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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFcxHymaZ1C
24Please respect copyright.PENANAxUM8emw2LS
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."24Please respect copyright.PENANAVTsoOna8t9
24Please respect copyright.PENANA64CTNHP0rI
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."24Please respect copyright.PENANAcvd2jAJ8un
24Please respect copyright.PENANAXYQ31UIGGX
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?24Please respect copyright.PENANAWYPtrwtdSX
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZVkm8KvGot
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANA9XcNJmlQVR
24Please respect copyright.PENANALwJye9aa6J
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.24Please respect copyright.PENANA370LQJ7lOV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwEj29GiZdZ
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."24Please respect copyright.PENANAfvkpkd81lQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANA6GYZQuX5jK
"...Sure."24Please respect copyright.PENANAq8F58bKHRa
24Please respect copyright.PENANAaQOdNzkDhM
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?24Please respect copyright.PENANA3gOOqZLeMV
24Please respect copyright.PENANA4XMSxLxnSD
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."24Please respect copyright.PENANAhSYx7mc8RU
24Please respect copyright.PENANAyQbTVypsGw
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.24Please respect copyright.PENANAsak1LCxHKR
24Please respect copyright.PENANAXCzPhSj4iK
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAIFODWStx12
24Please respect copyright.PENANAVXxn0Y5wC7
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAvW5vsuhqmO
24Please respect copyright.PENANAaHU5ek6P4T
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"24Please respect copyright.PENANACgVLFLp4oB
24Please respect copyright.PENANAKQ6G9CcpUt
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."24Please respect copyright.PENANA2VmYISYW8L
24Please respect copyright.PENANAxCYGGRFWCO
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."24Please respect copyright.PENANAE9ladFyACo
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHg7sucFevQ
"Wait, what!?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAJxhHXY7A6m
24Please respect copyright.PENANAb6gWgo4svC
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.24Please respect copyright.PENANAF4jovzen0V
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYQJU5qd5iU
"Why not me?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAwN2p9xiFGR
24Please respect copyright.PENANA7b2pYxZTmU
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."24Please respect copyright.PENANAEnncFUiruN
24Please respect copyright.PENANAIcRgvygP0j
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAPVdGhWx4yv
24Please respect copyright.PENANAWLSpWSREwg
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAR7TSgTI1pV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJFZVOyDowR
No, you didn't.24Please respect copyright.PENANAzj4vOVovsk
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjFBWvhoifF
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."24Please respect copyright.PENANAcm9WrSnmw6
24Please respect copyright.PENANAk7f3E8cpRV
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAbTJKJs746Q
24Please respect copyright.PENANAtc7cB9PfPV
"Huh?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAIuZb1GJjQK
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQwIfMOHjrQ
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.24Please respect copyright.PENANAfsUmLhqInw
24Please respect copyright.PENANAqYrjxH80Mg
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANApnrCsWxdxF
24Please respect copyright.PENANApF7JOTXdLh
"Mhm!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAt8zNzwkVrc
24Please respect copyright.PENANAiXBX1pRNmv
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.24Please respect copyright.PENANAkuizdR2Xrb
24Please respect copyright.PENANAttGWkNiYzT
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."24Please respect copyright.PENANAA4jBMv7Btg
24Please respect copyright.PENANALx7bbyeTTM
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.24Please respect copyright.PENANArSY9JCPq6U
24Please respect copyright.PENANAvlJba1BDu8
"...Fine."24Please respect copyright.PENANAAAuP4QetYk
24Please respect copyright.PENANAlw0wUsthfN
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.24Please respect copyright.PENANA4t9MkoBpcN
24Please respect copyright.PENANAb3zIoDHNdg
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."24Please respect copyright.PENANAum0WQmv7gd
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5Wd6nQIEUe
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAROC0avDs1X
24Please respect copyright.PENANA3dH375cJdJ
"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!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAPqJoAeeQQ6
24Please respect copyright.PENANAgoQR0bZ7h5
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAXeuFVvi6si
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHWAoxHnxOy
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAQV5U9IexFp
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjyEVyxmsxI
"Is there... something you need?"24Please respect copyright.PENANABSuuvhbD4m
24Please respect copyright.PENANA2tIQg4r6m9
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAyDfyADncdK
24Please respect copyright.PENANACPO0Lr8xfZ
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.24Please respect copyright.PENANAS0pl7zcQKl
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYGgVs7YmHX
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA2zXv0OguUe
24Please respect copyright.PENANAVFQa48erxV
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANApC5bT2b5UG
24Please respect copyright.PENANAadxtT2Eb1h
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"24Please respect copyright.PENANARHOTPqGQGW
24Please respect copyright.PENANALqgchEdWVr
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."24Please respect copyright.PENANApnFZkdjc0h
24Please respect copyright.PENANAEhYodGfaWv
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.24Please respect copyright.PENANA8PfpoGPXL3
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHKImLMOh2i
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAijVtXs6PjO
24Please respect copyright.PENANA4If7uuoqe3
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."24Please respect copyright.PENANAyvPMT7xUz7
24Please respect copyright.PENANABNqpDT54y7
She giggled a little. Creepy.24Please respect copyright.PENANAGIG4I2Omqo
24Please respect copyright.PENANANpOts1UX8C
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."24Please respect copyright.PENANA8uSRb74yQ4
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAk18C1z0YL
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAYbkTS0hSEZ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAm2vKtXFoQd
What?24Please respect copyright.PENANAfATLALHnlq
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwCJr8pUAXJ
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANACSzKEsOBUY
24Please respect copyright.PENANAL7QpFMtVV5
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAwmEWv0HSN6
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJagZGCQrtf
"O-Oh..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAXMy1IFPW7L
24Please respect copyright.PENANAgdbu2KLcp8
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.24Please respect copyright.PENANA9xOerFvDr0
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5bg9Pee6mt
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."24Please respect copyright.PENANAxkEWZrRhh2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAiVUKu6ePZX
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."24Please respect copyright.PENANAJrwYNhdK82
24Please respect copyright.PENANANgxg7TLFKz
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAyuRMJbnT73
24Please respect copyright.PENANApGJCJQLuqy
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."24Please respect copyright.PENANAptrJ5RjyaJ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6BFpSxiWH
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.24Please respect copyright.PENANAqOthSsK1QO
24Please respect copyright.PENANARlOGkkw0RZ
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.24Please respect copyright.PENANANe0In2AkLC
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAJt2vx9P1c
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAb55EDjBkS7
24Please respect copyright.PENANAyBVTYcKZku
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAmgu2sASGGt
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmoT8TNunMm
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.24Please respect copyright.PENANAcbF4LUP8e5
24Please respect copyright.PENANA0u2YSSr503
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAhgTM0JDGlT
24Please respect copyright.PENANArbSlsuxlit
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAU7iuz53wLJ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAxxR0yCwNWg
Front-page news!?24Please respect copyright.PENANAQFmtBy7ajX
24Please respect copyright.PENANAvKxkQ3IexU
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAGKUCCGpfJl
24Please respect copyright.PENANA0mJhxSVn6Q
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAarVOCx6NO9
24Please respect copyright.PENANAcAojkWcUBT
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.24Please respect copyright.PENANAlXWDEaZ0Gl
24Please respect copyright.PENANAIGmJcwfyOv
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAYZcslAMtzV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAuUfAmzFfAf
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.24Please respect copyright.PENANAR9UBIvktpp
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZuImOqvW6S
"No, I don't."24Please respect copyright.PENANAvqetwnmvNg
24Please respect copyright.PENANAxIISDyyOmV
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANABHkqiCuIBT
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQH6WKjxg7i
"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!"24Please respect copyright.PENANANXh6nC1xO1
24Please respect copyright.PENANANRH6FinrSL
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."24Please respect copyright.PENANA9flVTanq7b
24Please respect copyright.PENANA58f6tz47wx
"Thank you."24Please respect copyright.PENANAESSbfOvwKc
24Please respect copyright.PENANAkwte8sUt44
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAhTCuS6gYAA
24Please respect copyright.PENANAG6OjAH8CbS
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.24Please respect copyright.PENANAyMMwIEs4D3
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYfDDm6TuC8
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."24Please respect copyright.PENANAgw8JRXmX9T
24Please respect copyright.PENANAsJUNGA75zO
"Oh."24Please respect copyright.PENANAYkLlFlILb2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAbH6DxKGcpR
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.24Please respect copyright.PENANAHrwHeX1Qo5
24Please respect copyright.PENANAVO1Nhg6fUT
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."24Please respect copyright.PENANAQnByIIgjXZ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYBYd2UKvfQ
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAPeRFEM9mUj
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmLAXY8Qy8J
Her face froze. I sighed.24Please respect copyright.PENANAEU1KF310gJ
24Please respect copyright.PENANANY2MhBIybD
"I-I'll do it in the morning."24Please respect copyright.PENANADVvAiInbPH
24Please respect copyright.PENANAPASisEeIGi
"Good luck."24Please respect copyright.PENANABXeeOLKIJ6
24Please respect copyright.PENANA0D69Bh1x00
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.24Please respect copyright.PENANApTxbUxrlxf
24Please respect copyright.PENANA8qGy23jMAl
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."24Please respect copyright.PENANAKjuFbl8TIZ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAuBMhRXyKV9
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."24Please respect copyright.PENANAwSB2j6XT9X
24Please respect copyright.PENANALJBcZVz6S9
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."24Please respect copyright.PENANAAMm3WFqlRf
24Please respect copyright.PENANA2FQQMIoega
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAwDktTTCxgr
24Please respect copyright.PENANAUBFd7ihcOd
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAzdklcnaz2j
24Please respect copyright.PENANAcj4q8mYSEn
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.24Please respect copyright.PENANA1oNBZhx4YU
24Please respect copyright.PENANAxSBVkbNx4E
"Going to what?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAoB2tL92Vkz
24Please respect copyright.PENANATDM4CzioH0
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.24Please respect copyright.PENANA7ix5JEt90R
24Please respect copyright.PENANAg7ygHKYbUO
"Huh? Wash myself?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAc9d1y7lxug
24Please respect copyright.PENANAqH1tfzcruF
"Yes. Like we did."24Please respect copyright.PENANAWDV1WGmfCK
24Please respect copyright.PENANAkCbdacE6ue
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."24Please respect copyright.PENANAhVbbf9qqbI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAKijMcXZ4Z0
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.24Please respect copyright.PENANArXad1p1xYH
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmI9gWHA8pv
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAYruS3oORwx
24Please respect copyright.PENANAfGaP6jK8Nc
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAHkDy2KtRxi
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAT7YBjMbJ9
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.24Please respect copyright.PENANA0NhZSszrHt
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6ryBP5TpQ
"Buffalo Village."24Please respect copyright.PENANAIrIsLOe6Vy
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYy1HyGr0Xr
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."24Please respect copyright.PENANAla2NCV2dor
24Please respect copyright.PENANAOWn7XmQF10
"Really? I didn't know that."24Please respect copyright.PENANAjMuPqgSVA2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMCA70WzBxs
Kim looked like she was smiling.24Please respect copyright.PENANANW0TtYmnuv
24Please respect copyright.PENANAoATUD5ZS62
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."24Please respect copyright.PENANA6WBXUE5XpV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMaCPL2XWvn
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.24Please respect copyright.PENANAEChMRgN6iN
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9CXzu158W
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAHnQftRp1tG
24Please respect copyright.PENANARnZmAvwfp3
"Fine, fine."24Please respect copyright.PENANAfamvnHMY47
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJVWvAab9AJ
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
24Please respect copyright.PENANAuOWGy4HLkB
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAE0rMQZW58D
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHQNRqJVJdi
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.24Please respect copyright.PENANAeRIgF4JNlj
24Please respect copyright.PENANALthJG9r5VX
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."24Please respect copyright.PENANAVfiVvIoRad
24Please respect copyright.PENANAB4bMBfgb0E
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFe7hKLfadH
24Please respect copyright.PENANAMsWNiJjqOx
–
–
–
"...Mmm."24Please respect copyright.PENANAXuOHXQyIpf
24Please respect copyright.PENANAS9zLu6STUr
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAF6D2l7q84v
24Please respect copyright.PENANAKN5oyyuCL1
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAWg5pdswIf8
24Please respect copyright.PENANAWp7zGZ3ojJ
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAxAwoIeCamz
24Please respect copyright.PENANAUOTkNtDQrN
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFfttNOGyDm
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjXipjOLpbB
"Wow, you're hard at work."24Please respect copyright.PENANAaYYeRbSADN
24Please respect copyright.PENANAnXQqXFnjQ9
"Ah!"24Please respect copyright.PENANALRlpFaAhIe
24Please respect copyright.PENANAcD51OeUq3N
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.24Please respect copyright.PENANAiCi01Mx1aQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAqTqwMIBjnx
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA8jxmRAmxks
24Please respect copyright.PENANAntn8Jc9kAB
"I don't think so... what time is it?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAqSmhpCVtO7
24Please respect copyright.PENANA565Hz92xDU
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."24Please respect copyright.PENANAIf8hudN3Fb
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5C4EuTUsTL
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAc2z5hmCbZs
24Please respect copyright.PENANAUBWB1TFB0T
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAF6W8Qk2rLC
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZkGy1I5xqy
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAvfRCm1QwjK
24Please respect copyright.PENANAD68B5edPq3
I did regret sitting beside her, though.24Please respect copyright.PENANAa7poQRPbc8
24Please respect copyright.PENANAigfmQXafOM
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."24Please respect copyright.PENANA1wq4wU0CoF
24Please respect copyright.PENANA7EPcoLzW5C
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAiTVAskEoui
24Please respect copyright.PENANAP8IGLTMQa1
Flinty looked at me with excitement.24Please respect copyright.PENANANuc6IDqEaZ
24Please respect copyright.PENANABNwtOVYXl4
"A goal?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAqnMyiH2e1L
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwScWdpCpqZ
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAfmyg81Ibgx
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJEcxE9IdD3
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.24Please respect copyright.PENANAgW8QGgB6Nh
24Please respect copyright.PENANAc0dv4yhcBY
"Okay, I'll do my best!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAEOOPJi4l9O
24Please respect copyright.PENANAI4Y1adfjz2
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA534cfeNpAJ
24Please respect copyright.PENANA3bjeRKEgdt
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA9MmzG9hPjf
24Please respect copyright.PENANAo8XYwXAztO
"Good morning, Linda!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAeM3BPwkvkX
24Please respect copyright.PENANAPDq1rbrhjO
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."24Please respect copyright.PENANA5qbsKIRbwg
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"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"24Please respect copyright.PENANADZLC2SQ5tb
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.24Please respect copyright.PENANAb4BuWW4xXE
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."24Please respect copyright.PENANAL2gKLhVc0G
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Friday? Today is Friday?24Please respect copyright.PENANAxa5N5Phhd6
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAa74nMwtLbn
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA6hqAa3zXn2
24Please respect copyright.PENANATkTqizLy6w
She looked at me curiously before answering.24Please respect copyright.PENANAulb94oQLUr
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"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."24Please respect copyright.PENANAWp3TY6bzw3
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.24Please respect copyright.PENANAWlxiu8b9yM
24Please respect copyright.PENANAim5t7zAPWL
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANArqHgtM2yiy
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAacUZHUPU3
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."24Please respect copyright.PENANAMz45pBM03z
24Please respect copyright.PENANAATUDQthYiw
"To whom? Those at your home village?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAiaPBVaireL
24Please respect copyright.PENANAlmQLHTDSyl
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAkZpJ4rEQqX
24Please respect copyright.PENANA3Dr91BZtBa
She lightly smiled.24Please respect copyright.PENANAnoLnFGfKQ7
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmVvAkuymkh
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."24Please respect copyright.PENANACt8pOQREbc
24Please respect copyright.PENANAKdLKeMfZfh
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAiURhY3dCZb
24Please respect copyright.PENANAl6EWmE5czM
She shook her head from side to side.24Please respect copyright.PENANAQCa11h74oe
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"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANACzU9jg5cav
24Please respect copyright.PENANAyX0wDgIW7B
"So you decided on living here?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAkG8octKS42
24Please respect copyright.PENANAGzb4qkrpcz
She nodded.24Please respect copyright.PENANAU0Gy5OVp46
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"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAUtzBwJWeNu
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I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.24Please respect copyright.PENANAfSqzaVff7i
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."24Please respect copyright.PENANAJUwrMWKosm
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"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."24Please respect copyright.PENANAOCl9LfxlZk
24Please respect copyright.PENANAgU4aUOmL17
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAiGQabr9e4P
24Please respect copyright.PENANAo3C4hRWKgQ
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAsl80x8Mx0j
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As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.24Please respect copyright.PENANA8A4wrEgOU0
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"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAgIogc6pVU4
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmv0vsvK74X
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAB2pC1wZIoa
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1eERgDPRyw
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA67GecWCHiw
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"Hey, Victoria?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAXrlvdvEadp
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"Yes?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA2YLtZEFYKp
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"24Please respect copyright.PENANApE75ZeJSM0
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"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!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAedCbG9fcVR
24Please respect copyright.PENANAVF5l4gWl4P
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA2iPG5aVfGC
24Please respect copyright.PENANAqwL5rVJjZv
"Kim, are you good?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAc58OykBLBI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAjUhhgie4rr
Kim just finished packing her bag.24Please respect copyright.PENANABSuZfTVJlc
24Please respect copyright.PENANA7VfWQYv8WK
"Yes. Let's get going."24Please respect copyright.PENANAeyLkZSUEeM
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"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."24Please respect copyright.PENANAIEAUzVHogd
24Please respect copyright.PENANAdOjRJgGQAE
–
–
–
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA6TPHod2hXR
24Please respect copyright.PENANA8pvm0tKg0o
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAtTVxQrPcfx
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...She did do that, right?24Please respect copyright.PENANAqI14UshRVK
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA0CEChwV5K2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAj17wPbXrwm
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAblNCapfUDy
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?24Please respect copyright.PENANApXf2EFw0N9
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAeteVRhLF6P
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"Hmm?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAqHRks9zXpr
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.24Please respect copyright.PENANA6yS4YkkMOo
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"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."24Please respect copyright.PENANApwLAqBnrgm
24Please respect copyright.PENANALLjj8NoLG3
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANASnKTK793W9
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.24Please respect copyright.PENANAG16nzohnu3
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"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANA01pY9cQeZr
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The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.24Please respect copyright.PENANAzIYYJVTqbi
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."24Please respect copyright.PENANA5hk6Pvz9V0
24Please respect copyright.PENANANJeFffDszP
"R-Right."24Please respect copyright.PENANAi2k3d00Dee
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I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.24Please respect copyright.PENANAQMHA89Yo0M
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"Any objections?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAhobwiM2iTu
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None of us voiced any.24Please respect copyright.PENANAj5U9dNqlSG
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAAn7nS2WpPa
24Please respect copyright.PENANA99P5QdZs3Y
"Of course."24Please respect copyright.PENANAjQJizWRlbO
24Please respect copyright.PENANAS0aI5wRSta
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAntPRLsqhVh
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAmaPRxX9WQ7
24Please respect copyright.PENANAP6qt9Rtjmi
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAhjz1iaCL5d
24Please respect copyright.PENANAf6IcW59bQ7
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAZnZqOhdWwo
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAonJ6KILOao
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It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.24Please respect copyright.PENANAdjK7wnD8xM
24Please respect copyright.PENANAKTeHDGE7Aq
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANArTk1hCogCH
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"Hold on, stop here."24Please respect copyright.PENANAEjfDybt1hM
24Please respect copyright.PENANALJH2ivseeS
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANABeDEIT3ISd
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.24Please respect copyright.PENANAdAbA2cDMJ3
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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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAwT2iFSo0nz
24Please respect copyright.PENANARbWrKlNNxP
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAVgUzrbZqX5
24Please respect copyright.PENANA0o3IiEPxfs
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA0UCZGmXExf
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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."24Please respect copyright.PENANApaazZryktY
24Please respect copyright.PENANA7bCkod68rb
"Does it look safe?" I asked.24Please respect copyright.PENANAahdtpwColH
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."24Please respect copyright.PENANAuASa9C8c6n
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJr5YBLVTdT
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAd9jWqETp4s
24Please respect copyright.PENANABycAJrYpzP
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANA8KSVhyF9cc
24Please respect copyright.PENANAeG19HzHwTr
"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?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAV6s0M5iQmx
24Please respect copyright.PENANANJ4nmYwlck
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAyryxpZeb4q
24Please respect copyright.PENANA3fvC92K9q9
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"24Please respect copyright.PENANABgADbbUUHP
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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."24Please respect copyright.PENANANkvhRA2OKu
24Please respect copyright.PENANAzFzlUqGn2v
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"24Please respect copyright.PENANAixqcaAQYKY
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."24Please respect copyright.PENANAa9nWM6I55z
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1Z5FrzGRn
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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?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAaI3G3oWCKV
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"Heh, well..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAxBWukwoZjw
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAmjVYKFDqgl
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"What's the hold-up?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAXuh6PoOeGn
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."24Please respect copyright.PENANAq56G4GuET4
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.24Please respect copyright.PENANApxM7A72LEQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAcuD5LI0Ebr
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAl3V0PYccqc
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANApjVdjiANki
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"So, what about you?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA72h58nSO9H
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."24Please respect copyright.PENANAz0oyC74Mxi
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAk1WEFUZ1kX
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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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAvt3CQP9uXp
24Please respect copyright.PENANAm0Qh0Lfnhw
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."24Please respect copyright.PENANAWcv7tcYkyC
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA6E4nbDciGk
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"I can see now why– oop."24Please respect copyright.PENANAfTlo7NXj5h
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAQMRiEh4Gxn
24Please respect copyright.PENANA8KbDPvNySQ
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANANQcETHMcoS
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All of a sudden, a voice.24Please respect copyright.PENANAMsuAzEX4a2
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"Something... I feel like something was here."24Please respect copyright.PENANA1p9gZULHeo
24Please respect copyright.PENANACYE9wqOuvK
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAFKguxHtZEn
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAunjp7iJTus
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."24Please respect copyright.PENANA4DjWFt8DcE
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA9oOQUvla2K
24Please respect copyright.PENANAc6QJHWTXXl
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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAOLrLkRpABq
24Please respect copyright.PENANAgTFhvq1Ydr
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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