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nOn the way to the carriage, in the beginning, no words were exchanged between, Serena and John.

nThey kept close, as the air around john was warm, and made the blizzard more tolerable, the cloak with the hoodie also helped.

nThe one who broke the Awkward silence, was serena

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"Hey john

" She called out

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"Yeah?

" John replied

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"W-When, I said I didn't care... that was a lie...

" She muttered

nHearing this, john began trembling while trying to hold back his laugh

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"Sorry What was that? Pf-

" He asked

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"I said, I lied, about not caring...

" She said

nJohn thought that serena would get mad but instead, she looked down. Seeing this, john felt bad

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"Hm, that's fine, I don't mind at all. Not too far from your daily behaviour.

" John said casually

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"Hey!! I really felt bad!

" She said, now annoyed

nSeeing this, john let out a chuckle, before he gave her a pat and said

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"I know that you don't mean any of that. Did you actually think anyone believed it?

" John asked with a smile

nSerena who was having her head, patted, slowly pushed john's hand away and turned to the direction of the carriage. But when she did, john suddenly placed his hand on her forehead.

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"Hmm, it doesn't look like you have a fever...

" He muttered

nJohn noticed that serena's face was a bit red, and was worried that she might have had a fever.

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"Wha-wha-wh- I-Im fine...

" Serena said as she moved his hand again

nJohn wasn't sure if it was because of the way serena was acting, or if it was because of how he's started getting more conscious around her, but his sudden action, had made him embarrassed

nAnd from the looks of it, Serena was too. But before he could think more about it, they reached the ice cube

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"The carriage should be inside

" said Serena as she cut open a hole using wind

nAs they entered, they found out that the horses and carriage were perfectly fine. The horses were drinking water, which John had left there for them.

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"Alright, let's get everything, then get out of here

"

nSerena went on to the back of the carriage, and john followed being. She piled up everything they needed. A cooking pot, vegetables, master's favourite wine, and plates.

nAfter everything, was in a pile, john slowly got up on the carriage, to get it, when all of the sudden, his leg bumped into something, causing him to fall straight on serena

nAs a soft sensation filled his head, john suddenly realised what had happened and raised his head.

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"S-Sorry!

" Said John with his eyes closed

nSeeing as there was no reply, he opened his eyes, only to see, serena covering her eyes, with her fingertips, trying to hide how embarrassed and red her cheeks were

nBecause, they had both fallen, her hat slipped out a bit, he could see he cute pointy elf ears which were also red.

nJohn continued to stare straight at her, without saying anything, he too was conscious of the situation and was starting to get red.

nIt was only them two, in the middle of a cold storm, by themselves, such a situation shouldn't be allowed to happen, but it did.

nSince serena wasn't fighting back, before he even realised it, John was moving his face closer and closer to serena's

nAs he got closer, it felt as if time stilled. serena slowly moved her hands displaying her bright red cheeks, and a small frown formed over quivering silver eyes which stared straight at him. Seeing this, john's face got redder and redder.

nHe continued to move closer and as her small pink lips were just under his, a voice could be heard close to the carriage

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"Boss was right, there was a giant ice cube here

" Said a male voice

nHearing a voice, john suddenly sprung up, and realised what he had done.

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"Ah...

"

nHe didn't know what to say, but there was no need to. Serena slowly got up, and with her cheeks still red, she said

"It's fine

" Before jumping out of the carriage, and walking towards where the voice came from

nJohn didn't know how to take that reply, did she dislike it and not mind since they were close friends? Did she like it? All these questions popped up in his head, but he didn't have time to think about it.

nThe voice they heard didn't come from master, or Ariel, or master's brother. Was it bandits? John wasn't too sure, but there was one thing he knew for sure. He regretted that it ruined his most likely best and only moment.

nSerena herself didn't look too happy, as they both walked towards the end of the ice that the voice came from, John began to wonder if it was because of what he had done.

nHe decided to worry about it after he sorted this out.

nAs they approached the other side of the cube, a circle was suddenly cut open in it, and 4 guys came inside. The 4 were wearing heavy winter clothes and had their faces covered with goggles

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"Oh... Look at what we have here...

" Said the same male voice

nIt sounded like it belonged to an old man

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"The boss will be proud once we show him this

" Said another male voice

nAnother old man

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"What are you kids doing out here in the cold?

" Asked the first guy

nWithout saying anything, john just glared at him. During the trip, they encountered bandits around 5 times, and boss both quickly and quietly dealt with them

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"Oioi, that's not a nice look you have there kid, relax, we just want your things, we'll spare you at least, I don't know about her though... She'd sell for a lot, as a slav-

"

nThe moment he mentioned that word, John's eyes became clouded in darkness as he muttered

"posession

". And in that moment, a dark cube covered the guy's whole body

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"W-What's happening? G-Get me out of here!

" Shouted the guy from inside of the cube

nThe other three were starting to panic

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"O-Oh S*** We messed with the wrong guy, I-I'm out!

" Said one of them as he ran back out of the hole

nThe other two, followed behind, Serena was going to stop them, but john let them go. He didn't want to kill them in front of Serena, but he planned on paying a visit to their base as thanks for what they had done.

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"Now what should I do with you...

" Asked john

nThe ice melted and the darkness dispersed, the guy in the cloak was trembling, he looked scared out of his mind. John didn't look like he cared, his eyes were dark, like any sympathy or kind emotion he had was gone.

nSeeing this serena felt worried, but decided not to mention it.

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"Go back to your boss

" John said with a smile

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"A-A-I-I'll tell H-Him what h-happened, j-just you wait, y-you kids are dead!

" He said before running out

nJohn simply waved at him with the same smile

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"Are you sure we should let them go?

" Asked Serena

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"It's fine, I'm sure they won't cause us any trouble

" Replied John

nThe darkness which was around john's eyes, disappeared, he cancelled possession. It turns out he can freely use it, but the reason he collapsed was something that was supposed to happen after doing the trial.

nSerena didn't think it was a good idea to let them go, but she decided to listen to john.

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"I'll go get the things...

" Said John as he pointed towards the carriage

nWithout saying anything serena nodded, her face was still red, john was really starting to wonder if she really wasn't sick

nShe was staggering while walking, just to make sure, john walked over to her again and placed his hand over her forehead, when all of the sudden, she collapsed

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"Serena? Oi Serena?

" Asked john

nHer eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily, it looked like she really did catch a cold. But how? He kept everything warm...

nHis heal spell can't heal fevers, but if she was just sick, it should get better over time, as long as it's nothing serious.

nHe placed her on his back and muttered

"Hold on

"

nHearing this, Serena slowly grabbed on to him. After he made sure, it was fine. He got up, lifted up the cooking supplies using wind, and walked straight towards the cave.

nIt was too risky to be using levite, with serena in this condition, so walking was the best option. John also made sure to cast levite on the supplies making it easier to move around with wind.

nWhen he finally reached the cave, he called out to master

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"Master, is there any medicine for the cold?

"

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"I'll need to check

" Said master before teleporting away

nAriel who was still playing with magic, sprung up when she saw serena and made a mat for her to lie down on.

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