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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9OWILEEZE
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDuHrhXY0x
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWLyt12Yyx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi6XXx6uEQ
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nlwydKSSu
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrEjqQQGQt
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07qEP9Sbw7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXCeCZNtlV
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDLO2c9Wzi
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZMOkBwYoi
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQRhF27DA0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvYzypTZIK
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRkLLXaPe
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQPDmfXSke
"...Sure."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG6cZBcl3f
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgskvWgbdh
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?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p3P6z3sI6
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VytGgOS7V
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuswiy4QdS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KGYiM0q48
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TG9ZB7l1F
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnSfYhksC1
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qNVmjlo2S
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHtsS28DJr
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSxgSeaZrv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgC2FDcJMO
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ3MGuHAwV
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nl4hOAW4j
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjMBz3AJ2o
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh3z9IzbKl
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKJ9Ht7GGy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItfZ2YbvQP
"Wait, what!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TXJwmBHlD
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4MOQaYcD4
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs8L9HjkXO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC0Zsmu1LO
"Why not me?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0JiPqzg56
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDVhRxDr7A
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWq7wq2PlW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLROrpC93k
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVi0DUrEBS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa70ww1bcoI
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmv1Sy9NMs
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2xfyomcr2
No, you didn't.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAt1Opl9yU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cEznwIAYT
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP5yPa9Vr4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LvDXerLzc
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCn3IDqMXG
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DG9xZmXUO
"Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1IC2NmyFS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOzPSna6yC
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzTC40flm7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55dXakHjIh
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO60PgAz3F
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoTB5fIgTP
"Mhm!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRY5ppBH2L
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHAHIRvMuf
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2uXbQAHYX
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZh8fwSRq7
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjpZ8EUIMn
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW3l9FbSk2
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJOWLmtMSM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlLBnkWuNg
"...Fine."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwULqnqoYus
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUF5IwdPaZ
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dcxCIib74
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURvybjY1ii
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nUb5jCh5i
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpZdDKZ6KK
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPrFoVwxCC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeT6DYlubQ
"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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN8GP0cUDR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci8w7UBBTx
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjjRNYIuR3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQiovqdEhJ
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoZztmLqV4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxQF90mHHF
"Is there... something you need?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO5HmebAWK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQK5jpXmaN
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN9cYCFZKb
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOIJzF5uL8
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANYIq5j4Kx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro2f2yg0PT
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm0jRjjpE7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcAloNg7R6
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRJ8DbpNDR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g6gcLYSOP
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XFh7uG05l
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyVakO5fKj
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz9AInW1G0
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She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwZrB8dyFM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr0NbobdXb
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJCm12WSoC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc3qyNDzYS
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMOn8ajdj6
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKRs68y5Ml
She giggled a little. Creepy.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SfrTGxSvt
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHf8j5qzfE
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOKGfQ3qHF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ALYf2szRC
"..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwa8LDfDJX
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ieCP7fZFU
What?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22zfqCwEGk
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VBwxZGPfY
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD4eZPVfXf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x9E9X1eXV
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddCp0Q2Wdl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyE5pVcY3C
"O-Oh..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9PmrtToPX
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She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5kXjMR2n3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkYfl5bVqM
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Bo0SAfXo
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiORZPxi7h
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPggS5zuNZ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrFuFPLK63
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl0d01ookF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUIrSD7oLs
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gbb5wtsNh
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWxw7ytgiR
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hoagp1glR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEkYHDM3y5
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjxmxxvtaA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWHSlqJywb
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr5fp2k1H2
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetsaVJortI
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM2Uv2V7KT
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKKYFtMj8H
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALCQEYlH3O
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpenhCaTBT
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyni2CDtArY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PXSts2OsD
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Q4ISgQxn
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbItTcPf5A
Front-page news!?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TBt6ihnqP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLYT89ePDn
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4qsr2um8A
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yzGjw9Y8S
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ntBAPDN7
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She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRme6Y2vUt5
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLoUSEuFvi
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSOfJC6sdf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLv6RAkFEM
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqEZXIONTh
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"No, I don't."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtqugUdEIA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHpCWpxDsk
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6RdviPLRc
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vqhyfn4g6
"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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudg2kBg8uP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8trlSBNfnY
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvn2kXUz9J
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9TU6WYkKD
"Thank you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLhkNI00H0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGQNiQ6fr
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7PMshEc9y
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02jJbEzzEl
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOdGIJslil
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"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4FSRkrPNU
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"Oh."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1jgk80cOu
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If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtaMQrBlW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqgVqLNMeR
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdwKoktfQy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb57FgxYrEf
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qCqR5KE8n
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3pSqSmb7c
Her face froze. I sighed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXncJG7nW94
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiorIdv6R8
"I-I'll do it in the morning."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gWCtVOB3l
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwYXPNodsE
"Good luck."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8avMtUtG3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPkD2Y2FuW
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg6MuyzRuL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgelU6h9HV1
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjZQ5tKOKf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLwEWGy4NV
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1Z4JEIzdu
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs3bqVzNrD
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8inupd96n
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEVaF4Bg7
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPBCgjBmGY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG6dzk3oBz
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtBB2r3QL7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWtYVQ3ocv
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg3ZAMCiy0
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"Going to what?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzklG8rDdP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2vLLp2xoM
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTj9AXQL1L
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBms4itx5PB
"Huh? Wash myself?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHQAJzPWxj
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrOp6u5M7C
"Yes. Like we did."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTutzS7Bp9
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"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr2ljX9ro3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5sf4ovBpg
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjBzVIBpXH
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ2gJR2M66
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx0L4qgafF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFRzd9VUkx
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBRgTWd9Ah
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn77M4Mif6
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnQbQWutHI
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjioK4PFZt
"Buffalo Village."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgRpLUr8en
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlvnl3yyli
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfIuxZSdeX
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"Really? I didn't know that."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnG7v7OOvC
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Kim looked like she was smiling.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvwzAu4XAW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWTKK50ohA
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnX2y5liax
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FK2jwYHox
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy9YLFgyAs
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvKMRf7BRr
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RIMzTn85k
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdU1J0Oqoo
"Fine, fine."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgCjrUgTVZ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLNdQXB9Dv
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRBoQtBla0
"..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq17LtHkoZd
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlktvhuM9K0
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD3dwDblWU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC2jtMl451
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4so8FugzK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2zembdaxl
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OXV6tHPPH
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx8f3lyUev
–
–
–
"...Mmm."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlA2U14xzJ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbmU1BvMKB
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JrlMM0Dbx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9TJUpgUmk
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleO1eSKjBF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYtFCs80oo
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXnehaNZcK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8u8t17CEf
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyXco9XM5f
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D7Yj7XEtV
"Wow, you're hard at work."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmXKez89fC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaDkuNuC60
"Ah!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgqGtmeYFn
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vkLCBGCbS
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wxAGwfSqC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyCYR2HJBK
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqB0iys4hX
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVB6M9DSNN
"I don't think so... what time is it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSs3BsFvdF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmLnbahuQM
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxnSmfE8DU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHeAUM4AXU
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ67dQlxnP5
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa27R0tbolT
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNTZGIttog
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKtidZxz9w
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sq12K6Tr0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E6b6OwpiO
I did regret sitting beside her, though.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbSiVRwe42
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGeSHzuUPB
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPV9yCEucp
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DGOdlDYeQ
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uwl2FuzOY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpoGLwPe1q
Flinty looked at me with excitement.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAr62HRqgO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQs7GvopEb
"A goal?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoiEyQ48kG
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgYfbGXwTo
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogmNv5imOQ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPS5fXqQUK
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KxUq5JKVx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppCoBegYBC
"Okay, I'll do my best!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevzrTi0MCb
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOls0lBcaEe
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox6OOIWxSP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1cQT2vOBC
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV064yNUKO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RVJW9moNU
"Good morning, Linda!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50c1kpQEG8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyC4Yf0qh1
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvPgGqlfZb
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgRt5sLLbl
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH18awJp8b7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75S6AUli2A
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIwPZ1xFq0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5rAAhuq5y
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1nbCSCN3r
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiPyfqO8Gs
Friday? Today is Friday?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsyTnO656o
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCa43a7k9D
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVG8EzRTwr
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pbQ16ENzP
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIP1ND9Z7M
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07dq1F21wX
She looked at me curiously before answering.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDoA9G6Vh8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQjvTJpyFg
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdQkuW2Awv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdlrvhv76u
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCawxZApjMR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdlzRAghhA
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy6SPixz3B
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXllr6UXf7c
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSu4iCLkMb
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyZ2PYF1Jm
"To whom? Those at your home village?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0oatWRjaO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXzTFrjWzH
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDczQE543Vm
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXML4jOBbMs
She lightly smiled.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfkCD4HwoP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioKto4cn8T
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vDm6ptmYA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpwzDcYU2a
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0KYKWl6hO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkVQuEUfty
She shook her head from side to side.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ihDefOmZg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTTlBztSb6
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5kEV7Crya
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNkNkbLVOB
"So you decided on living here?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXm9s5UHCx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1O7MmScwP
She nodded.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpohgm4gWT9
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOPFLu8LDC
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsYYVQHrE9
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcC6f1rzPn
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9W9zkgpiq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7md2oj2DJ
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdjZSBUfFl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJKgdDYlp0
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hNAvYnSln
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIC8vyiUbw
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpOicgEXHI
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDUkB5efCn
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLhcJds4x0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfPW1Df3uC
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMez1obMNV
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp6VCfpDqX
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsG4L6XwbB
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvzAJsasWy
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZceGjZWApf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSxxORzibm
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUhtR2wvA0
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK4sP9n3Ev
"Hey, Victoria?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡregcLgICUS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhnVXrrnxR
"Yes?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zC6BRpFLy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSnUEdGbuv
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWL7y3Kpuv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXA1fh66Ws
"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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ZWw91qXg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhm6nHlwnf
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENQMQBqMlZ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaXwAa3BQa
"Kim, are you good?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZE1hC1MRg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4kBlnAW9b
Kim just finished packing her bag.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmQ5jCfRss
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxkjKsUmIV
"Yes. Let's get going."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxu5Tyf8ct
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOXPtua5SY
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmirae12Di7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju3bM5zbCL
–
–
–
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxtuc47KN1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoSbE77HH0
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ANRXwTIv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqPsSExShg
...She did do that, right?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95dLgxsevS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyjlU8cksQ
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw42hkuNg8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy0snIcC2b
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFfuR5FQ26
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcrTZZSq2s
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fxXCQjoU3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AyDPj5d7B
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr8hIW2p5r
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3qtyGmYbp
"Hmm?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRek7ZJcV4x
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzSPvyZWo6
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHNnxEXQUv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPILjsFRyU
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU8s9eXktu
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jnUSdSowa
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbnGxsKTie
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv15k4fesQe
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lja2bG6l3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z5lCrErEa
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxybzT1EJL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFilEJoHuy
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6PWtT90ie
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNXDYu96vw
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xo4dLpsl7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GO84P3iPs
"R-Right."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BQc0ttgYe
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sCyoCfnqY
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZI0HaRYCX
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdmPeWNz3R
"Any objections?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIOwe6FB9I
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjj99MMnda
None of us voiced any.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ7YvkbkJJ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOP9IReN4H
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllTflzVJE2
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwIz755XMs
"Of course."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TZsY8LH5M
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzr4W4I81w
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzq4TVog94
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoZl55BQOb
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7mPfSJQIC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwXuC0J33K
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gIt5YcXJE
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6NfYqwBDL
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhUg2krtiM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMguonP4T4
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6l2VyydGA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQrXQcoan9
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhYCYS1Ljs
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceUkLzhcck
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHwxYMEX6C
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS20ur164a
"Hold on, stop here."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4IZEBmKDY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1EzUcqe4r
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX2HVierZW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFnowk5Wjk
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqSoEWK41y
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELMwe7uLur
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9oDEtq3G5
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNK85Cx4JM
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMNn6VUqZL
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVomhfiz9Oq
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtXm4GiGCo
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDV8HN98NP
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtvlWGeUH0
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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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z8V8slPWO
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiBZ6JPnfA
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZPtUgGpZH
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ11Sjz1Lv
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vtHL7SCU0
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGNF1Fwpvv
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEhUOiBnr0
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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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvPNPaP3nN
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"Heh, well..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJndYIjXrA
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxY0ijR9be
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"What's the hold-up?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQebRv4lPv
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzddBaaRdw
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv2yBX9wtJ
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzH1B5hL4t
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLneXRgdGn
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"So, what about you?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDsuBT4CjU
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBghWnMKMd
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOl5eNh8gx
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo07bDz8vl
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLf1D0pYb3
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEiyIP8A6U
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"I can see now why– oop."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UNBbJLkY9
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwKoYm88hN
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRynD43pkJ8
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All of a sudden, a voice.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcnQFQkGPI
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"Something... I feel like something was here."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYDpAgTSYu
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi5hpmgqYt
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvdAPnhvfe
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rIpq9DsG8
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKscItNC8ak
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXySZrB1axK
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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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