After Evelyn arrived, Brandon was taken to a nearby ambulance that was parked outside.
Brandon was seated on the ambulance's trunk, while a nurse tended to his wounds. Evelyn on the other hand, stood in front of Brandon. Her hands, placed on both sides of her waist as she knitted her brows.
The nurse seemed to have recognized her as well, stealing quick glances at her.
After all, Evelyn really was a popular mage in the country.
It wouldn't be surprising if a regular citizen were to recognize her.
"I told you not to do anything stupid until I arrive."
"In my defense, they were looking at me funny."
"Aren't you used to being looked at by now?"
"Are you implying that you tend to look at me?"
"W-what? N-no, no. That's not what I… Haa…"
She breathed a heavy sigh.
And as soon as she did Brandon flashed her a sly smirk.
The moment he did that, all of her worries had suddenly vanished.
'This cheeky brat.'
Truth be told, Evelyn was quite anxious when she was headed for the hotel.
She wasn't particularly close with Brandon, and she barely knew his personality.
Yet despite her warnings, she felt like Brandon would do something incredibly stupid.
'And he did just that.'
She redirected her attention to Brandon, who seemed to be lost in his thoughts.
Evelyn flashed him a warm smile, then pursed her lips.
"You may rest now. You've done your part. Leave everything to us."
The moment those words left her mouth, she had thought that Brandon would once again—give a witty remark, or even retort.
But to her surprise, he didn't and gave her a nod instead, flashing her a warm smile that mirrored her own.
"Thanks."
Evelyn was taken aback. Brandon was usually stoic and cold, as if nothing could faze him.
Even with the whole situation of Amy's kidnapping, Brandon remained calm and composed.
'So he can make a face like that, huh?'
After they finished their conversation, Evelyn left Brandon with the nurses and headed back inside the hotel.
Stepping inside the lobby, it seemed like the Special Force officers were having their discussion as well.
The first one to have noticed her entrance was Reina.
Reina lowered her head, giving Evelyn a low bow.
"Miss Evelyn, I'm so glad to have your assistance on this matter."
When the two of them operated in 'The Waltz' guild, Reina would always give her this kind of mannerism as well.
The reason for this was because Evelyn was Reina's senior, and superior in the guild.
While Reina was 21-years-old, Evelyn was 25-years-old. Despite not operating under the guild for the current operation, it seemed like Reina would still give her the proper courtesy anyway.
Evelyn then nodded at Reina's gesture.
She was quite fond of Reina. She would think of her like a cute junior that would always follow her around.
But of course, this was out of the guild's jurisdiction. So Evelyn would have to follow the task force's proper protocols.
Reina stepped forward to face Evelyn. She pursed her lips and said,
"Miss Evelyn, allow me to introduce you to one of our members."
The moment those words had left Reina's mouth, a tall man with red hair and blue eyes, stepped forward.
The man gave her a light bow as well. He then raised his head and locked eyes with Evelyn.
"Greetings, Lady Evelyn. My name is Clint Stormfall, and I specialize in reconnaissance."
Clint then looked above the ceiling, then redirected his gaze back to Evelyn, and continued.
"With my [Heat] affinity, I can see the heat signature of anyone within a radius."
Evelyn raised her brow.
She knew that each member of the Special Force had unique special affinities.
But it was quite surprising for her, as she has never met anyone with the [Heat] affinity.
Snapping her out of her thoughts, Clint continued.
"Lady Evelyn, I heard you could fly. I can scan the rooms of this hotel easily if you were to take me with you."
"..."
She hesitated.
Evelyn didn't like the idea of holding a man's hand.
Wait…
A memory of Brandon holding her hand and ascending up the building from back then–etched on her mind.
'He's my assistant–erm… Protégé.'
That's what she told herself.
She snapped out of her thoughts. She looked at Clint who seemed to have noticed her reluctance of the whole idea.
"If you're uncomfortable with it, then–"
"No, it's a good plan."
She abruptly cut him off.
"O-okay."
After coming to an agreement, the group beckoned outside the hotel.
Evelyn shifted her gaze up. She got into a stance, and waved her hand at the group.
"Stand back."
The group did just that, and the moment the group stood back, a pair of radiant golden wings materialized behind Evelyn.
The shocks and awes coming from the Special Force, and several other police officers behind Evelyn reached her ears.
"Woah!"
"It's beautiful…"
"So this is Lady Evelyn's famous Celestial magic…"
Evelyn secretly grinned at the compliments. Celestial magic was her pride after all.
Then, she turned around to meet Clint's gaze. She gestured her hand for him to take it.
"Let's go."
Clint nodded at the gesture and took her hand.
Fwooooo—!
At that, the two instantly flew upwards. Evelyn gazed up, while Clint was peering down.
Evelyn took a quick glance at Clint who she could feel–was trembling…
'...Is this man really a Special Force officer?'
But she paid it no mind and continued ascending upward.
Evelyn then pursed her lips.
"So? What can you see?"
"A-ah, I can see several figures in each room. There are quite a lot of them."
"Any signs of Amy?"
"Not yet, maybe at the top floor?"
Evelyn nodded and continued to ascend.
As soon as she did, Clint stuck his other hand and pointed at a specific room from above.
"I think I see them. There's one man in that room, and…"
As Clint's next words left his mouth, seething rage welled up within Evelyn.
"There's a girl… Bound by chains…"
Evelyn clenched her hand that was holding Clint's hand tightly.
She ascended the speed even more, the wind pressure fluttering her dark purple hair.
However…
Xiu!
Before Evelyn could react, an ice arrow launched from a specific room and pierced through the air, shattering the window, and striking Evelyn down.
Though it pierced Evelyn, the arrow's mana was inefficient enough to actually damage her.
There was a significant gap between the mage that conjured it and Evelyn.
Yet despite that, it didn't mitigate the force of the impact as Evelyn was sent hurling down.
Bracing for impact, Clint immediately called out to the rest of the Special Force officers from above.
"They're on the top floor! Be careful there are mages waiting for you."
The officers immediately nodded and beckoned inside.
Clint turned towards Evelyn, locking eyes with her.
"Lady Evelyn, can you do something about this?"
"Nope."
"Wha–"
Though Evelyn can fly with her [Celestial Wings], she can't control its trajectory once its gravity is shifted.
Since the arrow struck her, the sheer force of the impact abruptly changed the wing's trajectory.
Thus…
Crash—!