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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel9GVtOCnn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt97dixrKx
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqXar9qVRF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN1AHncWLJ
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq89MnohhXE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j1sye6zW6
"Dad!?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH2g1uvsfr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopbn0QG8eg
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m5gg9VSQx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZt42V19W1
"Flinty! There you are!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAkE5Fa9DL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEof9DvrCKe
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eDliKhie1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyH8SzGdNx
"And you must be Kenny?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5iDAXxw3v
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Idak7iY3
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy5TeBbAW0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJLeJwYS20
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP5QrInQm1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUu51fJVAS
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPqrlA8P2V
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8irsD3Lyu7
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 here258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsgl5XNwmu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7hhvuwgUh
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pRQPFQave
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5VjfN06jL
Dear Mister Chambers.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RImpGK6yr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHnPsK1Bku
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG1J7VwStF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0iw7hR3eP
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU9D9MLhyw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nTLm2gRaC
"...I don't remember promising anything."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFEER688h9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlATZem6jE
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQi3w7hSzh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIl7A29O7U
"I'll make sure to thank him later."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoFHMf94J1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9w20CtMLM
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy37o2Qkb8G
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZsX3fz81k
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i3UK0CMy4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3GEqFvhtN
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jtPZs4V3Z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjIJ6bxYFH
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6vYl1CBYK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vjoe63DNf
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQwlw4owZ1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJOz3M2Enw
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8keAagMdyp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPSuuTvMeh
"Kenny!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8saoAXQxvq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT6SnZ7olg
"Ah, Flinty, hello."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0wxx545qP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFJZBbQjRK
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SyimDxRec
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3kXYa8vTx
"Is that the plant you asked for?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXINK5zrJB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeGGXpxYeq
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl4PcKIApH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nEb7XBVsl
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpk7CsycpB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO0M1Gxn3A
"Hello, you two."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHK4nP3yAt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBWmPSDMHv
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte9wmUGdpT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e4qUUVM83
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTRUuWvVOf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2vr27jsgB
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaPKBcLc9F
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDfRJ2D6AS
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr4HmysBjK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqRP1Q1645
"Please don't drop it or something."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNUEWnNTRT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkn8WQDSVV
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMBF8sXW9F
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdczQ9q9oc9
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBC6rC1OpG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMDeA1HcSG
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcSzoocb4a
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA70ExxN6x
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGDv12BevG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhuWsxjOFi
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtrryJAmnj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE45HZVCk1e
"And you asked for... a flower?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkY5cFrRpZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjGCxRxXFS
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzj2GdfqCm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbka99P7bm
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUytV4j3pxQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGQXwP3Tn8
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffCrX6NqpK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS6wlY4wgo
"Arg! You...!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFODBij5Gse
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7as7f6AfLL
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEcZolixww
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6aP3GeOva
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtaqDbK5Zq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyJwuk1xIq
"Whatever."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjUnKdZbNe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVVAbGLVu4
We sat in silence for a minute.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicM8NUCCDM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkiBFBBys6
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK9Qyh2vzC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nTWEvBwbJ
"Yes! Please tell me!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNKGD6FNxI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuuW16MZjz
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsljHvyXTAS
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCssZzhlWU
"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–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dI23UvRpT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWZ4h8IotR
"Wait, Eastern country?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZQCLk7cFK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJR5SENaPi
I faced the old man.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcpUZtFIJL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRQqZelU6k
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN4nUGriqE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D3eq97RNk
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ieei3nlYb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDcdADZvKs
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJddyy0mv5f
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlpZRXSXIZ
"...Buffalo village."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSA3QkQoqx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJoHnGJHlH
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeonQkmIAd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwO92UauFa
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6spBz33u75
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTfax8dHTt
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aDzYHNFak
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM28NgMGO9
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WXU77VTnE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq90VORurz
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0LViPOAUt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzYxH2TNgk
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrLOAm42Zp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1tcRdhCcl
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ewSvqPtu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OVYofR22E
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBqQiftS7Y
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9SjQWk4JO
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxmdrlBbD2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRsUEfJFoF
I nodded along.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6X8QyVgtM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4IfXkdlFI
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByHBqVSmuR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lOGe8lvW9
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCNmtxiC52
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizWrACqypZ
"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!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFDOQhq5xN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRdg4YmyW
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHn3YlTZm1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQJFeLnnu5
She blinked blankly.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6nPVV7Ax7
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8OlrM3DZ1
"Wait, is it?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtasEWw7gun
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYoT4IMn80
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l599VMk6T
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeEHhUn597
"No, maybe it is true."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXRjVDStej
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBBltcI05l
"O-Oh, okay."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd4ZLrHRFx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpuD4VkCHS
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Brc59DEhl
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxG5DEJLQ3
"How was your guys' day?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnMcJFEH10
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi089AYRmS
"Mom, you should've been there!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R8avUl9wt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0DEs2T11k
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7g8kKknPx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62gZS0oYBb
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2w7XuMRUq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi93SiuVHM3
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZJFKOpbrM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hVdqVYqAF
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakvO4dDuR0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYgQwOcyZM
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPamHHAJU4r
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRWfWnv7Bi
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBAZkQV0rD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRooJDI5agq
"O-Okay."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBTrBtmQWr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bKe7xlFOx
"Hold on chum, you come back here."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVKeSxOUYT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4vepCmuCP
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9KHii7pGj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiS3m2Mvxq
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiCDJw17Ya
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ddYRKajdn
He sat me right back down in my chair.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3PGbNVGD2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmpOX44PxF
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4oPnTlwYk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst30X2UGtC
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX5v4WfiDM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUjdyzti96
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx3AsK8AVK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRPEzXGDM4
Nobody even heard my "laugh."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkawfCDCnAj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvoRvFJIH9
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6etqEABsV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLTEoDpIF4
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CycbeI8X5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSpdRXDsu1
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVqeMSZJjW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCFt8TF6xB
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH3jKjTIOA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27cCo2NkDh
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeJeKJVxZA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JzTwIBVqr
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQHBoca2Le
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjZZoehokg
"TALBOT!?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5jgZsnZTJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx9I3qdlmx
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJUWXQQSxm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FiKe6kpYn
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpK5Pzvb1U
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lnyGuI3Nf
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPkcTpyU5B
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5A8LRsA0N
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSZ0sYR5FU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPJfRK0Dro
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs4O6MhhkA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYLAq3fqWO
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnNqoJmbGG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGtIpfPBfm
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanBTt2i6YX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r5jNpqAqv
"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE2jPXX8Gh
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJQ9gkOEzl
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJHKxiFBh3
"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHkO3xUY8L
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxfrgBrkv1
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDuYPLtAWs
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ouPWPVKk
"Yep... sorry, Chum."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsn1Tosr2L
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPAVyXGtGD
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUDBEK7O6v
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEAksAZDHy
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8uqYVuqQ1
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfx00qLfhg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARYLUyoe2T
Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoDbGGk5D0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ifATandmh
Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwus90f5KB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs73XsXmVGt
I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMZaXf8OBT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzqnybpXQ9
"Flinty."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zsdxRCwWa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ603tNj0mZz
"Y-Yeah?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo6gX1l68K
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFEE7eXhMJ
"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eX9sYo6Yd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk9BoKsxto
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVoFMA7sgb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlwDu4aIkA
"Okay! Let's do it!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo4YU7TL4b
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv7tMP4IiY
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNuCkKiB2O
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CM1jKyuRx
"...My tome is in the other room."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oFQ0WeosP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AR4new2pE
Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9NLwDiwhV
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–
–
–258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpgVD63xjL
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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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoag8zPqlFQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3d4OoZqMb
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9bGkYr8nJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlywz3fWJK3
"Ah, mornin' Chum."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxAEqQjv6s
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaMBpxnadz
"Good morning."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW8qNK177u
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ5aHQ3ec1
"What are you doing here all by yourself?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC3MZxwZgP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiDUz1WKG9
"I woke up early."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQUnLGSbqX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuxjs3AZjs
"Alright. Let me make you some food. "258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzndokkoDc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rbsz95nwL
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6hSpGQhRD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iHRsAJoGJ
"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP2nxBegX9
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"Right."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37PXYtSFox
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA9NE7jqdG
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyUtb7Dz8N
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsylDSrpkQj
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmaDmLp50h
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTsoIQqlZ6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIMm4kl2QH
"I sure did, honey."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZlZphUGfu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD992QXEdt
"Oh."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6kaOi6jIw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHgBXBQbVQ
Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXIzizIWNP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ8yxsnTmA
"Is something wrong?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc3he8Dzgc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQeinrJGzr
"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXhfay8L98
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhAc2uyzGt
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sWbkAHNxj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42tVDW5Arm
Strange. Strange people.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNqzV80Yt5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkxdBaQer2
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tE5XojsAC
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"...I uh."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpwX4ovuhi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJW47EHLS8
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnH3WtvgAj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU9zvRokoa
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXtr0brRxh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfqzh85sbT
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV1bvx0IHe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXUpUX7Z6e
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp03WX8ZJTj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84e6cuMwh3
"Water under the bridge?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kGjjV3qsl
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B2LHnvLKJ
"Mhm."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQnTzcKNEE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkwiLyOiBU
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysUy6rWdtP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqTwPz9BGc
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiNRtK9Na0
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They were really good.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Wfa8jsE5
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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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdQHbMefXy
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"That's a nice outfit"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpROZllvgk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvAAgLLLhw
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6nB8PH23g
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDlx0XCAzb
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F5HakWCiq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEd1Avp2si
"You know this town very well, Flinty."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6XAhyOk7f
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7U4JIXKY0
"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3GCeNuArU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg6ENyJzaI
"Ah, my apologies."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xqqRzmwO3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZzXvpEfx7
"No no, I like being around you too."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0ClrPwERv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNFuOvZDjA
Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5fQF9xLJq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf83eaKK85k
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE45YYAu1pe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFicWSCvzdR
"R-Right."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdD2afrBrO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVbTOelPoD
She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq5VRaKB0R
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H3IB2WJjS
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvJZg0CE3E
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaohapOPbL
"Hello, Freed!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC9ahVv58X
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ta9ds1vvO
"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsFB4Dsvcu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCgG89DlRM
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiKTcvQhSp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuTWYl5zIM
"So what business do you kids have today?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe8RvUW9P6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJiVDMKgQH
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFYK3ClkBq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCFVSBfCmt
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVCJ7l4Sdw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVtx4fcoyp
The Tea Mage slowly nodded.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8H94oNQkx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU4LhqhcVZ
"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Tmw5g6iZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbhCHOTJuE
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZjeZJTNGc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93mFazsEkT
"I see."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu4Og8SLdz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQiUsFfnx8
The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofJfywHcZ6
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"I refuse."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyflOAvzUq
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"Huh?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OJSXrXzpE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCowyCo5wew
"WHAT!?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxHclRiYRz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSm4fy8rWW
Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrIcBTgQl4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pOVo4wfSy
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthn0PZXjBK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNGa3eSLZ
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4D5wQsr2c
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroH5LtaDn7
"...No?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4UNkvbmSr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeWOmjHWoo
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ZByjFSsa
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w0U9SbhBY
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfJkJCXJbD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmSnyXNJPo
"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4i3KPX7l4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhiWOCFi6e
"Hold on, follow me, you two."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD0KhPx6rp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uoteFNEVU
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u8mlUgTGG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpUE8cJXEt
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOhVPH4A4k
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"Down here."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3eqdP9iUm
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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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcfm1UgSYM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1N0Y3S4mh
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxMi699Hyb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE95SushhQ
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNsdMLnAPh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS7sBHE2l9
Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqAa7pw3yU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK67PfNetPk
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThAfCrFCJW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BsWgdM3Ya
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy8g3IbidY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpleHemeny
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTseXz87yk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl1flnGd9q
I shrugged.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIdrLFSF8h
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR7ppcM7ZE
"Well alright, go ahead and try."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccghbfNy7Q
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS2cUCeIZ9
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe7ucWtooO
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBdJbBhpC5
"Am I doing it right?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawaEKlO9Sc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga0qgOneSK
"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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRHyPyx4To
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOximsNFYl
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYM9b8nxY3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8GysRmy0C
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ5NZAN2uc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgatg3iyHsd
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNf7Fv0R61
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o7b93bMz5
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqk1dHZkas
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU6tBVQNZ9
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUAvPKINly
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJYbzaiqk3
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyBOXSmzfk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs2XKTjJuY
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzjwoI7G1o
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ3S0jy5WS
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqA5fdvu16
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJD4gNgXZn
"O-Okay."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrfOhO9sK8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgfWaAT0QD
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JqpOIrg0y
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHo9nhQAzs
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QdiyvZzl0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKUW3vz83J
"W-Wait, how do I–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwHTG26opx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCBSasNvbV
"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?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv0FdIn4wH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIXac71DQu
"But what if I can't let it out?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbY9YP3JhF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDZagXztnw
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFskPk1p65
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLNt8dg0Cl
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOtHp7SgT4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bZiTZZzQX
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH147zPawr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSJgZBBpV3
"Huh?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG91Eevg1e
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2qowRiZLT
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcZY7Lf0Nw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFsuHGDtgW
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKKN2tbZBL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNOXIZPHZ7
I messed up, getting all excited.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzLR8bVnok
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFzPDjqkcs
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKODVyuzVG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nyyZkF8Cc
I couldn't do it in time.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbKLdE7cvg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxvVKvPz1l
**BOOM**258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cNYT5H1x4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzJ1g52iML
The world around me faded.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3e3rlA6nr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6hhBiiUQm
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VmEPP5g4L
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGdRLPgl2M
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?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaso1EXBncc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqN10lQ2CO
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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPuYi2IG1X
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFh9x4PTV4
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CL48YLeOK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgatYh9qrt5
"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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ns6mQ5AVy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q9urfsxpE
I was in the greenhouse.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6OsQoSF0c
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBtlirkDIo
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBFdZcqfW4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU1wsyOJrD
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg39V4ojPT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkiqdVinBe
Thank God, they were okay.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOQScgC0Lj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPSEmUgMF3
"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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqsMmt7SAS
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo019SzsjvX
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9te9cEGoy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eQLsLbdiQ
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KWLeQmhca
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyxsgyYseP
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ZP4D9tvY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZYrVIZ6jX
"This is... my coat?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKKfeZd7MD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJYdD0Kg1G
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RPifRZrF0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLT6WIVwQj
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQh8LjM5C8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwABMihaHzI
I love you. I really do. Thank you.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts6QOpAjDR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcFDHkzgpV
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVzTgKzSb0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2M7YiLPbT
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfkYw7AiaX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSugxzHwR4s
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7NTIHuqZP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GnsLfb4S7
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z1ML6GKTk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorKL5Jdohh
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm2hzsmjdn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90U3KZP08C
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMhSE2iw9H
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd2PqF3Rnx
"H-Huh?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa0LNy1Qb2
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAMqMcYEuw
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7BwUyvz3O
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZghQqZvi1
"T-That's terrible!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6AJnEeObM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xZIz0l4FB
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovPouLVe49
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0h1TTnPLM
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU6unEN8Gj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtvQJjHUJy
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".258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sCS9b8GWg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPKx9UPCDT
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaT0n8Fmdf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWaSQM0kt9
–
–
–
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2fzFAGNL5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxjm6bC0eY
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTwerjaAtC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYJdVaF2DR
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv1LiGOUMP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrdpmSnuP0
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx4gynal5g
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySG4ZvqzcD
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?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrxg155qlC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRcP2rTa2K
"...Ah!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kk7sWyQf8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6SnE4OZdi
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT91sNTPcYG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoLA9DJJZD
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ZQeyGHoM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7rOeXQwkI
"...Huh?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RpEDFJi6c
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7wNvyTt5d
She meekly turned her head to me.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEh0GWR5il
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnjdGCDkDy
"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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BrfFRuyne
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq668nsyCfO
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d93xr5GOT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLZlEWEdH1
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw1T2lDQgd
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNx64kP9xH
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TWXl67xfy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzLXkCTF0Z
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtXH5YnLSo
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W3iylU3xu
"Okay, let's go then!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGcNjTHhUM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRwDQ1vugv
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKBfYQltIP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN6wULy2Z1
"W-Where are we going to go first?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH1JvIc3F3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZiZ1VoOqS
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VRYqRNk4I
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGSjlrkisF
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr4Wmq3zHV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6GtYohbcB
Yeah, let's.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXcXh6RXfz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsfsoUff8M
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFv3Tj5v4v
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM2sO9kl1N
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOlJHbRIUj
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnJNFoFQMw
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT07mBeGFR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKFeMaYpKM
"This is the combatant's guild!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfUBwqpNoT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo2dKqMBvT
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eFs6P91yX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6i7j4LMPj
"This place needs a renovation."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ve2qGyavf
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjViTZS45mL
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEYR2AQ6om
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrj1ihUglA
I shook my head.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1U6sN44Dl
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RYRhPaopJ
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBewtswAXFu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5QnSwr5u7
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgSP8V58Da
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl88r5qjA0L
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWc53QGO7U
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg6Dtzi2UT
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDxbqJxQ9f
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1UNecVwz8
"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–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Wm3eUSfv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8d80tBtYt
"Do not even suggest it."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj5QVyoOoA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM8usIZbwC
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIRpOHadzg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfMPs0s2X8
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66lLqNNNmu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpbIweLxDc
"...Well alright."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XZo5clz6g
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWAIoRj1O
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7EqCslEa3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpifK8rl5rP
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbvZdWZ223
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVp434B7EM
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvID460HKPg
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscvPmAng3O
She pouted.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWphBK1Bll
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw98yY9vteK
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDG3Jp5b4X
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPvKtq6zmO
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GnMAJdf0p
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzifdZ6RaFv
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI5iMVieGX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFM1a3EVzN
"Huh? Flinty?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hN8aUoJ7K
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dBaVkeN1Y
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcqzkRi9ZC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9bq2z48uW
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdctbX05B9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr5pQzwgN3
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUGhDyvkja
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq3DTTjc15
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RagZKFvvE
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpsTzaK1og
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1lbIFYaIe
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnNZiZde2d
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYizV9ieVDk
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZS5c4Yr5H
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW3CkchnqN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wfHz5iCkU
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6DhJGoiGA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIycvbEyqM2
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!258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC1GbK2cYi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaenbweXEAj
"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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8MhxvI9qD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQndqvhaYK
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIYh4WaUJq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsAqAKhb3N
"Huh?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaC9y6wjTy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDp6YU1SJ7
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn265aNtmS7
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiljR6Z1K0
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXdyPOO3gW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjHkC1aMXc
"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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGROgmyYtR0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRyasWLhBp
"You're right. Wait–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7HMZQCLix
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4OPpxcwRf
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjanTGEG70N
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOxKpNikuv
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOdbUPhic7
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXzkbRjL2Q
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ5fMsdmL4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu1neWWzQT
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTkE4hLSgZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiNFWOQEOu
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG3vQWWVwR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAg1bSSHkc
"No. I'm here for another reason."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhQHEZNUJC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubGe6sUbsw
"And what may that be?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHSoI5DSPi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGh5nF1W0u
"None of your business."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAM325qHdG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RVIoyYoHu
"O-Okay..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tN6R4tPU8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z0h4X6RFJ
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTtiSFJlvV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfW95LtcsN
"She is super shady."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiUzLqbvMN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LhymiR38n
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9vUKcSUeJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJG7woLUZS
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqxS12e0bh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J72VaREhA
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GtKDaIkAu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD2FBhiBSs
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAw5mw2ZJL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtkctQh5Ij
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MCBkd7BNw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJBfC5ZQ0s
"T-Then let's get his attention!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JdDoelLw0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh41UFe5b0M
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxbaeQN5Ab
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7WM4N5W4D
"Let me handle this."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNtbSXSvG4
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWcCUUXo6w
"W-What, why?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvCKKyAtyM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCUlIpVLrK
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf9Hfb6fKh
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5UGmUQ1eG
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZMRP9xk4D
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkFZtqaBO
"S-Sorry, Kenny."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArdeqf9jxP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wXBHzVJKu
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6QTVzlHUC
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtM6eCBVkA
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmlK8yXcM0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRl6cYeUqB
"Hey, you guys!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjtKpnGnFG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFdJv1v6bP
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28q0GVF41Z
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiluktGQzR
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKtqA6eWUG
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2Sq6MuW2a
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTL9cXSmXN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sYFKek3Fs
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT90ssp0eB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdycGwyDfMJ
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WNtLNuiCL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZfgJRj69m
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWthDq5WG4l
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hYcNoQJ0x
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFuodzEpiy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjstOc179uy
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJriulW33x
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8lIKdK01H
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjaZKDupL1
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiWW6XzqQe
"Here's your bill, miss."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1aDJNJFrs
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4A1rnnVr2
"...I..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwbY6iU5UV
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGIvT5Xkvo
She was having a difficult time speaking.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhFexwtyyt
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIAU3xc8wV
"I forgot to bring money."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7jE2bzDIA
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8legdJcNWJ
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd8elJGSri
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgw0VACHig
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRckOZdxkzY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff3gZ6bnGM
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh6BnhHTEp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxpu4lLIBY
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7k3g8Z3NW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0dLj7BsQk
Ha. What a moron.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph7GvDRshv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIZEHYkGPN
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uOQ9iBHEz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5l3aeSysn
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1vSOTWFD3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7PN91XihY
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsdd2U8Ule
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdioCFTYGZn
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjj7asKcIz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV9IJUpL2N
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."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpruERwbIwB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhK2y2D5In
"..."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJyCff4B70
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaUPRZ5H5x
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHzuh0lWvH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrxhSQgqh5
"Hey, cloaked woman."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY4FCymR85
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkphtJuvPn9
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILiVLM4q8J
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXN4TgIiR5
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewIj7oZVJB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFQmZmMHlB
"Yes, of course. Thank you."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT6ciYmsEq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmFVznYIlo
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSMrPZValw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptJiEXYx1B
"Alright Flinty, let's go."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3D02QDRH0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuHa9Yqh8S
"Yes!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvMhRSlqQB
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP1wWYZEZt
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MRPEzS01f
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIDidTrU4r
"What?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEvZSpH6EH
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5ISbR5CAW
"Kenny, you're awesome."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAAynk2nOw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a56eB2rHX
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb6zat0kJb
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Awu21Qn8v
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6PFGYozCY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc68p9Gaq8
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv3D0LQBYL
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ihbFINOCu
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNhlJ8cRdm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb4KdUAmzT
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFkqYJk9Oz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXczs5XYsjA
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.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRclipeR5V
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmPa1KEbzn
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1miDtIVtM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFRBBElZdP
"...Is something wrong?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI13Rbo3Sy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBXcL3AVA1
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9EUZ5fCZ7
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHc13JLSMw
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aBR8nX1ku
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKq6WeDvrr
"R-Right."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB1TLIpifW
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TFI2VV9En
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
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