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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqbhzFiq9W
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzykv516ch
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCHSwBtR0Q
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9V221e6RY
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe9XF1Mbad
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbIjf7H2w2
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkKTeLO9fm
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIUObe83lZ
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2DZcluANj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrGy3948mZ
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMvfDKyuOb
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK7xzO8jlI
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOemD7hG8J0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTkBD50Ozs
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq5AroiXAZ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg77SFYzf0Y
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GCdD50jQO
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IZ9Zs3Doj
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41IVcivmZZ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjLjvEi4kH
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsbyarPJVq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgJkEnZhTW
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQlrVnqG99
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpgTCBk4gZ
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeRLPjU47U
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOLFEG7P4b
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGhmKvIIm8
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOSl9GwPqq
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH5bfIMH0a
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoeEhomlj9
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyctHcBDXt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5H6jxSOca
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0JLB1YLCu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv40J4d3KS0
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKm31QCGbi
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEFGLvUrBS
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO5vPsp0vc
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT1qgEFKHB
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8erhuqP0qJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiAZICbs2s
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjJbwLAwP4
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVBwnz9Bkx
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUOUYPikak
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDLvrt0OG8
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DakDTE5r3
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BgsgTeLfd
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfCQL4JM5f
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuUHp4D8m0
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt2lK5yj8A
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0goKk4ewo
"What's the matter?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtXp5aXsBO
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsMtXNcQif
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkXHZ7wZ1s
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUBVlWAtNu
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDSQmcu9lM
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH7n5BWKDK
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9so0qWwFqw
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNfB5hSUZQ
"Of course."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGFuioL0ws
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SbNXELy1s
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cm6exfXNT
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFu1f6CZtc
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AmRfwV8sB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmUDsaFJ3E
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1GKInY1xU
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIm2gkIwoi
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoTBgZx2vJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpa7viYacF
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEQNYOs8Rn
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrSEbehDU1
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZfHrU3RbV
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ937kbg1uHh
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOobf40DX6a
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl9yz9iS13
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLHkL1qSEt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx64UHED5Yy
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9QSkRPNpu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jtkFUjG3w
"...Probably?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGs22LYgu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIBXv7DPb0
"Sorry, definitely."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKFVdufJAO
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmy3rYvJKa
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dg9ztY9wG
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJu56pF8pL
"Food's ready!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2IjJMlriz
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXToCiaRqb
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHLEeD9YSf
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMfbznOIYZ
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ253zQkVb0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMqd5lc6uj
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9evVrXO9NZ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23RvKH3HEa
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41dt3mev4b
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx89Pc2i9Du
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7cqNK8dCz
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv79S7KE5i
"Are you asking me?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglSjOIi5wo
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt03rdjl9d
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8cQR35kC9
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvPoAjrnAJ
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnz6P8LEWs
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6G6r6R43t
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YuVsci05A
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHlPToSush
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn60huNIZbm
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk05RQt4ovM
It felt heavenly.
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjpMGF3Y1a
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipsVV3jnB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFNNoRDS0D
"What are you reading?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX1zagR6FH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmbjivhJwt
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1jhtOZhLp
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VJldGPa5l
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ403ulgRaid
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjxhoGv6vK
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlsYxAZDHE
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF716OM34Cm
"...It's a book about magic."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi1RbeYPrk
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OLii5MyCy
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bZ0hPkgJv
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTMwehHHqP
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhqs0UGMDI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHiz46nuLp
"Y-Yeah, of course."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mFf2PZIdJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6JvlF5uso
She didn't sound very excited.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdLR4bSjPV
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlmVPrF77P
"Do you want to practice right now?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5ORloLX3n
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrrHGHfZbj
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViwdNCOpjk
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mCYE9MxRM
"If you say so."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VVR38rN2K
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqLzVWbOhi
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeO8QUKogn
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6XeZYZTwT
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvN9pVsxEi
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyt68zECy8
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwjTBkmwN0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkU5n0YyG7
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QuC43cMUg
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TQFOdDAUe
"...Did he decline?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR3FzypK0v
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxEviz9iJ5
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPwz4caKqj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uJp0ZOaUN
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEglEuhqdzt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzAJgNmajb
She paused and stared at the sheets.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZdAxtc6JJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnPVpC6iu6
"Today was the first time I made a spell."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv1JNGbRwp
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegrDJvUSSz
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPEyjfPanB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhCMCPiVYy
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsJmveqpwQ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdStb2EX9u
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvjAv2qNoI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VZBA3XTDY
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIfRS7OKtp
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMnpDtQuu5
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8oUmMBfxI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR5Uua9Zho
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyndceQ02N
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWvLdYWwBQ
We sat in silence for a few minutes.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNILj0mOD67
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmkhrXWzkQ
"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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKOA0mX9jT
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNos1hB08z
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38hKIPWU4
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvF6UWp5cY
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHouS6C1HgH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ0R6HbbpS
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF4MbigZRJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp4ekZLNZ3
She shook her head no.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i7JBaUO54
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5r7I2pUmW
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBri7bGB97N
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUS90AUITP
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa1UtYPiMa
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwucPRL4K4F
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8WWN0wq6j
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ6FeJUaEd
I felt like I made a mistake just now.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrugaKAwOCm
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqfsKP6UDc
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVKTlZG7Pq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqB7Y4Ovzj
"What is it?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Oe3OJSww
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8lBpn1wOI
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8PZQ6SMKS
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfqh3hUpSZ
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5duzdR250Q
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUgZxHFRKT
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogbdGfuHYW
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS6KcOX0mj
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bbzQfskOV
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLnVfQSoz1
"I know I can do that! But, well..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMkpBO5a7u
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Pg0VMsaj
She had her fingertips conjoined.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA2n9LXMnR
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD78ienu7zq
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ8gtrqOc7
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Z9RaJjkt
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuQH3zlhGw
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic1YMYcWjb
"Alright, I'll show you."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLw4oNcdfR
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6p8OqO1ym
"Yay!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGQfuTkIdN
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U16wqyull
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ117s26eHDh
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBqygnMZNW
"I think it's best if we do this outside."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcYLArOtuP
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YyqTJLYfT
"Okay, then let's go!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnerFivJEn
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWzfyF78Mg
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvORlLfQa8u
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"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSs9VRlxNn
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"Earth?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdpYEHxfSW
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4VvhZH84P
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MOCv138wh
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdylJig2j6
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEUvXQuZfY
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"It's really not that impressive."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUOJnj4ZUz
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RX3xOVY0T
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRfDy4IwVF
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqNaPtZwOk
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe364oCHBK
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae82L4d6vf
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"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUFXkeGgjX
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTol6zMLO6
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"How'd you do that!?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTGnB5W4nX
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51CVDJ1m5N
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRRSgMeuTL
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Y6kot4gI
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZyI2yHK4N
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdJvgcMC9i
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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."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyrhlm9xdw
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22b1ahthat
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPRd6MCBs3
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s42VkdVlG
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVYgdsQco3
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqdRnSLyTB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09OVNi07Il
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7dtVz8Dv3
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQXo9kNOy
...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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQbOj0nkyU
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLHTc0c8gn
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxMe2aQ50D
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"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwv0wokFAB
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Oh.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuBzJoBRru
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Oh.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr3Y0VTIGl
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK1pAbWcBi
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vy4MLPbdL
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The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e6GxXLmTk
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As for me?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUVEPJAeXF
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Well...227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwBPFkDIwZ
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdEgVg4lS1
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**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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgeB8P7ZF3
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTIwmtOL2H
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41irCelxD8
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That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcJhDSlQJW
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmV1x1AonT
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHpMcbqwqK
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsplEFH7rhH
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zdDkA8VPu
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNP3Bp2N5T
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qFGEJBu9I
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE4RjOoBR9
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHtUiNIqfV
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJiPxWyzhA
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6kiiQV4E7
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbebOyMClel
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnmMFciWns
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ8z3xtJ6I
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4vCPPfVoG
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzH7zs1ZG3
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BCv46wu6m
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xwlcS3bP4
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl8mrqAPsx
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"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvgRwhKKPY
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"Of course. What is it?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz3uSVo14Y
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPnCBlfU80
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0HCviyZ9g
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO2Sv9PZ3D
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GQjGTrZ5P
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoymmmbjWD
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVv8liiDI8
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ADTUda96
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We all looked at her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihc2MXoCwl
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRbBU8IpFX
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfyqq9cgwi
"Kenny."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBDlcj3Nxk
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"Yes?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2ZavgnBcw
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcByGp3mHjL
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF19EDD1j1
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdEEcId854
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"Okay. Kenny?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIm9130kHM
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"Yes?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QX2Jn1dpc
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9HfYjZAvu
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"Huh?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwawYKHzHcl
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzUNpdWpgg
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"Why do you want to go?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaWDjjQ6eI
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"I... think I need to."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFmiEcujIG
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKkva6qDGB
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBYPqBxN7q
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"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYnwD8s2qX
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJfHRaqfdO
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE61tZhne4E
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4dOIj8wSD
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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJzPgSeAoz
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My heart sank.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFS5SyEf3c
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
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