The Boiling Isles market was a mess of colors and smells. There were stalls selling screaming onions and jars of literal dragon breath. Eda told us to stay close, but Luz was already distracted by a stand selling "Authentic Wizard Hats."
Eda" Stay sharp, kids. This place is full of pickpockets and scammers. And don't touch anything that looks like it wants to bite you. Usually, it does."
Luz" Oh my gosh, Leo! Look at those crystal balls! Do you think they have games on them?"
Me" I doubt it, Luz. They look more like they're used for hexing people."
[Me] [I need to keep my eyes open. My fast learning ability is helping me track everyone in the crowd. I can see the way people move and where they hide their weapons.]
Suddenly, a hooded figure darted past Luz. In a flash, the small bag of snails Eda gave her was gone.
Luz" Hey! My money! Stop!"
The thief disappears into a dark alleyway.
Me" Stay here with Eda, Luz. I'll get it back."
I ran into the alley. The thief was fast, but I was faster. I used my mana to boost my speed. I rounded the corner and saw the thief trapped at a dead end. He turned around, pulling out a jagged dagger.
Thief" Back off, human! Or I'll carve you like a festive gourd!"
[Me] [He's fast, but I've been reading the 'Naruto' section of the Grimoire all morning. Let's try a classic.]
I focused my mana. I saw a piece of old wooden fencing nearby.
Me" Kawarimi."
The thief lunges forward and stabs his blade into my chest. There is a cloud of smoke.
Thief" Ha! Gotcha!"
The smoke clears to show that he didn't stab me. He stabbed a piece of wood. I was standing behind him, holding the bag of snails.
Me" Looking for this?"
Thief" What?! How did you move so fast? What kind of illusion was that?!"
Me" Just a little trick from another world. Now, get out of here before I decide to test a fireball spell on your cape."
The thief screams and scrambles over the wall to get away.
I walked back out to the main street. Luz was pacing back and forth while Eda leaned against a wall, looking bored.
Me" Here you go, Luz. Safe and sound."
Luz" Leo! You're a hero! How did you do it? I saw him stab you!"
Me" It's called a substitution. I swapped places with a piece of wood at the last second. It's all about timing and mana control."
Eda" Raises an eyebrow A substitution? I've never seen a witch do that without a complex circle. You're full of surprises, kid. That book of yours is starting to look very dangerous."
Me" It's only dangerous if it's in the wrong hands, Eda. Besides, I'm using it to keep us safe."
[Me] [She's right though. The more I use these powers, the more attention I'm going to draw. I need to be careful.]
As we walked away, I noticed a golden-masked guard watching us from a rooftop. He didn't move. He just watched.
[Me] [The Emperor's Coven. They're already interested in us. I need to learn something big, and I need to do it soon.]
Me" Hey Eda, after we get lunch, can you show me how to mask my magic signature? I have a feeling we're being followed."
Eda" Her eyes sharpen Finally, you're starting to think like a real outlaw. Follow me. I know a place where the walls have ears and the soup is cheap."
The story is going into hiatus