1

So boring...

As I strolled through the empty streets of the small town, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease in my stomach. My odd jobs business had hit a bit of a dry spell, and I was feeling the pinch of my dwindling funds.

I wonder what could be the problem? As I made my way through town, I couldn't help but notice the new "Odd Jobs Express" sign that had popped up on Main Street. What? So the reason the business hasn't been booming lately was because of this? How am I going to make money, you buffoon?! I had always been the go-to guy in town for odd jobs and home repairs, but now there was someone else vying for the same business. Whatever.

"Halt at once, scoundrel!"

"Uwaaaaahh!!"

Hm? What the-?! I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched a girl with fair complexion, striking wine-red hair and captivating green eyes flying towards me on a broomstick, her shout ringing out like a burst of energy against the dull gray sky as she was being chased by the knights. I marveled at her boldness in the face of danger. It was like watching a bird in flight, graceful and unburdened by the weight of the world below.

"Hey you! Glasses with the tied blonde hair!"

Me? I point towards myself for confirmation.

"Yes, you!"

What does she want from me? As she was nearing me, she then grabbed my arm and pulled me on the broomstick.

"What are you doing?!" I exclaimed. What is she thinking, roping an innocent civilian into this?!

"Shaddap! Listen, I need your help, okay? Now, point the directions to your house so I can hide!" the girl demanded. Is this girl being for real?

"Why should I? I have nothing to do with this!" I scowled.

"Oh, now you do! If I'm caught, I'm bringing you down with me!" ...What???

"Don't bring me into this, mage-girl!" Seriously, just find a way yourself! Why are you asking some random pedestrian strolling the town for help??!

"Now you know how dire the situation is! Come on, show me the directions!" To hell with that!

"Dire you for you, that is. Fine! But lose those knights behind us first. I don't want my house to be ransacked." I gave in.

"Hehe, thank you! Now, hold on tight! We're going to soar through the skies!" Why didn't she do this earlier?!

As we soared through the clouds on her broomstick, I felt a sense of exhilaration unlike anything I had ever experienced. The wind rushed past us, tugging at our hair and clothes, while the sun shone down on us from above.

She soared higher and higher into the sky on her magic broomstick. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer altitude we had reached. The air was thin and chilly, and my ears popped uncomfortably as we climbed ever higher.

Sarah let out a whoop of joy, her arms outstretched as we soared higher and higher into the sky. "Isn't this amazing?!" she shouted over the rush of wind. "I've always loved flying. It's like I'm free, you know!"

I couldn't help but grin at her infectious enthusiasm. "Yeah, I know what you mean," I replied. "I never thought I'd be flying on a broomstick, but I have to admit, it's pretty awesome. By the way, my house is over there."

"Right?! Okay, we're landing now- whoa! We're falling! We're falling!!" yelled the girl. The wind had grown stronger, and the broomstick began to shake and shudder beneath us.

"Huh?? Get us back up then!! I haven't lived my life yet to die now!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the roar of the wind. I struggled to breathe due to the lack of air.

But before she could respond, there was a sudden jolt, and we were falling, plummeting through the sky towards the ground far below. The wind rushed past us, tugging at our clothes and hair, while the ground rushed up to meet us with terrifying speed.

I was clinging to the broomstick for dear life. Then she yelled, "Hey, can you do anything?!" It's your broomstick, stupid!

"How should I know?! You're the one driving this broom!" I shouted back, trying to reach her through the rush of wind.

Just as it seemed like we were about to crash into the ground, Her quick thinking saved us. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a burst of magic into the broomstick, softening our fall.

As we crash in a heap on the ground, gasping for breath and hearts pounding, I knew that we had just narrowly escaped disaster. I understand now why she didn't do this in the first place. Because this'd happen!

"Oww, my back!" she said, out of breath. Honestly, I was a little surprised but also grateful that she did that. But no way I'm going to admit that.

"Argh... How'd that happen?" I asked while sitting up.

She panted for a while before answering, "Haahh... We went past the height limit..." Height limit? I looked at her. "What do you mean height limit? It's magic, isn't it?" I inquired, struggling to catch my breath.

She responds, "Well, it is magic but not really. It's an artifact." I pondered for a moment before asking again, "What's the difference?"

She explains after stabilizing her breath, "Hohoho, you don't know? Let this genius teach you! For one, magic users are able to cast a certain number of spells depending on their level. But sometimes, talented individuals, such as me, can access plenty of spells earlier! If I knew flight magic, then maybe we wouldn't fall. Meanwhile, artifacts has a set limit before being worn out. Having said that, I've been running away from them for a while now. Hehe!" she puts a fist on her head while sticking out a tongue. This girl...

"I see. That explains it." As we sat there for a while, I heard shouting across the street.

"Hah! We got you guys now! There's nowhere to run!" Hell, it's the knights!

I pat her shoulder, "Hey, mage-girl, look at that. They're on us. Let's go." Though I said that, it doesn't look like either of us are in the condition to run. "Hyeeeh?! They're on horseback! Let's make a run for it!" She then lifts herself up to escape.

We mustered all of our strength and ran as fast as we could through the town square, the hooves of horses pounding the ground behind me. My heart was racing, and I knew we were in trouble. We had been so caught up in the fall that we hadn't noticed the guards following us.

Looking around frantically, I tried to find a way out, but every corner I looked seemed to be blocked off by the imposing knights. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her gesturing towards a nearby building. Without hesitation, we sprinted towards it.

As we burst through the door, I could hear the knights closing in. We raced up the stairs and onto the roof, the guards hot on our heels. But we had a plan. She grabbed my hand, and with a flash of magic, we lifted off the rooftop, soaring high above the town.

As we flew through the sky, I couldn't help but feel exhilarated, though our triumph was short-lived. We soon reached the limits of her magic, and we began to fall. Down, down, down we plummeted towards the ground, with the knights closing in fast.

With a jolt, we hit the ground, tumbling to a stop as the knights surrounded us. We had been caught.

One of the knights stepped forward, his armor clanging with each movement. "You are both under arrest for the theft of royal property," he boomed, pointing his sword at us. "Come with us."