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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB0YkzGvT3
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL6sKOO5qT
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2bCsreZOV
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SKBSHisbJ
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENahvt6Vua
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy23gm9vie
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgXTySbiut
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmPZ7oQQFj
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCNFA0CafA
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnjYMSxIk5
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOVftlWxns
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH5RL2c5os
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNBNn7v4n0
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKsnSur4Kn
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOXMgpR63V
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPSFnYZs2q
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VQfz2eSWK
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn9ye3OpA8
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJABT7jp0kH
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAdhObhYFH
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOsNZwPEhD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5UdohpB0
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AV9wr4knr
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU52wtnT0X5
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JoaUCzdAW
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzSJ26YbmM
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZkkcduj5z
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYpo898nbt
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztRuBbtJhr
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK2fzjPjpZ
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE1lapoY0Z
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CpolHOmHV
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpB8jZWjWw
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGzh3gTiLd
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yhxewVPsL
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKGDtQVL1k
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ptu2JRyFK
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKCalBT5Fc
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk6EioaKiy
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgdzygxdW7
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxex25Y1Qj
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa4dMk0PTR
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3PVoWnQmV
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpfDXwiuNk
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6x1sWT5v3
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESmEYWsYXl
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsuOQO1vyl
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3O0OUMoYS
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNJyRwJX7a
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLXC9iABq
"What's the matter?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJiDrfx2g0
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB69iAO4AL
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDPft3amgH
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyhUDKmIwS
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2PyZf2DLf
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdSzgFl6v6
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzABN7gsUx
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5N3vdaXBK
"Of course."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrVhpWbe3l
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXExlE028q
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1hn44gWPe
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWDMv3F5mi
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeOMrKd8MT
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeytwJ9QYNT
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1WWBaDCE5
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDVlYTqjRh
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcO8iKQTG0
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYOR0idgkP
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs1wqytd14
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK9uQMq7ux
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzFbBXASPk
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AGzdBsTgk
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcCR4cfX3D
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kZLkGWC4M
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVQLjmWMYM
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplTfqN6ZzY
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgad72uHtB
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3bPIiM6Og
"...Probably?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5calM5Vp6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA1fN9LjRi
"Sorry, definitely."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoZ8OcG0rV
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bw4G1q7uD
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZjEEPFXLg
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYufbq5PnO
"Food's ready!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSpCYySYta
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTfaH6ZZI0
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzqt0FL2uM
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgD1GhGDv4
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf5yVPPAns
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7eT0ihlv7
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkbHkZXMiS
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L8u6ujv6o
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk1pwUguXe
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lbp6bNEn4
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCZNQhSlvr
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lnjLragkp
"Are you asking me?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRnZuQctNr
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRwcb6ZsUZ
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQwWVW2C4b
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcAkHTHSnV
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RO8T1ofM7
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23AZ6VDMQE
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYZKjFyv6I
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdzEGEvAFk
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhQqngcoN6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3yoLkVPlI
It felt heavenly.
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G4fIUH9ke
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT8MpK91MT
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMTSmxiwh3
"What are you reading?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mokmh5OyP
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBn634QBXF
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqpRA6gj4f
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKszE9SfoU
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O3pWkLvgg
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatO7qtu8FR
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZuQkGPjF6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Id4soCby
"...It's a book about magic."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrZ0HxcmRx
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYZ9yoQGhB
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXPcDmGXNu
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFXG2drGjh
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDoL4oT8b5
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LdW6NjGpu
"Y-Yeah, of course."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V9Oh2gCNN
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag4pNJIsuy
She didn't sound very excited.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW8oysWegp
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9i2hbvbCg
"Do you want to practice right now?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8OP68rSZG
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH2B1Pwa9B
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OWbAWsPJt
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug3y8R1y1q
"If you say so."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJcXantwxN
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasFfRU8rJQ
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQncwsbAXXA
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPzAf1p9TK
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lns8TleeU
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5LVf6qPQT
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcgTR677h1
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVedyeSt3s5
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjClQpbWkMh
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQWc06eIbb
"...Did he decline?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQk8wMovTp
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwBcwlw9WJ
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngBPSXihO6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfpWc1N4Wo
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLgVAztsrZ
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXX4OosgDo
She paused and stared at the sheets.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvVAuv0Qhr
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyxvloGZK2
"Today was the first time I made a spell."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanQlQz5D5M
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqkNcO6DKE
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd67Ar6N2KX
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVEsSA8KL5
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5l5NUORMy
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojU5UpZzfk
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMXw2GmOUC
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ppgqN5wUW
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsjaPLctlP
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCs3oeaIsE
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Iee9T4rea
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SBytwasVn
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxPl1bDIfX
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8bXGLXrkn
We sat in silence for a few minutes.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJceaZBDvG0
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxJKg7QYwe
"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."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWOB8FqWDB
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrziCGqZp0t
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIgsToGlcv
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WGjAIscXg
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyehyVZTcYF
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMNAOsR8O4
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aayqU3Mmu
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncBGrjuxGD
She shook her head no.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl7u7V84jO
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWCo37ze3y
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO26xUqy55d
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLCeoud884
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NFjL3uokP
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI7t1HEM7n
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTMYasJC4a
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjuoLRk2zT
I felt like I made a mistake just now.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzs8sAyYOn
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp1lmAjVNW
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N4AKwe43I
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor3fm7GLPN
"What is it?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRxnwSWVbI
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYooA8mouwa
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPsZelGko7
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac315cpr96
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e8chbQ7Nr
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M1LozT4Fe
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBMC2Rca5M
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZrVT6ItHS
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqVf8Fn2DI
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKJPh20HVh
"I know I can do that! But, well..."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLQJGUGQaa
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBsESUjSAL
She had her fingertips conjoined.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHHhrFMHqo
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINtgtndMYt
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHASvw2sEgP
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpGNuZl5pF
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwwy9F8nAa
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKYDDiC75b
"Alright, I'll show you."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyUVHZ71VY
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PWQ0fvaqT
"Yay!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMVLb7fDuU
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnGTIZ4h61
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgeEKacboI
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMakQ6GHz2
"I think it's best if we do this outside."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xrTkEhu1O
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38XaCh4aNs
"Okay, then let's go!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0DVaw5ew
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrOzTEAlEe
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvldN4xljIN
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD1qRWnJQN
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHEM68J9VI
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gmMvlDLfm
"Earth?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f1tOSPTvT
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd18MmXTT6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo0ipLaS91
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE6VfjFNrN
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySbGed8Wje
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC8V3WEk5k
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yuemvuqmb
"It's really not that impressive."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPQGSxlijw
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUjV8A7ZKz
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNyFD0HlFG
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3QrH37Vjz
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBuBHnGskD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLhoFYbvyu
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvmuIsjZYm
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO70FWoQ9pM
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwnUKj5ALR
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb25lYjH1F
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfkVMzFjAk
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dP2hDjq0l
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnohaA0Km0a
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"How'd you do that!?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxDCngeNeL
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G0zruN6h3
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KzHN3Qd9z
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitsDPXtGRo
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH06BqIBIvu
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwfDD5dOD0
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4XSaFkJhk
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNYNk6WFVa
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB5qdW3Ym9
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBSpV8kakU
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTGXQfBDdx
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci5exCkvDn
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GjfW4u4pz
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVPZaaJCaK
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpTekGcJLK
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mcBODZQHD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IvNIDL404
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCiNXsqgAW
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwScDY9MXa
...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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInUN1PUFGc
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ChtVA4yGJ
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxDYSlholO
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt5DDQ8g91
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9CrZU3TGn
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxg8UGODst
Oh.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkyhxg01b1
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDg7GfdLUT
Oh.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdpW0tqnd6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX36T0Zr6Jy
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZbwms9DKD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudfGJHs1EF
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuezESjYI66
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHmrSknNUy
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBZaKp0xXN
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIEazgPYi6
As for me?181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD4dXZ67PO
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS63WW0Fn8R
Well...181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDE6WbLptw
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiP1aT7hUt
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqLb6cDzqq
**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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlupNl7ysIZ
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylJusbArA5
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv71odaWQg
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlexenLJhCL
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wiNgxDKct
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhW9g5fU8v
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYkjKf6eev
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL7mtA3TUd
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEcL7VB81T
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwHtjsuJMz
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuHCXfZV0c
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxZpmiuBeL
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrwqEfYQkE
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3vakKsYxh
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll8uEXyDHI
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXYr02GTus
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjoDuqu5S
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6T85zZHKk
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0HjimXBO0
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDW1zLQb4x
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClrS2eGapL
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozLKDR6zAg
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhPdCRH9Wb
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5AHwhv7Ae
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA6k1iilAw
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau0wJeWd11
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPrzPItLjX
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqOCRMu0x9
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo2tp13IDq
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0PBFzf0Fz
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIHossgpzE
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPpGIPGf83
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHoYmKeJXT
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2er3bG0XH
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkLNXlEilF
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNEIVURrRU
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt0PuGW6va
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddLF34pfrY
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"Of course. What is it?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGANj8WY7sb
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Un1kKpo4Q
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet6wOaxusX
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh003NtrYzq
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOWweuYK6r
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLFnjUIwx6
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3hnNyic5p
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLeTMRZdzH
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr57d4CJRBx
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXnRwZjFaa
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lIsoGjRGs
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8ppaPN00i
We all looked at her.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6MdDVkKuG
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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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNppuOBeZIw
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kyu8zDo1H
"Kenny."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNapKQNyPjS
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytOvrhnjYL
"Yes?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nAcUNoO4K
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQjUB9Rteo
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lRM86UwNv
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNzgjc1SFY
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjzBNxxAAt
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDILRMJJ3JD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAbNSetk4j
"Okay. Kenny?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALFgcRuOoo
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxE2Ob1mkG
"Yes?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8elwXYu7o
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmNNtrx66D
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZFXdX9RzI
"Huh?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fj2lqrfRH
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1giM4zkyC
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi4SsWNqBR
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPvzjlJAZP
"Why do you want to go?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR64LUvcAy
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdF9F2CeRY
"I... think I need to."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjo0Gy9awE
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwzRbym40V
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHC9XzGemK
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVIEbmyE3p
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW3cT65h0E
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oPYzswrTA
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfw69cEVnA
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpdQhyVcDN
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV2iRZ9fap
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU94JGBHyAs
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.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQgAr0rFJj
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaCclB1zFN
My heart sank.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk0tqtXkeD
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiKlJQnj13
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
