My nose twitched.

Something… burning?

What is that smell? I don't like it.

“Get her up already!”

Erza? Get who up?

“Alice! Please get up!”

Marie? Oh, they are talking about me.

My eyes shot open, seeing the smokey air along with Marie shaking my shoulders. Through blurred vision, I could see Erza in the corner putting out flames with a water spell.

“Alice, Alice you hear me right? We need to get out of here.” Marie coughed into her elbow, holding my hand to bring me up.

“W-what happened here?” I managed to stammer out.

Marie stared at me with a look that can almost be described as frightened. Erza backed up towards us, standing behind Marie.

“Someone came in and shot a fireball spell towards the cupboards. My mana has been expended and I cannot put out these flames alone. Same goes for Marie.” Erza shouted out through the crackles. “Can you cast a water spell?!”

Marie turned to Erza in shock at her words. They stared at each other for a moment before Marie nodded her head and turned back to me.

They are hiding something. But why?

“I still can’t control my magic! What if something happens?”

“You’ll be fine.” Erza said, turning towards me. “I believe in you.”

I swallowed my saliva and nodded, running for the stairs. A flaming wooden beam laid in the middle of the steps. A stream of water shot towards it, putting out the flames. I turned around to see Marie with a comforting smile.

I leaped over the steps and saw that the door was already opened. I could see the floor darkening. One wrong move and I would be falling through and covered in a pile of wood. Seeing the box on my desk, I grabbed it and ran down stairs.

Maries and Erza were back to back shooting off little streams of water to no avail. Their magic has really worn out. I opened the lid and hesitantly hovered my hand over the wand.

What if more flames shoot out? So far I have only seen water and fire, what if another spell shoots out?

“Alice.” Marie’s voice said.

I looked up to see her gesturing for me to go for it.

Water…. Water… only water…

I grasped onto the wand and aimed it forward.

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“Duck!”

The two of them dove towards the ground as a river of water poured out from the tip of my wand. It wasn’t as strong or immense as the one at the forest, but it was sure enough to put out the flames. The large flames on the wall sizzled out as I slowly moved my arm to water across the whole room.

I could feel my head getting lighter like before I passed out. No, I must keep going.

Just then, the air distorted in front of me and out appeared Vintra. She stared at me with her cold eyes then aimed her arm backwards. With a swift movement, the flames went out like a candle. All that was left was my water flooding the tavern.

I dropped my wand to which Marie caught it below, and stared at Vintra.

“Vintra....” I whispered.

If she knew how glad I am to see her, I wonder if her expression would change.

“Sigh, you certainly cause a mess wherever you go, Alice Nightfall.”

“What brings you here? Can you sense when I’m in danger?” I asked, helping Marie get up from the floor.

She reached down to pick up her round glasses and I could see how bent and cracked they were. Must’ve been during this whole mess. I keep making her life difficult it seems…

Vintra placed a finger on one of the lenses, repairing the broken glass and bent frame.

“I came to bring you out for another training session. Stumbling upon you in this situation is merely coincidence.” Vintra states straight.

If I’m being honest, I may have felt a little disappointed.

Vintra raised her palm up to me. She stared at me until I realized she wanted me to do the same.

A bright light flashed and a lengthy leather sword sheath laid on her palm. She clutched onto it then dropped it into my hand.

“What’s this?” I asked, examining the smooth leather.

My eyes lit up when I noticed the black-golden hilt like the one I saw in the store.

“I think a wand may not be the most practical for you. Thus, we can train you in something familiar. The art of the blade.”

I grabbed onto the sheath and pulled out the blade from the hilt. The thin sword’s glint winking at me as I held it in the air.

I’m smiling aren’t I? I probably look really stupid in the others eyes.

Vintra turned around and brought her palms out. On her fingertips, mini rune circles appeared. She rotated her hand and the runes began to move, soon they were moving in a circle on their own.

We watched as the destroyed tavern hall fixed itself back up. The fallen wooden beams repaired themselves and flew back into the ceiling and into the walls. It was like time itself was reversing…

Impossible right?

“Now then, shall we go?” Vintra asked after the whole place was back to how it used to be.

I looked past her shoulder to see Marie talking to Erza. Erza was clenching her fist as she stared towards us. Is she… upset?

“I-I have plans already. Also, I have not even had a chance to rest since yesterday and passing out. Shall we go again later?”

After I said that, Vintra nodded her head and without a word, distorted back out of place.

Sigh, I’m really tired. I could feel my legs shaking under me. But, I’m still curious about that scornful look of Erza… should I ask?

“Alice.” Marie said. “Let us have practice in the afternoon shall we? And after that, you can go with V-“

“How do you know her?” Erza interrupted, seriousness taking over her voice.

I was taken aback by such a serious tone from her.

Did something happen between the two?

“She’s my teacher.” I stated, regaining my thoughts.

“Tsk.”

Erza moved Marie’s hand away and walked back behind the counter. She didn’t even look up as she closed the door to the back room she entered.

I began to open my mouth but Marie raised her hand.

“We’ve had a long day. Please just give her time. She’ll come around eventually. Now then, let’s head to bed.” She said with a tired voice.

I hesitantly nodded my head and walked arm to arm with Marie upstairs.

What a shit day.