Chapter 80 - New Spell?!
Theo slept for hours in complete silence.
Finally, the alarm on his phone echoed through the room.
His hand shot out from under the blanket, fumbling under his cushion before finally turning it off.
For a moment, he stayed there, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
’...Too short,’ he thought. ’If I could sleep for just a few minutes longer...’
Still, he knew what time it was.
Theo pushed himself out of bed with a groan.
’’One hour,’’ he muttered, rubbing his temples. ’’I have an hour to reach the training area.’’
After quickly changing his clothes and brushing his teeth, Theo stepped out into the living area.
As soon as he stepped in, he paused for a moment.
Owen was already up.
He sat at the table with a cup of coffee in his hands and a refreshed look on his face.
The moment he noticed him, his eyebrows raised.
’’When did you get back?’’ Owen asked, taking a sip. ’’You look like you pulled an all-nighter.’’
Theo let out a quiet exhale, running a hand through his hair.
’’Something like that,’’ he said. ’’Had some work to take care of.’’
Owen studied him for a second, clearly curious.
’’Work?’’
Theo nodded once.
’’I’ll show you later,’’ he said.
He hadn’t even been accepted into the hunters group. What was the point in bringing Owen over now?
Owen didn’t press any further either.
Instead, he leaned back slightly in his chair before placing the cup down on the table.
’’By the way,’’ he started. ’’My affinity is finally stable now.’’
Theo’s drowsiness cleared almost instantly.
His gaze locked onto Owen.
’’And?’’
A wide grin appeared on Owen’s face.
He slowly raised three fingers in front of him.
’’SSS-rank, baby!’’
Theo blinked once, processing.
Then a wide smile broke through his exhausted look.
’’Seriously?’’
Owen nodded, his grin only growing wider.
Theo let out a short laugh, stepping forward and patting his shoulder enthusiastically.
’’That’s insane,’’ he said. ’’Congrats, man.’’
Owen smirked.
’’There was no way I’d let you go on alone,’’ he replied. ’’We will become the greatest hunters in the world!’’
Theo let out another chuckle, shaking his head slightly.
’’Damn right we will.’’
He continued walking, pouring himself a cup of coffee as he opened his mouth again.
’’We should celebrate this later today.’’
Owen scratched the back of his head, smiling embarrassed.
That’s when his expression shifted.
’’Right...’’ he started. ’’There’s something else too.’’
Theo glanced at him.
Owen locked eyes with him for a moment, then waved his hand.
’’Never mind,’’ he said. ’’I think... it’s better if I just show you later.’’
Theo’s eyes narrowed immediately.
But he didn’t press any further.
He simply nodded before glancing at the time again.
’’If we want to make training in time, we should leave now.’’
Owen glanced at the time too, his eyes widening.
’’Shit,’’ he cursed. ’’Adrian told me to come earlier today...’’
Without any further words, he chugged his coffee down before dashing out of the apartment.
Theo just looked at him go, a slight smile on his face.
’Good to see that he’s still the same as he used to be.’
With that, he grabbed his bag with his two weapons and stepped outside.
By the time Theo reached the training grounds, a slight bit of fatigue had returned to his body.
’I can tank this,’ he thought, slapping his face. ’I need to stay active.’
As he pushed open the door, he found Elise already waiting inside.
She stood near the center of the training field, her eyes closed with a familiar bo staff in her hands.
The moment Theo stepped in, her eyes shot open.
’’You look tired,’’ she said emotionlessly.
Theo glanced up, surprised for a moment, but didn’t even bother denying it.
’’I was doing missions last night,’’ he replied.
Elise raised an eyebrow just slightly.
Then they both narrowed again.
’’The moment it affects your training, I’ll cancel all sessions.’’
Theo stopped dead in his tracks, gulping.
He had not expected a response like that.
Yet, it made sense in a way.
Elise was using her precious time to train someone. Why would she bother doing that for someone who wasn’t fully committed?
’’I’ll make sure it doesn’t,’’ he said quietly.
Elise nodded, lowering her stance.
’’Show me.’’
Theo immediately dropped his bag and raised his spear.
His eyes locked onto Elise.
Without hesitation, two lightning bolts formed above him.
They shot forward instantly, one heading for each of Elise’s sides.
Theo immediately followed, striking his spear towards the center of her body.
’’Better,’’ Elise said, her expression unchanged.
She held her bo staff with two hands. Large bubbles of water appeared on both ends.
Then, she smoothly spun it around right in front of her.
The staff deflected both lightning bolts instantly.
As for Theo’s strike?
It hit the center of her staff.
Not even a split second later, the water from both sides swarmed to the middle, blasting him back across the room.
Theo gritted his teeth, sliding back across the floor.
He attacked again without hesitation.
This time, Elise only tilted her body slightly, letting the tip of his spear pass by her shoulder.
Theo’s eyes widened, his balance broken.
That was all she needed.
Her staff lightly tapped against his side, sending him stumbling back.
’’Shit,’’ he cursed, lowering his spear.
’’You’re still too impulsive with that spear,’’ Elise’s voice rang out. ’’Absolutely zero control in sight.’’
Theo frowned slightly, glancing down at his weapon.
He knew she was right.
Every move had been direct and fast, yet they were all... obvious.
’’Put it away.’’
Theo looked up, raising an eyebrow.
Elise didn’t hesitate, her voice cold.
’’For now, that spear is holding you back.’’
After a brief moment, he nodded and placed the spear on the ground.
Elise’s gaze shifted to the umbrella on the ground almost immediately.
’’Use that instead.’’
Theo turned to her, raising an eyebrow.
’’...the umbrella?’’
’’Yes.’’
He hesitated for a moment, then picked it up.
A faint ripple ran across its canopy as he held it in front of him.
’’But how am I going to fight with this?’’ he asked hesitantly.
Elise stepped forward, planting her staff in the ground.
’’I’m going to teach you a spell,’’ she said. ’’One you’ve gotten familiar with.’’
She met his gaze.
’’And one that doesn’t rely on brute force.’’