The earliest thing he could remember was the book. No, that wasn't quite it, but Kenneth had difficulty recalling. He gave himself a minute, and then it came to him clearly.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5WBaE08Ai
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUXmKjAMnb
Kenneth remembered a building, a grand one in the middle of his home village. It was a church, the Church of the Buffalo. It was on an elevation of two-hundred feet and was five miles from the shore– hardly anything, he's come to realize. He remembered the town having abundant greenery and a gorgeous forest nearby. Of course, how could he forget the forest?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2oxi1jAJP
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7IhkCtMet
Kenneth was getting distracted. He sat by a boulder and took a breath.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXTCYODhN
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt34ill78K8
He had just turned three years old. Kenneth was about thirty-two inches tall, which was considerably short for his age. Kenneth was wearing a black robe, akin to that of the priest's. He was standing next to said priest, who was giving a speech Kenneth couldn't remember. After the speech, his head was doused in warm, relaxing water, and then the attendees of the ceremony clapped. Kenneth was just officially declared a toddler. It may seem silly, but his village was small, so ceremonies for the young were held like this quite often. It was Kenneth's third birthday, he remembered. He ran over to his father and mother, and that was the first memory Kenneth could retain of them. His father looked sick, his mother looked guilty.
From this point on, Kenneth could recall it effortlessly.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BnJC8Hfae
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZzHD0qL1d
When Kenneth returned home, he was treated to a dish of kind words and a refreshing meal. He was only three, but he had such a big appetite already. His father was away from the table. Kenneth just sat with his mom.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIl1LTXG8k
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"Happy birthday, Kenny."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n8NPnsGWo
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4raY5vKX43
"Mm?" Kenny hummed with a slice of bread stuffed into his mouth. "Mm! Thank you!" Though it was hard to hear, her mother smiled. She was a nice lady, brown hair and green eyes. Kenneth loved her. He loved how her mother made great food. But Kenneth always thought that she looked too old to be his mom, maybe his grandmother.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkcaGb1NVt
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXJOnHlc8M
Dad came back to them. He had a glass bottle in his hand. He looked tired, but Kenneth was smiling vigorously at him. He still didn't change out of his church robes. He sat at the table, slamming his empty bottle on it. He stared at Kenneth's mother, and then at Kenneth. He burped and said, "Happy birthday boy," and passed out on the spot.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLqM6WU2U2
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWB3DRAIkl
Those words were a lot coming from his father. Kenneth was told to rush to bed, and he did so cheerily. He did it so.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3qTZbU3rN
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3aRveTqQs
That was his first big day, his graduation from babyhood. Kenneth remembers it fondly.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwVguvn085
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib1l8MtYEG
Then there was the other big day, maybe six, no, seven months later.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYQOjP0fep
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXbJCMIevm
Customary to the tradition, Kenneth learned how to read and write now that he was a toddler. And he was quite good at it, he soon found. By this time, he was already writing cohesive sentences, and he read every bedtime story in the big folklore book in just a day. Kenneth loved to read, but he loved another thing more: the forest.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62xONYEUpu
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU2LyAGget
Kenneth's house was closest to the Blooming Biomes, a gorgeous forest near the village. Kenneth's room had a window placed perfectly for him to gawk at the forest. It wasn't a dense forest either, so he could see the magical plant life there too. Some of it moved, and some of it released spores, but Kenny marveled at it all the same. Kenneth loved looking at that forest so much that his dad forbade him from going to his room throughout the day. So Kenneth, the smart child that he was, went to the forest.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxIVZSTLda
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiPtq6aqL8
His mother stopped him immediately during his first attempt. He couldn't even make it ten feet out the door. Kenneth protested, but his mother explained that the forest was "dangerous and filled with wild beasts." Kenneth didn't believe her, of course. Kenneth spent all day looking at that forest, and he knew wild beasts weren't there.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoUqPMqKyj
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOGVuGlzvI
On his second attempt, Kenneth made it past the rickety fence surrounding the house. His dad picked him up this time, and he fiercely slapped Kenneth. That was the first time that Kenneth could remember himself crying. His mother was furious, but his father apologized and hugged Kenny. Of course, Kenny was satisfied with that, but he was a smart child, and he knew he could get more out of it. So Kenneth tried to pressure his father to let him into the forest. His father almost slapped him again. Kenneth thought of it as progress.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtoLmYuNwk
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PQgrJR0d2
Kenneth's third attempt was much more successful. His father caught him trying to jump out the window. Kenneth didn't account for the fall, and he plummeted with teary eyes, but his father was right there, frowning.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdw8pUNJKM
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCVm7pRGGW
"What are you doing, you dumb brat?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryfMmWcik7
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvlGtM6Nwd
Kenneth began to tear up again. His father sighed. "Don't try this again, Kenneth," he simply said. And Kenneth obliged. For a week.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RHJtri3AB
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOcwLqi5T1
Kenneth's fourth attempt wasn't interrupted by anybody. He managed to do it, to finally do it; he was in the woods. Kenneth frolicked around and gazed at the scenery like a dumb drooling moron. He hugged the trees, tickled the flowers, and even pulled one out of its stock before he was hit with a spore that made him cough and wheeze. Kenneth decided against randomly pulling on plants. Kenneth ventured further into the forest, and he swore that it grew more and more beautiful with each step. Even the grass had a sparkly tint to it. Kenneth loved it. But something went awry.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEskN1GfNp
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBcRoOKzx4
Kenneth tripped on a large root he didn't see. He scraped his knee, but Kenneth managed to suppress his tears. His father's given him worse after all. He rested against the nearby tree. Though it hurt, once he raised his head from the wound, his joy washed the pain away. The forest was that majestic.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d3kwOlKig
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfvzTJ4Nvv
Then out came an animal. It wasn't very big. In fact, Kenneth thought it looked familiar. It was like one of the farm animals his neighbor kept around, but it had long curvy teeth coming from its mouth that pointed to the sky, and it had a lot of brown furs. It looked at Kenneth, and Kenneth smiled. And then Kenneth was forced to roll away.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XYlqa2H7L
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxSKR3vX45
The boar hit his snout on the tree, dazing the beast for just long enough for Kenneth to get on his feet and haul ass. But he tripped again on a different root. This time, Kenneth cried. The beast inched nearer and nearer and Kenneth's scratch grew to a disgusting flow of blood. Kenneth crawled away screaming but the beast kept approaching. Kenneth's pants became damp. But a miracle happened. The boar stepped forward and forward, and after hearing a snap of a branch, a great purple something emerged from the ground. It resembled the maw of a great dragon, but its eyes were missing and it was roughly the size of Kenneth himself. The boar stepped back in shock, but before it could make any distance, the boar's head had been bitten off. The maw retracted into the ground. Kenneth couldn't move. Ten minutes later he slowly crawled to the hole that was made. It wasn't a hole, he realized. It was a set of four large leaves, parallel and perpendicular to one another, and in the middle of these leaves were blue sparkles. Kenneth knew better than not to touch it. Kenneth smiled with glee, got up, and ran home.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrfXNDMLZ7
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkX8HoFpf1
Two things happened that day. Kenneth discovered mana, and Kenneth discovered magical plants. He was running back home excited, but a loud ruckus coming from the home prevented him from entering the front door. It was his mother and father. They were screaming and crying. Kenneth waited until they stopped, and it did when he heard a slap. He didn't know who it was from.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwFeODqscs
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhgrBaL4TJ
The next instance Kenneth cared to remember was when he turned four. Kenneth somehow hadn't been caught sneaking out into the woods, but something of his had been found. His mother was in his room, holding a notebook in her hand that Kenneth was all too familiar with. He turned to run away but was grabbed by the back of his shirt before he could.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv7WawX5tG
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrfEA3jNjx
"What is this, Kenny?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNSty6i1bV
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnbl5vLhht
"Umm... it's a journal. I draw the plants I see outside in it."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMGDOnqB8f
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G38TTDn0R
Kenneth decided to tell his mom a half-truth. Maybe he could escape a beating that way, he thought. His mother opened the book and flipped straight to the crummy illustration of the purple plant that killed the boar.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIefnMeSsD
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3ecZzLweB
"What is this? Magical plant? Killed big bad boar? Kenneth, what have you been doing in your free time!?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFCWdecyqL
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34r9Wa5E9R
It was no use avoiding it now. Kenneth told his mother that, for the past six months, he has been going into the Blooming Biome and studying the magical plant life there. As well as a kid his age could, anyway. Though Kenny expected to be slapped, that didn't happen.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6miwyiZVa
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVCrKADsq4
"Christina, do you know what this means?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwaFIRolKb
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHisGsJAZlX
His father was at the door, crossing his arms. Kenneth was even more afraid now.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkweNphApUc
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUDKGyxU8H
"Magical plants, the brat loves this stuff."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo9b0Z4o3N
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFuhOIhBya
Kenneth's mom nodded. Kenneth didn't understand what was going on, but the two of them were smiling and that had to be good.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQJdTELZa3
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It was.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjcWeZdwut
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHpEXtOLRj
A week later, Kenneth's father presented him with what could best be described as a tome. Kenneth didn't ask where they got it, because he was having a hard time even lifting the thing. His father explained to him that it was a book of magical plants and alchemy. Kenneth had no idea what the second word meant but he didn't care. He just received a big new book to read.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtS4hsCOZq
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqUFfKWa42
It took Kenneth a month to read the book. Another month was spent reading it again. Kenneth tried to sneak out again but his parents had been keeping an exceptionally watchful eye, so it was impossible. Kenneth didn't mind though, because this book was the greatest thing that has ever happened to him. He didn't know any of this 'alchemy' stuff, but the plants, oh the plants. He recognized the few he's seen in the woods, like the spore one, or the purple one, or the one that occasionally shoots out blazing beams of light, or the ones that make him vomit. But there were so, so many that Kenneth didn't know about, or could've even dreamt about. Most of them were at much higher elevations, but that was fine because King's Peak was easy to traverse anyway. He saw gorgeous illustrations resembling beasts more than plants, and each picture carried an ungodly amount of information. Uses, known habitats, behaviors if they had any, risks, stories of their discovery. Kenny spent all day in his room, just reading about this stuff, over and over. His parents had to take away the book for a week.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwAo4pNR4f
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wsdA0JtJj
During that week though Kenny managed to sneak out of the house. It seemed that all the time he spent in his room reading made his parent's security lax. He ventured into the forest with his journal, now filled with plagiarisation from the book both text and picture, and attempted to connect each plant he saw with an illustration. Now that he was older traveling the forest was much easier, and Kenneth learned to bring a weapon with him this time. He had a small hunting knife in a sheath in his pocket. He discovered that he could also use the knife to take some of the plants he saw with him, but he made sure they didn't shoot out any spores before he did. He kept the retrieved plants in his other pocket. It was fine for a while until his pants became wet. Not from himself this time, but from the plants. He took them out and they were all leaking a clear fluid. It was clear but it was sparkly, much like the rest of the forest. Kenneth didn't have any cup with him, so he improvised and took the knife out of its sheath and used that to store the liquid. He ran home, forsaking the plants and the knife, and snuck in.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOAoLy1CI3
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpggYwGlj1
His parents still weren't home though. Kenneth usually wouldn't pay that any heed, but there was broken glass in the kitchen and small red liquid on the floor.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50j2RChuId
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"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3sTrP10s0
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Kenneth ran upstairs.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p1uqsRORu
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Kenneth spent the next week experimenting with the liquid. He relocated it to a small glass cup and tested it out. He didn't want to taste it quite yet since he knew that was dangerous, but he did touch it. It felt cold, even after being in his room for so long. It amazed Kenneth. Kenneth then spent time putting different things into the cup. Grass, food, a few of his clothes, sometimes his own urine, metal, and by some miracle, fire. Nothing ever came of it though. It satisfied Kenneth for a while, but ultimately, he thought it was a dud. He kept the glass around. It made him feel nice.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJFkSykRM7
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7C5ZNjAuW
In a month's time, something exciting happened to Kenneth. His birthday was just a few days away but before any celebration or presents, his father sat him down outside. This had never happened before, so it made Kenny die with anticipation.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9itWUzKj9
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeouhATd5uH
"So son, I hear you're really liking those magical plants, right?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H3JLx3ufM
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Kenneth nodded his head rapidly.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHJ3eDZfMF
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh9GTf1aSV
"But you don't know anything about alchemy yet."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JXYqaqTNa
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Kenneth still didn't know what that word meant. His father puffed out his chest.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA1ZVMG6Os
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbVUMIh0Dh
"Luckily for you, brat, I know exactly what alchemy is. But before that, I need to teach you what mana is."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiggYP0p5a
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM0shil842
That was when Kenneth's life began.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBkh2UJfj2
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His father taught him the basics: how mana was the essence creatures manipulated to conjure objects and tinker with the world. Fire, water, earth, and wind would all be conjured, and in the right circumstances, they could be manipulated as well. His father also explained how combinations could occur but he glossed over it. His father told him alchemy was the mana manipulation of chemicals, magical or not, and that it took a very skilled user of mana to achieve success in alchemy.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSskrWVQ59
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkC5e7JLxq
It was all Kenneth needed to hear before constantly nagging his dad about lessons. His fifth birthday rolled around and his father had bought him a basic alchemy kit, consisting of flasks, cylinders, syringes, and dropper bottles. Kenneth was unbelievably grateful that he practically ignored the new clothes his mother had bought for him. It was a white shirt with a grayish-blue vest, and a nice pair of gloves to go with it. It was meant for his alchemy, his mother explained. Kenneth loved his parents dearly that day.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dmIReEHZr
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0tIU2EfwH
His lessons on mana manipulation were coming along steadily. Sometimes he would be beaten for failure, but Kenneth didn't care if it meant getting better. Three months passed, and after numerous bruises and fights between his parents later did Kenneth "graduate" from his father's lessons. The whole time though, Kenneth messed with alchemy, and really, he only needed his lessons for a few weeks. It mattered not though.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPOHPlqMg8
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Zbm16uOO
Kenneth was an auspicious child. He mastered basic alchemy like matter state manipulation and chemical changing, but to him, that was all just chemistry. No, what Kenneth really, really wanted to mess around with were the plants in the forest. His parents didn't care if he was out and about anymore, so Kenneth took advantage of it. What was probably his hundredth trip was taken with new knowledge, his new clothes, and a new passion.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoIaMJA9ge
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCdksE1S8V
Kenneth brought bags with him, as well as a flask and a syringe. He had a belt where he could hook the flask and syringe and a cork lid to make sure the flask was shut. He put plants in the bag and any leak was put straight into the flask. He regretted only bringing one. He wanted the purest sample possible, after all. He still did have that syringe though, and since it was going to be such a small sample, he knew it had to come from a special plant.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOnViqPVFu
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqrVNBF7Hb
Kenneth smiled. He knew that there was a special plant here, alright. He ventured further into the forest until he found four familiar leaves. The sparkles from all that time ago were gone now, but that didn't deter him. He crouched down and stuck his syringe into the middle. And all of a sudden, out popped the purple plant.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2OBW7cCAl
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m5wPG0tgp
But Kenneth was ready for it. He reached for his knife holstered on his belt and cut the stem effortlessly. The maw fell to the ground, motionless, and Kenneth stuck its syringe into it. He also decided to take the head and one leaf for good measure.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw740FwHNo
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXO9JQjJfi
It was a haul, and Kenneth couldn't be happier. He returned home ready to tell his parents of his discoveries. That didn't happen quite like how it should've. His mom stepped outside as he was five feet away. Kenneth opened his mouth to say hi, but she looked at him with ferocity. It was a face Kenneth never knew her mother could make.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCGx0bU7f
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDrlGkMdqV
"S-Sorry, Kenneth. I'm sorry, your dad is just..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNxfNXqXBg
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJr8N67tIE
Kenneth nodded and entered the home. His father was sitting at the table. His forehead was bleeding a little and his knuckles were bruised.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLW2iqkJzV
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu8fFr7Zkv
"Hey brat, what do you have over there?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BQ7geTtf7
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun6p8e3xcV
"J-Just some plants, Dad..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k5bnGy9kh
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXEj8DmH4r
"That's my boy. Hey, come over here."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGtACqXq4
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMpBKp8yvo
Kenneth gulped. He let go of the bag and waddled towards his father. What he got was a soft pat on his head. Kenneth blushed in surprise.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGWQl5sSNJ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM0G20cuB4
"Keep doing that stuff, kid. I'm amazed by how much you love it. Don't worry about me and your mother, alright?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0w4veSzCA
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL0piBew7l
Kenneth's eyes sparkled, and he nodded with a smile. His love for his parents, though still burning, felt like it had been reignited.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WI4ye5wvf
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOb6qLmdUz
Kenneth went upstairs. His room was converted into a sort of miniature laboratory.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijhuIdBhDg
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtpZURr5QM
It was in that laboratory where Kenny would enhance his skills for the next two years. The time flew by fast. Astonishingly fast, but Kenneth's growth showed it. According to his father, Kenneth had already become a grade-four alchemist. Kenneth had no idea what that meant but it made him happy, and it drove him to keep improving.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NLlP7zDIC
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIwLdaK5Ji
Usually, Kenneth would follow the book. He learned the mixtures and followed the instructions listed there, and after hours of practice, the results he received were even better than what the book described. He managed to make a fertility potion to grow the newly planted tree in an instant. He managed to create a healing potion which, according to his mother, healed a boy's broken arm instantly. He managed to even reconnect one of the cut plants he brought back to the soil, and now a spore-bloom was in his backyard. His father punched him for it and removed it, since it was making him sneeze.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTutnFKmf6p
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX6MjMJep8
But, after a while, Kenneth ran out of instructions to follow in the book, and he already perfected each and every recipe. He asked his parents for a new one but they claimed the books were "too expensive these days". Kenneth was upset but he didn't protest, he just thought of new things to do. A night in his laboratory made him realize just how potent his mana manipulation had become, so much so that he could do it without thinking. He thought maybe to learn proper spells, such as those related to the four core elements but decided against it. He decided on something new entirely.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA2GFRehDR
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84CdT2KlWy
What if, Kenny thought, he could manipulate the plants?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2QmqSymCL
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The next year Kenneth would learn to do just that. He mixed his alchemy and mana manipulation with the plants he would find in the wild. He made roots grow and shrivel just with mana, and he could even accelerate the growth and decay of plants. He soon learned to amplify the effects of the plants, such as how potent the spores were, or just how large and hot the light beams from the Light-Beam-Blossoms became. Ultimately though, he returned to alchemy, and that was because of one thing: the purple dragon-maw plant. He planted it back using one of his plant-revival potions but did it in a more remote location. The maw, for whatever reason, didn't react negatively to Kenneth. In fact, the maw begged for his attention. It would lick Kenneth from time to time, much like a dog did. Kenneth grew to cherish it.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5mOHuzJSM
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmgJLBS8Tf
The plant itself seemed to be rare, as, according to the textbook, it was an "ancient species likely to be extinct." Obviously that wasn't the case, but Kenny didn't mind. That was because there were no alchemical procedures listed with the plant. All of it was free reign, like a sandbox, and Kenny took advantage of it. He mixed and matched substances and potions with the essence of the dragon-maw plant, all to varying degrees of effects. Sadly, Kenny burned through possible combinations too quickly. He had to leave the maw for the time being; he said his goodbyes.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyU4ArIn98
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWATdXwytSc
Kenny returned to the forest again to gather more plants. This time he ventured deeper than ever, hoping to find a species he hadn't encountered yet. It didn't happen. Instead, Kenny found another boar, but it was smaller than last time, most likely a child. Kenny left it alone, afraid that it might hurt him, and continued to go deeper into the woods. He turned back once the sun began to set. On his way back though, Kenny found an interesting sight.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM7si77th0
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnMDJsedid
"...It's dead."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgzdOpG3y4
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHEUs2IiGZ
The boar was lying on the ground, not in one piece, but in several. Its insides, few in quantity, were sprawled around the grass. The boar was practically hollow. All that was inside of its skin were bones. But for whatever reason, a single part of the boar was left out completely untouched: its heart.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZEZJTD7nX
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAGek4PxP8
Kenny didn't know what overcame him, but he reached for that heart and put it in the bag. He ran straight to his room and took out the syringe containing the essence of the dragon-maw plant. He stuck it into the heart. Nothing happened until he used mana manipulation.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Znr4xxTgr
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5v1AEjM0Z
What he saw made Kenneth jump in ecstasy. The heart began to ooze the liquid, and beat.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamNhFCCWMB
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8xFneUXGj
A month passed and Kenneth continued to mess with the dragon-maw's substances. He inject it into other plants, even into a live pig at one point, and used varying levels of mana manipulation just to see what would happen. The pig oozed out the liquid, but was fine. As for the plants though, nothing happened. Kenneth came to the conclusion that only flesh and bone were affected by the ooze.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbRihtzHVJ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayIMHvwas6
Though that month was a blur, one day did really stick out to him. It was the day his mother entered his room.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdxm9DxxTg
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIzSVAdeE2
"Huh? Hello, mother! Is something the matter?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegPsbZB9Ew
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ETeXk8Fa
"Oh? Not at all honey, not at all. I was just wondering what you were up to."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEGlwzfU0O
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus6U8FDEmE
That was the first time she ever said that. It made Kenneth happy, so he explained his process and findings, how he used the ooze and injected it into organisms. He told her of the pig, and how–277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyooj1uwrMz
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEvqX9gRgz
**THUD**277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72eFc47PHH
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TyqbYxTFN
A fist flew right into Kenneth's stomach. He was launched to the wall and slowly slid down. He looked up at his mother, who was making a face of pure terror.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqjoO1STOP
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweEIi1IMHd
"You, Kenny. Don't you ever, ever defile flesh with your crazy, stupid alchemy bullshit!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTXinpRTDB
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JJSGsZsip
And from there on, Kenny was disallowed to use living things.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMEdMUBKs
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu09L5NqzhO
Three months passed. Kenneth's focus returned to manipulating plants with mana. He quickly grew more and more efficient, to the point where hardly any nutrients from the soil were used to manipulate plants. His raw skill in mana manipulation grew, too. His father told him how splendid of a mage Kenneth could become, but Kenneth didn't care for that. Kenneth's greatest achievement was growing an entire tree in his backyard, just using his mana. The tree was nearly twice the size of any tree in the Blooming Biome, so it attracted a lot of attention from the neighbors, and Kenny got a good beating because of it. Kenny didn't care though, he was improving, he was growing better and better. But it didn't feel as fulfilling. He returned to alchemy and improved his potion-making abilities, and through connections with his father, he even managed to sell them to outsiders of the village. Having a sudden income was pleasant, but the process of making potions became repetitive.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvzFrVCMHA
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrA45OPA7M
Kenny had the itch to return to the dragon-maw. But it wouldn't amount to anything. After all, he had no flesh he could use.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T3z8CwwnC
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa7aPNQfmv
That was until Kenny looked in the bathroom mirror.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSxZ1H3mof
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ498R7w3lnQ
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0kUoWIUrv
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvQzJojqu9
He almost couldn't believe it. Here in the present, recollecting, he couldn't believe he actually went through with it. He continued reminiscing.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClXVZvHq7t
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaJRjVrI1q
He used his body to test the effects. He started small of course, just a quarter of a syringe's worth of essence, and the effects were immediate. Kenny received a deal of discomfort, and his face scrunched terribly. But something worried him. Unlike the pig, the ooze never left his body.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf35PxiiWe
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgcCtw6e8G
His curiosity grew. He returned home that day, hoping to continue his fiddling in his room, but when he walked through that front door, he was met with a thrashed kitchen.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Wjl0dyRP
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55PpoiFvfZ
His mother was on the floor, sobbing. It was so distinct to him, that sobbing. The house had disappeared. The hallway, the broken kitchen, everything was gone. All he could see was his sobbing mother.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXUcoYQC2Z
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjmfeANNGA
Kenny had no idea what to do, because now he wasn't playing with his plants. Now, he was in his home, and his mother was sobbing on the floor, and his mother was sobbing on the floor and Kenny had no idea why.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYohgYjLWK
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwGBtIqAcG
He scuttled upstairs and burst into his room. He rummaged frantically, glancing at potions and doing double-takes, making sure he would grab the right one. He eventually found a healing potion. Keny ran back down and offered it to her, wordlessly. His mother slapped it away, claiming that "she was fine" but Kenny knew it was a lie.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJfylXc1ds
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNkRDwL7MF
And yet, Kenny believed it. He nodded at her assertation and simply walked back to his room. He lied down on his bed, and with a little trouble, fell asleep. Why did he do that?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivVryROsby
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcROC4dFkmK
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH53ilktrv
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qK7c9bkNd
He returned to his experiments the next day. Kenneth had no interest experiencing such discomfort for results, so he changed his strategy. He drank some of the essence. It tasted like crap, so he spat it out. He tried mixing the essence with fruit and bread, but it tasted like crap so he spat it out. He was nearly out of options until his father brought home a bag of seeds. It was for the garden they were going to supposedly make. Kenneth found a new food item to try, so he injected the tiny seed with the essence– only a fraction of the syringe went in –and ate it.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzidFiEENOh
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHPU8s1gRm
It tasted like nothing. He tried a few more, still, nothing. The dosage must've been too small he thought, but then he realized that didn't make sense. It didn't matter how small the dosage was, it was always going to taste the same. But he didn't taste anything, just the grimy seed.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuK4xvNR3i
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrtChk7zzN
Kenny thought he made progress. He ate a few more for good measure, and waited.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkllQckA97K
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRZsqnhPKD
He concluded that nothing would happen once his ninth birthday rolled around, since it was four months later. His parents didn't bring him any gifts for this one. In fact, they weren't even at the house.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmkpUdlmAn
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY4K5qivJS
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznGVgGWA3F
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa6HGGJF0p
Kenny didn't mind. He went back to the dragon-maw plant. The plant was excited to see him and repeated the same licking routine it had been doing for a long time. Kenneth was excited to see it too, of course. It became a great close friend of his.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsYJc48c9Y
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqd5Q9FSoB
It was while caressing the plant that Kenneth noticed something strange about himself. For whatever reason, his shirt was bulging at his chest, and he felt something cold and hard rub against his right arm. He pulled back and stared at it. He couldn't believe his eyes. He pulled back his sleeve. Still, he was shocked. He took off his shirt and now Kenneth became worried.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fsNvSSfM
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3d0ppbDfT
A bundle of roots about as thick as his father's arm was protruding from the left side of his chest. It wrapped around Kenny's right arm and stopped right above his hand.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsyw3nHLWS
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDs4NdGPa2
Kenny fainted.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PGMSgVS68
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswKXulKXui
Kenny woke up an hour later and the bundle of roots was still there. Kenny tried to move it with his other hand but it wouldn't budge. He tried ripping and tearing at it, but it just grew back. This tendril of wood was seemingly stuck with him now. Kenneth panicked and asked himself, "What could've caused this?" He kept asking this question to himself while flailing his arms, trying desperately to shake the wood off.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ig7Y1AUtW
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JYCRJImUJ
He thought of all the plants he'd been tinkering with until this day. Was this revenge? Was this way of getting back at him? He knew it was silly but he couldn't think of anything else. He almost fainted again until the striking image of the spore plant came to his mind, and all of a sudden, the tip of the tendril blossomed that very plant.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEat22DaavE
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAK9ykdIRc
"...What in the world?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBBDCp0ygq
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikC8LzPK59
It was much smaller than the normal plant. Half the size, just about. Kenneth didn't understand how this was possible, but he kept messing with it. Next was the light beam plant, and it blossomed at half the size. Next was the dragon maw plant, then the poison one, then the one with the sparkly liquid, and all of them came out perfectly. Just at half the normal size.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt04okVfUN
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLQHe85O4v
"But how do I get rid of this tendril?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbotXJKbjB
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx8OfG5kj2
The utterance of the sentence made the tendril swiftly retract back into his chest. Somehow he didn't get any splinters.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFvsYDwji0
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK68yVgDRMV
"Is that it? Do I just need to say tendril?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7DtSJFUiJ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPbc37b110
That didn't work, so Kenneth thought about bringing the tendril forth. It came out and wrapped around his right arm without him even uttering anything.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoJXAK6tX2
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiG7uPNli6
"So that's what it is..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNXuAg7Xmm
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiHdx3Uqxf
Though Kenneth was skeptical, and frankly, disturbed, something about this was incredible. He jumped for joy and ran back home. He couldn't wait until he showed his parents.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbHzvzN2gA
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsxEtA5A5h
Sure, they might've been out when he awoke, but they had to be back by now. Kenny did pass out after all, didn't he? He ran to the front door and slammed it open. He was so excited he could barely see in front of him. He suddenly stopped, because he realized that if he showed a wooden tendril the size of his father's arm coming out of his chest, he was sure to see the priest or something. So he tiptoed in instead.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSJmFRKHQ5
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBM4IDnQOQ
He heard some noise coming from the kitchen. How exciting! Even if he wasn't going to show them his tendril, he was sure that at the very least, he would receive a present. Kenneth turned the corner and entered the kitchen.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiLomVCnNS
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiRHliX7pY
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfXcRsC3Ra
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW03wq21zV
"Haaa... How do you like that? Can't give me shit and hell looking like that now, can you?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu9fPlh1Qb
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMxY3yYTTJ
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZxFPnTWnH
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfvZyeTiR7
Kenny was sure, for a moment, that he was still passed out, because this made no sense. Of course, that had to be it. A tendril from his chest should've been a good enough indicator, but this practically confirmed it.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH7Ntbbr1E
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mj28vdNmk
His mother was standing there with a knife in her hand. It was wet, and the liquid was dripping onto the floor, making a great big red puddle. Kenneth looked aside, and saw his father with his head laid down, and covered in that same red liquid.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3QeeIqgHt
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsFVpOY9Yw
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1WPtKT0ea
"...Dad–"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gjdOWQdiz
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzYh0f6G88
"Huh?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJajAUqopN
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVXAU7oRqJ
His mother turned around. When she saw Kenneth, she looked terrified. It made no sense. If she was terrified, then what was Kenneth supposed to feel?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLnYLKofpZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVNlsI78xw
His mother fell to the floor. She dropped the knife. She scurried away from the boy as if he was the one who killed the man she loved.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgLR3f7YaQ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYOiR4QKYS
"K-Kenny! It isn't– it's not–"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAvhXF2RFa
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIygDraVHi7
"...W-Why? Mom, why?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmS7kJhX7A
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy7XeB196q
But her mother didn't respond. She began to cry, to wail. Kenny didn't understand why.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFi0yjevkv
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDlv0NNUWh
Kenny just didn't understand why.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnULrRinrNz
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy7s4FvEsE
Kenny yelled. He didn't know what was happening but the tendril stretched and pushed his mother against the wall. Kenny kept screaming and screaming, and then he too began to cry, and he kept crying all while the tendril held up his mother. Soon, a neighbor came by. Then another.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjw8k4RmDE
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU3HPn0WZv
Mother was arrested that day.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdGlylaO9V
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPekEvmmIC
–
–
–
Nobody questioned Kenny's strange new limb. Nobody had the heart to. "What kind of soulless bastard would ask him that now?" Stuff like that. It made sense.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8R8kSncEB
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXnYjAZywj
He was back in the church. He sat alone, wearing his church garbs. It was the first time he wore something other than his mother's gift. He couldn't possibly imagine doing it now.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNjw99IvHh
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3FosWWgTH
Kenny's mother was under trial. The whole town and the priest served as the jury. At one point Kenny was asked to testify but he couldn't move a muscle. He just couldn't.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV62zqKQhCG
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CxFSZuyOt
It was a pitiful trial. Kenny's mother didn't utter anything, and in the end, she was sentenced to death. Kenny was forbidden to watch the execution, but he somehow weaseled his way in as he tends to.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbekjW1JWK
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMsEOwIzhD
His mother was hung with a rope around her neck. Kenny didn't know what to feel.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9YFaHz8JF
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zjR8sUpWL
Kenneth didn't know if he could anymore.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7UAKJpZM7
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxILZpkNqd
The trial didn't even last half the day. Her guilt was just that easy to tell. "But what did that mean for Kenny?" everyone asked. Of course, he was famous in the village. He served excellent potions and has made spectacles for the entire town to see. But nobody knew the type of person Kenny was.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6fCfWOM8L
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAbW2RE8jx
All the while, Kenny could do nothing but stare at the ground.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLpzvtuJVi
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Dqyo4JWT
A decision was eventually reached. A family with the surname "Somber" would take custody of the boy. Kenny was asked if he would've liked to keep his old surname but he didn't say anything.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04n0NsIyFJ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94TuH2LIUQ
Kenny was taken to their home. Kenny didn't know what became of his old residence. He was fed at his new home, and he even had a little brother now.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1xXMSlKMS
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBFunLjsoP
For the first month Kenny didn't leave the house. It was excused at the time but eventually, his talents were needed too much. So Kenny, who got his equipment back, returned to alchemy, potion brewing, and the selling of his potions. He did it as well as he ever did, but it was different this time. It was wrong. Sometimes now, Kenny would slip up and make faulty products, and those times he didn't receive a beating, just a scolding. Some part of him wished he did receive a beating though.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cM7WIkEWV
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFAbnuRI1C
It went on for another month.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Omvwooxx
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2hXbuW59E
Then another.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX83BPBSZLx
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmixiEmb4A
Then another.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBWqhxBwvk
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o1V37qgxl
Kenneth couldn't get the picture out of his head.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWAvdwPUi8
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARzm7YCLyp
The blood. It was slathered on the knife as if she was going to apply it to bread. And she was just standing there. Kenny didn't see her face but he knew she was smiling. And then her face after. Why was she so scared? Why? Why?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0lDKwQRtA
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIgxw5txRe
Kenny couldn't get that image out of his mind.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISTH9KAlUb
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRITe70KQX
The image of his mother, of her horrified face.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H4zQGz5wO
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWhZMYoAgy
Kenny didn't understand what compelled her. Why did she have to kill his father? Kenny didn't understand. He asked himself and he didn't have an answer.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbTltjjY1y
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSzD9Fw5wu
But of course he did. Kenny was a smart kid, he knew what it was all along.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdasJOXkh3
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hjy8mZplP
They hated each other, didn't they? The "why" didn't matter, because look at what it amounted to. And all the while, Kenny was out of the house or in his room, playing with his plants like they were toys. He was at peace. They were not.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYSu0VNOiu
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kIBKV5DHr
And Kenny reminded himself of this.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvZWp4mtYy
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yf9z4dQse
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0xedBtPUi
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh345Ppyfg0
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgJy6OIqtQ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeqI4q6GAO
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF2iMIFE0y
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFr0y60QM
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5IQ8HuHSY
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYoBV2IELv
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbY6woPbRR
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sy6UflPsX
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s17ZzRDAM
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifCKskYCmt
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VBIwdxbtu
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj4Hr7UDDh
Over and over.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4GL35VPQM
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9onjnag6Q7
He left the house. He turned ten already, somehow, he couldn't fathom how but he didn't care. He returned to the dragon-maw. It was called a Viscous plant, he recalled. But he hated that name. It was Dragon-Maw and that was final.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdAd6y5MCR
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklUJn3MUGr
Dragon-maw was excited to see him. He licked Kenny's face and even ticked him with his snout. Kenny appreciated it but wasn't here for that. He took out his syringe and took a sample of Dragon-maw's essence.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHRT44Jcsd
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nMJFxfjQ2
–
–
–
Kenny received a present for his eleventh birthday. It was like a coat. A large puffy white one with brown outlining. But it also came with a stylish shirt and a pair of brown, skinny pants.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm00ZJBXIzo
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtvK9a9Gda
His new mother, Anabelle, said that the coat was there to compensate for the bulge whenever his tendril came out. Kenny smiled and thanked her. It had been a while since he'd done such a thing.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwtvEwWyx6
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZu73YCBjU
After the pleasant event, Kenny returned to alchemy and mana manipulation. He hardly improved though. Kenny lost a lot more than his family during the incident. Kenny tried to stay in good touch with the whole village. He tried to put on smiles and talk politely, but all the words he and other spewed never sat right with Kenny. Nothing ever sat right.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRTYhL7q7M
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMIBuBInSp
Then there was Dragon-Maw. Kenny saw him every day. Kenny used to love the greeting he received from the plant but he's stopped being licked altogether. Today in particular, Kenny received a face akin to disgust, though it was hard to tell because the plant lacked eyes.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVD5PB5teq
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENgMGSifJX
"What's the matter, Dragon-Maw?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0dB9mNebs
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCtizU4cxw
The plant shook its head no. Kenny didn't really understand.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiqqih0W6g
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwZ0clBq14
"Come on, I know it hurts but it's only for a little bit. Just let me–"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWQtQKm1Vs
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlCdBlgLEc
Dragon-Maw opened his face and yelled at him. Kenny fell on his butt.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkBv70Z7fS
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOZgUBFkbd
"H-Hey, what do you think you're doing?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuANQEYJHSx
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwGGj5s8t1
He was getting agitated. Still, the plant continued to flail and yell. Kenny rushed in and tried to pin it down but he was knocked away. Kenny grew annoyed and used his tendril. He wrapped it around the maw and shut it tight.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJjWv6YntZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKwFO2K6RD
"If you keep resisting, I'll just knock you out."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUSu3huvRY
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3grE3H3IG
The plant resisted anyway, and thus, Kenny did good on his words. He took a quick sample and returned home.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy19MQcI9g
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9BaBh6RXi
It seemed like Dragon-Maw's behavior wasn't the only strange thing today.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58hlh1SZF8
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSr33QQRHc
Anabelle approached Kenny before he entered the house. She carried him inside hurriedly. She asked Kenny to sit down and he did. He waited for a few minutes before she returned with a letter. Kenny was handed it and he began to read.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsuF9sQPCZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAnl0UIZmw
It was an invitation.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg8R8wanlU
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXq4KWWbZE
Somehow, a scout from a prestigious school of alchemists saw the things Kenny had been doing, and considering his incredibly young age, thought it fit to enroll him there. Apparently, tuition was free, but the school was an extensive journey away. It would take four months on a carriage.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn2eFF8H8X
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHKpp916Oq
Kenny did not know how to react, nor did he know what to say. He politely told Anabelle that he'd consider it and returned to his room. He continued doing his regular alchemy business but the invitation continued to nag him. He sighed and put down the flask.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYez9FGxgLT
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gOA9Vhngj
"What am I supposed to do?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICMFIExNRt
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QdHjolgh9
It was a tempting offer. Kenny did love his plants, after all. Alchemy was profitable and enjoyable, and he was very skilled at mana manipulation. The selling of his potions probably caught the eye of the university. But why should he go? He was already exceptional in his field. He was fine here, wasn't he?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbweg8Xk0Mc
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3T5qkOz9r
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU5ZKC6lCZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T3JBvyTMw
How long had it been since he did any experimenting? How long had it been since he went back to the Blooming Biome?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUIVqN7jfF
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxqpXahS0o
All of a sudden, Kenny's mind began to hurt. This is something he'd typically avoid thinking about. He sighed, thinking it was time to clear the haze in his mind.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbmWW9ZKZp
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cTkm0PH6y
–
–
–
Dragon-Maw went missing.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoiScK6ADN
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhm5U4TOOs
The stationary plant went missing.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjSNc4h69m
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4DKGIKnFT
He had no way of making a new one. The one in his tendril would simply produce blood– it was something he discovered months ago.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb6Tha2Jwh
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTREIBIMT5v
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz69ViyzHr
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSALeKKYXB6
Dragon-Maw went missing.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6IHaKqeEm
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQh21uwify
Kenny asked, though he already knew. He fell to his knees.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvL0PDYhBh
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FSBo4wRrW
"...Why?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1REVvYE1l4
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIlA6kgRaW
Didn't he see his face? That terrified face of disgust?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62Tp1hOADO
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1tZUOoQuf
And still, Kenny took his essence.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5O9ymIDXl
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvawe7vfRR
Of course he would leave.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro0pTf4Br3
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0rwRYagqv
And Kenny wouldn't let himself forget that.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu85EE3Um95
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMam4dacie
–
–
–
Seven months passed since Dragon-Maw went missing. Kenny didn't move much since then. He grew a little bit of belly fat. It relieved him.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEolGw3Vik
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhkTnSimeh
Kenny was still doing what he did best, brewing potions for the village. That's all he ever did, people say, just stay holed up in his room and do alchemy. It wasn't a lie, but sometimes, Kenny felt like he wasn't even doing that–277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR2srjvGOZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGW9DOmjAq
**Knock knock**
A sudden noise. It was likely Anabelle. She usually visited to bring him food.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoZ9xIHRuy
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasq8CNF36w
"Kenny. Come out here."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfeCCgVjQZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre2Tv2nqy1
But that was a man's voice who just spoke. He stood up and begrudgingly opened the door. His wrist was taken and he was pulled.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsWtkb3iyC
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtTEDBdDAf
"W-Woah!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7ZyrNmPwi
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP6DgOqNr4
"Come on, this is no way for an eleven-year-old to behave!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNYWswJ2JL
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGlGEHXRzB
Kenny couldn't resist. The pull jangled his body to the point of nearly fainting.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4y2E87FPz
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQb0lnQqRC
"Just look at you. Sheesh, I'm surprised you at least have your normal haircut."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD5FMEyS6v
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjehDfZAB0
Shortcut red hair. And yellow eyes. Kenny remembered how distinct it was from his mother.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK5s6076Pz
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNnKapfVGM
"Now go out, you dumb kid!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ771Skwhp9P
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmKMzkr4gv
And then Kenny was shoved out of the house. He slowly rubbed his head and got up.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVYHZMaeHx
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mCviLBCsO
The sun was bright outside. Kenny had a hard time seeing so he covered his eyes. He tried to re-enter the building but his turning of the doorknob was met with a kick at the door. He'd rather not get hurt, so he decided to just roam the village.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQOYZLH8jk
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj2UXK2rWv
It was... strange though. Not because something truly strange was happening, but because the mood was different. People were out and about, doing their work, and children were playing and having fun.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mj7OwN7xX
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm9XFhWePB
Kenny didn't get it.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJSiUzp51h
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlDL5aGNBo
Don't they understand that it had only been a year since an incident? Why were they all so cheery?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTL401NqKk
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho4SCopJIk
"Ah, Kenny! Look at you!" A random woman said with a gleeful smile on her face, "You're finally outside, about damn time you recluse! Hahaha!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFsKt9r0Cd
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGP4W3M972
"I... whaa?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLtQt25Nej
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MfKFCt5Ry
Kenny couldn't formulate a sentence. The woman just waved at him and went away. Kenny didn't understand. Why was she so... rude to him? Didn't she understand that his parents died? That his plant was gone and that he was all alone?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcYuCfdXQb
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1krB1ipoGy
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyxXjdLBUo
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdwcZRP6oo
Something truly was strange. In the seven months that he stayed indoors, this town had changed.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDepFO97bn
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdUVQetEdb
He didn't like that. But still he kept wandering. He didn't know what else to do. He watched as the kids played and as the adults chattered about this and that. Kenny was confused. He didn't understand it at all.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfnVPL1ouP
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGYG7E65Yg
"Ah, it's Uncle Kenny!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5a5sTXLDD
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRO2WYtToi
Uncle? Kenny turned around and a little girl was there grinning ear to ear. Kenny was much taller than her, she was probably something like six–277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6TwmZy1nT
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzEeE40HkB
"Huh?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uu3cyHIwm
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPMM5JkzFo
Kenny suddenly felt her arms wrap around his back. Her cheeks were against Kenny's belly.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCRik3ETgc
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUVUAGU3sm
"I'm so glad you're finally out. We all missed you."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJZ1Aqc28E
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2Zg65NjWJ
The girl let go. Kenny couldn't speak.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YVxKJmy8U
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCBUO2MAK0
"Oh, and um, thank you so much for making that one potion for Mommy! She's so much better now!"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDQwxEvZsw
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91Uwl0zlhD
"Uh... sure?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRgFgIhAPv
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa5wJNQMD6
The girl bowed and ran away, and kept playing games with the other kids.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvpOwhOl44
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEInBvf0Lm
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSsHvsN828
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD7dNkgKba
No, Kenny couldn't still.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYX8OXmPvb
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj9V6d3FgT
He still didn't know what was going on.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXBNAEEKBy
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z7zjbZ5ss
So he kept wandering. The same sight as before, but this time, someone he knew stopped him.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLQuvCVXkr
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBjargKL1G
"...Big Brother."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHsGxbQF5U
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUKQ1RHnDl
It was the kid, Jackson. The kid that was supposed to be Kenny's new little brother.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCr0ohKell
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEkm2n7PDO
The kid looked upset. Of course, that's the look. That's the look that I should be getting, Kenny thought. They're still dead, and the plant is gone, and he's still alive, and nobody should ever forget that, Kenny thought.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KeC7PshAW
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGtmariFgA
But then he smiled.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIrvrahfnA
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sxTNM75eC
"Look at you. You finally moved on?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzBHvAf9er
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusVGyhR9vC
Jackson reached out a hand. Kenny didn't understand at all. So he just swiped it away.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZisCA2MUFM
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWfv335nLN
"N-No, move on? Move on? What the hell are you talking about, 'move on?'"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTr8uGCPVI
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSjRkZAG5a
Jackson just sighed, but Kenny didn't stop.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JVsXtR0Kc
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVWqk1JYyk
"D-Don't you get it? Does nobody else get it? My parents died! I drove my plant away! Am I– am I the only one who cares? And– and its–"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQOSCVxMEA
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ057WDcKxc4
"Listen, Kenny, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but it's been a long time now, hasn't it?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zlxJiySCx
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLVLOvGvJH
A year and a half, right? Is that really long?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5zgfECW3x
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rYvVKO4P6
"I get it, it hurts. And I'm not saying you should be all cheery. But for a whole seven months, you stayed indoors, and it was the plant that drove you that far?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx9xpN39eP
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wgDRZXJSY
"W-What? Huh?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqVKJU9tkY
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yykNXAbTA
Kenny didn't understand. No, this made no sense.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcIPFxRyzm
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJjJFsHL8N
This was insulting.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhW5M8GyGb
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhKhV0FqdM
This was just insulting now.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3z86ToGnK
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UUhaumBzA
But Kenny didn't have a chance to accuse Jackson of that.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDmRa1bVpN
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvdXBOEDIS
"What in the world is going on inside your head to make you so hung up over it?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDEwKrevDO
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqbqC1lAob
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA4qsDyVFy
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIMD8c4Rqq
And then something shattered in him.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGHkEcOMPF
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPTXlAlnbz
What was making him so hung up?277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPLbrIcFns
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51NWti71yg
Why, that's obvious, isn't it? It's so obvious that Kenny didn't feel the need to say it out loud. But Jackson was looking at him like he needed to say something. Kenny couldn't though, because Kenny knew that it was too obvious. Yet Jackon kept that gaze up, and kept pestering him with that look, and–
**SLAM!**277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAZioLeBVu
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUD7JUCQRn
"...Huh?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAzk0qUhsj
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMq1x3fG1v
And then Kenny was smacked on the head. But it wasn't like the other times. This one was soft.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6wze4ZqXl
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xqRW93paF
"L-Listen, Kenny..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNpKyMUD7h
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXieLXdoUq
He looked up. Jackson was looking sad.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRImRWbqmi
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk76DMatd1
"Don't tell me that you think... you're to blame, right?"277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA6khR4KQ5
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiL0gAp1vS
"..."277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWx2HlYCvZ
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDbNw9IgZx
It was the first time Kenny cried since the incident.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbnOBqYpQu
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzscL89tTR
–
–
–
He had a talk, to say the least. Kenny grew better. He had a difficult time talking to others, and despite the discussion, his feelings for the incident and himself didn't go away entirely.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtyMs38LjR
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUgclIBcaY
But Kenny was fine. He turned twelve, and he was about to board a carriage. Yes, he accepted that offer. Transportation wasn't free, and despite Kenny's insistence on paying for it himself, a carriage was in front of him while his coin sack was completely full.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJSutZ3eNw
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEGzbNIyD9
Kenny turned to those saying goodbye. It was practically the whole village, but Anabelle and Jackson were at the front. Kenny swore he was going to cry again, but he held himself back. He was wearing the clothes Anabelle gifted him. His snow white jacket with brown buttons and outlining, his complementary light-brown pants. It did make the environment a bit toasty though.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaJIpYKrjm
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4YvzIhztX
None of that was important. What was important right now was that he was hugging Anabelle and Jackson. What was important right now was that he was boarding the carriage and waving goodbye to his village. His home.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUsjQwR6dH
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB0ArZqWVv
He was going to ascend King's Peak. It sounded a little crazy to him, but it was really happening. Kenny brought the tome and his equipment with him. He couldn't believe that a simple set of gifts got him this far.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BKxGxvrq0
277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dDY6z5KAF
He wasn't perfect, no, but now he was ready. He was ready to go somewhere new and finally make some progress.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgytu3sN8rZ
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Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. That's who he was.277Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMdJAqPXHp
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That's what he remembered. All of that. Not all of his questions were answered, but he was glad he remembered that much. He got up from the rock and scratched his head. He wished that he remembered how exactly it came to this, though. Kenny was in a rocky field. His carriage was totaled, the horses were missing, and his driver was dead on the ground.
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