Bubbles (Part Two)

Deep in a sheltered alley in South City, Snow City, Bubbles snapped her eyes open.

"Hah... hah..."

Cold sweat slid down her temples. At some point, the clothes on her back had become soaked through.

The bubble double she had created did not transfer injuries to her body, but the suffocation and panic she had felt when Scholar grabbed her by the throat had been all too real.

Sunlit Rank... Scholar...

I thought I could fool her a little longer, but it looks like two days was my limit.

Scholar had guessed right. Because of the nature of Bubbles' ability, Snow City had completely replaced its Magic Monitoring System as soon as Bubbles arrived at the Branch. With the aid of the Headquarters' Magic Source, Bubbles had wrapped all of Snow City in her power.

Everything inside the bubble was hers to know.

At least when it came to information, Snow City had been divided into two worlds.

One was the real world. The other was a dream world inside the bubble.

She did not believe Demon King would become their enemy.

She was sure Demon King had something on her mind, that the woman had gotten her hooks into her. If Demon King could just stay with everyone, they could protect her.

That was why Bubbles had watched Demon King so closely ever since Scholar arrived in Snow City.

She had hoped to bring Demon King back herself, rather than leave the Association to deal with her after something went wrong. Otherwise, the Association would surely punish Demon King...

Tap.

A faint footstep sounded at the mouth of the alley.

Every hair on Bubbles' body stood on end.

Through the moan of the wind and snow, a figure wrapped in a black cloak stepped into the alley, backlit as