Okay, you know how when you’re a kid and you just wanna eat some cookies but you can’t reach them cause they are at the top of the fridge? And then out of a sudden your mom gives you the jar, just to find out that the jar is actually empty? Well, some things are too good to be true, as was this instant. She didn’t have any particular reaction when I mentioned Tibius’ name, maybe that was his actual name and he didn’t have the need to hide it; which would explain the girl’s indifference. But then again, she totally accepted the fact and just tried to help me. We didn’t even know each other. But to be fair, I was already in a giant mess and considering Kotlin was unconscious, I didn’t know what to do. There was a small percentage that she was an ally and not an enemy, so why not take the chance?

These random girl’s steps weren’t neither quick nor slow, she was somehow making sure that we were catching up with her. Everything was out of a sudden. A moment ago we were fighting some guards, and now I’m just casually following someone to who knows where. On top of that, some inexplicable things happened and I’m still too bewildered to even recall them. I seem to be getting struck by this damn light everytime I’m in serious danger and this time around I got a brief taste of my powers. I was actually pretty excited of the idea to stop time. Just imagine all the things I could do, starting from getting some important information from our enemies or checking if an area is not surveyed.

But I still had to test my limits. I had to actually learn how to use this ability and whatnot. Which was a pain in the arse.

Apparently we had reached a campus. There were two to three tents distributed around a field and no sign of the living so far. Then the girl finally stopped and turned my way.

“I’m Shaiyla.” said the girl. “I’m Tibius’ apprentice and I’ve been instructed to welcome guests. Needless to say, we don’t get many of them; but when we do, we are happy to salute them.”

She was staying right beside a tent. It seemed to be the larger one. Her introduction however looked pretty genuine and If anything would go wrong I still had the “Lirius sent me here” card to play. So I was pretty chill for the time being.

“Nice to make your acquaintance Shaiyla, I’m Evelyn. I would love to tell you more, but as you can see my companion is badly hurt. And it would be great if he could cured. Do you have anything that could help him?”

“I think we do. Please, leave him on the bed you’ll find inside this tent and then let’s go together to get him some herbs”

“Sounds like a plan. Thanks!”

Eve didn’t think twice about it and entered the tent and left Kotlin on the single bed on the room. The tent itself was empty. It only had the bed, if you can call it that, in which Kotlin was resting and nothing else. But there was no time to stress about it. Eve did her part of the task and was ready to go get something to heal Kotlin with Shaiyla. But she was attacked from behind.

It was Shaiyla. She had a spear on her hand with which she had struck Eve. Evelyn knew she had yet again been too careless. But it was too late for that. She quickly got up and took out her dagger. After her recent upgrade, she felt like she could at least try to take her on a fight. She rapidly starting running away from Shaiyla and she yet again felt her agility had definitely risen. It wasn’t her attempt to run, she was just trying to get some ground so she could counterattack, but Shaiyla didn’t know that and she immediately was on her back and hit her again. Stronger this time.

Eve fell down. She felt like her efforts were futile. But it wasn’t time to give up yet. She got up again and hit Shaiyla’s spear. Shaiyla however masterfully intercepted it and cleanly tackled her back then scratched her leg. Eve screamed this time. She screamed with everything she had held till now. It might’ve looked bad for her. Tragedies happening one after the other, but it felt damn good. After that she was brand new and ready to riposte her adversary.

Shaiyla didn’t expect her sudden arisen and was caught off guard. Eve had the dagger on her hand, more confident than ever and hit Shaiyla. Nevertheless, Shaiyla did something and Eve was immobilized before she could strike her. Eve was filled with power and rage, but unable to move. For the first time, she caught a glimpse from Shaiyla’s expression. Surprise.

“Enough!” a voice faded in. “I see what Lirius meant now.”

“Yes master.” replied Shaiyla.

Eve wasn’t paralyzed anymore and she was standing in front of what seemed to be Tibius.