A Wizards Misadventures

~~Level Twenty One~~

"Dude, don't be mean to Sam. Not cool," the cycloptic kid said. The other one pouted and lowered his stick.

"Cute, right?" Somebody slid next to me. I glanced at them. A pretty lady in a poofy coat was sitting next to me. She had green eyes and curly black hair that tumbled down to her neck. She smelled a little like perfume and grapes. "Which one's yours?"

"I don't have one. Yet. One on the way, though. Have you got one?"

"Mhm." She nodded and pointed at two kids sitting in a tree, both dark haired with pale skin, a boy and a girl. They were about six or seven by my guess, and muttering while looking at a leather bound book. "Twins. They want to be magicians when they grow up. I told them to go outside so they grabbed a book from my library and came out here."

"That's an advanced book on hydromancy. I don't think they actually understand that." Judging by their furrowed brows and bitten lips they absolutely didn't. The lady grinned.

"They totally don't. But they like to pretend that they do. Elena's able to make some water float and act like a mirror, which is more than most kids her age, but Basil can't do much that's practical. He's better at theory. I keep telling him to try some other elements but he's stubborn and wants to be better than his sister."

"That reminds me of my sister, though we had the positions reversed," I said in reminiscence. "I was better at elemental stuff and had a knack for portals. She was better at martial combat. She's still out hunting for monsters to slay, I think." The lady giggled.

"Tough job these days. Not many monsters to slay."

"Ah, there's plenty if you know where to look. Stray devils are always in season if nothing else. I tried my hand at it but the whole hunting thing never really stuck with me. I prefer studying magic, though that's more of a hobby at this point. I'm more in the management business, the good kind where I leave the details to others."

"Big business, then? You don't look like a businessman." She eyed me over critically, noting my cargo pants and hoodie.

"People can't see you through a cell phone. And there's always illusion magic. Who's going to call me out on it?" She nodded, amused.

"I'd thought that there was more yelling and line graphs."

"The word 'press conference' means to send a representative and have them send me a written report," I said wryly. "And you? You mentioned a library. A mage?"

"Grandaughter of Dionysus, daughter of Aphrodite. My name's Melody. I work in cosmetics and charm magic," she gave me a beautiful smile, one that showed off pearly teeth and high cheekbones. "And you are?"

"Abyss Mavros. I'm something of a god." I smiled back at her and she froze in shock.

"Oh, um, I'm-"

"Don't worry about the whole formality thing. The rumors of me smiting my enemies are greatly exaggerated," I calmed her down. She looked a bit overwhelmed. "I wouldn't be at a kids playground if I wanted praise and admiration. I hear enough of that from prayers."

"Then… You didn't hold off the Satans, Azazel, Michael, and a half dozen other devils effortlessly?" she asked nervously.

"Sirzechs wasn't really trying. Just keeping me at bay. I was more concerned with kicking Vali's ass, the White Dragon Emperor, I mean." She stopped for a moment and chuckled, sounding a little choked.