The doors to the Pillar were made of thick glass lined with bolted steel. Opening it was arduous and unexpectedly time-consuming– that is until Rover caught up with me. Though the hinges fought against the force valiantly, Rover's sheer strength proved to be too much. A simple shove flung them open like a cupboard door. Unfortunately, I was putting my whole being into opening the door beforehand, leading me to unceremoniously fall onto the smooth floor.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdexEab2PX
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhvf36uqsy
"Ow! Ahh..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkRZzIlqlh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XO9iZ6r3r
"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCez5I6RK0D
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5pXbIcdNR
"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEXRfVNqKx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYA0feupmF
She tilted her head at my comment. I stood up and rubbed my own, ignoring the inquiry shown in her gaze. We took a few paces into the building. Immediately, I noticed smooth, carpeted floors and lavish furniture sprawled around the entrance. There were lounges, tables, receptionist desks, and more. Though it was the first time I'd ever entered such a scene, I could draw a comparison easily– it was very similar to how the Tea Mage described the "student center" of Talbot, after all.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLlYNmmrW0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwPUy9ZSqX
"...This place is giving me the creeps."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkHc1HOhzW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrz9mQbeAK
"Huh? How so?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0EH2ngYRp
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdz9Sf3egd
"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4rxlkn7bM
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmskMmDJv3
"Couches and rich– wait a second."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fzXEuBj0s
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4hpNs2gF0
Doing another scan of the environs, I found myself concurring with Rover's deduction. At that moment, the grandiose atmosphere of the room vanished and was replaced with ghostliness, and a cold sweat ran down my back. I also became confused; after all, didn't Mason say that security was tight?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOHiCJy6Jh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRP1au59Yt
"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYgdR6o5ex
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqbU3v8ABf
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTnxRehgiY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95LqlrCWih
"Tch! This stinks!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBAq2hqmLQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLp51GuczH
Rover stomped the ground and began to storm off, but I grabbed her wrist before she could go too far. She turned her head to me with her usual grumpy scowl.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxDzqst2ls
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjTeiwYZ2A
"What?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8hW5H84Hw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfNWZx0WKK
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrv0gRDruH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp1on0VYCk
"What? Are you scared?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5wKAxNgqP
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg84j5kUF5
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv0lVC8ssx
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviGYQgJAK3
She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYctWet3bQG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41X5m6lEzH
"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEqE97luSm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSmy3q8kHp
She had a wry look on her face. I understood the intentions behind her words and tone immediately, and I nodded in the face of a revelation. It was one I couldn't properly articulate, but the feelings it stirred up translated perfectly into an action.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCwzn4h0fz
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4uzZr7ZV0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV8HrkLOfM
"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoRKtdcA3V
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kq34uV9vc
"...Fine."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcheKfeF3Jv
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcxwBeGSJm
Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoqvci3TO7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5vUEtoHDm
Rover and I didn't spend too much time inside the foyer, since it was obvious that what we saw would be all there is. Instead, we walked deeper into it and were immediately faced with a fork in our road. A left and a right, each path leading to a hallway with a set of doors. The ends of the hallway were comfortably in sight, meaning that traveling them shouldn't be challenging. I looked at Rover inquisitively. She pointed at the hallway on the left, prompting me to take the one on the right.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbXVoHTMjJ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk30CcnhJ6
My first impression of this hallway was that it was bland. There were no elegant decorations of lush chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was a hallway consisting of simple white walls and doors. Most of the lighting came from windows and the sun, though a few lights were stationed here and there. I hit the end of the hallway quickly, turning the corner and continuing my expedition. The hallway looked identical to where I was standing, which made me feel as if traveling in this sector was a waste of time. Rover was a much quicker walker than me, so she would already have seen whatever was beyond the next turn long before I made it there.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn6nK7jYw0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG0LiRkSbP
"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUP062XWLz
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bn75jMbe3
Our goal was ultimately to reach the Dean's office, which, according to Mason, was perched on the highest floor of the Pillar. However, Mason also said that the interior was heavily guarded. I doubted his words, but doing so wouldn't lead me anywhere, since it wasn't like I had a lead or someone nearby to ask. Therefore, I decided that I should look around more sensibly, and with my new mindset, decided to open the nearest door.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiJnhd4iyt
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIjdZjJmbr
"...It's locked."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ul4WEo36b
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJGsapwzG7
I shouldn't have been, but I was disappointed. I walked a few paces to the next door and tried to open that one but to no avail. I repeated this action for the next half a dozen or so doors, until suddenly–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2aDEFGdvi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwVa654Xf0
"Oh! This one's open!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SEYPbK7FI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2hM6J61CJ
Before I let the door go wide, I released my tendril, giving into the sense of trepidation I've had since entering the building. Then, I took my first step. Aside from the tiny slab of sunlight crossing barely over the threshold, the room was pitch black. I produced a Flash-Bloom and was greeted by what appeared to be an office building.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrcugqJuun
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmAoW04iXT
"This place is– cah! Ack!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8akdsC4tB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tdJUeOSHG
Thrown into a coughing fit, I eyed the inordinate amount of dust in the environs. Opening the door must've flung it all into the air. Now I stood there, coughing and in regret.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEySNNwkqFK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oiflhwzkm
But I had to wonder: Why was a room inside a building as crucial as this so dusty? Was it just an unused room? Or, was it something else?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ1GVjDVIz
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QxMzR0C5q
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZQzMLAEfE
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhPHyzRnlO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF29o2lr8M
This line of thinking, the sudden freight I received from entertaining such a thought, froze me. Even though the room was empty, even though the air was still like a statue, unperturbed, I couldn't move.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnnS8DnyJa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ278lYw6sT
"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCO3vxLRQK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJLJFkVSF7
Somehow, uttering that stray thought that crossed my mind returned strength to my legs. Though I was still shaken, I was able to properly inspect the room now.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJDs4neVVm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPRgaTxHR9
It was a room where tables and chairs were stationed in groups. Inspecting the contents of the table, I noticed that they were primarily empty, though a few stray pieces of paper found themselves on the desks. I could tell that this room was a workstation of some kind.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihrUGvCeCr
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFehiRSioYo
"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4CT6goBzZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuhJw84PAu
I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHqvBT8mJK
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswpcjZ0P2C
"Ow... what the hell was that?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHVBFSkDbQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7H9XfnXlP
I raised my Flash-Bloom to the culprit of my toppling and saw the tip of my shoe wedged into the floor. I stood up with an excessive amount of embarrassment. I should've expected as much from an abandoned room, so I admonished myself for my lack of attentiveness.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L3Z9nx9mc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuYf43UH9V
But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlDYqlimCn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBHPRG2Tq6
"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZntwxT8pD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bzN22Aieb
I decided to save those questions for later and continued investigating the parameters, paying extra attention to the floor I was walking on. I inspected the desks for anything unusual, just a glance since I figured this room wasn't going to provide me with what I wanted. To my surprise, I found something that wasn't a scrap piece of paper.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp26p9bNuB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9USf7EvZZj
It was still a piece of paper, though. This one had words on it and tears at the corner, leading me to believe that it was a part of a packet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqFj3StcpE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkWz0YUDwo
"What's this here...?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwDhLvg1j0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlU2SSe30r
Most of the page was covered in dust and other debris that, coupled with the lighting, made it illegible. Fortunately, the title of the paper was thick, bolded, and easy to read.
"...Flatlands reconnection proposal?"
From the few words that weren't blocked, I conjured up that some group of people wanted to return to the Flatlands. For what purpose, I didn't know, nor could I begin to imagine the thought process behind such an absurd idea. It was no wonder that this page was left behind in such an unkempt room. The proposal was simply ridiculous.
"...But that doesn't have anything to do with my objective."
Sighing, I crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it behind me. I checked the rest of the desks and found nothing of interest. I only ended up wasting my time. I walked to the door with a heavy heart and–
"..."
I froze.
It wasn't because of something I saw. Well, it was, but I didn't see anything horrific or otherworldly. It was the implications it provided, the droning insinuations it drilled into my brain, shaking it, stabbing at my nerves that rendered me a frightened goat.
"You're attentive. I'm impressed."
The door, which was opened only a smidgen wider than when I had entered this room–
**SLAM**
Was brazenly and noisily closed, leaving only the light of the Flash-Bloom.
"W-Who... who's there?"
Using mana spinning, I increased the brightness of the Flash-Bloom, yet I was unable to spot any figure in the room. I turned my body and even looked under the desks; nothing.
"That is a peculiar Endowment you have, I haven't seen anything like it."
The voice, that of a woman, resonated in the room, coming from no apparent direction. It left me frantically looking around, wallowing in my confusion.
"S-Seriously, who's there!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWiDJt3qZN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtnJLmSsVK
My demand was not met with silence. In light of this, I began mana expulsion and created a spear of stone, keeping it ready for whenever, or if ever the woman showed her face.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc0tMAFkgn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWHw1hgKbU
"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X29u8wW55
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGeUQhxIGu
The way she articulated herself sparked a sudden bit of hope in me. I choose my next words carefully, struggling not to stumble on them.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyUH6DSIPB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYN2opOuwI
"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsmqqcMjN4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKABVck5x9
"...Really?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGgsWKVnyw
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwL3OycD4f
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSUAEnxXWY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH8hGyKYD3
The strength in my voice died down, but I was thankfully able to get my message across. I did another quick scan of the room but didn't see anybody. I didn't hear the woman say anything, either. I was left in the darkness, confused, and unable to–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQxyM3x5ae
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPoN45LD2C
"--Wait."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpi7UyJwt3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKU6jeIfJu
An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gDICELG4C
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPeyg0xrgY
**SMASH**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnMwZez8Zu
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8K4kJY6QV
Once the dust settled, I found that the door was busted down. However, a second inspection revealed that somehow, it was rebuilding itself. It wasn't with wood and wadding, however, but with pure rock.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmpPpmSO6B
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGmV2s64zL
"Earth magic."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhYk9bbUZa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYlZPkqs4f
But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx9474jWX8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN458w0Wui
**THUD**195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBnKHjjZsc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJbYDdLDSp
I froze yet again. It was the sound of something heavy animate hitting the ground. I turned my head and lit up the area. There, I saw a woman with a lazily worn yet silky robe exposing her shoulders with pants of a similar texture and flounciness.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwECmDekAEo
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTTpIGsw4q
Her clothing would've made her look harmless if it weren't for her... eyes?
"Do you have something to prove it?"
"..."
Every indication was telling me that this woman was a threat. The situation screamed to me that I should be vigilant and wary, never letting her figure escape from my view.
But her look told me something else. It wasn't a disarming look, though she did possess a beautiful face, or a mien of kindness that could ease even a rabid animal's nerves. No, it was a look that was asking me– no, pleading with me, desperately desiring for some reality to be ascertained. And, from the somber yet quivering voice that she used to ask me that question, I knew that I was the one with the power to realize it.
So, ignoring my better judgment, I did.
"I do. It's in my pocket. Let me show you."
I slowly reached for the note, making sure she could see my hand go through every motion. My unfolding was meticulous, and I gently tossed the paper to her, mindful of her vigilance. She crouched to pick it up, never letting her gaze stray away from me. When she went to read the letter, she made and aimed a monstrous water spell at me, keeping me in stock still.
I was unsure if even the Valencia-Bloom could stop it.
Her eyes slowly moved along the lines of the page. Her expression steadily morphed from a cautious one into a gentle yet somber one. Then, her spell dispersed, and she covered her mouth with her free hand. I was shocked by what I saw then.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pn7VOOYE0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV1728sID9
"...Tears?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQXzuD33bG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C47QlEmfz
My eyes didn't deceive me. Tears formed in the women's optics. Her quiet cries turned to sobs. The note was meekly released from her hand, and it fell to the floor, gently swaying.
"T-Thank you. Thank you... so much."
I was paralyzed. I couldn't move my limbs or my mouth.
And then the woman fell to her knees. She wiped the tears off her face with a hidden smile, gibbering her gratitude.
–
–
–
"I apologize. That was an unsightly thing to do, especially in front of a child."
The woman, sitting with an arm hung over the tip of her knee, was offering me the note. I took it and, checking for wet spots, folded it before putting it back in my pocket.
The woman had giant bags under her eyes, but I doubted that they were caused by the tears.
"No worries. Though, I do have a lot of questions about it..."
She chuckled, tilting her head into the palm of her other hand.
"I imagine. Why don't we introduce ourselves? My name is Lola, and you?"
"Lola? That's a quaint name. I haven't heard anything like it before."
"Yes, it's foreign here in the Southern country."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabQ3I3BGdG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVXzairM33
"Foreign..."
I hung on the word, spending an amount of time Lola's subsequent head tilt deemed inordinate.
"Sorry, it reminded me of something. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but please, just call me Kenny."
"Buffalo as your middle name? Do you hail from an animal-worshiping village?"
"I... do, yes. Admittedly, I know little about what the village thinks of the Buffalo. I can't even remember seeing one."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlFWGYQcOc
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAtDSkajFL
My mand broke for the conversation for a moment, ruminating on why that possibly was. I quickly found an answer and instinctively shrunk in shame.
"It's a pleasant place, but I spent my time poorly there."
"What are you doing out here then, love?"
"Love?"
She had a look of surprise that was quickly overtaken by a chuckle.
"Sorry, that's a Western thing."
"A Western thing? Now that you mention it, you do have an accent."
She slowly nodded in response to my observation.
"I'm impressed. Many don't pick up on it so fast, if at all."
I shrugged. I figured that spending time around Juke helped me pick up on those details.
"..."
Though, her vocal inflection was very similar to Mother's–
"Now, Kenny, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"H-Huh? Oh, sure, but..."
"But what?"
I thought of the mission. I was in a rush for time, so I didn't have the privilege to sit down and partake in a leisurely chat with her. However, I realized that her presence opened up an opportunity for the knowledge that I was sorely missing.
I decided to entertain her for the time being.
"As you might've surmised from the letter, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Ah, indeed. How about, if you answer me, then I'll help you to the Dean's office?"
"That'd be perfect! But, would you mind if I asked you a question of my own in addition?"
"Of course."
She gently nodded. Not wanting to be rude, I took a seat across from her and dimmed my Flash-Bloom. She began to twirl her grayish-white hair in rumination.
"I know why you're here, and I know that Mason let you in. How about..."
It was made clear that she didn't have a question prepared, meaning that she likely just wanted Fto chitchat. It irritated me, but I stuck around.
"Why not, I'll inquire about your skills."
"My... skills?"
The question surprised me. It was the last type of inquiry I expected.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX8EQb9va8
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ7sVmBwby
"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8GyCWUa8j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA89Gy6jRW5
"I'm a third-grade earth magician and fourth-grade in fire and water. I'm ungraded in wind. I'm not sure about my grade in mana spinning."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tPNu2b13t
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayc1XuPxcx
"Ha, how interesting."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyg6jVPSyC
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6tpRyA1GL
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZkpq0o1Hf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoDmvWAQQJ
"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTeZCMXvJa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGt1THp9x4
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbuA75n6Pj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmenli7UVz
"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkgr1Gd1B6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEHiKQZWVH
"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p9DHrnsYN
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl5BpakLvg
"Similar fields?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjuCEk0qa
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYK9ZXeo6m
"That of a combatant, of course. What else is being this proficient at magic good for? It's for guard work, or fighting beasts, or taking care of the occasional delinquent."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACYLQSb51z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGnDhJXrVm
"I-Is that so...?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNidsUP39j
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03gwswi1pB
She nodded with her eyes closed. Truthfully, I wasn't following along with what she was saying. Though I did understand her words, none of it stuck with me.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804AuT17b2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL2kfEUMHV
"Isn't what you're doing similar? Escorting a crucial letter to be sent might as well be guard work. Somehow, I pity you– oh, but I don't mean that to be rude! If it's what you've set out to do in your life and if it makes you happy, then by all means, go and chase–"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hrpfIEDCI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfSVWwFcjP
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGIokv7vx6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzGdBExHsJ
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSrGgxWPII
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdRh4R7uVZ
"What part didn't you understand?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJKAlf4rC5
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsAC7CKyn4
"No, it's not that I don't understand what you're saying, it's that I don't understand why you're saying it at all."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG48ccK1AJW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErtLMwGFfo
"...Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdl6vTzioO
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVshK12jSmc
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMwuZT7iCn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb663SGPzi
"Well, yes, I am doing work congruous with my magic skills, but by the way you talk, it's as if this is what I've decided on for eternity. That's not true, I'll have you know."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo5whmyFs0
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK9LE0Ubsv
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba8QtbhGXd
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7XmFauObr
"Huh?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2bYAvZX47
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeodX65wLvX
"I'm actually studying to be an alchemist! I won't say where, because people freak out when I tell them. I've already acquired a handsome amount of grants from selling my potions alone. But, well, alchemy is one thing, but what I really want to do is study magical plants!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8mKwmUi9w
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu64h2btd6
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD60mdbgWm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8JG07VGSr
"My passions, of course! People call it lame, but it's because the most they can spare for them is a single dismissive glance. They don't understand the intricacies nor the beauty to be found in this type of Exotica. Plus, their potential for advancement in knowledge in fields such as alchemy and, well, magic in general, is boundless! I imagine, at least. I've only ever read one book about these plants, but it's more like a bestiary than a scientific text. So, I imagine that the knowledge in this field isn't very vast, and it makes me want to expand it!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYwomEs4iZ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5dLAZVSxK
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27L9tu1Ob7
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPtQuqlQKa
"I plan on studying them once I receive a full education, which I imagine will take me... at least a decade. O-Oh, I'm sorry, I've rambled quite a bit, haven't I?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWJ1liPqlg
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPuBMTKeA0
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou7dTLn1M4
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m1K74dss2
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCKqLfR7NU
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ389tdvzYuc
"That's because I've been offered a lot of money and the ability to view new ones in exchange for taking this type of work."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbrYckMU6G
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNtKcIsHPj
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNuBie9xXB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MaEKs6SZA
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAC4Kk1Jzi
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavQuq6szfi
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnigUtTNqNb
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbkBGFw668
"A-And that's what you say? Ah, oh my goodness..."
She calmed down and took steady breaths, letting out a few more faint chuckles before speaking again.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUkQHy3xtE
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqMGMHyRvg
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U4CFv9lGm
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEA7HZ5F7j
"What are you talking about!?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4PPasB9Kq
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkV6NeBLFP
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBxWHvUBXe
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehJAScnJyG
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4jlA4wgjH
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x6Xo22TV6
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jKPMnwnCY
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpJft9JA7r
"..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO12KSZV2i
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA1qeyJPrM
Frankly, my flurry of emotions from earlier had barely dissipated. I took a minute to calm myself and ease the tension in my body before asking anything. I did appreciate that she kept the number of inquiries low, though–195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeozCTHZ20U
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1v50FcnWI
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes1IAWrCmI
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQNBuJvNo3
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKQfZOxCvB
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIX4uQxOQS
"Fine, go ahead."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJeQP9TeBl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1FUYYq7fl
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFp96RIaDW
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLlaZWusfj
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmjcu1IrhR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8KfimlzKP
I pointed at it and she nodded.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaZRECMIGj
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2oi2SLtut
"It allows me to create miniature versions of magical plants I've already performed mana spinning on. I can amplify their effects with internal mana spinning from there on. It's very handy, but..."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjUMVC8bk3
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExvzJEhAsK
"Hm? But what again?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLwFN7xX4S
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZRDTl2z6z
"It leaves me more vulnerable. I don't quite get it myself, but I think that the tendril is intertwined with my body, or at least with my nervous system."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rH45cnFFn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnng7cUQeL
"I see. That's disturbing."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDodpQJlTUh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaXIRniIcL
"It's... not so bad."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsunhdMKCIA
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOeNUsn6Zx
She gently huffed at my response.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOvo2ydhrh
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHR3GNLsTy
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WuQBOw0Sn
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFy3FI0oAi
"Fight Mason?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxxBpHou9G
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfQ9Kfrql4
I realized that I failed to mention Rover in this entire discussion. I rubbed my head, anticipating disappointment for the answer I would give her.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SWEDdtPmS
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG3MXB6Pr2
"No, I didn't fight Mason. My friend and colleague did. Her name is Rover. Oh, I should've met up with her by now! Ack!"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ibyJI3tAl
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYM9rl7E1E
I made a considerable blunder there. I got to my feet and rushed to the door. I looked back at the surprised Lola for one last word.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPxkfG72In
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu81R5bKvf
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyUX1FOQ38
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvP22qb3eV
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IaygDQbR9
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRi9kRCaTp
She got up herself, adjusting her robe, and stopping a few feet away from me. I thought it was a signal to open the door, but when I did, she didn't pass through.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUdPts9roD
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvpqTuDulB
"Is something the matter?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW43j81nl67
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmKQGr1RgG
"...Where is your friend right now?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf046iHZmG
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr7c7lw3lI
"T-That's... why do you ask?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqlJZHNb0Z
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfEbWCfVRZ
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYYeBJsgq2
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmaE88aF6k
I blinked a few times. I knew she was insinuating something, and though I didn't know what exactly, I had the impression that it was sinister.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHGhtJWRoQ
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYV63ejc6p
"Yes, she did."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxZj1PQrmf
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmMJQmFMGw
"Ah, I see now."195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSsl2LPzSR
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNpyUfqFC2
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7fm70Z8w6
195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2OKAEPBed
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
