That feeling came like a sting in Erend's chest. It was as if something had exploded in his chest as if to stop his heartbeat.
Previously, the hunch was not felt this big. But this time it was very different. It's stronger than before.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Billy asked with worried and droopy eyes at Erend.
Even though he was drunk, Billy still noticed the trouble on Erend's face.
Alice also immediately noticed because she saw Erend stop suddenly.
"Oh," Erend said. "Nothing."
He downed his ale.
"Give me one more bottle," Erend said.
Alice immediately went to get another bottle of ale for Erend. She put the ale in front of him.
Billy and Alice stared at Erend in silence.
A moment later, unable to contain her curiosity, Alice asked. "What actually happened to you earlier? You look... Shocked by something."
"I'm fine. Don't worry," Erend said with a faint smile. He opened his ale bottle and drank it.
Billy immediately knew what might have caused Erend to be shocked out like that.
He had seen Erend many times as if he had been stung by something, or seen something appear before his eyes suddenly.
Something that Billy can't see or feel, often bothers Erend and surprises him. Like right now.
Billy thought that it must have something to do with his power.
"Ah, don't be so surprised, Alice. He has been like that for a long time. War must have messed something up in his head," Billy said. Accompanied by a grin that seemed to mock Erend.
"Oh." Alice seemed to regret her question. Because it turns out that she had asked something that might open up a trauma for Erend.
"Sorry," Alice said, apologetically.
"No need. I'm fine now," Erend said with a smile to make Alice feel better and no longer feel guilty.
"Do you have to go now?" Billy asked while looking at Erend with a meaningful look.
Only he and Erend understood what 'go' meant here.
"No," Erend replied. Accompanied by the same meaningful gaze.
Billy nodded. "OK."
It meant that Erend didn't need him to make excuses so they could leave because of an emergency.
That's good. Because Billy still wants to enjoy his ale.
Alice looked at Erend and Billy in turn. She didn't know what had happened just now but Alice was sure that it wasn't just 'Nothing'.
'But, it looks like they don't want to talk about it.'
Alice knew not to ask any further.
"Hey," Erend spoke to Billy. "Isn't it time for us to go home? Tomorrow we could have another practice."
"Hhhh..." Billy took a deep breath.
The practice means the same practice as they did earlier. Thinking back to it made Billy feel irritated.
"You are right." Billy got off his stool.
Erend got down from his stool and took his wallet.
"You don't have to pay," Alice said.
"No, we'll pay," Erend replied. "How much?"
Alice didn't argue any longer and stated how much they have paid. Erend and Billy paid their bill and said goodbye.
"Thank you. We'll come back later," Erend said.
"Please save the ale for us when we get back.," Billy added.
Alice smiled at them. "Of course, there will always be ale for you. Take care, boys."
Erend and Billy walk away from Barry's. Alice returned to the bar and prepared to wait for her father to return.
~~~
Fire and ice united this time in this fight. They no longer attack each other. Instead, they were attacking the same enemy.
Conrad floated several meters in the air with his body covered in silver light that served as armor for him.
Beneath him were Steve and Annie with red and blue auras surrounding their bodies.
Scientists see from inside the building this time. There was no electric fence surrounding the three of them so there was nothing to prevent their strength from overflowing.
Because of that the scientists no longer dared to put their equipment and themselves anywhere near the three Magic users.
The three of them had started fighting five minutes ago.
Tonight's test was that they wanted to see how Steve and Annie would fare against Conrad.
After five minutes of fighting each other, they got the result they expected at first.
Although it wasn't the final result yet as the battle had basically just begun.
Conrad's ability was still far above Steve and Annie's even when they both decided to cooperate.
"Come on. It's not over yet," Conrad said.
"How about you don't float up there like that?" Steve said. "That way maybe we can fight a little more fairly."
Conrad grinned. "Very well."
Conrad descended and landed in front of them.
"How can we fly like you?" Annie asked. She sounded like a child who had just seen a magician perform his tricks.
"The method is as I said before. Learn to control your Magic," Conrad replied.
At that time Steve suddenly lunged and immediately threw a fireball at Conrad.
"Whoa, you stole a chance like that huh."
Conrad raised his Magic Shield. The fireball just hit Conrad's Magic Shield and then exploded.
*BOOM!*
As Conrad's view was blocked by the screen of fire caused by the explosion earlier, Steve quickened his pace and then moved to his side.
After that, he spouted fire from his palm.
*ZWOOOOSSSHHH!*
The flames from Steve's hands enveloped Conrad's body. Even so, Steve was sure that it was not enough to hurt him.
The silver armor had been blocking every single attack that came towards Conrad and made all their efforts meaningless.
"Hey! Come on!" Steve shouted at Annie who just stood there and watched everything.
Annie then nodded and also shot towards Conrad. But before she could do anything Conrad shot up and shot a silver beam at her and Steve.
Steve was able to dodge the attack because he had expected Conrad to launch a counterattack.
He rolled back as the silver beam hit the concrete. But Annie who was caught off guard was hit by the beam and knocked back.
~~~
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