The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs3fWEnpkc
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I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvFCbZrdnh
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Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4hOtDFBJq
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"Dad!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqWRzwDvNs
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Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdmP6kpfIr
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"Flinty! There you are!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6knoLWmD5
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Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NDiF55LCe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUtAuLlgwV
"And you must be Kenny?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Mb7rdqzl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoUwEawo0x
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy13LZcj4w
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I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFgif5Kltb
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"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rqFBD6i8A
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JH5VGQXYJ
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl6nhClpPh
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMoW3sIU2e
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDK0F3epRk
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Dear Mister Chambers.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRjNE1SP1D
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImNUdKnh54
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaZxKO4MY2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHJVaBW6KN
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Eg6U33xR
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoK1kfZoOf
"...I don't remember promising anything."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXSI8CfPTd
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That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJNvmJwjWC
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"I'll make sure to thank him later."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBdV77ifa8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl3ikfE1aW
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzujyAbstZK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv6UyiD7ro
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrtuC2vavZ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZbsTINu9O
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3W4AaO4lV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qJduX4raj
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU5jKjx2et
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It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3rnuziRw9
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I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U3EsbeQNs
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"Kenny!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrHn5BAnHp
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"Ah, Flinty, hello."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iWdME5fBC
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje8O5lkw4s
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6km4cdmcI
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"Is that the plant you asked for?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhtJNe8bqF
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHDhZXYl61
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vQhUUHA4w
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wLDuijKwN
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7crToeLl0
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"Hello, you two."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BOCYREuHb
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Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUA4s8whMJ
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"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAQXGRpkTg
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"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dtGzc3h3T
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He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok5396mupr
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"Please don't drop it or something."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKPXpDty7N
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"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcga4CoprA0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80YmIBUM0u
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDYSwVZbRk
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"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywV4i4LPK1
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"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvlAUmJtJe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrphvRMMFoC
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILikjEec7L
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3LPZHbkVW
"And you asked for... a flower?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4p31Wz5qD
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"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUZpsSIjHg
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Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuTyfrligC
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"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtjFqy8Zmi
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"Arg! You...!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9Ll0tvNEu
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Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2yl5jMsiS
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"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOcrkMjMg2
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"Whatever."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEqX07HjNf
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We sat in silence for a minute.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRsmsVqGsJ
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"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fiJtUig0a
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"Yes! Please tell me!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqPQlzmyTD
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Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbMq31ZS14
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"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0fY4hOxKN
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"Wait, Eastern country?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu9zkvL40z
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I faced the old man.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KBtrGi1YX
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"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaciBxJrDU
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"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ378SmR1VQG
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"Yikes, where did you grow up?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1wNGCc2sD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeClfgIKLao
"...Buffalo village."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49EmritDPG
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"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQBBV7uZ17
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I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE35LLz27jZ
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"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv3ni5qzsr
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"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOjF6lArev
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Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLdyS0evat
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"Can I explain this one, Dad?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHeWycVTSM
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"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeizZr15Q1
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Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgCNVG83gL
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"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnsZd7I1GM
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I nodded along.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1MPlLiYm0
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"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHOyHJ39F7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyskas2JcoG
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnurHDXH26b
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"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTnOyiJwZ3
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"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUldrIYWpM3
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She blinked blankly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUJUtRgtRg
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"Wait, is it?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoZImD5eyc
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I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuj9Zt94gF
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"No, maybe it is true."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8BofaK4Uh
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"O-Oh, okay."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xI2ALapMs
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"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ylMozLy24
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"How was your guys' day?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXf6owyxt
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"Mom, you should've been there!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV1u9QPyF1
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And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjTVMf533N
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I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ln5SWFeTM
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It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDLCbbg3VI
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I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGAQ2YXGty
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"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIzpKoOUOp
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"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHui41bBbn0
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"O-Okay."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlam9ScUxW1
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"Hold on chum, you come back here."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNFQFf3RpS
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Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XMJykEoS0
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"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZpK8O5J2H
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He sat me right back down in my chair.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBrirfKILH
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"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaf27m51dY
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The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLugx9PfyyK
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"...Uh, hehehe... he?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTNbkthEeu
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Nobody even heard my "laugh."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgF7owRrGx
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"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWoe7M1c4W
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"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPbQwZTCXV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dQShGrZoi
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBidCmDUuXI
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Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqjkM4YY0e
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"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqtWMke2bi
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Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJXOQ7KPEt
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"TALBOT!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYNsqAyVrc
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"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vnq15U6HW
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"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeunmPeaj6
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I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcsEOrtfNS
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"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlnIyws1O5
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I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoxAMJD9uO
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"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDmNLw73ek
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"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjIYJ70rtT
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnlSdCLFO4
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yE2aFa8dh
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOsPHjleCe
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I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsINn7zi7I
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJXL4suqJN
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"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhelwu5SlOT
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For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRxeXsHbsU
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG9CtBSU52
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhcmv4hML3
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHudkIKOEo
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I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVz0mzhmr2
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"Flinty."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0I3OxbsEm
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"Y-Yeah?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu2MHblyYR
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfhAQnxL89
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Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj52JO1dEQ
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"Okay! Let's do it!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsXaVRTcdh
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There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaMkR3XtqV
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"...My tome is in the other room."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov7PURTdkn
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Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolL0R52MRn
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–
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–151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCexuAjihVE
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0OjgOl4O6
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I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTO7XBktKm
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy4IOUCviy
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"Good morning."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXIvbYabFS
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvxct6VaXA
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"I woke up early."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzV4E4zDmD
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"Alright. Let me make you some food. "151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJzZN6CpBo
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I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJXNkO5bjm
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvPii6KXvP
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"Right."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOid8FwPdQp
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Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtXvMYN3vH
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Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I5fShMFVP
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CxXvm7ZsM
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"I sure did, honey."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X6Htbq2Qk
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"Oh."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ8z6yP7Pi
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsTsj8oEE9
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"Is something wrong?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYfZ6GFvCX
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"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DD3MGhdPo
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She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbSThwNsZV
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Strange. Strange people.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpBLqdUL31
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After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2FDD20Pq4
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"...I uh."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBlVbaLebm
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Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTFPYRsGQS
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"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHmZxIYfas
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I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90cZhc0bGa
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"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUSt2h3vk3
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"Water under the bridge?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5nFuNzWKz
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"Mhm."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBL2iEIz54
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Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ObB2sW2Iu
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Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BuyGF86Q6
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They were really good.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SQH9O3okh
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7dyuVgOH6
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"That's a nice outfit"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7adDg1l4aZ
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"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H8xKEdT3S
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Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREgTNgRgOw
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpxXlCDC2I
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"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8SnOxH9r7
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"Ah, my apologies."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7WFFn2PSr
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"No no, I like being around you too."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSwYKIV9gy
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Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYyaOk7u5A
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"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlugqv935lZ
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"R-Right."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9zPUVjgui
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lEdWXGjFx
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"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtD8haeyZc
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"Hello, Freed!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUqmKZXlfl
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"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKR5g8YFnf
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When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYBDqDt6dJ
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"So what business do you kids have today?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob74uaUv6T
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"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26e0WdYwcU
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"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKR1Vt5EwO
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP2KWy22YZ
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyRbZurUPy
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"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4eOThPTwb
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"I see."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIAZllqVZe
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEpEV0D4vN
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"I refuse."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5sKa9ZLXQ
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"Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUcQtV5uWT
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"WHAT!?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1gElioP3Q
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF0j7UPBBM
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"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHKFiOaBFf
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"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLvTVbu9Vn
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"...No?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bfz95lW4I
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"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhUm9096z1
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His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnYNVHaeqR
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yDlYir86j
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqE3c9BlH0
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The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOFpzM18NQ
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It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir4ETTaZsS
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"Down here."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qUSBwaLdt
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I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnkh88V43E
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It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWuMAXHEpF
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"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDERvKq73CT
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Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBPwuO8BNq
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Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbiCEpMQhY
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"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn1Z1mG8rE
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"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHimJIXpN8f
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I shrugged.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77GotEdbgW
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"Well alright, go ahead and try."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VrLF4Djr8
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With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm5Se55DJv
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"Am I doing it right?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7wpI8ZFap
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"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJFjdfw6DW
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"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3SfjbdEdJ
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"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIa3M3xaNS
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"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiTdfRUAOR
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"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULIEpqkp6W
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I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLPPsYmyYj
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"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS2yTyOmnj
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Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvbV6vWfp9
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"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRePiNAiiq
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"O-Okay."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp4SvsBx3Z
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She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBHOXO4ZSV
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"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82W7knxs2H
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"W-Wait, how do I–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZjSWl8wqM
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"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROuvO1F8TP
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"But what if I can't let it out?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT8SwSUWGt
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"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFOTlNiiK4
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That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGdJ3EnSzC
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"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEYXXRTY5h
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"Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnHGQoCLna
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She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw4LTzjV7Z
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The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRWOWA3mt8
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I messed up, getting all excited.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXWm4jl0M2
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I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ERH0C1lh
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I couldn't do it in time.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvinYfJfiOq
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**BOOM**151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu4MQOshQm
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The world around me faded.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsADrgZv0M
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–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid9a9e7Zu5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTboBOk7oW
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnL3CdQ4h4
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Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6gfMmH6Vq
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Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL4zKPCNek
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"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHovEYbiQK
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I was in the greenhouse.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBBXFOdgY4
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"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG5up1wH7L
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I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtxuUULbLM
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Thank God, they were okay.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y9vBECIPi
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"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tIJ7P254Y
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"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtqBdEvjQp
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzfnekNkxB
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XtH5EWFD9
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She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCMPigJTVI
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"This is... my coat?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD5LkqLSos
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"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCnCr19qb8
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Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeulLYngowY
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I love you. I really do. Thank you.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqltNrEsN9
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"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m1iA8cifP
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She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJTO2kofEX
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"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcNQ1Ak8Qg
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"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1usrwZ3AuQ
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"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlWTCCuwsJ
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I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CAjzB3iW7
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"H-Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF46XOwcccI
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"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4MsuPVqQ5
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"T-That's terrible!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMNeCLQjYN
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Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCyq3Id5XV
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"Uhm, well, Flinty..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopiYqJut0g
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I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6QShgf0dl
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It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyMxhXWOzc
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–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2xRFOs9vX
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Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKrycwKaY4
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I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB0MV9yw69
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The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2lv2LJkvA
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But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5HCvAxaHX
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"...Ah!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk09X4LvAj
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I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOlRdogxgO
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"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwDqo7RfQ3
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"...Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgXr3ih3Z6
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She meekly turned her head to me.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDRr48MMI2
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"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEt6CSDjtw
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She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j8Mm0lWr4
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"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRIr25Ncir
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"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGZF63Fdbb
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Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvOAfBrq0C
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"Okay, let's go then!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mdMtCGjoI
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She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL1nlWzUeD
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"W-Where are we going to go first?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3awQBL9Pp
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She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mWHy497UW
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"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBw4BCLqj0
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Yeah, let's.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowo3qqUmVz
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–
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–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKUeFWrr0F
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We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUF2U5t8Au
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I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iumVWEHki
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"This is the combatant's guild!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYrSTRXaJH
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It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiAAFV82Ub
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"This place needs a renovation."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb4Kiidurr
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"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvqCGUdEab
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I shook my head.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFLZZTfhw4
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"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUmex7wPb0
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"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR09JbGjBeK
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"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NEhcDjHZt
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Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtLqxvH0Sc
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"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPL5YGAbTs
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISohoGTSjZ
"Do not even suggest it."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C7HXLKJ10
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc2ApvceqE
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs2klmXsM2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RvX6WKkqL
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmXVQcJQZl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuQ2l97RmF
"...Well alright."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlsGego2p8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPX4c21Ai5
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWqZ2daUK0
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo1fyl8KWU
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfZnHAvvSg
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrv89dTkaJ
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2xVxdrxHD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEskMxmAiv
She pouted.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabvNbjmomd
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh3x4LwdnU
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFV72csFIP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR9AkI5o39
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCXqj5cJdl
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLKCPqPdEg
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ySr1eEk4U
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU98k8P9eU
"Huh? Flinty?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdwrf34VnA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0mnulTyFL
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NIJJHXua1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZY0s7Rdwd
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP8JN99Goi
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GcsNA17el
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhF3pIP3gP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wngklBGog
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbgoNQx7HN
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV708Tm1HQ
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh4es1M0L4
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtsYLW3PGl
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWGQvvk4HS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEclLtLQgv2
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbizXuU1O8i
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqONgsZ0KOo
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmajEkYucB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBszdRtkGhV
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKLpYMQVFB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJPj7i7Sl6
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLEI0zj21L
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrg0cJcM0b
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4P9RPEhR8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxM1uvrlzx
"Huh?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5tRnbU4fR
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujG4SKEyFM
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylU1LhBGq6
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JwpI98rKd
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvNTItZ5LL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7FbCTQcA0
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CmzoHDQKT
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlpby2c4lb
"You're right. Wait–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxNNRIluzD
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAbgmgyJoh
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWD3laMkNI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vp4dfE4S7
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAFNQZuNky
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3plt6o6hx
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKZELPCaEY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHUosu5UVV
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuwuvgW4g5
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxNNryo3gc
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡils4dhGt2t
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Kqi94Dft
"No. I'm here for another reason."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP9roHtwgQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWHLDy9wMR
"And what may that be?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjwmJI2H2k
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFUmRdofOW
"None of your business."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nrSf6ysgE
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiumLZTnX2
"O-Okay..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ5dJeUcT2
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MpSErdbdN
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVKOhYRCZW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnpRxKQQEa
"She is super shady."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBKKA8H9Ca
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CqHpMQhHZ
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGVcKvu7p7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwyDJhljk0
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroFA7iMsJA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ZMTsUemX
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPxpifFlT7
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqdwyndvkV
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fzYBXzM3G
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hcrENWLc5
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxW0zGzxUh
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiWMmtIDYL
"T-Then let's get his attention!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CcZ8pbluo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol2JC8Gd4P
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimiG355VaA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiONQjj07Z9
"Let me handle this."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfBvVhBVIB
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNwOxfEkxG
"W-What, why?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilEQtQbUUK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbcWvmtHC0
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yjw1pzH8r
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O4U0ODIcb
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6PJq3XaIQ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOWoWKlzeA
"S-Sorry, Kenny."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH36P5NgGAM
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD9ueU1r4r
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKhuke7Nse
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARNfSWmPNT
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEpVmTDqJX
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaaiwrWbGy
"Hey, you guys!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF4eEFjgEI
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdslXz5e7z
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05bNYSMoYz
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGMTiaLpPe
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8egHT0Lzj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRh5CcR1Wj
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojV6a7GS77
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqx9c3Lyx4
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFggwf9sQJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsmQOxjhZW
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKM1zYIRtN
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfKPiPM1qr
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBZtxWQtIy
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWqCCxrrWU
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPUxL49qxP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jn467P0h5
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QYEO7nwXo
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z2KOfi7gb
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoyoT7VQpy
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMI8SogDv3
"Here's your bill, miss."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNry2jj5Re
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhZdLdZRSf
"...I..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs1daLE4I3
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She was having a difficult time speaking.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv4LlwBPtu
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSO12XZ6BV
"I forgot to bring money."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8143mj2xA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TQ8E5lnWT
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPh5WuPj96
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kDqKlAo4a
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xA0mubfSE
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTnXnq4xz8
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkaZ3ST3uj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2bS2bL9gT
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tRGq3jNKS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR8FFDfgi9
Ha. What a moron.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF5DeUOCLv
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbjJJwcmqB
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMXN885ieh
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR3sLmSpMC
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNj5VTAZiK
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB29zR9Igxo
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hs74LM7BV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QL7Vn5dcP
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV6CgjQcG1
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWjdcbm4Au
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP2KIYfOjG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtCT7rJoxZ
"..."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJnhXN9PaW
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpWU6ZHCZZ
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcapqfVxlEP
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkBSZDTXFv
"Hey, cloaked woman."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkBiW3MD7K
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTv6tzmULn
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0vICiq0RV
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Cs48ZZTa
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bphpqOZ9K
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJKYe7aeVv
"Yes, of course. Thank you."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dg1fBpi23
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKP38eHHDB
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn19y3UEwzA
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz6csAH1Zc
"Alright Flinty, let's go."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgauB4cWH1z
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSjIFcrUo3
"Yes!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk44IziA71D
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LrkadZC5c
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ktEcQux8
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8cSbcbOGQ
"What?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDLGoMI6zL
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeQWAbhXdu
"Kenny, you're awesome."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbb33YPYgj
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhj0zuSoXN
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJOVbyHUlS
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtPHQ1LLBl
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wd6WoytTe
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sQywG97KW
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEBmZKOeEO
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2iMPMuW2B
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRtdncD7ub
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzblJ7mRP5
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3ATGwNXMG
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lIyDqrgpP
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqG4mzMX6U
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ppKW67Wg5
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyO2a7xour
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1m5ZwqMHl
"...Is something wrong?"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxjm80PlTY
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gjc3Pp1j7
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JOne8CQGJ
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO7MW3zAIV
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLqFvqV5Kw
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzANOSfU9mN
"R-Right."151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbLHL9a9mc
151Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ysqez2Pye
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
