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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAPyDT99a6g4
27Please respect copyright.PENANAZUtYf99raY
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."27Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8e6z252Ma
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFZTMUJpU79
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."27Please respect copyright.PENANARCscHNcBOs
27Please respect copyright.PENANAN5FY06yxrY
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?27Please respect copyright.PENANAPxoyBWUXpw
27Please respect copyright.PENANAPLNCpHOWrx
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAdEZv86L3nY
27Please respect copyright.PENANAYQLZnqpXoQ
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.27Please respect copyright.PENANAu5yo3msrD5
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxHw15adzPv
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."27Please respect copyright.PENANAoTdLwqQHDD
27Please respect copyright.PENANAco0LEHlFYi
"...Sure."27Please respect copyright.PENANAQyaqP46XwR
27Please respect copyright.PENANABZtG6IeN7r
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?27Please respect copyright.PENANARRNZYOpN48
27Please respect copyright.PENANAkvGUqzeTds
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."27Please respect copyright.PENANACEBJl4PNYE
27Please respect copyright.PENANAOTofUGS7Lb
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.27Please respect copyright.PENANA6bJqD6r7b1
27Please respect copyright.PENANAaBjYzUJEBM
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAt1x8n96znG
27Please respect copyright.PENANAvWI2H92Tii
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANATnmzu5hYNi
27Please respect copyright.PENANAjKL0Od2clU
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"27Please respect copyright.PENANARyBGRY9JPB
27Please respect copyright.PENANApi1SkjWNeM
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."27Please respect copyright.PENANAwTabs8u6g3
27Please respect copyright.PENANAqKYsntH6HH
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."27Please respect copyright.PENANAGlMdCm09Tg
27Please respect copyright.PENANAw4IDkhYzcM
"Wait, what!?"27Please respect copyright.PENANA39VQ8hGyQ0
27Please respect copyright.PENANAaFteMln4dx
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.27Please respect copyright.PENANA0PMgukK9W4
27Please respect copyright.PENANAY8MzeutNYM
"Why not me?"27Please respect copyright.PENANANFvhXc187E
27Please respect copyright.PENANAiYzrNCuiBd
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."27Please respect copyright.PENANADTNXlJRD0Y
27Please respect copyright.PENANAEeo76l6HWO
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAzvDrMU2Z4v
27Please respect copyright.PENANAqzENLnOiCw
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"27Please respect copyright.PENANA1H8I6uLtU5
27Please respect copyright.PENANAiXlVmVj6ye
No, you didn't.27Please respect copyright.PENANAhyjCHXo3HJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANA8LkVh6OnvN
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."27Please respect copyright.PENANA9LXsJmtCWp
27Please respect copyright.PENANAOqX7s5sItf
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAbimGz3OPIc
27Please respect copyright.PENANArhDFnaSW1w
"Huh?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAtpOwUW1wC4
27Please respect copyright.PENANATc10mI4m3C
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.27Please respect copyright.PENANAVhe7rPk2EV
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxTDhRO389v
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAezaPnvWad3
27Please respect copyright.PENANAUT2hBBOf9C
"Mhm!"27Please respect copyright.PENANATnYY1sXU7L
27Please respect copyright.PENANA2NCvJGYJ4Z
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.27Please respect copyright.PENANAdeb1N5TEZA
27Please respect copyright.PENANAwfZFE41q7P
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."27Please respect copyright.PENANAxWFDLfVqb6
27Please respect copyright.PENANAenw2v56e4D
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.27Please respect copyright.PENANAXwrHCoWgLI
27Please respect copyright.PENANAV5QX9hkOlV
"...Fine."27Please respect copyright.PENANApHvglAJTt3
27Please respect copyright.PENANAgp2fCTDJvU
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.27Please respect copyright.PENANALkaXf8KmwR
27Please respect copyright.PENANAiJxNyHebDp
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."27Please respect copyright.PENANACsOxBMpiBe
27Please respect copyright.PENANAAIeWLcJOSg
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"27Please respect copyright.PENANApk4ps50xan
27Please respect copyright.PENANAQAiXqmGv9W
"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!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAjsLLxEjAN9
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxWIJRRF4V4
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA1sABk68cFo
27Please respect copyright.PENANAIZzqnKP9N1
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA55MpZ20luE
27Please respect copyright.PENANANHuyUKtCkM
"Is there... something you need?"27Please respect copyright.PENANA4YuuMKxyCJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAosjfxjFw3W
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAZtfn6uqz0r
27Please respect copyright.PENANAkJSuGmJopD
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.27Please respect copyright.PENANAs8ft2b4iOB
27Please respect copyright.PENANAKy9ZBM25rF
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAFzkthQjrtt
27Please respect copyright.PENANARyegfzojbO
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANApKZkkbx6SY
27Please respect copyright.PENANAdYBdztlIu3
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAybnlNH9BQP
27Please respect copyright.PENANA7aPT1SwJQh
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."27Please respect copyright.PENANAQDgytBfcch
27Please respect copyright.PENANAkcJf1Hz2pA
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.27Please respect copyright.PENANA5wAqGz9jQ3
27Please respect copyright.PENANALg7GQyAkev
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAFeV6v370LP
27Please respect copyright.PENANAVQVpk3dTTX
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."27Please respect copyright.PENANA3ViTkMUksQ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAqOR2up1Jdx
She giggled a little. Creepy.27Please respect copyright.PENANAR9UhlSvVrc
27Please respect copyright.PENANA9j9anvlg3n
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."27Please respect copyright.PENANANxNvEA2XM3
27Please respect copyright.PENANAUG5z0ExsO7
"..."27Please respect copyright.PENANA4iXRhFpntt
27Please respect copyright.PENANA7RAU6PEu9s
What?27Please respect copyright.PENANAREfPGrGLxb
27Please respect copyright.PENANAjMAFwTX38Q
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAbscoZapdw2
27Please respect copyright.PENANAGhB8eIQFsP
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAqmbCUH5l8G
27Please respect copyright.PENANABtONJNahDG
"O-Oh..."27Please respect copyright.PENANAliJObOvLAw
27Please respect copyright.PENANAmTWJsB56iQ
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.27Please respect copyright.PENANAHomTb2aGT7
27Please respect copyright.PENANAgR7wQKlVX0
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."27Please respect copyright.PENANAVBbj5OCPl8
27Please respect copyright.PENANASvrPontGEK
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."27Please respect copyright.PENANAVPJggYqzRl
27Please respect copyright.PENANANLzhHc3lq0
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"27Please respect copyright.PENANA75mxpdlJ3e
27Please respect copyright.PENANAfm6G9t7VP8
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."27Please respect copyright.PENANAVAeHED4iGj
27Please respect copyright.PENANA1PVKicRZqk
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.27Please respect copyright.PENANARRZPvedLZe
27Please respect copyright.PENANAL8ion5Q4d3
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.27Please respect copyright.PENANAeCQUjlSOzr
27Please respect copyright.PENANAkbXJFaS1P5
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAdRwRDjxjCJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAWLBx2nWaaA
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAmwor0QeWC6
27Please respect copyright.PENANAProLjkzpbh
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.27Please respect copyright.PENANAcYiew47Hx0
27Please respect copyright.PENANA0A8rFGKoWs
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAs7YiQWwczc
27Please respect copyright.PENANA9VjZgyafdv
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANA4NRyBmZM5Z
27Please respect copyright.PENANAtOyZBK1OOY
Front-page news!?27Please respect copyright.PENANA7uH0vc0UL1
27Please respect copyright.PENANAlUqk2MDaOi
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAIwClgllEcA
27Please respect copyright.PENANAY0PEQRwrZO
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."27Please respect copyright.PENANA5TMkJVv1Wl
27Please respect copyright.PENANA8nhvYo7rc5
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.27Please respect copyright.PENANAYhbdc5Varz
27Please respect copyright.PENANAT04ydjoUiY
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAVpUHi3jazC
27Please respect copyright.PENANAHFasRWTJZw
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.27Please respect copyright.PENANAdKbf4PjUSJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAlvvVLHzLcY
"No, I don't."27Please respect copyright.PENANAqX2KNSsl63
27Please respect copyright.PENANAnTW7zTTedd
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAFSuPXUE6il
27Please respect copyright.PENANAAm9ocY7dfg
"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!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAZcc4YrdMWR
27Please respect copyright.PENANADq3ZG4oUWh
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."27Please respect copyright.PENANAdhHoCZzwVI
27Please respect copyright.PENANAV7ZxzX9IEd
"Thank you."27Please respect copyright.PENANAM4kb2gOJfa
27Please respect copyright.PENANA2IrUR4EhBC
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAgikW4pKyrn
27Please respect copyright.PENANA0xnFXrPSvn
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.27Please respect copyright.PENANAui4NvQt83r
27Please respect copyright.PENANA9Krt2ALMok
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."27Please respect copyright.PENANARW4g0rouP7
27Please respect copyright.PENANAqupKGHKwGN
"Oh."27Please respect copyright.PENANAgyIhYmVqRG
27Please respect copyright.PENANAinM580Sddn
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.27Please respect copyright.PENANAPuuptiLuF0
27Please respect copyright.PENANAEuiF9dYb8q
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."27Please respect copyright.PENANA9JAnHgL6af
27Please respect copyright.PENANASmmtop0FZR
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"27Please respect copyright.PENANA9yoa4oLWsP
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFcvF4puULm
Her face froze. I sighed.27Please respect copyright.PENANAagUlaedxDa
27Please respect copyright.PENANA57w7cxC9Lg
"I-I'll do it in the morning."27Please respect copyright.PENANAwuS7RQIH6A
27Please respect copyright.PENANAzOTBEQBupq
"Good luck."27Please respect copyright.PENANAXy7nNCui90
27Please respect copyright.PENANARrk8uwe06N
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.27Please respect copyright.PENANA2gzBQgH7Tu
27Please respect copyright.PENANAttLxscrwOP
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."27Please respect copyright.PENANAx3IdzKcq5x
27Please respect copyright.PENANANt9bwx7tSO
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."27Please respect copyright.PENANABXFrPZYPUm
27Please respect copyright.PENANAcl9CdumZje
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."27Please respect copyright.PENANAFtN0Z0qxeU
27Please respect copyright.PENANABwPYQ1inYz
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAoSkfP0abKc
27Please respect copyright.PENANAjSiWs479tu
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."27Please respect copyright.PENANAxUThGGN5fA
27Please respect copyright.PENANAzeKjy4jYAQ
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.27Please respect copyright.PENANAElPGg3vhvQ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAvjKEKjyXZc
"Going to what?"27Please respect copyright.PENANA4roUEnuBmm
27Please respect copyright.PENANAIrrhLBUmR0
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.27Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ncull9x6L
27Please respect copyright.PENANAwrkVHZWBJK
"Huh? Wash myself?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAPUYh2Egdwc
27Please respect copyright.PENANAZiSliB70T8
"Yes. Like we did."27Please respect copyright.PENANAEppoHWRZPM
27Please respect copyright.PENANAq0EkTVmAsP
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."27Please respect copyright.PENANA8Dhy42COoq
27Please respect copyright.PENANAYEy5SKV7sZ
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.27Please respect copyright.PENANAg79oJqzeEv
27Please respect copyright.PENANAGvHIF8W8Yh
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAcDrG7hAPl4
27Please respect copyright.PENANAuFySwLi9Ui
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAKKEAgTbDwc
27Please respect copyright.PENANAUAWxFshEu5
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.27Please respect copyright.PENANAkkL08Z69hh
27Please respect copyright.PENANAU7Er4bY0P5
"Buffalo Village."27Please respect copyright.PENANAK0SA263062
27Please respect copyright.PENANA3MYkZtylOq
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."27Please respect copyright.PENANAG3zn8TqZk0
27Please respect copyright.PENANAMvyRpKjuyt
"Really? I didn't know that."27Please respect copyright.PENANAMajPDEMZWd
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFfKboP5bQd
Kim looked like she was smiling.27Please respect copyright.PENANAdehVDRyTwg
27Please respect copyright.PENANAl2FTjBnqHR
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."27Please respect copyright.PENANAZAgmpF6SfF
27Please respect copyright.PENANAQQNbaOF59f
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.27Please respect copyright.PENANAqdajmJ2mxk
27Please respect copyright.PENANAfR8AXbfjCx
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAjraIZbJ9H9
27Please respect copyright.PENANA3sUqTnD114
"Fine, fine."27Please respect copyright.PENANANyqlGSS3HJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAlrcxvp915g
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
27Please respect copyright.PENANAuuReyo5l4o
"..."27Please respect copyright.PENANADfn4ixR6fc
27Please respect copyright.PENANAMluo4z8b14
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.27Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2yfjM4TdB
27Please respect copyright.PENANAyqMhXsqXJN
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."27Please respect copyright.PENANAboDXZjOIYg
27Please respect copyright.PENANAl87ohh9kmF
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.27Please respect copyright.PENANA1BgHCLaslE
27Please respect copyright.PENANA8Mm7BG59Nu
–
–
–
"...Mmm."27Please respect copyright.PENANAahEuMbGz5D
27Please respect copyright.PENANA9mHG74C7hM
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAfbxPeWSNfC
27Please respect copyright.PENANAPkl4OWySYz
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANATZFvqlgUr8
27Please respect copyright.PENANAIFd0oFOwxQ
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAovFOBNiTkH
27Please respect copyright.PENANA25b7rVGWN9
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA3P7p8Bvux1
27Please respect copyright.PENANAkffjGmwnZy
"Wow, you're hard at work."27Please respect copyright.PENANApYSCsbCld8
27Please respect copyright.PENANAhq6RhkFzaU
"Ah!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAhhEeIPFkew
27Please respect copyright.PENANAOE4QUkIL6J
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.27Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZuMqDJF4M
27Please respect copyright.PENANAKVgUDJez3r
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAVLNAXMWyC8
27Please respect copyright.PENANACzIZwlccOE
"I don't think so... what time is it?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAbbZWLkNUDJ
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxMRyzHsvOD
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."27Please respect copyright.PENANA8Goaiz2NSI
27Please respect copyright.PENANAwSi6SkS4uq
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA4ExOYOlr6g
27Please respect copyright.PENANAtq2kTbahEM
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAwajwqYgnqm
27Please respect copyright.PENANAqTz05j66Qt
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAAT2cIECuQt
27Please respect copyright.PENANAFC1QDyVI3V
I did regret sitting beside her, though.27Please respect copyright.PENANAbYmAfyzBww
27Please respect copyright.PENANA9xLDhCJdDn
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."27Please respect copyright.PENANAUKWBU93qsm
27Please respect copyright.PENANA07qRHoqW01
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAyAEMfRD4lY
27Please respect copyright.PENANA3Led7sbnCB
Flinty looked at me with excitement.27Please respect copyright.PENANAhIS1nPsY5p
27Please respect copyright.PENANAxJz6IyWX3k
"A goal?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAomOGdHzZna
27Please respect copyright.PENANAG2eyAGR1s5
"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANACbqPFFAJm5
27Please respect copyright.PENANAr8ZhVzub8Z
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.27Please respect copyright.PENANA641H8YL8bo
27Please respect copyright.PENANA6txAjC6pWc
"Okay, I'll do my best!"27Please respect copyright.PENANA3QXrf2vWBU
27Please respect copyright.PENANAi9KOcMjW20
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAVDfavMkmiu
27Please respect copyright.PENANArX9qIjzdAR
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAII1IdhcqjT
27Please respect copyright.PENANAC8EDCtysYx
"Good morning, Linda!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAx3WXIhio6M
27Please respect copyright.PENANA0vAbxohAcf
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."27Please respect copyright.PENANANectgDBRen
27Please respect copyright.PENANA5LWJoO2tam
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAmMFVxtxGjF
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.27Please respect copyright.PENANAU8vdmMD0Ey
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."27Please respect copyright.PENANAvDoF59r7fp
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Friday? Today is Friday?27Please respect copyright.PENANALKCui8HoyG
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAHrRe1NZOgd
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAtamPcAsH0l
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She looked at me curiously before answering.27Please respect copyright.PENANAeQIBmoSQvp
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"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."27Please respect copyright.PENANAbHsZgM0BxN
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.27Please respect copyright.PENANApZxpw2Yyc1
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANApvxByHAPeS
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"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."27Please respect copyright.PENANASzloTi24zx
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"To whom? Those at your home village?"27Please respect copyright.PENANANY79bN75n6
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"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAP3cggSoni9
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She lightly smiled.27Please respect copyright.PENANAxgIroeebCl
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"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."27Please respect copyright.PENANAWGBQH8BhSC
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"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAAItp3o7g8p
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She shook her head from side to side.27Please respect copyright.PENANA8d0NhQdZog
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAMGTVO4cbre
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"So you decided on living here?"27Please respect copyright.PENANATOz2pBeTGC
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She nodded.27Please respect copyright.PENANAR1VldKZybO
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAM79O2Lh4o8
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA3GL7zksb7f
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."27Please respect copyright.PENANAlLBuTORFkv
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"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."27Please respect copyright.PENANAPe0ypYhrdk
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"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."27Please respect copyright.PENANA2b5PaWFvOb
27Please respect copyright.PENANA7PUNL32aBk
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA8r6tG4zpJc
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA910S8mWt8h
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"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAbci0AQoijc
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAWU0xDfqQMh
27Please respect copyright.PENANAfKzPCv6cB8
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAoY84CVzNgX
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"Hey, Victoria?"27Please respect copyright.PENANA61i0xOzonj
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"Yes?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAO35LrAdCra
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAnIXI9tgU44
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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!"27Please respect copyright.PENANAJy6dVtgFXV
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA9X4Dg7Gm89
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"Kim, are you good?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAIW36YsEUEJ
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Kim just finished packing her bag.27Please respect copyright.PENANAoMynV2u90j
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"Yes. Let's get going."27Please respect copyright.PENANAcEQKGAH7pz
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"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."27Please respect copyright.PENANAFvB4baGtqf
27Please respect copyright.PENANAbMxn9o4VyF
–
–
–
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.27Please respect copyright.PENANApqd67OJnWW
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAZdn9CR2iwR
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...She did do that, right?27Please respect copyright.PENANApOZTRA3LWn
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA2myDj9BeXB
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAEeyT4h4i2D
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?27Please respect copyright.PENANAL1P5jVuAOl
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAqWTX2wXAhu
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"Hmm?"27Please respect copyright.PENANALQjtFM7BGm
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.27Please respect copyright.PENANArBGpnNLpt5
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"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."27Please respect copyright.PENANApFnNxnmBPX
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAr49v4vu9zv
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.27Please respect copyright.PENANAkehzscPYJ6
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAOHmr3tcZdK
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The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.27Please respect copyright.PENANA84r0DfpEuE
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."27Please respect copyright.PENANAbd2Toy0G6L
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"R-Right."27Please respect copyright.PENANAeen1iLAzzQ
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAuvyG3fuEhw
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"Any objections?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAOkoPvtJY5m
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None of us voiced any.27Please respect copyright.PENANAvUBPGNi4cW
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAuwercloD0B
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"Of course."27Please respect copyright.PENANAoKuB7RG1xs
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANApiGOi8rJYR
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAwMNonSLIcm
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAvqzUnYbqJe
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAUzT2FgS2Ux
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAwuVZtSGyM2
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAIq2EPggJkI
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAbYdS3DlXvQ
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"Hold on, stop here."27Please respect copyright.PENANAua1aEiNoyb
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA8Am4XYsggD
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.27Please respect copyright.PENANATrtFAaghvY
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANA03AkBf98ai
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAgMxOrifT6l
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANARKClECaVME
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAFX8NV7YbEt
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.27Please respect copyright.PENANAz24Ed1zARl
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."27Please respect copyright.PENANAMcyKUAmo3q
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA2phOZ9qlI5
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANARVMCBlTlwr
27Please respect copyright.PENANAf9t73J6ynQ
"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?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAyAb8FVQw4a
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANACMuVAK6lQQ
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAxsOwiGdkON
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANA40eg5Txgey
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"27Please respect copyright.PENANAfp0YYfxz7c
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."27Please respect copyright.PENANAr9KihLte8e
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAeno5VIBJlb
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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?"27Please respect copyright.PENANALmv3ygVxt5
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"Heh, well..."27Please respect copyright.PENANAxiwE4JUDE5
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAQnChxgYPTr
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"What's the hold-up?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAXgXJjP6pSw
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."27Please respect copyright.PENANAcNd95C9zfb
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.27Please respect copyright.PENANA3C29YObB8P
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANA75siAXmMJd
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANA41itnd8zQ0
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"So, what about you?"27Please respect copyright.PENANAkIlQ9ONU7s
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."27Please respect copyright.PENANALQXuOubLyu
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAaFnKgUbDlM
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAGKgVpNAAdx
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."27Please respect copyright.PENANA96XlXthCe7
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAtIdRb8tZlO
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"I can see now why– oop."27Please respect copyright.PENANA2TbZqagme0
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAD1lqanL8IU
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAJLQqebPirh
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All of a sudden, a voice.27Please respect copyright.PENANAxyQirbx0ZL
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"Something... I feel like something was here."27Please respect copyright.PENANAtvXnHvDTbr
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAsddpoj8Jsc
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAx2de83LZkr
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."27Please respect copyright.PENANAWJCKOVcaLP
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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.27Please respect copyright.PENANAu8sqbUx07G
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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."27Please respect copyright.PENANAcGdOfmy8B1
27Please respect copyright.PENANAoWQwDL2h2B
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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