The doors to the Pillar were made of thick glass lined with bolted steel. Opening it was arduous and unexpectedly time-consuming– that is until Rover caught up with me. Though the hinges fought against the force valiantly, Rover's sheer strength proved to be too much. A simple shove flung them open like a cupboard door. Unfortunately, I was putting my whole being into opening the door beforehand, leading me to unceremoniously fall onto the smooth floor.26Please respect copyright.PENANABDjn2c7dG9
26Please respect copyright.PENANAiSxZNNc6Zn
"Ow! Ahh..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAdvh5G9ccon
26Please respect copyright.PENANAxpx0KunUyE
"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAmYESrQubh5
26Please respect copyright.PENANAKrL1KYvZVi
"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."26Please respect copyright.PENANAJuO2G8JSrU
26Please respect copyright.PENANAik5RvRhjmQ
She tilted her head at my comment. I stood up and rubbed my own, ignoring the inquiry shown in her gaze. We took a few paces into the building. Immediately, I noticed smooth, carpeted floors and lavish furniture sprawled around the entrance. There were lounges, tables, receptionist desks, and more. Though it was the first time I'd ever entered such a scene, I could draw a comparison easily– it was very similar to how the Tea Mage described the "student center" of Talbot, after all.26Please respect copyright.PENANAdakLAcXg64
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"...This place is giving me the creeps."26Please respect copyright.PENANAqahaBNiJqg
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"Huh? How so?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA2nYkiYiMcc
26Please respect copyright.PENANAf3sbisiAX8
"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."26Please respect copyright.PENANASmi4RZgTIB
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvCAdzEDMM7
"Couches and rich– wait a second."26Please respect copyright.PENANAooQvV9K0St
26Please respect copyright.PENANAyC2PpMbHPl
Doing another scan of the environs, I found myself concurring with Rover's deduction. At that moment, the grandiose atmosphere of the room vanished and was replaced with ghostliness, and a cold sweat ran down my back. I also became confused; after all, didn't Mason say that security was tight?26Please respect copyright.PENANA7aR4CEIETx
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA3fs48pvH3U
26Please respect copyright.PENANAqFWLxZsGA9
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."26Please respect copyright.PENANAUegK3V0hT2
26Please respect copyright.PENANAEWrgAvZ4FB
"Tch! This stinks!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAWk8V9lfkns
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Rover stomped the ground and began to storm off, but I grabbed her wrist before she could go too far. She turned her head to me with her usual grumpy scowl.26Please respect copyright.PENANAFyyW4GRtQl
26Please respect copyright.PENANAeOFRYIic7y
"What?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAjjHB3hChZb
26Please respect copyright.PENANAY5ejsz3up1
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."26Please respect copyright.PENANA5xZiOcCx8S
26Please respect copyright.PENANApMHxBLHogL
"What? Are you scared?"26Please respect copyright.PENANACR0XYADI1U
26Please respect copyright.PENANAF2RENedaTd
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"26Please respect copyright.PENANA4Dqwrm4nB1
26Please respect copyright.PENANADLE3OYarlb
She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.26Please respect copyright.PENANAcqmRknbJ3m
26Please respect copyright.PENANAP8NwHtiSpn
"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"26Please respect copyright.PENANArVga1RJ4Y7
26Please respect copyright.PENANAoNTGjaOQb7
She had a wry look on her face. I understood the intentions behind her words and tone immediately, and I nodded in the face of a revelation. It was one I couldn't properly articulate, but the feelings it stirred up translated perfectly into an action.26Please respect copyright.PENANAU0cVmv2VR4
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.26Please respect copyright.PENANAEyAeJSOrYN
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"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."26Please respect copyright.PENANAB3ZmCM9FGe
26Please respect copyright.PENANAFsblX3eVCd
"...Fine."26Please respect copyright.PENANAHr3bj72AH5
26Please respect copyright.PENANACjIyX0tim6
Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.26Please respect copyright.PENANAE08DcCb5lJ
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Rover and I didn't spend too much time inside the foyer, since it was obvious that what we saw would be all there is. Instead, we walked deeper into it and were immediately faced with a fork in our road. A left and a right, each path leading to a hallway with a set of doors. The ends of the hallway were comfortably in sight, meaning that traveling them shouldn't be challenging. I looked at Rover inquisitively. She pointed at the hallway on the left, prompting me to take the one on the right.26Please respect copyright.PENANAldKaPN9bya
26Please respect copyright.PENANAZc7yyUwh6m
My first impression of this hallway was that it was bland. There were no elegant decorations of lush chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was a hallway consisting of simple white walls and doors. Most of the lighting came from windows and the sun, though a few lights were stationed here and there. I hit the end of the hallway quickly, turning the corner and continuing my expedition. The hallway looked identical to where I was standing, which made me feel as if traveling in this sector was a waste of time. Rover was a much quicker walker than me, so she would already have seen whatever was beyond the next turn long before I made it there.26Please respect copyright.PENANATMMmFdPF3u
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"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."26Please respect copyright.PENANA6dRqhv5Msp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAA8eFph5PK2
Our goal was ultimately to reach the Dean's office, which, according to Mason, was perched on the highest floor of the Pillar. However, Mason also said that the interior was heavily guarded. I doubted his words, but doing so wouldn't lead me anywhere, since it wasn't like I had a lead or someone nearby to ask. Therefore, I decided that I should look around more sensibly, and with my new mindset, decided to open the nearest door.26Please respect copyright.PENANADVqd4d1m5h
26Please respect copyright.PENANAfdZiJbcHXg
"...It's locked."26Please respect copyright.PENANAyzuNQslOm9
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I shouldn't have been, but I was disappointed. I walked a few paces to the next door and tried to open that one but to no avail. I repeated this action for the next half a dozen or so doors, until suddenly–26Please respect copyright.PENANA1GlNYAnm9G
26Please respect copyright.PENANAk1wqSwnqaY
"Oh! This one's open!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAzEfZa8HM9n
26Please respect copyright.PENANA720B1jqO3o
Before I let the door go wide, I released my tendril, giving into the sense of trepidation I've had since entering the building. Then, I took my first step. Aside from the tiny slab of sunlight crossing barely over the threshold, the room was pitch black. I produced a Flash-Bloom and was greeted by what appeared to be an office building.26Please respect copyright.PENANATrEQwRlngp
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAHN97B7J33t
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Thrown into a coughing fit, I eyed the inordinate amount of dust in the environs. Opening the door must've flung it all into the air. Now I stood there, coughing and in regret.26Please respect copyright.PENANAwaLdbGbGgG
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But I had to wonder: Why was a room inside a building as crucial as this so dusty? Was it just an unused room? Or, was it something else?26Please respect copyright.PENANAVD0TFGKBpm
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."26Please respect copyright.PENANAl4I5FHHd2n
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I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.26Please respect copyright.PENANAZpJXsX8ctj
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This line of thinking, the sudden freight I received from entertaining such a thought, froze me. Even though the room was empty, even though the air was still like a statue, unperturbed, I couldn't move.26Please respect copyright.PENANAHfA881lf9m
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAkX1hvelDz5
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Somehow, uttering that stray thought that crossed my mind returned strength to my legs. Though I was still shaken, I was able to properly inspect the room now.26Please respect copyright.PENANAUEB9HTV07E
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It was a room where tables and chairs were stationed in groups. Inspecting the contents of the table, I noticed that they were primarily empty, though a few stray pieces of paper found themselves on the desks. I could tell that this room was a workstation of some kind.26Please respect copyright.PENANAKVkVUj2Rud
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"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"26Please respect copyright.PENANALtxyflWu9G
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I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.26Please respect copyright.PENANA2KJlAX3Hp7
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA5MXW8urIue
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I raised my Flash-Bloom to the culprit of my toppling and saw the tip of my shoe wedged into the floor. I stood up with an excessive amount of embarrassment. I should've expected as much from an abandoned room, so I admonished myself for my lack of attentiveness.26Please respect copyright.PENANAaWBdjLa6cM
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?26Please respect copyright.PENANAD1bwQALJvH
26Please respect copyright.PENANAuUaVbv0QfN
"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."26Please respect copyright.PENANAqu2A5CzoJD
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I decided to save those questions for later and continued investigating the parameters, paying extra attention to the floor I was walking on. I inspected the desks for anything unusual, just a glance since I figured this room wasn't going to provide me with what I wanted. To my surprise, I found something that wasn't a scrap piece of paper.26Please respect copyright.PENANAiaJFsyyvF8
26Please respect copyright.PENANACvyUW5aZRa
It was still a piece of paper, though. This one had words on it and tears at the corner, leading me to believe that it was a part of a packet.26Please respect copyright.PENANA6D9PGs3YJp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAuAKu4IGgcJ
"What's this here...?"26Please respect copyright.PENANArkLioWHldS
26Please respect copyright.PENANAayLz8Rlj27
Most of the page was covered in dust and other debris that, coupled with the lighting, made it illegible. Fortunately, the title of the paper was thick, bolded, and easy to read.
"...Flatlands reconnection proposal?"
From the few words that weren't blocked, I conjured up that some group of people wanted to return to the Flatlands. For what purpose, I didn't know, nor could I begin to imagine the thought process behind such an absurd idea. It was no wonder that this page was left behind in such an unkempt room. The proposal was simply ridiculous.
"...But that doesn't have anything to do with my objective."
Sighing, I crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it behind me. I checked the rest of the desks and found nothing of interest. I only ended up wasting my time. I walked to the door with a heavy heart and–
"..."
I froze.
It wasn't because of something I saw. Well, it was, but I didn't see anything horrific or otherworldly. It was the implications it provided, the droning insinuations it drilled into my brain, shaking it, stabbing at my nerves that rendered me a frightened goat.
"You're attentive. I'm impressed."
The door, which was opened only a smidgen wider than when I had entered this room–
**SLAM**
Was brazenly and noisily closed, leaving only the light of the Flash-Bloom.
"W-Who... who's there?"
Using mana spinning, I increased the brightness of the Flash-Bloom, yet I was unable to spot any figure in the room. I turned my body and even looked under the desks; nothing.
"That is a peculiar Endowment you have, I haven't seen anything like it."
The voice, that of a woman, resonated in the room, coming from no apparent direction. It left me frantically looking around, wallowing in my confusion.
"S-Seriously, who's there!?"26Please respect copyright.PENANABWmTPV8ELy
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQALvPseBGj
My demand was not met with silence. In light of this, I began mana expulsion and created a spear of stone, keeping it ready for whenever, or if ever the woman showed her face.26Please respect copyright.PENANAyqw58ywOxH
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"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAQNYYwbNbdB
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJMEOkC1Qfw
The way she articulated herself sparked a sudden bit of hope in me. I choose my next words carefully, struggling not to stumble on them.26Please respect copyright.PENANA6LZOupwJWG
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"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."26Please respect copyright.PENANAEmFe0ih6tI
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvmAHJg2JxQ
"...Really?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAPFJEVPtZsR
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjpTmrv8l2r
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAItMnp0yFbv
26Please respect copyright.PENANAarFDOErR4x
The strength in my voice died down, but I was thankfully able to get my message across. I did another quick scan of the room but didn't see anybody. I didn't hear the woman say anything, either. I was left in the darkness, confused, and unable to–26Please respect copyright.PENANAd2IUZR1DJz
26Please respect copyright.PENANAyFadIqZ8nx
"--Wait."26Please respect copyright.PENANAqUYndGNTXU
26Please respect copyright.PENANAgU65d5n566
An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–26Please respect copyright.PENANA2MJyrMLwOW
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**SMASH**26Please respect copyright.PENANAyZp4Xm9HsH
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Once the dust settled, I found that the door was busted down. However, a second inspection revealed that somehow, it was rebuilding itself. It wasn't with wood and wadding, however, but with pure rock.26Please respect copyright.PENANAZQNR5EVD50
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"Earth magic."26Please respect copyright.PENANA3q3taRTkRO
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But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–26Please respect copyright.PENANAV9CJkcLAbX
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**THUD**26Please respect copyright.PENANAqu9sP6xu4f
26Please respect copyright.PENANAzRGhMWHLJP
I froze yet again. It was the sound of something heavy animate hitting the ground. I turned my head and lit up the area. There, I saw a woman with a lazily worn yet silky robe exposing her shoulders with pants of a similar texture and flounciness.26Please respect copyright.PENANAnJf2jragSd
26Please respect copyright.PENANAW0vRW1bfpE
Her clothing would've made her look harmless if it weren't for her... eyes?
"Do you have something to prove it?"
"..."
Every indication was telling me that this woman was a threat. The situation screamed to me that I should be vigilant and wary, never letting her figure escape from my view.
But her look told me something else. It wasn't a disarming look, though she did possess a beautiful face, or a mien of kindness that could ease even a rabid animal's nerves. No, it was a look that was asking me– no, pleading with me, desperately desiring for some reality to be ascertained. And, from the somber yet quivering voice that she used to ask me that question, I knew that I was the one with the power to realize it.
So, ignoring my better judgment, I did.
"I do. It's in my pocket. Let me show you."
I slowly reached for the note, making sure she could see my hand go through every motion. My unfolding was meticulous, and I gently tossed the paper to her, mindful of her vigilance. She crouched to pick it up, never letting her gaze stray away from me. When she went to read the letter, she made and aimed a monstrous water spell at me, keeping me in stock still.
I was unsure if even the Valencia-Bloom could stop it.
Her eyes slowly moved along the lines of the page. Her expression steadily morphed from a cautious one into a gentle yet somber one. Then, her spell dispersed, and she covered her mouth with her free hand. I was shocked by what I saw then.26Please respect copyright.PENANAje9pDHgsfo
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPkYaQtXabw
"...Tears?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA99f69E7ugW
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My eyes didn't deceive me. Tears formed in the women's optics. Her quiet cries turned to sobs. The note was meekly released from her hand, and it fell to the floor, gently swaying.
"T-Thank you. Thank you... so much."
I was paralyzed. I couldn't move my limbs or my mouth.
And then the woman fell to her knees. She wiped the tears off her face with a hidden smile, gibbering her gratitude.
–
–
–
"I apologize. That was an unsightly thing to do, especially in front of a child."
The woman, sitting with an arm hung over the tip of her knee, was offering me the note. I took it and, checking for wet spots, folded it before putting it back in my pocket.
The woman had giant bags under her eyes, but I doubted that they were caused by the tears.
"No worries. Though, I do have a lot of questions about it..."
She chuckled, tilting her head into the palm of her other hand.
"I imagine. Why don't we introduce ourselves? My name is Lola, and you?"
"Lola? That's a quaint name. I haven't heard anything like it before."
"Yes, it's foreign here in the Southern country."26Please respect copyright.PENANAW23IDhC2ZT
26Please respect copyright.PENANAGIOaZillbC
"Foreign..."
I hung on the word, spending an amount of time Lola's subsequent head tilt deemed inordinate.
"Sorry, it reminded me of something. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but please, just call me Kenny."
"Buffalo as your middle name? Do you hail from an animal-worshiping village?"
"I... do, yes. Admittedly, I know little about what the village thinks of the Buffalo. I can't even remember seeing one."26Please respect copyright.PENANAgi63adtJTk
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2Jb1paJYnC
My mand broke for the conversation for a moment, ruminating on why that possibly was. I quickly found an answer and instinctively shrunk in shame.
"It's a pleasant place, but I spent my time poorly there."
"What are you doing out here then, love?"
"Love?"
She had a look of surprise that was quickly overtaken by a chuckle.
"Sorry, that's a Western thing."
"A Western thing? Now that you mention it, you do have an accent."
She slowly nodded in response to my observation.
"I'm impressed. Many don't pick up on it so fast, if at all."
I shrugged. I figured that spending time around Juke helped me pick up on those details.
"..."
Though, her vocal inflection was very similar to Mother's–
"Now, Kenny, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"H-Huh? Oh, sure, but..."
"But what?"
I thought of the mission. I was in a rush for time, so I didn't have the privilege to sit down and partake in a leisurely chat with her. However, I realized that her presence opened up an opportunity for the knowledge that I was sorely missing.
I decided to entertain her for the time being.
"As you might've surmised from the letter, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Ah, indeed. How about, if you answer me, then I'll help you to the Dean's office?"
"That'd be perfect! But, would you mind if I asked you a question of my own in addition?"
"Of course."
She gently nodded. Not wanting to be rude, I took a seat across from her and dimmed my Flash-Bloom. She began to twirl her grayish-white hair in rumination.
"I know why you're here, and I know that Mason let you in. How about..."
It was made clear that she didn't have a question prepared, meaning that she likely just wanted Fto chitchat. It irritated me, but I stuck around.
"Why not, I'll inquire about your skills."
"My... skills?"
The question surprised me. It was the last type of inquiry I expected.26Please respect copyright.PENANAqqhrgre8Qo
26Please respect copyright.PENANAd7ELn2TWwp
"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAcP1QZ1IHz6
26Please respect copyright.PENANAep8DkK0G9Y
"I'm a third-grade earth magician and fourth-grade in fire and water. I'm ungraded in wind. I'm not sure about my grade in mana spinning."26Please respect copyright.PENANAipISqwreoB
26Please respect copyright.PENANAsqEChEzqam
"Ha, how interesting."26Please respect copyright.PENANANDPnwtJiKH
26Please respect copyright.PENANACzGyeDQPZ6
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.26Please respect copyright.PENANAItJb902o92
26Please respect copyright.PENANAfQdtBe0MKY
"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."26Please respect copyright.PENANAyqm4WphGG2
26Please respect copyright.PENANA4IqaU1vMxb
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.26Please respect copyright.PENANAt76c3gOAhK
26Please respect copyright.PENANAtjFve4O8cS
"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAhAgOwKzliM
26Please respect copyright.PENANAVLkQgrOsSh
"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."26Please respect copyright.PENANAOycb76BK3h
26Please respect copyright.PENANATWlsP9mrMF
"Similar fields?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAa3S3wKaICo
26Please respect copyright.PENANAAqWEIKI60q
"That of a combatant, of course. What else is being this proficient at magic good for? It's for guard work, or fighting beasts, or taking care of the occasional delinquent."26Please respect copyright.PENANAOUagU9gon4
26Please respect copyright.PENANAbeyaa1Wge0
"I-Is that so...?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAsFcuOxvtEX
26Please respect copyright.PENANAaYtC2aRNCG
She nodded with her eyes closed. Truthfully, I wasn't following along with what she was saying. Though I did understand her words, none of it stuck with me.26Please respect copyright.PENANAM19n89YNOV
26Please respect copyright.PENANAftHoVD8ykv
"Isn't what you're doing similar? Escorting a crucial letter to be sent might as well be guard work. Somehow, I pity you– oh, but I don't mean that to be rude! If it's what you've set out to do in your life and if it makes you happy, then by all means, go and chase–"26Please respect copyright.PENANAIdSOmxJRnP
26Please respect copyright.PENANAKMvUmQTnps
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAwDXBUtYm6D
26Please respect copyright.PENANAOMquiwR11f
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.26Please respect copyright.PENANAI0nhb3UyLq
26Please respect copyright.PENANAVBjKt0uhiE
"What part didn't you understand?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAQFUeG7dVOW
26Please respect copyright.PENANACY6iaXryHf
"No, it's not that I don't understand what you're saying, it's that I don't understand why you're saying it at all."26Please respect copyright.PENANAeOQciWVF6T
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2qpkqeQWrp
"...Huh?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAPVQOtIprC6
26Please respect copyright.PENANANjolDkiq4A
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.26Please respect copyright.PENANAcMhrCtff4g
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2LDXiqhqU0
"Well, yes, I am doing work congruous with my magic skills, but by the way you talk, it's as if this is what I've decided on for eternity. That's not true, I'll have you know."26Please respect copyright.PENANAKsXhbigzJt
26Please respect copyright.PENANAZWVhChzUCu
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.26Please respect copyright.PENANAmMgw1gPtCp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAVz6oSo2s5j
"Huh?"26Please respect copyright.PENANApwX2qZTaN5
26Please respect copyright.PENANAChHOmReLUY
"I'm actually studying to be an alchemist! I won't say where, because people freak out when I tell them. I've already acquired a handsome amount of grants from selling my potions alone. But, well, alchemy is one thing, but what I really want to do is study magical plants!"26Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZOUJXQKcc
26Please respect copyright.PENANAG1lOd6OACd
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAoKjj6muOkz
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPDINyQkiGo
"My passions, of course! People call it lame, but it's because the most they can spare for them is a single dismissive glance. They don't understand the intricacies nor the beauty to be found in this type of Exotica. Plus, their potential for advancement in knowledge in fields such as alchemy and, well, magic in general, is boundless! I imagine, at least. I've only ever read one book about these plants, but it's more like a bestiary than a scientific text. So, I imagine that the knowledge in this field isn't very vast, and it makes me want to expand it!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAtXwjCEoXZn
26Please respect copyright.PENANACLmkgKUNUm
"..."26Please respect copyright.PENANA7Oiwc8qjxb
26Please respect copyright.PENANA65mSiYVS5B
"I plan on studying them once I receive a full education, which I imagine will take me... at least a decade. O-Oh, I'm sorry, I've rambled quite a bit, haven't I?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAehx5F2vGsB
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2H7J6dhln1
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.26Please respect copyright.PENANAyojqjS0uie
26Please respect copyright.PENANAKX7QP4zku0
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAHS7CsSbvcD
26Please respect copyright.PENANASq4jPqzonE
"That's because I've been offered a lot of money and the ability to view new ones in exchange for taking this type of work."26Please respect copyright.PENANA78ztwk45pd
26Please respect copyright.PENANAeRWH6TEKpr
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA7gwsAQB3GE
26Please respect copyright.PENANAs8mqPcNO8g
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.26Please respect copyright.PENANAdZ6aIxgf2W
26Please respect copyright.PENANAUyOuuHwtdl
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAdpb496kwqX
26Please respect copyright.PENANAmJnHqs9sKN
"A-And that's what you say? Ah, oh my goodness..."
She calmed down and took steady breaths, letting out a few more faint chuckles before speaking again.26Please respect copyright.PENANAzotOZAielL
26Please respect copyright.PENANAzzxeeVCBQD
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."26Please respect copyright.PENANAHtF1Q7DvKv
26Please respect copyright.PENANAMlFhx0Vyvp
"What are you talking about!?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAxQqct8pNEd
26Please respect copyright.PENANAUWZheIMzck
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAtv8bQJzQ1w
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQuRYVfKSre
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.26Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2eVVJyR47
26Please respect copyright.PENANAWKWAoaFM5Z
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."26Please respect copyright.PENANAe3J43uC9B2
26Please respect copyright.PENANAyXhXrYwvNs
"..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAYHwP3Zf28B
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Frankly, my flurry of emotions from earlier had barely dissipated. I took a minute to calm myself and ease the tension in my body before asking anything. I did appreciate that she kept the number of inquiries low, though–26Please respect copyright.PENANACd0v9LmTk2
26Please respect copyright.PENANAHfFz9hCdYa
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."26Please respect copyright.PENANAOznWu2cJqD
26Please respect copyright.PENANA6wuL2rcdiV
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.26Please respect copyright.PENANAkBxLEtXwg3
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjmcqCwETTK
"Fine, go ahead."26Please respect copyright.PENANAMfCJydl9Tp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAy5Wpb7LweX
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA1sl2LZNQo4
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvn5EOiOZoK
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"26Please respect copyright.PENANALxKLz7aqQb
26Please respect copyright.PENANAX6zHEXCE9H
I pointed at it and she nodded.26Please respect copyright.PENANA0yBRPAyCRF
26Please respect copyright.PENANAV6T8Kdgs9o
"It allows me to create miniature versions of magical plants I've already performed mana spinning on. I can amplify their effects with internal mana spinning from there on. It's very handy, but..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAXAIZ7jQgr4
26Please respect copyright.PENANAwJQiciA7nw
"Hm? But what again?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAsKOy3603Dy
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"It leaves me more vulnerable. I don't quite get it myself, but I think that the tendril is intertwined with my body, or at least with my nervous system."26Please respect copyright.PENANADDZ7QsJk7w
26Please respect copyright.PENANAyt1gMIh7EM
"I see. That's disturbing."26Please respect copyright.PENANAnvE3jctHk0
26Please respect copyright.PENANAihkCm0eSWx
"It's... not so bad."26Please respect copyright.PENANAkx067zItwt
26Please respect copyright.PENANAlYpJO0ZJDI
She gently huffed at my response.26Please respect copyright.PENANA6YWzbFTj68
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"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAPqJ7DnmYZT
26Please respect copyright.PENANAoFj4vBcEhN
"Fight Mason?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAAHzc5ebYKU
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJQ1xRAfWir
I realized that I failed to mention Rover in this entire discussion. I rubbed my head, anticipating disappointment for the answer I would give her.26Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3kuXETQd6
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJ77DNdZjfX
"No, I didn't fight Mason. My friend and colleague did. Her name is Rover. Oh, I should've met up with her by now! Ack!"26Please respect copyright.PENANA8pgrqEly2k
26Please respect copyright.PENANAnhrxFix93S
I made a considerable blunder there. I got to my feet and rushed to the door. I looked back at the surprised Lola for one last word.26Please respect copyright.PENANAuyZtQibLn5
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"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"26Please respect copyright.PENANABoU3XOCGM0
26Please respect copyright.PENANAI2tXv38itr
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."26Please respect copyright.PENANAKQhqoyFwBF
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She got up herself, adjusting her robe, and stopping a few feet away from me. I thought it was a signal to open the door, but when I did, she didn't pass through.26Please respect copyright.PENANAitjAXldGnc
26Please respect copyright.PENANAZYoN5jSLkW
"Is something the matter?"26Please respect copyright.PENANALWsU81inlM
26Please respect copyright.PENANAuxaKhY3ww8
"...Where is your friend right now?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAwU2odGVTRe
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"T-That's... why do you ask?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAm9CgsE5CSu
26Please respect copyright.PENANAW4Qobo7AMl
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAtUsGTxy9MI
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I blinked a few times. I knew she was insinuating something, and though I didn't know what exactly, I had the impression that it was sinister.26Please respect copyright.PENANAWLOysLlVpr
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"Yes, she did."26Please respect copyright.PENANAGgbBkAAeJM
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"Ah, I see now."26Please respect copyright.PENANAr11yUDeSyS
26Please respect copyright.PENANAUuCjbk9Ecp
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.26Please respect copyright.PENANAhEvn1e3umH
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2nOe6YA6Xl
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."