4 Chapter 4: Helens Turn (2/2)

”Uwah~Uwah....ah haha....!” I whimpered and cried until my eyes turned red.

Carmine stoned on me as I cried next to her. I think she got a traumatic shock as though I had blamed her. Helen, who had watched everything, came to me and then bowed like a knight, ”I'm sorry, seems like it was too much,” she said, her voice still slightly stern, ”there, there. It's all better now.” she patted my back as she held me up into her arms.

Not exactly as good as mother, but relatively caring.

”Don't cry little one, it's okay.” Helen continued, ”Helen won't scare you anymore. I'm sorry...”

So she can apologize! Then how is she always like that? Why?

”I was jealous.” Helen mumbled softly into my ear as I blushed and continued to sniffle. She probably thought I couldn't understand her at all ... lol.

Teary eyed and still in her arms, I heard something. A chime... the doorbell! Was mother back home already? Lucky me!

Nobody answered. Helen was shocked as she hurriedly put me down on the carpet, while Carmine went pale with horror.

I suddenly saw how Helen just reached both hands towards her denim trousers and took out the daggers from her knee pockets. She was slow in movement and with a slightly scared expression, she positioned herself. Much like a fighter.

Carmine, clutched my right arm, very tightly and seriously stared at the barely opened door. Then, as short a whisper, ”Burglar,” Helen pronounced.

Now my senses were aroused. More importantly, how did they know? I thought it was mother, but they instantly knew who it was at the door... why?

I didn't know. Precisely the fact that bothered me.

Then, quick as a flash, Helen threw the dagger from her right hand. The dagger perpendicularly flew in between the tiny space that separated the door and the wall.

*THUD*

**CRASH**

Something had fallen and hit the ground as the loud sounds echoed throughout the house.

”Who's there!?” an unfamiliar hoarse voice grumbled aloud.

Looks like even in other worlds, these types of undertrained scums exist... the poor guy, I felt pity for him.

Steadily and brimmed with cautiousness, Helen peeked through the door. Guess what I did when Carmine's grab loosened? I trotted myself as fast I could with four legs and silently gazed into the place Helen blankly stared.

A man with almond colored complexion, a broken nose and quite the beard (fake, I pressume) stood still in the living room, straight across hallway. He wore a ridiculous Victorian era short hat and dark modern day sunglasses.

Why can't people just pick a comfortable, single and simple style here? I wonder to myself most times... yet the answer just never comes.

He wore a grey trench coat until it covered his ankles, a white henley shirt, and possibly, pitch black pants. His hands remained inside the coat pockets.

”Lead class, 2nd stage,” Helen murmured to herself as I listened, ”Mana is...” she stopped with a half frightened half excited expression.

Her face lost colour, ”...Unknown.” She said without much effort.

How prickly she must feel, I thought, to be unable to capture the essence of the enemy.

A mage has to be able to single out another mage's ability. That's why when they awaken, they go through various examinations and are tested in field and practice sparring. Through this, the new born mages are able to detect another mage's class, stage and their mana essence.

The hardest is the essence detection. If the opponent is stronger and more experienced, the harder it gets. In Helen's case, things are similar, since she has just returned from camp not too long ago and didn't do enough to keep herself as fit. So her ability went down.

However, a deathly stare suddenly erupted from the other end of the hallway, as the man slyly grinned. Helen's eyes met his as she slammed the door shut. Of course, he heard that.

Then, panicked, she locked the door to buy sometime, tried to open the jammed window, yet to no avail. Then, panicking back and forth, an idea hit her, as she picked me up and put me into the cradle.

”...?”

I didn't question her. She bent down and rummaged something somewhere. Then she took me into her arms, gently with a sour expression on her face.

The seriousness affirmed the little sister as she nodded and took me tightly packed in my arms. Then, Helen closed the cupboard door.

”So she's planning to fight alone.” I thought, slightly depressed and sad, ”I doubt she will win though. Logically speaking from experience, it's unlikely she might win... about 25% chance.”

I ransacked my brain, but couldn't comprehend on what to do. Then, my heart stopped still as I heard various noises coming from the other end... what was going on?!

I had no choice as I shot open the cupboard door with all my might and pulling myself away from Carmine's grasp.

Helen and that scrawny man fought each other, but Helen looked worse off, as the man only had his hat cut in half. No 'serious' injuries yet.

Since the man was tall and his attention focused on Helen, he didn't notice me. Since my mana has yet to be awakened, he doesn't feel threatened and couldn't detect my presence, all thanks to Helen.

Carmine who was shaking in fear, stared at the man, stiff and pale. Whatever I had to do, I must do it hurry. Before this girl begins to wail.

The toy thin rope (obviously, magically infused) was close to the man's feet so I grabbed hold of it. I crawled to his feet as the poor fool remained in the same position. Then I loosely strapped it around his feet. This took a lot of energy too!

I crawled over to Carmine, ”Cayyy mi~ Go, go!” I tried to hint her with all my might.

Whether she understood or not, she stopped crying and put on a brave face. Only then did she notice the rope under the man's feet lightly tied.

I held the other end and pushed it towards her hand. ”Go, go!” I repeated, this time with an enthusiastic smile.

Now something made sense to her. ”Got it,” she replied.

Carmine rushed to the tricycle at the edge of the room and tied the end she had with it. Tip-toed to the opened doorway for enough space. Then the tug of war started.

The rope caught hold of the man's feet as he struggled a bit and then pulled into balance.

The tricycle wasn't strong enough, especially with Carmine's weight. She was too light for the load she pulled. However, despite that, just as the man lost his concentration from Helen, she cunningly made the first move.

She stabbed him lightly in the stomach then pinned him down with the knives scattered around him. He hissed in pain and agony.

Carmine quickly got off her tricycle and rushed outside as she cried for help with desperation. The Windstorm Clan along with various other onlookers gathered around and soon, we were saved before the man regained consciousness. He had to be taken to the hospital. Later on, he was arrested, of course.

”I saw that, Ba-” Helen paused, ”no, Glow.”

So I was brave enough for her to admit me as an equal...? No baby or cuddles anymore... I'll definitely miss that!

”...”

However, contrary to my thoughts, she picked me up with a pleased expression, ”Thank you, for saving all of us. You were really brave, little sis.” Helen thanked me with a warm hug.

I guess all this little girl ever wanted was someone close to her and a companion. She must have had a life experience in training camp so as to make her this indifferent! Oh well, all's well that ends well. Yes, now that even the unapproachable Helen has been conquered, my peaceful life isn't far away~! Yay!