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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S7vMyvrpT
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA5YuKqyrj
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVgDy6KTrg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJZhGcVAmr
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNrgM0EkQw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWBaSUW75n
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThaaQNNZ3N
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90h2snFba8
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRH41zvupT
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NWqRwl9e0
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQch2ubCHI
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aAx6IOgAY
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6OKZC44Ws
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUndR1D8FjA
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDrYi8eFyn
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdfFIYqrMH
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Ms9dnTsU
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwizGi6M5f
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PaZuNDVyc
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRS1nxQmQW
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGpWnsLyjg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzXsqxKTRL
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboXS2lSmQt
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCu5Yzv7CK
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xjjnz0Vq0
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ611pMLsU5b
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Egv3II5a
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8vhf4RIFg
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYhwtnMKHX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMEIrSbGvc
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vqCem24fs
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCyIvLGIcX
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyRTGj0X2q
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi2CyyZxCQ
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHyWo7iPgE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGjpkKzvxp
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykeU0qW34j
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjygLtMcGXl
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWM22F0ka3
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrRpaxlC8M
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoUUXN2Kev
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoE39pZwd4
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJtwZHCjOG
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45UeqbtLRU
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQRgbfsQAW
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYq3fmn6tt
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq4TLIXMoa
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93k9Qnb6p7
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk5qkwiBIa
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs980sZBD6
"What's the matter?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuni9AcXn8
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg8X59i7Tq
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0od5lo97ge
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfhjEB9ScB
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt10PqX6Jfv
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs4W1EpbHU
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITywuDmUlF
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnz7UBsEA1
"Of course."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r5NRV4v9S
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ653fBzBtI8
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PPu8rZF6q
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrUZ1QNvn7
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9VALaOF8h
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXxWQb0G8S
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUdpKTTzCl
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0GzkH8grU
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIUj8Dv5Xa
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdeusoQmKj
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBh5hYfdDz
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qdClnxaUg
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEqTdFUkF9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCiR6FaHXg
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ361PXAVNEM
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM2xDRK6DG
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBedXgI3N7F
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuH5uEAbvY
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IXZ2KydIX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXsKmTDBL7
"...Probably?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTUDKA0kvo
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJo5mBWAUN
"Sorry, definitely."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgb00xG1Uw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8rQYcUDmR
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAEpfX4sNq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUXdEFDq3z
"Food's ready!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvXiiRKFGn
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpA4x4ryxB
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gTKHeyV2u
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvSCbiUtoa
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhzactm7JE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDnJWtXPMZ
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmwpM4aokR
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWZO2Av2ha
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDGjM5FITN
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOv3jm8HHF
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZN4EZ9gFw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSISR93QhIW
"Are you asking me?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzTwsLjT35
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd3B86HhgS
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVwEAWxkMc
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELhmMOGmY3
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H6W6XbYPD
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ZghcG8cy
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZ2mVaHN3
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7QFUwUcps
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mkTQiQKGV
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiMG5o7Hyd
It felt heavenly.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDmnKarTmq
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrwCHAsO9n
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp34bFZqCI8
"What are you reading?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipwxk8tHz0
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uQaVNAqI1
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqpOKHH2Zq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeBhovF7t6
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9wq5FUZBY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC3i9wodBa
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJcBj6duJh
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyBEnnHlG8
"...It's a book about magic."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEy5yKju0X
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbhAK1zLBH
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM26GImJ8h
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcENaZibq7o
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsJ8V3wRFc
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZIHXcC2Er
"Y-Yeah, of course."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VnyuymEtF
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1pTGBxhhG
She didn't sound very excited.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj5bG7cq2H
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhnM0ndj4a
"Do you want to practice right now?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroRUGbCANc
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuZMRZvHk9
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCPJeoI5j3
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP3OSsuErH
"If you say so."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrZgzzRulV
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gpNUxYwcj
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Scm4GStNg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq3Jxw51HA
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTQQC746jt
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedWu7cwF0N
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvnfhjcKCt
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpYQqVSYSS
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTNElFCgfH
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB6tsyXJzd
"...Did he decline?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOg2oAyy7e
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnlqVdH4UR
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6P4EpfYn2
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUV0AAulxi
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYK83wMwqE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZPUssAVY6
She paused and stared at the sheets.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Dm5KaSXq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA85GtO6FR
"Today was the first time I made a spell."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RnUBwezjH
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP6Q3aVYO3
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInAVOllYlK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuIxvQuMph
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLqzFvwXRd
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdR9TopPup
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40P1CfS0kq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopATXugAFP
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vV0SPxnjM
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndN2zl4MNo
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYmY6rSjVp
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdD16lSLkZ
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14nGO2Kj9N
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNLNM7tdEy
We sat in silence for a few minutes.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMamaVRpwnU
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe2BAPZ4qj
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lGbExPLbS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtZJyvAw6D
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27EkFIk4Du
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQKj0hUiuO
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72dukZb2JJ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhdqY2wU9J
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrkMaOKMhj
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePrNDxJylX
She shook her head no.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrEMgdzD9N
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7lzfR51t6
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFzBOKKiHz
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz0AstDZLW
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aKgu2JFco
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAmDaQvZUT
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N3Nrn3HIm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlqdWtS9c8
I felt like I made a mistake just now.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf51fYGhsf9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfEIn8SYgr
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7d1WAnzcE
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVIrL69PiU
"What is it?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6uiFX96Ae
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDouW7QJgAc
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6vjiGUq94
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsBoAYR8q9
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrCBiV2ExA
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBpehDaQOx
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka7VjRpLKm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx19rg0fxa4
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn0dm9XdH8
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ggJA4nmZL
"I know I can do that! But, well..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHuTUeYSOp
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5KJamEQLg
She had her fingertips conjoined.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8jYTZ5oT6
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhExtSJ2B4
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHshHQOxVm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY84XL5A9xa
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRQRHZcoWm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDbQjc20pz
"Alright, I'll show you."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsjV61bHgw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdmv0AhBCT
"Yay!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkTOUhRrJR
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDFCB24Iqb
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1IgyGO9Hr
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGxg4XOGEm
"I think it's best if we do this outside."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKwVP5cqBF
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFUwsOidSV
"Okay, then let's go!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yCUpisQY6
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZMAC5Vj7M
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EujWhJyvk
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggh5vymfzx
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8So9aPwTi
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiO3Xz6SyW
"Earth?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYUIA4Yk3K
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pYyrnHMoh
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmfstbtsKX
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJE7gXDvC9
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQcm8iT6up
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"It's really not that impressive."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X3NAlyuks
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3XfaqESwc
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLQSlHs1Vl
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pXTj3HI2P
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3mggGRNz3
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wrKOS5TR0
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"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucxzKOLDPj
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZIzw2XCbA
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"How'd you do that!?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAYJQemoTe
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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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYGfWkOYr1
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NIgZkjBxS
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKIXtfQ7oI
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1haOExCqK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpacKERH5GT
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuhTVSnU9v
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx9lWxANNX
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfi2B0a57e
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQnXX5dNkq
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78vhFVBV7K
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IRN3081K5
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsoLEIDfFn
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ECbCVmYNg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28C55URDQ5
...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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXA29ArHA
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31NRCAemAB
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmWRVUyeGG
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"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUykbsB2NE
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Oh.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1QYQeTqZ2
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Oh.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Hq5IFkBd
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi46uG38ES
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt1iElIWwg
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The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO0pIVJR08
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As for me?209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7bTdHIVlA
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Well...209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VDf4GeuDl
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukI8L8YOZl
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**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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xwTANyBp5
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLtSH6WArV
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BW2BSsZKA
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2LBcMARdC
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnKufp4eQ9
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1cwqEB9l4
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI5AsJQhsN
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsgeJptXPu
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZv5XkY3GS
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZZd9raSe8
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP8Rc0LkXg
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE8YaAQoVM
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaItcUkhxV
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsAqfYzwzw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujcRPCi0B
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DfElWqH5s
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf6fpMZzQa
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch8Y9BOb0F
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5574mntET9
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdN557RyIv
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3HE7MCxao
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzNmPxb9WU
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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–"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAFKfW8T0y
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTjq0iMZvB
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"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rYAUR283S
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"Of course. What is it?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrVD47p8dv
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn5wbiyYr2
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriVYexdfTd
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlUItNVpX0
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXtMPusWLC
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS3aXxqJro
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNoKVNQGze
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjJhXpk4iO
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We all looked at her.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIssRHxrQQH
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeECkHJXhOP
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"Kenny."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFxmRsMWWT
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"Yes?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglGo0vq7eM
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafpbwsdmyc
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ONDdgY2L1
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr3kpDzWrf
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"Okay. Kenny?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI9mP3cIsM
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"Yes?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m7MhoypZf
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx4e2s5sE0
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"Huh?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy59P5vCP73
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMerBRaiwX
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"Why do you want to go?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nUIu6xCqX
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"I... think I need to."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqk1zHBtlZ
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYzkXfxIue
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIjPKT0Pbg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP36YUDhC4R
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEpsS4YHni
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oA2Dv2Ki6
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMFPg6A8wd
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAkD6ZZusa
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r1wd5f85l
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My heart sank.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kDwXSYmHw
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
