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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SUhbPrSTY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkPHCAWAi7
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6yTVGQKyw
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7cyuR8Fy8
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrSCm5LUEu
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS9gOzSt7Q
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG8ffjeB75
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjspufF3nv
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxM6W45QST
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i9wLdXMwg
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OBZERQPQH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHgPo7FcQX
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSHr612seG
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu29ezxuZp
"...Sure."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yz8JdOwsY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDFhBjmGhD
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?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu8Ma3CTou
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TSNqQL8rt
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eWs7Qq8JE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzuGeYWTTU
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6U8M8G0xL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTevRFS0j3
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG5UbBU4G8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudYtMHgEad
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bxRrmFrCs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxytFFJUia
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeEryVyS8h
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxkjtwQWBP
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHXwP1sMQv
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTDvnIb8Yu
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpRuiCKL1D
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RAf2RcOIY
"Wait, what!?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiObjsAxy6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUwMnheVeR
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINF8qCpxxJ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNCDd9fNxs
"Why not me?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQE1crzIR6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFLKXPi1u7
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrHWLvU1Hp
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX89OeQIJt
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ0mntTrzy
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7QHASkNK1
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQZ4oPtEe8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ABDxzVzX
No, you didn't.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvhnfvSHI3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q9NtzmydY
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkYlEucoGS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxynMKSW58
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxFsBrMDzQ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdBJzNfUD6
"Huh?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Jdz0Gly5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z1rOrn6SW
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOaMnFbVLQ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnQIIZ2dix
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFK2Q34bbV
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMgx4MFUB4
"Mhm!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4SqoZkNE9
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNbsVN99t3
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GlZRdL8gt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd1R0189vS
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9xlkvWMFm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVPKfoKAHX
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoWcBtECYd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQArH4wUOQ
"...Fine."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Z31VQ25p
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp5w4THKI2
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrpYpMwkGW
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ50j4EcPfH
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDouA1pJlwo
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqT6NYivFE
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavEMrUIuaE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrRsjK9kgV
"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!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5UYV0rDYz
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDjgbDIVKA
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFvw2S8r2B
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRRAvMPw2v
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm5TkwE7ja
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmjvHzFe5t
"Is there... something you need?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJTIGxLcpl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYvrvBEb3W
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAB3RyrNcX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU12Q0l9kzP
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd2hKZhzvE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jb5qcSByi
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPoORixbhQ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFaJ3AiEib
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE90wnF4Gt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvEyIMO9wY
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt5p02gDQ4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqGqRkvxdr
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2BFewYdm8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSCoejycO4
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFNCdqtqpg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmFq3VypNw
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmIhaikwGX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqCbzZm2Wk
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKlW47TBAx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPouts1KRqq
She giggled a little. Creepy.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zpoquKgrX
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV5Q1xH6Pi
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmN7kWT4bt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQaA52kRV2
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfReBhLSLo
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmctRX3jlE
What?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00c8W1QBY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR68hNJaoG
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38zBrMBM5Y
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNdcsiLPiV
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVoTLR6ZNF
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyryDEFoFVl
"O-Oh..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe3xw6aGfC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ121F0HDTf0
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6in2PKO6nu
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VRv45p67u
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvXFeH4Zhm
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iXAbwlQjy
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw7bVPGfmx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWadS25gs2C
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjO3zWgoLh
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhPUE7ouXN
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP2B94zx5Z
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsI7BFh8NX
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghmVlaCea0
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOmGTRMpi7
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxQcYgnbnK
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK5hftZj7Y
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5XVVlwHwE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hrHNzqWTs
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LlcXpA2FL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGghQXdF6Qt
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfukSrmurd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxnPhwtqPs
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IXLXVsMps
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTevZCWZCd
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgmYTRT9Rg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmcQoZACXi
Front-page news!?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xb5Um6GA7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvttR150ue
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0BNPmsbuK
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcJGh1sl2B
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII5MBBJEAl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxxXPJW6VY
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeTo9k2BVw
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqqjFB4eCb
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4efReJDwlx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12j33OWZy4
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrKW3qlekP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuPq81QOpf
"No, I don't."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSyMI7QAjM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseQSjCPdwS
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQwxxXtgHs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPZAOuNUl3
"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!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSEwJgds2P
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sD01TePXS
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfsGq8HtOL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qj0tG4O8W
"Thank you."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz0yf7Kbrh
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekexFpB0k8
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS11CMi5fM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fnwfZvSpz
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE8gQNHoP8
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4aXhl0HfX
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy9l8lL2Yq
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrQ6inXJjM
"Oh."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJKJegsMnd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZACoIegGJ
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nvnVaQiO4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIed8udhas
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mhX7haDdM
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPS0Ewip4h
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fIbjUQT4g
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVuj72zZkA
Her face froze. I sighed.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgk204u7U5
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvliRpNmx8i
"I-I'll do it in the morning."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e5sJgd4vA
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ053O5ecTnu
"Good luck."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpNbvCGSwk
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXtYJIh0d9
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjEPD1mIdz
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTGvnkojq5
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oLOEkh1Ko
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXAF55XDVi
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuLB7hnYLo
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmech3mt8r
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5ahbDaxLG
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5hB3Df9dT
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx8plPCFSY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ciDsARuiM
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNhBIyqqVJ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosmueHt410
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMWtkfmB0N
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcOHPzZjYP
"Going to what?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GBU5RuLOy
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q5CtNGH4J
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZwWSI9dEd
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMD98f2FbY
"Huh? Wash myself?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV6qYIffam
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhZejV6usW
"Yes. Like we did."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlC3dnP6kE
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG3r1r7Ozg
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmY8GQv9qn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqGDfhEY9N
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGpidIUMLV
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rWxVnLwVz
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BbQKsW2JP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbCA3qYeAB
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3wXavn66b
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyNDPCM26q
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP1G482yeG
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tsvp72NFk
"Buffalo Village."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF1dF6DmwS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSju7zviys
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbOQLMcll3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOS3XjNs4D
"Really? I didn't know that."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6syaXksuSl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdlgsrwTyv
Kim looked like she was smiling.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbVXrSmyY1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYfPpSrkr7
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ1Qn06bx1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBBtvDdrEV
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnbIV0KzLa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaRAhHPMhN
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD6L5Pmekn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Cv1W79aJ
"Fine, fine."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxB58MRAQx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb04lz6Lye
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLKkOJiCMe
"..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeMeUWXPWL
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1tVnocm7S
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYzII7VkQT
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmpnDxx0BP
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBB3cikMAi
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ05YTSmGE
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM7HVOVvof
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uRuUWg46d
–
–
–
"...Mmm."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx94t3HvOK3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGpU3iuBDC
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FMdOBJW6b
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU2BD7yAEJ
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnhGcZ6qBO
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhhrySNuST
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswAMqDVpau
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsi7TLhHrD
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcePR97jKTW
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgszE8pnZ2B
"Wow, you're hard at work."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhRge7ztUg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbqTK6fy5j
"Ah!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaEmeZ21x7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrIkseEcPb
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI4eZsjoaF
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENwvLJOCPt
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFfElKJ5Wj
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRARwr2Gu6
"I don't think so... what time is it?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxz2mr5x3V
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV1oDOMD83
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0psjoZh9j
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysNNzFCHA6
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCUzgiIsX7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9oZRD925U
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEgHH1utDg
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTGRZNUWHH
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTOsxaIjFU
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdzJbzGv6z
I did regret sitting beside her, though.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Lp90d6ey
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7tTtAu1kH
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn9YWDwIVn
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMQ2pliqNk
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN98IxQ3D17
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D9rmi9XAq
Flinty looked at me with excitement.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo0ecSTlud
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyxSJUgmlw
"A goal?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ7AykzK5I
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVJ1NUuLyl
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgz6T5eglN
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAleH4dRvl
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX8n41R1o2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWhGgZFPr4
"Okay, I'll do my best!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuL7MvVsvP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gb9i4dBcA
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3a2GEQ1P6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ4izX9ECA
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI7tBvw8ku
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu25FWLYgDU
"Good morning, Linda!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQjNJHpckY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVOzlILIh5
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdheWbnrUYt
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUFGdG2KDv
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq9liAOC4N
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLKsWHENQp
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzUJBpMWjV
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD61odqJD7
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvyDADLmBw
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooiVOuTjWE
Friday? Today is Friday?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO77Wm0vOj
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweq3JceuhU
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18E8FHXVQJ
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf8w5FwVwC
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb08y2CUfod
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR3pgDATbw
She looked at me curiously before answering.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS4PTIKwab
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdOXQovePa
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTAMAcxisl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiwXuUow8z
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkW56d4Q9j
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg1UJ4t2Kj
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeaNc70WFC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdIuADUd2y
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbtnx7nTMs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCLB07CJbE
"To whom? Those at your home village?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FDprmtij3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlGzTIYy2O
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2L3hNNZp6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA46a2J0Ag
She lightly smiled.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqhLU9Dd8t
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHpwVtW18D
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5R5QzZFOa
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zPBZAKwzG
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvvlLRPSyx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApOj5Tfejm
She shook her head from side to side.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjJ8zzaXJe
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6JA4w0Q2h
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAeuui5f7K
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2T79hznxs
"So you decided on living here?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvzQBey3aP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe78QXpJ2G1
She nodded.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEcy7mL845
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17uMEm8FKi
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln7BgN1Egh
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuX1kebqBR
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwYoODVRUp
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi75c0pVHk
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjYU5Ilmi6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAo6bwMR7m
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoahULQauW4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtpSzTkszU
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0hoHmHLYC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYcKWtMOFf
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIstHsJXl4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLhb2akQeg
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVxK4gypN2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJUjv8hOuC
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCMb2Wh2Ia
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkdjmyQiHc
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNbKsvN0D0
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01b6AztnAu
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHP4LRHLp2
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPE3Tv6ayL
"Hey, Victoria?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeWqWua5qs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRsI4AzyMG
"Yes?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZavv6lrDC
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VO8cU07Wq
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5VVV8DLJk
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVRlDtbVB0
"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!"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYaUuAbwej
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8BkTe051F
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBmkD0OUjK
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxSOaHZkec
"Kim, are you good?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlwjSBlVm1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXFUgtJch2
Kim just finished packing her bag.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeT1iMYTjA
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhQgTVMwPu
"Yes. Let's get going."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQmLgDVzlV
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxCAZMN6sb
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3oQR8dzLS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Pj7VU5Uv
–
–
–
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuu14B3Ex1
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm5DfrP1LL
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhecCo11MO
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb3OtMeN7K
...She did do that, right?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArR3sCRp7a
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm04gCr4XH8
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPM8myYrP
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sBQZEecH1
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYJOCZQOHo
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWzVMsvDrj
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Edq6t21b7
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggPH2qmATP
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLEa1nTZCh
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDmGyrAdz1
"Hmm?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0CV7fpEb6
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSUoo1uXDF
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavVPovWHLV
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa7qMflG1M
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8eax6KXsR
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54dgPVryyT
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5kopJH5d4
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr4OqracBS
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxLyxV5Giw
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xANMxlefa
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc4hguBdDf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHMGNq5ZeE
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLaSm0I7Xl
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTF1VSfjCr
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI1lFlf3EH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxaJLhHWzD
"R-Right."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsILAyKGzz3
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhuJPiNtUJ
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIPild3Ejs
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc24tEVPl1o
"Any objections?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREIIdFsUic
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFqp2c9xfF
None of us voiced any.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DvJ4rGZ6m
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6cP42gzBS
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqlVzD5BPW
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG3Gw8XcGZ
"Of course."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2dfl10D2M
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeAo38tdKe
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk5rfZPdeF
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa3p0hv1WY
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPcKoUhX6f
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNZDjk9n20
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRcwjwTMCx
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwgpjczqR8
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q9cp1i0rS
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPjNHtqEad
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeRsUg4jFH
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdHVyXbiqh
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLDUpx0NWY
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTKYpj2jDQ
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR54kgf0YtR
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0DeJbI3vI
"Hold on, stop here."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDyJd5OS6X
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZrz8n4OC6
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6QQBscumi
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrbR78Bzr2
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7ZIRnuMPk
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3na6bOsY0T
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gUtaXPLxB
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I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxvoaqTwNd
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N4cNrRkxk
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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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUOVYr6tOC
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfjmMGKNnW
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwZgQgP9Gu
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcmz2xyejk
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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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9zA2WVmxQ
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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?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZuWk3kt9E
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwhqwzbnLK
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56vFKoQJ4h
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4vNCAkmec
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bE222yQNf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv3jYYBogl
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeplqKPtji
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78yGng9C7S
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDfKDuErof
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr3UyUj0ZW
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVegpYXoBrK
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnwelwoNbS
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgX7Ghv5vw
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"Heh, well..."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPztYub9rQ
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT5w2CgLz8
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"What's the hold-up?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvpRdcRzOW
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTun8Sd0HHo
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBoVF1pnnY
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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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbnYdtrdlf
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CbjUlzZ88
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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeSQ6OT90S
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"So, what about you?"393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb8qG9ogmj
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF2SuPwri1
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOynBL88cnp
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA2vadv8Ll
"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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkve1seCoY7
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOPvN88pbr
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw8X064Pi6
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"I can see now why– oop."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LtHoSuGJm
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZhpnX6Q1D
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy86S0wBbnz
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All of a sudden, a voice.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpf8p8WdyU
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"Something... I feel like something was here."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzBrAFfltk
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb46cxK24x
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQ7E0xbvG
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwyVV6z2WK
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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.393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimBOSvchEU
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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."393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx09oNaH6F
393Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzHGxtH3RM
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.
ns216.73.217.139da2
and then Add to home screen.