The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZguTuqtze
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZfWOYZTxS
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJycAsfmet8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0iDPeQV5w
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLleF8Mkvs
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X5hYkT0Oy
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSNu1Ccvsf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25FU8k7CzN
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV52jlPpwnC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9tep1JlkJ
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW1mSGdMik
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpETQ9ag47B
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdD3TqXm5O
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsSk6rUYog
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LJiH5qUh1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSle1rkrPv
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEkT5nWmaK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DRsJzAzJI
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ900r1Rf3ez
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJmV4ylYds
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdrAsG40iC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AD2dfkiqS
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKGATzrPdM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3BoMbazcq
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboB0OhsKQa
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodexLQWCgv
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQOItF4U5r
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGLEa7g9Dy
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIWmV041he
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeunUBtNGH
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ4JwHQmZe
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfqIBBVVwO
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyEI8flJF6
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcvKQr8vrS
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ3hGW1tdP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnqAvxQOPY
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YRtP6gwjl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFWikSV4Q1
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RVv1Phayg
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRCHPlpoFN
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3qJWrsG3H
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhjDAg7IEW
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt7PCvUCfa
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVS7OpTnhy
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRrL90NmHK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMkKqluart
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsuScLEe8r
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHsJ3HQocR
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3g0uKdica
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDKloQ5Gnh
"What's the matter?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdclXoWEXGm
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QAV82XOqm
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21p386vjvC
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHGBIEoXBH
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBvWmFSUYa
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJQ37nBPjG
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEAvYvOGf2
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIAgTCqBIX
"Of course."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRtIuN7p4g
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI13dfdcuf
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrCQDzNssE
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC9p1Vx6e2
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94CCqnDuyW
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5uQRNvUXJ
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzTdKDwTDM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6BFUvYVmW
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvB26wB9nQ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejgF590bMq
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtywbK5ad7X
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHan1g09TG0
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBzuBL3M8t
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSSla76K3J
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdUwpFMg2W
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBj3dXiQAF
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc1GUvXvav
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Luilmi8hy
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCbJBZMyvt
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0eyVfrTKP
"...Probably?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS8j44KFrU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9wCSaATCI
"Sorry, definitely."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8qUBDKg8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf44PWe55E
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1ux6cnKpi
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQYPvH3tN0
"Food's ready!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtSFK9kFFi
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApCKozXPKW
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOpEvkcLyH
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OHCfhH5KT
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2ml5Z70Kj
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOiRfZ9n21
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixCVEhia4M
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8boET0fDm
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD25gXlI0tK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC4UOqfzFz
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHByA38F1j
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bTVeSpbv4
"Are you asking me?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGHTpa1Svo
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ4mzd5ecZ
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCTGDDyrTU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdk5oYXGyu
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu7fAxSRfF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOWPbdMDNp
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsgj6GVlKM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgRjjc4Kfo
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl9YRb8ilP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3leMdCRDid
It felt heavenly.
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsDlLWgGL9
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v7fDMUuE8
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF08WLMzmZL
"What are you reading?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M4BUFqyID
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBsr0Frm19
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCcKYmByy6
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyKKELfYux
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uEVTEZc2Z
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN0e0vdMen
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxNkGffOXq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YnBxxkKUA
"...It's a book about magic."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFiEfyOXOq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAnAStfT9F
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMyxPndjqO
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfW7cfcoMS
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcoz4MOpJ2
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ325a4dnCO7
"Y-Yeah, of course."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yB2xp6cxK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbELxKxFYRE
She didn't sound very excited.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUpBsP7oEM
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZu4xWlyq2
"Do you want to practice right now?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm27gUHvI8o
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr2sfwZpal
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt2r0yrtu1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE47FkLJsm
"If you say so."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1WUqcUqEl
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8otkgRHrPo
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2STI909I9
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr3JgKQvhu
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUAZDYKZa7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tMo0acgJz
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYOYHvi0bU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYasHYi16B
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakWSgb1nXq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8TzKATatZ
"...Did he decline?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N0F2p1pG1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCTN3ff34J
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FdWDRBBUR
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPtg4xPi7l
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQKcFUK0AU
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w52aajv0N
She paused and stared at the sheets.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XlPSPFVRT
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oFBuwnA0s
"Today was the first time I made a spell."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN96dbN5b5
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZGHFh66ON
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllHDO1SFFv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHADf0Yyv5
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouxnvPMCGc
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlf6FPajnO
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JKiL4u2GK
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMImabDnKdM
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqB7kUDdWw
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeiG2BxSIV
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi3nT18YCt
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQwsghylsr
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8zeseASDf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXhKdddURC
We sat in silence for a few minutes.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgKq0ilmai
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U5jKrvVqw
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDrTjnvTjD
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO0j9k7YN0
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOPjitIebL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtQAX69uRt
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhveIt7whtZ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL94stjBtd
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZmgIHfVbA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpk0M0zUPU
She shook her head no.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kYbrgDM7f
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFWhbQwwoJ
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzVC7jLnX7
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigxgoxAg9B
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wBPSj7o0m
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6tm460m4R
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkgtDpwqZz
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4NpGOo98l
I felt like I made a mistake just now.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD26O6QxiEt
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uTfSIlT24
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QVNQcIbb1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEMKRYsTwL
"What is it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ijcUtJ4pS
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgw43iwHK6
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9IBnhak4a
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsoz0LF5Cy
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ772z0uBzOy
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOPufqzEu3
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ274qmF9RcA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g3RwhDa5C
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9lmDnj7Bf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwMPDo57mm
"I know I can do that! But, well..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdePSJgfItf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNidUiWGThr
She had her fingertips conjoined.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzdX7Nyznx
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OrmL7Z5Uc
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT91BzGy9wP
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9J35YnSS1
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRgl3b312B
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmT2hvMczU
"Alright, I'll show you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uermLsQSf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4hrxuNoJx
"Yay!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLEEORCshp
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEICIUsIl2x
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGacj8NufY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13wMTfXq5l
"I think it's best if we do this outside."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITCjkUUQaH
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ff0Sfa6dR
"Okay, then let's go!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv2eZCKuuN
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSsaAeAV9m
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyBuhKJorY
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEW21Kzr4s
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFC49Nyno1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZQP3BZiqV
"Earth?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4hsYVRzCv
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv87bKFngj
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR4PeBLEWH
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Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasDZYaVeua
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFkX9viA5j
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"It's really not that impressive."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDqjYixnUj
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRHLpF0877
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9zed87zjY
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35RaY84gRd
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhmX5GY6K4
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKio0cOoU2Y
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"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02ffvFbKKA
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I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiFSarY0im
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"How'd you do that!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRFYmobyQE
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"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs9Kj6Wps3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM4jR988LQ
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNdyp3RXBX
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp2Xx0qLUU
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"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiHCFy38PM
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I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSRI54Dwe2
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GIj47TI0k
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHufZEoaiXb
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSQtNNPBSo
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My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pf7s67qjf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wcBMx7QyH
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmT3YGVrvo
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"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lZp4H7WKc
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"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnHLv0oTAu
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Oh.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRMoCAD8EF
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Oh.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpN5hsxMHf
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The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UdMT3vcUD
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGw5X28TuX
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZdodcJFxU
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The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN3Ad9s9PP
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As for me?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn30VXCO66Y
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Well...229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtLDHImgqr
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Hsty5MtA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOcNvGWJWW
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZghPRBYh57
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyplXfwqThE
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysSkuPjTzL
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That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeuW6pqdlg
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QhkNsmPJO
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfcSum5ZR0
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGJA7brhll
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I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzokABDPbS
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmXsSnExcF
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hQX6s6lac
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3RVA68gPy
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I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSyiOcylxi
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYiawenFFe
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"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpILJ8clOtz
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"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjm76hE93D
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWmvkvD4fr
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTinIjkMAUj
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She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ7QqXyKc0
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ofN9WYeA
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy0VKh1zZ1
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I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMGm86wbc9
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhn1UoU3V5
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFhIXP1gn0
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"Of course. What is it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYXjvKXrDf
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTsGYB0bVR
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5i2A8vgfG
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKL0yGh9dW
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"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtQY4Y3HeS
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXHgCw9mKf
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgw6TQ3WJk
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglMycHv1tJ
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We all looked at her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDOwhzkFk0
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDCqiRHIB9
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"Kenny."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAODHffLd7
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"Yes?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbcnGbl5HA
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUgMsNW2P8
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X3UyuztDL
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXL5jxscus
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"Okay. Kenny?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNWPcgeeQS
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"Yes?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhQ5hY7o9q
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVLF4UJFIA
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"Huh?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF7Xk9GMdO
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZISKpECQD
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"Why do you want to go?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfEL3rpT1X
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"I... think I need to."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXh2fqSN6W
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I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPFhzZTzvq
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUtXbHj493
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"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEV45l5Hvg
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbdljS8QJV
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I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWUC573LL3
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My heart sank.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvd37lIOTC
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
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