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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ4DyauMIn
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"Ow! Ahh..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeGqApEn5d
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"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNypICktQpM
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"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUnTYuiXlO
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXpKdAEbTk
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"...This place is giving me the creeps."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdJJJtpYIu
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"Huh? How so?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhOv90sbvg
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"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ie5HhBg8O
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"Couches and rich– wait a second."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoxaPAxR6H
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHseEAwikPy
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?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlViMSpps3y
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqURC1Ajxp
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"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctnE6sgQAx
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"Tch! This stinks!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE2NF3A6px
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkeMkTJuqf
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"What?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81MD9U40LI
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"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8ED992qnR
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"What? Are you scared?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFjJT3q4x1
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"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhD8iLXOxL
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1uHKilw9x
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"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WW4o8TcpR
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxztpqxeNf7
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjonzVOmYg
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"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXcIRZ3Bby
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"...Fine."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCZbCiOUlR
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Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OUEe29fsX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55EAQdef2j
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd3DUeSuWf
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojbwmuehvC
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteXW0WdaUB
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"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKITq9GS0sa
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQoAZMID1T
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"...It's locked."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0H0aRwk0q
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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–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI4sWAcRi8
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"Oh! This one's open!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJZlluizgT
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCwAnBjgeJ
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzrSr15TkT
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF5yNpCY5Y
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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?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphvVjqYzmt
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7R8oZNaiE
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I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3wvF6NhjP
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoA1dG9n73
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU9hPT0VnY
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWgGNdVnZ8
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH2srhNAvY
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"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOcITRL8NC
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I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnty0bt7ytz
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFaDtvnXKS
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2gAcyeUYG
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgJPaby1Ee
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MBWBxiH62
"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2A707Uf46
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTxxbVcwrH
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPEmDeRNbd
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"What's this here...?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVtPa0p58C
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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!?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHrNlfW3YW
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa8s21TWmP
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEshRFDqqa
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"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xn6YseKnD
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9rphp7DhM
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"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx1nBIvvpA
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"...Really?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QxITF34BU
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"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wlpQsDeFz
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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–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjnTgITBkT
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"--Wait."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9J5r27k7n
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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–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E5ixN4V6W
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**SMASH**234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkiUTzZdZz
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySLBNBftXs
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"Earth magic."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxY7otdbW7
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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–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FYMQxryPu
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**THUD**234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4r1Cyw1Dx
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhXhWkflH1
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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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnwHqlrrJc
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"...Tears?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaTFldv3cK
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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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVBkcDJcWS
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp3sFhOJlq
"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS7xT8wTIE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCTIl5P9in
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTVL768IOX
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"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZsY0T9rpY
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"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K0yAqI1mf
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"Ha, how interesting."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6liBI0Dv4
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She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb4BU7A78C
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"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoMqzOSIZp
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I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv9Gu57MDq
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfW7TftCI1
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mloki7brF
"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD2Ux4YrYB
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeBiU3kbRZ
"Similar fields?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAjaNDsiBM
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4aB16v8o1
"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xgS5VABeh
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7TeBsPTq5
"I-Is that so...?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTclc1KqZD3
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIJnlPQul9
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHaR6UfYOR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLcWCDMJPM
"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–"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXfipoTKYQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xzNupeXrx
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpXiKQMxgl
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgHlJunOQj
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG0De7vur9
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoZGGbWsZ0
"What part didn't you understand?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyhzRXxr3z
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ITVAMEIbB
"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYlomtwqFd
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknWzCHjtij
"...Huh?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgIaylfhlO
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wUQ6RmWQj
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe8uAtBnZm
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw9DdaXemj
"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqIsJqTCuY
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdEvKGsI2r
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpEbikQ2uF
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrLboo5x4R
"Huh?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLI6VDW81Y
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSyanBzcE3
"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!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpO08Tsan9
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V0OF491Ab
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUo59mdJdS
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PlzASydYM
"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!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlrglCycs8
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPWTqnjCTE
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn4RV0v6Qq
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8iTjNkVHh
"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?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD2Cna6NwA
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDclm6t5Xi
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGQlDTHlPX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lGJoAmsg5
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIOsnjMlEK
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb4ng9p2gd
"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtpGmsRAfO
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80xYwUbGpr
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHSZtjTjyL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNhWhZcsVC
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6nB1Cv7PO
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIaCEeExAD
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbiuOmkC1K
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uF1hmbO9a
"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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbifUSbiVA
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaSk7gF60F
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45VV87QWXz
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8RmNGg51H
"What are you talking about!?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4cZybePIe
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYQe6oMBc3
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS2CoZjP03
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJm4bXeGoc
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTPORYZ8al
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC62qqzZdkJ
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tYWHQTsri
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zGG9sj7cd
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPAHwAel3H
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73oX1p9FbG
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–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiowrdQ8kA
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUEgYAMCCQ
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocO3QDAxDO
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBgfGTskkG
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacmMmPGoff
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OmzwW8IHn
"Fine, go ahead."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLod7XliP4Q
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGjeNT757q
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfOfqFA5ya
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe7Ip6hy6N
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9jG9XXQiL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWctX2a3bVc
I pointed at it and she nodded.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYaYrdTWdZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViPIywo3Pg
"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..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfXKBvPDHq
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmD1r8SKP6
"Hm? But what again?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9e0ppKtIw
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQOCIbeT3w
"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."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGFG5JU2T1
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLhOzZzYXc
"I see. That's disturbing."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ytZWqBA11
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUBDnpOfBb
"It's... not so bad."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplG3GqvjCu
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY0BpAkmeR
She gently huffed at my response.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWse3mF5vL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJd7whl60z
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7edfVENDns
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVbaz8jMsH
"Fight Mason?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Kt2rzYuz
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTetl27Svr
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNApUdjik8
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoow1WJhikW
"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!"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZkTaTFWEa
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1uQ0mvDHH
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpxuwPfx90
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD9rUCepJZ
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKV1vEJRiA
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIi5FepeMa
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9xnVG2Y0X
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkdYVCgxcu
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWWCLLSAs
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TPxPhsgst
"Is something the matter?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIQehAUedL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4KKKnnldP
"...Where is your friend right now?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12wrGhkUaX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFswmQePCo
"T-That's... why do you ask?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmReeo2cD6
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡManzEeXiee
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtYyCH8ABr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iw57Srs3p
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.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEqwoNmlVP
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStdKeqxxyb
"Yes, she did."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrOKdHGHZi
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC147anVxs
"Ah, I see now."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S99URgkaM
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZaex6frXP
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXuTaUV57F
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCGATflSSU
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
