The Children Of Thalia

The Children Of Thalia
Siege - 1



This is.honestly beyond belief. The girl leaned over with her hands on her chest. An attitude that makes me feel bad. I took two steps back, feeling limp in my legs after my negotiations finally succeeded. But I convinced myself again. If I fall now, then I will lose. I rested on the back of my right leg, standing stiffly while correcting my attitude and gathering more calmness.


"If that's for you, then it's enough. I don't want to spend time on bullshit myself, and I'm sure you don't either. If what you want is to work alone, then go ahead." I swung my arm at Will in the back while glancing a little. "Will, lower your arrow. We're done here."


Will's watchful eyes are still not out. Slightly lit under this dimly lit lighting, metaphorically and literally. I patted her shoulder slowly. "Will, we're done here."


The young man took five seconds before responding. He lowered his bow, disappearing back into a soft flowing wind. He closed his eyes. When it opened again, the flame in his eyes went out.


"Well, if that's the best." Grumpy Will, sounds unsatisfied. "No need to remind us to keep our distance. What did you say? You arranged for Haris Dassler to be chased by a bear? From there it's clear that you're a dangerous man."


"WILL!!"


I snap. From the entire exam, only this time did I raise my voice. Will glared at me, full of anger. I understand, but it's not the time to get carried away by emotions. My business is to finish the exam, nothing more.


"We're done here. Whether he's dangerous or not is another matter. This exam won't let dangerous people off the hook." I turned around, facing the girl once more. "Somehow you're going, but if you agree to keep your distance, then we'll stay away. Just like that and done, okay?"


Without a grin, a smile, or even the slightest slant in her mouth, the girl nodded slowly. "Agreed."


"Good." I patted both hands, trying to break this tense atmosphere even though my legs still felt a little limp. In order not to be too visible that I was also nervous, I walked over to the bartender's desk, past those who were still struggling in the back. "Now let's get back to our goal. How much is water here? Oh, shit, where's the bartender?"


I wasn't good at keeping up the conversation, eating it when I found that the two people were still staring at each other as I tried to distract them, I felt defeated right then and there. Mouth closed, body turned. Maybe it's better to give them time.


"I'll take a few bottles of water, yeah. No need to worry, the label for liquor here is still visible, I won't take it wrong."


However, while I was sorting the bottles, Will suddenly came to me. He took the bottles down from a shiny wooden shelf, looking for ordinary mineral water that might have been stored.


"You're right, there's no point in prolonging the problem."


Unknowingly, I grinned. "Haha, you finally understand."


"But, more precisely."


"That's good."


We drop the whole bottle in the closet until the shelves are empty scattering the distinctive fragrant wood. No mineral water was visible. I went to check the shelves next door, but still nothing. All of those bottles have labels, which I'm sure is liquor even if it's colorless.


"Everything's plain water, nothing to worry about."  The girl said, making us look at her for a moment. He approached us. His hands stretched out snatching the bottle I was holding. He pulled the cork out of the bottle cap like he was pulling the pen cap, and then spilled a little liquid on the floor. The bluish electricity in his legs was back on the mark, but not as large as usual.


"WHAT ARE YOU-"


"Relax, Will." I said firmly as I spread my hands before the young man behind.


"Listen to your friend, calm down a little. I'm not gonna do anything." Continue the girl. "See this."


He lifted his knees in a frown, then stomped firmly on the wooden floor until a bang sounded. Two booms, to be exact. The first was when his foot hit the floor, the second from the electricity that exploded as his foot hit the floor. The electricity jumped into a small lightning bolt, propagating, grabbing the liquid next to it. Obviously electricity was jumping up and down on the liquid, but there was no flame even though we were under dim lighting.


"seen? There's no fire. It's plain water. Helder couldn't have given real booze in her exam." explained the girl with satisfaction. It's hard to admit, especially after we've just had a ceasefire, but he's really helping.


"Can alcohol be powered by electricity?" Ask Will. Good question, I don't know either.


"Can." The girl replied firmly.


"How did you know?" Will continued to ask.


"Ins." And the girl immediately replied again full of confidence. "I tried to drink it. No smell of alcohol, no intoxicants, no strange tastes. It's just water."


"Good determination." I said, commenting while holding back a laugh. "Smart and crazy are different."


"Maybe I'd rather be called crazy."


He even had the same words. My distress stifled laughter as I sorted back these bottles. However, when I glanced at Will for a moment, he already grinned first, giggling while covering his face slightly behind the collar of the sports jacket he was wearing.


"Well, anyway, it really helps. We may come across this fact sooner or later, but if we can sooner, why not? Thank you." Thank you."


Oh, he without a doubt thanked me!


I knew from the beginning that Will was an extrovert, but I didn't expect to surf this. It was only three minutes ago that they had a passionate look at the fight, and now Will could laugh casually in front of him. I glanced at the girl a little. He was more surprised than me. He obviously didn't expect it, just like me. But she chose to smile back, forgetting what had happened. I appreciate. I was glad to see that tension disappear.


"How are you gonna take that?" Ask the girl in front.


"Tenteng, of course." Answer Will lightly. "What else?"


The girl stretched out her index finger, pointing at the drawer on the right of the table.


"There's some kind of gift bag over there. At least wear that. There's no way you're riding around holding a water bottle."


"Thank you." My word. The girl smiled even more.


A smile that, inexplicably accompanied by an empty look.


"Just take an apology."


The girl stood up, patted her slightly dusty knees, then stretched her waist for a bit. He took a deep breath, then slowly let out.


"If it's a vehicle, there's a motorcycle near the village hall. You finish the village chief's small request, and he'll give you the bike. Wear it to shorten the time."


"Can you?" ask Will to interrupt. The girl replied while shaking her waist. Of course, now with hospitality on his face.


"If you look again at the rules in the playbook, you will understand that there is no rule that prohibits participants from driving a vehicle, as long as the vehicle is not the result of illegal acts. If you fulfill the village chief's request, the system will allow you to ride a motorcycle all of a sudden. It was just like you guys who were suddenly experts at riding horses. Helder may also have thought about how difficult it would be to travel in a big city like this without a vehicle."


That makes sense. Why not think about it from the beginning?


"That's very helpful. Thank you." Thank you." Again, Will with his active energy thanked him without a doubt.


The girl smiled, then turned to the door. "I'm going first. Good luck."


"You too." Will Sahut.


"Thank you, same." Sahutku, thanking him and saying his last greetings. He then walked away.


Back we focused on the bottles on the table. The size of this gift bag is not too big, but the length of the rope can be changed so that it can become a sling bag. One by one I sorted out these bottles, seeing which ones could fit into the bag. I don't know how long I'm gonna walk, so it's better to have as many drinks as I can.


"He's not too bad, eh?" will whispered, making me smile thinly.


"So soon your view of him has changed."


"Come on." Will shook his head, I felt a form of admiration. "There's no way a bad person can help without hesitation."


"You have a point. Although... well, it makes me even more confused."


"What about?"


"He's after the illusionist, right? Why would it be necessary to spend time chasing someone in the middle of an exam with a time limit like this? Moreover, you yourself said he's not as bad as I thought."


My words made him pause for a moment. His hands stopped moving, his eyes stopped rolling. He slowly looked up, looking at me straight with a bulging round word.


We're on the same boat, right?


"Don't say......"


"I don't want to guess."


However, the sound of the impact and the bang made our attention instantly distracted. I stood up, along with the fellow next door. The dark blue haired girl fell down while holding her head, right beside the wide doorway that was somewhat charred after being hit by her own lightning strike.


"Miss DiMichelle?" call me flat.


"Hey, are you okay?" Ask Will. Stepping him out of the bartender's desk, wanting to approach the girl in front. However, the girl's hand immediately stretched out with her hands wide open. His gaze, the expression he made back then, I can't forget it.


"DON'T MOVE!!!!!!"


Just a second, or just a blink after, my eyes found what made me catch my breath. The scenery outside, the arranged rows of wooden buildings, the people passing by as usual, were all suddenly faint as the bright light made my shadow further extend backwards. The light was approaching, getting more and more dazzling until my eyes felt as if they were burning.


The girl lit a lightning bolt at her feet.


Will jumps, trying to help with the arrow drawn without a second thought.


I, the person with the ability to reflect, just stood in place, feeling that whatever I did would be of no use. The light was hot, it felt stinging as it got closer. Even if I could reflect the attack, this place would burn next, and we would end up caught in a huge fire. That thought made my body speechless, unable to move. My eyes glanced at the side window, someone there with a finger forming a gun pointed forward. That sneer seemed more cruel than a hyena, more cunning than a fox.


I know who he is. Simply by realizing she was anyone I could get a little picture of what was going on here, of why the girl could hit the wall next to the open door, then fall down unusually.


Harris Dassler. I should have known from the beginning. I should have followed what Sean and Ansel had said. Don't deal with DiMichelle in the slightest, even if it's just a small interaction. Now I get it. Not DiMichelle's the problem carrier, but I'll get involved in their problems.


Heat. My face is dry, my eyes are sore, my skin is sore. I was speechless, looking at the two people in front who were still trying hard to hold on. For a moment, time slowed down. The light is getting closer. Door burn, wall burn. The girl tried to get up, but the light attack was faster. Will tried to grab the girl's hand, but the attack in front was faster.


Unknowingly, I jumped past the bartender's desk, running in front of them with complete confidence that I was fast enough. I don't know, I wasn't fully aware of that time. I only remember one thing: I spread my arms straight ahead.


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