I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrrpL45iSR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJApJ27PlyX
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjOf5RTuCj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq68ACVe3nP
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0kje0f8yV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWddlhPBVBu
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0eMH2hLoN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGETCyqndH1
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgKlFnSWGQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO1IQeGizH
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiLfKPzGrX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZRKCDp423
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs82fPHfAvz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LZgSSHZ6k
"...Sure."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYMZl6etH2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgimeumcER5
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPt7TzOSzM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DAl7yTWaQ
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAzoFozYHB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeC1yKmCDg
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU1oPFcMgx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqCwvAkpRk
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XK0xiOqZD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvjrvdaCZw
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMniLmHr5wh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKahv3u1Jm
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE7jUgTOKg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY1jE23bOr
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5mKYF9pzo
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvZs7mKliQ
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYE8hnfcSR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2wAf5T6s6
"Wait, what!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgpMCwF5tp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzqxpMZmNG
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcglpmskgY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGa6byQyy6
"Why not me?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbgJxCKoWb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cONaiRjJo
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSIFERs92x
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHeSLwkYpD
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgLBCKs5Mw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFUWN3mkDX
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F1Dka0aWD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6ZUz37MEq
No, you didn't.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41DoJi6aCV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoudVR0ueIA
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhiSFuslvA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3d9pfq8G0
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVDess3R5N
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB3D4ikZIM
"Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPazXSzNYJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV4Uq7cl2v
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun5cDcB9Eb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmTiNx70Xj
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3QYfZZcUX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPpiXBCMlr
"Mhm!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSF44zrfqu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMItRkTlQlE
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9C4TWXsZj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaECamIE8g
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYyMHotE6A
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9vyEqfV7h
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBjgDA3PIo
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU6EGnTDM7
"...Fine."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCcNce2d5S
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU29Jd04xT
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgitMVvk7g7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcag7lJc746
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctUvl0zadU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMqmpF3Mt0
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXTnddgCSS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvBq61ABM5
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XD3DQriG4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa5k7aEvIp
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgKSXthWB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlz1NtaTvz
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH1XeiFIS1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvW9SxU0jF
"Is there... something you need?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEiJtfJJuD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HOuXK9yGq
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7M7DTBve
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4jzxoW4fD
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Zco5kdAA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bSRei2wph
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7OGW1y7N4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8HK8UzkBw
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFw2MQFzbs9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzXroaoGVk
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ57UpZu7j
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h72fvKwcb
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwsa6Ql2VY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76sUVmDKJa
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wJMTVec6X
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmdUW1dBJq
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkXK6BySCd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAVwnWxEx4
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl1MKIdY6h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gLixO9YUI
She giggled a little. Creepy.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIFrR3lWKr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOHphkeUOw
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZPab3tJa3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9jl76sKdu
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaWYh8vTUu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXNQLbQWaj
What?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRVCmxYlfU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSejhTP4Jx
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0xR5i3Hjp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o01Wz41yd
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztoUio4gQ3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPNTmVLYUB
"O-Oh..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOggMXfQ9j
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzqGhObHxQ
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG37QDJgv1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNUQMgGBid
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojYeacBCqR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWAYGqAabj
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoKldidZb4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VsdHas2hB
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxK0HGXNG3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKMQANBWI
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GRv0xHko7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCVQsfwnka
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHs0K6L8ch
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzqWLDSEnx
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtHZ7kCaB9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEtY34F68G
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvrf76ELSp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScvn2ex0IP
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWsSM3xBlP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr4AVB6Y6P
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWsrNsTONP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWyjygOb3a
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kWg7CS0qz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvzvcjHOBv
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2p0HlHHz6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtoJRPAUWn
Front-page news!?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bwHoy7WOT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqaE70QBDp
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZzZLhYEeF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuItkUKHizV
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGnnVP9HXg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGstXcDZ2Q
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz7NjwTsxH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm3vhGcSnx
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmekyjqKytl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHM7LJrydT
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OuQS7qFkM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba8CleVNA6
"No, I don't."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkhGgxHTql
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmV1frNhLj
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EQJc5tLqP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNpnU1TswD
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAteFbBQuR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡketT7tnpJY
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT9zXNama7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMTKUD601n
"Thank you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8NFCLPFhC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VtgLD1f2r
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbHPp9rx11
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwgoUAlPaT
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r2d7PLOR2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2uMXwrlEr
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE0T9GyyaI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mKWgqO01y
"Oh."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCRh3X1kok
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ho87ME4kp
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPImzQ2y7I
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYbIpmTpvY
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaZ94UNRI1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg4efIJDKo
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamy37YLs2B
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2qH35VFDP
Her face froze. I sighed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5HVx8ijCZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsKlH08gCi
"I-I'll do it in the morning."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkSy7ziUD0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iwf5TtBVY
"Good luck."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfdSBoaVNW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKwOKcTc8V
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TqtecdZZ6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6jxsuALXh
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBwRbqQbHd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt9AWMy8vJ
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT1UfHYIJr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTAushKBBv
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6hl1izXN2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWqBz30Ebt
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSmyoOPtSe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzN85r1ANG
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaUbGGLKLs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS69nApvO7s
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qG2UaJxin
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ496xMm8tZ1
"Going to what?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrZFhxoW9J
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH0KNec8CL
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaInbkPupl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJvg9CNWMx
"Huh? Wash myself?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHIFYlDw42
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCatr2EBm2
"Yes. Like we did."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJxh6pZbfc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4J85BaQoP
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1WBiRfa6X
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VCTDq9KAm
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqexyPO91S
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN4mQwFuVW
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzqWqFuhsX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYT9yFMnuT
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH3EW1Qnnl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoFTJrSMvA
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWADst7SUy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFGpZvvcIp
"Buffalo Village."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sDqVLtKIh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR9B8KkvYj
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3goiPr5njO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuZKh3NuwN
"Really? I didn't know that."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwjM142FmF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxWyFQ2ZtR
Kim looked like she was smiling.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawW0WJxYJ9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvENRKJY8DT
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t29gXhBHY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvPk45MWrn
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ341tNj6hy3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmjJeIKdAj
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg31Um7ezWp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDlwF6lW3W
"Fine, fine."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip4W9SQ5xR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI3niSqdUv
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sp6oPdOpv
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbee9pp7Yp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kNOhQF9Cr
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHmB6q52bw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPrzBtyxo9
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Nx8DLbBV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl3nnOWeeY
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo5xmiVLyi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyTR1sc4eX
–
–
–
"...Mmm."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VpECZgpOL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83miToNIQJ
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSnQwaPBGL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSl2IdsJfA
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgHAQDf6df
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1RHdZtpXr
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQtfJEOFKK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgAS5UUhF1
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLMkkrw5WP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF04zk4I9zW
"Wow, you're hard at work."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5fz3pqqw2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g23ui50mC
"Ah!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2yQsuwc8J
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoc2u6Ufy2
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVDBbpPlcU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYLdPaJrcD
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA24lfamBsr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHjhpmUmVm
"I don't think so... what time is it?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnbGD8Tn42
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBYC3PUNsN
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9dHje5Lua
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl7OoelWwC
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNld1nBlR2F
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybGGJd8Yqo
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcTsTgnLGi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26NE6B5EVJ
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglOjjmS01o
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnPWBTcFkY
I did regret sitting beside her, though.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ1uu3LWAb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn02xh6k2r
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3kVc10Ehp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHwlJKZlou
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wt7twJMQ9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWVDQU5Rr3
Flinty looked at me with excitement.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tdASsso4X
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDvDTYgJYM
"A goal?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqQBW1Lpi4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim9CPOVJSm
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GJ5DzVSXX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaQJWtY9J1
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWnh4eFh1z
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhUcMBWyu6
"Okay, I'll do my best!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj72PuvCQB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeeXW4T0pt
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3UCMCZlmF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80pKL2Gf9b
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yarOC5y9n
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IVQFslIuW
"Good morning, Linda!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglU7Er3mWC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq50d35DnWt
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQmKzawj76
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHtEbPHfhi
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCrZQNFPzi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbELJQb3CBx
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbDpXLGH5G
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMsiKFHFsl
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrVfgCXb2Q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzNbDGqB3R
Friday? Today is Friday?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB96yL0bwiE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwXjz2lTqF
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13KMxMyk5t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pXKGkH9yh
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCRZoFPOT8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4MLAykjDW
She looked at me curiously before answering.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM16P26PRgQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9HJcQDp44
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRBts5Ds0R
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3mEbX0PM6
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQHBLAaNE8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxtUhGYpkc
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA5ZbYPMYA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgiqTtz3Uz
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua5V5tTynV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLwmraSDUe
"To whom? Those at your home village?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLgvOwIrIv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEjZFxUuD2
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrYD4bYdem
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3jSijFuHs
She lightly smiled.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu5SfEFGmB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J7mPVrQ4I
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFvAsW5fJN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl5cqz7qzt
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth69ReyYT5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbH177gNue
She shook her head from side to side.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTygDY9pQh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeswEJI8BLE
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHN0aQPiTr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmesNbA0SL
"So you decided on living here?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsGXwpfzcD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsSyDijx1K
She nodded.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV4yR8xHKk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECgn36vbdV
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8q3D76nCZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IoY6AnTDp
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6jDezcpjq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik7QbVT6OE
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl7qsUNvOS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9TUCTkNil
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJndQf2cZ2i
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItLJ59snHq
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAcpaN70ja
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6rn2FeBX0
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI98XP8yjE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVcrErughH
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwWtOz191k
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJVLkjmG2T
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw6RV2q14E
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI83bLB4L6i
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYPpiTJp4t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XMG2cVVld
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSENeyWOaBk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PezF02G5G
"Hey, Victoria?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJM2wHHYTB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo7gpkvDG8
"Yes?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDlfMJi92M
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UJt5QbngL
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODLpuNbDCI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5mQTtVuOH
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr22au2iOTl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOJ1wrjnCB
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM5K0irK73
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKsGewlEi3
"Kim, are you good?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZml0nIX2Ow
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOFLpGrO8U
Kim just finished packing her bag.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM1i8IngrV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxxXypaWbw
"Yes. Let's get going."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmqBehm5Iq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBAOUzeQxm
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKEhNUnyV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCapY8iShp
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruYpC284I1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC4bUcY52x
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pN6Yu67tL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs4zjbH62e
...She did do that, right?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ZlrGwTND
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFPvKBSzCS
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsfcWmgf3N
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCYWe2zBNl
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHGyAuc9ud
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ssvpiGmt
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu9G1Ne7BK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt0zZy9dkV
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjtOWD6t2h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk8ygn38RT
"Hmm?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Vt26JFud
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGQLUELXM0
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuhw1GX2Lz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpfeE9hFNK
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUGiiq3Rgx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwPSRW0qEx
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTGSY6JuA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYgkfnaANU
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqIDhfts9o
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfiU9vGkKi
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpUktq0XC0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLEzUjYOXD
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqi2wkFfU0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoSnXZin0g
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPPT3HHqwj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oBWKwoHhe
"R-Right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnscppKZVPj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkRidF6nRO
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqWBFcbcVH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaqbtOCqYe
"Any objections?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTQdRVbbGj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbL06i8YuQ
None of us voiced any.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQCslVM2XG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuQFPlosbc
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQvhoTqigS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbblTpl7zN
"Of course."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJeaRVrGwT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaURwa4faz
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfnurYMqPQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rDKlFAFWz
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ecktjj4VY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSFiBdgoWz
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjxy1zmE9S
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxF924zODe
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Foz3o5Whr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FylNUTJhH
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BWAZWGIqH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKj0nHN33k
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n0fLIIQUv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReOAiKqIHS
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ie6TWXDH2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqbS5ALN3B
"Hold on, stop here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhQwLXd8KL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7JCUzLwt9
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8bwSBLgTs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX6AOhowCY
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFyBoQc5yA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyznGuZCJes
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85UY8YER0j
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I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30JTJhHIVc
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGo0XW6T65
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5XFAzK6lV
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOtPzEHoTo
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgCrpR41Ce
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So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKMhksnJzz
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2EWlab4q7
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO6HdcZj4l
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Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqvcXN746d
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrkVINl5cj
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCURraqWyi
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfvGweuRWF
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fYpPD8EbZ
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She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP6P8ORYuA
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX8Hk6pvZo
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"Heh, well..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4lelHYuPl
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzTyhJmLB1
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"What's the hold-up?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21qTadDXVK
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxipJLUBRn
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPb1opPmZE
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡletFYixmz9
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My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOE1jeWGrI
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"So, what about you?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc0xw7dOPp
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU2LHYmefp
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T4im6Vrq8
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam6rLu9A2P
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOHTkLtmDq
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo4F9EXUCA
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"I can see now why– oop."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQyoYqdsIu
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HTB2cbSZD
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IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxucF60suba
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All of a sudden, a voice.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMnzwkG6qu
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"Something... I feel like something was here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ug8BelOY
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It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhahzXDcuT
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF0KEPQsJ8
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS25I91Uz5i
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1LA5vsi8r
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW83Be8YCP
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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