His gaze shifted towards the empty space where the skill was activated.
Ethan: (Then why did it disappear on the tree?)
The memory refused to leave his mind. The feeling of missing something creeped up as if he had overlooked something important.
Slowly crouching down, Ethan pointed his hand at the pavement.
Ethan: "Mana blast."
The familiar particles instantly appeared and began forming a sphere.
He narrowed his eyes.
Ethan: (Back then...)
The image replayed in his mind.
Ethan: (I started untieing the knot.)
His gaze fell upon his hands.
Ethan: (Was it something I did?)
The idea felt ridiculous.
Ethan: (No. It can't be, all I did was untie a knot.)
Then again, the system wasn't exactly famous for making sense.
His eyes closed, slowly.
Every detail from that moment replayed like a record.
The rope. The panic. The darkness.
His mind raced through all possible explanations.
His eyes opened, new theories ready, confidence renewed, the skill gone... The skill gone! Yep, disappeared without a trace like a father getting milk.
Ethan: "...."
His silence spoke a thousand words, none of which were quite pleasant.
Ethan: (Of course.)
At this point, getting screwed over by the system was becoming a normal occurance.
The frustrated sigh escaped his mouth.
Ethan: (Back to the drawing board.)
His fingers tapped against his arm.
Ethan: (Let's see... The common factor between both situations...)
New possibilities surfaced.
Ethan: (Is it line of sight? Or maybe concentration?)
His hand rose again, pointing towards the corpses.
Ethan: "Mana blast."
The skill began to charge up, once more.
Ethan deliberately shut his eyes.
One second. Two seconds. Three.
Ethan: (This should be enough.)
His eyes opened with anticipation.
The sphere remained exactly where it should be. Still charging.
Ethan: (Not line of sight, must be concentration.)
His shoulders slumped.
Ethan: (Now how do I test that?)
His eyes scurried around for something but nothing seemed to catch his eye.
Ethan: (Oh right.)
His hand slipped into his pocket, revealing his phone.
The phone lit up, as a video began playing.
A few moments later the skill faded. Fizzled out. Gone.
He lowered his phone.
Surprisingly his theory about concentration actually worked.
A smile formed on his face.
Ethan: (Finally something useful. Now I know how to turn off mana blast.)
He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
(Meanwhile – Dylan POV)
Several meters away, Dylan sat casually on the pavement, waiting.
One knee raised. Arms resting comfortably.
He looked fed up, like he had done this before.
Elin leaned against a nearby wall, fiddling with her hair.
For a while neither spoke.
Both occasionally glanced towards Ethan. Who was having a back – and – fourth with the system.
Elin: "So..."
Her words finally broke the silence.
Dylan: "Hm?"
Elin: "Is he always like this?"
Ethan was currently flipping off the system.
Dylan: "Kind off."
A faint smile appeared.
Dylan: "When he was little he loved tinkering with the toys he was given."
Elin: "Really."
Dylan: "He spent more time taking them apart than actually playing with them."
Elin: "That's cute."
Dylan: (Though. It's been a long time since I have seen him this invested in something.)
Dylan: "Half the things Ethan does or says goes over my head."
Elin: "Does that mean you understand half of what he is doing?"
Dylan: "Figure of speech. I kind of understand what he wants so I just go with the flow."
Elin let out a small chuckle.
Dylan: (She seems to be in a good mood now.)
Both watched Ethan, still preoccupied with his own experiments.
A brief soft silence followed as they waited for Ethan.
Dylan: (This might take a while.)
Dylan: "You should sit down."
Elin: "No, I am fine. I would rather stand."
Dylan: "Suit yourself."
Elin: "By the way?"
His gaze shifted towards her as an uncomfortable chill ran down his spine.
Elin: "Are you an athlete?"
Dylan froze at the unexpected question.
Dylan: "An athlete? Ugh – You could say that. Why do you ask?"
Dylan: (Why did she ask that?)
Elin: (I knew it.)
Elin: "I just figured you know, looking at your build it kinda gives it away. What sport is it?"
Looking is an understatement, her eyes were practically glued.
Dylan: (There's that annoying question again.)
Dylan: "It's martial arts."
His words came out quickly, as if pre-meditated.
Elin: (No wonder he's so strong.)
Elin: "I didn't know martial arts could cause injuries that severe."
Dylan: (Now how do I answer that?)
The unexpected follow up really rattled Dylan.
Dylan: "No it's – ughhh, it's because I have been in an accident. Multiple times."
Elin: "What acc–"
Dylan immediately stood up, cutting her off.
Dylan: "I should go and stop Ethan before he uses up all his mana."
The topic was abandoned so quickly it practically vanished.
Before Elin could say another word Dylan was already walking away.
Elin: "Ok."
Elin: (Did I say something wrong?)