I was halfway through my al when the sharp slam of a hand hitting my table startled .
My tray rattled, nearly tipping over, and I looked up to see three unfamiliar faces sneering down at .
"Oops," one of them said, his tone dripping with mock apology. "Didn't an to startle you."
"Yeah, sorry about that," another added, his smirk making it clear he wasn't sorry at all.
The third one just laughed, a low, cruel sound that echoed in the noisy cafeteria.
I stared at them, my face carefully blank, though my mind was already working.
So, here they are.
Took long enough.
Ever since I transmigrated here, I'd been waiting for this mont.
Soldiers like the old Sky, weak, a failure were always a magnet for bullies in stories like this.
And now they had finally shown up.
They are going to be essential for the plot twist.
They didn't wait for a response.
Still laughing, they walked away, their voices blending with the cafeteria's chatter.
I let out a slow breath, shaking my head.
Idiots.
After finishing my al, I decided I needed so air.
The base's rules allowed soldiers to leave on weekends or if you have patrols, and the thought of stepping outside the sterile walls was appealing.
I stepped out into the bustling streets.
The city outside the base was just like the way I saw it before.
Hovercars zipped overhead, their soft hum blending with the chatter of street vendors selling everything from glowing fruits to tallic trinkets.
Neon signs flashed in vibrant colors, advertising restaurants and shops.
This was freedom.
I strolled down the street, letting my mind wander.
Thoughts of food dominated.
Should I grab sothing sweet when I get back to the base?
Maybe so fried snacks?
My stomach growled at the idea.
As I walked, a young woman caught my attention.
She was ahead of , her long coat swaying with each step.
Suddenly, a blur shot past her, and she stumbled, shouting,
"Hey! Stop! Thief!"
I froze for a mont, my eyes locking on the figure sprinting away with her bag.
The thief moved with an unnatural speed, weaving effortlessly through the crowd.
The woman's voice was frantic, pleading for soone to help.
I hesitated.
It wasn't fear that held back, it was practicality...
The thief's speed.
It was incredible, far beyond anything human.
Catching him seed impossible.
But then I looked at the woman's face, her desperation, and I sighed.
"Guess this is part of the job now," I muttered to myself, breaking into a run.
The chase was imdiately overwhelming.
The thief was fast, inhumanly so and his movents were almost a blur.
I dodged through the crowd, my breath already coming in quick bursts as I pushed myself to keep him in sight.
He darted into an alley, and I followed, my boots skidding on the slick pavent.
The narrow space gave a slight advantage, as he couldn't maneuver as easily.
He glanced back, his face partially obscured by a hood.
My heart pounded as I tried to close the gap between us.
The thief suddenly leaped, his body twisting mid-air as he launched a gust of wind straight at
An Awakened.
This damn thief is awakened.
The realization hit like a punch to the gut, but I didn't stop.
I barely had ti to react, diving to the side as the attack slamd into the wall where I had been seconds ago.
"Great," I muttered, pushing myself up. "Wind abilities. Just what I needed."
The thief didn't slow down, but now his attacks ca more frequently.
Blasts of wind tore through the narrow alley, forcing to dodge, roll, and scramble for cover.
My arms and legs scread in protest, bruises forming where I'd failed to avoid debris.
By the ti we reached an open plaza, I was running on fus.
My breaths ca in ragged gasps, and my legs felt like lead.
The thief, however, seed as energetic as ever.
He turned briefly, a smirk visible beneath his hood, and sent another gust of wind my way.
This one clipped my shoulder, spinning off balance.
I hit the ground hard, my palms scraping against the rough pavent.
Pain flared, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself up.
This isn't working, I thought, frustration boiling inside .
The gap between us was growing, and I couldn't keep this up much longer.
My mind raced for a solution.
Co on, brain. work faster.
And then it hit .
Slowly a grin spread across my face, despite the pain.
"Alright, let's see how you deal with this."
I summoned my last trump card...
Ori.
I didn't know how it can be of help, but there is no harm in trying.
A dark smoke swirled beside , and there was it, my strange, mischievous wolf-like new companion.
Ori tilted his head, his bright blue eyes locking onto mine, as if asking, What?
"Him" I said,
Pointing at the thief, who had paused montarily, staring at us in confusion.
"Let's have so fun."
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