The doors to the Pillar were made of thick glass lined with bolted steel. Opening it was arduous and unexpectedly time-consuming– that is until Rover caught up with me. Though the hinges fought against the force valiantly, Rover's sheer strength proved to be too much. A simple shove flung them open like a cupboard door. Unfortunately, I was putting my whole being into opening the door beforehand, leading me to unceremoniously fall onto the smooth floor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEeu8iKXDD
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"Ow! Ahh..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvoMjXDQLF
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"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDqI2WVY65
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"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW20kYruYj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACvYvCwM5s
She tilted her head at my comment. I stood up and rubbed my own, ignoring the inquiry shown in her gaze. We took a few paces into the building. Immediately, I noticed smooth, carpeted floors and lavish furniture sprawled around the entrance. There were lounges, tables, receptionist desks, and more. Though it was the first time I'd ever entered such a scene, I could draw a comparison easily– it was very similar to how the Tea Mage described the "student center" of Talbot, after all.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqexlv8pjY8
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"...This place is giving me the creeps."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR81fpmgP6
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"Huh? How so?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88YFxkbZ8v
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"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoxhUN1Tv6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NA23yud7Z
"Couches and rich– wait a second."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9OvwNKefU
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Doing another scan of the environs, I found myself concurring with Rover's deduction. At that moment, the grandiose atmosphere of the room vanished and was replaced with ghostliness, and a cold sweat ran down my back. I also became confused; after all, didn't Mason say that security was tight?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwvbxvLjOE
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoVTnwvJQ5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWi7PDuz1K
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ksD9LCWel
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"Tch! This stinks!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5TCIX7c0I
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Rover stomped the ground and began to storm off, but I grabbed her wrist before she could go too far. She turned her head to me with her usual grumpy scowl.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3NHnf82c6
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"What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FE9RstcG1
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"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7OoWpJRGj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAv03OYIfj
"What? Are you scared?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIJiLD8eOR
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"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw9ZtuSHgC
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She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNIeOVC31E
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"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzprMvpsIm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBdJyAE27p
She had a wry look on her face. I understood the intentions behind her words and tone immediately, and I nodded in the face of a revelation. It was one I couldn't properly articulate, but the feelings it stirred up translated perfectly into an action.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMlP0SiVoJ
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNiCaA4CNs
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"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRr4RJ88wU
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"...Fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuehsen5dNV
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Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LeRHAPGkc
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Rover and I didn't spend too much time inside the foyer, since it was obvious that what we saw would be all there is. Instead, we walked deeper into it and were immediately faced with a fork in our road. A left and a right, each path leading to a hallway with a set of doors. The ends of the hallway were comfortably in sight, meaning that traveling them shouldn't be challenging. I looked at Rover inquisitively. She pointed at the hallway on the left, prompting me to take the one on the right.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTr8p6Ryqv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtgd0GxpUS
My first impression of this hallway was that it was bland. There were no elegant decorations of lush chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was a hallway consisting of simple white walls and doors. Most of the lighting came from windows and the sun, though a few lights were stationed here and there. I hit the end of the hallway quickly, turning the corner and continuing my expedition. The hallway looked identical to where I was standing, which made me feel as if traveling in this sector was a waste of time. Rover was a much quicker walker than me, so she would already have seen whatever was beyond the next turn long before I made it there.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhDsMHgYWG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekZV1BN80G
"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrut98s0p6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0xcPKzzPR
Our goal was ultimately to reach the Dean's office, which, according to Mason, was perched on the highest floor of the Pillar. However, Mason also said that the interior was heavily guarded. I doubted his words, but doing so wouldn't lead me anywhere, since it wasn't like I had a lead or someone nearby to ask. Therefore, I decided that I should look around more sensibly, and with my new mindset, decided to open the nearest door.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU1PEpm0yP
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"...It's locked."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEV9Qibj3F
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I shouldn't have been, but I was disappointed. I walked a few paces to the next door and tried to open that one but to no avail. I repeated this action for the next half a dozen or so doors, until suddenly–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfzJppUn6r
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpOtgwpFdM
"Oh! This one's open!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGYNZQI2No
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Before I let the door go wide, I released my tendril, giving into the sense of trepidation I've had since entering the building. Then, I took my first step. Aside from the tiny slab of sunlight crossing barely over the threshold, the room was pitch black. I produced a Flash-Bloom and was greeted by what appeared to be an office building.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCthRbSyM6
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQrEFiA2iT
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Thrown into a coughing fit, I eyed the inordinate amount of dust in the environs. Opening the door must've flung it all into the air. Now I stood there, coughing and in regret.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59r2imdTbm
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But I had to wonder: Why was a room inside a building as crucial as this so dusty? Was it just an unused room? Or, was it something else?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcXrJvQVyQ
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUlJQgauX2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuSNxXApak
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD9DeB2aHm
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This line of thinking, the sudden freight I received from entertaining such a thought, froze me. Even though the room was empty, even though the air was still like a statue, unperturbed, I couldn't move.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr7xvYE13J
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gi2XPqy81
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Somehow, uttering that stray thought that crossed my mind returned strength to my legs. Though I was still shaken, I was able to properly inspect the room now.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYa0SM0LUF
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It was a room where tables and chairs were stationed in groups. Inspecting the contents of the table, I noticed that they were primarily empty, though a few stray pieces of paper found themselves on the desks. I could tell that this room was a workstation of some kind.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdlWQgnjf1
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"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5BPvJn4ap
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I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU8u3lqLe6
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc8cj2jFGk
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I raised my Flash-Bloom to the culprit of my toppling and saw the tip of my shoe wedged into the floor. I stood up with an excessive amount of embarrassment. I should've expected as much from an abandoned room, so I admonished myself for my lack of attentiveness.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvY7iK84Aj
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44K8jYqspb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2fTEbUfra
"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfCXRqhU5T
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidpoaFe8HC
I decided to save those questions for later and continued investigating the parameters, paying extra attention to the floor I was walking on. I inspected the desks for anything unusual, just a glance since I figured this room wasn't going to provide me with what I wanted. To my surprise, I found something that wasn't a scrap piece of paper.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdX8FALr9s
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZd2WFerzD
It was still a piece of paper, though. This one had words on it and tears at the corner, leading me to believe that it was a part of a packet.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxILWnzgfEc
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"What's this here...?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXBkno2H6c
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Most of the page was covered in dust and other debris that, coupled with the lighting, made it illegible. Fortunately, the title of the paper was thick, bolded, and easy to read.
"...Flatlands reconnection proposal?"
From the few words that weren't blocked, I conjured up that some group of people wanted to return to the Flatlands. For what purpose, I didn't know, nor could I begin to imagine the thought process behind such an absurd idea. It was no wonder that this page was left behind in such an unkempt room. The proposal was simply ridiculous.
"...But that doesn't have anything to do with my objective."
Sighing, I crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it behind me. I checked the rest of the desks and found nothing of interest. I only ended up wasting my time. I walked to the door with a heavy heart and–
"..."
I froze.
It wasn't because of something I saw. Well, it was, but I didn't see anything horrific or otherworldly. It was the implications it provided, the droning insinuations it drilled into my brain, shaking it, stabbing at my nerves that rendered me a frightened goat.
"You're attentive. I'm impressed."
The door, which was opened only a smidgen wider than when I had entered this room–
**SLAM**
Was brazenly and noisily closed, leaving only the light of the Flash-Bloom.
"W-Who... who's there?"
Using mana spinning, I increased the brightness of the Flash-Bloom, yet I was unable to spot any figure in the room. I turned my body and even looked under the desks; nothing.
"That is a peculiar Endowment you have, I haven't seen anything like it."
The voice, that of a woman, resonated in the room, coming from no apparent direction. It left me frantically looking around, wallowing in my confusion.
"S-Seriously, who's there!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBimg7KARUj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmJoY8S4je
My demand was not met with silence. In light of this, I began mana expulsion and created a spear of stone, keeping it ready for whenever, or if ever the woman showed her face.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXS4ug1CFT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrAAoIgw9O
"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUAw98grmL
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The way she articulated herself sparked a sudden bit of hope in me. I choose my next words carefully, struggling not to stumble on them.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiyKK45K4D
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWntlOEe4L
"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnALh0IGKD
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"...Really?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnFdwrDTDK
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"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuebpo0sxs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDHCvW1Bjt
The strength in my voice died down, but I was thankfully able to get my message across. I did another quick scan of the room but didn't see anybody. I didn't hear the woman say anything, either. I was left in the darkness, confused, and unable to–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmT1FirSIv
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"--Wait."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbv4mvtADU
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An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLcOwOvEcm
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**SMASH**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONGSZGvUIr
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Once the dust settled, I found that the door was busted down. However, a second inspection revealed that somehow, it was rebuilding itself. It wasn't with wood and wadding, however, but with pure rock.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoToAzgXts8
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"Earth magic."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1hpgtNugM
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But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QNM3MTgq9
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**THUD**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzZnoobk75
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I froze yet again. It was the sound of something heavy animate hitting the ground. I turned my head and lit up the area. There, I saw a woman with a lazily worn yet silky robe exposing her shoulders with pants of a similar texture and flounciness.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89UNb8ORAY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h9NDciawh
Her clothing would've made her look harmless if it weren't for her... eyes?
"Do you have something to prove it?"
"..."
Every indication was telling me that this woman was a threat. The situation screamed to me that I should be vigilant and wary, never letting her figure escape from my view.
But her look told me something else. It wasn't a disarming look, though she did possess a beautiful face, or a mien of kindness that could ease even a rabid animal's nerves. No, it was a look that was asking me– no, pleading with me, desperately desiring for some reality to be ascertained. And, from the somber yet quivering voice that she used to ask me that question, I knew that I was the one with the power to realize it.
So, ignoring my better judgment, I did.
"I do. It's in my pocket. Let me show you."
I slowly reached for the note, making sure she could see my hand go through every motion. My unfolding was meticulous, and I gently tossed the paper to her, mindful of her vigilance. She crouched to pick it up, never letting her gaze stray away from me. When she went to read the letter, she made and aimed a monstrous water spell at me, keeping me in stock still.
I was unsure if even the Valencia-Bloom could stop it.
Her eyes slowly moved along the lines of the page. Her expression steadily morphed from a cautious one into a gentle yet somber one. Then, her spell dispersed, and she covered her mouth with her free hand. I was shocked by what I saw then.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Yqlb3Huo
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"...Tears?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktNRglGCwT
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My eyes didn't deceive me. Tears formed in the women's optics. Her quiet cries turned to sobs. The note was meekly released from her hand, and it fell to the floor, gently swaying.
"T-Thank you. Thank you... so much."
I was paralyzed. I couldn't move my limbs or my mouth.
And then the woman fell to her knees. She wiped the tears off her face with a hidden smile, gibbering her gratitude.
–
–
–
"I apologize. That was an unsightly thing to do, especially in front of a child."
The woman, sitting with an arm hung over the tip of her knee, was offering me the note. I took it and, checking for wet spots, folded it before putting it back in my pocket.
The woman had giant bags under her eyes, but I doubted that they were caused by the tears.
"No worries. Though, I do have a lot of questions about it..."
She chuckled, tilting her head into the palm of her other hand.
"I imagine. Why don't we introduce ourselves? My name is Lola, and you?"
"Lola? That's a quaint name. I haven't heard anything like it before."
"Yes, it's foreign here in the Southern country."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5OqpcH41g
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtWo4LBJ3s
"Foreign..."
I hung on the word, spending an amount of time Lola's subsequent head tilt deemed inordinate.
"Sorry, it reminded me of something. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but please, just call me Kenny."
"Buffalo as your middle name? Do you hail from an animal-worshiping village?"
"I... do, yes. Admittedly, I know little about what the village thinks of the Buffalo. I can't even remember seeing one."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiljPdht9C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWhna3pfCu
My mand broke for the conversation for a moment, ruminating on why that possibly was. I quickly found an answer and instinctively shrunk in shame.
"It's a pleasant place, but I spent my time poorly there."
"What are you doing out here then, love?"
"Love?"
She had a look of surprise that was quickly overtaken by a chuckle.
"Sorry, that's a Western thing."
"A Western thing? Now that you mention it, you do have an accent."
She slowly nodded in response to my observation.
"I'm impressed. Many don't pick up on it so fast, if at all."
I shrugged. I figured that spending time around Juke helped me pick up on those details.
"..."
Though, her vocal inflection was very similar to Mother's–
"Now, Kenny, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"H-Huh? Oh, sure, but..."
"But what?"
I thought of the mission. I was in a rush for time, so I didn't have the privilege to sit down and partake in a leisurely chat with her. However, I realized that her presence opened up an opportunity for the knowledge that I was sorely missing.
I decided to entertain her for the time being.
"As you might've surmised from the letter, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Ah, indeed. How about, if you answer me, then I'll help you to the Dean's office?"
"That'd be perfect! But, would you mind if I asked you a question of my own in addition?"
"Of course."
She gently nodded. Not wanting to be rude, I took a seat across from her and dimmed my Flash-Bloom. She began to twirl her grayish-white hair in rumination.
"I know why you're here, and I know that Mason let you in. How about..."
It was made clear that she didn't have a question prepared, meaning that she likely just wanted Fto chitchat. It irritated me, but I stuck around.
"Why not, I'll inquire about your skills."
"My... skills?"
The question surprised me. It was the last type of inquiry I expected.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNVI7uaxyZ
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"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkLFu1T0cy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16puWP4UAs
"I'm a third-grade earth magician and fourth-grade in fire and water. I'm ungraded in wind. I'm not sure about my grade in mana spinning."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjvSWrddNQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXckhPbjd8U
"Ha, how interesting."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE80Dk0aavu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9Q4gB03ew
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPqvpIkTsu
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"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1qFWkxvU0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqe6qgDjJO
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfMKFDmkKO
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xFjORSBYf
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"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSN8aSNINe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdgbadr5H4
"Similar fields?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7tvypbEwj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoIPaBee3H
"That of a combatant, of course. What else is being this proficient at magic good for? It's for guard work, or fighting beasts, or taking care of the occasional delinquent."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXi8SdMDBS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VPNeqAsfn
"I-Is that so...?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwciGR2wtoa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVe0AWygay
She nodded with her eyes closed. Truthfully, I wasn't following along with what she was saying. Though I did understand her words, none of it stuck with me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCNZEWwGyt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJg9ifvADY
"Isn't what you're doing similar? Escorting a crucial letter to be sent might as well be guard work. Somehow, I pity you– oh, but I don't mean that to be rude! If it's what you've set out to do in your life and if it makes you happy, then by all means, go and chase–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25tMzQet3t
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN12Oxny5E
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAwrXmroqf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfCuuQtGX1
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0mGsaM5sd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWeWC6aaiU
"What part didn't you understand?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6uNV58YZf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv8VCOhOCm
"No, it's not that I don't understand what you're saying, it's that I don't understand why you're saying it at all."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWjRlJl4vK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTifMSuFF41
"...Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cXaZfFjfu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfkSP9xuiu
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIJYSdhQvu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp3os3Fi1D
"Well, yes, I am doing work congruous with my magic skills, but by the way you talk, it's as if this is what I've decided on for eternity. That's not true, I'll have you know."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9U2eW8wN9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3hWkgMvXD
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5kwMUujVK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c1vyw8JUF
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowFzK0UnxR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpWDlXSrLS
"I'm actually studying to be an alchemist! I won't say where, because people freak out when I tell them. I've already acquired a handsome amount of grants from selling my potions alone. But, well, alchemy is one thing, but what I really want to do is study magical plants!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLNBscguhW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqIFom3WPR
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQYt1rhwvM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWILoExYxN
"My passions, of course! People call it lame, but it's because the most they can spare for them is a single dismissive glance. They don't understand the intricacies nor the beauty to be found in this type of Exotica. Plus, their potential for advancement in knowledge in fields such as alchemy and, well, magic in general, is boundless! I imagine, at least. I've only ever read one book about these plants, but it's more like a bestiary than a scientific text. So, I imagine that the knowledge in this field isn't very vast, and it makes me want to expand it!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8nTtVudBj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPppYTUO7Y
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse7jF7zvty
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnKLVBl4hl
"I plan on studying them once I receive a full education, which I imagine will take me... at least a decade. O-Oh, I'm sorry, I've rambled quite a bit, haven't I?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggnCLmm4o9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nxrwGkAlx
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZGlXSl4mB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiybZS6PKF
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh2USgkXIp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImoRmkd0tq
"That's because I've been offered a lot of money and the ability to view new ones in exchange for taking this type of work."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpDmaBMYjW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21MwvfmjpL
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxeNogrdRK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4W0XSsaVK
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKdFmSyIhT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBirnMLCAPO
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdjdkDYEew
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkls8LXq25F
"A-And that's what you say? Ah, oh my goodness..."
She calmed down and took steady breaths, letting out a few more faint chuckles before speaking again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrRz2Q6SUf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4hNMTdqs7
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtcODQFfHg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkKhSq3Djt
"What are you talking about!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepKFYAxSt6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6DXOQlGxf
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYjEUPQ0Ho
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tAYEuE96E
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYIiJAmgIm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeeJ2Im18u
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw16t7NPkkw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fK1HbGdoK
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkZpwQ5rm8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4aR3aH9gT
Frankly, my flurry of emotions from earlier had barely dissipated. I took a minute to calm myself and ease the tension in my body before asking anything. I did appreciate that she kept the number of inquiries low, though–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7ZQgwC0yX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOpp8fzJLm
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX6vGc4ZaD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOXAy4sBQo
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6FR78f3k4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXXSq37TUX
"Fine, go ahead."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc0hv4pa5B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKzhb9F2Xa
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5PnOHN0Nu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWazDIEl5YI
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uBtkklTOI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI40ziGTKF
I pointed at it and she nodded.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeon2EnZWK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmgYOa4lbA
"It allows me to create miniature versions of magical plants I've already performed mana spinning on. I can amplify their effects with internal mana spinning from there on. It's very handy, but..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnesi3ADAh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW8n7WBl9o
"Hm? But what again?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDebPEoZ153
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ndIaBnYyw
"It leaves me more vulnerable. I don't quite get it myself, but I think that the tendril is intertwined with my body, or at least with my nervous system."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmgMpC9jox
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW5PnhQ1C1
"I see. That's disturbing."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqov0eatsYt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYBLobLLJm
"It's... not so bad."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT5piy7jlv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmilRhPoFc
She gently huffed at my response.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59dVukRmcA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUtE4xuBEj
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe9s7LrsmX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQIZzRhmu2
"Fight Mason?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81x20X2zG8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UMnIMN4Dz
I realized that I failed to mention Rover in this entire discussion. I rubbed my head, anticipating disappointment for the answer I would give her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsJQYL6ajs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoCpBYMC1G
"No, I didn't fight Mason. My friend and colleague did. Her name is Rover. Oh, I should've met up with her by now! Ack!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf0efbtG7v
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSj24jbjsX
I made a considerable blunder there. I got to my feet and rushed to the door. I looked back at the surprised Lola for one last word.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2WispV3Pz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod8OTVoEQW
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpG5CSNb1H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDEq6XjLwl
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHjn5Vy6b4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q34Vc889d
She got up herself, adjusting her robe, and stopping a few feet away from me. I thought it was a signal to open the door, but when I did, she didn't pass through.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD5Du5d9Hn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPESqbbaNRC
"Is something the matter?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n9zj6Yy6Q
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfWfCCDnO1
"...Where is your friend right now?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHinrYgYqG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnISqLfdbAg
"T-That's... why do you ask?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKaHe0Muh0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQhyaV7lBb
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3VPnJZor2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlxwIdxuYS
I blinked a few times. I knew she was insinuating something, and though I didn't know what exactly, I had the impression that it was sinister.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscf3cnOLCO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnHVxawH6S
"Yes, she did."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLdsIcGusx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx1UH5qrIV
"Ah, I see now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx69JuZpFD8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFWUZxEY1B
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4GlhDlHNM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb9EqmThys
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
