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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EwqM9FYVw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt7tD6UOcf
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn7EakcAnT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91pmdK90U9
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoBC96V39f
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlrQgPhFFU
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMBbDXhbwh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYge8cdJJ7d
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk4TewtZ7p
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqOg1HokOC
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiRP2sb7nm
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP6wUbOQip
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiOeoK99d8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl6YgfSfmm
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYartDBvUKK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg1du9Ine9
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4o8n2qu8M
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ2KbKe4mN
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZmRbygu8r
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPCvmSRKqh
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHQJQg8zNT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt6jjcFNru
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULQd48VJ5q
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemyCZr41Vt
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOiigbxm9l
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntmRaUG1N5
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIkLh0CjSG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFxGSlc8Na
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGGvnCswDp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrSUw62edQ
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p6TDgksvL
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwwTlQ5sxA
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt06Fuf4hCa
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi8X7P3o51
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRlY8LFJS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVAfUn3ED7
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKGTGjVVup
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lF1BjPh71
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbvamFeyr7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrGvhjaMrs
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FlPsyv3q0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVrvcKViq2
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aDEoAaFO0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHOSaXvwZt
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA9HboY6KA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0DSIYxLsB
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jMlBXxtrE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3BkqwzKG4
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB3nSj6IDu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqyzh1Z5xH
"What's the matter?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwj5wPP4Ob
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoIRMe54X3
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs6Sm7zBvf
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cdmh4fEqE
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDgSOxn9Qi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjs7BH8quY
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowRhohzk8M
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9r7f5wOrQ
"Of course."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdBTPgD8bb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqsazA7dli
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH997GVUrdG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo3bkHRc90
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfJhI0cMlY
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8uPqR7nci
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjOLXo5LEA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe7QU4fDgm
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueH5PcUUHC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYjBLkBEhK
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOfntRA822
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMF54o5SD3
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqbnB2Zyu5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNWAU8Nqyy
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY7Mi36rdi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAQansqkgT
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE3EdYheh1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIHAPZUcOT
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjcrThR92J
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRT687jRf3
"...Probably?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooN98hbaPp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpi4PH8Jgl
"Sorry, definitely."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdRn3ryZHJ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRaedLFhNB
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWYilStVQC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVADqxEDww
"Food's ready!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv9gP3Wmyl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD2ElIWyv6
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9uATXBo3b
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnE1XwWHms
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNcek9zaAZ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDT8yabTX6
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvxYxWqjua
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OMGcwIg3l
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkeGBZkwq7
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fsy2nFmYN
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W8GEjHpZx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4i4xYGk1U
"Are you asking me?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCirWn2xN98
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhf8ILl7sn
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QXwWDQ3L9
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqZ6qXxQBi
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOAX4X0Qug
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzkBv5EVj7
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XK9hUtWoE
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBCnLYACYg
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZr09CXtTb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDF1KltWGM
It felt heavenly.
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpbp0jBzQQ
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP5EDwcx6i
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DmCBKJhWh
"What are you reading?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwECQqFigCX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z3n67uk3x
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WjALSNBCp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTk6t7jvLo
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkn2oF1GCU
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aoJRGPqjA
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt3Zbxknvj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4VSd5UXcf
"...It's a book about magic."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRcnec35g0
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpwlCJYGTj
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKitke4gTLn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79esvYHAuk
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt6TT5lGiQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y4mTmRXR3
"Y-Yeah, of course."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSunwtLbDi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6apTj2uhr4
She didn't sound very excited.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq2kde4YCR
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF7YfMsvE6
"Do you want to practice right now?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XFWoJIhIY
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2QOLLZ3n1
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8nCGP6ZAi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJCwtj1ipM
"If you say so."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWa9CY7duh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAfsCOfrus
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXhR9t8x6p
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ5QoTPy1R
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2VKu3ocHV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVbmbVyYxz
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1PzxmHXHw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkm8JJ6GVY
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W5ujretOu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9KyHmbMPY
"...Did he decline?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw2zouoDgS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0fxei5Lgc
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxApg3Hef8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5ulj4DGxr
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGAA5JITYn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmi1Y7it2q
She paused and stared at the sheets.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRRXmd1STo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx1qq8kmmg
"Today was the first time I made a spell."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Ou6CDJFe
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWrcXO3DOz
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDM2fR46C6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTrY3ASp65
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtToLUligcM
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxi1215q1E
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SPdvHWcVi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lvvSeBb8p
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHNFOhVw6f
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDZ9EYMwlZ
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEUYRalXIK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvTrjPJNYz
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnYshEjHng
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzfCfU5bkK
We sat in silence for a few minutes.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWjCQfOcQl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeqvPqxUiZ
"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."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwzFBOLAhc
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pGVpvb2o1
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UIy7f6b4f
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3X0KakmUc
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPx0Jcxxh2
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ADmu2Y6Gd
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhDtvsIRqQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx273iNe6M
She shook her head no.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfc481HD3i
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF1SvxIv0l
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c8fAK1RQP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShkKuNU06G
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwcSfYEkDp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB5HcdeGdZ
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdUPYKSGJQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfUmIJWxgy
I felt like I made a mistake just now.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl2MIwojtw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4UmSUANkJ
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPolDam0f4b
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRzE9emyA9
"What is it?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2Pz1VbzFl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNaEzroL77
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvhqRLjXFX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYveVZiXMx
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nqkHQn4WL
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c7H3KzEbE
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceKXgHz1LP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwMidcqJNy
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS9dLMFazp
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vIJe6ftFm
"I know I can do that! But, well..."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAgewKtP6x
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxWF42Bvt8
She had her fingertips conjoined.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT1A6hHQSD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmRfojndwy
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC9JjFSBe8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwyzafKg4B
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0kUUlIuOX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMbkb7kzws
"Alright, I'll show you."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BRkjRpKbO
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SD2IsBL7K
"Yay!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuwwUWyIbh
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEis4Nu97jW
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN2P6xZmOC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cTYkPlWki
"I think it's best if we do this outside."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9C6U70XAw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp3VZVGfFS
"Okay, then let's go!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNyWpfucth
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlocw2HwBW
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMScclheMR
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXIgCR8qyI
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaI4g8dJME
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX9VoEVxoC
"Earth?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpjOgq1B4a
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34TWIP2GOW
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSUfACGAA1
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xCwg5dB3u
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg64bvJzLd
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hJovrdfNt
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpmCzdBlXi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d0wC5Boc0
"It's really not that impressive."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYeXbP1HoA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJGlssxttk
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5iGHJAOdk
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8gKjX6QHJ
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFwrcty0Iz
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DUhgqcz0m
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3HZGUQkMb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEoLVqSv8z
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdj7hyBNNm
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6bsdbJTHh
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EFMd2sTuo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQAVHZ16Rv
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrHC7qpLcX
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUNw4C733n
"How'd you do that!?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8tfjxpAap
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNwvxtbASa
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxWKM91M43
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9JjQyXX83
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjZRXpt8r4
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeVTjn82ZS
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQIaX5J6Od
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8xGtPqkXI
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgU6geD0w5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiweSDllayf
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHgibPatrA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeVKEDEqLM
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wcIyZ5K7D
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENOxsiDoiv
"What's wrong, Flinty?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRUSSjhGue
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts6Z3bM9lN
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQJpgllMHQ
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6UDAriEZN
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWFRwQGtn2
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMctzwi4GP8
...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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmKdjSUMri
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ1lZv7TeF
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Rr9Ar4gj
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5yJgrg0T9
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjYQg0g7pA
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf2xsF2tOl
Oh.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuJDLoifpF
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWbANzPyqQ
Oh.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3THM6oRaJI
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPqO71Ypw7
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaAP2ravdr
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tf8bpFVAw
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSumev0iSUo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfavfpIuOI
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm1sPhaniv
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUech1JzKbk
As for me?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7AV8XS3yB
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHkqxr9oJM
Well...184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLLYUMQiB2
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J3LTDbvvL
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAiU76rnVu
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2xo3yQ1nq
**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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiArBHqtUnO
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmckdqTAEBM
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7Qm5ITac6
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55MQdv27Y6
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4MD75vUIC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaqwLS2crC
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevqgxErvAP
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOcUBp4BLK
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNRLqEc6BV
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwrBuPwdqu
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTeeCeozNS
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc76wzfbLw8
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DQjlBw86R
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA9NbFW3Jo
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunjnYfcy8F
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7paagJcTHi
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUxTJgoe8E
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujgJNkxBuk
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCUKts57cb
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IQDexNhfy
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj88PWPJa2
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGpy3wpvsl
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwx6TjPEpT
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFCFqI6Fb4
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lqv5HurFn
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMutIvJkuST
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tM8P2cBsC
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ275GRXmwSF
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6JfVGsPo8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0dZDDnwoo
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KoMADX5Qi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXRt8YWL6s
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSFVcy5N0X
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUmPsYiHu6
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzORDc8HWD
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3HkiZtT14
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqXyds5IdH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKHgWmIj9i
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK1Ey7Q66J
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzzClKpaRf
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijXuveC3Am
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0ea4RrNIP
"Of course. What is it?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W85WS8yvH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIV4DbkZtR
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6py6B0jjr
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94x60Or2sT
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUD4eXoNCL
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17YbzrbkrR
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhlL7mpqmr
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnbaNHTWBL
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BmRsosMhN
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UIRGgcny4
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetkaqtfnPH
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqVI88MECu
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQvpdwY9ln
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOOrOikbHW
We all looked at her.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSZARkS8Sd
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpxaAJLyTY
"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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEix6JD9pM
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXcBdqkFO9
"Kenny."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHIRS0SKQ5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUQjovjkgM
"Yes?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggKkw03dLW
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8gursJr69
"I'm sorry I freaked out."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztMJVzNKXo
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LBs23tpxS
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZc0uPNTrG
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarIXB78VyA
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2TWsYPIKi
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZbmOJddCZ
"Okay. Kenny?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73shafVzly
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWrIj6Lnpx
"Yes?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22JqUBLMLm
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm2vNfU9cj
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuffaLILU1P
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19lXxEgdgN
"Huh?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8z8XGh4tw
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLn2NkNSVT
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRjv4uaxYl
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnN2LQDKNJ
"Why do you want to go?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qnU6Lw12w
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ou2NZE6Fq
"I... think I need to."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRT03D3qZ8
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdAeLe50lY
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaAXpIPgNx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjiD0Nxfsg
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleuQQq0h4P
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uxNVXAbkP
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAxdhnLxtx
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT54e81r9K5
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRgijOhYHK
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmtddPNvXL
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5HSSa8G59
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TaDJSxVQO
My heart sank.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwRwyA16T5
184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELLrLQ0CL2
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
然後按「加至主畫面」