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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmitzl6uny
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7tkb1Eion
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ArVFTlqEd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyCOgeiqHP
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnkIE4T7Ks
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoJ4gNz8zO
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxHPSyYIIH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwvy9R8o2u
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9XgoI4fz0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk24Tn8DoUu
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiw40wXLh3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROQ6I3lCmu
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRwWp9LZSn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ280lDpliC
"...Sure."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIkCP8NK1u
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpHPuy6glq
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?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyk9SH9FFp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmxYXoEpAL
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CtrWNgaiE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JiG776mqX
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYa0fnOp65
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsQvaRO6Ay
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj2Oie0e8c
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YRXIYW9r1
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCECKH1Fyf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UY1GanRaS
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVKqZmyG1b
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzvCh7YAms
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGUOajfLuD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtilamzxyVj
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Eg853RLx6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW14fGqbz9x
"Wait, what!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurxaew6JQs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEKcmWsAs6
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Vqnb61om
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCvDrMGN8r
"Why not me?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAQZOq5ARX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKzkX4Chuo
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPj4GaoTLe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA6wbn7duJ
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB60h3CKKD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD46IWOlfYu
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuCLCbhteh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygkDAj40dH
No, you didn't.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPYtKJg5xK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4OeQllPOA
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l5MgQJqEG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXbw2tUhkQ
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBAPjcYSb9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnzSza8Mcq
"Huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSw7bcKXWP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ349j82Gqbh
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjWGZFWy2Q
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKT11NLfm3
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9cdV0Gita
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPpKUasRZo
"Mhm!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHkzHNJoLa
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQtP1wmq5A
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFbQiUs6Ra
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrzYMCRItk
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEeZkYDGOs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIukaFAhnr
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGkMk5yeEK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZdKNmqR9l
"...Fine."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58PM0B9qJ3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnoiZxZu33
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7QmOcGGOi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHIcwceXiS
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuELs0K9Wwu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5NUGDEcYP
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3691taAZV6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8szNVsmEE
"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!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaIzcrQxvW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqnrUyQEZi
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwvCVkIIyG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cFj6SklwA
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDddULX0Cu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ153l4RBq9R
"Is there... something you need?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiK3zthRX4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciqh1ATPfl
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaRQP6Ywwo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pMd7dF2RH
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSsZALQ2lm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQU0yUik32
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaW5f5g2XN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eviHUhyDT
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOjQ3GrF1y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXznViSciO
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz7ooBQ5BU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg8qtTrMtz
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhoWZwzNEI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvaMoYWvTt
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqdjHo51k5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ7V8EWTH2
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfumouRZ3h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTh7FQwQRs
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn62yp6ALZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHiuS8wOG3
She giggled a little. Creepy.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4uNARO0z4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUf9eLjfWh
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQazDg245iJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbLIsb1cZq
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyh23xZQ3R
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX385OQm1Me
What?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvL05L7II6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYzeCJGimF
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzcJQ2sPhs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDxcWD8NUT
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAGZ2hmUrP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1USj3VXea
"O-Oh..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCj1INRD9L
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJoUCd5g6o
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjnzWdiC6I
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESNVHRuAzH
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AEzjHbxZe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJMYRO6TXK
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50EKT3MZDU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpFkVKumvY
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKzQEBIpEm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj78Lvbzad6
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6F4lOBgBP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYZavPa1Zm
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxCLb3NOhJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGE9sFl9ya
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8nDbuKiny
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJWykEu3KG
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFstlaFNUDk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QZH9JGbD9
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbFKX1sjyi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n0XY8gMld
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD32NozZM4G
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd6Ma8UNob
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD9KSddfkY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSyuLzFWkW
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGCEutZQdR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C8itNtPxM
Front-page news!?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjpZocBF2a
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlVU9EMaZR
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlQpv3PUEK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsrAXr1mQi
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofxsady4nY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYRx2wKoJX
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwWmRn2d4n
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvoLiQJkW3
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhiXQvdwxT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rz8zvqe8z
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXz4icIQnX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw5DVOu5Yj
"No, I don't."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdnMWgXaKe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSwZ07SC7W
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZKyUAjoxd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNZdaxFSsb
"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!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyp3RVPvig
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iS5AWdpLS
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMefhPvYNO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UYnaBW4vh
"Thank you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvaZ5gSCD4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu6qfO44Yi
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdJ1zUwAHi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBXK7Ton8V
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulannSnZu5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFG1QPdt56
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWYQHrFa3R
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1sYTulJVW
"Oh."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqIHLLKdO0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwNOrazFkT
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gQ2B4pIEC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFocUd7r92
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnXTwL5QzM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgeVRh83Ug
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPLHnQYztW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhAz7fjaLF
Her face froze. I sighed.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH6t6g95Nf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQB0Ia6pN2
"I-I'll do it in the morning."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBQ6slFvve
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkNtpOKVjY
"Good luck."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc86aTKwBDn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KPHE6ySEg
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopz1gJI59U
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNPRNiogst
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKeAqfWdPD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPwLuKAwFO
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACs5mybow1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxxPQWrba0
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdsXnWy0D5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXggZfwTEvS
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPvlxBWSyU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT7MId4vfz
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeBlt9coAW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIGXB1qQmQ
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUm0RO8ynj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJT9FVRDWY
"Going to what?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzGTIsZuYx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SF4wA7AOt
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EXAKDhz1q
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGkEBmWsKH
"Huh? Wash myself?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9TbCFcctE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaegT4XoBxg
"Yes. Like we did."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPldxmhFRw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e0DfDFCwi
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rJR1M7XMm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtRuTJQbF2
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5o6gCDOwl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ue6WExe5g
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyI9yQaes6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FN7KIUUSC
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDu4Yn3v5S
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9G343iyb1
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbJrvuHnXV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV66syGsAu
"Buffalo Village."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE9KXQfFre
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf6LTvEuAk
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVCJGhsgzu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqUnkrlkIp
"Really? I didn't know that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGv6qV6c9f
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fu5rmHvRr
Kim looked like she was smiling.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcCBazOkl3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDRFyin6zO
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQAc5CNRuK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqiQWlUWsZ
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bbw29jT1X
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS5uHAsrLV
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsMA18t8EV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL08sSwNyQ
"Fine, fine."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhtiG42syK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJbHtWcJhE
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPNF5giMFi
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ppUVJEwP6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP3CJtu1ud
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKM4KkJ1P5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzMPYR4j9K
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyMTf66lZB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6osTUWApRz
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUvIOb5K3A
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhwXPoLLLC
–
–
–
"...Mmm."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3GkLxHRLW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrWToTuL04
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQmyOsPr3n
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxr5dGk6oS
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov0oNYGntT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS7zQJRGWl
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bqgBuDC3X
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9BksPlV4a
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtcJDkaxGo
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwm9t4DMfw
"Wow, you're hard at work."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnvgjjgsQM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNEeLhZ7Se
"Ah!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapUKH0v89j
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaqOZzUGmL
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj7yrc89hs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjzSPcI5Nv
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaJTSn7m0d
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWQBFVc0zd
"I don't think so... what time is it?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWferBtC4tj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOqDG6i2ck
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH9vZq3HlW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5R28nVc3F
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFrF9zQW1D
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sRcs6bc8U
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbOaAu4NHa
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cfrAWF09
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA5yo5yByj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU1CIW6iLU
I did regret sitting beside her, though.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqsjUvV3Q1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGR7pZUIOs
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQnofEjsQO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lXC9cp9vz
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGABys0J0RH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrGd1jn9wr
Flinty looked at me with excitement.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIRp6ymQrf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTbyeSgmUQ
"A goal?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua0Ww5rOY1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5koVpos5h
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mj3i05gNc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9USgZBXLi
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxTDvQJCqQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOa8CMVZT1
"Okay, I'll do my best!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nlvAamYQv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldq2TVHhs7
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Deg3xDjL8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUZjaWFdJ1
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAyxkzk4DN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF6NiA0F8b
"Good morning, Linda!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkjZ5i6X4p
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnCHTgj4Bt
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlOGaXLQqe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTxti3CHyR
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBHrwduDA0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGFqvvQ0pt
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZsE1b7wl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dS34AVYPI
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwTxiizZNY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTAyO9XSFB
Friday? Today is Friday?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor75rPYw7k
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡithkSCB9op
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK86IaSRHh1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEldxuSVu8
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBSMUmPM3V
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYUk656BTL
She looked at me curiously before answering.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO1GUMCrQS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW34seqIZ3V
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo4eeYByZd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBsHKFu63A
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyZV897cIi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3VHet45gd
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvyrBIky97
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSP7npdudt
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzv6tUg7O0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC1X5UU7Ge
"To whom? Those at your home village?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCXbO0Bnj6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdn6n75X7E
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoAvHbEX2h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSsXub2y7f
She lightly smiled.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cm7BT2cG0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN2qnhtger
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwavKhKyd9k
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfoUVR5mdA
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVr0jGLQMh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93zl2OyMw4
She shook her head from side to side.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pov8Uii5m
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aroDyXmAT
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpt8hPH17W
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKBOghIntH
"So you decided on living here?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52M6qIG5g4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyvLKPBRtG
She nodded.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHI498Gq8v
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMPbVnn7nt
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc488LFeatc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eZbgpfL4k
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsiEDhPWwR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvlyICmkUv
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wvfF92dXK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTnspF53x3
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLL7fsTjSj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoCwqn5b5D
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDe9QMipnZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoyiXz7vcO
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI1HNxaGtV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSDfpDGK8t
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SkTWkAhq8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjKK09W8r1
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRfLxV5Pqi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI6ofr45Ym
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9yF3IMJAL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0SYhSxMep
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA8vGx9OZQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBMXwxy6u1
"Hey, Victoria?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifRsCbx2RM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqOIqiepih
"Yes?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPBBm87LLE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGqxwhS7VC
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnXmx6qwJN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k67X7QKY3
"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!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uDcqCAsBD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x3BkNepPe
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44NA5LPBa9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2Xj5mg6U
"Kim, are you good?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZcOvBXajN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsdDuOmi3y
Kim just finished packing her bag.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4EZUCBfhn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfkvfXUmjH
"Yes. Let's get going."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiLgZAPThy
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAX0G2OqKC
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTmVBJmoho
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB4ORsW1qv
–
–
–
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r2dtexHnS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFhtgEJP95
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t94rQ96sw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMkdqlIlqu
...She did do that, right?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnG8gh8jxq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCLfRzYdVE
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VyXBeysUF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzDqsGOCei
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cnuzHkm46
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxhNqGYzpx
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLqCqGHOZK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGHcrvKppe
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb4PktRPi6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLmqWS2WAv
"Hmm?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeydUogFpoZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJrzYgoNLj
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHz51xRov1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNrvVJXfyD
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqriWy9oGK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoG94wqqd8
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid8fEDUDdL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxY462yXOx
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS4NmQk7cf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnweIIebMfj
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRxxYsw9tv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQkzI4gpxU
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczQOVZ370y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4Ku7hhl1V
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY2WBTMgoQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBO3KgC97m
"R-Right."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2sH5XDbi6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU9Pw0mBqd
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVOP84RCta
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0bLjmgbwe
"Any objections?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXAQHGpCep
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez486ztLsR
None of us voiced any.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0KyHKyceg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlerEGobwB
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQNz37g4a7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggiqYfM2mX
"Of course."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhntCBdKxw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTprGv5AaR
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLp6suiPF6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYetDEFjS7
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjrDonlZBs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TIY5ahDSe
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkJWpjcGEv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ncwBKWrjo
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdThrfcTcBk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQY6YH58f
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkGwX2MfxT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpAjS59AFH
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEyRv6o504
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeefzxQqfi
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hOEE8Qlo6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG979EXNOu
"Hold on, stop here."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicehITWhd6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93fxR7Kiqn
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4uEufpimv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhMtuwKM4O
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg30hFPaFWg
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOhSxzhNTZ
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RD3d8Orgk
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYImGRrrCw
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSQr9Ccm5V
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsBNLHlBCb
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxVjqXEkWD
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH80pbGB4BF
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOXlKdxI4S
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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?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VVKYHfYtW
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOMn2zQBn7
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe74OajZDfw
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lWrpCb4k0
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiHY0cafzG
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKR9EEw6t1
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy5buYTMYJ
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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?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXNglvCD8G
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"Heh, well..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym0vXc16I0
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFAjIBptDL
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"What's the hold-up?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU5LTDXMvi
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RSWt4gfyW
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrpmWgozRB
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBqJlXpTjx
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxpneg3leH
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"So, what about you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcYs6xziSW
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb3lXSEeIK
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2hI1XgkLI
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPmrREhjut
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENoxQeuNvf
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgZ1zV39Qi
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"I can see now why– oop."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm6cJOQ5ag
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUk1OlVpGE
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar6mHzgBMv
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All of a sudden, a voice.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiIseaGkAi
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"Something... I feel like something was here."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ZdLo8IBi
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXUqHd8pC9
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBur5Sis6gY
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHM3kihTei
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwM1mXXJQM
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bi16JqDLr
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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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