Angel had already been considering paying Midora a visit. Coupled with what had happened today, and Midora speaking up for him as well, he naturally had no reason to refuse.
Angel nodded. "All right."
Sabo glanced at the regretful expressions of the other law enforcement captains around them, said nothing, and told Angel, "Let's go."
As Sabo and Angel departed, Mansi Magic Material Street, which had been bustling for a time, returned to its former calm. Yet what had happened here, and the ripples stirred by that battle, would continue to ferment and spread in the days to come.
As Angel followed Sabo toward the Research Institute, he was also reflecting on the battle from earlier.
This had been a rare experience of facing off against an official wizard, and all things considered, it had not felt bad. Although Angel was not yet absolutely certain he could win, under those circumstances, he had managed to hold his own until now with physical strength alone. He had not felt that he could lose, either.
Measured in advance and retreat, victory and defeat held in his heart.
Angel was rather satisfied with the battle. Winchester might not have gone all out, but hadn't Angel himself kept some trump cards in reserve as well?
The Research Institute was not on the front side of Sky Mechanical City, but on its reverse side. On the way there, Sabo kept stealing glances at Angel from the corner of his eye.
All along the way, he had wanted to ask how Angel had undergone such a transformation. But that clearly involved personal privacy, and he worried that asking might sour their relationship.
Yet amid such hesitation, Sabo failed to realize that he was already viewing Angel as someone of his own generation. If he had