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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJb4Qp4LKD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmvXYXNOwY
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLRkaWxjkx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2GzNvCT0d
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MBtuF5m6Q
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9W75t8KBt
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRLh6JdYMZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbntSFBImx
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCTlA9ed2q
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WmjKN2DIL
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHFBRtK3S9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0ws0azndO
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08KS6ygBoQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIqQ1HFkcd
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMExsfHzsx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokWCE7iF7t
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrZWIYQaij
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM8ds2K2qC
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjYTl72wxc
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xn9sh2V7v
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vhsn82eRC
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqE5CH7zly
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxxv1bH0jn
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xToAU4waR
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUGDcSz5QH
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BNDTBGnfG
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyt6yjFBMu
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn7Cytjl8H
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ2wXBQ6Za
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uod34xS6b
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7smVPJIJC0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoc9AzbBI4
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71v7Mqb22i
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0cWHsj2a3
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGowIDvA0W
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3370QwggUd
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7w310FzSd
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWADH3QNfr
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Iam5lZACb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ORZOO0JDy
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsVoLndjPX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QgBgoodoJ
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBY82zklUX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ogIkQ2nx
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqZS666WWV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13IG1937BO
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wjsPornTO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xP4YCwpk1
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvoCpczZW5
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kv6xEAA0K
"What's the matter?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9FG6gCDXi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmvcCdwhjI
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBrRXff3VJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTpNSTOUbw
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m4nV6GRWh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs63WVadwEj
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDYWR9nOBD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmlqBAStjE
"Of course."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd1jStDlVT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJHdDlu5QD
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CLmEGBlnN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP7Hk7wHvL
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT8K7iiv3T
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZvSYYQX7F
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuIH0XJjEt
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c9GS5mJ1q
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjGe2g1izy
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30ERXmNLZ0
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GoWjRCicA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfNOsOZMOw
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgig42NlwD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkF0cCOM2G
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VZX0XD8Km
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPa8mHFrPU
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7HM6BfiIg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmM9yhwxg8
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoQEtTqyTv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5FkiyszCL
"...Probably?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtXxmxITua
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpTPD1DOFy
"Sorry, definitely."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqqTqKoWXA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnKbDh8sTG
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RICA5Gpqr
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3zDL9idK6
"Food's ready!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X5Bxyhrfg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQGaO9HNAU
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYdsvnca1e
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8cPJ0HLle
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBganDIAH76
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGkuEHixH6
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueYr5Mn3cW
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdZBRai7tm
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiLE6p6HwL
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLUbPF2em4
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxB9M2Fsan
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3oU9mYBh6
"Are you asking me?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuxw8YIzeX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnG2XriF9z
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K2yH9XDUI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wDS7md3aD
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyDo9PAgrk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9xRlYQ6oM
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ShrLaNRh0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl38y4LkX5
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kaLesEoPj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYebjhGa0y
It felt heavenly.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRo9NTI7gA
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFytGDm2EWD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX74upIywrY
"What are you reading?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDTgF88N1c
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV9sQP0rvv
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeB2Lbkg9c
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU7T5jXrS4
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCI6CU8p8c
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0T7z2DiT2
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyeCaVKCkz
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpSnPMyoUs
"...It's a book about magic."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUvlh63uGA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IyHaKjs12
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ay7yiGLN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiQAhVZ7z0
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5MTq3vgXA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FHfKC5jOE
"Y-Yeah, of course."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbQchsZ91q
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqJCD6GYI
She didn't sound very excited.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGI1N4ZYG4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8dlcUANBs
"Do you want to practice right now?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoubyl03AXZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXDo6FYilp
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASCmBsW6CB
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2udr4AUR4
"If you say so."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUT7sAVSU6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2sMGSM98
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WzqLPNi2N
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhPpeXJ529
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOqdks0ztb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vn58YYHeU
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrkDiVDOAD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqHpc9sR65
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypA9GMNO7p
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bYvJ7JlAT
"...Did he decline?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowWfBPaCAi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepToQhu96w
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoGjPsK5bg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTVauCQez3
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPM2LdaCoY
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnuttjmdyf
She paused and stared at the sheets.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7joyPg0Qtn
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0fGD7pj7s
"Today was the first time I made a spell."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRCy67dOEj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLTutkS7N7
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTpvJm95A5
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qKDCcFxVw
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc548TK3hC7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRaTPQOg4s
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4WYS2Eaao
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCd6CJk3L
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbEHDO01kT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUtpMsMtWX
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFjAmjL0BV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE7UwYJ0A8
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNlH4jPEyU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVu0ttrT6M
We sat in silence for a few minutes.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EuJ2IsYZ6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg93oOzb7xl
"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."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIivZJEGU8q
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllAPypzTwk
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd6alM9fs0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYg2yjrNoD
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7EXKzZQYN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhxKM1o2LQ
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NrdV5iaEz
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWqK3YNBvX
She shook her head no.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS2Ork8Hw0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcM7yUifEZ
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvbBuzKYUD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQVrgGA6gr
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDV7rdHQeS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFxQyIWFOH
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BMX5Djm2p
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0CegX1gcX
I felt like I made a mistake just now.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpvVePHqsF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGvG7BZOuj
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiDC5rhqYc
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFE3obuHEi
"What is it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cG8FuGZXt
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHxfE5aqKs
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI0YNzGhoh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpqasAScoY
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdcnTl52JO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD9PueTnT0
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwJiD0PCux
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr6W5s9moj
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBWamUs4UP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxTRkFPQtn
"I know I can do that! But, well..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmhOn57u9b
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORcQaCfUHr
She had her fingertips conjoined.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpuixmuW53
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhImYQJna0
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBw9wsLtTC
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrOnrcyDrP
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJNaadMzgH
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOr1ariegA
"Alright, I'll show you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWVpA5ddne
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Ui2pnjYk
"Yay!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYisgGNTR4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhurLWTb4V
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh08tSOyCK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNGhA3hK3q
"I think it's best if we do this outside."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW60uxq22EB
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRKPRSOm4r
"Okay, then let's go!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUICANsRbWR
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ036OI5IJ9c
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2yBr6X7ab
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pcwVsllCO
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpIBawYXNl
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZARjapNEe9
"Earth?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd728UiVNY
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IYM28nkib
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qfxEpLryN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL1JBO6f6b
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDHuzhj2fJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rG3CL8XdM
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXsgDEsapT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjlQl2jQuk
"It's really not that impressive."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vmFKn6rzA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36uWmDvSP5
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboPKYbFO2a
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc9NlX1axK
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22UiVvStVJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lNUCIljCJ
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMK2D7OJFn
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUlSIag64F
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5oxrvAfSi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfd0zt6sYp
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJFoCxO582
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNI1IhJs02
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE9ncFBF6C
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbM1fJmJTR
"How'd you do that!?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBsN22Gp9P
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn1LTCt6BE
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kKQuQw0g8
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiulVlKayQt
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMLw3Tg36T
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdszwvM1op
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jop3MEIB9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO3RvxrDnz
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHPccELr25
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWa6Z1ZUh6
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwVIf1APCo
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDrDdD4KVs
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhjrhyQO8H
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2rk7zSuSL
"What's wrong, Flinty?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkDmAeTStl
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZPwnJARMN
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hkqnBIL9w
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76RNo9umEm
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSFCPtZNYu
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl69E3x7tJz
...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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wgDavypuU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki2yrLCYOK
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDbarcV0jg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfpOSmfsWd
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah0JInLhOO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4vcUCGolF
Oh.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJHMZf33YD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqpft1rTxy
Oh.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNijXNV1Spy
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkYyZpIJJu
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSplAdLu4l
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKnKNJiIXf
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0RryZvJje
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoKT0r6kj0
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwltGdq4TC0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHQNUU1ASg
As for me?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizJ1RAarbG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJgPSQ7Htv
Well...168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9kg8sZyFL
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLkvSPdEa
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlEmoEKmkg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVtVCXQkBB
**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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOTU4k08Z9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP84BEDHMTO
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyJN1oZ1mD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNnNJ757WI
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75wNFnGPyW
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfmXDS8SSy
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJZaWFlZCT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4msCPDnQmO
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XhS0qjxIa
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQGFecCzHc
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkDEtdTtBl
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwscbyfNCv
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKNlIfN0Z5
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDQBMMFcrj
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzwfSw2E70
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb4YzhwOU3
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY6Je7Ts0l
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDPIw9vMJm
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4fYeUci56
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJkUb1aZfY
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIl0Y5KCTN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkhNdFBuU5
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVapgPfKCW1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPoPhbhugN
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xkg2L07Ue
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZhqnaQGbL
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXrVapQUaZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9tDb9N8MR
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj96Cbjhorq
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNgsyBaJ7g
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWMjzMZjgm
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KmhwPHhik
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszE0EzgDIO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNksGMcuvO
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRr89Psyzx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMxOqksl6t
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaDFxeffby
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFJjjeqXPr
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5jHsxi0d0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZI4E9XmZl
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2fJgb9kt6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1xbqn1kFM
"Of course. What is it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiz7atEzR4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3qnno0f0h
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YaNHdQCoa
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKXzLQuUDo
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HNIYqCHfU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxnyVBM7GR
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcoiPPfHNy
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewWVIkmPyD
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPWyeMXT3I
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06lzhQ9Vvg
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIz4qzn0br
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsX6kkUqhn
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfxqyn5yQN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOxE8I2Wg2
We all looked at her.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiCbtiu4Y9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8SWRZ6YG1
"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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LTQ8Wj4BF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejfQGQLXUI
"Kenny."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLN1Ig5njF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ89X409ve
"Yes?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSv3kuFdp3
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz43VkFumN
"I'm sorry I freaked out."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A2MybUvlx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFAye7RxGP
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzGH5rXpUz
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY3Trp5bMK
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArEe2WuPDV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtIYm4OvXJ
"Okay. Kenny?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdeTz04bom
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4nrkfCUvj
"Yes?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTrQ8svi2g
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6CtKU6RwU
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43XcvgCimv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmltVdzD9i
"Huh?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA1SniJ5DU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeyArmzG2s
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0TQqQXyFF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhH650KNB8
"Why do you want to go?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdMM3BErXh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RwwqYprSz
"I... think I need to."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWqIM812n8
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiitPcq6fWC
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNItHiqlJn
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkhh35UBtV
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVCiYS7O33
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUYj7thial
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFw0BbUuXE
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltg0ZgPugc
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRhpfNc48N
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFvutKwC7u
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.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wYA5dBUIr
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7OsmviyCF
My heart sank.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2NIIqqfdh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe7PWjZiqv
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
