I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08XkzAakpX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJvTHtjBNl
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzm1TeyXkk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG05yygojb
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunfXDeOS5m
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZILAeplSCC
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvHhTTOw6p
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOw5Wy2N0D
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ4OyXI6qp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVch4xqCHdk
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LK9Sje8QI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSPGL3IVJR
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyFSwa6Bnz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Pyo0KUMR
"...Sure."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPackCIBFh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ541GWcDoat
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TFJg8y1ex
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiERIH1n4KU
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYkcyp4h8G
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqshVYgxAU
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaf0IOKX88
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs00A5a6gn
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3AxHOlXGB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBxcLnTybq
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnNH9f4BCB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI59ngWrSi
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXi8FXrPCP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHcm2SzUv7
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIDcHtokcv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6OXO2VGHt
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYKq1iopeI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UXKf9YWGu
"Wait, what!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLimoQizp5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEUy3SRM77
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4mZnOpuwz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSHa605ADI
"Why not me?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoWvngxiK3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwq2OIdNvR
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFwCL2FIJ0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYh1IRAKjb
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde4hbp3ljk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqVkXnBUIE
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRVhiF8FHP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6BYxEmZqc
No, you didn't.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuS4mksEsh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSpF8cPwIT
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY6EN4h6AJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoJ7aFhII7
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnuGmhMhV9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrGXWcZUdu
"Huh?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmCIayhLHC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AzcnUjjjg
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EnmHL9eWj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx6T5rQpXp
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0icI7KNnO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ7YMU9L2Q
"Mhm!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOrdvs0REZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT56MRYfLK
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzLfYksaHP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDsO31OOX9
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOPavtljDt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLryt5tMOC
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoqmTgp30r
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27V22u8Kbm
"...Fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgkFAf02jW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf386zgUNC
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVeYlv6J72
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrvTKptuQC
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B3ylTNQYO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkElrB5hxDb
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgQrVbuOcq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAglLzsE4G
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3Nia6Ze9g
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4FzyYsDOZ
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTimT0azgJX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogmpJTw40X
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpel709fU3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREqUaDPKoC
"Is there... something you need?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qqlQd9gHk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5QnR4zR4m
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1c46uUIPe
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvpOzCzRhl
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTexxHG7Vae
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn5LJaS7li
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPLe94Kn1X
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoVZvDQmCd
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qc1xbisjy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG3sAAW0vy
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebEQhjSiaI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjwlgGQeoy
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9zSILaIkZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLvuVy39Jh
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxuy3EKiAm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2x3JpYMvH
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8KTGBIsTN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUJqj67JfU
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuKWuEtlb4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCFPipQaDZ
She giggled a little. Creepy.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIUrev5lGk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLqpkQbElf
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgLZBjyMWj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpViEVeaVa
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtqjFvlAFs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiyH91erAx
What?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0n88H3XHt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsDVEb3vAs
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndSGhL6YRH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOCsK5gYt2
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbM2gxDyRC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz7QqO7cQ7
"O-Oh..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt4EsnYneX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN87O5yNhu
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACkwqlFBrF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGCM6hv4R4
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvG2TdKrSv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNU8GLUC9j
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iXYu5j7QW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj1CyiWhMn
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGRVClXoXE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknLKsz1Rvw
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmhgwfM3Iz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjq9WRkZt2
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvOrj3C1HS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uKYshvLDH
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnN5IrB0Ua
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufw6wOUTCb
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ENWkv2aBf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsdYcBqpOV
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5tfbCiv6v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBWjyIS1su
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT4dB2aLf4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMzkaPVUIA
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWDEV6VUHv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuoAPf4ahR
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqfqNbr2Rf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qPqu6xegQ
Front-page news!?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIBfVL4c41
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSe7ULBMYG
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA50RT5WFBI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAttrMXPk8
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMSviO2G3R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4RGNiD1p0
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl28TLEKZcS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12zSLhrkvV
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hVvxYD11o
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbq8z2K58v
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5vssSpRuC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qS3hpuEPH
"No, I don't."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvljFyyWGCd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHxCxcURoz
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYhhuUQdia
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zDX0wAeix
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgBj90Udzj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSQ1uvIkvb
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsax3hMbBUr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfHcYGwLfW
"Thank you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkD2JTJ7rT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueOl5jURVc
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7rPQ3X3en
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr9YAkM5NJ
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr9QrEA9oa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwmURS79He
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOlrm1qFgj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxDnhr9Bsn
"Oh."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUuTHTovGG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwHN4vFnIY
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1EGQsPJxD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyrKB2ffHb
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWJ1n1W3hN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDz19Zrdva
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKH73qRfSv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmKCbSwJkt
Her face froze. I sighed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK1hB3znSV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECVPffNLHk
"I-I'll do it in the morning."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH5mdX1S8k
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrSOtByTHr
"Good luck."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ04sXLGIO6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0iFr9yMCk
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR3fBwjPqC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7kw1avHlc
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik2gZGTdGA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNwX8yB6Ld
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8r6gxG8Xu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg9D7MX15l
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyLrQXZLSr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Y7DY70fd
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJhmZyPsz8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaHFgUYaA1
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiqdokZyW7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQRZpUyX0V
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVq98VH5MS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrVtQtcruj
"Going to what?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PXqPgJEUD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Y3Up1MvQ
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CkwES9Mus
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo05oJrm0B
"Huh? Wash myself?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiA7qPoA71
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj3MBBOVre
"Yes. Like we did."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tumtuob4a
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpaY2JfJEM
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvP5bLUKMy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMA5padSSE
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaahS1WGXHg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgUb3nIaGa
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfsMyhm99y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1xEig8ELp
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDFRfe0H0w
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiz7eK2xv2
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWikCz4Oe0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS0Ab8602R
"Buffalo Village."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwHDQAEFDE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxtagb2djo
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN11c07nWP2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcDat9cy26
"Really? I didn't know that."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpskSRNdCug
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32PcLZBJeY
Kim looked like she was smiling.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HOsx7s3nD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKasQDw9tj
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjA3Mcp9Vq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUbzntQl3V
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iJAm9ysbW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4COX1nJrxp
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTRhFcXPnR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTuk90Mw82
"Fine, fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq0H7mzzji
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA0he6XGpj
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTwZGY3g6d
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63X0twqmCI
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarzONTO86x
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcKDM0oghJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboCoRKDIIt
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPrBUg09Gi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqM9sFbihk
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwNxTz8vO9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9J9g7s6bk
–
–
–
"...Mmm."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDsYkfpd6J
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQN8YnaX2W
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsciYZhX434
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ojSfyvPPe
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7peYgZDsP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcJyciUj3Z
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMdFXpKMLR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL59pwf6JTo
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI45ScxXJC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uvhZJXxbo
"Wow, you're hard at work."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHSlK8IXFF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvRDw65E1W
"Ah!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdURN7J73y5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLh2q9Ozst
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE78IrnPjJE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj1J9ln3c2
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw72AelY0t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0wIfTR3Qr
"I don't think so... what time is it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCGjIMvYuB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTjdakjp8r
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5315LKbys
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqRHjNDVhp
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkYar9BNfQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LOkhJ7AJs
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIukD8nXWl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMXwfc3r0D
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgX9WPj6OU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTLaRZEOSz
I did regret sitting beside her, though.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14JL6LZ74Q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKro7nYe2Vy
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq7rPPWcmB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriLdmC3pWV
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4xzltR6Wb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sUAVCAbxy
Flinty looked at me with excitement.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ7v444pot
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxsNoSBwZQ
"A goal?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x9C3IL2F9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa99FNc1DA
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC1HZSN45I
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFe8V8Tqm2
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIWEDaeVLh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YWymlbfTW
"Okay, I'll do my best!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qfQKFLCPb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdaeHLolSf
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAyIcEsOV8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja4idiFEVK
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYm2yhyVsK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNdlDyHsJ8
"Good morning, Linda!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3fW1I1XQn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwTZ7CyZ3O
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafYGepivxH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09v9E1PCIF
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS2g5tPj3k
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvFKdHPLaR
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4cP1ImjjM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoZ14vH6WM
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3TLrx8d0U
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cndSffpHK
Friday? Today is Friday?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz1UlsMFh7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL8AqXF8yD
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZmmyTSFTD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3ykUwUeTC
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1au7uqd3c3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkklxJ5yEjZ
She looked at me curiously before answering.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBCNARoqxc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOvim2p3O2
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaryOoEki4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUWvZmLOy5
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4YoGQqpz3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8VYCdJdJ8
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHcZ1VT6Rq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSeTNyNe4l
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2UV2iwUIG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBkgq3RUfX
"To whom? Those at your home village?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxZ3L3cPVG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC21tylelTh
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHzuco5Pep
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIQ4DhS8dj
She lightly smiled.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTOHHNrZDq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacvoNMvUxA
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYUoGSGk8B
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxETwX9D1
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAs1EVwlJJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUccP2uBX9g
She shook her head from side to side.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWceecBdrk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYJ1FR41V6
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1ap8yhLrc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluzjzfijM0
"So you decided on living here?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6SzMo2m7u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMc9G5CLyT
She nodded.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcivCxCBpRy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUdRfCigML
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNBVBfJFBn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OKDAjrhwb
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7jQPe7K2u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKraf04weUy
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoCSjDYslA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1A39ip0GH
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGVE20JT4w
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8CY1OZp83
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPKNJDKtSg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHwrQZV8uv
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5liCKoRO2W
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnXSMMseRl
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00I9jKCHXl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF2aXMUNDr
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjW9Kd2wQ7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnPBS9HrPq
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo3eCdaipv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMrCXDhboq
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslyCVfgYYA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokhGOwEI7m
"Hey, Victoria?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4Rc3B5jBw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlCAKqY0K0
"Yes?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBLeM6giUU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFykmB8yZKF
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeyDZhF0Sg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaVDPxgSo2
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIJmNuyG6k
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GYCIr0XDa
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmvvhN5SsA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCx2LNhGHQ
"Kim, are you good?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd3FJVChy4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfyowH2HN4
Kim just finished packing her bag.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPzbMj39Xh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gIoCRJocq
"Yes. Let's get going."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFOA0AqCRr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TJnVqkznt
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa7GyA5ihL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPCiH2GEIi
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P46e53pcq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOClwR2S3vv
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaeVd900gu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXIaHjVutU
...She did do that, right?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIOlhEO33B
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHbauHfSPH
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpywIexCEoM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaFXjW1R4R
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcy9tfj1Hg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7mGAIICBC
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKsi5tbaZg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50uOdafU86
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXBff1rVE4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBXiNXskKo
"Hmm?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxCNYR61sX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XCZxL5vtZ
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClxgmTrhxv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hVetHIXjR
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe47pAxVmje
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDweLucK4s
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOZxZyfjfw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGooyFSA8Y
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b2apzhRGO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnP4hioz7t
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfn0NXptLK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO9M91qBBH
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqFJfttyHp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnPrXXaISQ
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOUj8Zc1OW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNh3SJmCbd
"R-Right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazW3ZKOU8A
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4VBnAJm5C
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqMaHzE6Zi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqya5bEDka4
"Any objections?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRBvhiGhQA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVSrs8qssq
None of us voiced any.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3QlO4zExt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRmMXEs6XB
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQyiRRx8SZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w3x7xyYy1
"Of course."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR62H3jVnL5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGXdiv0WNd
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOeVR7Gcm1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErMJWh65K1
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeyyYW5pLk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjF1PXFrIO
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqR60VxrX0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvIlWeAEPb
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyMDyNv9Vk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbvsGA8s3t
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaUwu7SO9P
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFUsH9vS2S
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdv8OcF9Ps
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9cCNtucjs
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuQEswpQ8y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIp2yAKrzR
"Hold on, stop here."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO8CkSEM1h
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYqKZikZoQ
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLPaBXycmk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L5RVMC0xo
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynnRo12BKm
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNISO3bHxKe
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I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNgA15XJom
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg4mGm6rf5
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf0mMpgbmJ
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAKPZQ2ERO
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5mg1fxjOP
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So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d1L8gHch5
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHqadHtvEK
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HU5vcovdi
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Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMIXTKomud
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s4C03fyfd
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii2FQ3gDZN
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0NWaVX73N
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65p8J0kMpV
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She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6fyVIKxsn
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeDchDxXkz
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"Heh, well..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswWZP0pwxU
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpthoduf5g
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"What's the hold-up?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ziti0FQTk
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDvhbUkrqO
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8L5bvrYKD
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGgXgXrwyG
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My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3p5Tpd6Xi
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"So, what about you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv8lRhEt0f
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBelTu12kK
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68ytYp4oBN
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6YckpVbOQ
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNMrb5eHG3
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKifBcMaGN7
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"I can see now why– oop."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6rofHAVOV
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIWNBSPYVF
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IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdTverzBej
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All of a sudden, a voice.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8wmvhRB60
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"Something... I feel like something was here."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC7rUIu4FF
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It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNFFj78GAy
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZyieOmIdz
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5qJMz5UVl
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbmaAOrIrH
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTEgDSprn1
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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