The battle in Stepanburg between the government, the Adventurers' Guild, and the Stepan Capital Academy against the gangs of the Southern Districts and mercenaries had escalated come the third day, and so did the battle for Zephyr–the battle to keep her cool as she walked with the two girls she most preferred not to walk with—Adina and Deleena.
From the small frown and knitted brows she wore, it was clear that the events of last week were still fresh in her mind, not only that, but the fact that Sévir's birthday was in 14 days, yet she hadn't picked out a gift for him. These two topics occupied each side of her brain, and went back and forth as if they rode a seesaw.
A few times, her mouth opened, yet nothing came out as she knew speaking to them was futile.
The memories of her slapping Deleena in a fit of undeterred rage was burned inside the very neurons of her brain. The slap derived from Deleena insulting not only her deceased family, but the older brother she cared for a big deal.
Fortunately, there was someone else who walked along with them—Agnes, who was of Dorevillean descent like Zephyr and Deleena. She was the same girl who was accused by the latter to be siblings with the former, and openly declared her Dorevillean heritage despite it being both chastised to an extent, and known by her classmates around her.
The head of the pack; Agnes halted, followed by the other three.
She spoke two words with a voice stern for her age; "We're here".
Before them stood a chapel, though dark, mossy and abandoned, not bright and maintained. This at the very least surprised Zephyr, who couldn't have imagined a chapel in the middle of such a chaotic region.
"Are you sure this is the destination? Just for clarification, what are we even doing here in the first place?" asked Deleena, whose usual boomed voice always made it sound like she was angry, or at the very least, quickly prone to anger.
"I'm confident this is the right location. We're here to neutralise four gangsters holding this area."
Deleena raised a brow. "Just four? That's awfully small for something considered a point of interest for our side and the enemies. Are you sure the information isn't outdated?"
"Only one way to find out." Agnes scanned the area, looking for holes they could possibly peek through. "Man your magic, I'll look for a good spot to check the inside. If you hear any shouting, make your way in."
The three agreed hesitantly, allowing Agnes to finally look around.
Perhaps in an attempt to relax the tension, Zephyr stepped forward and looked around–the chapel was essentially windowless from the front. When they peeked by the sides, there definitely were, albeit too high that they couldn't reach without the help of magic.
That option was out of the list, for it would definitely cause unwanted noise. If they were found out, they don't know just how many are inside. If they were just four, then they could definitely handle them, but if it were more.. They might get themselves in trouble.
From behind, she couldn't hear the mutters between Deleena and Adina–could it be about her? Could it be them wondering why they were grouped up with Zephyr instead of someone else? Could it be them planning to and leave Zephyr to the gangsters?.. No, the last part was a little too crazy to think of for the likes of her, and the likes of them based on her familiarity.
They turned to the double wooden door as the yell of a man faintly passed through—this was it—their cue to enter and begin their battle.
Deleena led the two, kicking the doors wide open. She tilted her head to the right in surprise as a ray of light zoomed by—Agnes' ray of light. Speaking of which, she had already taken down two of twelve gangsters. Whether or not she killed them.. Maybe later, Zephyr will find out.
A smile crept up Deleena's face as she punched her fist to her palm. "Oi, don't leave us hanging here!" Out of excitement, she swung her right arm up, growing a pillar of earth that punched through the guts of one of the bandits, who eventually got trapped by it on the ceiling.
As Adina joined in the fray by casting air spells that sent three bandits flying hard to the wall, Zephyr knelt and touched the floor, casting a spell she had gotten used to—"Bekuallpa".
A wide and speedy puddle of ice expanded on the floor, completely freezing not only that but the benches on top. As it reached a select few, she raised all but the index and middle of her right hand, therefore freezing only the legs.
She found herself surprised, the raise of her brows a quick proof. She remembered the last time casting the spell, which was much smaller.
Be as it may, she kept aside the pleasure of improving her power and counted the frozen bandits in a second; six. That was great, it only meant two bandits remained.
As Deleena knocked out the frozen bandits with the brute force of her small spells, Adina floated the last of them into the air. Zephyr followed swiftly, bringing forth chains of water that forcefully pulled the bandits to the floor as she exclaimed, "Mens Aquae"—the spell able to shapeshift water to anything she desired.
In the blink of an eye, all bandits had been neutralised, some conscious, some not. They all sighed in relief, their next goal to snatch away any of the bandits' valuables to prove they completed the mission.
.
After minutes of searching through their pouches and pockets, they could only find things they considered miniature; silver jewellery that at any glance looked in poor condition, and Argentus.
"What a shame, these pests don't even have anything grand for the jobs they take." Deleena sneered, carrying the light pouches of coins. Adina and Zephyr splitted the task of carrying the jewellery as light as said pouches, while Agnes carried nothing.
With a nod of affirmation, Agnes turned to the widely opened door. "Let's return to the academy."
Zephyr was in line, so were the other two.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say just how much Zephyr hated the tense awkwardness between her and her two friends, or should I say, ex-friends, behind their backs, she negatively mulled over the fact that they'd be grouped up for the remainder of the exam. She could only wish for it to end swiftly.
Will her wish be realised?