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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtj326MU6i
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHwpuPE7aa
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTBnixA6gP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlsgU0xZBW
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZKCHgmXvE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQrvGVF4cB
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku1E0YcG6D
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fv7HDNhTe
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKEjfH1O0M
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRIv50mhvN
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjBplZ52BC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNDHkYXHiw
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaDRvTN654
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE3cObHA2g
"...Sure."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbORcQ2Hyg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwkDOUaUzM
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?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDmexFAeNa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPEHiSgLL2
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxl4379p1H
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDARwBq7D3
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwCIROKbYR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxBjMrpIfu
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7mWHBAZcK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3IndOHofg
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5EYoR8b2Q
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdnMmsjAe0
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim7TBgcWR2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05GPxFiyJg
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5WTmq60hG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72D1iL5i43
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBI0P52zTy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiKdIUcb7W
"Wait, what!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqNakYWcIp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6rbBt6oMi
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFsydyRaau
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd2czTbl9n
"Why not me?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMzVDLH8VB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO518P3PA1q
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTrWn6Mx6l
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBqea6IBo6
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4XVTxYFsr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVdrbNzopN
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp69jE24i3c
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h3O3542Xb
No, you didn't.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK5vnlBD62
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uWDmKav1p
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZqi2A4qd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXkon4Vzu3
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEibyVwtzwb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBXHRNmgFV
"Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3jZIyhlDr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnWfqOe4YM
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH34KFeeQS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfBBBvCkYX
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbFnOfDbEB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWthKdGzVnC
"Mhm!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhUGxeTxHh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1X6P8pczr
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvwdpj54yh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90xG3GjQoy
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNBZYrYFua
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDq11LMwxv
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVGEB6Fqvm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy5e6ESPfk
"...Fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq066EG9QFa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6IVj0mhkw
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba3lr4eyyD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkDGh1uJ7G
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffhT67ZkNE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ82q7IXZhV
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQH7J2yJUY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yww9vx9zL
"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!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqGC0sM4OL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeImWPdlgi
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy02JsxpKEn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0a9pgvNNX
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlwCz6FOu7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke6FGpTnmR
"Is there... something you need?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbsZcMP0jo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMLd9mSg1k
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS5z0SQHsr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtNJBibGWS
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDbms01D5D
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNGMTsjfdL
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OnYY0CowJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwvjzWofIb
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1DpviQueG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSamN2PL7E
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKSKYP5yic
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3ZmZIlFmv
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXOHovvver
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHWSsxMANl
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5Pi0OMEsm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSiDQS1VzS
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofD3kZzPGg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDxYSoRfG5
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUchd2d4g9H
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66t828caVF
She giggled a little. Creepy.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaaopSbArR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQI8M5WPZ5
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR2doHWcUJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22YsIx38tN
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvKgiO2GzY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpRL3pBPZU
What?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkOFDAC6jh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8W0VjnAkQ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEiys8qKXn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmTwvyGSIk
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22SuQH8258
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGzpjQ5E4s
"O-Oh..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxeQIcKmCa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgmfh5vXBL
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNae4fVrVIA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP6zOtN4u3
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ZNrAouPf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6qmgcOtEx
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMf4VnQY2f
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiejGJJdHpI
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlIntj4uI2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zz4ep4xSX
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOIKttBnDB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kR0CEObqv
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYgzs4uCdo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7xIEgyZKN
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcRgmMd029
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7gdQL7YzO
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHFqcLv88p
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkqI8IRIb6
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOynGRKL2S
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcm6KVPwbS
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFbUFCyZk8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pkbw8tcqE
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiIWMpOJ2I
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9cGC8F7U4
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbzmwGktKr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVdlhNc0M8
Front-page news!?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjVxRnBzzX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYZjASaoko
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rv1ZkFHrA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAYqEWAgpa
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvFUMwn1NQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq7hrNMQns
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8prg0RpvmJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB7Zgm8osz
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0QKOyUjc4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxETzlJgPz
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNld9npATej
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCv1GrEVXa
"No, I don't."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXx8NPiOIX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEmHopLXez
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNpwuH15pY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTImVXhHdr
"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!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEryuvJGZC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREFBtm5CUW
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz9dzwmmpJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfjeMC1xCu
"Thank you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF1NxGsE5u
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kNKdEExFj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7A8ib1Wdy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlPcJBRwdW
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtk9SB29l2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnwzZun1df
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vexbtpklB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdGbBCJIIL
"Oh."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRScDfRmGhz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmneHDboLrU
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqpYgVwDVE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR3RFrb2O6
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBEQp3yjGH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorH1JzniT4
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIDXwk0tdr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYq9UjnbDX
Her face froze. I sighed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG9YIEjWdk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfYx21skso
"I-I'll do it in the morning."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2UKiflN59
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fqedwHmXS
"Good luck."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEVa2BHpr2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWrntkNukt
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SqXM30Z1f
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ6uBoz6ey
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThBtNpsFfJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LqCncEq3n
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuFR84srTS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlDzKS5Cpm
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBrRbh36at
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHShZZGbCZ4
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLOBlQHlci
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO3zLBYArz
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqHxaUcoQS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNJ3FJOKBd
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0lr4ipmLK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg3YPeItIi
"Going to what?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUQ9ZS1fOC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWUasg4mdH
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMhmxFbvrL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK43kJdYVrs
"Huh? Wash myself?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsJTiAq0K8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrOHRgPSni
"Yes. Like we did."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yrZFzhqmS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu03onb7DR
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxu1JnxMY0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyzvO6Bj7n
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdT1SoMJ39
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHv4fwSygo
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpPB6apqeg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxgHJ40dFH
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6cG2fVVzW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aRhkMyJ33
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D99jnGymA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8a3Oaq9O4
"Buffalo Village."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLfKs2ZqsO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpsVfyUVMk
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagn8XFyJzJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsGyf0r6x6
"Really? I didn't know that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSwCSJ8HSi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bfQMRIv7x
Kim looked like she was smiling.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9z91CE6Rt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYnk7DptCq
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3I2E2CZPG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfw1eCYywH
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrqT73IsCs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h4AS8K4lT
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ334EBF1SZK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqaBHrghas
"Fine, fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJN4sOVhcR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXvZ8l4l8D
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcE9ll65IU
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbbyjmZnJl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8K9BEWSnt
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefN1wN1PSM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP4EETK3M6
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KSvjKy7Cd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUJHnJcDoa
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyBpu1kLJW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXm2hk2qhK
–
–
–
"...Mmm."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0xLfxoSPk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rlU59RBoW
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0MvLk2pQK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1wkaXDjRB
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1zROTEUMU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOOAQYBlb6
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNw5lvRQQ3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVBT1gcKeJ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3wHVr1dTZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kTbb18V01
"Wow, you're hard at work."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64OS9lnu1T
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxtXLb7LGO
"Ah!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MK5ebPhEt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLGJQkm899
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvihg4xmIQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3eOIBsGRl
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKVWqPee91
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAJrMurjb9
"I don't think so... what time is it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkso5y2Hee
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUP57tu53i
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwLgpNPZ5C
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVSSODvDC3
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiE1nIxVuW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQqwcJaHXJ
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxcxFoDVxP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS0ke7Uq3T
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JopB3BGn6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtYvzLcI9r
I did regret sitting beside her, though.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQsurEePxX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BU5CEIips
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BRQJWmcmY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwikr4tUHd
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFNzxEFvLn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdTTwXc1TI
Flinty looked at me with excitement.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeY9F6fmMV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYkCfRjVs1
"A goal?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18jSZELfZL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD36O7Ae9Q
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxplE5EVZwG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoniyOYQ9J
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqCWGVlLYJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL9pZGmXip
"Okay, I'll do my best!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiCun6BlYo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL0UsOKdxH
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cf5KpbbNP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWxhsYKpni
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ara2dm9PU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtttfftZH5
"Good morning, Linda!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yTI55YC16
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fEwiXPurj
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTht1lB0Van
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82gClEhEnE
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yDXsxTzFl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYbUVMoF5X
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrUc7Acmgh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPQPLTYppS
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gS0tqHzVi
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubhFNIR2Ns
Friday? Today is Friday?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4InFACPyjy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcL3akWLgz
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTi38TRG1r
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN5dQ2lsZw
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeTyIPXs5e
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu62siXfj0
She looked at me curiously before answering.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvKI1lbh7T
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7c3dJGpVP
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqyzbJ4w9N
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY9Iz6AQKH
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX8ie6jdO3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8FHc02HkP
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuut6ImeX4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvzmBqwewN
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrP4vRK6gT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWBW3XsiS3
"To whom? Those at your home village?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhVfNuRDBw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW54oCPrgbl
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvQYYWKHSV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KPjB9a6yx
She lightly smiled.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLJzg9IkKR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsMjwkvBVp
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YlwtiKvHw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTnQn6NBFa
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIQH1HaB8f
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA42tjGonz
She shook her head from side to side.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyzdfOSRAw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwTxpvbDEU
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n1TMTGyoa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3qFIlRus8
"So you decided on living here?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIojBTcYt6Z
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGniwVh0g5
She nodded.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlySuBqkJ8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEfNH52v1P
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3jLXGr2BE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpfteRPO4w
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszkSLhgOZU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54jZobeYus
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk97oumYSw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxNRKwIOjO
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM0teq8fzr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmD1So0aoG
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8DL3SyMSI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98MBabcY23
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36JW3TG0Yb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAlC1LP16J
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkODWYxrkx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcRNhIMRrb
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqGJqHXguO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB938bpFFA
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMi5ET76vS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiMfSBno09
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0R94t8P3t
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ6kEgcAMK
"Hey, Victoria?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg4Axjb8aH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgYDFnsv9r
"Yes?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXL4fcBxx0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXKDin4X55
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSObOZphNy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijesd7f8pG
"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!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlBJVbceG4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhyn8cA0VX
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEXxe3nXfJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7gHRVPo4x
"Kim, are you good?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHNgXD1P4k
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lSxyOTVm7
Kim just finished packing her bag.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieh8Qc6XJ3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8wH2NLoxq
"Yes. Let's get going."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsATeR4bGUM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElzswRPgnV
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml1JHqnnxy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod12SeFmQJ
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ae8lcfI08
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c8JsjE4zX
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JwoaM9FeV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKJKouXtKQ
...She did do that, right?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTHJuXNjxs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnEuikVzco
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl8e3DSWo0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB20UNCZGIH
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlOnydUM6c
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY4bDvlo73
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZA641WbLH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f29mXbA5h
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRizXoaRUus
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKPCRdOgJC
"Hmm?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXhddheFrx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwATKUucXZV
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkktYEkuWWe
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcG5YM4MIG
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFKMrYtnON
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qp9GN08bG
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYX7uL3QNe
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3CK3i7fwI
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnSMZdkq5X
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM7UVOjtTq
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Pars5G4k
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFhy5A7xOS
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qmNCnlfad
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEXxD0PDtT
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA7l1JsWSf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TDUUrqJIl
"R-Right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6d84WnfJ3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuwVeMFs9H
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEWs7a9cUd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nwZ8obP4b
"Any objections?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkIlgvk0B8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ0azvJvwO
None of us voiced any.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisCYCma6CO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KbJkHrFR1
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr00yjK3flF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWrlMwJ7x9
"Of course."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qhywKlOXA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYDrMuRlAF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCn2Gh5jKG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl73IT6dWTv
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxBzkSonhg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0El9rwzSG
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRf2WQGx2l
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnvMzj59T6
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUlNI8hKSp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTJVfbmWg8
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuLrlcmZyG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq5gocPy6Q
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGarFa94bU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVJWbSelPE
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y8UUNUQKj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRlH1cpBqU
"Hold on, stop here."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEhYKvqnlR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNFeo0PEPX
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68tdJI4tzN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiWndkVa3L
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXSZ1bGM9C
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zyKWDhZ4J
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAENLKN8Fr
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibiAdm5lRW
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFNZmYL31K
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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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9XCUzAKSY
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRosqxoDgl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSBxN8Qxer
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSXV9fJ9qc
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSD4ig5qgj
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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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A6ybONPG6
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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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb46hclTpSA
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjvCwso8Ae
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1YVjt69iV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74gB2X36lk
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIWxFuafVf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGfmhZ9e3w
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuoZMtyWtO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwBZiGAwcz
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKv2pSfJAk
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dkVHqqQqN
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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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5NnmwdDMl
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"Heh, well..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0XN7uww8m
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYu5Cp1EFU
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"What's the hold-up?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLCE4uzeUa
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliAz3r5OQ7
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnMQ2TeQDK
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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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ5wyzEVFZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakBEegtEOl
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcJdBKEZDz
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"So, what about you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRZpWkDztG
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmcaoM1qO5
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggIUMqo1gM
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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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1E7WM3Kjr
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yvq71E16i
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYX5s3IZLo
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Jk9iYoo3
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"I can see now why– oop."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gPOHuwUio
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI45LCiOoWl
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsSJf8GcYL
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All of a sudden, a voice.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEv8F3Zm6B
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"Something... I feel like something was here."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPayx7cxcb
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowxpidIOo8
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBFswgX7XQ
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsUYcP4b0j
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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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3QX8wAwoE
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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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAylDz4SGAM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXsvCLU5mR
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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