Chương 70: [That woman is more competitive than Phil]

The civic centre doors swung shut behind them and they headed up the street.

"Glad that's over," Phil said, falling into step.

"It's good to see the council taking things seriously. We were right when we said people are going to want to pick magic up after yesterday."

"Yeah," Luka said.

"The fight and the comms unlock is like two separate, very obvious reasons. It wouldn't surprise me if we see people trying shit out in the middle of the street. Mike is going to have to be quick if he's going to get that in order safely."

"I didn't expect Frank to ask us how it works," Leo said.

"I know he has people at home same as everyone but seeing the old army bloke asking us how to cast magic was surreal." They walked down the steps and turned in the direction of the flat.

"Diane figured out the engine thing pretty quickly," Sam said.

"I've been trying to figure it out but had nothing. I wish she wasn't so annoying about it though."

"Yeah, the smirk on her face when she said she'd solved it and looked at you. That woman is more competitive than Phil," Leo said, laughing.

"That's twice now dude," Phil said, grinning along.

"You need to step up, she's beating you at all the stuff you're best at."

"Don't give me that shit. She abuses OP shit in 40k and she's been in her lab working on this while I've been out there keeping your ass safe."

"Yeah sure man. What's she going to do next, out DM you or something?"

"Man that doesn't even make sense, you fucking idiot."

"I don't fucking know, I don't play DnD, I'm not a huge nerd like you."

"Yeah sure man, tell me, how many characters have you got to max level in WoW again?" Parmo chuckled.

"He's got you there like dude."

"I wonder if we start seeing people using magic for non-combat stuff," Luka said.

"I can't imagine the supplies for the wall lasting before they finish it. They were talking about knocking some of the older buildings down if the stone runs out."

"Torren's got that magic that helps stuff grow," Sam said.

"So we know that sort of thing is realistic. Someone figures out utility magic and some of the town's problems get a lot easier."

"Maybe something where they can pull stone out of the ground," Leo said.

"That'd sort the wall problem wouldn't it," Parmo said.

"I mentioned to Terry I'd help where I can once they have things in the ground," Torren said.

"Speeding along what's already growing is well within what I'm able to do. Three thousand people is a great deal more than I'm used to tending for, but I'll do what I can." He paused.

"If others start finding that kind of magic, the food problem sorts itself out in time. It would let the man breathe at least. He carries a great deal of worry for someone who doesn't show it."

"Yeah you're not wrong. He's going to go bald if he doesn't relax," said Phil.

"I wasn't surprised Gary had the same idea for the wooden French thing," Parmo said.

"It was pretty funny when you came out with the name though. Everyone looked at you like you were an alien or something."

"I know, yeah. He called them giant caltrops," Leo laughed.

"He didn't even try and get the name right," Phil said.

"He was like, yeah I like my name better."

"Giant caltrops is better to be fair. It's not French for a start," Parmo said.

"Yeah, most people aren't going to even know what caltrops are though so it doesn't really help anyway," Luka said.

"That thing Diane said about the panels is mad though," Leo said.

"Lucky it pulls in more because of the magic in the air rather than fucking them like it did with the cars." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I know man, it means we can start using stuff properly though," Phil said.

"In stages but still."

"We need to get to any of the shops still selling DVDs before people figure that out. Probably worth checking charity shops as well. There's gotta be a copy of the Lord of the Rings trilogy round here somewhere," Parmo said.

"Once word gets around that the telly works people are going to clear them out."

"Yeah, no Netflix is going to suck for some people," Luka said, mostly to himself.

"Can't be worse than no internet at all," Sam said.

"I never realised how much I relied on it for everything."

"While we're on the topic of tv," Phil said, looking over at Rika.

"Why did you ask if the restrictions on electricity use meant you could watch anime now?" He shook his head.

"They looked at us like we're idiots."

"I mean..." Shai said. The five lads all looked over at Shai.

"Wow, Shai. Rude," Parmo said, holding his heart.

"Are you hearing this shit, Leo? Tell her that was out of order," Phil said, looking away.

"You realise this is kind of proving her point?" Sam said.

"I never took you for such a mean lady, Shai..." Luka added. Leo laughed.

"They probably think you're a weeb Phil. It's like your worst nightmare."

"Oh fuck, you might be right."

"Well you told me about anime, and games and I want to see what's so fun about it. How was I supposed to know it was a weird question?" Rika complained.

"No one actually cares. Mike going along with it and calling it a culture exchange though, he was absolutely taking the piss," Leo said.

"Oh. Well good. I want to see these cat girls you told me about."

"Oh, for fuck sake can we not," Leo said.

"We've still got the Gameboys in our inventory by the way," Luka said, glancing at Rika and Torren.

"Meant to show you the other day but things have been hectic. Just kept getting sidetracked."

"Consoles need more power so that's going to have to wait a bit," Sam said.

"But Gameboys are fine." They were about halfway back when Leo slowed slightly.

"I'm gunna message my mum," he said. Parmo had his eyes on his own tab, already composing. Sam pulled his up a second later. Leo sent it. The drain hit and he breathed through it, kept walking.

"You okay?" Shai asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. I expected the drain but it takes a bit of getting used to."

"Done," Sam said a moment later.

"Mine went last night," Phil said.

"After we topped up again."

"Same," Luka said. Leo's bar was sitting low but climbing. He checked it once and put it away. They spotted Ronan coming down Murray Street before he saw them, hands in his coat pockets, deep in conversation with someone walking alongside him. He looked up, noticed the group, and raised a hand. Said something to the man beside him and crossed over.

"I see you're fitting in," Shai said.

"Did the elders send you?"

"He was telling me about his tattoos," Ronan said, nodding back toward the man.

"Apparently he's got something called a football team tattooed on his chest. No idea what one of those is." He shrugged.

"I was hanging round doing nothing so I volunteered. They've got it covered back home. This sounds more interesting anyway." Shai's tail stilled for a moment.

"I should have known."

"Heard you had some excitement yesterday as well," he said.

"Didn't want to be sat around if it happened again."

"We were lucky to be honest," Shai said.

"You being here will help a lot."

"I was thinking I'd watch the training for a bit, give out some pointers. Maybe take a student of my own." He glanced over at Leo, the grin widening slightly.

"I heard Kai has one." Shai stared at him.

"One of you is bad enough." Torren laughed, warm and unhurried.

"It's good to see you my friend. We were heading home to get cleaned up before stopping at the pub for food, if you'd like to join us."

"Sure," Ronan said.

"Lead the way."

The kitchen smelled of cleaning spray. Karen worked the cloth across the counter in slow circles, the same stretch she'd done twice already. Upstairs, music drifted down through the ceiling, something with too much bass that she'd given up asking them to turn down a week ago. She stopped. Stood there with the cloth in her hand and stared at the wall. A month. No news, no answers, nothing that made any sense. She'd stopped watching the press conferences after the third one.

Men in suits saying everything they could while saying nothing at all. She set the cloth down and blew out a long breath. Then she froze. Mum, it's Leo. I'm alive and safe, I promise this is real. I know it won't feel like it but you're not going mad. I'll explain everything soon, I just wanted you to know we're okay. Love you. She felt dizzy, then everything went black. She came round on the kitchen floor with two faces looking down at her.

"Grandma? You alright?" She blinked. Jake. Olly beside him, phone in hand, both of them crouched over her with the particular expression of teenagers trying not to look as worried as they were.

"I'm fine," she said.

"I must have passed out. It's warm in here, I probably need to drink more water or something." She let them help her up. Sat on the edge of a kitchen chair and pressed her hands flat on the table. The lads looked at each other.

"Did you hear something?" Jake said.

"Something weird." She looked at him.

"Weird how?" Jake paused.

"Like Dad's voice." She went very still.

"How did you know that?"

"We both got one," Olly said.

"Yesterday. We wanted to tell you but we didn't think you'd believe us. Thought you might try and take us to hospital or something." He sat down across from her.

"We're not the only ones either. Dad's friends sent messages to their families as well. There's a group chat. It hasn't gotten out yet, nothing on the news or online, but there's people who've heard the same thing." Karen looked at the table then back at them.

"There's a group chat," she said.

"Yeah," Jake said.

"We'll add you in." She sat with that for a moment.

"Show me," she said.