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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRL4xdqt9n
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIC8iuHQGX
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5sldIBQ97
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyCxZDK9IP
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2qWqixWOZ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ql3vpYUlp
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzBCxxbdE6
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyPoBsdqfl
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ll3pLlrv7
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGPDP333th
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptXWDbGRco
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSDLuZLHOf
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk8T2Vzuit
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD39bFtQRT9
"...Sure."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGp7a9ELpV
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenVDSn9TeV
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?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiXVCUIqmf
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVREL2TBl7
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhSGuRz2g4
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf1LHTVx9W
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulAMHGg2OS
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAZef9HUNU
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGUqQsx01f
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgK2iWIyfL
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8FUZd8XXT
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvVXdIKa5Y
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaywGPYS7P
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj28Artv3x
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh4eYP8EEJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmLXZEqK9W
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg5JVRklrA
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9e9qgMrr5
"Wait, what!?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY1IW5jJil
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivoJb5mad7
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ6eEI1f5U
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sXqh9DGsf
"Why not me?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmyURekyxS
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHwvVii0AR
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFy11TlvcR
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bl2J8I0Tl
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48QlZ7pvTd
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl6JVpvLkE
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQRaL6yO5U
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdlFdG6vlu
No, you didn't.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLRzCffYwV
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nv8DOo4Fk
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1l3XPp26W
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMnP3cUmfg
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjmp6yTujH
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLsgsSmXw8
"Huh?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4XjycOq1w
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGxuZZSFFX
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErX8pMCNnd
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvUmtIjDLz
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQehcPLkxc
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZWvM8PqWO
"Mhm!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUprl90DiK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPumgQZBUJ
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaovDrOXjN
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRE5a1dCRf
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRfoELy9oz
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGJNjiUNqw
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflzfLVI9pY
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Qgb16YoE
"...Fine."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ek341s5pa
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx56LxQ1IZ0
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoySgaOiy5A
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhkJye4rKa
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHMyJHBwTM
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhTXIrnQ9x
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoApo19Qec
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGEWQA44s0
"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!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYwWXXs9Sy
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7KphFREE0
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RklfNgUQo
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YBPSQgjAV
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXnaUK9m2l
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7UkMKihIP
"Is there... something you need?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4dxkgTeGD
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMD5L1NvuV
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37JNCxTSgD
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HYv0kEpiU
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMcDIjQCGP
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k8DW8WMP1
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCZ4VxIs0I
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNYJ6hNDcX
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTe9OuC5IL
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMW42GiEqJ
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj2oahsyvU
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDshZS0GSQ
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdM0VqIWkg
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeSSxWjlvp
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47A46MolOo
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Ia6UeqQe
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQWbN28OSE
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfDSK2JMWT
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdItE4Ee2NG
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38YPPvV2dy
She giggled a little. Creepy.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHlkAFKkw4
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOpoQgMF24
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kqZjLiWqF
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ48PqnrZoU
"..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZC4VrHsqL
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnOsWbVHOq
What?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimpa1G6VjN
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl2O3RqkNu
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwdwyDdZik
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ohwLtObIV
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9mhH5qBD0
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5GYI8xIzJ
"O-Oh..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMiXmjcT4q
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlGuOLD9l7
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmXb2fJJta
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4aYrdWsgF
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pRrGsWnt1
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfucwNN0cH
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfEJJLJJZt
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2FOIvsewL
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1k23CdJII
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1eafiQthA
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOnx9TpmDx
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1ulcLZ1Vg
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezEgVoGdJa
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRnJgDjfHF
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdiWzW3zKt
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4UWib6TWz
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTFOarEpVg
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda6gFHvKaY
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmcZi7Tndz
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqKOHTWcje
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1VunppGfZ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMlQVweTJ2
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39SBLZe2Rj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRESkxylv6x
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9vvbKTLNO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgN6XWKhDw
Front-page news!?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0urVatZonO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRMdlcmowk
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr30xLXbzTn
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3xAmAocM8
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXSK8sPEem
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVvmPGZvN7
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNwiZ6iIJ4
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfznNwbche
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxc0zRyE7Z
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ZB0KtVtK
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCbk1x46le
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcjaJZSGXn
"No, I don't."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR26ilhjsM
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA31bKUi08e
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGihascAuu8
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKVU052zs7
"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!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aG35gnJZb
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZu8unIiin
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGoiiW474L
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJnbfOuzGw
"Thank you."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpjuogVYZi
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodILb3OeIc
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLM42Wf5MD
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvDkTH64WD
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEm1hoWRfi
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4CQri312F
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7LNF2NuRj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUQWBc5jOF
"Oh."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrshYvhXFU4
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRclk9GvTUM
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW50OUeSdhj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGRWscw1Qn
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw37cJGDOwK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd3MjxVKgI
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0lfQgiECJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY9IoprXS9
Her face froze. I sighed.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzanvuOT38t
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnquQDgbKH
"I-I'll do it in the morning."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTif7xRqjdm
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hi3AWIXLL
"Good luck."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Wr0ZXgbx
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRkUo5BqEg
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzGfMpTrXd
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA9B4L6q49
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i0BOOGNR1
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Yn496VWu
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZtU4ydzBX
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT43Cc8Zri1
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdglDacdYE
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oweblr9kY
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJclR5tcyJU
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLqch3ZALD
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl28jcSd0dF
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeh66tyvsn
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eD1lHwrQF
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHw3jJYIS9
"Going to what?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAl1W2rbbO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCik2yQUGZa
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFLL7Eu6YB
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAdOANrinG
"Huh? Wash myself?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQNNUOCGVv
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9gSfFCFhy
"Yes. Like we did."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIFWewCEh2
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mF5apFisn
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKtbFSHPJ6
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjnkb5kQGq
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QDmThCYGj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBjMmHZwBA
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11yf0Ghgtk
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3QN4H2bU2
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aH0dojJVn
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pjn4SViqp
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x8YbcHW30
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb52RWj7YtJ
"Buffalo Village."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE5mRsF1MD
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQglFz3vNe
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfHbQPRXjK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr7zWh68XN
"Really? I didn't know that."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZLPE7IzhT
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVKW21nWdG
Kim looked like she was smiling.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTeGjKbls6
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuTebA49Ug
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tERuaMHe7
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPIENzwoYQ
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1J5X6qWWL
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDySegiHsY
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV3bNaYrBO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GE1bAoSIj
"Fine, fine."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9umNbcft5p
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTiBi6KtFe
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8qQYoPYHF
"..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeYQt0zdIf
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHNuaC0ML5
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DTdcQ36Tc
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd6Bv7c1Ul
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnacx7Yumj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFAlYYGJkN
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTPBsrny3C
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQPgkV3FRu
–
–
–
"...Mmm."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUVVR4gsXy
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaudQSPJFz
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8sW6o0AAf
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB2Hd0u2VX
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSwu41tgRP
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xs7nPdrxH
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTNxdqSyRq
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4WxZvUxxb
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78eF9ZIGWx
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUZiImgKaA
"Wow, you're hard at work."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZTZoYtwvN
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZUaHvlnak
"Ah!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOemu8teHJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08N32y7u0v
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Ukq6paOv
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVct7VZnokm
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScm87xyDxI
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL74eaEx9Nv
"I don't think so... what time is it?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ9TBOSvqz
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm3bwrfP6y
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBtQ5ayOpe
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNmICkmQlu
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19kcrKAMmz
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxw2NNwIX6
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVpIshDkOC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfVJHi9fQg
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOMVHxk5Ul
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6ki52SN6d
I did regret sitting beside her, though.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnONSi5FBJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbYpzD6HNI
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzHsWpoIDC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSdnmrExta
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHZ0dptGhC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkIjKgj5y2
Flinty looked at me with excitement.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxHHa2ArSj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD4EoRjo6r
"A goal?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6GiO7GjVG
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ZwdJoU4P
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Ueid5Efm
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGj6Id6sBH
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqC3Yqc0HM
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcMH6Nhx8D
"Okay, I'll do my best!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbnEHKm8Vj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCiccwKUD0
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulSfeFrTZT
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EffIIUjGz
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObLoCtlieq
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TeyuhETjt
"Good morning, Linda!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFsaQYYjNk
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MfKl8kn7k
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ShCO3azLv
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yrBDjM3mt
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFe2HHu6Q9
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfVaED8OiH
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qTvQLN8A
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMC2MfnEKg
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmI2ARolgW
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe5P8GZwel
Friday? Today is Friday?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzQUQqDuHK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JQDzydrFv
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YLkT0oKCS
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7hNUP10hv
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkUp6Zg9Ke
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJvVxYpDbj
She looked at me curiously before answering.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUvtuchMH4
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWvwKukQgs
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd37hmahIqH
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP2GtuUfXf
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuAJWhVjKL
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhCE4Bko0U
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDVeuvMnoe
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV4HjrHjKu
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnVVBe7XLd
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmkSghPGW4
"To whom? Those at your home village?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFPuJ0XoTR
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuVupRWoVw
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD1bsoIuWb
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECezqLrPO6
She lightly smiled.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1cdMma8rV
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgWOlXvcE0
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM06WdZ4HF
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhgwVm0wC8
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj1r46uipH
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKSkuuOhvg
She shook her head from side to side.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRli1l3CX3U
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSXk7OLC0n
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYCEFB7Vlh
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHp5aqZpRt
"So you decided on living here?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUrYm8VNWR
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q0gD6Dhad
She nodded.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMuBBD6EMr
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0eUTov86Y
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFCNFg1yrh
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMArOmeHjUW
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD7vXNRgfC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5n0oY845q
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcLeV21ocO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6LJo32XCU
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8srBxeX05w
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre8vtx6yvA
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyYNxwKlCS
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAuc9zlLbS
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ul9g7paNE
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhrzr4dEj2
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd4jVjtz7c
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyamZygeKEG
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTLv9dlTK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEbb6Qzqlr
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ0AYDVWcV
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDj8Jk1nkV
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOcOkH4D2y
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYPk83ZZb8
"Hey, Victoria?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHmVB7o49S
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSr5dfXQHJ
"Yes?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEShsSSB2A
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwqkSW5grZ
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprdO8axesJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YkOOa6Kt7
"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!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5CKYjGbHi
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSStSZ63XFs
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe3Ig0CS2L
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbjnQ6rZI6
"Kim, are you good?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsMDXQvmEB
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wBt1ZRjiG
Kim just finished packing her bag.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJza0H5kBDi
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAXdAvlrSx
"Yes. Let's get going."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQEnq7y0G8
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c3bWp1b61
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7mbsg8NRh
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA3aMkaLXi
–
–
–
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72nDXwlHaI
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVWe7puBXi
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroyoxysW6y
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcr73ppjzg
...She did do that, right?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG490C0PZ9M
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgwaYRw2f9
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUMjaTTD4L
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8ATbzHkAS
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbt3Ne6RBI
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydpVN81cFy
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASLpGNPpCZ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf62ryHGu6
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO4xXnNySV
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ316URVFOAd
"Hmm?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus3I0wnNxu
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr3t8yUw36
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT7bEmlrOI
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtc4369xhh
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjcwXEzDRU
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeOU98nPLi
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs8spkfOqv
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpQGHY7nb7
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZI1MaYwbU
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YMkbJWWOs
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRzMesF3tK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahigo7jbM2
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq5hY3R9RL
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWCCbeWUiM
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7F66RNzsI
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjlA0rRSR7
"R-Right."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxyxbWsJvH
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnopPxSozT0
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ9YGAtpsg
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8DskBviq9
"Any objections?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnTHpHcpJe
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpwn2pClmS
None of us voiced any.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuICuBcxbXH
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ39JwXKgU
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzTbWOmCUW
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHj77UQmY3
"Of course."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a92hd7J8p
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQRbDwXXKG
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oIUHTY84y
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGRpRCT0Io
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jBg5HsKd0
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoSoFdp7hD
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRWioA8GJ9
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Mn87YPcW
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JunJYwNDk
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGyPFPRXJ2
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FckAH0HPc
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstyhGLkRLZ
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TD7jUR33k
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8gacZaUrN
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpZ8ZMyG0C
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZB5dstXOf
"Hold on, stop here."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33DN2Lzx4j
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdOzQPhnp8
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEHgpUCOzz
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKomawgUYrx
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sqeGyLyF1
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygyaHgOY2y
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzIL0nappA
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T24g82mEB
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqWX5SUAc2
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLUmDGA913
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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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIVTZxNQq1
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlbBimLsUc
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURXkoRmxPG
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCa9HfbxJG
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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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8hP86ONKW
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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?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAqFeU9MaH
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAqm7g6UmI
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGa3o7jl3K
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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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuIlAFG8NI
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyVZHZq8ku
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrSqxbC3GD
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk9gGSW0LS
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiRUhly8Aa
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIIeyanMIW
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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?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6pVXPovk5
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"Heh, well..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYtimAo2ly
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa63Yk7dSD
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"What's the hold-up?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneXTvpJZDs
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eak4Xauji
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILn4RANWrr
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvSOMn8pV6
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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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbbJMLT6xU
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIUPul8KQ8
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"So, what about you?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSD8Z1gUOn
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisGVx7TDJp
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmIWddhfdg
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVZLdTW0H9
"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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfwk59oUFd
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4It0HqeVIh
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTxsNgPAQK
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"I can see now why– oop."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8POVj7Hgt
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6iwa2eDGC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7JENrn5MY
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrWlYkrjZs
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All of a sudden, a voice.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz2fyuKuSh
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"Something... I feel like something was here."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFYPGNgwtd
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ee1hWEK2J
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwzHw2dgko
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoymsO2Y7cJ
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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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuiShypJJd
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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."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgQsP5G1XM
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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.
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