August 26, 491 U.C.

The stars are so beautiful. They sparkle and shine. I blinked them away, looking up at the off-white ceiling. Then I massaged my head. I hate training. With that thought, I propped myself up.

“Again,” Dad said firmly, shifting back and forth.

I hopped up, ignoring any aches. Grabbing the practice sword, I took a defensive stance. Dad charged, his blade shooting forward.

Dodging, I zipped to the side.

“No magic!” Dad barked.

“I’m not.” I swung, striking his body armor. Vaulting backward, I dodged his counter-strike.

Dad came in hard and fast, swinging rapidly. I replied in kind, knocking aside several attacks before his reach won out. His wooden blade slammed into me; I went skidding across the wood. The taste of blood hit my mouth.

“Can we be done?” I asked, sitting up.

“Training again tomorrow. And do not go out there again, Casey.”

I looked at the floor, tracing the grain of the wood beneath my finger. A drop of my blood spattered in front of me. I reached up and touched my split lip. Training with Dad has never been delicate.

Dad put the swords away. “Get cleaned up and go fishing.”

I stood and headed to the bathroom. Grabbing some toilet paper, I walked back and blotted up my blood. Then I headed back to the bathroom and dabbed medgel on my lips.

After a final inspection, I grabbed my fishing gear, put my ocular computer contacts in, and headed for the door. Walking outside, I headed for the canal, enjoying the ambiance. A light breeze rolled through the air. The forest smelled great. And the siren above blared. With a sigh, I put on my mask.

“Casey!” Fred yelled, racing up to me.

I grinned at him. “How are you?”

“Fine. Fishing?”

I nodded and walked. “How’s the game?”

“Great. You should join us.” Fred stretched. “Are you coming to school this year?”

“Nope. Homeschooling for me. How is it?”

“Boring.” Fred chuckled. Then he stopped and stared at the massive display on the side of the Guardian Command building.

I looked up at it and forced myself not to chuck something at the massive display. My face looked down at me. Looking away, I started walking again.

Fred studied the billboard. “Wild, right?”

I kept walking. “Ten thousand credits just for reporting her? Seems like a lot.”

Fred pulled away, salivating at the thought. “That would be amazing! I could get the best computer ever!” He jogged up.

“Or you could pay for a semester of college.”

Fred groaned. “How old are you?”

I chuckled. “What? Dad says it costs a lot. I need to save up.”

“I’d report her to try to get magic first. That’d be amazing. Why do you think she’s hiding? That’s what I don’t get.”

I shrugged. “That’s a really good question. How is the stream?”

“Fine. The Vuln clips have been getting some hits. So, I’m including them. I’m going to film from the wall today.”

“If we don’t get rained on,” I said while glancing up at the dark clouds. Then I picked up my pace, jogging down the concrete lane.

Fred groaned. “Ugh. I don’t want to get rained on.”

I darted around the large complex in the middle of town. “We can hole up here if we have to.”

“True. You should join the stream tonight. You’re famous!” Fred held out his phone, showing the picture of Jacqueline and me.

I groaned and looked away. “I look horrible! I can’t believe she posted that.”

We walked around the mall and headed towards the river. A flock of jeese flew over; they looked like geese with mallard colors. Yes, the name is ludicrous. Biologists have the worst rules, but that rant can wait for another day.

As I was saying, the jeese flew overhead. The large birds began spiraling. Swooping down, the large birds landed in the canal. Then they started fishing, diving into the water. One emerged with a fish impaled on its sharp beak. It swam to the shore, dumped the fish, and then gobbled it down.

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Fred happily filmed it. Already miffed about having a wanted poster, I raced to defend my fishing hole from the overgrown predator geese. If they wanted a turf war, they could have it!

“You’re out of your mind. They’ll eat you,” Fred replied and backed up.

I didn’t answer, since I was busy sprinting. With my feet churning, I dodged to avoid hitting Officer Kilpatrick.

“Not so fast!” Office Kilpatrick bellowed.

“There’s no speed limit on running!” I yelled back and raced down the streets.

Racing up to the canal, I began searching for things to throw while wishing I had my bow. Finding some rocks, I ensured my knives were ready. Then I chucked a rock, launching it straight for a bird’s head. The rock connected. Feathers burst into the air.

The dazed bird shook its head while the others turned. I hurled the next stone, blowing out more feathers. “Get out of here!” I yelled.

The uncooperative birds refused my request. Instead, they raced towards me, honking out a song of loathing. I turned and ran away, racing past my escort. “Kill them, officer!”

“Fool girl!” Kilpatrick bellowed. Sirens filled the air as he spun and joined me in our well-planned, orderly retreat.

Turning a corner, Job’s training kicked in. I spun and used some fishing line, tying it to a light post. Then I held the other side and crouched down behind a building.

“The hell?” Kilpatrick asked while whizzing by. The honking grew louder. My string went tight. The first bird half-squawked and half-choked as its neck caught on the rope. The mass of the others made it worse.

“Shoot them!” I yelled while clotheslining the birds.

“Fuck!” Kilpatrick grabbed his gun and started unloading. The noise did far more than the bullets. His gun thundered. Bullets bounced around wildly, wounding several of them.

The killer geese decided that fish were a better option than the thing spewing fire and metal. They took to the sky, flying up and over buildings. Then the sound of rapid-fire bullets filled the air. Feathers flew as the first drone zipped into range with its guns blazing.

The rapid fire of the guns filled the air. Feathers drifted down in a small storm. Then it faded as the birds left the city.

I grabbed the string and skipped off towards the canal.

“You’re mad,” Kilpatrick said as he blinked. Then he followed me.

I grinned at him. “You might get a medal! Don’t you need to report it?”

“Camera already did.”

“Well, you saved me. So, good work.” Patrolling the banks, I searched for any fish that weren’t scared off by the invaders. Pausing, I peered into one of the deeper holes.

A voice rang out. “Fishing? Interesting.”

I jolted, nearly falling into the water. With a long breath, I turned to see the culprit. That was when I met Fanged Fury. He looked like the perfect candidate for a teen vampire movie.

My initial surprise was replaced with fear and embarrassment. I stomped that down and engaged my inner fan girl.

Opening my mouth, I unleashed a high-powered squeal. The water in the canal rippled. The sky above grew darker, and Fury covered his ears. I could practically hear Dad cursing as I scared fish, birds, and humans. Then I took several long breaths to recover.

“Shit,” Fury murmured, removing his hands from his ears.

I clutched my hands together and batted my eyelashes. “Can I help you with anything, Fanged Fury?”

“Seen any signs of Platinum? We need to find her.”

Ela appeared with a gleeful expression. “Casey, tell him everything right now! Do it…”

Ignoring the word vomit from my familiar, I shook my head. “No, sorry. I can’t believe I’ve met two guardians. Oh, could I get a picture with all three of you? That would be amazing!”

“I don’t think that’s possible.” Fury examined me with a frown. Then a dog appeared next to him. “Is she registered?”

“Yes,” the dog replied.

I stared at the dog. “Is that your familiar?” Woh.

Ela flew up into my eyes. “Tell him the truth, Casey!” she yelled at me.

“A dog? I could have you be a dog.”

“No. You are being mean. Talk to him! Do it! Do it!…”

Fang sniffed at me repeatedly. “What’s that smell?”

I kept blushing. “It’s blood. I was in a butcher shop.”

That made Fury blush. He doesn’t like the Vampire myths surrounding him. “Oh. Carry on then. If you see that criminal, inform command. She’s wanted for questioning.”

“Yes, sir!” I gave him a jaunty salute.

“No! Tell him the truth!” Ela pouted, giving me big eyes with a lip protruding.

Ignoring her, I turned back to the water. Then I spun as I felt a breath on my neck. Clutching my chest, I tried to calm my thundering heart.

“Sorry. Can I try it? I was curious?” Fury asked, peering into the water next to me.

“As long as he says it’s okay.” I pointed to the officer.

“It’s fine,” Kilpatrick said with watering eyes.

That was when I realized. “Oh, shirt! Are you okay? Eating food can help.”

“Old wives’ tale,” Kilpatrick murmured. “Been through worse,” he said with a groan.

That was true. I handed the spear to Fury. “Put it in the water and…”

Fury lashed out at absurd speed, staking a fish that swam by. Then he pulled it up just as quickly. “Speed boost,” he said with a wink.

“Like Platinum?” I asked with wide eyes.

“Not quite. Mine is a secondary power. I believe hers is primary. Let me know if you see her.” Fury handed my spear back. Then he turned and walked away.

I turned back towards the water. I won’t bore you with the hours spent, but I got five fish over the next hour. Then I went to bother Job. It was worth it; Stacey gave me another cookie.

Current Level 3 Current XP 80.62% Current Max Mana 49.8 Regen per minute 0.28 Growth Time (Days) 7.88 Potential Mana 9.12 Reputation 900

Tier Skill Cost Tier 3 User Time Dilation (Haste)

- User experiences 8 seconds for 1 earth second.

- Force transference limited to 50% 0.5 mana per earth second. Tier 1 Pocket Dimension

- 4 cubic meter pocket space 8 mana Tier 1 Enchanting Varies Tier 1 Potions Varies Tier 1 Free casting

- Cast any spell you can replicate. Variable cost. Penalty of 8x mana. Tier 1 Familiar Manifestation 20 mana to cast. 1 mana for each additional minute.

Tier 1

Attire Swap

- Locked to a single outfit. Current outfit set to Magical Girl Uniform. 20 mana.