The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2qMJcpckA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPcEhFGNkh
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQt2dzpp6J
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3znJZjx1mI
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM67yDcF04
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQC66N6qWJ
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJrKp32OnY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x4Yb8YTIJ
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdRHAFdtgo
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKv8aTOKPH
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19ci66B9XJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuIeck8umD
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWZ4dTc8CK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf3EK124LO
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTOBI6pmbG
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOttZu0hCU
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wDV383kRC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj1VWQl9PW
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ee8rdCfW4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjaZcCH6yH
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKqmGpSyVk
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sAWoo0S0g
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMdoY6W0Ji
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTkjEOPYf6
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDhSGUSSz9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvClsaXT3iM
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZNV5u1XPy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8ts4ZyyBD
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jqE3GHOYR
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBchEeSRhHf
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnEpRS7LXa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf9BRUREHw
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwb7Sc8Et5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ14bBeTPFh
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GOWqpw6Qy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FhL0lkhAE
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLIup0pUy6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzmqYCwZc9
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68P6YrDBRZ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlz6HdQPJx
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn1n7auoGS
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GsIWUARCP
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Y4FDLJsS
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyBw1srqBF
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rT89RDn4v
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXuI9CPsbd
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VSCKsNVCg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk7XLUROYk
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnC4rIN54u
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAseh2xIB4n
"What's the matter?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGkA1HsiNi
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9az4R5AHnC
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PkkDKt2OE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLLAEiV0fv
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg03xSH4xeW
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJTx1bS3ZU
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK4vPjhtQa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd5WYgNfq0
"Of course."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgHb1K6n5W
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlSO88VUEq
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FNLxVG74T
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y2wKFhSHW
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMMF5tCFSC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZXDIB5O91
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPErSY28Kd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ4Hf4nDmJ
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BNPFTFbzY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yuKAs6jJL
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvpKZxAC64
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH28ByOV23
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPDNENsHHg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz31QnI7n5
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9UO9s8TVA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbuuHarsSA
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTRnMYl6o3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB0k9BWH8C
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5MhdWIzin
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QjwNkmrRd
"...Probably?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR3UR0HWM4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGNPVrIoIM
"Sorry, definitely."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpL5deMaE1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dqe7iHl8p
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AulheGHks
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbXGoHTFjk
"Food's ready!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGLJw27yx9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlylbXFlZi
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkUiAhuLBV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Na92GizHG
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q6FKG9nVp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xh7rZ4LmX
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd3pskirNs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5gJVIfeQ8
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinpCUI96VV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOoMAi7HbJ
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNR2nKqood
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1naCXynj7
"Are you asking me?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSGxOgnfPx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIlWqevMvb
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM43GBanJaV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHSYE8WUYt
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcdin7eys3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04TFNUsfhP
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9sfAjUBpk
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRN9bAN87O
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMynbvSTamM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tTDM2nkH1
It felt heavenly.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e5TA39dbz
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1NNfI0K9k
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmS0VAMgQg
"What are you reading?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8y8K6W1Rt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyvwYlg772
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HT67L51hR
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjPaeVTV2h
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41pnPNL6RF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj8lKb3tDY
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DrD21ypYa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56vgm348NX
"...It's a book about magic."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvR6hJAtel
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaWwZmTjya
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawkaw9pPV2
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZhM26S3oC
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNMZdGMxGs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1ZsN9VLwU
"Y-Yeah, of course."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfkFsTpZZO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWc6MQn34s
She didn't sound very excited.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bKch4YHbv
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXQoJRR5ZR
"Do you want to practice right now?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX69ULqz5bT
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8jS5ggG1I
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyqJHQBELr
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg66toI2MC
"If you say so."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RSp5kTZFt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUe47lDRTl
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkb0SBcnfF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rPG1R821G
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5q14Sno6r
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf5CZnbc2f
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZj1mvRxZ2
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv3zeTzS6L
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jmQhyQwIh
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnzMulokWB
"...Did he decline?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W47s9BEnD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ek3RPKfcZ
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rHxySFiWu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0VkOAExus
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqdzGHQhRF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPOykkEM2D
She paused and stared at the sheets.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN6caYEyHv
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWdcphjI8b
"Today was the first time I made a spell."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjxESwS6KE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM4nAxj7YW
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswky78Ob0E
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6koQq8ssi
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwXWbeMvYx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImbgeX1MWL
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QGID48Xv9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tRzAHoMgD
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SKIqXKMVU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHyhAZKzGy
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKCgFqsKfg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt59aEFft1F
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw3EOpvnhu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5HOxwbm9J
We sat in silence for a few minutes.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeub41dbpd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1XCHLfSOX
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMNaclmedN
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQf75XVx3V
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgXqEPZsQP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UBGh70fq7
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7pQgivQbQ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl7SBeYdAW
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡergAq9t8pV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pxOR82p6y
She shook her head no.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKVq9rNeuh
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5vJpHFtKt
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmInnvIWfIH
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp2uZvseoH
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NDJGrUOSC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1qmTHQCPD
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclPmnimxu0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcqd4r5F7w
I felt like I made a mistake just now.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfnigxYT39
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhiUWNFBuq
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMzieRHE7Q
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBIvNggour
"What is it?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRoUZ12Cjs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxM1CCHCwx
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa24hmxSvg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTBNjPfXaT
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzcn4doRZa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0BXsvjp6
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkWhKHVyTz
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFL5jOWIcT
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSM6nnkBRg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h3BlkrMzz
"I know I can do that! But, well..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByXeDiU4Ax
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFw9AMoeG3
She had her fingertips conjoined.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnutNXrO8QG
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pKrNMLUTE
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qseUhPzaN
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKtZOmFcrH
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmse88KWfu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6pbADWil6
"Alright, I'll show you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbA5BKy01l
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZCZD54yH
"Yay!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRNA8GruX5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kcrPcVpZJ
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3kiX8hgJ4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tNwdSSATa
"I think it's best if we do this outside."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgQy1az5Li
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFZdWLlyYE
"Okay, then let's go!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7GFXvPrNs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3X7hS8IP0
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OUiPr5Qth
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAuNuZfFhr
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzdftO2Sf1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T9427qYAK
"Earth?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6hA1OChu0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufT09UQgJp
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajjsJK1KE4
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKoCORCQud
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPwKoSs4jT
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sz2XZfD4s
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"It's really not that impressive."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr7vbjIMz5
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRiGiHfPtr
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxyt1d1PhO
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFshs7wbIlu
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ICgE6IMn
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ja0oWyDMT
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QDlEdAM4g
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdinhmoxHX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEXP1xH4LH
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrtJvlr3I5
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"How'd you do that!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW9QGrQcRM
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"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ5DjkDwNU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy4zKRRXrX
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGck05r6MG5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs9KLU0B5H
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU35T46jzv
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CxRmfISps
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDAnmrDcwl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwVjvSCFF5
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbAn2RIuv7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5nwluXNt6
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcFUQUy5Mo
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQcdLCBbjO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF3QCsxuDg
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1FjTXuhhy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAGQtjXorP
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKadA8MC2qA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbRnbBP9Zt
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiOcYsPyT9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzyJ0Ini4A
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HrVbqheyn
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuLd8m1wLX
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KeUgY4ocX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpozy744JP
Oh.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB5g3nh4Z5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS93HyvumA
Oh.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5zzEfp8cz
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXzgk66bAH
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIwmIgUimg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe58H5EzxYQ
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon6z1PLSVb
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt5pzWa3Uv
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GdR6d98yn
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sJAMAfRTp
As for me?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3jxhVkIgL
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LjL9SKzpx
Well...208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROUgjn60OD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDBtpwXY3x
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1wCm3XTQ1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYvvhmwmAu
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLeGDSD1PM
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EvJsZdxuv
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6bpc90FEE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q6k5OAmBE
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpzpbYnav7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQQEtjs51A
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBDP3w6ajV
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEvearIb59
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXK3F176w6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRxDC9j9YW
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDjXxzBWh9
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJKdQyMFdM
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQhYiGOD2n
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnifCKVBM1L
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUJMHV428T
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto0M4yQKuC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKoHlPMeQL
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m8rj72uJI
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA4eObMdw7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk30I5o9nH3
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWb2dtxKlE
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh9mXNPdyw
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEeHfbErm7
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1OtAF3kQl
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiRSKhOlAb
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWjYF4kIMt
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp652T9WFp7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm1MG6xAF7
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHEIaw7j5H
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I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RIV1x97a5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdXPVowWj0
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWngrYunM1f
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzLlXL7qHj
"Of course. What is it?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtpMPkU4Hs
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70QwAmVP7C
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrGhY0E9pM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1LvxGsOOA
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhgThMfBNN
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtlWuxSrOm
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o1fEMmZua
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnmwyTsiIT
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQEzEGWmQe
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXyn8QQ82O
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSVEt893FH
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We all looked at her.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHmus8z771
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOLLMXa2gD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvbyTM7Ya0
"Kenny."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cdXU8uDd2
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"Yes?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuiZ824TxT
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wUfxQ66fA
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy9VznPsOP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcq8JQJpjH
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuVLVGQwGk
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"Okay. Kenny?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx7N4WPy9f
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"Yes?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq33uE1jd3
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWj27xLoQa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFokBGvZVgQ
"Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f1mEezWtO
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUjJHBrxKw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq9UBCj8LY
"Why do you want to go?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ey9S5OeX6
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"I... think I need to."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86bZ1v2blq
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I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyIZNRWh3a
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeUYfT3ZW3
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpSfgTgiT5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3izNcHbtni
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxqNArCWwd
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAhzPBSz08
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pXg6FeOuf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwEVDyOQJg
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaZT8bQ7pE
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My heart sank.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf4FKABXKX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTadRkFYjLt
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
