The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlZdQUKDsK
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I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFMgkElLfP
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Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgye31MEfc
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"Dad!?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC8FilvT5z
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Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWNWvRHvLK
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"Flinty! There you are!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgHkErTxz7
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Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB5ZoIBZKn
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"And you must be Kenny?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3D1YEPbUA
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"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNI8XCZ5Em
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I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcfPj65NGY
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"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sIBglo4c4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BewO3adcW
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgt9h1GWcT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMNgdSVV7e
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3ghdPTl1E
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Dear Mister Chambers.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlVxJkGV0b
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After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnjl3hJNwr
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt19Mw4V7XW
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgFmJV2NDI
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"...I don't remember promising anything."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjBrnaXunp
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That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni47hLDYKR
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"I'll make sure to thank him later."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG5gb3FMws
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX7RwOGunk
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O6cKNd6fH
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7kQcC3sHr
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t8UiOXHe2
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKw0uDK4Yw
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mUlY2pV4g
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"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfD3R7bouJ
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It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eF7NmMiM0
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I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKlW5sPRCr
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"Kenny!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrgu5oXP2h
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"Ah, Flinty, hello."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49brJ1jFwi
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNfMnr7poF
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE4jslEUbI
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"Is that the plant you asked for?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB2RRIvJAC
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"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlSlfbP6f8
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I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9GYyQ6rEk
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"Hello, you two."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PppbYXmZ9
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Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5saK8kMKdZ
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"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH1UbLrlWU
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"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SQiu7EfLc
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He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfijUFESyOu
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"Please don't drop it or something."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ebK6ZehJ
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"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSB67dtH1q
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Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc0hjxxFyQ
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"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCseR9zEyMy
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"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmTo5WN33O
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"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ4meyWBWE
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"And you asked for... a flower?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmTLd0hyaO
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"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ2ByC7rnU
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Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5GGqSXlkg
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"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBcqZD1hSa
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"Arg! You...!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOctflma0eQ
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Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64OOiF1AcX
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"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquRJtBoKS4
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"Whatever."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kljc5MmBx
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We sat in silence for a minute.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEWHWcy6RN
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"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIygwq9JCJo
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"Yes! Please tell me!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr63zChQanS
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Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2aWtTtw5d
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"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8PkRNSG1H
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"Wait, Eastern country?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6NgDYw6KG
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I faced the old man.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR3oWgSRG6
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"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEUUQuxh3Z
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvus0yVFQQ
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"Yikes, where did you grow up?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhkKg1iYSm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfWHIhfFxF
"...Buffalo village."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0boF7Ruks
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"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo6Mu4wTmw
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I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfVySKDGlH
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"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WXid21ydx
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"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZRCWJNaqF
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Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun5vt1VjAt
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"Can I explain this one, Dad?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvGiZDRFT7
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"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLRF88UBjE
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Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAUohY3Yfn
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"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ojZd2lUY
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I nodded along.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fvp16Mtu0
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"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OoQ0LT8Ck
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I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nqYvkQZoc
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"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqP0osgBkj
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"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfe6vHoIJy
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She blinked blankly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hr6LfJCan
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"Wait, is it?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHL1dDIngX
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I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFTQPjpsfT
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"No, maybe it is true."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccRfeFjj7S
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"O-Oh, okay."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5h9S9WfDo
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"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneZxg51axl
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"How was your guys' day?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF8TWaIA1a
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"Mom, you should've been there!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqsz13GxiT
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And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxE0gbC3UV
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I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQcAuYJCAo
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It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqDrntwGLq
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I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qhGwxIC7A
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"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6P2aXZ5lJ
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"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbLbJz7UJV
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"O-Okay."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ouduJQ4p
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"Hold on chum, you come back here."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQigrQ9e6U
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Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJBrYW08QW
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"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtjgv8t9TJ
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He sat me right back down in my chair.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT3NOnsoFj
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"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m6a2bhAyQ
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The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHAfX6KNE3
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"...Uh, hehehe... he?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdRFLJki5Q
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Nobody even heard my "laugh."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbCN8j8d6q
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"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tyIBPBOSh
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"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PKuOuQKDu
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"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2w0wXT4Mw
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Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnApIzXZuoP
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"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFTMSFHuKU
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Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEZkhUqeP7
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"TALBOT!?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpfZoUZvkz
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"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDyW9AcEYu
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"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNv9xbv2dK
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I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoo4jxiyFh
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"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRM0AyNIC8
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I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw01rJROxvi
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"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNh0qLb8HM
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"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobItfYxm7z
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGwynntZpP
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT0fWs0R4w
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ0HPKf27C
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I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyoszeorCv
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj5EnSJrKo
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFOYnejWXL
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For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OwIoXCeJP
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuyMvtCyCJ
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGLaeJ4pUi
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdARXjZ4x4
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I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyS3682MuO
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"Flinty."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjh4rekgkK
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"Y-Yeah?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmpgpOWFVB
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lHA8llKhx
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Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqy5MCF02b
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"Okay! Let's do it!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerghvWLafI
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There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmke6xkgIFh
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"...My tome is in the other room."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI9dL1vi4B
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Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5RcFCUFDs
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–230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ9xaFEZn8
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04DmCnNCgh
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I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6r3rfAeYt
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkNzfxv1Wf
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"Good morning."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkho7RUC4K6
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubWYhrfcuD
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"I woke up early."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNSrkO5pi3
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"Alright. Let me make you some food. "230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWny3N7i7BB
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I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdPdEwiFpT
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv06rSPT8T
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"Right."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wUHZzp6h5
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Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cYBQ2j0UT
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Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6EJRgxhdT
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EcEYGFDTs
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"I sure did, honey."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIGu3s3SZe
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"Oh."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImADXK8A8L
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlyKPsLalH
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"Is something wrong?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVkIxz3Owp
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"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh41S9WByE
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She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXyBCuUnPl
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Strange. Strange people.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvKVYRLG1Z
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After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMFWB6WoF7
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"...I uh."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQjyCA3XHh
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Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ45J1cM7e
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"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hFH9aQdt9
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I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxCPqJxMOZ
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"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfloWdhGr1
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"Water under the bridge?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm8QFXKkKP
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"Mhm."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMo2PQWI4V
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Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKvxYyq6cb
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Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9VhUkRYNQ
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They were really good.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqvkm0AbUt
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–
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjs34ClRF5
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"That's a nice outfit"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHPOdmJn5Z
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"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuotB1cdgim
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Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyrlJRagYl
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJloNzfNFYI
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"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAcim4sKRY
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"Ah, my apologies."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90kCMAmrkJ
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"No no, I like being around you too."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfz880maao
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Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbT1seXexp
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"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewr4PuEHJy
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"R-Right."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx4cxwQ3bc
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHMP4uC7b2
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"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiLOUPiVSY
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"Hello, Freed!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2eYpcKqXu
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"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3OEjTViyO
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When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs4K5azivs
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"So what business do you kids have today?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tHSGqeJvN
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"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHawbeqalhZ
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"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGyqE8gAkU
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJle9Cl7fR
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAR8KgHUfi
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"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRkAQSmzBb
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"I see."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbQbFR0nqD
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM3PKmCyB0
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"I refuse."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BrLSciV7K
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"Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfeX20udK6
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"WHAT!?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUITzOW7FjN
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppF1icHslk
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"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Avhh57s44
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"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJbw0OVjZS
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"...No?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3flX3qGP5
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"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4KGmhuP3P
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His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgtJ77YIhS
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xLL0EWbwh
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakH6nW9C5n
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The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KIYCOx3B
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It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebdhuooiCn
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"Down here."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKoMi7LGvM
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I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw30siW2BPJ
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It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88cN0eNV2U
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"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9JOm2RmxQ
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Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD77O05Q02
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Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3IYQopUkq
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"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGzQPZREVM
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"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwQN0fSCMd
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I shrugged.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPsr15xhjY
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"Well alright, go ahead and try."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7RvL3J2Dt
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With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCjw1aBew2
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"Am I doing it right?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqKK8R0eTM
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"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8Qc5YRgwE
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"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHi2bCugJx
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhOtKp81Bp
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjAnlIxxa8
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5td9IVPKRP
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIrtDH2Eb3
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD3JXIDtVc
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o9Q2iCfOW
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IwcnZ5faY
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxpCVtSSgP
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"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqHQa1Q8RX
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Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtY6k7EK9X
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"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSIyR3mFMb
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"O-Okay."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrDSNfQo8k
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She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFFyXVcv1J
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxBrDMbooJ
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZEIcjnc3p
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"W-Wait, how do I–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQEbp15XcN
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"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YioNH5TYp
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"But what if I can't let it out?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZq76nK664
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"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW4aVMRZwV
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That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv9mTWKeD9
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"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ry3Ca3zB4
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"Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNLP17udED
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She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv5DYF5Gew
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The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPQ0InQtHY
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I messed up, getting all excited.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlZfw7IhnP
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I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVle27uVGq
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I couldn't do it in time.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKArxMX9PY
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**BOOM**230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90I4C85fPb
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The world around me faded.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnXYBBvwhb
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–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Crt1UTkcd
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fefs38qxr
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0IQ0LZBUV
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Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdNY27K8lz
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Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYeMJjnQ6M
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IzIy8ItGD
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskxfwBr8VW
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I was in the greenhouse.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6dX7p1JBC
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"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkzaqAto5j
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MKqWdEy2n
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT7PyKNR2M
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Thank God, they were okay.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ013Thy8yMR
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"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyrJLSzFpN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilXRKHUmiH
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQM5zSHrjO
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKcOvEGOAd
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4DhjCxh1V
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She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO2RFfBVkZ
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"This is... my coat?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP35wMjGWDy
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"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8L0rvXGNs
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Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwLpmk0wwe
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I love you. I really do. Thank you.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccqbZ3M8sv
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKBIicM9QT
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTI7VFclZv
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPtFVVEqRZ
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZU2B1nusD
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"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqhW42UIwk
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"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKjzArr9nf
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"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohcwqlWIFi
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yQBAlo5uL
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxdaLS6Y6Z
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"H-Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrfREydYrm
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"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoOjdFs09w
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkvtKi2KaZ
"T-That's terrible!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVnCbSyZ0R
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Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBugNzf046
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"Uhm, well, Flinty..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ue74KO7p
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I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKF9zPZ9rn
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It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMOEYyoZ0h
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–
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–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoadF0t7BQ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeAPHEUd1M
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO9FWb4KiI
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I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WNhLSNPin
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The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZUmbf8Jas
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But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIutgtjmalP
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"...Ah!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFGqvnIWZt
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I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSgSEo9ei6
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"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV2ZSeDu7S
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"...Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVqdo23sdH
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She meekly turned her head to me.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdZWQTlmXA
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"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jVQbnup2e
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She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzEWvQlXDf
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"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA0zfx9df9
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"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPQxb5hYGi
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Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI34EmIxiP
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"Okay, let's go then!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRJYZ3D6EX
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She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSmqZMhmYj
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"W-Where are we going to go first?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlGN7yDrcl
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She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcwg0GmrMU
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"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV8QEc97DH
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Yeah, let's.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlrq8AEC1p
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–
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I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOEuDccsIu
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We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmhl76Peph
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I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjARVRmfdS
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"This is the combatant's guild!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXWz6aG4xD
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It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna8uLKAPgx
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"This place needs a renovation."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F6iJADhiI
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"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKyKz9CmC2
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I shook my head.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbNcvBpGkb
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"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4yBjP8vhn
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"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUxv7Fbch5
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"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn7PY0IdI4
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Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8uFXFTESV
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"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ248V6A4beo
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"Do not even suggest it."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZxORi4til
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She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkIrX7RWcH
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"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKwZJSWEhF
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDcH6rDPFT
"...Well alright."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72GqHh0bTl
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I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWglZu85Sab
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwySU9JFWm7
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MN3LlAqd0
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"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkPIhS1CRg
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PtyImeBMB
She pouted.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYdogXEKmV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY2nIZKxz0
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPPfBhuts9
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBnF38NAMx
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TJtEXTV5O
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She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRABK1YsboP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0WjJAeosJ
"Huh? Flinty?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0WxsNjzgB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05DriqZmxH
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyz5zMnv05
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlYGfgTr9J
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xVq5BKmpb
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKVIruCkM6
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ibjkPdrBw
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJMLSqMQMH
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhabyyURN0F
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cnEdn1Hn4
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E7b84jkND
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0r7Z1Yq02
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzBPD6moSk
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI7Iz27oB8
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmbcOMC9of
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCY1r6FCkN
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID7BzNjqy2
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2d3xCvOfg
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXW1WoPYVJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTFQBFEHLS
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknzGU0Bz56
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTSLRiYn6x
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo36eepkx5b
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBkGRi0T8Y
"Huh?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSM8p5u4nl
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNvBc9beuT
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6RSvw6X3h
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuZH5RWAV5
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg2a7C64ma
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5JMeRT7D
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCHJ2WGi8
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"You're right. Wait–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe03R7xULVY
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I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjMlIbd3E3
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTXVXnKIoW
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiSP4bPWjO
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhDHJZ1Lrv
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jufb9bWJJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70dXxUdIgh
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JDOQxGWus
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HBItosaHF
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUv0kMIDLj
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocYEjUxoIY
"No. I'm here for another reason."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFZIllcEHV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCmVEI8WHN
"And what may that be?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hEyUq8JXz
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WfukpHnUi
"None of your business."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRgJ7tjysZ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSqtxM8P8L
"O-Okay..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OYXKScr8w
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25Dr1u1X5x
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg1FBGYtQ2
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0xsRzJ8Cg
"She is super shady."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOypbRET2lr
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7mUiZw7c4
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOEGMuTexJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o9g8HsKtD
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD7OoNlcxn
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZI4sZ7AHc
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMflpeLFPfJ
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1xAb3IcXj
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDJMM3ZMRS
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMiCnMDVJh
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjam9FSkkxd
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGH2xG2NAV
"T-Then let's get his attention!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOCvEmxynN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZRgm2LEjM
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZiwLxmEjp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXr7TmVLnJ
"Let me handle this."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r03q7HjoV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPljp8jdnW0
"W-What, why?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4sSzZGMgs
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSMI1NS1ZD
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopdEAD5UwV
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXq1b6fPAm
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fxHzSIGiB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIetq9Q8M59
"S-Sorry, Kenny."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQphOCMgLBN
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzDB6ZAlP7
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsTBGflUcT
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T2US2Gr5g
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvlAwSnuEr
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfWAR7E9Np
"Hey, you guys!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5GRvWz7lr
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgDCuQEmq2
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdU4UijkMC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBJsInM7jY
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4I1DCUeBn
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGebzbhcmos
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFEvQrqHvh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoESmeCRIst
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5WuoPY4t6
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuPw3qJrsb
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJpQsRpn3A
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gpMkWSXww
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy1UAomdyP
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKbZZ3Z4Wv
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyClTKDaMl
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaOCBKMTeb
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0ymgM4k7Z
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqMR0sNW58
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokrCRT09jB
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"Here's your bill, miss."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxHDZko8Yu
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMYKJMRQTD
"...I..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KLRB03gu9
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She was having a difficult time speaking.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuhe8zuxbL
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"I forgot to bring money."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BKUBEcKA3
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WhtkIxhIC
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE81wilUxR
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B0yNFGDP8
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecZ6K4Ku4V
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc4n6ggsJA
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CU1sQ4bcv
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnMwx33Ugj
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXowZMv68X7
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Ha. What a moron.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNoK5AnAo0
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFG9cEoblx
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtJrMP9tqX
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9d1siNpDH
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOd4RZ6bFu
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3AT9uaBwR
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzHRMRxNnA
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Rl1VIQ9v
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHJDIhRTNL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHR8HnrqMd
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH4VsUR5U1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jh9HqXyR5
"..."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6dbfm22Dh
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIXWlK6Byg
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimghqNu8aF
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8uYWEz69O
"Hey, cloaked woman."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y3JZNrIKB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreqYg1EViw
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eeH7Dw3SR
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy4ouNQJa3
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlockvZCEtp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko7cNbaR8m
"Yes, of course. Thank you."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwU0o6DJqM
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh1JxQbsT8
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhwP3evLq
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQYo1iV01g
"Alright Flinty, let's go."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslfLILuvd5
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVMSzVwiNA
"Yes!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuka3UM54uC
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEtW0yTABc
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ94sBQo9CL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8AS0qygpS
"What?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCIo21V6Dm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaPGmmipVe
"Kenny, you're awesome."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAijutDH8V
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoOv6mdX5G
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHA1uuquHA
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2dS2PHBMY
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboLqyp35Yy
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq99ACGL7LJ
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcw6vpbamp
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSvzBTeYMK
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4qu6s3m1a
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhQz5DISOO
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FoKAptBmB
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxSjlZErvR
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTN2hS6qwL
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmXrpMvh9h
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFD6gOccv4
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwVJTikP8q
"...Is something wrong?"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN25syn5O1
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpkSN8ou09
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODRhfxCQFm
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9FFncVAZ9
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsA5QHGWVI
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76JTdpbNZ1
"R-Right."230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rYkAQUPso
230Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrrjxrmzdL
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
