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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYraTHJGFoy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYFRQBp6HF
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsXmjiOBWG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXGXyhpwHv
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVyJCC1QYl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuYUY1q7xO
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAepuJbJ9qK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKU1f0b4YN
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXmdu8G473
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx198OQkyTS
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckc0bUS3IG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r2x4LQKCM
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQfqYxpEOm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIhKT4j7H9
"...Sure."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAMErT79tr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr427PA1ix
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?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCiggh9oda
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlYzawBbLn
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lAEpXZ0nL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtgZwJGfAG
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d8AZdjuhE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJT5WyBOa2
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQRJtuXxtV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38IPyfdE2b
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArJJKM84w3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliG7FThxUc
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlyZbTiwgV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR91ptx0cGX
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWwg8rMfrU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzNXbGRO3o
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmffxvGdpTY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyvzGxFoz1
"Wait, what!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneUpB04jat
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjHNxjo6gE
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMIvSfsPB8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1IaqZ3jrx
"Why not me?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoo1RGqlEe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uSUjXJs0l
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuGsnG8pFF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr7krpNDJ5
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw592X2Qlkb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3PEj1kxwS
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NS9YqCLTM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCVezm2QmJ
No, you didn't.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciSsr8lbai
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBrmEh3t06
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7UOUnrDJm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2x9ljE1X8
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS5KQfVHIF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX91Ucgw5N
"Huh?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3RjV1O63h
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCOp6QilKg
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPUhdNMSPx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVZm5LslZO
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1YWRkvT0d
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPO8QgGU2x
"Mhm!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDhDgIGnKW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpMA6mSTO2
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtqWKn8qVM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTxSeppllB
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNCqUXw3MH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWElt1PxYD
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvd33pVJW9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4MvPZVUDI
"...Fine."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9J9yt09de
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8oCSghlKn
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatc3wVI36k
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DKXrBMrCy
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgcRhAwPlg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVqD0ZRUMt
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgMcelsj8P
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjphiwN6JWz
"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!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T41ClX25Y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLNo5axr2r
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRKJOHctq0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts3iUELicL
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpVcfZF3er
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc9PFTsDje
"Is there... something you need?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEY2Sd46zB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2cqWexiU
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfVIvpfYwg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Q8AmoljT
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNsY4kdSrA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYjMHNfeMG
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74iqY5RnQV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9wFh1Rf1f
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnlVsZdtHC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtYr9R2JuW
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACyk7JSFmx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMhKzyOML7
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE29d33NJW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7p3gfmMPc
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXBM5niiuW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPDYvufmQg
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt992E2zK9A
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPOxZELwXr
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleC6f5uvXd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYtbIc0qyC
She giggled a little. Creepy.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbduU8jniU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxTQiSllFN
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLSKbDDoUj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k1ToBpcRD
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNhw1kr6xh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnWHOCbdrV
What?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A4aNTpIEO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5x7TMIh5L
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag46AkWbcE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhgOz3NRbc
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixCSrLiNRY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHrescL0vt
"O-Oh..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZiRgcvtTk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWpzmqnp8d
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7J8r66Ufn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1minmhjJgn
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs1r8ILLSK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM0hKnETFI
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJxtuIcZR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QjLH2PJLm
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFPhN5DUb4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOdvYdbreg
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQFtxRlDr2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlcDWN6Yip
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHeg3rByxJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoecPwwGC4G
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7AsB0uZZi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl6Np6ioHo
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rHXS5nu5X
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc6fse3my3
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTC7iZRlb6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsmBnYLtub
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMdUL81IH3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGkQCuDxPZ
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjC6gbQXXJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTXAMTp2Za
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV419GpqHsS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8yeXRZH3z
Front-page news!?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdllZTpKRdH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡticIMQcFkU
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T3AR8bPOt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp04FoAbTf
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCumD69ytz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu3Rq2eHLB
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jNIsFPT64
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wuAuzWXWl
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHbI088WTb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDuyyrS9GV
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUWCrDPcEu
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2BCxBWNDj
"No, I don't."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKftoK5evE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vj18CYKOd
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDPBetTmYs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AbaKS8OAr
"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!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHwh6LdKrZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACu1pak157
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBHMBBFbWE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarCVmbyjLO
"Thank you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h5gY7dw1y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jb2OmkxzA
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXWH3KGIYy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQpvv38Z4I
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3nUr8LhCK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSapSIXOuxB
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtJWZWra73
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0TyhfmNtB
"Oh."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipROh9S6fK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWE1FjP1Hj
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYJSXijRhs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdfKx841on
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5QTezZ0SF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w7pXCEXGa
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8jQw5cPbm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRKMqYH0rU
Her face froze. I sighed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKgx6c60k8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2FCgIdUoH
"I-I'll do it in the morning."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2SPntRD8n
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ838XFnMZYu
"Good luck."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBtEUlyPCr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNhNR8nZ3H
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPaE5ny1Hw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Go7HrGn0
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAkdKVttXJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNSykQwPUs
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyskDo1LRc4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7PLaFYB0U
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKvS1ZsDOw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPangwA5Po
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F6vLPIJ3V
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtvIDLpwJQ
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ9LUASa6a
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYDHegWo7t
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjuWQamkht
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFILM5o2Zl
"Going to what?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE79gu4fHn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBAsDRxtiO
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYt1Yt3W0S
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L5WdojN2i
"Huh? Wash myself?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFaGSEdt4M
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt8fjeWdxi
"Yes. Like we did."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMcYgEaAqV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNR5OuiCJ2
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbQeGQUC7C
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hLTSey9cx
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiuOOUox08
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh15alH9SYj
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMtWhAoijx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWQlx22GEk
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMrVSCJuk7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbQo823NM4
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC19hmLRIR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhjBuLZXvq
"Buffalo Village."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ671q2XdSeJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSUUMcRriE
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ef5WmxRcH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbVpnSdpFp
"Really? I didn't know that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtcImw8Usy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53lKdhITrZ
Kim looked like she was smiling.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOXDOlLPtY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp8tAb6tYi
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IK4YPW1Mo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kfXJQesyQ
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZsueZGzWR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYNPEvSiM4
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EcScO6zFC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76elZske4I
"Fine, fine."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSbmON802x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchiUr96AdF
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTS8eyBtE5
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7glU8ebL6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i7x85Expq
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHANmEAyCPg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6JloZNCIy
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKisIauvnaX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Hc4a6nly
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl79E09sAfI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4AQodmz8C
–
–
–
"...Mmm."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTtVBbKQ03
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuNRGgC2gq
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbBWSkpVXD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpHlYYAUoH
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcOtZK6eKV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhkMaSZ28K
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eiLBLb7ai
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOJabj9o8M
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmIHCB6E4D
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqWZS4jfjv
"Wow, you're hard at work."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKqCo8K0qf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0uzaz8bTP
"Ah!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT9j8VZKB6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAstQuJEvH6
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMLWsAKaXo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAT64RvT9q
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFGlxkNrPk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR8iIJMc9g
"I don't think so... what time is it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaPQUY7pr5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8afeMK6UU
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavpNlVwo88
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w9VFpSpAf
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRimbbvqlz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6h53W3Pz4
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFh57Sb1E2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpNSRgMsJ7
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJGEmm0esb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcxvbQvZAP
I did regret sitting beside her, though.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU74MnkK0f
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhFJdpxsGN
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zaB0ehCrL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo04irMq4pl
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAaDSXfuti
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU1Ctwus4N
Flinty looked at me with excitement.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNmeWAPNGv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbIgR5gdbR
"A goal?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuZmIxXuXi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcDuUjYeCo
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqXCUNdHFS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI9dfN8U7e
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3I87i16dh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ5wKKtYAA
"Okay, I'll do my best!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgioIegcmN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuMq0RvvSt
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ofdiZOHFf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWLkRsSitf
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl01N8M9BUJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kuQijFbL1
"Good morning, Linda!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPagOEjBT5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzdW6n2oWW
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAu5qNH9S3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfipFvdjM3
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvTPWbiTyF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzTPVrUBLn
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBbkux8yML
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dd8rARi6e
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNEQMVOgJf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpfsEjieCX
Friday? Today is Friday?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09w3VAkGaS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhqGWWOfnN
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbT2XzGmwa
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oDAviBtQg
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFUQ5d27te
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcusLgLgMm
She looked at me curiously before answering.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wRhGuEOR7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY4mpUaAod
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV1HyDnTgE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaxES4R2Cm
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBbAwUeSqt
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkGTEIf45y
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiGrvuxYcJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVmbDjCKLx
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrcNKt03QW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g78PPExv2
"To whom? Those at your home village?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqGfniG43g
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRYfAksDrs
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pEPcTYqzw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefSCx0NYaF
She lightly smiled.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo6Sw1DbGS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb24X1L8TN
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uxE6aJRLT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe5jy0dbWZ
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9FgTn17D6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6bsb0KaWW
She shook her head from side to side.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EDf5dM81C
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBMwQTa7u8
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs9rX1wyIw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTRQf8GIuQ
"So you decided on living here?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpEb83seqM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGtBfV727E
She nodded.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcGUdi0Tdl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XTBCQ9VVj
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRafgG2uu7B
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYg7lPZWKi
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTuTcOZTsx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDEIFW2x2W
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj8SrEZQTJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LAwuIvDk2
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaMIr5hAYK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef0KmI3vM9
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZMmXOljHm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcyCz6w9BN
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfFaNQ87i1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3BbLvnaH3
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew6IN07zPP
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqRKf7Gv2m
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4UCZJVRkl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jac6ghoc8
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAgO8mH0GM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4zrr68rbN
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdnUbcSSxr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IGYoVcpT7
"Hey, Victoria?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41iOJ2BEqI
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a2DD6ViI7
"Yes?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerju2KgGJf
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYh8qogxnr
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0O5JxtvGQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf49AN0CZT
"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!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWDoPGToqc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD8dhfVa3w
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqmRKW293M
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT1Hn5sQJ7
"Kim, are you good?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdwdRyOUpX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR642Cd6Gwv
Kim just finished packing her bag.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7dSpFGoBK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNg9Kzr8BR
"Yes. Let's get going."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0HBK5uywJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW53hgOYH8o
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpx6vutDGl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXogoEdWQDB
–
–
–
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh9q23edq3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSiqhrslyh
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6o6amfjHd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk11MmKpifP
...She did do that, right?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSZ80XGevr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr4nUcqXuQ
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fj1mJhtHT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDwysPpytA
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwBg6NmaIE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncL3GtEfEI
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KiYlhbuL1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgba97VYmu
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVssFdBxFy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe5kWSeLYM
"Hmm?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWgzwMDU7G
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKf1kg583s
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidrQvwvn0p
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjIMAweIKq
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsouPUdfXo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYun6kKMm4
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu9ZWYaZQ5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVJE5lUClJ
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8N6AZszi6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXzR98oxSs
"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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IwQDUrVKy
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxfllgercL
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj5TnMauwz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlM7TOUuwe
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe5TxVQJMN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhy2TfZWeh
"R-Right."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLkm49pbcQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsofQVk9VG
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKQdRPmsej
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMYdmmQJJf
"Any objections?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJsCs36BiX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO6EzDex6y
None of us voiced any.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NA3DTsq0x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOssymoHyXI
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7QwzysJB3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL9NbVc5bW
"Of course."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey0ebHdeXq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArqFHGccZH
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pf5PBlo2f
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhcreA9TOL
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnpuUfvXT4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjVdnLoiL0
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pPwLFDySd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCwaQkgrSt
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zm4v90sD7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuReF0HHcn
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83JZy0o9J
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2hWhBwYzH
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenI3Bb04uF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7mW8IpWNO
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V1kPtlsro
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5hMO99stW
"Hold on, stop here."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCAvdpTTC5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlUdrc72hI
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZIub4H9J5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKaumgPO1t
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJOQG4CsI3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFhO01i2L7
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4syAuHbBQ6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxxrwEhKuo
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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgshY7xvgG0
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgBRpMIzuy
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn7JmKDu2o
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20XjV4D7va
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B7M5D7GMU
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNEOSAMP7o
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuRifVrcdy
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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?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyBZdrvOBE
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybUhuaY7k
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2o6KZQhsZ
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTicBrxomH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsJKHSVcYb
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c04sMcLyO
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpgqDiI3zH
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SdpyZ6KMC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AfeboBEOD
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGWn9v2l2l
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"Heh, well..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp1gKMVWAP
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbfnlMtOoq
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"What's the hold-up?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG76A7tatz
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WUyZ3LJ1W
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJonSNuXmbL
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcaDnJWD10
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogIit4Cp3I
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"So, what about you?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL64zaaOKH
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2DBvqfNK4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAYgzIuBD7
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6m1FhPYUs
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPcsK9HxmT
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUEbSB66NN
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kVT1Ndy38
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"I can see now why– oop."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLSUCTX7Kh
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlNnD29t2T
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8EG6iOsd7
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All of a sudden, a voice.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m0yNjQH85
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"Something... I feel like something was here."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHICMq5058
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjIDkZJWcV
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba1Po7YXML
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklc3rEbbD6
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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.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm0XVK6H0P
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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."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaEGIq2bL1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOsczgt6nR
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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