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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPKRXvMUyQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCzYn5fxUL
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUxeY82rZC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OvGYzaM8z
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8kyzfsbvW
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeqrjt4vyY
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyviUqZNKdc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsUKfLmQe8
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWP8pRvZSG
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMryH8RoLm1
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMHWbCavao
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3ksQODVsd
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDX4iQT79K
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkmBDwCsQp
"...Sure."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroIEW1gpvm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA07LO6BcM
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?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcXAjYuOYC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2GjhulmmM
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURpejzP5Uy
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W0rdzA7UW
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrFNUMuWfC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1iYmpn61V
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGryAlmPRoM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd6OIZJybY
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92U28w5eA1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkLW5PGNTE
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixsa9zsASz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNNZ3JZzs3
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwdtvkYJIH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6yW7uxTza
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkzaiUL9GE
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT4KDeUGqw
"Wait, what!?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8uvioVRbA
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV9qXR8sWc
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2YJgCofkY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl7JVbhR4S
"Why not me?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zc85eZU0d
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ2Nmvtqj8
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD9iRvJe4x
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkpiIk1Hvx
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeWoUFjjmm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHpiWFPPkY
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPSQkCDfd4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXvLtZKrxM
No, you didn't.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFoHtkFK5L
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUncsAeIBR
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnrz7XKBnA
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcHpEJNoC7
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEbArHXxe0
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjHVHqXBDd
"Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOEwb0gl23
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSw5orE9OL
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocnexFdR0x
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nbw4a67OU
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV8li8owQQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45YYzvGqn9
"Mhm!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzoun7Bdk6
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgboVuNDnI
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupsgTO55fN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4SBioeBiM
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZDDj5F20x
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCeI4x4nnR
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQLmqxsG0a
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NDD0yH3M3
"...Fine."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aJePfsnUz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WklF4kAyd
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1KLIiRziN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ez6BIllUw
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBtGPPxzhW
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLNFDerHH7
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o4kfiVzNI
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iLdYmp5ZS
"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!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfzHeDQGRQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiB1Y90TUJ
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd14vdrzAp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc5qVu1Maj
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78TDtQ6BLg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb9DszlHHr
"Is there... something you need?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeZkEG9MvL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5D3hsrScz
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiZ4yToLfv
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTroHqffsV
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNUnUsbuhR
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp18VzXN7Cl
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzPgfw9Gtt
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl2wrSSVzU
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmymQt5gJY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9gjJ3lAHQ
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuxIZgu4jZ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC8VfwCSRM
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n7QKQTuE4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVoQpBZZZ9
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDpixlXtQx
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhdi3ArSUE
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLUDNfhFd1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBIms8iig8
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmBkDoH1Px
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeUaQ978Vk
She giggled a little. Creepy.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBsrt32IEi
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABrAeaeoxV
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKBI4HpXbg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZSAz9YSwH
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEPCmlRD3T
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpOPhyZkB9
What?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth7G2gP3DI
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd4DTev2oF
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqG3ojTq2Q
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i5vCFqkO6
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmtG3C2h8E
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPuEXQ4K1I
"O-Oh..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk625J3Jc8C
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEtxtLgL2c
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDoGBGMCVG
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkHje0Nayi
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtLToA2AIB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SurNObaWr
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJZrUQEQ9i
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYIDrrp7ui
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGyONMxj2s
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo4HOClaOy
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQLmDTJybo
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlbxl710e3
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pd1zW4fzt
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cXvj6q2Lo
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksvac3v7eC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMicY29ZT1
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJTP2Ean4w
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sFxOJL8uX
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmYpAytk4i
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURCV0NFMl1
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGhceILvjB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P5tqw8KnD
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdqM9CZ9Lf
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4hwugERc1
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavFZMVS9RO
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfd5JnSWLY
Front-page news!?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RBacXiG2f
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rAeXNZOZ4
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX46FBJue8p
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NLHjvGc8p
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BwAGvzbv7
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She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNS7zYCnNc
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"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId0GieifER
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She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbj05gap3Y
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMfcXFTa1i
"No, I don't."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBz2TWiB9l
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa5Xud8W9k
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgBcdJblr2
"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!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru15jydlct
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx17zgKnOYC
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XCUNIQMaY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGBP5GVmZw
"Thank you."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJODzMPqh1S
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPn1RVJPL5
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRPixmeyzr
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPUw8ZALfP
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yYXQ54Zav
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3YVnVg8F6
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgTLPmY98x
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"Oh."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr0iILQ3so
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If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKlgLWBueT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnseBd6uZa
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKfPSYARXC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHvsSxL8Kx
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlufDPFKwA
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Her face froze. I sighed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5z4r9t2Tp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fUcFdW6Zp
"I-I'll do it in the morning."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyEdq7OY70
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"Good luck."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt9DfyO9rJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ5s95cQhP
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRKOrrFiiJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQmr3VeYHA
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwaJpHubaB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQs0Ym3al2
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAKTXgFUiO
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kkTBK719S
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iqydE7YMV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqHM4Ni3Pc
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvypK4Ep2Jb
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ2pVruJwO
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMC9BCEkCf
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xG23p6CL0
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeI6ll7lrD
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHku9acEcMf
"Going to what?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgpgFjVoGr
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfcffGR7uM
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hIYYc3zII
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqmPyFFYwJ
"Huh? Wash myself?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84VgPDyK7s
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXhlCGAFap
"Yes. Like we did."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxYR2rUDs6
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"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfS8CERDQM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H5pFEBi3F
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMjhR2rv4W
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M8F8tm8kz
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQDa7DuROj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdH7khQ2ip
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3oQ79E3JA
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHkPEzqXw5
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HEcB4E1kY
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"Buffalo Village."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe21kg1HxWe
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvpJ1sTNwK
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsqgCp6M3d
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"Really? I didn't know that."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb3x28hJRM
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Kim looked like she was smiling.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4WJq93VLq
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSexpQZyVUH
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIYwvyjVI5
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf7jPy2UJw
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKaisKgpzv
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBeMwJLDpl
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z5wIeKrsC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fQPJB40Wx
"Fine, fine."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6ZTUCchff
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIukptSZ8sB
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF9yFMbZD2
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR91mRRSeUd
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH8U3gKauN
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0VaS4VNKW
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJiniYaKgd
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8r9ldv9qU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3D78DfCKN
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3KaRuB7Oa
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNzjcEy0NJ
–
–
–
"...Mmm."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWZnwzGHzM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxB0bUbZV4
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgfRZCY1nV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNKHyn5KSz
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz6DLMGilw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oIXLbrFjq
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRLwh0z2tA
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhu4oR4k2Y
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51B0vBieoD
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3giKyOsGxU
"Wow, you're hard at work."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡant4DuW8Xg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp9dWv8Df1
"Ah!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfR5L1LXmh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArJ1i5vD3g
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVb7ZrG0Gk
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0wWZDEymi
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokogPqxaXc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dWKPfheEL
"I don't think so... what time is it?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao2E6dA5g9
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJXEWb48Zr
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHJmJ8Hinc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc43iSxQ7t
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC2VMcggdL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW6Vs4AwoF
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlurhvZidh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhaCpR8SFV
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG08UQo7vm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNef4ZPpZLj
I did regret sitting beside her, though.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5vIr9rJJp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg56l0QzqEh
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTi5BLFcke
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XSJmM1eXZ
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpZmQoNfzn
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXm8V57JYx
Flinty looked at me with excitement.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JVYMGiNPE
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB8LRw8Ooh
"A goal?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGVab7k2Ey
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM6mjhzr67
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChqe769gk9
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq0z1AtYtS
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaUzqQXx6d
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUyqpQXtof
"Okay, I'll do my best!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcARY2vP09n
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k6XAlEKxF
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoVcMtByvg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayT3cOyl4X
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs608MqtLaF
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwVvDeHfSr
"Good morning, Linda!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa5vTF47Dv
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUdOmN0f6x
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBuH8j3j0t
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cXBRuRGzv
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzijt7hXkJf
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80r6JWZQTK
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox28qjAujj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDlsk5qnPA
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv84XOgRP7
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ZOpq3gvm
Friday? Today is Friday?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUPabMsGVH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmxGJ3jXAO
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3lnSwCYc5
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ3sTUBNR8
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmVTQFFqzM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmWWfVjtkn
She looked at me curiously before answering.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W0Ox6OiCi
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLmCj4jBDb
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwg40LgeqQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHmMc4pYxL
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihbaEssvui
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qUIiy13dx
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt5uEzUy0C
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8r5rPtW9Q
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJfmJkQ2Oc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NnhTvWHbP
"To whom? Those at your home village?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINdRpqn9d7
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilobfp3Cg0
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjbuMVrDSY
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajkvxTx3fH
She lightly smiled.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ3h9nDo4x
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Eu0caovR
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpiVSqDboK
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvGYu15EgC
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmQqn2dowD
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt72Q1chZws
She shook her head from side to side.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlpvX8sInQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR3CG1YaNu
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq2ObC7VDT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeAxYOIKwK
"So you decided on living here?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8XtmDa1V4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhqci7nUSG
She nodded.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmh1iEmhUy
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTerZeUNyo
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLDyRLTfP9
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43UULCaGPn
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApIBpq19uo
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnShesR8Ij
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG3AG9Yqxs
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNZJlgrdd8
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJYzwb7BYn
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubrgBGoXp9
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk9fWG9YKc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJNi4gSSo9
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfona66nvL4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m0fTSn50D
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1yBx44xCw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIQ2NqC7FD
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6czm6mj0c2
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q0Ekd43ZP
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY0UiIWQtc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VGdZ6JMMD
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu2oNMbSkU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTm2zVGFtE
"Hey, Victoria?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhnpEQ40Vx
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEMrDSWAVS
"Yes?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqBb6lHsDe
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcekdcVuADB
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmmSkBxgJz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEGdNYo2Ds
"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!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuoN453xUR
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9DEVtrJPr
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWdW1xx9pm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpIKQP1mVh
"Kim, are you good?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RYxXZiP34
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfk9CYNcjJ
Kim just finished packing her bag.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJJ4EA1YVw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuCgjp8SQT
"Yes. Let's get going."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIQzq9YXiB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXFlP0UEQW
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE6VNeSP6x
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNOaCyqwbz
–
–
–
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T0Tm2JbPU
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKoGslVegH
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EnEZzt1Zl
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkDOr8rDFB
...She did do that, right?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF2AMswM8u
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB29OyrLg16
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAeFNjy3YH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC3iTFl3HT
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k4e7KDOcF
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldNFlWCDDO
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwltqH9agID
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTLpnaKjv7
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlz00lAD4V
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvpnQg61uT
"Hmm?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK3S1kOfkj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzH77u498N
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODzRhDHMHg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2oF614CEC
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHVGXPqZSz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPAGCUqRBX
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMF4nZjpNg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzad0eiEzli
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2Flt7Dukl
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zaYnTjRXX
"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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecc2Lk0ove
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEePbhhdLMy
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCejMVzFnlG
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V1eda8D5x
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bXiooMQ32
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiweYA2vto
"R-Right."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXYvXezPnh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqf1Hxxpyy
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWvVujWadT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpYcnA6zzR
"Any objections?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSsnbth3GT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zuBp4bFnt
None of us voiced any.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc8VcV1hCz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb1nMdMbJE
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7VQ7AcgOj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cg0keUmmj
"Of course."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMllVm6eyMp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcW4AsFnm8
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
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–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDijGFwljN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a7l3Pc9Vc
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Hl8eWBEp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQzqrmINef
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8761l7FlrX
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4qwhyV1mx
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuE7AfG777
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJMzOFSIfw
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwxINz5Fwf
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ751ecmh6cQ
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFd16cG0g7
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DSjxrI3gR
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAcFXjAxBc
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidIXUhAMFw
"Hold on, stop here."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8iaNQ2eQP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ3o9ZSIJt
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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRbMiOqUCT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMuRsIO9TP
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiqFtNnhlX
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNtRECEEqT
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh7h17E1hR
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwj7Ba4BKL
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDfRWnOKvK
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv0aq7skOl
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2G7ZPAXJr
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tCXxDOQGP
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJSG1cVQWI
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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?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Plcw2cnVA
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uy864Osaw
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hp3CLNDM0
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPf6QWqH1q
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZSOmA51Pj
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8GeKKXMyf
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHbDvWClZI
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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?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOTI2NVdzD
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"Heh, well..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarEAdQKqD6
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofjewyVPpc
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"What's the hold-up?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ7DlSIfzE
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kHAqGfO9p
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPugV6LPWW
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ694uR9cpMP
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtyUXo4kAE
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"So, what about you?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxLTW6kwBY
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlODYVjLQ0x
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4M1HEpgY6
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlm7Dvyful
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXeQgtWTQh
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxErDYGphW
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"I can see now why– oop."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqvUjSYHto
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdGDIHPxpj
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWlFbSx2ae
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All of a sudden, a voice.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RWSGhiO6r
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"Something... I feel like something was here."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9fIQqogiW
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzs84KlRp4
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoCtjfZMZv
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKu57aQN2B
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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.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCtQksQVOM
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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."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3x4tLLPSF
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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