Nova and Elesch ventured into a narrow alley, going away from that all-loud noise in the center of the city. He needed a quiet spot to use the mana crystals. Just to focus on the recovery aspect of the crystal.
His body still ached, his wounds stung like a bung beetle. His blood was crusted on his skin, grim to the bone. The two yellow crystals in his pocket rattled lightly, pulsing with their golden light. He crouched against a brick wall, Elesch watching curiously.
"Stay close," Nova said, pulling out the crystals.
They glowed softly, the touch of the crystals felt relaxing, as if taking a spa, and combining it with a cold bath. The coldness sent shivers down his body. It was a sign that his body was reacting to the crystals well and that he had wounds to be healed.
He absorbed the crystal, biting it down hard, feeling the light from the crystal going down his throat, as he deep-throated it. The crystal’s energy, in a fluid motion, surged within him, a rush of heat and cold spreading throughout his body.
His wounds closed, as if an imaginary needle was being used, the pain in his muscles dissolved. The clogged blood vanished, his breathing eased, and his mind removed all that fog from earlier.
The second crystal amplified the effect, washing away every ache. He felt whole again, his strength felt like it was coming back to him, and his weight felt lightened, his mind sharpening.
"Wow," Elesch whispered, eyes wide, seeing the golden glow sparkle inside of Nova. "You’re glowing so much. It looks so pretty!"
"I’m right? I’m feeling very bonita." Nova said, standing, flexing his hands. No more shaking. No more weakness. "Co on, let’s find a signal and venture more. Let’s see if we can find any secrets."
Elesch nodded, her adorable smile brightening, as she held his hand, walking with him.
They walked deeper into the alley, Nova checking the phone. No bars yet. Elesch sniffed the air, her face lighting up.
"I can sll food! I want food!" She pointed to an open storefront, no door, just a counter under a flickering neon sign.
Steam rose from pots, the scent of dumplings and spices hitting them hard.
"Fine," Nova said, smiling at her excitent. "Let’s eat. Even I am getting hungry."
They stepped inside, and the place was small, with a few stools and a counter. A guy in his thirties leaned against it, scrolling on his phone, laughing loudly. His grin was wide, eyes squinting as he chuckled at sothing on the screen.
He looked up at the two who approached, still smiling.
"You speak English?" Nova asked, stepping to the counter.
"Yeah, studied abroad," the guy said, pocketing his phone. "Na’s Li. What do you want?"
Elesch bounced on her toes, staring at the steaming baskets. "Everything slls so good! What’s that?" She pointed at a pile of dumplings.
"Those are xiao long bao," Li said, chuckling. "Soup dumplings. Careful, they’re hot. Want so?"
"Yes!" Elesch said, practically vibrating. Nova nodded, pulling out the very last of his cash.
"Two orders," Nova said. "And... you got a phone signal here?"
Li grinned, tapping the counter. "Signal’s spotty, but you’re in luck. Got Wi-Fi. Passwords on the wall." He pointed to a scribbled note. "Food’s coming right up."
Nova relaxed, leaning against the counter. "Thanks, man. Didn’t expect to find soone who speaks English so well."
Li shrugged, scooping dumplings into a basket. "I get that a lot. You two look like you’re on an adventure."
"You have no idea," Nova said, glancing at Elesch, who was already eyeing the food like it was a treasure.
Nova and Elesch stood at the counter, the sll of steaming soup dumplings filling the air. Li slid two baskets of dumplings toward them, his grin wide.
"Enjoy," he said, wiping his hands on a rag.
Elesch reached for a dumpling, her eyes growing with excitent, but before she could grab one, a fireball streaked through the open storefront, exploding against the back wall with a deafening crack.
Sparks flew, and the sll of charred wood mixed with the food’s aroma.
Nova’s instincts kicked in. He yanked Elesch down, pulling her behind a thick concrete pillar near the counter.
"Stay low," he said vigilantly, his heart pounding, mind racing.
He peeked out, scanning the street. Across the road, barely twenty ters away, on the rooftop of a low building perpendicular to the shop, stood a man controlling fire. He summoned another two fireballs in his palms, launching them towards Nova and Elesch.
Every five seconds, another one shot out, so arcing into the sky, while others slamd into nearby walls. A fire manipulation, moving with precision, sothing that was unheard of.
"Nova, what’s going on?" Elesch whispered, her voice shaky but curious.
"Trouble," Nova muttered, his eyes narrowing. He glanced at Li, who’d ducked behind the counter, curing in Chinese. "Stay down," Nova called to him. He nodded, clutching his phone.
Nova’s gaze shifted to the fire manipulation, and he saw a door straight ahead. Through the glass, he saw four guys. One sat in a chair, head down, calm, like he was waiting roe sothing. The other three stood around him, tense, shifting their weight, looking like lackeys ready to jump at his command. The seated guy’s stillness unnerved Nova, too controlled, too patient. The others had knives and a bat, with no visible powers. It was too blurry to see the Circle of Pillars for the guys.
Another barrage of fireballs detonated in front of them, lighting the entire store on fire, but they also couldn’t do out in the street, because if they did, then it would be the end for them.
Think Nova, think, he said to himself, his eyes calculating sothing, anything. If I were to sohow distract the guy for even five seconds, then I might be able to jump up to him and take him out. But that’s just an if. I need sothing better.
He looked at Elesch with worrying eyes as she transford herself from her ten-year-old appearance to her adult appearance, still looking like she was a young teenager, about eighteen years of age, as another two fireballs detonated.
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