Blasts of flames explode and lit up like flashes, dominating the dim light that was already illuminating the spacious, seemingly unending room that was on the 30th floor of the dungeon. The flames of Zero's [Fireball] and [FireBullets] rode like rockets on the air - blazing then eroding into nothingness, together with the monsters that receive them.
These two attack spells are Zero's main magic. Taking only a little amount of mana, easy to cast, and has a very fast casting rate - they're very much useful than any kind of weapon he will take hold. But other than these, he also has his [DragonClaws] which is not attack-based, but a magic-based spell, which grows stronger depending on how high his total magic is.
He prefers to fight with his [DragonClaws], but usually, he will only fight with a weapon to hide the fact of his race. And he never really uses magic that much, only this time that he was teamed up with Will, who fights on the front with her sharp rapier. With him together with her, he needed to adjust, so he started to use range spells more often than using his sword - to act as the range-mage, or to support Will.
[ Thanks, Zero. ] with the fight over, Will came to him and gave her thanks - keeping those monsters on her sides that she was not able to immediately kill and might attack her.
[ We really work great together, huh? We're very much compatible! ] as soon as she stores her rapier on her waist, she smiles at Zero and gave her thoughts.
[ Hai, hai... ] although he has mixed feelings about it, it was undeniable that they work together well, as Will also adjusts herself to his style so that they will be able to compete while not being a hindrance, but of help to each other.
[ Right? But... I never really thought you would also be that good of as a mage... You've been using spells since earlier but you're still conscious... You must've some enormous amount of mana... ]
Definitely, her experienced eyes did not deceive her - just as she guessed, one of Zero's stats that has the highest amount is his mana pool. With his current amount of mana, he would not need to worry using any kind of spells there is in his selections. That was why there was seems to be no limit to the spells he had cast earlier.
[ Right... But, still conscious...? ] he repeated with a whisper.
( Does that mean I'll be knocked unconscious when I ran out of mana...? ) he never really ran out of mana before so it's a fact that he still doesn't know about. But just as he started to have this thought, Will open her mouth again and spoke...
[ Hey, Zero, you really won't consider working for me? ]
Suddenly, as if she had found the right timing, she asked the same question she has been asking him endlessly for the entire week. She tried it many times already, but Zero's resolve was really just too strong for her to get through. And as always, he was still persistent.
[ You're still not over with that? ]
[ Un. ] to his carefree tone, Will nodded with seriousness - looking at him straight with her bluish, crystal-like eyes.
[ Haah... Like I said before, I will never work as a knight... There are just too many limitations to what they will be able to do... ] scratching the back of his head, he replied, trying to stray away from the topic and not hurt her feelings. But...
[ Then, how about as a mercenary? I'll hire you to work for me personally. ] she replies without much of a gap from her previous statement, indicating that she must've already planned this far ahead.
( Seriously...? ) he was baffled to the fact that it seems she really won't give up to have him work for her.
[ Well... If it's only temporary, I guess you can have me work with you... ]
Thinking about it, the two of them are now really close to each other, without him even realizing it. In fact, he's already opening himself to her as she also does, that's why as he realizes this, he felt bad for always turning her down despite her already practically begging him.
[ It's also not too bad to do a friend a favor, right? ] he answers, and as he does, he took a glimpse to see Will's reaction - and as he expected, she was 'too' happy. With her mouth smiling and her eyes sparkling in excitement.
[ Hehe... a friend, huh? ] she laughs - and realizing the look on her face, she tries to recompose herself.
[ H-Hmph...! It's not that I'm happy, okay? I'm just really glad that I'll have someone equal with myself to work with me. ]
[ Haah... as long as you're happy with it. ] he only sighs as he replies.
[ I said I'm not happy! ]
~~~
Alice finishes what she was doing and came towards Zero and Will, who seems to be busy talking with each other. But as they took a glance at her, she decided to continue forward, having Zear who had helped her on top of her huge bag.
[ We-We're finished, Zero-sama, Will-sama! ] she tries her best to selfishly get their attention.
[ Good work, Alice. ] Will gave her acknowledgment casually, but it was Zero who had thanked her, which has made her smile ear to ear.
[ Thank you, Alice. But... are you sure you will carry all of those...? ] staring at the large bag behind her back, he was concerned. If he can, he will help her, but most of the items that were on her bag are mana stones, which cannot be stored with his [VoidSpace].
[ We can help you carry them ourselves if you can't anymore... ] he offers her to have him carry it physically, but... to Alice, this was all she can do for them and she will not let him take it away.
[ I-It's okay, Zero-sama! I've actually never carried this many before, but it really makes me happy to be able to help you! ] she shouts with a blush, trying to say her true feelings.
[ I-Is that so...? ] Zero stutters to her adamant eagerness. But she really seems happy about the fact that she's helping them this way, so he did not make any more complaints.
[ Un, thanks again, Alice-chan. ] for the second time, he gave his genuine thanks. And Alice couldn't be any happier to the new sensation she's feeling, thinking it was already the highest point of happiness.
*Tap...
But soon, she realizes that - that was not the case at all.
Feeling a light, gentle touch on top of her head, she looks straight and see that Zero is already kneeling down with a smile, stroking the top of her head.
She took time to process what was happening, but before she could make a reaction, Zero already stood up and started to again speak, turning to Will as he did so.
[ Let's stop here for now. Will, we already took enough time here... We did not prepare at all, so we need to go back now. ]
[ Eh...? ]
A surprised look appeared on Will's face as she hears him. And as for Alice, that was the case too. Even though Zero had already told her about it earlier, it was still a shock to her to hear him say it.
For the very first time, she didn't hate the idea to continue any further, in fact, she wants to go together with them more. But it seems that they will not be able to do so any much, they are now planning to go back, and as an ordinary supporter, she won't be able to do anything about their decision.
She looks at the two of them, not hearing anything they're talking about, or rather, she was not trying to comprehend it. These two people she met today - it hasn't even been half of a day since they have met, yet she already considers them as important people, people that she cares about.
Maybe because they have saved her, maybe they were kind to her, but nevertheless, she wants to spend more time together with them. The thought that they're soon about to leave saddens her very much, that not even she realizes.
But, what does she can do? It's not like she's someone important to them, maybe even - they think of her of nothing much but thrash like those who came before them.
[ Then, Alice. ] and soon, as her name was called, she went back to reality and turns to the person who called her - Will.
[ Take us back. ]
[ We'll rely on you again, Alice. ]
They both said after another, and to her still dazed state, she reacted.
[ U-Un! I'll do my best! ]
~~~
[ Umm... by the way... Zero... ] turning shy gilmpses at Zero, Will spoke.
[ Can you do what you did to Alice to me as well...? ]
[ What in particular...? ]
[ You're really making me say it...!? We-Well... pat... Please pat my head...! ] she forced the words to come out, and as it did, it turns out rigid.
[ Ah... Is that so...? ]
But nevertheless, Zero delivers to her request.
Only...
What she received was a light but forceful smack of his fist on her head...
[ You're not a kid anymore. ]
[ E-eh!? ]