Chapter 1: Midnights and Big Frights
A piece of paper tumbled through the wind, twirling twice before landing over a young woman's chest.
The young woman halted, unsticking the paper from her body.
WANTED: Mr Daryl Mole
For using magic and threatening public safety.
Urgent reminder for the citizens of Trioh: The use of magic is forbidden in Trioh. Prosecuted persons are punishable by imprisonment and execution.
Vera released the paper as she looked at the clock above the town square. It was close to one in the morning.
She was very late for her night shift. Vera dashed through the quiet streets, her breaths coming out in uneven puffs. Just then, she heard a feminine yelp around the alley of the street near the bar where she worked.
Vera crept slowly to see what was happening and pressed a hand to her mouth when she saw.
A middle-aged woman, who looked to be in her forties, was being robbed by two men. She wore a sparkly silver dress and red high heels. The two men had knives glinting against the moonlight, as they advanced on the woman. The woman held her hands in front of her body, warning them.
"Don't come any closer, I know taekwondo!" She shouted.
The man on the left snickered, and he said, "Sure you do. Now shut up!"
The man on the right grabbed the woman and tore her bag.
The woman cried for help, and the man on the left made a move to slash her with his knife.
At that moment, Vera's anger against the two men boiled over. Without thinking, she raised her hand, and the man's knife flew out of his hand and clattered to the ground. The two men looked around, confused and frightened.
"Who's there?" one of them shouted.
Vera felt a surge of fear, realizing that she had revealed her magical abilities. She turned to run, but one of the men grabbed her arm.
"Wait a minute," he said. "What's going on here? Are you the one using magic?"
Vera tried to pull away, but the man held her tight. "Let me go!" she shouted.
At that moment, a hooded figure appeared out of nowhere, his face obscured by the shadows of his hood. He raised his hand, and a burst of energy shot out, knocking the two men to the ground.
"Leave her alone," he said in a low, commanding voice.
The two men scrambled to their feet and ran away, leaving Vera and the hooded figure alone in the alley.
Vera breathed a sigh of relief, but she could not shake the feeling that she was in danger. She looked up at the hooded figure, trying to see his face.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The figure hesitated, then said, "My name is Kasper. I heard the commotion and came to help."
Vera nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thank you for saving me," she said.
Kasper nodded in response, his face still hidden by the hood. "It was the least I could do," he said.
Vera frowned, feeling a sense of unease. "Why are you wearing a hood?" she asked. "Are you in trouble with the authorities?"
Kasper hesitated for a moment before responding. "No, I just prefer to keep a low profile," he said.
Vera nodded, sensing that there was more to the story than Kasper was letting on. She couldn't help feeling drawn to him, despite the mystery surrounding him.
As they walked out of the alley, Vera couldn't help but wonder who Kasper really was and what he was doing in Trioh. She had a feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.