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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4afO0uAyR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3yZioKAor
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaKjEgHULg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FtyGrTGN9
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfUCy8I1Ep
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQKSc5Rcrd
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmfvAG2p0i
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkCHs27a11
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95uQc4Z4P4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVBrfzVIFE
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJ0Yothzv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBzssfmWuQ
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlruO9FkhW7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ9MrSlWdq
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LFK9QGeNL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLouD4nKZN
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQGDfvcgUj
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUUjxwEElz
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFb6uR775M
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3GG14kzls
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1bMrNC3aU
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO3syuyk5P
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInqvjUkeyY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VyJZrMKwR
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzpgYVOwvd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRDMrwn0vy
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSIgj3MMd9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBRkxmPW6k
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KOOji7E3G
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItHY0UHdON
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAOXyjhvQw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjD4kkTkbP
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuIUaMkIaP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXgCcVEu1P
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rJhB6YzyS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ENuQoG3K1
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewiOsC4hdr
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoxjiyTUPc
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc9YFrrUWJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNTdFF2IQR
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPK80VYbYg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIq1APuLxf
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZiB9U6oK4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawsULFQJTr
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z8LdFz9AY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vo57jww2r
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Scu5Ft4Wb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPBYgRU7Bt
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrn66tF1VW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaCBvW6W6E
"What's the matter?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqSEeS9S3S
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzMK72vFgG
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EctJqG1yt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDjju30U2T
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX53VWMXYfu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliweDi8KVu
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5PpVCRWRJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnpZOsUEw9
"Of course."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zvze2a7lE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCWN1lneny
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KVqrCyh3F
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDILIpQUUxl
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeuhKv31OZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzxH1xyVGw
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjmvCWKZRb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCcSCO9m7K
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBuSCbU8ae
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v5zF68TPs
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIgYwl68dv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc4Ve6gpWk
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn8Wy1XBop
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WAmgp3s5Y
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FTFad1rdg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRBNDCY0Qn
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqXD6ns4P5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNL28sb0lC
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDAV4ktbgi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA4qSeXIu6
"...Probably?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNHJ2akZZ6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8TqLUx5WQ
"Sorry, definitely."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVePC33CMx
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNDlhOJKx5
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWPnN2GnNT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHxkwLSqSK
"Food's ready!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKVsdosVTL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZKCsMA6YS
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdv9yhmnLc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xjTsD7Uwi
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8cO9jYDRW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA7EcQogES
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM5rXSf7jW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAnClequHm
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoEceS8nRv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbdHD1DdEU
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Xytf72ez
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78PBHfoS6C
"Are you asking me?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5f2g9UKQt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWleAf28OX8
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah4JhTCWDg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXg2ndPpFQ
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbxfotJpQ0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlUMExGxWt
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM7dhbyhxQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACvzWuvmGt
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOo2b2fEtG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDUK0Mo2zg
It felt heavenly.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahcdNFttko
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPHIjzhu3t
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlPagj99Op
"What are you reading?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I6ZXwXMMR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw3XeF5y7j
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WuJqvvmyt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb4BK68lJj
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKOGp6quKQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUrtczX6MB
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbMHGcyaEa
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxukcGQKANO
"...It's a book about magic."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAxNThbBMq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlUhbBLmWb
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6dsQp8I7o
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CBLdJ27LG
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EaZxVC65y
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeoceyCSNe
"Y-Yeah, of course."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE2lseWa1L
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESer0k78U2
She didn't sound very excited.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPPlZv3onD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKRP1RdUoc
"Do you want to practice right now?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuQDLQYZTg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBjJjy5UC7
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2yJDuk88g
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPHlIEELPu
"If you say so."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ583cfbvLmJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE28uCWQ8H3
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AqBxF9bx9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAIFTN3393
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH73ywP0kx0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXln2UPtZx
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZhUz8eAK7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdbepUTEPY
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfzWUf3DQF
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrUmf1STUj
"...Did he decline?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetoBDCYYaM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl63IDvXFy7
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIu7LODKp9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxn4iSUrrB
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AWEHVHyCy
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOm5RjlE6j
She paused and stared at the sheets.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha33Re27wv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKDm5oY7Z1
"Today was the first time I made a spell."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeeWwWNnHT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVklitGWahe
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nyzmd1bvF
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQM4MViXGb
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz09h8wJea
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ299RudiUFb
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86b0V2XCGK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ83OdGp5iJ
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ439LOxDPSe
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoyyZNgCSI
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoUEfZi8IY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5lDHmlBQ9
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAEZQ2YB4b
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnG9UoyRcj
We sat in silence for a few minutes.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTVqqwP74P
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKE3fs7OB7
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6FyhsdKuN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrWdtw3Bgv
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn97bGXagsr
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiuNR0CMki
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxIV4Qo8PD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuezSU5uMax
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBW5OCQVrD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusst3Z0fr7
She shook her head no.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljtsagMeWE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OxPz7RVNO
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYW4notnXM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RpH55viwY
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGJKNBWY2D
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpGcc65c3b
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjctYhcRlt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ixw540qLE
I felt like I made a mistake just now.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5nAPUWL8p
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZreGxC9XLX
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1AaxxGDfS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitf9C2Ef2e
"What is it?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSanoSfGsB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49PAAht9uH
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXXW22Wcfv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78omDvFyYI
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSOsbY5XQl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiNgP164Ne
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoJIIP7Oxz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh9DJe0Biy
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ7Lsqw5Vs
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG9GQSctT5
"I know I can do that! But, well..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV6vMsCiao
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BhkpjSd7h
She had her fingertips conjoined.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE2yUg1Ki9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6jRRE4roI
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoIODUKTIV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0MW46kq7j
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w0EJdffoQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mWD4WTNPp
"Alright, I'll show you."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwDzUBp6Pe
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHxW1kdDMY
"Yay!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30ROni4Pu0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzet1FItztw
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QUnHnRRrI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJfshgdU1L
"I think it's best if we do this outside."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1OkeK1tyP
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl1zeMeX87
"Okay, then let's go!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNFeUNG44u
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LJbK4Wqfz
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2ZboWkYlR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O9BMWp1Kj
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPg9uFDbno
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XtyDMKRuD
"Earth?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWBE5s8YW8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt2y2sppTi
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M8cSmX6Ov
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ZCEaalNK
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x4X1YidOf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMGpt3BAIR
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS6F1yMAu3
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"It's really not that impressive."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sGe0tlR42
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNO8EkQ9Sf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYinP66EcO6
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvkpzpN8ff
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTNBRhUi6h
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpUHjE8oX3
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aKiofIOzg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1aag2dvFE
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECM5Sf524h
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mr88tpKyT
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK2rc0QYrx
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"How'd you do that!?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCERjraGUS1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fjWJ5Fk17
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7wQ5f5tg6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHnti8LMFl
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgFwU2twhX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8OoOKpWS0
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG8wEo7k25
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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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o5GSSNBcN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgp3FyZDcc
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFHQopkumo
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DEESMcVCC
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMHeoA7hgE
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaCQjwxuvm
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcZolzVQVp
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xEQHIULxL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvoEOtzUxf
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3nSri7Xyz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWleyf8GCTl
...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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJMsPMPaIp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ek3Z4Bra6
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35xeCmiRH8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStgf9TOpqG
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGkdk24ql7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2k6QrlbvW
Oh.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7CAwWYfPM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpTpA84KNQ
Oh.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7inH9PDCeD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhKItJ4TnP
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAHRXJLyXl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSGVN3dsh4
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwTtBzWBoN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtXmmIBKr4
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9WpRhaohi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz07Kd4Csr
As for me?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFkkxt22NO
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyXmlsfdWX
Well...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7PznVL6x1
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48AJG2Nxr8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf5PwFBbRe
**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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSBp58zs6s
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y3LqGnGrF
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJqBbvHxtA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1dauKu6dB
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVSiBeDVYd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrNodIMMqc
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hnRVxIqGM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0p3xGHZfQ
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0O1B8pJuI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst1KXgTjlf
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbpQjNPfB3
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBPQQnX1Lv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs62eZoA3Ta
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3fMtx2yAq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaXEqFOiO7
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2xKtemiNM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnrJRqPYoH
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuVO79Iy7a
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bfw6suCt6
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4pfvtTFsG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYvCcjdvhL
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpxdUToiHf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqctUIfQw0
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOSyDlRHr5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DAFLbxWv7
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tIajMW2cV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7uzRtBhY7
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sjW6uAsu3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5noCPYHcNp
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiih1bC0HaN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dKWQaHPWv
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UYRDPNiO8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHCYJZv8TW
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1aZaKbump
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNi0MQfJeo
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0inM6gpuK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTvPZFxBvm
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes9UOdVr6k
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L60wkUNHR
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCKfYovZy1
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"Of course. What is it?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwihlt26KP
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcFiPCAl72
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZRpGSOXbU
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEUGT9otKD
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQFlay0FGA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrstML25umG
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtifF99FsF6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU8uHY8X1p
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo95idI5oQX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQELvoGBy8V
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZXVDoBZ5G
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31YTftAZQ1
We all looked at her.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYqdB3BAWC
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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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa40YKTuKmY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluUeRDPcit
"Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LuSPOXksV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTu6pGqstK
"Yes?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAoFyRpJiE
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuOy1TJfZv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGcWHJRr61
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ2QX6NOCs
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60ugz5BpaP
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j7YVOhGQV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hSR4kc1Im
"Okay. Kenny?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ654lzTKYkw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tdQ41TsT4
"Yes?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzy7zF19cV
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTktZnyZRz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwVhIG1JuD
"Huh?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U38lO6Xbx
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxffVqv06ly
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYsDYYcflw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvsAOqfJqv
"Why do you want to go?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXRcjZRRQs
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY4nVgeTGG
"I... think I need to."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6sfbuDEPp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uxlCdP8FQ
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcUtAOeVO4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6vktSOow6
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQkOrPDb7m
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe0QrbL19S
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi1M0wI6t3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zpLZ1nizE
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WCeNn7skf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJkYg2kZcr
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3MUqNQfvZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFqCWJQ0EG
My heart sank.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsi61X0qyO
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGEh3nx7Ii
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
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