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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW8oxj6G86
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"Ow! Ahh..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMuAiksBPs
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"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYOpPqDmck
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"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPcXGuYK3k
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrVcBqaz05
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvqGVDpJ7o
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYevH8zcZLN
"...This place is giving me the creeps."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxuO2JWuDI
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"Huh? How so?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy3Q3sWqDI
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"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAcVH2VuF5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJBnaGqXar
"Couches and rich– wait a second."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAiQdx9Xz0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzUsMhr7QP
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?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvyZcrlBDf
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0DBNeuZln
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58acSFxaoT
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWqe14MeV0
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"Tch! This stinks!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhdVn1tOHw
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVZA0ntwpS
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"What?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrjmREP4LF
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"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8A75OuMej
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UwEJmHkXC
"What? Are you scared?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKF87AKGEO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucpYlQxcGT
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4vGp8Q4Ur
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1etRv9fPAw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBbZrppnjf
"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7swe9CQYRC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnWsjatk50
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORgdAP9YkD
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72vXk7cvb3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9YlIJeSMT
"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSszuMdtr0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSecM7ljDG9
"...Fine."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqDCQL0ixw
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Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fb1I9ZBVC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx1ROlHoHt
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFo7ORcp4O
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCwBDVBRO3
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIlrvdpsK8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMlRzJ1sbw
"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXhfzzYbNH
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI2Y0DEwF9
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7a7mn8EAi
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"...It's locked."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1pAlLVG9V
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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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYZCZXJVZf
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BqWRAaMOo
"Oh! This one's open!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhelnP5vlxy
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lyDdQ2VFt
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApW5iSVfVM
"This place is– cah! Ack!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhERBNSlT62
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mf66DKLFU
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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?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MEfKuDhOS
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YlEZuhnIJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq80deScjAu
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduobs2Rws7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tanQLq2oL
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF53upLKtPs
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pqIPSNiIV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb7junmM8M
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A7sSEdYiA
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf3aza7L35
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvHcIAqmF8
"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqfqrQFQ9r
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChadQh77oj
I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FbgxLyfh2
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3f28rJam8
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8YYwuRj2y
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfTl8YSQN3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NlZ4JwM06
"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarsl3npmxX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHecdkYLiF3
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBltEN465q
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fYeB0AJET
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVvjwMyAKJ
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"What's this here...?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOy8UGtDOF
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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!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMlLoSFiRQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ6qbC5lnG
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpowqwhQihI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthEsBsznm1
"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgrfj5whh7
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakZhoeS0Zw
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KOQ1nEnDJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJoCRyk42H
"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsALAqDZhPW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXxhT9pWTs
"...Really?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dvoIeiv1R
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJZiHzhisn
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzXZ8CCUeT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxRRi2xudT
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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OjX0ntxI0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UWmmKsPwx
"--Wait."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT6tXIfbj5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8WO9chx3v
An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKMHV9W0wW
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFdDZjxlTY
**SMASH**185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEknnkxPvJ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu151ogn44u
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0AMggxhnD
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"Earth magic."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwpxtZWmb0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5fKqliDdV
But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdiFb2gQd7
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**THUD**185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wgz2bPGxf
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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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQQqiULyzo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrQdk7CZJT
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz3iOZOOXF
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"...Tears?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrFJGFQJT0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofscwen4cW
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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrv5MOQBOm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2ElCrZrsm
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSkIgC3hxo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3iQX63Lmh
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBLpSPtAXI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nH6xzdlcm
"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8Ayrwcdsk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26WHImWNOI
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ8yJx6f5o
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"Ha, how interesting."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnIGWP0TRX
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtCLnAiEVP
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoRUeDBNNz
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"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv6yg9sdBx
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGP56mnHcE
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXCfN5PE3Q
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4XvMB0DqQ
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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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMqTcQWRhT
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0W0C0NoOW
"Similar fields?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf7wjNC1fw
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9zbg9jSzH
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXclqZRVW2
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcR8dty5S9
"I-Is that so...?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivzdaBSyrC
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHIWuBifOc
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbVX0mcib5
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJV3xSIiI9
"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–"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HKdqA6XIe
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORaofePiF6
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRUnP7Gezu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuzCZCQbCp
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGPUtDzKSp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u6Hu0Lji1
"What part didn't you understand?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZFwgKHQ57
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM0kHHfr2d
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwzX2xtaJh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeDvcvKLPN
"...Huh?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR804MRpavs
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIvM7Oa4GJ
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnof8gsfWu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKHtFzSgmC
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN8AwN9DOQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7emOh4tnt
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQebBVeieKo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5znvJWR5d4
"Huh?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIbi4iPF2D
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32RLowj4ur
"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!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl78CYDLCv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAt1xMbyCS
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcYTvRtkaE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVdVG7Nht0
"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!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9LLz90Qbk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAUusZNQCl
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7oEoifgvO
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYCAEFUrcw
"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?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0DxDGFjYM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ800pGQFWid
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2zZ4SZiVu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiNPLhVThq
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Ym1JlLYM
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeRRM6UKAO
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdDUKR1dUd
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekWsGvsGFM
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKfmuqTHy0
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaIizlf9Kj
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9YyDEvMgu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7p906zlKw
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tiJmuDS2G
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUq6LpDiPD
"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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwpGgkB6Tm
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODGQfLHNyR
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyuVqGLFAK
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54stRbhDef
"What are you talking about!?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsp6fD7JiV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElkG6MQlvN
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJieP49SHr8
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9LbEN10Vl
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHjH2Vf7ou
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoQGtDeCMo
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER0Amzz5HN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmyximQMPS
"..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfvpJl1lDI
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgkn7wd0yT
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–185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71kxT6nOyy
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvsjLLsy1s
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMYmOPOIIp
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6x5CcWasu
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzzsTQUOdq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoqtYziwi1
"Fine, go ahead."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciMFVqNJf3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5UlUxSEEA
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc2hG8L5ug
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqqokaAMki
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cuB9enrZa
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZO5oOOJhx
I pointed at it and she nodded.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopRVEH4hf3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJexnP1seO
"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..."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKtgp8fT8p
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq06s441tX
"Hm? But what again?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRW4bWEVOq
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtzFzJblTK
"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."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwljAhV0mvh
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFsvNqCyh7
"I see. That's disturbing."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKZc8dergi
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAIOAi6t7J
"It's... not so bad."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFhS5McKvk
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZRcFDDIeS
She gently huffed at my response.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzNZhtMJOz
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EXuG7URfU
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFzcEersIv
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CxNefC0yF
"Fight Mason?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqYczoTG6i
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHvbmmf3Bh
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIzycvppGF
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHQ860Txw7
"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!"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPTJH7PpoE
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NM4ExdyOQ
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPIsDTyLCV
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV81CobavD
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQbhotLvZr
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQUN80k4fB
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhZUq57qeN
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIFAiJnVib
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNzxqerpbU
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrgm7BWbHA
"Is something the matter?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfvkRZJHO3
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf2XD9Pxst
"...Where is your friend right now?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaIcJ7nCMj
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrId1KMv98
"T-That's... why do you ask?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LiI2RpEHQ
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujJhSF9cQ
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBebtqeE7wu
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqxRyXf0T9
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.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSznjm4DU14
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP8KQ6EkkK
"Yes, she did."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMqs7Fo7mo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nmZvqkhbD
"Ah, I see now."185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTClfhDgZ8x
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JIvIm78Iu
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIu9HlinQo
185Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ctuEUB5nJ
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
