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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJzrgouovj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZDIxg9mXk
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxte5ulMaF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnKbMfbNPm
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H4ZlPe88V
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOGDgnoFRy
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5YoI87jm1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmq4xu4kta
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwty0QvxFOp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOmET8v7lm
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT66nshqAql
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUPxXPkklR
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjctnkBrO7e
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOPxBDgbxS
"...Sure."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6hDJOCQQV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHsD9NaW4A
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?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgWrR6YR6u
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChBY3tUR6E
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVPEjfCOXh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux7u3Fhpqe
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ZIUeov4v
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLrBY6aTCb
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4xpwK3idl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCUbEr4kGr
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL31FURWdS
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NRkOUr8oz
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ny1hrcnc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyAjb5oOVw
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P38186dD5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0YOBi90PY
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsayiA0I9ua
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk2PzEq75v
"Wait, what!?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF3Smu6DSZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJAq2oT0Hr
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQQel2Pxwv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwjGqKK7eW
"Why not me?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aOsTSw4kA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mqwdDLBEe
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBL82sQ2kf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlGLh5BCOw
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6xpVkLfBX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIkyT8bLzs
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5Fz2YWQdn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGRTpIFNuz
No, you didn't.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLqYaZqhRa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuhlM6tHHR
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYK9fsAUig
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic8qpEQ444
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlMKCkRklA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJgrujpGpf
"Huh?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ161gJbS4kF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXahOg4PaRF
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkw7yEpzgd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGehYwhAUk
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKqNfwg7gU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Inyjc0Nrp
"Mhm!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA6yv3mXti
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ2wjAdkYP
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITMZNRFSeh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7xJNYOFaq
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhZNsTK0gl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ6zNio7lY
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeLJln5rOl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHStkHxWB4O
"...Fine."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFMJyhyW2x
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNzZa4oufh
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy3hwo2ofn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQZXD8Dx2A
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEWetFRc1D
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GS6J7FsVt
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYznRfFdstB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp7a8XwO7f
"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!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu631adVlQw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmse6sUTLf
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp4KfOwMye
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o2T6N5wMx
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmSwlailNv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqkNl5Yq52
"Is there... something you need?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1cdjr4SUD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85eNnwglIA
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbRxVC7Ot3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs7YMDwl8J
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5SL7KLd62
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKdySbUOhT
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5WwOqcHJR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuHYGDdeDK
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmInnZdM8xw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwuAKBiPKL
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IyeqQ0KrW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBwZEdEe22
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU1WdCMLnL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ999AmbphMY
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU417rlmTb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLOK8avzg1
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHSuyZ0yyM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mRy72bR5z
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSleGGoVA7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9L35YoA3y
She giggled a little. Creepy.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIdCASwJNf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBFUBF5aXp
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1D9RzyjhC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u7m4Ii6GZ
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KjUqXoVjk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVo8MfdD8u
What?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRmYAXfiSx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBuqBQpv4G
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedVqUzn9yi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrNudSqxFY
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyLLjuGYX2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrHgIsyr3q
"O-Oh..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQEWv0ayrX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGrTgg0p4s
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbuUtMg2SN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ur6Plv5q
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRw93Pr8xR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fi2tT1Wz4
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBU1JqRFNE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRBOIsGRbi
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iZO50P82Q
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ690oKsQD
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrZITz2IJR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jeAEW6BDe
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh7AmQqDtb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGqnb0pXEc
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42yd81T13A
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZmL5x8O13
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv2GioXPff
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIk5ttee3o
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHrJ58Ly9e
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5ovmj9al5
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMklKK0BEJb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvgd0sRZFd
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif6CXxDBdu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1l1A9SJsv
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQSLEMRpZP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC2mC5ywct
Front-page news!?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdCev0MioE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuErvXT4jH
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6ZnXOxFNW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePcN3Zq5Ts
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4x5RYnKpN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtM5yG2LwQ
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi35kLXwY65
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgCn5uSd1a
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkkbqjZFTM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrwy8FyJJ0
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBCkzLQQZz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxxbIjDfU8
"No, I don't."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVwnftYcgo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMmhcon52R
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RILDbzJDr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOAPqYOJBf
"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!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtuLCYEKkn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKRwsmsEBn
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqbX2IgFvo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueQX76Gx2c
"Thank you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRKgMrIrkq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMwFYwlx0Z
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujZAiifBnd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv0NTXyUDx
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyrAXBMAqF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xsFlm7sgy
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDBNaxZ9d1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWOMhks4cq
"Oh."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J56OQh1tv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CudlGVN4R
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RHQmgBG5l
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihJUnARMLT
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQIcaC4NcG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MiMp7V6aA
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSruA2Jubnt
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQWzC2hOJY
Her face froze. I sighed.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsgdYZ9knU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS2wDE3bsn
"I-I'll do it in the morning."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17ObryPBlz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P4wfXfYAn
"Good luck."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIpKbNk88M
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuANObQKg3M
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSBNafW8yQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaLDqVDTsM
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY8nqqxMts
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPm0TGVGJM
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGawHV8o7IA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rSAvVynOg
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZksiww2UX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzONWSinIOS
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDakr8muJ1S
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynxSUkb0hI
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6el37plkW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjCqeeaGCt
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkZqYx47ar
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzIwTkoum0
"Going to what?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nW8vpn2jw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVOrPOtm9k
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG485WaaoV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9g1YHS2Mg
"Huh? Wash myself?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufOhWfIFKD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnc4EE7Qbb
"Yes. Like we did."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVjQurBgzR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEF4gB3PlN
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVzsjajg5A
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEziXHTeEA8
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97xr82Osu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAyF7Z5YU4
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNSZXIid8Q
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDbnNTiP9q
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLeIJ2MqZz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv2gUzb0kd
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI2icOCvV4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rzYYpfrNj
"Buffalo Village."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qf7NnXfBL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiCkr3VacB
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTFgtZU03M
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2S7B9YOej
"Really? I didn't know that."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKe9Qpms3Z
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzOVWDrjiz
Kim looked like she was smiling.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wHdV4g6Un
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojvunzCaP4
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAe5utk946
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4vCyMlOBc
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkCH8j8P7N
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHtXZullfh
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgWWCXuABF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbheos5XFK
"Fine, fine."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WaIaM2acC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vqmndfCBU
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DIch9kalX
"..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMYBnkp6Z5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMpZpwI4DD
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6ZYYqGhmz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtt0138D1J
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDsVL9A3g0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslHnFJH3lA
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSX69b515j
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAW2aSO3ng
–
–
–
"...Mmm."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdto0DWKFkx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsVeljQ9rl
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWoLcaXOns
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVFd6yCQXk
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYxOfFOM9x
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL4FFlNvrG
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZZ8psWI4I
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmtcd733CX
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lQiddkVp7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd5UIqZNmz
"Wow, you're hard at work."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqox4NFPELG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVvlLTC2Ap
"Ah!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgRx4P3Kon
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4afmy9GJ7R
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y3L4e2m2e
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCo2PmMyOF
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09aJvTTIIl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfghTGRAaN
"I don't think so... what time is it?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKSxNgaQ0D
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNOzGKg687
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SpgHgBhAw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQV1oCTcCj
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG3yUugRCI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEiEPOkrCT
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEyMy0T5Tv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMyqDXnNzA
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlSeJ2MrF1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXADEfLUsG
I did regret sitting beside her, though.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdWZrRPfHU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljwnLlzu7v
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTu8Hwvaxa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zeJIffKY1
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwnceCZ7r3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDa4qaCOjm
Flinty looked at me with excitement.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbZQ4cEpSp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyopv3I0JQQ
"A goal?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfBW7HDkrw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoBJnLk6To
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh44kOgxsj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OvzLGMt4J
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0LeCotX4j
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJvWgYsNlS
"Okay, I'll do my best!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWQanDkeLQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WybwLTbK0
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMms64Kjhl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbepF7Se3jV
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gm54wtVDR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ5Lz8oFot
"Good morning, Linda!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhecsi6TUEP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV9iTE3Tg8
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o9s3RJCK1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhNxVs2Pz0
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFM7Wi5a7U
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik1w9KwjIJ
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0EemWjZhq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF73Cd3DQxW
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO33BbP1CR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ4dp93SS5
Friday? Today is Friday?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmTBzucDi6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRdiBbmbi4
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XBy6GhOIu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW2Emw2Iq7
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfIoIduXne
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR9BMtqhEW
She looked at me curiously before answering.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W4lHsZ0RC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx3UQGt6Ya
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYv6QM24Gc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrLZfP9GM7
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNkkxcNpbj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXlkRM6lVL
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNTmBWsl4p
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygaSyjb5qm
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboGMtvuAFg
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmJZaCIz3t
"To whom? Those at your home village?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cpS1MKNUE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKitS2WdRdB
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KbFr4j6eR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiKCfl4hiP
She lightly smiled.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdsb4EjlFj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ7TQWaG1x
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YzDjctt7L
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TJ5ccR2aj
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lqSiWytBZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg03NGcdM7
She shook her head from side to side.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsemiv6GnYQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxOO7Rg1N4
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfEmKKfTn8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYVx1ohqMY
"So you decided on living here?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7JbEMz78f
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2gZHmBNvL
She nodded.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TJmO5ltWa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJmw36QgNm
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDKwDodjuP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmydCXPLTUN
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyzIRdGcSw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xAuKjdrKJ
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z00kQlKKe
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU7CCUnnAn
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCPxTORIVV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQnlqAhbad
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfPVD9NkoB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjVhYatdGB
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ImTMuDmR3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQKbJxZxXt
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXF3pv6aip
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKBdILMYdb
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbkTL1GFb1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IfwSqKMtQ
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqlXOL1Bg0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlUbUq8FKV
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB9ITeGfxa
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWWxNq6bC2
"Hey, Victoria?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARXrW1Z8JU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNL4voNgq4
"Yes?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjzVjRzrlF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIhFLeV979
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcCGrNzXP3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA0z0AE1wt
"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!"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeZMp4SgUE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SlmBVz3ik
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMVbsm0OU7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwdkDv3trT
"Kim, are you good?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Erh8Itdh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQoCmxY1gY
Kim just finished packing her bag.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7YGCcMfTK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkysNtpdHlC
"Yes. Let's get going."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfnhkKlnie
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJW57ajs4C
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34UOUsscUL
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsddrpFLWlX
–
–
–
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tVpaXxHE9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7Dg7TZa5o
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG2OrGCQjG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1UII6VbqJ
...She did do that, right?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfTXR8mpRl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacmiYNWK7u
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU147Ig8zH6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbZZmjK6Iw
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZuKc9WDJG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7wJaodXwH
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA2zo4d9KF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdMPfQaw62
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC5xnEX99Q
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMNww0VwkU
"Hmm?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLypagoApCP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOxOZAIOjO
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4WzV9xdyX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbCkDNFneU
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E03JmZnW2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0S7ncPY4W
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua9l2Im3y7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9fAFdJUd2
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4gRT64FOK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkjODUlCQI
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYw5EXVIpD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwkjYzXjLk
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BsChH5fBZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD4hiSEoIB
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ChVpjaiA9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡora6AqaS5a
"R-Right."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEoCnDFtfI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bzEkVm06p
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkATmGU0qr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5rdvL4xP1
"Any objections?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWK5NBiQ5R
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cnJBPeoae
None of us voiced any.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pJghVU7KT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSpzvuld5i
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdCJFEp1Iv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuVXAiRmKb
"Of course."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWMG98vTYF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw3u105zCE
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BC2GHn4De
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDjbGe9NJ4
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxyMJNcZdf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdEBOmqAzr
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGZvFKVJol
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFnF3v5x26
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktK07ks4yJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4N40R4jnJ
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD72aXowKTP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92SUYjkDgR
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07niY8Lm7F
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvADprFvE6Z
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFAaFh0uhP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MKxeVgqCV
"Hold on, stop here."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNgpl3GBWm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG4dHtfGRR
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxvg5dkx5c
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTvBpAlKqO
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagjzCTop8y
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp719KExMW
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gdhRG1Apf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpmD5WTJia
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmkn6mBhbR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzwT0Hhdfs
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTHGOpAvRH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83HJZsNKHD
"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDytEq7Jhr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUK07OZY62
"Does it look safe?" I asked.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWir2rDaLEN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08XBOITPJ4
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG5KvySDKf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKxiw8ryvr
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7oUq5aPQB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsBrjomO8i
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnltcc2MaOy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSguuCt10Ss
"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?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStRSMBSwEn
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtBTvmHIt9
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJDBoo9fOX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdkFktxNwx
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N6Hwc4ZHs
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV5HmQQfTA
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UHue54yVF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeo2QK9Ni2
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x9jVKNWRz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XL8urv5cy
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlLF6UbX8l
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9yzvMOy7f
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpNP8DYVlk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJfgAEAVNQ
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqtS4hTylp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xVVN5XYap
"Heh, well..."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7zjWiErjq
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsrkivRcgB
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyNyXCrhaS
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrT9qtnojD
"What's the hold-up?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpWRh7ZUzG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7KWaXiL7n
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gFTIs6zCN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJFcdzMa3g
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0k27fciBO
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhDO5aWdzf
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkzUCmZJ6V
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nLGrpzzAA
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMT516KpWh
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YadEdM704
"So, what about you?"237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA2TaaDbFt
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc72UryFV9
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1r69afW6v
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRKhBZpm1I
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcNtJXmk7h
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3ACMg8dVf
"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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9HfQOTfo0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC24VvETiWk
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsUKpp8BnR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvTDfjWHE0
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZfgdGGRlo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby4o0bw7xd
"I can see now why– oop."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz87omLUXp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wh7yLGDOz
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe716Mu8BRZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLYzgtlx0f
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6aV5V4DTi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkYgKCyXWF
All of a sudden, a voice.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0I1W73DJH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlaSRje8ge
"Something... I feel like something was here."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXt2MoRMC0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QQQ3zf99B
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNQC6lrfKm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60gst2HwzA
I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeI1V5zKUW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0OoT46iBk
"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp82pEbY7Dm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47IeFKH3nl
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.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEdVrkuRyY
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29YoUnKl7c
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."237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmpy4dM5Zs
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCue6QRV9u
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.
ns216.73.216.82da2
