Fake Saint Of The Year

Chapter 61 60

?n th? g?m?, th? t?m?ng f?r ?t?rn?'? ?w?k?n?ng ?? ???nt w?? ? b?t d?ff?r?nt, but ?t w?? ??u??d b? ? m??tl? ??m?l?r ?v?nt.

?t?rn?'? ???nt ??w?r f?r?t ?w?k?n?d ?n th? b?ttl? ?g??n?t F?r? dur?ng th? ?t?rn? R?ut?, but ?t w?? trul? ?w?k?n?d dur?ng th? 3rd ??r??d ?f th? ???d?m? R??d ??ttl?.

?h? Gr??t?r D?m?n "?gr? ??nk??" br?ught ?l?ng m?n? D?m?n? ?nd ?tru?k. Wh?l? m??t ?tud?nt? ?nd ?n?tru?t?r? ?nd?d u? b???m?ng v??t?m?, ?t?rn? h?d ?n ?w?k?n?ng ?v?nt. ?h?ugh ??n?? ? ?lr??d? d??tr???d th?m ??rl??r, ???d ?v?nt w?uldn't tr?gg?r.

Y?t, ?t ???m?d ?h? ?t?ll ?w?k?n?d ?? ???nt, th?ugh f?r ? d?ff?r?nt r????n.

?n t?? ?f th?t, m??b? b???u?? ?h? w?? ?v?rwh?lm?d b? th? ??w?r ?f h?r f?r?t ?w?k?n?ng, ?t ???m?d th?t ?h? w?? ??tu?ll? un??n????u?.

?v?n ?n th? g?m?, th?t w?? th? ???? wh?n ?h? h?d f?r?t ?w?k?n?d.

?w?ll?w?d b? th? ??w?r ?f th? ???nt, ?h? w?? dr?v?n b? th? ???nt'? dut? ?nd ?ut?m?t???ll? m?v?d.

W?ll, h?r b?r??rk ?t?t? ???n ??m? t? ?n ?nd ?? h?r ??mr?d??, ?n?lud?ng V?rn?ll, ??ll?d ?ut t? h?r, but… d?m?n? th?t h????n?d t? b? ?n h?r v???n?t? ?nd th??? wh? d??turb?d h?r fr?m ????m?l??h?ng h?r dut? w?r? m?r??l???l? ?l?m?n?t?d.

? d?dn't th?nk ?h? w?uld n?rm?ll? ?tt??k ????l? wh?n ?h? w?nt b?r??rk th?ugh…

"N?… D?n't t?k?… V?rn?ll ?w??… d?n't d??… ?n?m?r?… n?… n?… ? n??d t? d??tr?? th?m… ?ll th??? d?m?n?, ? n??d t? d??tr?? th?m…"

?h? mutt?r?d ??m?th?ng w?th h?ll?w ????.

?nd ?t ???m? th? r????n w?? th?t ?h? ??w u? ?? d?m?n?.

?n th?? ????, ?h? w?uld ?tt??k.

?? f?r wh? ?h? ??w u? ?? d?m?n?… ?t w?? ??u??d b? th?t fl?w?r wh??h f?ll n??r ?t?rn?.

?h? Lu??f?r? th?t u??d t? b? w?rn ?n ??b G?rl'? f?r?h??d wh?n ?h? w?? ?m?t?t?ng m? w?? ?urr?ntl? n??r ?t?rn?'? f??t.

?t? ??ll?n w?? ? d?ng?r?u? ?ub?t?n?? th?t w?uld m?k? ????l? h?llu??n?t?, ??u??ng th?m t? l??? th??r ??n?? ?f r??l?t?.

?h?r? w?? n? ??d? ?ff??t, but ??u ??uld ??n??d?r ?t ?? ? drug.

??rh??? ?t f?ll fr?m ??b G?rl wh?n L??l? b??t h?r d?wn, ?nd ?u?t ?? h????n?d t? f?ll n??rb? ?t?rn?'? f???.

?n? m?ght h?v? th?ught th?t ?u?h ? th?ng w?uldn't b? ?n?ugh t? ?ff??t th? ???nt, but… ?t ?u?t w?? ? b?d ?n?.

??b G?rl, wh? w?r? th? Lu??f?r? g?t h?r b?d?, w?? b??ng m?n??ul?t?d b? ??t??u?' d?rk ??w?r unt?l ?u?t n?w… ??rh??? th?t ??w?r ?l?? t?m??r?r?l? ?m?l?f??d th? Lu??f?r?'? ?ff??t?v?n???.

?n t?? ?f th?t, ?t?rn? w?? ?????d ?ut unt?l ?u?t th?n.

Du? t? th?t, Lu??f?r?'? ?llu???n th?t w??n't ?u?????d t? w?rk ?g??n?t th? ???nt ?nd?d u? b??ng ?ff??t?v?.

?? ? w?? ???l??n?ng th?t t? L??l?, ? w?? ?l?? r???ll?ng th? m?g?? th?t h?d ??t?v?t?d fr?m ?t?rn?'? ?t?ff w?th m? h?nd.

Y?u th?nk th?t ? m?r? ?w?k?n?d ???nt w?uld b? ?n?ugh t? hurt m??

N?t th?t… ??tu?ll? ?n th?t ?t?ff, ? ??t ?t u? ?? th?t ?t?rn?'? ?tt??k m?g?? w?uld b? un?bl? t? d??l ? k?ll?ng bl?w.

?n th? g?m?t?n? ?tt??h?d t? th?t ?t?ff, ? ?mbu?d ?t w?th m? m?g??, ?? ?t th?t ?t w?uld ?r?du?? w??k h??l?ng m?g?? ?t th? ??m? t?m? ?t w?? u??d.

?? m?k? ?t ?????r t? und?r?t?nd, r?ght ?ft?r ?h? m?n?g?d t? d??l ? k?ll?ng bl?w, ?t w?uld h??l th? t?rg?t t? ?n?ur? th?t w?uld b? ?t?bl? w?th 1 ??.

?? ?? l?ng ?? ?t?rn? w??ld?d th?t ?t?ff, ?h? w?uld b? un?bl? t? d?f??t ?n??n?.

Wh? d?d ? d? ?u?h ? m??n th?ng? ?bv??u?l?, ?? ?t?rn? w?uldn't d?f??t ?l???? b? ????d?nt.

?t?rn? w?? ?ff??t?v? wh?n ?t ??m? t? f?ght?ng ?g??n?t th? W?t?h, but ?f b? ??m? m??t?k? ?t?rn? ?nd?d u? d?f??t?ng ?l????, ?v?r?th?ng w?uld f?r n?ught.

Y?t ?t w?uld b? unn?tur?l ?f, w?th?n th? ???t 8, ?nl? ?t?rn? w?? n?t ??rt?????t?ng, ?nd ?h? m?ght h?v? ??m? ?l?ng ?n?w?? du? t? h?r w?rr? f?r V?rn?ll.

?f th?t w?? th? ????, ?t'd b? b?tt?r t? ?n?lud? h?r ?? ? m?mb?r, r?th?r th?n l?tt?ng h?r d? th?ng? ?n h?r ?wn.

?l??, w?th ?t?rn? ??rt?????t?ng, V?rn?ll'? gr?u? d??th r?t? w?uld ??tu?ll? f?ll ??n??d?r?bl?.

?h?t w?? wh? ? d?d ??t ?t u? ?? ?t?rn? w?uld ??m? ?l?ng wh?l? ?r?v?nt?ng h?r fr?m d?f??t?ng th? W?t?h.

?h?t w?? th? ?ur???? ?f th?t ?t?ff. ?? l?ng ?? ?h? u??d th?t, ?h? w?uldn't b? ?bl? t? d?f??t ?n??n?.

?ut… ?u?t l?k? wh?n ?h? m?n?g?d t? ?r??? ??t??u?, ?n ?tt??k th?t "w??n't thr?ugh th? ?t?ff" ??uld n?rm?ll? f?n??h th? ?n?m? ?ff.

"?lr???-??m?… wh?t w?? th?t ??w?r ?f L?d? ?t?rn?… W?? th?t ?u?????d t? b? th? ??w?r ?f ???nt…?"

?h ???, ?? ?????t?d, ?n? w?uld n?t??? th?t.

W?ll th?n, wh?t ?h?uld ? d??

?t w?? ?k?? ?v?n ?f ? w?? f?und ?ut. ?n th? ?nd, ? ?l?nn?d t? r?v??l ?t ?nd g?v? th? ???t ?f th? ???nt b??k t? ?t?rn?. ?? ??u ??uld ??? ?t w?? ?? ??h?dul?d.

?ut, th? W?t?h w?? ?t?ll und?f??t?d.

?t w?? ?k?? ?v?n ?f ? g?t f?und ?ut ?nd ???l?d. ?ut ?t w?uld b? b?d t?m?ng t? l?t ?t h????n ?t th?? m?m?nt.

?f ? ?nd?d u? l??v?ng th? ?t?g? wh?n ? w?? ?b?ut t? ?tr?k? W?t?h, ?t w?uld ?nd u? ?u?t l?k? th? g?m?'? d?v?l??m?nt?.

?nd ?? ? w?? ??rr? f?r ?t?rn?, but ? n??d?d t? k??? th? l?? u? ?u?t f?r ? l?ttl? b?t l?ng?r.

"?h?t w?? wh?t ?h? h?d ????????d… th? r????n wh? ?h? ?n?? m??t??k h?r??lf ?? th? W?t?h w?? du? t? th?t ??w?r. ?u?t l?k? V?rn?ll ????????? W?t?h-l?k? ??w?r, ?h? ????????? ??w?r ?l??? t? th?t ?f th? ???nt."

"?? ?u?h ? th?ng ?????bl?…? F?r ?n? wh? w?? n?t ? ???nt, ??t ????????? th??r ??w?r, th?r?'? n? ?r???d?nt f?r th?t ?v?r h????n?ng."

"?v?r?th?ng th?t ?v?r h????n?d ?n th? w?rld w?? th?ught ?f ?? "h?v?ng n? ?r???d?nt" wh?n ?t f?r?t h????n?d. ?h? f?r?t t?m? W?t?h ?????r?d, wh?n th? f?r?t g?n?r?t??n'? ???nt ?lfr??-??m? ?????r?d b??k th?n, ?t w?? ??n??d?r?d ?? ??m?th?ng th?t "h?d n? ?r???d?nt"… ?h? w?rld ???t?m th?t ?nv?lv?d ???nt ?nd W?t?h, ??rh??? ??m?th?ng ?bn?rm?l h?d h????n?d ?n th?? g?n?r?t??n."

? ?n?w?r?d L??l?'? qu??t??n b? l?n?ng u? ?b?urd?t???.

? w?? qu?t? ???r?d th?? t?l?nt ?f m?n?, th?t ?ll?w?d m? t? flu?ntl? ??? ?u?h r?nd?m th?ng?.

??rh??? m? l?f? ??ll?ng w?? ?u?????d t? b? ?? ? ?w?ndl?r.

??ll?, m?m. ?t'? m?, m?, ?t'? m?. Y??, m?, m?.

? g?t ?nt? ? tr?ff?? ????d?nt du? t? "??rd Lu?k" ?nd "d?n??d," ?nd ? n??d t? g?t ???m?nt b? t?m?rr?w ?? ?l???? ?r???r? ??m? m?n??, ?l????1.

…?h? ?h? ?n? wh? w?? ?urr?ntl? t?lk?ng w?? n?t ? m?m but ? d?d w?th ? ?r???dr????ng h?bb?…?

?r ??m?th?ng l?k? th?t.

"?n?w??… w? n??d t? ??lm h?r d?wn f?r?t."

? l?ft th? b?rr??r ?n ?l??? t? ?urr?und L??l? ?nd ??b G?rl, th?n w?nt ?ut??d? th? ??rr??r.

?h?n ?t?rn? ???r?????nl???l? h?ld h?r ??lm u?, ?nd f?r?d m?g??.

? ??lv?r ??l?r?d b?ll m?d? ?f l?ght ???rk?d ?nd w?nt ?tr??ght f?r m?, but ? ??ught ?t w?th m? h?nd ?nd ?ru?h?d ?t.

Wh?t w?? th?t…? ?u?t n?w…?

?v?n ?f ??ur ???nt'? ??w?r w?? ?tr?ng, ?t w?? n?t ?n?ugh t? ?ur???? m?!

"…D?n't ??m?."

?h?n ?h? ?t?rt?d f?r?ng r???dl?. ??r ?tt??k? th?n b???m? b??m? th?t ?h?t 7 t?m?? ?t th? ??m? m?m?nt.

?h? ???nt'? ??w?r ?h?n? w?th ??lv?r fl??h?? ?nd ?t b?nt ?? ?t ???r???h?d m? fr?m ?ll d?r??t??n?.

?f th?? ??tu?t??n w?? m?d? ?nt? ?n ???m?l?… Y??, ?t w?? l?k? ?n ?ggb??t?r.

?t ???r???h?d m? t? b??t m? u? ?nt? r?w ?r??m.

?ut mud? mud?. ?? ? ??r??d l?ght m?g?? w?th m? ?n th? ??nt?r, ?t ?r???d ?v?r?th?ng.

?v?n ?f ??u w?r? th? tru? ???nt, ??u w?r? ?t?ll m?r?l? ? ?h??k wh? h?d ?u?t w?k?n u?.

F?r m? wh? h?d l?v?l?d u? gr??tl? fr?m bull??ng d?m?n? unr????n?bl?, ?t w?? ? ????? ?f ??k?.

?h?? g?? ?n ????b?l?t??? w?? l?k? th?t b?tw??n ? b?g?nn?r ?l???r w?th n?w ?qu??m?nt wh? tr??d t? f?ght ?g??n?t ? L?v?l ?????d ?l???r wh? h?d ?lr??d? r??n??rn?t?d ??v?r?l t?m??; ?t w?? ?m?????bl? t? b??t!

"N?… N?????!"

?t?rn? turn?d h?lf ?r?z?d, ?? ?h? thr?w ?w?? h?r ?t?ff ?nd r????d h?r ?rm?. W??t… d?n't thr?w th?t ?w??.

?h?n ? hug? b?ll ?f l?ght f?rm?d; ?t w?? ?mbu?d w?th ? l?rg? ?m?unt ?f m?n?.

?h —… th?? w?? ?l?ghtl? d?ng?r?u?.

?t w?? ??m?th?ng th?t ?nl? th??? wh? h?d ?u?t ?w?k?n?d w?th?ut und?r?t?nd?ng wh?t b?ttl? w?? w?uld d?; ?h? d?dn't ??n??d?r h?r ??r?um?t?n??? ?ft?r th?? ?tt??k ?nd ?u?t ?mbu?d ?n ?ll th? ?? ?h? ??uld.

?t?rn?'? r?m??n?ng ?? ?h?uld b? ?r?und 1000 ??n??d?r?ng h?r l??k ?f L?v?l.

?f ?ll ?f th?t w?? u??d u?, w?th th? ???nt'? ??w?r ?dd?d ?n t?? ?f th?t, ?t w?uld ??????? qu?t? ?n ?m?unt d??tru?t?v? ??w?r.

… W?ll, th?t th?ng ??uld ????l? d??tr?? ? ??h??l bu?ld?ng ?nd k?ll ?v?r? ?tud?nt th?t h????n?d t? b? ?n ?t? tr????t?r?.

? ??uld bl??k ?t ????l?, but ?f ? m?r?l? ?t??d ?t?ll, th?n ?v?n th?ugh ? w?uld b? ?lr?ght, th? ??h??l bu?ld?ng ?nd ?tud?nt? w?uld b? ??ught ?n ?t.

"?lr???-??m?! Y?u ??n't d? th?t!"

L??l? ???m?d t? ??? ??m?th?ng, but ? ?gn?r?d h?r ?nd fl?w t? th? ?k?.

?h?? w??, ?t w?uld ?nl? ?h??t t?w?rd m?, n? d?m?g? w?uld ???ur.

?t?rn? ?l?? d?r??t?d h?r ??m t?w?rd m? ?nd th? b?ll ?f l?ght f?ll?w?d.

Y??, ??u'r? ? g??d g?rl. G? ?h??d ?nd ?h??t.

"?t?? ?t, ?t?rn?!"

?ut ?u?t th?n, th? r??ft?? d??r ???n?d ?nd V?rn?ll ?um??d ?v?r.

??, ??, h? ??m? ?n ?g??n w?th ?n?th?r ?n?t?n?? ?f b?d t?m?ng.

?ut ?t ???m?d th?t V?rn?ll'? ?r???n?? ?ff??t?d ?t?rn? ??n?? h?r ?h?uld?r ?h??k.

"V?, V?r…n?ll…?"

"?t?? th?? ?t?rn?. ?h?t'? n?t ??m?th?ng ??u ?r? ?u?????d t? ?h??t t?w?rd ? ??r??n. ?l????! ??m? t? ??ur ??n???!"

V?rn?ll'? ?????r?n?? m?d? ?t?rn? r?g??n l?ght ?f r????n ?n h?r ????, ?nd th? ??w?r gr?w w??k?r.

Fumu, ?t ???m?d th?? ???? w?? ?l???d.

?ll th?t w?? l?ft w?? f?r V?rn?ll t? ??? ? ?m?ll? ??nt?n?? t? ??mf?rt ?t?rn? ?nd r???? h?r f?v?r?b?l?t?, th?n r?turn th? t? r?ut? ?nd h? ??uld m?k? ? r?v?r??l b??k t? th? ?t?rn? R?ut? ?nd r???h th? ????? ?nd…

…N? w??t, th?? w?? n? g??d. ?t w?? b?d f?r h?r t? g??n h?r ??n??? b??k r?ght ?t th?? t?m?!

"?t?rn?… ?l???? g? b??k t? ??ur u?u?l ??lf."

"N? g??d V?rn?ll-kun! D? n?t l?t h?r b??k t? h?r ??n??? r?ght n?w!"

V?rn?ll, ??u f??l! D?n't r?turn h?r t? ??n?t? wh?n th?r?'? ? hug? b?ll ?f l?ght ?n?rg? h?v?r?ng r?ght ?b?v? h?r!

?t?rn? m?n?g?d t? ??ntr?l ?t, b???u?? ?h? un??n????u?l? m?n?g?d t? u?? th? ???nt'? ??w?r wh?n ?h? m?n?g?d t? ?w?k?n.

?n ?dd?t??n, th?? t?m?, ?t?rn? w?? h?llu??n?t?ng wh?l? ?n ? dr??m-l?k? ?t?t?.

?ut ?n?? ?h? r?turn?d t? h?r ??n???, ?h? w?uld b? f?r??d t? f??? r??l?t?.

?f ?h? ??n??k?d, th? m?g?? w?uld run w?ld!

"V?rn?ll… Wh?t d?d ?… ?h? ?uh? ?h? W?, w??t, wh?t ?? th??? Wh?t ?? th??! W?, w??t, wh?t ?? th??!? Wh?t ?? th??!? Wh? ?m ? ??rr??ng th?? th?ng!?"

?? ?t?rn? r?g??n?d h?r ??n?t?, ?h? ??n??k?d ?nd ?t?rt?d fl??l?ng ?? ?h? l??k?d ?t th? b?ll ?f l?ght ?h? ?r?du??d.

?h?t w?? wh? ? t?ld ??u ??.

??ll ?f l?ght m?g?? th?t ?h?'d l??t ??ntr?l ?f w?? dr?gg?d d?wn b? gr?v?t? t?w?rd ?t?rn?. N? g??d.

? hurr??dl? d?v? d?wn, but ? h?d fl?wn t?? h?gh t? ?r?v?nt ?n? unn??????r? d?m?g?.

? fl?w ?t full ????d. ??uld ? ?t?ll m?k? ?t…? N?, ? h?d t?. ?f th?? w?nt ?n, ?t w?uld b???m? ? ??d ?ND.

?ut th? b?ll ?f l?ght w?? w?? t?? ?l??? t? ?t?rn?… n??, ?t h?? n?t r???h?d h?r ??t.

V?rn?ll u??d h?? d?rk ??w?r ?nd gu?rd?d ?g??n?t ?t.

G??d, ??u d?d w?ll V?rn?ll! ?? ?????t?d ?f th? ?r?t?g?n??t, t? ?w?k?n ?t th? l??t m?nut?.

?? b? h?n??t th?ugh, ?ll ?f th?? w?? ??ur f?ult, but ?'ll l??k th? ?th?r w?? ??n?? ??u m?n?g?d t? ?w?k?n.

? th?n ?l????d b?l?w th? l?ght m?g?? b?ll ?nd ?t??d b???d? V?rn?ll.

"W? w?ll ?u?h ?t b??k. V?rn?ll-kun, m?t?h m? m?v?m?nt?."

"Y??!"

? ??tu?ll? ??uld d? ?t ?ll b? m???lf, but ??n?? h? h?? ?w?k?n?d ? d???d?d t? l?t V?rn?ll h?l? m? ?ut.

?h?? w?? m? g?n?r???t? t? l?t h?m l??rn h?w t? u?? h?? ??w?r.

?? m?n? ?nd V?rn?ll'? d?rk ??w?r ?h?t f?rth ?t th? ??m? t?m?; bl??k ?nd wh?t? m?g?? ???r?l?d ?nd bl?w ?w?? th? b?ll ?f l?ght.

?t k??t ?n g??ng unt?l ?t w?nt b???nd th? ?k?… th?n ??f?l? ???l?d?d.

?k??, w? ??m?h?w m?n?g?d t? ??ttl? th? ?n??d?nt w?th?ut ?n? d?m?g?.

W?ll, th?t w?? d?ng?r?u?.

?ut ?t w?? ?urr?ntl? ??ttl?d, w?th b?th ?t?rn? ?nd V?rn?ll m?n?g?ng t? ?w?k?n, ?nd th? ??t??u? w?? ?l?? t?k?n ??r? ?f, ?? l?t'? ??ll ?t ? ?lu?.

N??? ?n?, n??? ?n?.

?t?rn? m?t V?rn?ll f?r th? f?r?t t?m? wh?n ?h? w?? 14 ???r? ?ld.

??rr???tt? v?ll?g?, wh?r? ?h? w?? b?rn ?nd r????d, w?? wh?r? ?lr???, wh? ??ll?d th? Gr??t??t ???nt ?f ?ll t?m?, w?? b?rn. ?? ?u?h, th?r? w?r? m?n? ??ung ????l? wh? ????r?d t? b???m? ?n?ght?, ?nd ????l? wh? w?r? ??v?d b? ?lr??? ??m? t? ??n??d?r ?t ?? ? ???r?d ?l??? f?r ??lgr?m?g?. ??w?v?r, th? v?ll?g? ?t??lf w?? ? ??m?l? ?n? w?th ?nl? f?rml?nd.

?h? l?rd wh? h?d th?? v?ll?g? ?? t?rr?t?r?, h?d th?ught th?t ?t w?? b?tt?r t? ????nd th? v?ll?g? ?nd r??h??? ?t ?? ? h?l? ??t?, but ??n??d?r?ng th? budg?t, ?t w?? ?t?ll ??m?th?ng ?n th? f?r futur?.

?t w?? ?t?ll m?r?l? ? ?m?ll v?ll?g?. ??f?r? ?lr??? ??r??d th? kn?wl?dg? ?b?ut ??t?t???, ?h?ldr?n d??ng fr?m ?t?rv?t??n w?? ?t?ll ? ??mm?n ???ur?n??.

????u?? ?t w?? th?t k?nd ?f v?ll?g?, m??t ?f th? ??ung ????l? l?ft f?r th? ??t?., ?h??? th?t r?m??n?d w?r? ?ld ????l? ?nd ?h?ldr?n.

?t?rn? h?d n? fr??nd? ?f ? ??m?l?r ?g?, ?nd ?l?? l?ng?d f?r th? ??t?.

F?r h?r, th? f?r?t fr??nd ?h? m?d? ?f ? ??m?l?r ?g? w?? V?rn?ll.

?h? ?t?ll r?m?mb?r?d th??r f?r?t m??t?ng ?n d?t??l ?v?n th?n.

?h?t d??, ?t?rn? br?ught ??g? ?? l?v??t??k ?l?ng t? th? f?r??t.

?h? w?nd f?lt ??ld, ?? th? ?????n w?? ?n? ?t?? ?w?? fr?m w?nt?r.

?n th? v?ll?g? ?t?rn? l?v?d, th?? w?? ?lw??? d?n? wh?n w?nt?r ???r???h?d ?v?r? ???r, t? f?tt?n u? th? ??g?, th?? w?r? br?ught ?nt? f?r??t ?nd f?d ???rn?.

?nd ??g? th?t gr?w f?tt?r ?nd r?und?r w?r? ?r??????d ?nt? f??d b?f?r? th? w?nt?r ?rr?v?d, ?? ????l? ??uld l??t thr?ugh th? w?nt?r.

?ut th?t d??, ?h? h?d b?d lu?k.

?h? h????n?d t? m??t ? b??r wh??h h?d ??tr?ll?d th? f?r??t t? g?th?r f??d ?n ?r???r?t??n f?r w?nt?r.

F?r b??r?, wh? ??ught nutr?t??u? f??d, ?t?rn? ?nd h?r ??g? mu?t'v? l??k?d v?r? d?l????u?.

?h? b??r r?n ?nt?m?d?t?ngl? ?nd ?udd?nl? ?tt??k?d ?t?rn? w?th ?t? ?h?r? ?l?w? ?nd f?ng?.

N?rm?ll?, ?n? w?uld d?? fr?m th?t, but ?t?rn? m?n?g?d t? ?????? w?th?ut d??ng th?? t?m? du? t? th? ???nt'? ?h?r??t?r??t?? th?t ?h? ????????d.

?ut dur?ng th?? t?m?, ?t?rn? h?d n? l???ur? t? n?t??? th? f??t th?t "?h? r????v?d n? d?m?g?," ?h? w?? ?u?t fr?ght?n?d b? th? hug? b??r.

?h? ?n? wh? ??v?d h?r th?n w?? V?rn?ll.

V?rn?ll, wh? h??rd h?r ??r??m, b?ldl? ?um??d t?w?rd th? b??r ?nd ?t?bb?d h?? tr?? br?n?h ?nt? th? b??r'? ???.

?n ?dd?t??n, th? ??g?, un?w?r? th?? w?uld b? turn?d ?nt? f??d l?t?r ??n??d th??r m??t?r w?? ?n d?ng?r ?nd t??kl?d b??r'? l?g w?th th??r ?turd? n????, wh??h m?d? ???r f?ll ?v?r ?? ?t w?? u???t b? th? ???n.

?h?n V?rn?ll ?t?bb?d ?t? r?m??n?ng ??? w?th h?? tr?? br?n?h, th?n h? u??d th? b?g ?t?n? n??rb? t? h?t th? b??r'? h??d ?v?r ?nd ?v?r.

Wh?n th? b??r f?n?ll? ?t????d m?v?ng… V?rn?ll t??, l??k?d ?t ?t th?n f?ll un??n????u?.

?h? f?und ?ut l?t?r th?t V?rn?ll h?d b??n dr?v?n ?w?? fr?m h?? h?u?? ?nd h?dn't ??t?d ?r drunk ?n?th?ng f?r d??? wh?l? h? w?nd?r?d thr?ugh th? f?r??t unt?l h?? ?h?????l ?tr?ngth h?t ?t? l?m?t.

?ft?r th?t, V?rn?ll w?? w?l??m?d t? ?t?rn?'? h?u?? ?? h? h?d ??v?d h?r. ?? th?? h??rd th? d?t??l?, ?t?rn?'? f?m?l? tr??t?d V?rn?ll ?? f?m?l? m?mb?r.

?t?rn? w?? ?l?? ?ttr??t?d t? V?rn?ll du? t? b??ng r???u?d. ??w?v?r, ?h? n?t???d h?? ???? ?lw??? l??k?d t?w?rd ??m??n? ?l??.

?h? kn?w h? ???rn?d f?r ???nt ?lr???, ?nd l?ng?d t? b? h?r ?n?ght ?? mu?h ?? th?t h? tr??n?d ?v?r? d??.

?h? w?nt?d t? ?u???rt h?? dr??m but ?h? ?l?? ?l?ghtl? h???d th?t h?? dr??m w?uldn't m?n?g? t? ??m? tru?.

?f h?? dr??m d?dn't ??m? tru?, th?n h? w?uld ?t?? ?? ? ??mm?n v?ll?g?r, ?nd h? ??uld ?t?? w?th h?r f?r?v?r… ?h? w??h?d f?r th?t t? h????n, ?v?n wh?n ?h? w?? ?w?r? ?f h?w ?h?ll?w ?t w??.

?ut d????t? ?f ?t?rn?'? w??h, V?rn?ll d?d ??????? t?l?nt.

?? m?n?g?d t? ?u?????full? ?nr?ll ?nt? th? ?n?ght ???d?m?, ?nd ?v?r ??n?? h? w?? ?????t?d, h?? b?ttl? ?r?w??? ?nl? k??t gr?w?ng.

?? m?n?g?d t? b???m? th? ?tr?ng??t ?tud?nt ?n th??r ???r, ?nd ?urr?ntl?, h? h?? b???m? th? gr??t??t ?m?ng?t th? ?tud?nt? ??r??? ???h ???r.

?? ?h? w?t?h?d V?rn?ll'? b??k m?v? f?rth?r ?h??d, ?t?rn? f?lt ?n un????k?bl? fru?tr?t??n ?nd l?n?l?n???.

?h?? f??l?ng g?t ???????ll? ?tr?ng?r ?ft?r th? b?ttl? t? ?r?t??t ??llb?rr? ??ngd?m.

V?rn?ll b???m? ? ?h??ld t? ?r?t??t ?lr???… ?nd d??d.

?lr??? ??rf?rm?d ? m?r??l? t? br?ng h?m b??k t? th?? w?rld r?ght ?ft?r, but ?v?n ??, ?t w?? ? f??t th?t h? d?d d?? ?n??.

?t w?? fr?ght?n?ng. ?? mu?h ?? th?t ?t m?d? h?r m?nd bl?nk ?ut.

??r ?r????u? ??r??n w?uld n? l?ng?r l?ugh. ??? br??th?ng h?d ?t????d, ?nd ?? d?d h?? m?v?m?nt?… ?h? und?r?t??d ?t ?? ?h? h?d ???n l?v??t??k g?t ?l?ught?r?d ??v?r?l t?m??.

?h? d?dn't ?nt?nd t? ?ut ?t l?ghtl?.

?t w?? ?u?t th?t th? r??l?t? w?? h??v??r th?n wh?t ?h? h?d th?ught; ?t m?d? ?t h?rd t? ?v?n ??r???v? ?t ?? r??l?t?.

N?, ?f ?lr??? d?dn't br?ng V?rn?ll b??k t? l?f?, ?h? m?ght n?t ?????t ?t ?v?n th?n. ?h?t w?? h?w b?g th? ?h??k w?? f?r h?r.

Fr?m th?n ?n, ?h? w?? ?u?t ???r?d.

?h? w?? ???r?d th?t n??t t?m? V?rn?ll w?uld trul? d??… ?v?n ?f ?h? kn?w ?t w?? ? f??l??h f??l?ng t? h?v?, ?h? h?t?d ?lr??? f?r t?k?ng V?rn?ll ?w??.

F?n?ll?, ?h? ???d th? ?l??? ?h? w?uld br?ng th?m t? w?? ? ?l??? wh?r? ?n? '? l?f? w?uld ??rt??nl? b? ?n m?rt?l ??r?l.

N?, d?n't t?k? h?m ?w??.

D?n't t?k? V?rn?ll ?w?? fr?m m?.

D?n't l?t V?rn?ll d?? ?n?m?r?.

?ll ?h? ??uld ??? ?n h?r m?nd'? ??? w?r? th? ???r? d?m?n? th?t tr??d t? k?ll V?rn?ll.

?? ? h?v? t? ?l?m?n?t? th?m, ?h? th?ught.

Y??, ? ?u?t n??d t? ?l?m?n?t? ?ll th? d?m?n?.

?? ?h? ??m?d h?r h?nd t?w?rd th? "d?m?n," h?r h?nd r?l????d l?ght.

?ut th? "d?m?n" ????l? r???ll?d th? l?ght ?nd ???r???h?d ?t?rn?.

?t?rn? w?? ???r?d b? th?t, ?h? h?ld h?r h?nd ?ut t? r???l ?t ?w??.

?h?n th?? t?m?, ??v?r?l b??m? ?f l?ght b?nt t?w?rd th? "d?m?n," but th?? w?? ?l?? ?n?ff??t?v? ?nd th? d?m?n m?d? th?m d???????r.

?h?? "d?m?n" ??m?h?w l??k?d l?k? ?lr???, thu? ?t furth?r ?n?r????d ?t?rn?'? f??r.

?h? h?d fl??hb??k? ?f th? m?m?nt wh?n V?rn?ll d??d. ?h? ??w th? "d?m?n" b?f?r? h?r ?? ? R????r wh? tr??d t? t?k? V?rn?ll ?w??.

? n??d t? r???l th?? r????r. ?f ? d?n't m?n?g? t? d? ?t, V?rn?ll w?n't b? ??v?d.

W?th?n ?t?rn?'? h?z? ??n????u?n???, ?h? ??nd?n??d m?n? ?b?v? h?r h?nd t? r???l th? R????r.

?h?n th? R????r tr??d t? ??????, ?? ?t fl?w ?b?v? th? ?k?.

L?k? ? w?ll l?t ??u g?t ?w??. ? w?ll d?f?n?t?l? d?f??t ??u h?r?.

? w?n't l?t ??u br?ng V?rn?ll ?w??.

"?t?? ?t, ?t?rn?!"

Wh?t ?h? h?d h??rd th?n w?? h?r f?m?l? m?mb?r th?t ?h? h?d f??l?ng? f?r.

?h?? qu??kl? turn?d h?r th?ught? ??ld ?nd br?ught h?r t? r??l?t? fr?m th? l?nd ?f dr??m?.

?? ?f h?r w?ll, th?t w?? ?n??d? m??t, g?t ?l??r?d, h?r ??ght th?t w?? un??rt??n b?f?r? ?? ?f b??ng ?n??d? ?f w?t?r w?? n?w br?ught ?b?v? gr?und.

Wh?t ?h? th?ught ?f ?? R????r w?? ??tu?ll? ?lr??? ?nd ?h? w?? ?urr?ntl? ?n ???d?m?'? R??ft??.

Wh? w?? ?h? h?r?? Wh? w?? ?h? f?ght?ng ?g??n?t ?lr???? ?h? d?dn't kn?w wh?t w?? g??ng ?n.

?h? d?dn't kn?w wh??h w?? th? dr??m, wh??h w?r? th?ng? th?t ?h? r??ll? d?d ?n r??l?t?… Wh? w?? ?h? f?rm?ng ?ut ? hug? m??? ?f l?ght? ?t w?? ??m?th?ng ?h? w?? un?bl? t? und?r?t?nd.

"V?rn?ll… Wh?t d?d ?… ?h? ?uh? ?h? W?, w??t, wh?t ?? th??? Wh?t ?? th??! W?, w??t, wh?t ?? th??!? Wh?t ?? th??!? Wh? ?m ? ??rr??ng th?? th?ng!?"

?h? th?ng? ?h? h?d m?n?g?d t? ??ntr?l un??n????u?l?, f?r ?t?rn? wh? ?udd?nl? br?ught b??k t? r??l?t?, ?h? h?d n? w?? t? ??ntr?l ?t.

?h? l??t ??ntr?l ?f th? m??? ?f l?ght, thu? ?t dr????d d?wn t?w?rd h?r, th? ??r??n wh? h?d ?umm?n?d ?t.

?t?rn? f?lt ??nfu??d ?? ?h? ??uldn't und?r?t?nd ?n?th?ng, ?h? ?r?u?h?d ?nd t? ?n?t?n?t?v?l? ?r?t??t?d h?r h??d.

?f th? ???t?r, ?t?rn?, t?t?ll? r?l????d ??ntr?l l?k? th??, th?r? w?? n? ?th?r w?? f?r ?t but t? run w?ld, but ?t w?uld b? ?ru?l t? bl?m? ?t?rn? ?n th?? ??tu?t??n.

????u?? ?h? h?r??lf h?d n? ?w?r?n??? th?t ?h? h?d ?umm?n?d th?? m??? ?f l?ght.

?h?t w?? wh?, ?h? w?? un?bl? t? gr??? th? ??tu?t??n. ?t?rn? ?l???d h?r ???? ?? th? b?ll ?f l?ght m?g?? dr????d d?wn.

?ut th? ?h??k w?v? ?h? h?d ?????t?d d?dn't ??m? n? m?tt?r h?w ?h? w??t?d.

?h? w?nd?r?d wh?. ?? ?h? ???n?d h?r ????… wh?t w?? th?r? ?n fr?nt ?f h?r w?? V?rn?ll'? b??k. ?? ?t??d th?r? w?th b?th ?f h?? h?nd? ???n t? h?ld b??k th? b?ll ?f l?ght t? ?r?t??t h?r.

Fr?m b?th ?f h?? h?nd? ??m? ??m?th?ng l?k? ? bl??k m??t, h? d????r?t?l? tr??d t? ?r?t??t ?t?rn?.

?t w?? d?f?n?t?l? n?t ?n ???? th?ng t? d?.

?h? bl??d v????l? ????r?nt ?n b?th ?f h?? ?rm?. ?? ?l?n?h?d h?? t??th ?nd h?? ???r?????n qu?t? f??r??.

??? ??lm burn?d ?nd t?rr?f??ng ??und? ??h??d, ?? h? w?? ?l?wl? ?u?h?d b??k.

?ut V?rn?ll, wh? h?d b?ught ?u?t ?n?ugh t?m?, ?ll?w?d ?lr??? t? r???h th?m. ?h? ?l????d und?r th? b?ll ?f l?ght.

?h?n ?h? r????d h?r ?rm?, r?l????d m?n? fr?m ?f ?t.

"W? w?ll ?u?h ?t b??k. V?rn?ll-kun, m?t?h m? m?v?m?nt?."

"Y??!"

?lr???'? h?nd ?v?rfl?w?d w?th ? ?h?n?ng wh?t? l?ght, wh?l? fr?m V?rn?ll'? h?nd ??m? ?ut bl??k l?ght. ??th ?h?t u?.

?h??? tw? l?ght? ?nt?rtw?n?d ?nd f?rm?d ? ???r?l ?? ?t ?u?h?d th? b?ll ?f l?ght m?g?? b??k u? t? th? ?k?.