The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKOq4Aeyoz
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy225GTt4r
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLvxn6fa0m
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwOxLFD9lu
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyjjZO9r6F
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkXt0yHe94
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aKtzVgEHt
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyx6ePts9F
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQYUTO0bJ6
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9fNNa3UAe
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgbhLLfSi2
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IZ12aGZQ8
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KXzBubNIt
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5pDEwc1uw
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfirbkl34O8
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cJJMuQ0Nl
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO4mMYGaIJ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MeJ3hTRGn
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSBuM2LafU
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vL3CDSk9e
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYDb1tRTlx
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMieWsZHszm
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h2i5U31c7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelkKEPHuDt
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aV0otSVzy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JqvkpDAt3
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrQPSdRsz9
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlaLLXWgLf
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0aQmG4lvC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAkukeNqK8
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1amLcb7eFo
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRf7YKpKHf
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegufdZ5N4v
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DfYcDJKm4
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1kN73OIUm
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1Asjcphz3
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0CWpXRG3G
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYOb1Q79Op
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgCnfHKL5r
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs95ild3WmV
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTX5dGQOKx
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hdLu2vJcz
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeNtyzY6Ys
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHIXydE4H6
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfS6S2l3nK
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTbwTV5CtV
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VEeRzIM0t
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqsZ0aIhuc
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI9YLC5EGq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeqrb5XYX0
"What's the matter?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS4SISmNIo
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrldsdWYAl
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWBfCorAdi
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYZ8QXr3YM
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHfnu51WzY
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGZf5PI9fD
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEbRYzzdSQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNKUB63SLP
"Of course."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMzAFZgq9M
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzg1dTH5ml
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WiUPwJRn5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4BtJqXTPi
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42S7xHHyAc
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOfgtcCJhb
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cnNoQBnJS
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FiOJMDdIV
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBlNwx78G4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZjgcJsSZ7
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk641z3YWXN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuGAobUWjR
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzKkWpwDw4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXG9ZSg5tB
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA3QdtaqKP
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuQtdgMxri
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVF7C1BpOC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvePr1BUoD
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi4uj7fEuj
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYoRfzqloN
"...Probably?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDHfDVXl5Y
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFjKoox5rw
"Sorry, definitely."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZzBuAPKW1
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9VlPJbFl4
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoIoISaLlt
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vo3xO69Wn
"Food's ready!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI02Ri3anLn
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyHyZkhU27
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQMN9jFVVV
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvho0p0ur8g
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGnO7APuYf
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r0qRbJX6G
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfBjccwrun
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbqJ4Sh9mw
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEiigNJjSP
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6InAbVXBS
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EHZg5TM1p
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn307DC4CHo
"Are you asking me?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYyrAGqJbH
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAet9W2Uq9p
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJdfcXEjGs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx6bnMV63D
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXIHXP7wlX
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz37Kt3Xx2l
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTePhkmaXKc
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQy2jKexrR
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYuANDtV25
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64193hj0PL
It felt heavenly.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuPOqTBljs
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1X2p6VnN9
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHiohwXhW4
"What are you reading?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxqZYJJOC4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOwK4t0Waa
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdA6koiJXn
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6LSA3q1Rq
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWcEDKPGZL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz1vp5uw6r
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LqpexJccD
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdsj5t5v2c
"...It's a book about magic."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFxan0TMLb
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7mWTYE5HM
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JgVnwBxgl
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeQlt5tIgk
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIBJq9K7WL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8A1QHtChG
"Y-Yeah, of course."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljRhO85wT5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc71QjLMNs
She didn't sound very excited.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hZ86P47Fi
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvGWQDHum7
"Do you want to practice right now?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IstFOVZc7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtzZPrCgjm
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uKslCfl7w
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIc5KfQAfm
"If you say so."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlk1FZB3ue
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ESt1RostT
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu17LpGsqdu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinrd2VfsZN
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa35UbHekd
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VSXcdeGr6
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlEI9HkmM5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkZOtCYVFL
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR2mIlwDAr
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEWBpLwrpt
"...Did he decline?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYX4qdUZEs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TjZLQ1g6z
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3joeubO0ts
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGjwG2JAMZ
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjvbBLgSiy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Dni6P4xk
She paused and stared at the sheets.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LBVPanJk6
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhJk9lHtWr
"Today was the first time I made a spell."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QLvQF7N2v
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi0rDRQ50v
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFahs9wzM1
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyirulDnInp
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUSrXpYppp
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1hYrAnt3Y
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAnCQ1YNbY
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZm4SlPAfW
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3Yqc7m0m7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdx6SW2JuK
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyYla1xP0y
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB066tNqAi
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxghcX7vL6
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwWM4a6XhY
We sat in silence for a few minutes.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQmGpEfeIu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNqiwee72J
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy7jLAEbmw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Rtu2tE2Ix
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCUDHdbh3p
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBPDbaXfhR
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhiyvMfWaw
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyCXTl5L3f
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTKsm17jwT
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1939t1BlXr
She shook her head no.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIUfNHQVXN
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreRdEO7uAE
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv639FpP1UA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzpCPg3EHc
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZLc8aFJxv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStGKEV26lO
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlxE3EmTVQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9wWcjBHSj
I felt like I made a mistake just now.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHr59ZMRdz
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWAAzU6Uv0
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1veWpD0WgQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh38GobAHa
"What is it?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOADRhBAsV
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUK1qSiPpx
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD67Va15eI
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUenCkJM56
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bi6m2YirQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwaFUUayNo
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLtuJx5iyz
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0NiuIMhDY
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sl8EiNEH5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWh8awR7JQ
"I know I can do that! But, well..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaisgoJbIGB
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17E0eTGj0Y
She had her fingertips conjoined.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8skyW81a3K
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYhWZ9q32s
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8xGSKxmkA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0KlXjYAjD
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppXChC5Mxl
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8vO8m9Zxe
"Alright, I'll show you."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyYrUAhpqa
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v1Aud48ef
"Yay!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbavohWnx8e
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqjHFU0upa
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8QUCcoXoA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGVxBAyvDL
"I think it's best if we do this outside."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko0RIdanSo
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie1ucGfqSQ
"Okay, then let's go!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScNiXo8yhC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6cn5ubmWX
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaU5zQGtVR
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquCR77pTZQ
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPpOiqY1g2
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9XwvNgLPb
"Earth?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjTi3Oul1f
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ROQJ7JbK
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCFWt65EmX
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGTcsOTxPN
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3MHTThHZM
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"It's really not that impressive."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkVj9CwKlU
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HTdnen26V
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuM9i8tanQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEDhDnq0jR
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTobcG6DO
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4OQ1GmmyL
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBOLFPX9yG
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWVJzyl1Eq
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WgHnHhJDc
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I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcz87XFM6A
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"How'd you do that!?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVDnUKURxP
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"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaYyToENyM
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5BMkJTJZK
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nJQD1K7k7
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZEKZhhMNw
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"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRImyGpWPUg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qXNK1Fc4x
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MI26oYyVa
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNGO0c1sTe
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lVaq0oTcc
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8jVJsigPd
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1DbyLMChD
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRiD6HhRdW
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhJp62yaF7
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYke5R0RBzp
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU7K5XCZWV
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRxdJUahBL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfRCPtTL1B
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7UqNIV5Sj
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAFrUTtGfr
Oh.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGNj5p4Omt
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Oh.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS84ZWo6PH
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyfLGgiLPL
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVMRwv0he8
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The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk329AuXxu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbTgNBUDwe
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUzAJX0pfZ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBVsVqBRbm
As for me?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudknm4vLUs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GYKh7nzBI
Well...169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhXGWwJAAQ
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbcWKMPP1V
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg0s5Jktzz
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG09fGhpwY
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAUPlQnRxv
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9VwNGOdI3
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That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7LsjKLiGT
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3XPcO93q9
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbOxugZrBV
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yvywvo2NQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVXMmM9WYO
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rDMOfQVX3
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc7aAjBp1n
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJvYCHtKEy
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6STUKAlHT
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I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4meGBibIJ5
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZdKXLbIPn
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu5Nik7h5z
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2SamFdDHq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr1ccIhTMy
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBxPwaIBFj
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX0pXLvmVs
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She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1cdD1i8wS
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJJrZqqON6
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsaxRjTaFn
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I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3QwsZjrlE
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"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofSm8vVHfX
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"Of course. What is it?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClmNK7TbjU
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZtkATe5QF
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ7aoO2iYn
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"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywFQcecpVj
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ELQHv9RJb
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP0NHXC7c1
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5mkYlvnpP
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViW1OfOgVD
We all looked at her.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJE6zAofjF
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgrujLCmHs
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"Kenny."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhArXSK0OXO
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"Yes?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IRdkHnIEK
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyXEWuzk1R
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9rOnrwXJQ
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRdyazMoAY
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"Okay. Kenny?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFc0aouNWB
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"Yes?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQing51y6r0
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5UMtBcpX5
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"Huh?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25EVm99zKS
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3HZkC80dx
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T65zWJUBo
"Why do you want to go?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo5w9LUHw5
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"I... think I need to."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFDJPDxJsm
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I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaz9E2AuH0
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qgQGRWYoX
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgeV1Bljh8
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"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP50EITEmf
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ85eaU7tts
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1SWbYNJev
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MhG8o5BDB
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My heart sank.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p5d5GTemm
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
