After that entire commotion, Lisa fell asleep. Her head was resting on my lap as I was practicing my magic. I really need to get stronger if I want to survive. This past week when Fifi has been training me, I didn’t know when I would have a use for magic so I didn’t train as hard. Just yesterday, learning how to use Fire Blast has saved Mako, Lisa, and my life. I have a need for magic now.

The fire and water magic floated above my hand grew larger and smaller. They spun around one another like a yin yang symbol. This was one of the ways Fifi had taught me to train my magic. Normally if two elements made contact with each other, they would usually cancel out or weaken each other so the objective of this training method was to make the two elements come as close together without that happening.

It was relatively easy at first but Fifi made it even more difficult after the first day. The current regime was too have the two elements orbit bit each other while also increasing and decreasing the size of the elements without them touching.

This was difficult because just moving them around each other took my entire concentration. Adjusting the size was even more difficult because if one element grew too strong or too weak then it would affect the other. It’s been a week and I can only manage it for a few seconds before they cancel each other out.

Fifi told me that this training was to improve my manipulation of the elements, adjustment of the strength of my magic, and to increase my mana pool. I’ve felt my mana pool grow larger but I’m still not sure I have improved in the other two aspects of this training.

While I was training someone knocked on the door. It’s been an hour since Lisa’s speech so it must be those men in black. I gently lay Lisa on the ground and unlock the door for them.

I go back to my spot and lay Lisa on my lap again. The two men enter and lock the door before sitting down on the boxes.

“What do you want?”

I can’t trust these two men. They had injected my body with something and they had even taken us outside for a public execution. We were sacrificed for the people to vent their anger on. The worst-case scenario would have been them deciding to kill us.

“Don’t be so worried, kid. We’re sorry for dragging out to be forced into a public trial but it needed to be done. The people outside were too afraid of you two. None of us knew whether you were monsters or not.”

“My name’s Jude Craven and I’m sure Lisa told you that we weren’t monsters.”

“Yeah, she told us but she couldn’t explain how the two of you came flying out of the sky so no one believed her. The two of us decided to lock you two in this room for your own safety.”

“So what are you here for?”

“We just wanted to ask you if you knew what was going on.”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Aren’t the two of you government agents?”

“Well, you’re not wrong but our positions are pretty low. Even when we were assigned to investigate the prison incident, it was only because they didn’t have enough staff. I’m sure you’re wondering how we know about the prison incident and the answer lies in that we’re part of the government. We even know about your past.”

“So, what does that have to do with our current situation? I don’t know anything about this prison incident but doesn’t the government deal with unnatural things like a zombie outbreak.”

“That’s the thing. All connection to the outside world has been lost. Electricity and water still work but we just can’t connect to the guys on the outside. We can’t get any back up so we’re also stuck in a pinch with you guys.”

“I see.”

“The both of us came here to ask for your help.”

“My help? I’m just a student, I don’t know how I can help you in any way.”

“You can stop it with the act. We know our memory serum didn’t work on you. From how calm you are, I can tell that you know more things than you let off.”

I guess acting calm in this situation actually blew my cover. I guess I’ll just stop with the act then.

“Even if I remember the prison incident, I still don’t know how I can help you two get out of this situation.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re lying again. When we investigated the prison we found the charred body of a monster. It wasn’t dead and it was barely hanging on to its life but even then it still struggled. Our regular group couldn’t capture it so we had to call in the supernatural squad to help. Every single inmate that we interrogated told us that it was a young man who was fighting the monster. Only you and that girl were in the prison so we know you’re the person who defeated that monster. Only people with unique powers can do that much damage and if you can do that to a monster then you can definitely help us.”

That thing is still alive!!

“Why didn’t you guys kill it!?”

“We needed it for research so why would we kill it?”

Tch, that bastard killed Tod again didn’t it!! I promise I will kill it for you Tod, but now I have to think about my situation.

These two guys had a misconception about the entire prison situation. It was Tod that burnt that monster to a crisp but they believe that I did it. And a supernatural squad, I can use this to my advantage.

“You’re correct, I did defeat that monster. Like your supernatural squad, I also possess supernatural powers. I have the power to control fire, in other words, pyrokinesis.”

“I see, that’s why the monster was all burnt up when we found it.”

Their misunderstanding of events was really convenient for me. Now I don’t have to reveal that I can use magic and I can just amount it to having supernatural abilities.

“My supernatural powers are strong but there is a limit to how much I can use it. I can use it four times to blow things apart but after that my body becomes exhausted. This is why I was asleep for an entire day after the outbreak.”

“I see, other supernatural users also have a similar limit to their powers but as long as you can use pyrokinesis then your powers will help us survive.”

These two continue to fall for my lie. The one thing that interests me is this supernatural squad they talked about. Are they also using magic or is it something else?

“Can I ask you a few questions?”

“Sure go ahead.”

“What is your objective?”

“Objective?”

The two of them questioningly looked at me. They were deciding whether they wanted to tell me or not. I don’t trust them and they don’t trust me.

“I want to know what you are planning in the future. Are you going to stay here and protect these 100 some people or are you trying to escape the university and reunite with your group?”

“...”

The two of them were staying silent. They only way for Mako, Lisa, Fifi, and I are going to survive in this zombie outbreak is to join up with these two. I’m sure the two of them must have more weapons then what they’ve been using. The only trump card I have at my disposal is their reliance on people with supernatural abilities.

“Depending on your actions, I may or may not help you two. I don’t care if you live or die, I only care for those who are important to me.”

“Haah, alright we’ll tell you our plan.”

“Wait, we can’t…”

“It’s fine. If HQ finds out that we’re working with a civilian, what are they going to do? Punish us? We can die any day now and they won’t even know about it.”

“Fine.”

“Our plan right now is to go back to our base in the city to retrieve our weapons. If we have those weapons then our chances of living will increase by 60%. Then we’ll take our armored truck and leave the city.”

“Are you going to abandon all of these people here.”

“Yes.”

He didn’t hesitate to reply back. If Lisa or Mako heard of this then I’m sure they would have protested against this plan. I don’t mind though, as long as the ones I care about are safe then I’m fine with sacrificing a few lives.

“I’ll help you under one condition.”

My condition was simple, they have to take Mako, Lisa, and me with them. I explain to them about my plan to go save Mako. If they can help me save Mako then I’ll go with them to retrieve their tuck and escape from the city.

“That’s fine. Our truck is big enough to fit another 8 people in it.”

“Good its a deal then.”

I present my hand and shake with the two on it. After our deal was done the two of them leave our room.

It was already night time and I should go to sleep soon but I can’t. I have to keep watch over Lisa. I know some people are still unsatisfied with us being here so I don’t know if they will take matters into their own hands or not.

I continue to practice my magic as I gently stroke Lisa’s hair. I don’t know if it will help her sleep better but it was comfortable when she did it for me.

“Rommy, I love you. I miss you.”

Lisa was sleep talking. It was faint but I could see the tears build up at the corner of her eyes.

“I swear I’ll protect you, Lisa. I won’t let anyone die this time.”

……

“Hey, nice to meet you. The name’s Lisa Bowell. What’s yours?”

“Oh, um. Nice to meet you. My name’s Jack Bowl.”

“Do you have any dreams, Jack?”

This guy named Jack hesitated but looking at Lisa’s cheerful face he gives in and begins to tell her.

“I-I want to open a bakery shop. I want a place where people can just come in and get out in a matter of seconds. I want it to be affordable even for the homeless.”

“Nice, that’s a good dream. I’ll support you in the future by coming every day to buys some pastries.”

“Thanks.”

Thursday night had passed with no problems and it was now early Friday morning. Even though it was so early in the morning, the first thing Lisa decided to do was go around talking to everyone. Her tired and worried look from yesterday was washed away and she was back to her normal energetic self. There wasn’t any significant meaning behind her actions, she just wanted to get to know the people better.

“Hello, my name’s Lisa Bowell. What’s your name?”

“My name’s Rein Basa. What do you want?”

“Nothing much, I just wanted to talk.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you two. In my eyes, you are both monsters. I’ve seen that guy shoot out fire like that green goo zombie.”

“Hmm, ok then. What kind of monster do you think I am?”

“What?”

“Well, what kind of monster do you think I am? I can’t just be called a monster right? What if I’m a good monster who fights other monsters to protect those who are precious to me?”

“What are you talking about? All monsters are bad.”

“I see. Then I’ll become the baddest of the baddest monster around. I’ll go around and kick the butts of all the other monsters and become the supreme badass monster. How about that?”

Both of Lisa’s arms were posed in a way to emphasize the muscles in her biceps. Even though she did that, no one would be able to see her muscles because she was wearing my baggy hoodie.

“Ahaha, you’re weird you know that?”

“Hehe, I hear that a lot. Oh, and my friend right here is badass henchmen monster number 1. If you’re up for it, my badass monster company is hiring henchmen right now. Sign up now and you can become badass henchmen monster number 2.”

“Haha, no thanks.”

“Whenever you feel like signing up come find me or Jude. Sayonara, my friend.”

Lisa was really weird but in a good way. She’s been going around and talking with other people just for fun but when she leaves, their moods are always uplifted. Her strange happy aura infects those around her.

“Hey, hey, little girl, what book are you reading there?”

“It’s a book called, “10 Ways to Defend Yourself.” I want to learn how to protect myself.”

“That’s an interesting book you’re reading, but big sister here can teach you a few moves to defend yourself.”

“Really.”

“Yep, I’m a pretty darn good fighter if I do say so myself. Look, my friend and I will demonstrate my techniques.”

Lisa begins to show the little girl her techniques on me and I don’t resist. This hasn’t been the first time that she has done this. Earlier when she was talking with other people she included me as a test partner for girls to use their pick up lines on. It was embarrassing but I also learned a few things about how to use pick up lines.

“Hey, Mr.Man in Black. How are you doing today? Any stomach pains, headaches, or mental pains. If so let magical nurse Lisa heal you up.”

“No, it’s fine. I was just thinking about things.”

The man with blond hair was brooding over something and seeing that made Lisa come over to talk to him. Maybe she was trying to cheer him up like the others.

“Talk to me Mr.Man in Black, I’m here for you. Wait, what’s your name?”

“It’s William. What’s your name, girlie?”

“Did you just say girlie? Pffftt, no one says that nowadays. You sound like an old man.”

“Hey, I’m not that old. I’m only 44.”

“Hehe, sorry, sorry. Just teasing you.”

Even William was wrapped up in her antics. He seemed like a stern person but even he wasn’t able to escape Lisa’s happy aura. I think I even saw him smile a little.

“You have any kids, Mr.William?”

“I have 2. One of them’s in high school and the other is in elementary school.”

“Are they fine?”

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry about them. They don’t live in the state of Colorfornia.”

“Are you fine?”

“Haah, honestly I’m not. None of us have eaten since Wednesday and we’re all just going to continue to get weaker if we don’t find food. I don’t see how we’re going to survive.”

“I see, do you need some help with that? It’s better to talk it out with everyone than to just keep it to yourself.”

“I…”

Before William could even say anything, Lisa already flew away. I follow behind her as her guard. She went around the building talking to everyone that she talked to earlier. Before any of us knew it, she gathered everyone up at the area where our trial was held.

“What did you do?”

“Well, I just gathered everyone up so you can talk to them.”

“I-I see.”

All eyes were on the two men in black. They were the leaders of the group so everyone was expecting them to say something. William was surprised at how fast Lisa gathered everyone but eventually he talks.

“Our current situation is bad right now. Two days have passed since the outbreak and I know that it has been tough on all of you but we can’t keep going on like this. Eventually, we are going to starve to death within this basement. This is why I’m proposing to create a small group who will go outside and scavenge for food. Are there any volunteers?”