightly curl black hair ran by her shoulder, her red distinctive cheekbone on her white skin, thin eyebrows, and clear sea green eyes. Wearing a shocking pink jacket over her shirt, along with shorts and flower patterned shoes, I'm surprised how she could get in here with such clothing. 

“Is this how you usually ask people?”

It had staggered me how she conversed nonchalantly with me. I had asked her of her ability out of habit, but that question was far from what I had thought.

            Who are you—is what I’d liked to ask.

            Whenever someone came to assassinate me, rather than whom s/he was, or what they came for, their powers were the only thing I ever took notice. However, when I look at the girl’s eye, who I suspect is barely 10 years old, looking straight at me without a hint of fear and the hidden desire to kill.

I knew she was not normal.

            Who the hell is this kid? again that thought pointlessly ran across my mind. If I hadn’t turn my hand into a dagger, they’re probably be wet from sweat by now, since this is the first time I felt fear from not knowing what I’m facing.

“I’m not sure what kind of ability you have, but I’m sure my client would be more than happy to examine you thoroughly for it.”

“I see—you have a client, quite a business you’re running here.”

“It’s a pleasantly tiring job though.”

“Pleasant is it….” her voice and eyes turn dark and then she took a step back while spitting out something from her mouth. I knew from a glance it was a round pebble, oddly enough there was a small symbol on it. It was a harmless small pebble, but my instinct I’ve build up for 15 years started screaming for me to run.

I jumped out from my previous position, and saw it turning into a black orb and destroying its surrounding. Looking at its power, for a bomb it was neither strong nor weak. It was probably enough to make anyone limp upon close contact. However, when I look at the aftermath, there weren’t any burn marks. Both the floor and the pillar near it had a part as if it had been cleanly scoop out and there weren't any rubles around. I wasn’t sure at first, but clearly that bomb didn't destroy, it just obliterate its surrounding. For the first time in my years of killing, cold sweat began trickle down my back. 

Shit, she could even make a warp hole, there’s a limit in being ridiculous! 

 <<<PREVIOUS CHAPTER                                         NEXT CHAPTER>>>