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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZsA1OsVYo
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVpykaAdOr
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTpLWCTeaf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUNdso0Jrb
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLilpe87v4R
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FuUR8sEKP
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa0efyM7CB
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe1t7IytqB
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNeRMcfB1D
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQUbXfe3B
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkY1LlGi8f
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7t6fNMgms
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG8H3zikyC
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriX0wdpGcY
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtTnTtrVi1
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttRP2PcE46
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpO4d3PE3a
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqR1vbrB2A
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6LR9vfHhG
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AnSBbQDwi
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAByBaD9yE
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGpWy82E14
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiW0BV7N5M
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcB4tHEFvs
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9VZcJID6h
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddgEKtFssy
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8acwhOI70
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrxbo3rXPV
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrlGNFFr1k
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrIQXZBuRr
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYiLAv6JQc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbFExY55Vg
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqwm5cadRf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6okldd32W
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71JmIgsT7q
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAUQnTn4Ax
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP00Chqhij
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xjTLItBqR
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBzRJjgKlp
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cS1RpZB6
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xYsqr900I
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJbHx0OESz
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfcLeQlvdM
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4s0q3QHRT
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIgSxX3Wbo
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nAsSRrJmh
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdnOJdFkNW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinSfovL8oY
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtY10KNRhP
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH8mlfDTXe
"What's the matter?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0M3EXPnxa
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbRfsGKqll
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuXnxVUgKU
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtlrPfDNxH
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX5FG32KnE
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruKgq8gnS0
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiFzdUaSnu
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzHKXDUY5f
"Of course."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZJbM38noZ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhApqTpCn1P
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRU50RDJSb
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf91AXN3YsF
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKLOGS5u3L
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQekdZoi59U
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3U6sRR4vx
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxfSyo7zxC
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3YCNq9XyZ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7O5p7b5lw
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qrGF8duvx
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMrloT22rQ
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxiwf18RlV
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoFB1Ez8oy
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHteanlgu4
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSk4R0RgbP
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne2GLK2Qfn
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQaQHreX7C
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvi5BZlfhJ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyreuglR5m4
"...Probably?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrRuiO4pT0
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4snwHTRRq
"Sorry, definitely."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZAVyZiRyh
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEqryejjoJ
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdB03VHltv
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjabBM52PRy
"Food's ready!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86VmPmMWvT
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oYcymIiBN
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBPciKye3Z
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqzHd8gaap
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtR898n6VN
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ2nWyobeu
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI3SMI9MC6
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX1t8Dn9ru
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBgjFEYrTc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvtn0u4f42
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlZW4RN08G
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QNt0kId4D
"Are you asking me?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtCTpYYhjq
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYekl3YFoZg
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALers7yaB8
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtj5yfY0ny
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP4kNYcivs
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR2LQmaZ18
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6d2dvqP9t
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfjztoP1Rs
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wKcE1Ov5n
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K4AF2DdOM
It felt heavenly.
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0RsSqOVus
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Y8v21PJ9
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZjFq9JGY5
"What are you reading?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLdLn7jEy4
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPezjU8Q051
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cwwBhk1yR
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MJjqFQ3mr
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGe16z8n5d
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa2G01yzuf
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcRRiyuo7b
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfSwJ5eFMO
"...It's a book about magic."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqCCera7cv
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbGvwCeEVU
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLex2x8UBG5
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pqz6aXC82
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMfNtfJmXB
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4yiUHhNgg
"Y-Yeah, of course."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98uay44Qlj
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW3Xeqkwqk
She didn't sound very excited.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6yRo2GV9i
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfjSVMeqM4
"Do you want to practice right now?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jfVrfjM7P
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCduBWa5N11
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUhYshkC6l
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWhz1DwZey
"If you say so."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmN2sIreiO
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleJpBOLkU7
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruluw0S2zR
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNV6ns6boy
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbdEoIkEiN
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM6h4impSC
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE5OAoSs7J
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3lo7CdRtV
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFr1LXFDxW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw40XQOObgT
"...Did he decline?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAJPZKywaH
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2cxfTSAQR
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xFCYpyrlX
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwhGZ5ftma
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cdNPz8Pnc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hX40gugFi
She paused and stared at the sheets.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeodHKuQaC
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bjdZ5qLfL
"Today was the first time I made a spell."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp8YUs09KX
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgUwd8J3Cb
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oIVeG07RY
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP2lSmEtWh
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUGYAoGtK2
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYydZmkZT7
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwPhbeOxXN
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG58qCnNWs
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATpYuooTGu
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd0Y8efk7a
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGlbV8aQWh
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIwEstmLLU
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfwRkgSJnq
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk41EmzMMa
We sat in silence for a few minutes.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9pxudYHaQ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeQNWZd3Dz
"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."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjiEPDz3HZ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeKJrZHY1D
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiukoUTf0xm
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu1KWWZDbH
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEP3eDWsfC
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jgJKbUz4H
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVmW3LAfzs
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPCiyWXiWe
She shook her head no.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzgUNfQRrW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdBuSK2t1g
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzJMbjfoAy
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEnMGHZ7bx
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX2S0U9Mnb
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3VnsV5ztM
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaJNFCyK5
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xt6sqsd90
I felt like I made a mistake just now.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1xiEqroqi
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlETGQeThQt
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtXNdM4mbt
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kFWWk3IA9
"What is it?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMjsh9aXrn
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp8DsbTLmK
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09feUPIlgz
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQITM1bMo9g
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1lGXRlMLR
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmp3p0p8jE
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezbBMuE2RR
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eZZQiH5DP
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYInS2Psf3
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qp8oqq8lX
"I know I can do that! But, well..."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSjt13PGJn
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1aOzKqZZ3
She had her fingertips conjoined.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAB12209SB
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp8ZTY08ST
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPwqPjE9F7
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGsR635waQ
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sEvbraQmf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkiJmYw5rD
"Alright, I'll show you."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT86P1MBT2
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlVyUtUYFk
"Yay!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I6HHi3yCc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOmImKgejt
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFl26dfsah
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOoRxsjg6P
"I think it's best if we do this outside."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcz5VTs0u6
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHQVEGKCeq
"Okay, then let's go!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc0w8SleVt
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3b1zuTLmo
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6mTHpPLBL
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWzcEqYQCB
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFq92B3Adf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD8n1xKwdr
"Earth?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozLhpZInqg
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOLI8hcHjq
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpuBDbfPq9
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt9lHp4E29
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tUD33YlfZ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1yf9Fijwv
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfufMad8gBp
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgmokeqEOE
"It's really not that impressive."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCj6LNdN17
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY6tefIr8l
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzRXGiQDvP
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDlOpzPPkd
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7okOUAE21
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTuxSHB8hp
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQmnWpqQ9h
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdOhxcwQHW
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqO59LKqV3
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmtFt75OkS
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWNlmayjf7
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0xVRq7Rj6
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPKAlKRfq5
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzZP38gm5W
"How'd you do that!?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbz4WhhoHW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfOYx0Glrh
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmIualM3hw
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p4Nddfc3m
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtwpo107tF
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHlstusPHc
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu2zR4LTKc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qp6KnHVmW
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIhKFHk1Nk
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkUwnYCBHc
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoTjtGZTWd
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTn7N8VDCs
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzkOEzOP9U
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1wWvcujdm
"What's wrong, Flinty?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDB4i7sTmF
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIOlsafG6E
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o6qbQdg5h
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTkQnT0Rdx
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXMdYT9Hkx
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShBS5jYxFD
...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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiHcmd2QRc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZR4Srz83x
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUySXuXCO06
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg3QPH7hrb
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThKMvFQTaC
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT1OaFSGK3
Oh.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreMjdpKhNH
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedXuCGhGjU
Oh.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0BHoP1htk
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MFuNU13it
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYN6zxYzJC
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQkMIXIVit
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaEw8RiUsA
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfaC33karD
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVsLeusqi7
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEXnWkg7yd
As for me?385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLhEIGtMLq
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jBId6jQf2
Well...385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9SwyccJ1S
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkc2NgNLcu
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLwPz8RT0P
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iayRXAEOb
**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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihLP8bCala
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvhfWpnjT3
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vHe7WGnww
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIRgMsraeT
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMSwB48Uaq
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN60nXQVhP
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKBFFqAUu4
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9duzZDtwl
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n0jmEMzU4
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu7pAym4Cl
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5mpUb0336
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0or7thSSgN
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YmAusTGz0
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj1o2H14no
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslxjBQ6DqH
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcejBoVRnrc
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFBb5kYESX
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGicrp0C7gm
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ2aZDR7Ya
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcshD2CW0CU
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobAH3JYg6H
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OsdNkc7ps
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCE3yNlm32
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO273GgLDcS
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMBfTnKzT3
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAS6AdAmzc
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS6hrMccIJ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1lXX0X9zP
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKquHQm3Bq4
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qi0uGWx7u
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVvjvUuaJG
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sZicZ3Iji
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFzNuvc6tb
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpDx97pmia
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBsT65iCiN
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvfB5mmB2b
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvfNATxy3I
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO53wv88Svt
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3cO5H3hr7
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ558tFsFB21
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4tEqxZIq9
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaasr0KySH2
"Of course. What is it?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wkjls0Req
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xPGrTX05X
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8jvcEf6qQ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSFSPhv3xO
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWlIuziRei
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgbSwJ0rdl
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYj7RRvDQq
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1VZn1oixa
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03TS9hH7Y8
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1t9Num9qX
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0O8LPYDHG
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWILSty1k1S
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Bzl5cKTt
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDqbSb1VRW
We all looked at her.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Np8t2JKC
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkhQBMMtfg
"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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi4IcodfbL
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bOV0gyQVV
"Kenny."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWnmBRCsVL
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OLgrRx4hd
"Yes?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJPibWVUlW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbyP7Kynyj
"I'm sorry I freaked out."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklFNoI3iZa
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDo8BDyIrR
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpc59QK6RE
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0Lt1ebgVO
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T5gKcxopf
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6QA21HkAn
"Okay. Kenny?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQruHOYR2Y
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOWTp39XCA
"Yes?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx3G1fJpLP
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7orw2GcZHr
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPxJ8CFCMl
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVTH3VgSDw
"Huh?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tIfvyk1sS
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK2F4hBzID
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXvI4VkPFQ
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOLXNbrYYa
"Why do you want to go?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk0v1v2Wqc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCIKQhGgg6
"I... think I need to."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcqrZoOyYp
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVgucWmpnz
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClCfdfAoJy
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa78IclCql0
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4PAhEhQCw
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wWiWxVFmD
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86xT53UIV5
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32qMSiJDC3
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmacN9RfUh1
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkhpXvwb8N
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.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRuGVW2fJc
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnAr9oRrsW
My heart sank.385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3eq437PTW
385Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuQreOY2Mk
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
and then Add to home screen.