Chapter 3

I launched off the top of the building and soared into the air. The wind whistled through my hair as I reached the apex of the jump. True freedom. Until gravity took its hold and the motorcycle started its descent toward the concrete jungle. I applied a new spell to the bike, allowing it to magnetize to the nearest piece of physical ground, which happened to be on the side of an apartment building. This, in conjunction with other spells that let me manipulate the weight and gravity of the bike, I was hoping between the sides of buildings like frog hopping from lily pad to lily pad. For me, these were easy spells that required no chants or prolonged focus. Wind magic with below basic gravity magic allowed me to pull off this feat. However, from the gasps and awes I heard from the pursuing magi officers, I guess that The Secular did not think of or at least didn’t teach this type of magic as a “basic” type of magic that anyone could use. After jumping off the last building in the alleyway, I finally found myself jumping into an open space. I was several stories in the air, falling toward an open countryside. Again, a simple protection spell around myself and the bike let me land gracefully onto the ground and start to drive along the road.

After several minutes, I lost the magi officers trailing me. As fast as they were enhancing themselves, they could not even come close to the speed of a magically altered motorcycle. I coasted along the road, dropping my magic, and letting the cool and fresh air fill my nostrils and hair. I basked in the wonderful feeling as I just enjoyed the ride to home base to meet up with my companion, Marie.

***

I parked my bike on a platform and after a few seconds, the ground shifted and flipped, bringing the bike to a hidden area beneath it and replacing it with an exact copy of the ground that was once there. I walked down a set of stairs that looked straight out of a horror movie that would deter even the most headstrong podcasters.

“Marie, I’m here. Sorry for the delay.” I said as I walked through a heavy steel door.

The door clanged behind me with a loud thud as it automatically locked itself. I walked toward a comfy chair and dropped myself into it, letting out a loud sigh, exhaling through my nose. I spun around in the chair and faced a long table. Then, a delicately pale hand placed a cup of tea onto it with a coaster.

“Here is some tea. It is a new blend I made, I hope you like it. I do.” A monotoned voice said in a quiet tone.

The woman, a pale, slim yet fit girl in a tight black, long sleeved crop top and black military pants with belts crossing across her hips, set the tea while sitting across from me while taking her own cup and sipping from it. Her long silver hair, usually done up in a ponytail was loose and resting along her shoulders and back in a messy manner. While her face conveyed no obvious emotions, from the subtle movements of her eyebrows and lips, I could tell she enjoyed the tea.

“You find this one tasty, I take it. I guess I should try it.”

I took the cup in my hands and took a sip. It tasted like a blend of maple sour drink and sakura flavoured snacks. Very unusual, yet not unkind to the tastebuds. I could see why Marie enjoyed it. I set the cup back down before talking to Marie once more.

“We were near Akihabra, I hope you had enough time to get what you wanted. I also apologize for urging you to leave and for screwing up taking out the target.”

“It’s no problem, Ryu. And yes, I got the newest volume before I left. It was the last in stock.”

Marie said while not betraying a single emotion on her face. Stoic would be one word to describe her, but I would rather use ‘kuudere.’ When she got into talking about either tea or her favourite manga, she always showed the smallest smile that turned her rather intimidating visage into one that you could potentially call cute. Even with her pale blue eyes that looked almost lifeless, once you got her talking about manga, the passion couldn’t help but show on her face. You’d almost forget that she was a trained assassin from Poland, who for the better part of her life knew nothing but killing.

“I’m glad to hear it, Marie. Oh, I meant to ask, do you really wish to stick with that rifle? I could easily get you a semi-automatic one. Bolt action doesn’t seem the most reliable, especially for the missions we’re finding ourselves i-”

“I do not wish for another rifle. And I wish not for a different side arm. Please do not ask again.”

She interrupted me before I could finish and even interpreted what my next suggestion would be. I was going to suggest a new sidearm. Currently she used a pistol that had was not of a high caliber. Normally, a sidearm doesn’t need to be high penetrating power, but against mages and their mana shields, I preferred that she have it. As for the rifle itself, it was a .50 cal BMG rifle, but I could not figure out why she preferred a bolt action to a semi-auto. You’d think it would be easier and even more efficient. If Marie were a mage herself, I wouldn't worry so much about it. I let out a defeated breath, shrugged my shoulders, and took another sip of the tea.

“I am trained in bolt action. It feels fluid. Natural. I like it.” She said once more, almost trying like a kid showing off something they’re proud of, then defaulting into simple enjoyment as a reason.

“Fair enough, I won’t push it anymore. I know I’ve suggested it before.”

“34 times now. And counting.”

I looked over at her, and she was staring directly into my eyes with an emotionless glare. Yet in those eyes I could feel the annoyance within her. I put my hands up in surrender. I should have known that she would be keeping count on how many times I brought it up. To switch the topic, I pulled out my phone and placed it on the table, before tapping it several times and mimicking pulling out a thread. What followed my fingers was a stream of blue light coming out of the phone until a holographic looking map unfolded from the thread. While it came out of my phone, the map was entirely made of magic, using the phone as a base to hold the projection.

“One of your contacts managed to get this map for us. I was hoping to remove Yukino from the equation for our next mission, but we'll have to work around it.” I gestured and manipulated the map as I spoke to Marie. “This is one of the hidden mage training compounds. It’s not too far from here. And here is where they think the target is being held. But, if I’m honest, that seems too obvious. I personally think it’s here.” I sifted through the map to an unsuspecting, rundown looking shed-like building that looked like it housed the school equipment for gym class.

“What do you think, Marie? Does your contact have good info or do you agree with my hypothesis?”

“That’s a trick question. My contact always has good info, but I also do agree that they would keep the target out of obvious holding areas.”

I chuckled as she caught my tease. “Alright, so we’re in agreement. We’ll head out early tomorrow morning, so make sure to get your beauty sleep. I’m going to go crash now.” I got up to head to my quarters before turning back briefly. “Oh, and thanks for the tea. It was a good blend.”

Marie simply nodded before turning back to the table and opening the new manga she bought and sipped her tea.