I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHsyPYUMuO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG6lNcMwJX
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rc67KrAW2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3VPtluOoW
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJtT6D9gGh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKCXCTLQPH
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzfxms3WBG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDctCClY6mU
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5dpsDwaa5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RdmG2Ryx1
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf8mSdGZxS
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"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwyNKAXt8A
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSjy4c0PYP
"...Sure."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl9o4Gu0CS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H1CjUXRbD
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDsC8iJwXk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodLGX0IOej
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DBkYn26Uc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC72k3CBLgP
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhqQRjFQYB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wTh3FC0Tb
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEUtnxLyYZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwci7G3CF8
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFWEWoftut
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDaRHDkjQJ
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbv7dyg4ca
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTSG0F6Nyg
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIEALUCKh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydkivNEWQZ
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsrM1eGwSt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lETy9cngf
"Wait, what!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHacQTUuVu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJNxZQuo2b
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwWi6PIqtB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQu89uP052
"Why not me?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjIGSrRbTp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6YNyd3mJN
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHadDm9FpW2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kc9YFjeI2
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzhBJAB4kB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSElDkMbdZ
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQZKTAmGYK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDKl37ibeT
No, you didn't.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczVG8AZM2P
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"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqUaI6hdMW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJYZzGzTpw
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQuvkykyWR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyVByyCUD4
"Huh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUhXfMvaiF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFXTr3zEzc
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvIBlg2jbs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAgsY0h9aU
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rSm8xKIlr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot14KAHZAS
"Mhm!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeCoxn908j
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUKBVhF866
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZTKW80cdA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehllWNGzT
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob0TLhUGwx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD4qCWoIzl
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0olt7a9lX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXXnm2jQmh
"...Fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwnlfVNUB7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KddzcgkMK
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPxb3phTm5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4YM66Ezuf
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsMgj0xknr
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvTw30nvIf
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTyZ3fTmc8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOXNBzof05
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkelR8A2qb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s5a5Y4rVz
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoOn9mtlmo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI69al05Ej
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsZJBLRqIh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl3fhKJkcg
"Is there... something you need?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpJUfkeOQA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoCE8tvTgK
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgNlgmNqkX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGefb7gdJG7
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF25kc6p30
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VWX4RPpRr
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyULYkP3dEX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5RlMyyuER
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv8Ts4Nt8F
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRPIYLSkHf
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpP6Bgmt5z
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4IEn2vk0T
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2VUUQvwkE
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She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z64p3cNxX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5mXsID7RJ
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64UVzGRm0a
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIKTh2Mxca
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg0vxM8xNZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqQNoHbNjd
She giggled a little. Creepy.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9wSXoDNeH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPbdUmv1kL
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBKY3Q2a7I
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdkIIiPhIJ
"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTjSLSLEnP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmesPS1UKMM
What?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWEX189B5x
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKlIlSSRj1
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam5yzl90JP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKzTN1OSeJ
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8ejEDQBKM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jxCLuyQkc
"O-Oh..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFX6i8Sfbw
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She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoimcOxXnp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yxclh9Ssp
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX4WKBH6UT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns5xbSbSIx
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksq4AmawoG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXsdDsRPsz
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB3w0woyoG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphB6lZF7bm
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1pf3H4DXm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGEpe1VQSj
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGBw8Fx8xf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGgC0YbU99
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaX0G2ghc8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdGhjmJsGC
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5Jou7cCzV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrZqNWjrgB
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRooXo90Wt8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CSQdJ8KkZ
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QvehcNEBC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM19QXE8gqJ
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKVziK3XrP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8gce0u34z
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki8fGFY1AL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtZo9LzpWC
Front-page news!?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nJH7XwzhN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHf7aJtjtI
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHRAisUEP3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw99XyyZTk9
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W85sCUKei
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTL43bIUia
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e7cXVmya4
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"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf734BiT4ec
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbqyjyrW3H
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHCt8vgGC0
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"No, I don't."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdWeFw5Qza
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She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpMT466trk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK5X8NhyTf
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImkHsHFVRC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR5D0DtUMf
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVnzgDYsKh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewt2KaCRSI
"Thank you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNudF0zSHP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4pPtqYi9B
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3WNuhBYG1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThCEpa6zqg
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLjRWhc5Sz
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"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWAccVMYMW
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"Oh."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYaKDMIVBl
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If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTSInk1p4m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZeLgFxkHp
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nNxKM1CHw
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"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhBOb5gROR
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Her face froze. I sighed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wiiZYERoD
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"I-I'll do it in the morning."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zhFpkuGkm
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"Good luck."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTmue4O3nh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIVPM8MvF9
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQRl3DK1qv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgrekMd1VI
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwaIEWrzDo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrBIBpWSIz
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFSaC1TsCZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78zxAJBoas
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO0pgDlI9e
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFeto55Yfq
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr2Cvw3Bsh
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"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TA9jcuY03
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Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhosK5LsXv
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"Going to what?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyQYceeXl1
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"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJpoHNycly
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhDJgq9xYd
"Huh? Wash myself?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ86rkSUwY8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2eTVelSOM
"Yes. Like we did."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HdbkGuvr6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT6tvUWhhU
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLjToP1pwc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK88z3Z7UJi
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGqeVgkh4z
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzkggjkxZS
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBfJtkqioK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqDRwB0vXr
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbb3G5z0ff
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIXbCwUi8y
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhx84ubPfD
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"Buffalo Village."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1rjnUftus
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"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKczQbhavS
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"Really? I didn't know that."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9m8TAUD4u
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Kim looked like she was smiling.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSKbpSRd5T
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"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvoYTVQCEf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7WoR62hVd
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8wrHWSO5P
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXBNtWHdQ2
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DxqbczeSo
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbzjsyUbg6
"Fine, fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwgMuIgHuQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZTEzbvRQj
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS83cf4kqQ
"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKVn5JbjoA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAicV2Vuh8R
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTKQQLm9Nh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXRziaCsYn
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKneo4G84f
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDM7ryIwB7
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YPxSZ7dgq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LNcoNuQCu
–
–
–
"...Mmm."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIeWnZoMvd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1KjFf1t62
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda9gWAmsRt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYk29dYJu5
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYtPGfHCsf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCoVX7hFK9
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflVLVQONn0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozFWo2q3yw
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QiLabHjRm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2zc8i3Ep8
"Wow, you're hard at work."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBne0g4s25
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTsm4qqX3X
"Ah!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TclpNTcN6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNldRn1pr2R
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKnbo9ezyz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtz2osmMgU
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgEenyW2Q0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCuoRZef4Y
"I don't think so... what time is it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWcb5DE0SZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPuHGyCbme
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mGizmw89Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFiyr6c1mJ
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK9cbBVK6o
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTIeP0P5yp
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GwohWmu0C
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm9AjXbR9z
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUurUf0ndI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk2gZ86Jkb
I did regret sitting beside her, though.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjAgNH9xxb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNZ5Sqwumw
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ8grVX3yV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQUaJgC4DP
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLnP9fNfAy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T4AUriQkW
Flinty looked at me with excitement.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIU7xBeSvq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOHtLu3TNR
"A goal?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM5ozvfd67
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXshbdxK4QX
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbEQ7t5iIj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGhQoxVkP7
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxEzEKV8z2
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj51qJ380N
"Okay, I'll do my best!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL47yWX5Pn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvuLW0cPS1
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSggD4AB77
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EvqE3IcuS
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP0PUELz78
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkklaACF7HJ
"Good morning, Linda!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAjoycMl08
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnBdj6GVob
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy3xybNjos
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS0Tum7Ud0
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OgxjQjCW1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmqhDQKvaU
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVITpBtVAV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ns1No23Dt
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsWIVrBU9t
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5F3XDdul9
Friday? Today is Friday?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrstlgJI2KN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL5iONFIfP
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoAUPhc0MV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GjW5Whmu3
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ7xJOcany
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3m0fgO81Z
She looked at me curiously before answering.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImYSbAgVAH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHe7m650ZD
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1VqCkkiUy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh7am3gKn0
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6u65znszc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiTaUhSPxo
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5E4vQVsZI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlNJto5e3l
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oPe5apoJI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DXoocyPhg
"To whom? Those at your home village?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRGIkuYr0U
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jzXjpOhUB
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcCHTwVDH9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriLMAXC8LO
She lightly smiled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx3Qje8AcI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgTYcABw4j
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BMWBapDpk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHXTNEGDXx
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF7rpFhK9K
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL8xP7FdHZ
She shook her head from side to side.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtrX1Enpli
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRQMiv3zsL
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90yLNth5Qk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbUHTfteaz
"So you decided on living here?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeLS2LgZ7L
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDURsscDcc
She nodded.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYu8Mq8xRL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEjDh4JFEB
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypb3yAwQX6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl91eIBU2Qo
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI1zm5msp4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dsET3JNNt
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQH7xE3SN5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunzVNc93JR
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvWzhQUO0e
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcOrD9sSzQ
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUEEeR0v9b
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvzqnt9KOo
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Un0gQSYST
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGus4K6MQA
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Pyq29vxDK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwfg5YKxng
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdBQxG4N5j
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEIUP8BTgS
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VU40wHA5X
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXPMr2dDXh
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zzfKB9Yjm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubztM3iNi3
"Hey, Victoria?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrvnjhFsaX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpVbzgiHl3
"Yes?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn2ssydphj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9noBzvtSnJ
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7frSzeA08
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpJKj5a5yx
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y1dawlJBi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1K35Df7ft
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNtVuaN0da
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡignrSHcC2c
"Kim, are you good?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJcBSWgXoN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFWzjJHPlQ
Kim just finished packing her bag.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGA3Pt4lTE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws2ZTxBPxu
"Yes. Let's get going."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLSDB8jjJ8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOFCCL4BQg
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jFQp6swL9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWr293uHD5
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVurJXk4PB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxVwpk12Ej
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrlRFgLctd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7CaYROz33
...She did do that, right?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc39Qkz1VZ0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9JbyxtYl6
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSUV8voVRL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdSVnXykWD
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO3T73PBun
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryIs13Udsc
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3E2Yl2OXC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXX53JyV27
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKcUsPKMdC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ4fCkaajR
"Hmm?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxOvNmtQhU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2tLipQ7yP
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxJhjLorFA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B3gIt4fkS
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOl9XauFyL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ11sKCGab
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpRQsdP7bj
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH6ugMi9F2
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j0dcFWVR4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47IKmpGs8I
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5XH9sNgzs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGwiuBAeo5
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGFcCQCDYA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVgX6hHgnH
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTAJgp8VpC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91aPVxmbBj
"R-Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHTFbD8pyN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1wYfUcwSi
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJep6DCsko
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuqZUiyKjE
"Any objections?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QfvJu9Cj6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJdoyU0Q1g
None of us voiced any.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCu5kxxuFe
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82i6WNb2Fo
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMufM9UdsQ3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0UdzgPvKr
"Of course."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx4NLMMzMI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5xZEeBCDu
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
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–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAAq26b8JZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBJfAk4PCR
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFODVdk1zi5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnPS2YpXus
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1iTBKLQtw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROhuLLb9eG
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWwCjVLdhL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3aLcCuQ7R
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1pLEFUugJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqCk19WX2R
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFHSs0p3KF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWj9fOxdpP
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHP98ZOKPS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv2mPfHXnA
"Hold on, stop here."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ImxPuKgei
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYVHoMDV8E
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRS2AWTC5K
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtRS8xQHit
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6ewMqePm
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooxnHXkTmP
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I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIHfmPSc7E
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo5kaIGHIU
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyzFY5xkF3
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqlsjfvFJK
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbOor5c36V
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So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh3ZJQ3iK4
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdnWfBpTjO
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8835eXN7O
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Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrObC6pNEU
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe7Gay8Jlv
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbBD1ttfLk
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB59iB6Feb
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIL8yhY34
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She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O61EPyecO
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCKvcvioKT
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"Heh, well..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq3kH35ktw
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspDUlI9rWb
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"What's the hold-up?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi6EBHnymJ
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBkxFA9avV
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJP0FTfZ5E
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomLDaPZLpo
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My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2CpGgzKmr
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"So, what about you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlV4agXoUk
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6osoBty3bE
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOrOKYh8h9
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DvBxfsUo7
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxrKdfbnaT
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTAvPBDJdI
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"I can see now why– oop."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltaFAwDFOk
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxqO2ypdh4
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IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hyZumNgBo
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All of a sudden, a voice.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIChydCQ9a
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"Something... I feel like something was here."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5czXeZVjk
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It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbI3paAQDI
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyalYneSbWR
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOz2zmomHb5
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEA8WQnDYb
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog62DBgzXk
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
ns216.73.217.1da2
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