Carrying herself with spirit energy, Elena Frost quickly fled the battlefield.
Only when she reached a quiet alley did she finally stop.
Rain continued to fall—
But none of it touched her.
Every drop was gently repelled by her Spirit Dress, making her look like a fairy untouched by the world.
However—
She didn't notice her footing.
Slip—
"Ah—!"
Her small body tilted forward—
And she fell.
Hard.
Face-first.
Splash!
Water scattered everywhere.
The rabbit puppet slipped off her hand—
Flying forward—
Landing a short distance away.
And Elena Frost—
Remained lying there.
Face down.
Completely still.
"Aiden, look! There's a child who fell over!"
"Where?"
Turning the corner—
Aiden Cross immediately spotted the blue-haired girl.
He walked over calmly.
Picked up the rabbit puppet.
Then—
Lifted the small, fragile girl into his arms.
"Are you okay?"
"…Thank you…"
Her voice—
Barely audible.
Her hair—
Soft blue, like ocean waves.
Her lips—
Delicate, like cherry blossoms.
Her eyes—
Clear as sapphire.
Elena Frost—
Naturally timid.
Afraid of strangers.
But strangely—
Around Aiden Cross—
She felt…
Safe.
Not just him.
The same feeling—
Came from Zero and Stella .
Because—
Elena Frost was born from Zero's Spirit Crystal.
An Ice Spirit.
Bearer of the Sephira of Kindness — Chesed.
"…Um…"
"…Can you… return my puppet…?"
She spoke timidly.
Like a frightened little animal.
"Of course."
Aiden Cross handed it back without hesitation.
As soon as the puppet returned to her hand—
Elena Frost visibly relaxed.
"Ahaha! Thanks a lot, big brother!"
The rabbit puppet suddenly spoke—
With a sharp, exaggerated tone.
Aiden Cross wasn't surprised.
He knew—
This was her alternate personality.
Since Elena Frost struggled to communicate—
The puppet spoke for her.
"Be more careful next time."
"Mm…"
"But hey~ when you caught Elena Frost just now…"
"You totally touched her soft little body, didn't you? How was it~?"
The puppet wiggled mischievously.
"…?"
Aiden Cross raised an eyebrow.
"Since you helped her, we'll call it a bonus!"
"After all, it's Elena Frost's first time not rejecting someone's touch~"
"Maybe she likes you—"
Smack!
Elena Frost, face bright red—
Clamped the puppet shut with her hand.
"…!"
Silence.
"Elena Frost," Aiden Cross said calmly,
"You're a Spirit, right?"
"…Mm."
She nodded.
No denial.
This—
Was the third Spirit Aiden Cross had encountered.
And once again—
A low-difficulty capture target.
Even if she disliked fighting—
A free Demon-level Spirit?
Not bad.
"Do you want to come with us?"
Zero and Stella stepped forward.
"To take Elena Frost home on the first meeting? Big brother, that's kinda pervy~"
"It's not a joke," Aiden Cross replied.
"They're Spirits too."
"Mm! Aiden has lots of good food!"
"Come with us."
Stella —
Simply excited to meet another Spirit.
But for Zero—
Elena Frost was like a child.
And bringing her home—
Was the natural choice.
"…Can I… really…?"
"…Of course."
Just a few words—
And the natural bond between Spirits—
Was enough.
Elena Frost lowered her guard.
Maybe—
Following them—
Was safer.
At least—
She wouldn't be attacked anymore.
Meanwhile — Rooftop
"Wanda. Ready?"
"Mm. Target confirmed—Hermit."
"Two unknowns. One A-Class hero."
"Plan?"
"I rush in—grab the target."
"You control her."
"…There's an A-Class nearby."
"We should retreat immediately after."
"Relax."
Quicksilver smirked.
"When it comes to speed—"
"I don't lose."
Whoosh—!
He vanished.
Like lightning.
In an instant—
He reached the alley.
Hand extended—
Grabbing toward Elena Frost—
SLAP.
A hand—
Blocked him.
Before he could react—
He was slammed into the ground.
"…?!"
No matter how he struggled—
He couldn't move.
Above him—
A black-haired, red-eyed young man.
"Nice speed."
Aiden Cross said calmly.
"But still too slow."
"…!"
Quicksilver's pupils shrank.
"Quicksilver, right?"
"Is Scarlet Witch your sister—or your elder?"
"That's none of your business!"
"Let me go!"
"Answer properly."
"You'll suffer less."
"…She's my younger sister."
He gave in instantly.
Because—
At his neck—
An invisible force pressed like a blade.
Aiden Cross narrowed his eyes slightly.
So it's the MCU version.
Weakened.
Barely around Mach 3.
Even died to a bullet.
Pathetic.
But—
Scarlet Witch?
Different story.
Future potential—
S-Class.
Reality-warping.
Nearly killed Thanos.
But right now—
She was still weak.
Newly awakened.
"Let him go!"
A figure descended from above.
Floating.
Energy swirling around her.
Wanda.
Battle stance.
Eyes sharp.
Aiden Cross glanced at her.
"…Hmm."
A faint smile appeared.
"Buy one…"
He looked at Quicksilver.
Then at Wanda.
"…get one free?"
The air—
Turned dangerous.
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