Chapter 142 Recognizing Strengths

"Why do some of them look so angry? Are they mad at me?" Skylar asked as she moved in closer to me, almost stepping on my feet and making it hard to walk myself.

"No, they are angry with me. They all thought that it would take you much longer than it did. I am also sure that Senna is going to say that I cheated because Leo was the one that actually caught you," I explained as we walked awkwardly. I didn't want to tell her to move away, thinking that Skylar might take the suggestion to the extreme.

"Oh, well, I am sorry that you caught me so fast, and now everyone is mad at you," Skylar said in a small voice, but I reached over and patted her blue hair.

I wanted to feel the curling ringlets, but she had them in pigtails that ran down the front of her chest. I would have to wait to get that close, but her hair was remarkably soft, almost like silk.

"Don't be sorry; I am not. I had no plans of chasing you, but I opened my big mouth and said that I could have done it better. While I technically did, the moral of this all is that I need to have more respect for people's strengths. Not everyone has the same ones as me, and truth be told, I don't think I could have caught you in a town like Senna did," I said, and then asked, "How did she catch you anyways?"

"I lost sight of her, and then she changed clothes and let her hair down over her face. I didn't realize it was her I was walking beside her while looking for her. The next thing I knew, I was in the sack, listening to her curse me for not doing this yourself. I did think it was going to be you chasing me, and I was confused when Senna appeared," Skylar explained, and I sighed.

I really should have done it in the first place, and then I could have used magic to get it all over within a flash. That was what I assumed, but Skylar was very good at avoiding things, to the point she was legendary with her own people.

[What was that creature that was in your mind before?] Xieus asked suddenly, making me almost miss my step.

'An Astral God, he was lending me his powers, why? What's wrong?' I asked as I continued to walk with Skylar.

[Nothing, it was just strange, that is all. The presence just felt similar, that's all.] Xieus said.

'Similar to what?' I asked as we reached the gate to the manor.

[You.]

That made me stop at the entrance of the gate, and Skylar looked up at me. Saying that the feeling was similar

"Is there something wrong?" She asked, and I wasn't sure how to reply.

This bit of information didn't make sense, and I was not sure how to process it. I also wasn't sure how to try to explain this to Skylar because I didn't even understand it.

"I was just talking with Xieus; she is a succubus in my head. She just told me something that doesn't make sense," I said and started to walk to the house where Senna was standing alone with her arms crossed. This was going to be good.

"I hope you don't think that you won!" Senna snapped at me as she marched down the steps to meet me, and I grinned.

It was time for me to own up and admit my fault. If I would have been in Senna's shoes, there is a very good chance that I wouldn't have been able to catch her without my abilities. It didn't hurt me to recognize the women for their abilities, and to also take care of my own problems without making excuses.

"No, I know, I cheated. I had help, but I am sorry that I said that I could do it better. I should have been the one to do it in the first place. I also need to give you more credit, it seems. Without the help that I got, I might not have caught Skylar at all. You are very resourceful, and I am sorry for not recognizing that" I explained, and all the fire seemed to leave Senna.

"Oh! Well, umm, thank you. I, umm, umm-" Senna started to say but then jumped as Eliza grabbed her by the waist from behind, making Senna squawk. She jumped back from Eliza with a blush, and put a hand over her mouth and her elbow in her other hand as she scowled at Eliza, who just ignored her.

"She is just happy that you recognize that she is useful. Right?" Eliza asked as she came around Senna to stand before Skylar and me. "Do you think that I can have Galio tonight? We already planned to spend the night together, but Chili and I can always make room in the bed for you!"

"Umm, no, I will just wait until Galio is free to spend time with me," Skylar said, and Eliza nodded.

It was good to see that everyone was calming down now. I was excited to finally get into bed after the long day I just had. This day had been the most packed yet, and tomorrow wasn't going to be any different.

"Sure! Come with me, and I will take you to Trina, and she will find a room for you! This house is starting to fill up fast!" Eliza said.

"Sorry about that. I tend to bring home people without asking you first," I said apologetically, but Eliza just waved me off.

"This place was boring before you showed up! Now I have friends all around me, and there is always someone to talk with or hang out with! I should be thanking you! Before this, no one ever really wanted to talk to me, but now, everyone does! And not just about you!" Eliza cheered as she took Skylar's hand from mine and dragged her into the house, leaving Senna and me alone.