Chapter 126: An Invitation Out
"Learn... the shadow ability?" Layla asked, tilting her head.
"It has a lot of utility-based skills, and you can even use it to redirect your arrows similar to your normal telekinesis," Erin pointed out.
She then formed a bit of shadow under her feet to make a long arm with a hand at the end of it. Then, she lifted the pencil up, and lifted it in the air.
"Uh, well, it’s tempting, but maybe I could wait until later about this. Didn’t you say that I could evolve into something else?" Layla pointed out,"What if I become something with stronger powers that don’t match well with your ability?"
Erin’s face dropped. As much as she wanted Layla to be safe, she did have a point. If there was some sort of game like Power Fighters where Layla could try out the shadow ability without needing to commit to it, then maybe she could convince Layla that learning it was worth it.
’I will need to bring her to that green haired boy anyways to change her watch number,’ Erin thought, ’But first, I need new gear.’
After Erin gave Layla a bit of her blood, she headed towards the student market place to acquire more beast gear. Ever since the fight against the dalki, Erin knew that she wasn’t strong enough. She didn’t even get to finish it off without Layla nearly dying.
If she was going to find peace, getting stronger was her biggest priority.
However, as she walked through the halls, there was a person who was waving his hands, and calling out Erin’s name.
"Hey, Erin!" Luke waved, holding a large bag that rested on his shoulder.
Erin and Layla paused in their walking, and turned to look at him, not saying anything, but still ready to leave.
"I heard you were face to face with a dalki," Luke said, with a concerned look.
The mere mention of the dalki had caused a shiver in both of Erin and Layla’s bodies, but Erin tensed, trying to hide her fear, and Layla looked away. Thankfully, it seemed like Luke didn’t notice their small reactions.
Shifting the bag on his shoulder, Luke continued talking, "It must’ve been pretty rough, but because we went home early, my team and I were able to keep our crystals."
Then, he handed the bag to Erin.
"Here, take it. I don’t have any use for these, so you don’t need to feel bad about me," Luke said, "And I’m doing alright money-wise. You deserve them more than me."
Erin wordlessly took the bag, and pulled the drawstring, revealing several basic tier crystals inside.
"What kind of crystals are these?" Erin asked.
"Y’know, wingedlizard kind," Luke casually shrugged, "Like I said, I can’t do much with these, but maybe you can find a better use for them."
Erin had closed the bag, and slung it over her shoulders without a second thought, but Layla looked into Luke’s eyes.
"Thank you," Layla said with a half smile, "You’re strangely polite."
"Yeah, it’s no problem," Luke awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "Oh yeah, think you can—?"
He turned his head down and began to open something on his watch to add Erin to his friend list, but the moment he looked up, both of the girls were gone.
"Aw damn it," Luke mildly cursed.
—
Ever since Peter found out about vampires, and Layla being a ghoul, he wasn’t quite sure what to think. It was quite a lot to take in.
Walking down the hall to the canteen, Peter was deep in thought.
’They feed on blood, and eat human flesh?! Oh no— I angered Erin back with the red portal! What if she tries to kill me?" Then Peter remembered yesterday, "But wait, she did save my life, didn’t she?’
Then, another thought entered his mind, ’I got to make sure I don’t get on Layla’s bad side, what if I wake up with a leg bitten off because she asks me how she looks, and I’m honest about it? Er— but Layla is nice, and said she didn’t want to eat me.’
Then an even wilder thought struck his head, and he dug his fingers into his chin, ’What if she’s on her period and instead of eating ice cream, she eats ME?!’
Peter had been so distracted by his wild imagination, that he wasn’t watching where he was going, and smacked his body into someone.
"Ow!" they both said as they fell to the floor.
"Oh no— I’m so sorry— please don’t hurt me—" Peter frantically spoke, curling up and protecting his body just in case.
"Wait, it’s you!" A familiar voice said.
Peeking through his fingers, Peter saw a dark brown hand reach out to him. When his eyes followed who that arm belonged to, he realized it was actually Layla and Erin’s roommate.
Since it wasn’t a class day, people were free to wear whatever they wanted, and today, this girl was wearing a dark blue tank top with a mesh shirt over it. She also wore a purple skirt with leggings and chunky boots.
He also saw that her watch said the number 4.
Seeing the small act of kindness, Peter was thrown for a loop. It wasn’t something he was used to experiencing, aside from being with Quinn who knew what it was like to be at the bottom.
Peter took the hand, and Cia lifted him up.
"I’m so sorry, I really didn’t mean to hit you!" Peter apologized.
"It’s fine, and besides, I should be the one saying sorry," Cia began, "I really shouldn’t have teased you like that last night."
"Oh yeah— yesterday," Peter blushed in embarrassment, recalling the memory.
Cia chuckled, "Say, how about I make up for it by buying you lunch? My treat."
"Uh... Sure?" Peter hesitantly replied. He wasn’t sure if he could trust Cia. Given that she was a level 4 user, and he was just barely a level 2, fear crept within him that this might be some sort of sick prank.
When she saw that Peter kept looking at her watch, Cia groaned, and smacked her face.
"If you think I’m going to abuse you because I’m a higher level than you, then think again," Cia then pointed at her watch, "Yes, I know it says 4, but I have a support ability, and look at me, I know what it’s like to be discriminated against."
Cia gestured to her whole body, "I’m small. People think I’m easy to hit."
"O-oh," Peter whispered.
Both he and Cia were of similar height, seeing eye to eye. Only, she was a tad bit shorter than himself. Peter did always wish he was taller than someone for once, as he was often the scrawny kid that couldn’t fight back.
"Well, uh..." Peter mumbled.
He didn’t have any plans today, and he had yet to eat breakfast. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he hung out with someone aside from Quinn.
"I’d like to come with," he faintly smiled.
"Great!" Cia said before grabbing his hand, and running off.
