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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZSDeMJWwm
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHpcVpbgeO
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkLcADD5HK
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IF1wlz6GM
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeVDAXUCT2
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPL4Z7V7EK
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhNq313UQY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAm7fvC81z
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR2lLvcfh1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW9Mbj8YrC
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ7UpaiMnP
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV1bPXAa3z
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTjWgcu0lz
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan6zvYNl79
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9SNnh4821
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VMU7t1mGz
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYOw4G0HIY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3dfV8sBpC
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ6jIbBBxq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDUunMxIKx
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm8hc4Jonr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQwfthi9Y9
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsNZq7XNJ8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglCfxGGevi
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PwBSybMFo
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA33wwnibce
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGwTHuXmFW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQOaodtUBi
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFzzlKRk2n
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXEQA0i4gT
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEekkhwQoV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakGDyRs9MZ
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lfCo0nSWp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVORTBHHFkn
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeGl8dS9fI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzLY9WHYF5
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTpwIAewQm
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EOJxHZYvN
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq18VDv2QX
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uhikxHTUk
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrikHb6wyfv
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioaiDylvTB
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xfwgcr4mq
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dgewSQBe2
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgtR9WykBK
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgNJOS2NeZ
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DdgIeZ5gp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKOJLoMdKi
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy2eFZwWic
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4IPtztT3H
"What's the matter?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBMjHkXv4l
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEUbttuIa2
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMMu8IHIMQ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMqnbwUQwZ
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RKtVzyNQf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRbenZSRGi
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCALBAmFpdB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMdKrSHK1Q
"Of course."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8owEB76AB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldzYSiukf7
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp23fJVxY60
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HY0fkLoqi
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6qot4lhBy
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmA74Wi3FJ
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx7IF8FesM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1mKAEeCT3
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqcj6w147N
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zITY9xeXW
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l7TASF7PV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF1xEQCZgs
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFWlFZi2RP
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eLr2aA9zh
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9JCV5aOEJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL8lSozD7L
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7FyPhNNzY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXbWt99vbO
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBfvtLlMRe
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyChTMKw8f
"...Probably?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UiIGjZ7tn
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKI8i9qpLb
"Sorry, definitely."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ptNOiifz
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkxSxoQtgQ
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNSeLBODCI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0TBbJUvEW
"Food's ready!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzs7iNsDbu
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUogIuA9swv
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxjgZFjeBr
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTG26Ggr3j
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsm31TFbkx
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lIjISSb4X
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOly24Mflwm
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJh8naGQUd
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2tGGm5MOG
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX8ArqBs91
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfsLcTIUKU
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LA44qIvXp
"Are you asking me?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6RS1RbgDX
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NgSoRv48C
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk508Htkycs
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj5iL3v8hA
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJuJzeYcXy
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDlNL124rP
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPgQmcPHWa
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1je7GF3Jk
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisZuoXn7vV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDfsUQkqVv
It felt heavenly.
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDeL3jZX58
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrwNl2iijn
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9EWrHUPvp
"What are you reading?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21RbXUMreF
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5zq14De8q
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpXGfKq981
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR0XJP6yRW
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUS88YtWA5
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjr0vwCREk
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbydsYKfdR9
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXeTI8lH6N
"...It's a book about magic."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVVYq0uYeC
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv59bOUgvd
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Kjk8FhtI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIQ49vqice
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDsmF4fQsE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGNhrEHxJO
"Y-Yeah, of course."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rW7jZf5TZ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpncCg19zsW
She didn't sound very excited.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheY1haQ6jf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCJbwmWE9Z
"Do you want to practice right now?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9QTK4LLcM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEvYyJAaFv
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8OmwiQTfk
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX2ybMrnZD
"If you say so."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZheXelM8UW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RO5XbU5Hr
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrlkM7OTtd
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet4hfpXO9H
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQMl7gApFi
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaO79HkpwQ
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjSRiGicDI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucQPwoRkq2
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaR6rwoFvw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Md6jZB2n
"...Did he decline?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8vP68uD1z
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBiUeFqsfx
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ3GcK4GyT
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2zM3rd9IS
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmXxLgUofs
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k3PztdNA9
She paused and stared at the sheets.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFGYwluuGu
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWvfZbL5Si
"Today was the first time I made a spell."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh8ciYhOp8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wWCD11Yxf
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WUYlzxi8L
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0LnsqoaKQ
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrX4WUbF78
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWs2rTmWTy
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O3qU5SzhE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF1IzLHLiq
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN2QaKxtEh
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiHnlM3eqP
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOb4Z3RhMS
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvYmptEOWY
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63EV2nT3ii
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZjmKJ7tMB
We sat in silence for a few minutes.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3IYDHyzhw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvqdnhbAqa
"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."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufGrsqpv6r
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12FH1ycsLz
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIhxWOAUkb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDhljK6Yep
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEyEzXAjWx
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq3Zxyt9u0
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNefovUkbEN
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbblRw92VCX
She shook her head no.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHr83BBZ1C
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuKz4C0nMy
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPVAJabdOV
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtnRoCtuxR
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtByfmnrKz
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r3MrwrUvg
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGJA9PmyNp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw2K7yy5QC
I felt like I made a mistake just now.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURevQrk7BM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPQI8mjSWw
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDL8y3vdQ8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7WKsMd4Ad
"What is it?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSw5fUt0pF
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2TswZar8T
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObV5WfjSeO
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xUkJ3hxx2
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPZxmCcH59
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZDZlxZ07c
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOTGM6yL7c
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEy9Akw7xw
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3ZT2TCo0l
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n1wN0K4za
"I know I can do that! But, well..."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKHbEWOCX6
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWOlXN82pd
She had her fingertips conjoined.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaEPyjRG63
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVlPBSP8MR
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG0Df0dx8s
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KHCtczCmA
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsX2y6OnF7
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xdsRhFuac
"Alright, I'll show you."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT0oh6Aw3D
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LgVZESBOZ
"Yay!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9H98Rk2oZ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hX9feIyHF
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MOEHSR3Fj
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6papAJp6c
"I think it's best if we do this outside."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cYuNqCtN2
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTviSsb2XtE
"Okay, then let's go!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0GgDLXW5x
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAby262sOF
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr4lSKbrl8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNrQL44QK9
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOigRvoCTE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAxuH0pUF4
"Earth?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN09jaTHti
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawF7hyvKOy
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlkWs6V4KF
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xq778ScJT
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNKb2G0j1T
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9OOmhvUNx
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"It's really not that impressive."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMVYEmatWK
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGPlNENXX0
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjWH2boeKW
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MuQDmlptj
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMucsPceGf
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZfmoDQRpt
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjSvuagfnb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmyFSrVSF7
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLEXJYLUWf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcYH7tk5k3
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5VxRvIFW6
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"How'd you do that!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0O1BFiyHe
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUx4xW9AJr
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRnzWCdt8K
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujoDrtB37K
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4OwHmm5ie
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0MKJ3gGm4
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYl3rNMRaB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KGMNGDoUx
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHJELGdrOE
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3W0Bye0Ia
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAdz9HaQKJ
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLGQ5v4HAk
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSramm6b1do
"What's wrong, Flinty?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSC0jzB4WC
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfk6WxBaPH
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoneyYjChC8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvupeHaHWA
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jdaaLJaUM
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyvNkVGm7M
...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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpEFHXuyV1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwP6JFTQXz
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxTFpSaQPl
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc10uXPeUW
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8fG1R8a2o
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQhPwmKT8H
Oh.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMvlWKaGqR
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Oh.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFU59b85fa
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRiniHjnKo
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9CUrP4UvU
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsIzLXlmJ8
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYzIaKJJpC
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduWENIuq4l
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhajUSn29jb
As for me?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyTBVfXrSs
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsloETN7OK2
Well...152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxL0loxNYv
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJel8DSetuV
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFgZEuHUeJ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qoORJhmNy
**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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfndAf8Ti43
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BecEMmBZy
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1IBBR0Nrv
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFJ0ZA8ez7
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5vDiMsRc5
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8nEaMH3ae
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFuC57UrKH
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU3lvs4qxT
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPyPNVTatR
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsUaFHGhCf
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1rBDgYxSW
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv69CbiQWy1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9GDM5O2sd
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZibJ6Ch5mN
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sTGYoYDEi
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakQtUjAT2t
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7XChJSYkp
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytx2h6P8A8
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESmmIEk2c0
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo2DtzgfKx
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgW4mK5v9T
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ255jo4nLSG
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vvxkrePIY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4e2q2xLgS
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8B78xsQvk
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGa0xocxMY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVc8f17mKW
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyirZzDpwY
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmRqEpRSXT
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeZxkr3tGb
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqKtFf4nuH
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡler1StmTDl
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqVxev9mPr
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"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjCSYbr8jl
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"Of course. What is it?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNnN5w0WSw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGLbbllvBx
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIUcSOJZDz
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFGjmI0ALP
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJWir32DWH
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn30uJApy7u
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSR87YNO2M
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0JQqGgt0A
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ983j8R2JrB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG8Xhj40Px
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04GpO5eihZ
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQA7NZoYWY
We all looked at her.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzy5O4XNFc
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wQM2dattG
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"Kenny."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IFoJ8SOLI
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzE2neYdPj
"Yes?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmd8bk3viT
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEK9N9Plme
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6llrCRn63B
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTrB1Kml6f
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oUvT7F9DX
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd635TtNjCb
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"Okay. Kenny?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN2gsNOKs1
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlWGhBekTx
"Yes?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfaRd6aYcE
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uBDw0cAfB
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6OVYSUTuL
"Huh?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2DNRndvyj
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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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQVRNipxZa
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre6s3LFhxC
"Why do you want to go?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9g9LqPSod
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD0rvtjRkg
"I... think I need to."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FqJ9ebufn
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAqWnjGYTJ
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXj3PBXdng
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBFh3wgbXb
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFzomeH2Nh
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDlwa58xmE
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1AjUHtt1w
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOCo72NPGw
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfdt0Z3FUn
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.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDsmMZzITO
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My heart sank.152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qUpilkIRi
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgSWvzTpuG
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
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