1 | Ascent [DISCONTINUED]

46 | TRAINING: INTERRUPTED

WHEN WAS THE LAST time she truly took the time to train? That was the question that was on Elvira's mind when she woke up this morning. And it was a question that she didn't quite have an answer to. The last time she remembers training was when she and Gajeel first joined Phantom Lord. Back then, the pair constantly trained to increase their magical ability and skill. In the end, it paid off, as both had been granted S-Class status. After becoming S-Class, the pair didn't train as much, believing that they both were at the time of their game.

          Looking back at it, Elvira couldn't help but realize how arrogant that was of her. Now she realizes that just because she was at the top of her game, that didn't mean she should've slacked off. Had she kept training, she might've been able to increase her magical energy sense, and she might've been able to pick up on the man that had been watching her for years. Nevertheless, Elvira decided not to dwell on her mistakes, but rather fix them. So when she woke up this morning, she had a plan, one that would involve endless training.

          However, that plan was quickly interrupted by Yoro, who wanted her to take care of the shop for the day. When Elvira woke up, she planned on asking Yoro for the day off, but before she could, he revealed he had a family emergency that needed his complete attention. He expressed his concerns about closing the shop for the day, but Elvira soothed his concerns by agreeing to take over. At first, she didn't believe it would be so bad, but after hours of sitting in an empty shop, with barely any customers, she began to regret her decision.

          "Wow," a voice says, causing Elvira to snap her head up from the counter. "You look like you're having fun."

          "Oh hey Totomaru," she greets. "Yoro's out for the day so I'm in charge of running the shop, sadly, I've barely gotten any customers. Which means I've spent most of the day staring at the counter."

"That's sucks, but here, let me help you out," he tells her before picking up a keychain and tossing it on the counter. "I'll take one of these."

"Thanks," Elvira laughs before imputing it in the register. "That'll be two hundred jewel."

"Two hundred jewel for the hardworking employee," he says, giving her the money before picking up the key chain. "You know, I think Yoro's the only magic shop owner who invests in a whole bunch of non-magical items."

"He calls it having something for everyone," Elvira reveals. "His mission is to completely take over the shop industry."

"I'm surprised he hasn't started selling food."

"Me too," Elvira admits. "Anyway, I'm sure you didn't come here to just buy a keychain. So what do you need?"

           "I just came to check up on you," he reveals. "You were acting weird yesterday, so I wanted to make sure everything was alright with you."

          It was yesterday that Elvira returned from Magnolia, after being forced to spend the night. She returned early in the morning and spent the first few hours settling back in as well as giving Yoro a delivery report. In the afternoon, she then went to the orphanage where she spent the rest of her day. While there, she gave the children their souvenirs and spent some time hanging with them. During her time there, Totomaru noticed something off with her. He noticed her sudden paranoia, noticing that she was constantly checking her surroundings. He meant to ask her right then and there if she was fine, but he just never got around to it.

Little did Totomaru know, however, that she had a reason to be so paranoid. After learning that somebody was and may still be currently watching her, she couldn't help but become paranoid. However, her paranoia wasn't just for her sake but those around her. Even though the people around her have yet to be in any sudden danger, she felt as though she couldn't risk it. She didn't know if someone else was sent out nor did she know if tactics change and they would come after her. She needed to keep her eyes wide open, for both her sake and the others.