The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b7jqIM8de
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLXoDKsMz8
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jeO2Pp9pH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzQNgM7pCf
Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzIrchD74Z
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VLJzZoeor
"Dad!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vQU81udMP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxkDBxtCNg
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf7sAYqwPs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ8cs75wlp
"Flinty! There you are!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnGBhpYgnW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjQUc248Gj
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZzC0W5X4f
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKZv6xUn5H
"And you must be Kenny?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmjsyAVDia
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeYZAzwpjo
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEAU52omyi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCCDcAfm3M
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPvLkL35K1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURXDTAWTPJ
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYXYQ3oW3e
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPzhbdLx3K
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZnomEcYye
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQUQXQgoAh
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIYielcAT4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ9NWTwZJk
Dear Mister Chambers.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ2YHrQMga
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdfuTBOOKT
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3spJ61BQBT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nmV0PNxV2
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVx4pCQ49w
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCf5ac0Iei
"...I don't remember promising anything."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZDnOEhFdG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQKsvTCPrm
That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRcA23HU9H
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSEFirn08e
"I'll make sure to thank him later."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmR3bsxyHV
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVgLehWmb5
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnlPMqtEP9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijUVdEguCb
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4d7FGSv7h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6ppP6tGAX
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53YOPDtcJk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTDzmNsq6D
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtthdo7bQy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz534Gs5Hr
It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLthGQmPtT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmK7nEQRha
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77rTEsPJgG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VAutB5lmk
"Kenny!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTezems1gl6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf156RSrzBU
"Ah, Flinty, hello."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ040h1ogp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3D9A5XcLI
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHJeiGNn1n
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7DEvhYQlY
"Is that the plant you asked for?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLsRVtyAV5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPs8p4tNY4
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ylckUp8R
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE17pPrfRTp
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe6fScwfj8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKmsf2xzLX
"Hello, you two."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZzoBbJAQw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLI2YalPYz
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKruzSOXsgj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEHEzIXaAh
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1KEI4eJ4L
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzArcDoclKz
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHLh8zSs68
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlHmvA3xci
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutV9AzpS5q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFaH99DyKI
"Please don't drop it or something."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o3tUZGJJK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYMtLBSUDg
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH2rhO6gTP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL0SrN2wCw
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFBBphsTHh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lv5wYH47d
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGO4YP4CS7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkqetUyV4t
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNLB4K2szn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrWTl3FfR0
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsse97o0uJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgPZju9Hb0
"And you asked for... a flower?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1xySTrgxz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd5Rm9xkhH
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Z5T47KpZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAeaRmRCF9
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttzPCnCP3K
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUCzMdQSCF
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDjwUaJKK0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgFZ6keM5G
"Arg! You...!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90SWAXmvpW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPSsqSwB6A
Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIrrAnGWtX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEt1TSNwKe
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt72XhJ09Dz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ubkVVG8Wr
"Whatever."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJss8H9vilb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6ibkGIhRP
We sat in silence for a minute.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a5fFPyjcv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBqagdRBa7
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAsRwSzppZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yCfumW3tb
"Yes! Please tell me!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEOCDRWhzX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AFcWJnLCo
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwduawjOVVz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoHAFCtVzE
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK87LWO7l2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6siHHdYrXe
"Wait, Eastern country?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvJE86YTW4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyoiju5OiK
I faced the old man.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Iu5bfYUO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTu5a8PJTX
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp3riy6hqp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eII0ztDDT
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA78Pbob1O
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4F9l3jAtbC
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyisijT5GG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTon4MBGD8B
"...Buffalo village."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SFynj1T5D
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55JMeCjmgn
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92f3upv45t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyrKWqoaLu
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7nXaPuFU9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoa8qSiqWb
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4gD0zWgmS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKrMmzXG7K
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwh1iBohjU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUL8pBfOXS
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG0TGjKdBP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNHUP1tkY2
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcggI5ph5dm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE56JUbHZie
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFJGJxyxg3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbiCPBVCQt
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm0LAnUedX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LzcnBlGn3
"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Do7cg1szN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7vtdbnyf3
I nodded along.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNKqhJVDKt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKmlJTSDLl
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlxHNJMUhH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OIinRA83i
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OHMXdEgGt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHj84L80BO
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pSE5EOK84
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw0ZX4TPYv
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aTnU7pyrW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa8YF5Y5t1
She blinked blankly.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorhtJKdXHf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xnnY0W4kS
"Wait, is it?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEaqdK4CQ1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSkrSS0gxI
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfnL2su7X8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZPdFnKYwQ
"No, maybe it is true."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF5SxSjOqG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeipWflxUDn
"O-Oh, okay."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWqUg2XKyQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUgEBrytTI
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfScpG6ceL7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBVpvGmfCd
"How was your guys' day?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetMueycqPt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw97seytD6X
"Mom, you should've been there!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmrkpuTpRB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFTHXFPGHa
And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrwga0o9wF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCf3YElo1P
I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzvRRXk11s
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi5FDlVJc4
It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EMFWdCURu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hvMiEYDFd
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx59YwO1pP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTF85NNPA9
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m8bgg9zz5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8xnaF5M1q
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo03EOAX6U
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxVIjSpiGt
"O-Okay."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJu6E8YmWz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQXcSPHAGh
"Hold on chum, you come back here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItuXxEMWyC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjuXtV7oQJ
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2UTcXehMZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8HYy2oFPi
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sKcWjffDe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOSWCN7HcV
He sat me right back down in my chair.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMuVAU6Hqs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6bq95Gyyi
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uTBoDpFEe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaE1yaz3ki
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkXeVZeXYO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1uoph2IK8
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomfli0t5qE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIWkK4HdTp
Nobody even heard my "laugh."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdqV884lfH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2AsTAnGUp
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYbvrlttRg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbdaAjGp2D
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAGhjcOqsW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvZKPoQhcr
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLmZxT7vHq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGNfSA0mSb
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WOFgsTOI8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68XajRMxGz
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dzHMUfoMS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH7rgFVS3Q
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqPl38xnMc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1TD4GRJ0F
"TALBOT!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6eDw2ELxT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz08oh514jT
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaZvCUl771
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9dql7GtCo
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFAP8Q4X4C
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa1f9DJ5Ye
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FlAcznm0a
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9JfwUdnIL
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsChMLgciB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpxY1Oe1vk
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtaeMJaKZF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7viKhcWdQ
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UDkHOmlz0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyZAMi84WX
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U47v1kIqI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fymRWF5GA
"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK9SbLrda9
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjOPs60tG3
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpRR4lu2Dv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUalr6CnReM
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuRUYyfV3r
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf6YMdXTJg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMCnGKFS0U
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzOYcBnUXT
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For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPolWw4CPh
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q6AKezSO5
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzk3h4n5MM
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf47mzRAUxl
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I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeupqxa7lqA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ646CFp1mgG
"Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxl14l4Bwd
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"Y-Yeah?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwJM6YXOH2
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhddzxAlNXk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgG9LqxI2h
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05JR2NXMtL
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"Okay! Let's do it!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ZNi0OeNs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRvpNP2n03
There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7jvFOqzOq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBWS9z4DhT
"...My tome is in the other room."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVslXK1ccgY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy4xZSGS3p
Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihLU5ig9D4
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–
–
–174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ceGPc64J
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pljqQFKGK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkqvx6Djwl
I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7g8bqVqBv
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zNXI5jwxi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5809a8aTYb
"Good morning."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejirmSzWO4
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPbkbJR1Vb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X8Q1henUS
"I woke up early."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojwRH3VplC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKrq72nydj
"Alright. Let me make you some food. "174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ676hE3meIm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDW4RufJko
I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfblzbHZxT
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvzbXyR0ln
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"Right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ZrW6pZNZ
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Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHP5K3qvH5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmB1gCH0Xm
Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQNvlmXVKq
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3D8CNBDjX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDYmtzd187
"I sure did, honey."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYo6QUs0Z5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtDagex7HG
"Oh."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNpI7vuwxU
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8mimzrarS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUILXyNxxjM
"Is something wrong?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLQtdPBS7L
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"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWmXAkHnRQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0EJAkjKg2
She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8eOfXOoiJ
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Strange. Strange people.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSo42KpQWy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpAfKCt2NB
After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52B987jqaM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM8OBkiOOG
"...I uh."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlxsUFYWqA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q6iFbQyx8
Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GlsocdfgH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZNwW5T5kr
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKIm3tPUoQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanxCxhCLVl
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI1dwaztv9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBJmIYt0d4
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc4a4muqSL
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"Water under the bridge?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TTb1Yc2bj
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"Mhm."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38GY5JhQvF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi82JahhJwA
Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yB9xZ8XU2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TgKiDVJOO
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54jM3VGxfM
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They were really good.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluVaTpOTio
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–
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2GjU16ykB
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"That's a nice outfit"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bCqvywNLE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m3Ua29eU5
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyxmfQWRR4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpdlJbu9cX
Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQVOtHNn6h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlJ0A9kbCr
"You know this town very well, Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8qoieNZMT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPxVVRNMT2
"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUl9MZGTMP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljsa0aeuaP
"Ah, my apologies."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRAMgEPwiE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlphdX34SY
"No no, I like being around you too."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKowMgVBQZD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkUmcllf4C
Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IOE43b9tl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCdE1mFze2
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUGLXYoAOt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmm9lkHwP2
"R-Right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhczOmRj0v
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkDRp9jDnQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0eXDYbh2p
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3nPHArSy7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGkhspfyAx
"Hello, Freed!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gtfN9ZGs6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVlk3GBGJ8
"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm6ZPiqsOX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLziQCk44O
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUfalqCCvz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMiAI5pOax
"So what business do you kids have today?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoBl1aokDk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEWECpTsCJ
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaYFzvlFmh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6K0R6hgMa
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUF1UrL8Z8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH5xE2LLs2
The Tea Mage slowly nodded.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh4rw7m9gj
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvM6FtQyey
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvkvbNoJD1
"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcAmWgKoKg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nJHUqpEnT
"I see."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWuQkdfWhS
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvWJpx3hke
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"I refuse."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6yKhvYeQy
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"Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf57m1UJxzz
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"WHAT!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iLjv0DfdX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN4T7iMP9Q
Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFChOKtIbf1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwH3jfYNK0
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR2VKYJP1a
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNI8CVLo6B
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF3wfHh5YF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM4qjkl347
"...No?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgk2b1Llvj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEmRjqYqcR
"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ93POIFv3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCejydqFWl
His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc65djAQR9
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHTVVD397n
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszY9kmJIf8
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The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv9yJp70a6
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It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWkj9Ldzm7
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"Down here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZORAYO0L3
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I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NTkOH2vQi
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiladBWybJ2
It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOwwz3sBuw
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"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjx5ufG4D4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeimgcSBWFi
Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPULwqDGEy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58XJfTQ4mV
Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBQ3ZDC5Rs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecYBJwzQLg
"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9umG7KJxhq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTQpHwsU4R
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCzF8BaqkJ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt2j7QTyDx
I shrugged.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDjUepb0EL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l5EGb78pY
"Well alright, go ahead and try."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAoyknxBzu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnO85o9gYy
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08xNdYcMgB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RGufCHvn9
"Am I doing it right?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoch9QC95ip
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZFZ4mKI8p
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYVIIgBKhK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0OoJ1Ta3w
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGVMQoqrqb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZucQoovkN
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YH3e9qrqb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMDK3k08tS
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEozVIlZeFx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa44pdJPeH
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFMKgKsOd2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpbjYmkATx
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmr2W7EQLX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD1eIfJIYu
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi9TLdiXEd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPe5Ub5GfL
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidiED0IzLj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRHEUuM9Z3
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls6mpufo8V
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFkoxjYPz2
"O-Okay."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRgLMOz8Va
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYK4vVcDph
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wt8upio2r
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKr0HWoibp
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2JZ8AhoUs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa4iR8peQJ
"W-Wait, how do I–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6DQ50ShUc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMv2c3pwm6
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ntkvR9tqa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDriUaSVqU
"But what if I can't let it out?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXnLA03kfQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBQVjF5Neo
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhKRWfApvU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2u0HlUiVT
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJomKMRMuf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRREZAzTbD
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtpdTm0KTH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DPqQbzwJ2
"Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPats6Hbzg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLg7OUQzbg
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDzS1HHsJj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYOU92JHQ4
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ808KXLM6SX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGFJZr6BCA
I messed up, getting all excited.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimYtBhkoqw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8fPvSLw24
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93YgKsTuNc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkS8wgl96F
I couldn't do it in time.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjEqL4wZ3O
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4StB7vJJw
**BOOM**174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdydG0RjLuW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e8kbtOFu9
The world around me faded.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2RKUkoN26
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPTCnJXX4s
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90agjr6NqQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWQBk5NyEq
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS6bRVAw5q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs25gLCvf9
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2900YDAQW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVEalanVLR
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuU0sOjhFo
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpgdcNMeHC
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoOxX7zHTf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kUCSKCDtG
I was in the greenhouse.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Hhot1QsP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8Q401elIs
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IY5ZwATRp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UcSzLdxBK
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKwFpfJ7jw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJoxXPsINh
Thank God, they were okay.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8mWlEMN5E
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs404uPJcqj
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa4hfj5IFj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYYa2XKTFg
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WewnfXfTe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJFITHs53K
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcXEwdV7WG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRh84PBpmP
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtLjYzaptD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEew7mxWDA
"This is... my coat?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dsIB7ewSu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV0uZmJxup
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1jFuk1WOG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mMRhsL2wf
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6cP9DA4in
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcGMPexSrz
I love you. I really do. Thank you.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGpAiVLSVO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtWHCKI8Jq
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwdQMNgNU2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbJbaqAGh9
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cwb0yS8FK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHmBjsvmA3
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8MJ0p44bH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v2O3D5cjw
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVbJ7plICT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8UgTm8eh4
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUYEGglpQ0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFxCTJfuIY
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KiHhXO0br
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Ob9SeoXa
"H-Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDys9mW3l8A
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPV6fv9Usq
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT2arZuP4t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo9jIw1qp6
"T-That's terrible!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQocpLnsAiE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U9I0U66vK
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVOcPrDZig
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E14MTBdCV
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxUmJEvpPM
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI2GQIHXPU
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09RiEcaUhv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg2ms2SdnN
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26hE0Hbkar
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgquxwSuN2
–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj0iQ1UHsB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNQRHKKoKg
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHlyuFLoxT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Cm8duUWp
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmCsAeD8g9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCAgIqSGbJ
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQo0ka1Z0Y
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Cb9Y6eGd
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmKLkCBELj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrxXh3BMBF
"...Ah!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqOJekgLgy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkGBs9vE8D
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXBulSeFA5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPnAFkpIQm
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo01mYoMMr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRtlgURnuR
"...Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9gGXJMLgG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RUlFs5UaV
She meekly turned her head to me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfor16pvkf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3f1CSrRoX
"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwwmd7lnQr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapDlui1ZJE
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmJVgt8iT4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EXPoEhEGp
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgknE81yZpI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnpbmJlCS3
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI1K6H19T9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIGUnxaOSE
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZWgaw2xby
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUlSuLjpjm
"Okay, let's go then!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm6Xp8oPFR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52nd6Xabn7
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QGDTFaDZ5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WymtdyhIY
"W-Where are we going to go first?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRXUyU18X2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4tEBHdUYk
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljbkup1mC5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx0JkSecHg
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkRKPApekP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBSglIZRiP
Yeah, let's.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjWKFlu2XN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF8dxxTiAG
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWB7EyVCGx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KxYd0w6Dw
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJmXBQYlw0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PIaXAeMLG
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve9dbNSPKT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13AzLP0koA
"This is the combatant's guild!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHuncDcChl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPG10FzBYC
It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0zKbf0BoO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9Hg3sc26O
"This place needs a renovation."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx08u0nzME
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFtSclV64r
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HlWiA6lLr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaq1juzVO1
I shook my head.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq5b98NLGu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD2OY37vjA
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXSbOBTjgn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI3Vdx3Llg
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQufl5Fhgh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitC0R3pg6P
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUHVE3jxMC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uDGzQNmmy
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoHHkRbAUL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuz7YxPoAd
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN4jkMcxLu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUBoIR08OL
"Do not even suggest it."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUlI9Nni7X
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW8Pdsyu4l
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf7RjaW1EY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBEmlGRoEp
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYaJrg8hj5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Vhve8uzq
"...Well alright."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzeLhkUcyB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ085hRAbepN
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrsqcdwMoh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDb4vjSW73
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XR6DwweQF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUNJC5iRYB
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrliO22Jhn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxYndy2Od5
She pouted.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKBynPYHSe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFslJ35jJ1a
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaIkNJ369k
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjnjdzlHpJ
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmZVpmPciu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7VvxceSAH
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5hnbStjA8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlcfuTWZul
"Huh? Flinty?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhxcdIZxcs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy49JZLTRq
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxwFGqOGPX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYemhDjVjy
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJb6BWsu2z
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRmDkgBSGD
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MzEtKMr7K
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXy4MLfoQt
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNvezk5NrP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWVwffV3XB
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sifoOfXo2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u4551T2Pm
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF2zFnWXt7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFLpVHdcUK
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sXpHZYrtx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMPJlRMNox
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQUItLYDO3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNNYMarS1K
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7YR0NNWc1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz9vlvndPC
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx64IoKB4sn
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Ft2wDUBL
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7ZzGI8dOq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq235lESKuM
"Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclBNDtzUsB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugDR7wx3X6
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKGnXfMWV3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEObtmat8Q
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bDRXlwIl1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CAFNHxtLq
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHqRcOrUDg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVJ6LSWfPp
"You're right. Wait–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECpeowg6G5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJypFyiUCc1
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzNLD8RbTU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdbv2jmqVl
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MW6jmtHwv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXdApHSLht
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeRFqIzqmW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAgLq3JXLj
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTFLEJbG4W
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVVeCzCNPF
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH1VSDRAzt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMLhAefxDe
"No. I'm here for another reason."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoHN3CtmN1
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRyauo6AYv
"And what may that be?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjHqt6OP68
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxJPrYqq1D
"None of your business."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTvQHwi8CR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaJ5S558cn
"O-Okay..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSFQmCGZVW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhxHwXFb5b
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LCVSyFRGF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqq7MiKJlB
"She is super shady."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2FaKkzhnk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TvTs90aPE
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH5cZaglII
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X3kctLYiS
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFNmJoMN7D
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenhYYksgtI
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4cPwKKGYF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v9PTvNzuP
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQTLlBvYEy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRuDHTGzmu
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWpWBfiyYz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeERec8siRU
"T-Then let's get his attention!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzIl2q0FfR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNqal9nDBH
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yrt9NJIUN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOw9C2Sxz2
"Let me handle this."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTvGlY0Xgq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlwcFvqpxs
"W-What, why?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ886C5S5MdC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD5UwWrkHx
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6xCu94KA0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQhcZENwXQ
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkteP4dvCvI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9DmhlS2Bk
"S-Sorry, Kenny."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwAfz5BLIC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhO2MCozye
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLRinPpxwZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AEZ87FNr2
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOMKbO9NAa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzCakiSXvn
"Hey, you guys!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZBmIWUeWY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OYIw4m9Jg
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvktse4TaR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7lmSjP4Qt
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzofyRF3i7l
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzFf35KA0C
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDvwpKDIVF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8YKXD950L
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLZP1acl9D
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZW0H6f34Q
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUXADihFls
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5POtsy2z1O
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPw55AXEJ3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d8nSutkXf
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE22tjbj8w
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IkopVM61h
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz8FvmyVZ6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus4SveEQXM
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEj4g5mO5j
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqogr4fwXP3
"Here's your bill, miss."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhE2Ge4BsL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWwVzAtJOY
"...I..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0rsOmgsuy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSzyKSvhUA
She was having a difficult time speaking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4oONmazEF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3GPA3KNBR
"I forgot to bring money."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9nF3OqqND
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvZ6IfSSuq
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KWrIEP9Wv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzHDZX2nYK
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumg5PfMKLK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCibruPdMZi
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25aIbD3UIF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnERGcqxKv
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJrF3ajvX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVW1KzbuQ5
Ha. What a moron.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI69wMDcfu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PrgGjqxib
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTx1houyaH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF8ox1XtxH
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjK231YxB0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5I07CQDp9
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTghXlx2bf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXENDCHJKC
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfVp1q9wvX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMW1hYRHTy
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4YdW08kQv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAM8pGAJe2
"..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbH2HvmaSo
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5SKSV9iLO
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ0wTEBIkb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOLUXZSnK4
"Hey, cloaked woman."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SvPZs31c2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Dd2OSmFx
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhHTpsl2X7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFGHGBg62Y
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EaMQZblSY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyvHXfLcnb
"Yes, of course. Thank you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk8XlJ73NG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKI5eCQxW2
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzcSn1QsUO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe5wte3LXz
"Alright Flinty, let's go."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigETU6Q3s2
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q7PyfCHpO
"Yes!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k1e4x1DUU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3EcNiIBnK
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnANDQmUWje
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2RXgYwdof
"What?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLvUSVD6ra
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nwyXxkwym
"Kenny, you're awesome."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OeAahQcaO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9xfhQ2RF5
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMJykKJ8C4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo09wSAVXpp
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEHoNfwORH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJZZOWEFSz
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIW4ruWctz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezXDQdk3He
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciN4bYlQvN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD1UFrLJyt
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImQEtoavPL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNXjIUaxI2
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqqRyLMCZT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLDu9UcgaC
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfJXWZSVpf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mAhj1Rm6C
"...Is something wrong?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEZI2ofpDv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ5Wd2vvoj
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLNzh71Tpr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4auVQ4suA
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I9FdaYTCH
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum5448c2ht
"R-Right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf10EkuzkX9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjCwAwIQZp
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
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