Jayden and Zoe were walking side by side. Inasmuch as he was cautious of his environment, he didn't fail to steal a glance at Zoe every passing minute.
He couldn't tell what exactly he liked about her, not like he'd even admitted he was drawn to her.
Was it her personality? Her eyes? Her smile?
He didn't know, but one thing he was certain of, was her welcoming presence, but don't forget her height.
She was among the few girls who managed to escape the disease of shortness and still retain her chubby beauty.
Jayden missed a step, causing a noise that felt rather loud in the quiet environment, plant vines immediately started rushing at them from both sides.
Zoe grinned, taking a stance with her spear in hand, they stood back-to-back, literally the same height.
Just when the countless vines were about to strike, Jayden turned on his Torchlight and pointed it at a spot behind them.
The vines coming from both sides shifted and collided in the spot behind Jayden.
"You can thank me later" Jayden winked at her.
Zoe folded her arms, throwing her face away from him.
They continued walking on the straight path within the farm.
He noticed the trees had a regular spacing of two meters, just like Mr Williams explained in classes.
Plant beasts are territorial and would not allow other large plants to grow within their space of nutrition.
Jayden took a deep breath, feeling inner peace even when he was in a mana zone.
"Your meeting last week, how did it go?" Zoe muttered.
Jayden immediately turned on the Torchlight and pointed it behind them as he noticed the vines reacting to the vibration of her sound, but since the light was a stronger signal, they attacked the point where the spotlight was.
Jayden's heart tensed. 'What meeting? I don't remember having a conversation like that'
But then he remembered she came by his hostel, why he was taken to the MAGEO, and that should probably be what Ryan and Tyler gave as an excuse.
Jayden smiled, "It went quite in my favour, but" he paused for a brief moment, "I'm really sorry I couldn't meet up with our meeting the other day."
Zoe smiled, "Apology not accepted."
"Huh,?" Jayden started, baring his teeth, 'Why does she have to be so dense?'
She giggled when she saw the shocked expressions on his face, "If I'm gonna forgive you, you'll have to reschedule the meeting and this time my room is the venue."
"Whaaaaaaa!" Jayden exclaimed, stumbling backwards as blood rushed to his cheek.
Zoe turned and leaned into him, "What? You're not gonna come?"
Jayden began shaking. He noticed she always pulled off this character each time they were alone, but what could he do now? There was no way he was gonna say 'no'.
Just then, Jayden noticed a bunch of plant vines locking on them. He had been distracted, and the Torchlight, which was meant to be their bait, was pointing right below their feet.
He caught Zoe in his arms and bent below the vines then redirected the vines behind them with the touchlight.
Zoe's face flushed red, pushing him away from herself. She then stood up and turned away, pointing back at him, "You have no right to touch me until you apologise."
Jayden stood up, wondering if he ever had a right over her. He began to see the emotional side of her and even her eyes were betraying the reason she pushed him away.
Jayden got up, acting all mature, "Let's focus on the task"
They continued walking, but he could see Zoe beating herself up for acting the way she did. She was supposed to be the passive one, but now it felt like she was the one all around him.
Jayden was enjoying the look on her face until it became serious all at once.
He looked ahead of them, "fuck."
Six red-eyed bunnies were slowly approaching them.
"Mana bunnies, stay behind me" Zoe grinned, gripping her spear and taking a stance before him.
Jayden could barely believe that those were the cute creatures that lived in people's gardens.
Mana had turned them into monsters. They had a single horn on their head, not to mention how long and curvy their claws were.
One of the bunnies rushed ahead of the others and sprinted towards Zoe.
Zoe struck the bunnies with her spear to the side. It crashed into the bush, completely dealt with, but she wasn't gonna make it in time to counter the rest of the bunnies.
She clenched her teeth, watching the bunnies close on her mid-air, just before she felt Jayden's grip on her waist, pulling her back and then he pointed the Torchlight right at the bunnies.
Plant vines immediately rushed out and strangled the bunnies one after the other without giving them a chance to fight back.
Jayden stumbled back, breathing heavily because of the fight he had to win in his mind before saving Zoe.
Seconds ago he looked behind her, debating on where to hold in pulling her backwards.
He thought of pulling her clothes, but that would be rude, also yanking her backwards with her arms might cause her to lose balance.
Where else?
He finally forced himself to grip her by the waist, yeah, there was no other choice.
Zoe's fists were clenched; things had turned out the opposite way for her.
She was now the one who was gaining more interest in him and also being protected by him.
"Damn that Torchlight." She whispered to herself.
Jayden looked up to the night moon before standing up completely and noticing the tangible flare of anger from Zoe.
He smiled, scratching his nape only to notice something terrifying.
A double-headed snake was already in the middle of its charge towards biting Zoe's legs.
'SHIT'
Jayden clenched his teeth, his mind went blank. He looked at Zoe but she was lost in whatever was in her mind.
'I've gotta do something! Quick.