The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqAXVfnAcO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzCLKTjK0w
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEOrgvsCXo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkSn1nM3LN
Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUtlJ0IgUf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAtEfzriEX
"Dad!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeM8TXDimb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd8a4FP0v3
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfq6pI5KPm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0QxVYYM4j
"Flinty! There you are!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIK8DiulNR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbSm9l1nGK
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMouRLlKE8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoNBYgCFKI
"And you must be Kenny?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtEJGBD11I
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwb4IYYEAH
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtraX6hR86S
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBeV6nQnV3
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYwhJYHyl4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R0YFUx7rF
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp8eMNrErE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtoGVceZtG
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCNRxutroe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXgjnjONYE
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibyLUIa5Yh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs8D3MSdVw
Dear Mister Chambers.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgFJqZYgss
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n17lQgn7e
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytS7ZAGwjX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwl4R2LRA6
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp4OJIDfhR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz0EcSOqtt
"...I don't remember promising anything."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0iRsaFBeM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAShf76amE
That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcut8fY0Cu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgp4Jo0R1d
"I'll make sure to thank him later."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKcBaZ006W
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94WuCxDBcF
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodTMy1i6nb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouVyGOB088
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1Miba44rc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AqDFpR3zv
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWIm7N3JbG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl4rKMmP13
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbQmGAuBie
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIEMOaqnGP
It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpInNnxlKP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3vzXP79vs
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWJ4MDM46b
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROAsR2zeKn
"Kenny!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpORyUElloH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUidRNGMv0
"Ah, Flinty, hello."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBS5tTUXSO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUztiSr6EPx
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXS0u0Jj0f
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z9RaWphCt
"Is that the plant you asked for?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK941QzPhSm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK0IqblPGu
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtnhuJ36Ab
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSbgcQQ7bU
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1J7eZroGp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EDeSQ8CSc
"Hello, you two."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKBuVQVfIC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lv4GqDpd6
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFk9nM0K29
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3OSnpaw9x
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxJ08qmYdw
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8crEa6JxET
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PJdlZOpZC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXQYX7XR3z
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLusFRL9oeo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqLaK1OprF
"Please don't drop it or something."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kvkFkNi57
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn86PgYrIM5
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLicrSVzw0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkXK2bSqjd
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqmZ1Dw2Ds
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NRFNlFrVl
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkygCWJrOh1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYss7MZo03V
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYjisEWQM5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPH6u0B3d3
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU36Prm8Qm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGriUDtviFx
"And you asked for... a flower?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk59w7QiZs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeaiNxq7DH
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0gjL6KnZ2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ2drr8CJV
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXM725R8sG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRibyiBoHwU
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTxHDBXw2h
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQx0hjPfJF
"Arg! You...!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoowLqo2VF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAzqvO1XRV
Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf7v8MhKFC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWlaZkgq8G
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqjU01K4AS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb4fwq8QWQ
"Whatever."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfz7pJP60c
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2HxhRiDdw
We sat in silence for a minute.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3meLs9cF5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlopnIpMaac
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpCBjq6R3L
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fM9WNFaJO
"Yes! Please tell me!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoNBN1x4m8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuvStDdldF
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRRkdcr8Sb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoof6TP0eRl
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHoEiBQxpX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX6KE6W0r1
"Wait, Eastern country?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrntW5wlz04
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuyNFaCed3
I faced the old man.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZUdp1x0C9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZWCNJDCUg
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArcdw8X4Pi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbabub18S0
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM5Nvuqu2m
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh3M3S9SQ3
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhsGiEeptl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ5VfWN85w
"...Buffalo village."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ6nZPCcC5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uIrrg5sQY
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGveteEvet5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRniBp73tE
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW2QzVZOso
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG070HuLRO
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk8VZGxO5S
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNS7kfjRVr
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMopmKVURS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1nEQ1oJqu
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcByNgTraDM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7h7tBUZU6
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTaWmc4mnF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJCIo3mRTe
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHjB7uTYeW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynkrxgBMef
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWXV1dlQS2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2eY4WSa3T
"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK222DFn4T9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQpfkQdETq
I nodded along.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgXQoe02OB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtcEuH1Ftr
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmhMwsfEJQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLePUvr061D
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqCvtNrWuO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiCUpuQBRr
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r0RitZEb0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP6FtrwyVp
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd53l9bvyTE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm6eHc9p7r
She blinked blankly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0TaOcmSBp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8tD067bKu
"Wait, is it?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYNHx8Jykh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ffjie51Bn
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiahESJN5ez
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJvUhvAD9X
"No, maybe it is true."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUu5aldFCT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb1mDNVTVC
"O-Oh, okay."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO65qhRxRZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYnPBdj6hd
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhv8Iva1ea
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULRCv2nCHY
"How was your guys' day?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSp75UqfRU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZ8vaGScW
"Mom, you should've been there!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQK7Xu3sbJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hSagpXPpO
And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxc7mtuiDN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJjUyzSBub
I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyB4B7zhHd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeoBJ4wEsq
It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sQwZ4yQOQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSYQKYFI9p
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKT3YwUQTN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuiYYqvNWp
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjJCxMVHvZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvYNLMgUHY
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzzGdusxWj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3I8C9XUJn
"O-Okay."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrrY6wQHzN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZZTSSSMmp
"Hold on chum, you come back here."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCkC1sDNF3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViZFWnNxcz
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJi1FbwIT9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv8RpiDpPt
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW2SN4DNPx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LVabK5yTh
He sat me right back down in my chair.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS45CKdelr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZXEFPJ2zU
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdUSnVC0At
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGCarxvfWX
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxrPqdZh1V
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiHEgutMJY
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWPw4YGtdQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP2PjZydut
Nobody even heard my "laugh."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ3hh2wNgu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N3wqzFLnW
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNsrZgu46h
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXx8tAYKcl
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz4xarfB2E
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZqyagcvnE
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j4WcwvvhF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p93I3yd0R
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ043zCVZYOG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeHmBvo3cA
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6GiyvC5w9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLExxhFeBl
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP2DDbbo2s
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHqqrLsi3M
"TALBOT!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVML0dNb3A
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeNtOd0AnP
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyifNilFyQa
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl3DGqRjk1
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhGCi1EDyY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdxKm4iD3L
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOtZeyPWfm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCP9dY6tZi
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC0IvvkUDF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNia3WCIlc
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDBi6bbscp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MAzKZw3WA
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5H8r0S0hq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbtYpQgAus
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5SS9k6s9R
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3oJYu0RWn
"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yXMLZUHUU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHBfErh183
"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe5BjIUoBT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUsK204L8W
"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhd0DUHBSx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa719TRHRW
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx1eHXsy2b
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndsfgRc7TX
"Yep... sorry, Chum."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr6Rzq7oaI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ9Y0TEAry
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4me6W9Xt3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVdfCxEH55
For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgEopIqqee
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs9LFOOWOp
"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XQYtU9pFG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUFvdFZp63
Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUcLHs9QEj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9dZAQC0gQ
Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISqxbq61YX
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTZmm83Lln
I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS90ztNV47w
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFcKEWY4B7
"Flinty."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV2ZUtbUYg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5pnea6ZWD
"Y-Yeah?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGPbbUETyh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgDYbszy9J
"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjeJC0zNxP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71tHC4IIEw
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEQLMkLqVR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJJbEsmMML
"Okay! Let's do it!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASueFk2Hi2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5IbdlB769
There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWfnsN9Yht
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXn0CzbXX2
"...My tome is in the other room."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesRwKm0kJt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukjMX73MBW
Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy092EvovV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpTdg3xWDV
–
–
–194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUwyPlPObS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNZDwTM9lr
Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHHx7Og8mt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJlyssByze
I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8lFA7IyOZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjPmpyQV75
"Ah, mornin' Chum."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWep1ZkSIwd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmejdJzauln
"Good morning."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf8RwVhoZq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlxIhQxtac
"What are you doing here all by yourself?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0e7UdeQSQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZZKK2R35p
"I woke up early."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWVo7lsYRR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFhDCrTX6J
"Alright. Let me make you some food. "194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2gyRCUuu0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YWkgVcSMW
I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4wGRo0r3k
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzinih6ClVI
"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4oQAbU7tW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHZ6qeRNp5
"Right."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIugNS9Wo5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSHdWVF0CO
Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSjruYyawg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtdEoGoPD4
Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYi4R8sjyE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsJKp0yBOy
"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgEooKizmS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEepCj7oV3
"I sure did, honey."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHSpJU1D80
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzhvzkzYe
"Oh."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiotnBPuyWv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiWO1uVoHq
Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oF41PLc79
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuLJnOMVRB
"Is something wrong?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d34C5bP17
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzUSDHSoCH
"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcnNvY3j7e
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrrhBEFtJi
She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE4gg6v0bl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj9TdOs8xR
Strange. Strange people.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCt7iNrxHY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8afXAPwAe
After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXRPbkh9Qr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht403iS6QN
"...I uh."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCTP38aucq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzjKUAA9Yf
Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq7QmcRgNH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENCUPiJREz
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1NWzowmCW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIKSPKiega
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTU4aC1z4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj71f1d6Ce6
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpuf7k1NHt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqmFEXNKAD
"Water under the bridge?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5GrNwWOKZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HVDjBtnQw
"Mhm."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiahkeF4ZNU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MZzZZp7pM
Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFdVs17oFl
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk91JwntCm
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbIasCo81U
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCx6HAVWNe
They were really good.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYAjYMq5XH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCwPjw9pjX
–
–
–
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3t0hzkfNP
After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHE7ShwaGn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYmbVPNXm7
"That's a nice outfit"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu0cBbJAZ2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1PSIRfLVi
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3xBo8nLUx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzXnx7syhD
Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTEKAzwGRZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsJwgoAX2u
"You know this town very well, Flinty."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6kQQSpdFt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ882pjMMFVJ
"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJycp9pBxcm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbOWAXL6DA
"Ah, my apologies."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGozbO5aS9E
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCkLgHBxGY
"No no, I like being around you too."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpICcRT8aK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDvse0AOju
Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNupjChdDE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9BIffdS2E
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HB0A7Lm3Q
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNchcHOgOJ
"R-Right."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOtJZippBJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPw8WtUhlu
She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XkhguvllL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1V46WOgGN
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs43ukHv5b
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t94BNNIzM
"Hello, Freed!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2zgqkut17
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx4pJLrXNR
"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYMH5IlDGt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmdqusUNjQ
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiZRFIw3T7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGo79EgLv8
"So what business do you kids have today?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4N9d2oAaL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW64lyJSeM
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1IgRamrU2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlslxxl9GL
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fuyaqXGGo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmgqqTlww4
The Tea Mage slowly nodded.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xbVOteMUT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapPtor63Vr
"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnTrPNJoTS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWMLczeiCn
"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ5USf1oE4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxUI8Q7nKG
"I see."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGGlz2yCqQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXaH5DVNqP
The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyPSNrAIIZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzG7MX5KbG
"I refuse."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Z6I0lI4O
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmqTKLmzZB
"Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNW4MV0VYO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ec3qTGcD3
"WHAT!?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1oKlZxyWc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMqOtKUCAu
Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqTRHELZoD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH8mgU2E9z
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurn1gXh7Yz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzvwbnAXqy
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Ki6qoFaj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyUDfe3Av0
"...No?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ4dXJwi6C
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn64VOKTeig
"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrG3jn083X
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkRmDKo9Ku
His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZOVUcgMVT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8zKNBL3Ar
"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxM7ijknCu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskOoPXH6La
"Hold on, follow me, you two."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OhMFgGtVN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqutg3XIqG
The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATJFbOSNs1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ3F9fiAQt
It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx04cPl2cY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9HUklLmhZ
"Down here."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaK09JCUp5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsl8tctBRo
I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cuhXEl4mY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPUwO3Xgzc
It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr15KqROUr
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuleuHwNRc
"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrBs0RReI5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKj7DpytEp
Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiciOOYcuZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglT9kK6TDX
Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBZiFZWIkE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR49bGFxlIT
"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAjhkz3One
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsItdoOM3yY
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jk3TkfhbW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV6f1jtz7k
I shrugged.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv0Rgzfegk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KGW3ydlYK
"Well alright, go ahead and try."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6TF3ci1LU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vgehnW2eP
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnMKxdrQVd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnpmAqfnOD
"Am I doing it right?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8Kc0Ay2n8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIDVbBIPpW
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVooUgHmV9E
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDoO8Tjcku
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpdTsiecIN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo8PtYJZgH
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpdwO6c2TL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16JjcaEIe5
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoCzmVjglo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLipXDDL3K1
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyauTY9prM6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkry5hrUupS
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ahV5olLc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdxqMMXti5
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmhwLY1pp8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF58Uk1mNl
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIYohMHcL9
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjYBCqzW87
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWzmX6l0dD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSugoO36GiU
"O-Okay."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA1Mo8gmhI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuAXUPOiX2
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W5j5kOGP7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6dsXt5btP
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3uq4AekP7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMysizsvQ3
"W-Wait, how do I–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFxPxgwEM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjf9wcNytK
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslgy14wSwJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfze9nE0kt9
"But what if I can't let it out?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4gkmPCCnm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVst9EhAP1l
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYMtNb6slZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8W9HQmUw1
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeznWO48xqJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtokC3TRi7c
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzng24DnbwD
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc45jUZgGQ3
"Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Fmflkev0
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTYhBtPYGV
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfjeykONTE
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSnBY9shuE
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yi2aY42qY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JnWFS2X9J
I messed up, getting all excited.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrILvfXxGv2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LXydoqgKk
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JfT6zQkXV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDk2Hc5n2i
I couldn't do it in time.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbc8Qt99lZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdXdUSe4lr
**BOOM**194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnBy8miM48
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPe3TSSVcv
The world around me faded.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQRDZgCT0w
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvb56r6aFR
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vGElx4jy6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hdJWZpRam
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbF1QBcIis
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MqJ83Thhi
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTUZOf33KU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7I9yNxt7I
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo73iPmtYhS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK59n4aL8V
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXRcGJJZWk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGJYiHNZtC
I was in the greenhouse.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RbAgbKLxQ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLCfpoKbqa
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TZTCFLVj3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0izAuXICh
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rzeVgxkPx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUNaGd6dE3
Thank God, they were okay.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkYk5sNFwL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNswgZFjt1z
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpY9ByawxP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRsGmORVWw
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaCGYBiXRc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrtenbs032
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktrniOXUTe
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X9WadvLQ7
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8PsfsICmW
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWCdXW3aUy
"This is... my coat?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSPZkUKtLG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6yJif4kYW
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5cybwZaGR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwNBY2ETAH
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvThyZiOgAU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAsa3WDVcv
I love you. I really do. Thank you.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9maTcWZvTv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dBfUnafqR
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKKUfUSZ2f
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJjlxhUsKK
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaZPx7Xdpt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq5j5LBVdk
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL04sltAxEv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKbeihD0sf
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bfMLVYnoo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU8747ntZr
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQywLcoBPju
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cckm0sTSB
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B744frfNu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBR6jECamY
"H-Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7VEfzsLlT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X2VOgTqRZ
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n0ZV5Z1nx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzNzJWZaoh
"T-That's terrible!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GEeYPHZrn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcFe8JQVwT
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XMFJbJ303
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnushSSrbaO
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHMAH7DEpG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EZ38tB1ro
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewPH0f3sco
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy08190mrlb
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwEgleyYQm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmcrOEUelC
–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc43wiD0gk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcej4eEC6gR
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wuicXiyDB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8RtYD7kdc
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEJvPv1n13
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg4plR8yQZ
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvcZFd8TBC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmiRRdGWiQ
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlg7pSsinf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lOJKXfU2R
"...Ah!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Dw75V2Vm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41LjdAG5X1
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTU1G2dlhM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCrohdAQWk
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW307Re1idZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfCGFun714
"...Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpSgfNLcoL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oWJD3xaJF
She meekly turned her head to me.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqP0aZQb4f
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe7SjyjEry
"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeLIqU8eGP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH1TrXCfwQ
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVUYJgno5N
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mjD1dRJhW
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxwJwQPnzR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lmsqHQxL2
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjAOcX6w00
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkJPJ3Xdm5
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuFFyzCWJp
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xpiq24d3m
"Okay, let's go then!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCW9cGsm5I
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCeepXntCS
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwvinQYtHh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsoSA9YcPj
"W-Where are we going to go first?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoueZTefSK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lPpq454fM
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwdWi4Uymt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwpXv1re4Z
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8QNOFGcI1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdalViccGfD
Yeah, let's.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuC6wvXmZK
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TlR8G9Wgh
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWLoAJhMIo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblysETsz1q
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhH4ZOljAs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo1DtkAHb2
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrzhqH2diV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYTBExc2aS
"This is the combatant's guild!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvY7zvQUWn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwFNYAkiob
It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkZAGm7HnY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcrDniHRPA
"This place needs a renovation."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrj9hpKy0e
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU34QNGFMCW
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxKCkUX3rk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaJutLQ8zZ
I shook my head.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrz8S8sN35
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1waXT8zgta
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURvhA7pCiV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUSkogAX29
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWPItgVYlV
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfugM5XAKB
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAWbLO3p0P
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHeb2uXqBO
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkehvAsvsc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsIAxIuQLX
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGrQFBiVh4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQknKszXOc
"Do not even suggest it."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCPsOEfCAy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURj8qZ1PFJ
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xHZBUmO9w
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK2Av8uRwA
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhdKabQmuJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZERS46sEA
"...Well alright."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnCv0aqX2Y
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlCEYHGOGb
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ouRwrhfj5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4czTFmpe5
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMOjiacjV4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX9RieWCef
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3NyiguBFb
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARpiUAE1bS
She pouted.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVY27FO9N8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJpLEb041v
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXddJHpjGYi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkb6fHkDG0
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncE23CJCBj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4jt585l0p
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUyN5bcHOh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEta6qeeIO
"Huh? Flinty?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC0qUOtQf1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxAvcdX8Yh
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlXGsWXAUG
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHPoMB9Feb
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjIt3YtCJM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrpYd3k8Ni
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAj2CA8Gue
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKskrYi8VK
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMBN2Ehegc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk7G0lvoFq
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ94qUS3Zu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarujHpW7kp
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGQeRR4h0v
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00u1zzM8Yu
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzsaZGdx8V
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy71ogyoLr
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAx2SFKHSs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bGgTk0jvk
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvzJoqaTRj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuKZZY5qcW
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A52rJAQAi
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP91igzYfx
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwUYoNpZh2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04BHYuRVzg
"Huh?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnk9XEWgjA
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg12GggtQWB
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4bQnEPxK8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahDfe9CDUe
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR5rZk0ZWq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaE3ofvLnW
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa2e1uKCNR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkts3s7jyl
"You're right. Wait–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYuzf3MBaY
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetQqlNNEAP
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZevbxmSqhL
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5EWTgzTOG
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXmPMbqZbS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Otn91T0wu
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZaiSYRI37
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsoktgYqLW
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2ehsUsMtv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWdOju072v
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztPo7VHqeO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3JiKR8R7b
"No. I'm here for another reason."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7DFCM7Xch
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsaeWcYPC2
"And what may that be?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdeePTMP58
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FtwDFwlRT
"None of your business."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3mZfYVEZo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRw2mbTt3l
"O-Okay..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchkuogIrza
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow5It92pWh
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRmSzeFZPZ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRd2xUbBuN
"She is super shady."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92U8BsWnB8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQcLxxVb3H
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk9MQLcsIC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzOQgFga4E
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewS16oSfyH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj7m2OAHRz
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWwCEWHcFo
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1ewVZLOTc
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcRlflXq0e
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E83qPMLgE
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhuv1JOVLU
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhIBUG9AA7
"T-Then let's get his attention!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDdjx4ROVH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWngVdsabK0
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrEhfMBUe4
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaclms3Diki
"Let me handle this."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO46fR2Kzg7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkEezzoX3x
"W-What, why?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPLmBBOlnP
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwcUjsrinq
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil5IAPZMzg
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX93ZRi3Pl
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttZl9fEi0t
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XXykHmrb5
"S-Sorry, Kenny."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFQmnJjB55
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqD7oZnZUq
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxODRZLiqT
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXknXaeri2c
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo3PdOayQj
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UOXsmlMIR
"Hey, you guys!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuHMci7f5D
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyaToJrqZ6
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sUlGAhPo6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqqgGWOayF
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVU0sXOPa8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKMqDDmS8b
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrFfvWrsvf
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeiZH2F7xK
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFteDbsMnjJ
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhWth4HWq3
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Hs00tzz7
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRWXz5XLUK
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghZq6rNUVh
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6pNjvqmEc
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYtDS4V0ti
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFz0MOO7hQ
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdHTVOLQ3g
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmpt1St143
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyLcfTWy5b
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7RhUqZPa5
"Here's your bill, miss."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfqMj5pBDv
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQAU1mBdJS
"...I..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48hzqhYpC1
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk2CK0VEyb
She was having a difficult time speaking.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO2ZaTsNpN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuwUMgZDxA
"I forgot to bring money."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhrt8PWBct
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVPfwG1VnY
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV2HBy5hL8
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIdVLCf4ZV
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsjJXsKCcy
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTOMGpkYmz
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PI8cxO2yC
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKPqZQhx0v
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9pDKHSyGm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XjIjbXScx
Ha. What a moron.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVwotr2v1r
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOdrjQYh12
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8quDKsSzz
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcCRiwkKg5
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpiAbniWKm
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKg8LoZSql
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEiZhJZYiB
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6XICfRXWM
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxd4L8BgDt
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9lnfxlnNg
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMhqkeO53Z
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrGCCn2FaA
"..."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KjsrjNcpu
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKkzSL6AUa
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6MmDEUNSd
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFVOtstb2v
"Hey, cloaked woman."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWDOazRKUk
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5qnGAnaNB
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2lE17d2uc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lQKlgeEFQ
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg6bSJilOx
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP6gaM8GSE
"Yes, of course. Thank you."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6GhFJXXUn
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOopZSnpDH0
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkNGa7ctd2
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPMrsWHD4i
"Alright Flinty, let's go."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHlUUDYzoq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGWOOFO2pg
"Yes!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7AM8NNqhS
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv5jpAlZGp
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcia0OTfXM
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgV7FwvVe2
"What?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb1qh5400N
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO8kritYoU
"Kenny, you're awesome."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQxLc5BWlO
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQggzNuJDri
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlYB383hGI
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFovLWJm6A
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSfsO2SfRF
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45wR11StfM
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCRSCNjhz6
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUKBvbQXib
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyDgszWOMq
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXQhozKZhh
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA25IFr0Lb3
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvOs5ObFVG
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNfRw89bWR
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8230KkREcC
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOdvjNsPVH
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulGKNqYGKJ
"...Is something wrong?"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpi7IeeFbc
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbMFdMdBWR
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJkoLI3kFN
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3ioi3h7Y3
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvUtC8wsa5
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEcegfbopa
"R-Right."194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJvKehWGUs
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42dGa6dtnk
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
