The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWtsnfH5Qa
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEF5pW7Joq
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBn7lmi654
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj9NKYtKKD
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzFXy9jl4O
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGBAcFQwdJ
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjidd1IklDT
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeX5tyGpRe
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIYstqNuDp
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgm8KHahhi
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ14alW2Ss
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkGNQiGRq0
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqPqfSpKLP
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlO2CmekHV
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG8wCo2jr5
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc19MO2l22
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzZH2sWtt3
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb2snGqxOi
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHYg0Wtexu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76uOJGHquO
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw554vHxRj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenZjartVpz
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKNcRZRycB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxTwGKyHZ
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2BpJIUn0r
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH00ru3kRSx
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP4Kmn7sh6
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHOFxZ67N9
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZBXa9jxYJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUoqDekqbh
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSRMgE3TTI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqVFSXK3xd
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd1spx6jPM
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5ecwzy34m
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRncZBCnre
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00KaTVx5rM
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw2YdXpoTH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMDZFL2Knc
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPGXbLsWWq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwWhpMJMtS
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHITfW0kva
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS96dLEUyj
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrUzJIKW8h
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkqJ51nl5f
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8CN1pKnHu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadPcKcTzS0
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw7rk3NWpj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4FrLESX7R
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhuhx2hXM9
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vZw60DBUX
"What's the matter?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kitiyZVEc
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg77D1wK9Vw
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqWooTmF1G
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaXFLTwMhv
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdze3GE1kAg
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvORDYm6QNk
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaGdI6IXRZ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8X049LVq7
"Of course."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBA6KgNl3Y
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jE3i6BTDh
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkaL4XNpiJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiLk9UAme3
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ITqV1GGl
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAfbgvoi7s
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJWBEIh7Md
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSgrtYTPLk
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO1VhmtplP
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXrlRKgwWz
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttWx0ruNMk
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3hRTiaIyQ
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXuiIMkYsQ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC0k2FVoPY
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMraY5IMCi
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAU8cregOm
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq9yISouKY
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vMuRbzn9S
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyTtojufZR
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OdsaLvlXm
"...Probably?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4YCndRRQ6
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWTpwSunQD
"Sorry, definitely."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T8ASGxoCm
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7pA1TNYcR
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTbEAsbooA
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURADo0aeWB
"Food's ready!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zjif95W3o
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9zfNv4dsL
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A6jnSY8hJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESeL84lkSC
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bRPcoTG4L
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNX5b2Zh1c
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS3WuzYUXx
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI2daTFYrr
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU66gWn1jnN
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aeuFuMqKB
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp5ptoBlhv
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wKl2DHk17
"Are you asking me?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAERVnfrDa
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvxKtLqUU8
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK7WZVlhZT
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK7r6V55DC
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I2phMoUtB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7oHKk9YNp
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG7yCOvSAl
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpM18feN7p
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYQQ4NgHtT
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7GgBA2a4D
It felt heavenly.
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCBEGjeO7E
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqvMNVR6tD
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtUs1Xjudy
"What are you reading?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQdl6qfa9G
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoAO9VdbM2
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9y37h59Gj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATv0E3LVCq
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCUho3wl4C
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTIwoo4NKH
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuanf7wSmf
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5FIYnCtwO
"...It's a book about magic."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pvNhHiGk9
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdv2RNz3YQ
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk0WkeCmJG
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEBgFHqzXW
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7VYKSsPRk
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMhBlSDn79
"Y-Yeah, of course."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyol1qMbqxE
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SUY85nGg7
She didn't sound very excited.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7cOIyEODa
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhRRrsdhjG
"Do you want to practice right now?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ899m673zhX
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLFNJtLtGC
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9ijFPIN9o
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUNrBzVGWW
"If you say so."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjPY4Ft1uo
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLVwx8w4a1
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLefZHE6fi4
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ujGkBr3dU
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5iqkcz1Mm
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g9uYIblgR
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jdpPjAxm5
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViEx1botPy
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaNBwrBShB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPAGONKW7p
"...Did he decline?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNSbDcL3eR
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSbhoqOwLY
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvXTt6AxVS
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXRzRmHz2w
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYkeolLisP
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCGwSNw3CX
She paused and stared at the sheets.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOO4eI3g2C
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjUd59o8e3
"Today was the first time I made a spell."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQub9ZpkTqJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KRDdl1QgZ
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7uNFjauK
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6uNKEycYW
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gbyp4HJph
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo9aY7lvwP
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVX4m6OUJa
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESxKKjoiWf
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhVB9jCEsq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZCjU7xPuB
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKv50JQznj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYkzI2UVMA
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9s5DMSaxe
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsEGTmlh8X
We sat in silence for a few minutes.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyisNh32ov
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH7KP9XTmY
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ6ixrshT5
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEswiUv6wW
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg1u2Bk8hJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoda9uvgeja
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7E3csUaLt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8GjFJej4A
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2FcGZ8JM8
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9M5zAgxJW
She shook her head no.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bKmwKmfQj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZZQVd1wNe
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY5UozEEPC
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9kYbHbnLs
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NhwYExPdi
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcqpLgxehh
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZUcxtduYF
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpHvSEQHIu
I felt like I made a mistake just now.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtM3cJboIz
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ksE1WbSu6
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2KGsgFR4w
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ3UhGFYUG
"What is it?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2LIMwmUeI
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She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt6YIrR7SR
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8swNyeVN1
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGW8R5VYE0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbus3lG2rwf
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVwvdBoeuK
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02YLam6yve
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ92CfdESgF
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFQgp6vVsJ
"I know I can do that! But, well..."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvAwMNghcX
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyW6b4gq2l
She had her fingertips conjoined.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tMpUbEFas
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJbvsT6Tkm
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKZiSeEGGr
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyPze02SnO
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cgab7Ui64
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5boFOLh6z
"Alright, I'll show you."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PyhdyCXnK
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAIJ4pBGzu
"Yay!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSICFmmgv0A
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4eKXOQF60
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVRJbHBknQ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK4036HrnU
"I think it's best if we do this outside."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZjeQm51Kv
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aInfNnzHN
"Okay, then let's go!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZrb50i6QL
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She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcF6bWKnlR
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l5VjCzqbz
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi47TGjgSfg
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IXW2UL6uq
"Earth?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf6qgGKZI1
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh127xIlFh
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LaYqNONMn
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ3w8SJmeM
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNSohqxjBH
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"It's really not that impressive."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xlXJ2aPJc
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lfOLGolnw
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1kN5dVhH7
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZxJC3OoTg
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KuM2uGAEE
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeFzYiG4XB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRCNyZBBIx
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0AYApjSx6
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1O9vEbQNP
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkycoSTfkPG
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L7m6pkxOX
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eFEUDhJZg
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"How'd you do that!?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqeDltagiF
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl23sRcQ3B
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jsedW6tiN
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzAENYxKco
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByCTyMEaIG
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyydTmGKdq
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOOTzx9A9h
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BHpJONcTA
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nv3Ag76NV
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0oob4Kp1t
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MBcua8nbl
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H96pnyNx4
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgPb0oE1lL
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS33j2jKLb
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i5JJ5sj5a
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My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fivXZX6UH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZWo0aFpbD
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgzve16ZMD
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tRZHeJfUD
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YsCn0MDCq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd4O3ZAuK9
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSJ5MRfbBt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX1150FNM4
Oh.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPoeLBwhnZ
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Oh.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoVErhrIZc
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The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDOwItdhGo
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The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmdQ2diuBG
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U0bhlLHX7
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFAavzeEZe
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As for me?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZPZ1RbhEm
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Well...227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XX4Y2Xo26
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEp4FPDOiN
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfLNLAV3Cm
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYissSYlvn
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrHicPEFnu
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ3ORVvXkI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FCXBfL46X
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ZCkZ1KHz
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY9gUGSTrF
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZJbJm3nYc
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYkZZsDqWK
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I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX23VcioYw
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwChpO4mJz
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMA8dogVzo
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbfltWac0e
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I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95avEbPSBJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuv12vut9I
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tQBquN73d
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YK0luqwyL
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeKwjLzrdI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet5mIvXGSD
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPseQ6YwdOq
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac8FOyZM8I
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She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrF98s2H2l
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CDJ5OKfoJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXDjs3AYkB
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U5lDtuQEg
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I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gzhXp2HnU
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vX3HRWFks
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJVJeZ7a8u
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"Of course. What is it?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05LXAdTQGC
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZskNH3UJp7
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4VvioIDqK
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkwi0sdqUJ
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp3Ksl0i41
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3qTz8AzDU
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmJHr3NF7Q
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jkoOnOlao
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwh6tGsTOj
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We all looked at her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX4wOcjYyT
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4kiOSXLud
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18XSWXNaPu
"Kenny."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8o5cSe4Iz
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"Yes?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJROXU0R3E
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTdnjZsNR7
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6QrZ825gO
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhuW18JI2a
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiK1sEOwF
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdjzLSRDa0
"Okay. Kenny?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYTfEOowT0
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"Yes?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmXDlZsk0P
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF1y2xj42c
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOXlaAuk5V
"Huh?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3JkEUM2d4
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL59yde7Zz
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWZmtbo1vF
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"Why do you want to go?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCIrfMt8SY
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"I... think I need to."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYI1XD9rqn
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I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25LNaRUneQ
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19oCv1aB9l
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7kjDysaWf
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w6i8FRlQ5
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1admRGVYQ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy09klRrZY
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxrDnro3nD
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My heart sank.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ORttB4K5k
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
