The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIL3XToCv5
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I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34QYbd0wdo
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVPIx4xpzg
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQUgbLfh8H
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGKpl9ZXcm
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qlxm1la4i
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTFjHt8EKK
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarl9BU6EP4
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOW9WC64Dp
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzsrne8730
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG5XPdYRjW
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXiDUBstPy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYFYWBA8Po
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI1xJ1eLC2
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnAqa6DQXC
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedQWRu2pAA
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ62kg3SYZ
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0qbLj8eJM
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVJKRs3CET
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg8NnQqdCj
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGWKUHQDnZ
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JmlLJdCvl
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBYX7vDwdK
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzTVEYqwLa
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjtb9U9wtZ
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZcr3UkHOA
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9wlQ0Ckpy
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mot6EPkp6
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5waqto68By
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaQ8YpgGBd
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRogEnFnchi
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneBsryugZj
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh8yKvcjpN
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFH7TPNHLw
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNOcjbHNmr
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa10Cu8Exs
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsDCf9pdOT
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjawba9OsZ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22AOGQE3a8
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEek8jb2ndO
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolL01JAGhx
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWgIPj14XG
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡognPnPQOMc
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfzV5Hia2X
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnHTfO8mTU
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6egg4ZDzvz
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCFv8abPap
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuxAFBGPu5
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkS9RNiyCQ
"What's the matter?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F6LMK8TTE
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyVq4Kgu9d
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jkR8aTlNv
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rt4ul3zM8
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vjnjhbtqg
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih3uAkmskt
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pP2KDPaST
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuworM2vSox
"Of course."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIy1sFjtkW
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvTYIalCV2
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnlNWFGVFJ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lbr4o8iMn
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB47ve275p
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBDmjT09TZ
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlBFoEFrrf
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnb6BJYjLx
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosy9YYDK8n
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxGeoaebUS
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJrQxMxPD5
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3psjYszelX
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyWoY8vAdY
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngPrxqoH79
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzhsaUcwnE
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoJ4Zd0AvF
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShjwAerQqP
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6engCjLl7
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZGQMkwWZj
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNP9PocKA2
"...Probably?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdpeNokGkI
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RFa2gEU6K
"Sorry, definitely."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB7wvI8TDx
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn8LX1tkDD
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRFRSS863T
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJBVRB6oUY
"Food's ready!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbHxti0IXL
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsWcOg0zQm
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTzDzNp9R1
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxJmEW4TTg
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59wFbSqJoU
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwS1iUoig9
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtttA7JmbQ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaArw6mOq4B
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxWgXAHdt0
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2oFjLtao4
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx5wylnPZ4
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMYvaQH9kv
"Are you asking me?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrBPP2JLh9
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbubvpxDLCf
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s5QqzwK6b
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk4jjlQ1tv
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rCZPhV90h
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoWjltWuh6
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6bNpwmFnW
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbuVjEAlf2
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBdeNlRRNY
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbnKx1p0un
It felt heavenly.
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vEcYDE4gf
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ppc34WDeA
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLXMDf8EZr
"What are you reading?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CDTKGLd8a
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpN1Mb0fqL
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdWLw2hOyM
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfFSGBFAxg
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvs30WhQf2
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuNNiriCoU
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf8bDwRLpw
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZjEJfgecS
"...It's a book about magic."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhWMbib9FB
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSvsvnXbaZ
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW735hko27m
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu6ouiA9IY
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa7r6dlU7I
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGD8C8Df3m
"Y-Yeah, of course."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtg0TjkKL8
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekMSIqRN29
She didn't sound very excited.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpTIEMS6nE
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd4bCp4z77
"Do you want to practice right now?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmIS1Z1yVU
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lonOWvICI
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKEVYJV7J4
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUssUnOndO
"If you say so."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbXL4tBeUz
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdZvy3RJi6
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtnL5Sj64W
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89gvPNL3NT
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7Ylj11E2O
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYEengySCV
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAitIuhLb0
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxA6NX9H4F
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AznU2PiD4
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM5XqFWh5B
"...Did he decline?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfjzTlbXDJ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKSrMX2ukR
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sHhkx58PM
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05CcPUyzZi
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLJxi7bOuA
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4EsvuGNhY
She paused and stared at the sheets.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI7DtPEVQy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jEloq8Xc5
"Today was the first time I made a spell."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolhVzfjlPG
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfaXRsPRrc
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxscpqdHc58
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkkZx7A2xl
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHpLDf2l53
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6yc1RstmE
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEuWNSeO2q
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4UEPgHAfO
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW3RWBf2FH
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ceXgkLaRH
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpTL4aowGa
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMaaYvzh7p
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIJmT4jsxz
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOx8zKyn6Y
We sat in silence for a few minutes.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VNFRUDtrU
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ602QPDXR0F
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvAyvA0cgb
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqp2AmfMd0
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPY2FVrX5N
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRZW03a6BS
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o1TT4rlVw
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDojSO7eebt
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlln7YcZiJH
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSmmWBoCSY
She shook her head no.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWiZHSPIiC
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKHV9yyeOz
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqoxTXCDLt
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qEp29wbyc
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdQvDCGGPJ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAIga52z06
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcyQay71hP
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy4tbACmNq
I felt like I made a mistake just now.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3d6kLzvKe
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoFdlkzNgf
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrduPwYQZ81
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrsJcZcRYy
"What is it?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMcyysheOs
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlOPZ34GEa
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJxTuDx4KC
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaClEK4krog
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemsIgu5YOq
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLznRRCKhSN
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMxtx9aOex
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrS44Hw3C9
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDcwGt0YOy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFtGSfYbDU
"I know I can do that! But, well..."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Vnaf7kYy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y0L3gLXa6
She had her fingertips conjoined.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxOAdtXLOB
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXrenLmvHm
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2BPsKEAYh
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOSinpwmwQ
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4nYq0tMJx
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJAPN1xvVH
"Alright, I'll show you."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisnv4z6vCy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaVRh8IUHH
"Yay!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKClugM6cT
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHstTzXOPuu
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dVfQkucGl
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rWZjIck9G
"I think it's best if we do this outside."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOY1B9mqwy
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrT4GV8vJ1
"Okay, then let's go!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidrev31wCE
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBGYfFVHPd
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrenz2JgGBM
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQqBthr7SX
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVWrCevbxi
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC8LuNMnfo
"Earth?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wgJPPyIz5
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20nrD2eQlJ
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKdrkpVEYi
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Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBVrGHmt5Y
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxny8QQBAOK
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"It's really not that impressive."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDDCqk27fj
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7joNS002W7
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU76S5i3UM
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7dao5zGhQ
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSKp57VUye
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYptBFanWKU
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"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2pmXxcyv8
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I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnzToe7l6Y
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"How'd you do that!?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaCfZCV6xF
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"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGgLM5JhPF
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLJQfeSvmE
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z812kZsHO
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NjZzeNkJx
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"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYksUB8myC8
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr93g0Uoem3
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJq0uRJfuk
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq20K7tlKgx
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt8GoZaBlV
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xa5qjM0ue
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My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzAdWLCZHS
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjhKnYa0sN
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDiBo7SGlR
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBHOO5pvoI
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcmVcSfmr0
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpHGWdBrkO
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7jETHZYL4
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Oh.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTi0JOKB4x
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Oh.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Cns2llwA
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The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiVh1Mkdg4
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliq5ToTMtI
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpe7Ih82bg
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhjIWEl8yM
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKEgHbLYMH
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As for me?220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jbHOkkihZ
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Well...220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0GLP8PyJu
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXasw9pDLUT
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWpUroQVuF
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB65ASJiFaY
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoweqc5A4K5
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYeWKyiWZ7
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That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGM6noWEZg
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CaZFXuoQT
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UAq4Br9VL
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKijNcKOLV
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAjegEmovN
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y60K17snL
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7LIAecC6S
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ466kQqjfur
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUxe2zZoGe
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I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs7Opyzqm6
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxuZasKEhs
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5pjirmS4y
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KM0YN4IJO
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4675BEUdwJ
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98Kw6g8tlr
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPAEwFPg1t
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tOboyOvgO
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5P7HXu1WH
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She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JXqMqs5yY
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7ezAI2jrm
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWhytIuFKO
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL1jQmIGq5
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuFyPhMhdb
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I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjwh2i8klO
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy2fEmxb3c
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoEvQYXN02
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"Of course. What is it?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Au8TaVJAw
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOG9lduIjo
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbGRUXJemk
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6gvy6XvIL
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNup5feE8D
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzmSH75o8r
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh72ivzbzh
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKzdSXDGZI
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMjkI9ZpkP
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaZhVNv5Ld
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw2qUQWnwc
We all looked at her.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGUjWD8Dpo
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctQA18o4Dy
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"Kenny."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKYr6hFaex
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"Yes?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsSn7dCrDZ
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu7NQQVXnr
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJTu3x6tGG
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ei1OeZJpp
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5ia75tk6k
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"Okay. Kenny?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUsmpdszFg
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"Yes?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj0KyG6RLx
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVMhEivrYX
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie8iEGuySp
"Huh?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedl09IERFL
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHN1OL48Kz
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SP6BDoeKT
"Why do you want to go?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5cMUnJqi9
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"I... think I need to."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhKxYUx3lK
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I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGPHJukWwy
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zgaAm9pkd
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YY3ucIzPb
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxDMTpj39s
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjBz4RYhnc
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7LeyeC3XI
220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZmxmWBO2G
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB293dABZp
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My heart sank.220Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zfg6PKm1x
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
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