The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ794X7pts1O
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCRh2kHSoM
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrnGXi0RYc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tua0s1srz
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gsTl7Duky
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgu9fdrKsp
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu61sPKbLsz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYxK0J0Vuz
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacZa5np9HU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SSRAQDeKw
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqofwOcNSJd
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN85zj472n
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYnyZlH4E1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymi710jLTM
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNrSi8nSJm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Sj1eR2ml
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2STcpAkFM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTMA4TzTcM
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvcv98IL5A
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAyk7zyBuU
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWfIi4m9cE
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl06ijJJJk
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nX7zSqj5x
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULa2ERo8ZG
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGbsLVMZaA
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKvH90D9kh
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LRnOGVGdY
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcV1rbotrR
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPrOBr1OBe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMgMunYncs
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4aZchiYwu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDNeAo11tQ
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1RCg1TcQF
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2UMCapdEb
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHxLV1Rkh2
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3n6PbLJzX
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99DhESgxf3
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8djXUU5kzk
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKow4IPXh7
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtDSsombfo
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdozxroWX5C
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ590x8Ec2Ur
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorUs2Ntu9J
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmKFeoW7BI
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YHjCrV9zb
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JPxmhS0Lt
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCjrUXB0fh
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZpXyodOQE
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSrovRrIHu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOTrUtoWld
"What's the matter?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXj0pwFuGz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxj7U2qiCC
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR13E2JlBBB
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsAipoV3BV
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22I1fWAwDf
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JSKMk1lEY
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKeZ7hQKzx
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYE62oitxV
"Of course."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvb1FOuTcr
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0IWhw4SdV
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUK58N3KrQ
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPHNHYp4br
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHIMIgqeG4
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5wm880iZ1
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyeJQcRwrm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8VdgT47M3
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa31MQmP3lB
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZde6msydH
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSAa7BLVT2
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl15YiTYHk
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbZwZvXLvv
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWaIk76vsY
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWoiXEEZKC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIrluO5viX
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGtC4cLGsI
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO62Hv1TP2
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3gSDsSAGb
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKj37l3oKb
"...Probably?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78tLvRaHzy
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRdW8jeDFw
"Sorry, definitely."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCQWTS8ZLO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXPn6tPTCt
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8btf40TQtU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXf01pAdh1
"Food's ready!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ifJLPtDm1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2iL2tqr2s
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSDc6VKSMc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41uteTcuVu
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYRjMYUlEI
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhaknnz4Xh
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NmSkaX9Zs
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk6CT2B5Y7
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEht8bvywu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XPpkdirLV
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAoDi5Vv1C
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy0FGi2LY1
"Are you asking me?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqzcLFWrdl
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwURp6By3B
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa68iYPAfYM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkntVwvmDYy
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqcstSEdUe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrfmP7kc5m
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCgjK1UM8W
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT3ouxtRnx
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Hk1WQX1B
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPnqPW0ECl
It felt heavenly.
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5sjNgo5sx
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmVAYbZ0kW
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcBw7UtSpD
"What are you reading?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyKQsT1CJN
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvBbL676qX
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVdQ5Xg1W1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMNFxe4yWX
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVbI9F3Cmh
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfiVlTNr6c
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCGSylOb8i
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrOWdIsO91
"...It's a book about magic."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjzw2YMEgw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cok2tUP99
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAERTgRf0CT
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOH0gPvZ98
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BmEkIZLi5
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhxsfLPTAt
"Y-Yeah, of course."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4nHXCuGzZ
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz3dUIbmig
She didn't sound very excited.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSsR1pHYo1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSxQzNoPxr
"Do you want to practice right now?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Iz1BWS8HD
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxQNOioVlz
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wXaGSoKkx
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPNlID7dvB
"If you say so."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotFcjBpBVC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek0OwC6R0n
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiQskHckfT
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOgGKRpj0d
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrn07NtAwj
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04TPFteJqF
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNRi2Wn04T
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsIAnrfvle
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wBUB2tD2Q
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gyoFb4tvG
"...Did he decline?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQntQ8TmlG
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNa8HfEfcC
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU387Q0JeM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4wasuPeEO
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlEdYp9Ltc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4rSndrwLk
She paused and stared at the sheets.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2eLqiBwir
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfkV33qNSz
"Today was the first time I made a spell."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmkM0dgZR7
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0APRBOuaSW
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5jtFGPkNC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kuH7EsmXS
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSEkimMQa8
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqpKLwWAW5
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5IMtgSYYM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJKcS9zhNA
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsmguMdzOs
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAcUZhQSkK
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoXX1RTpPH
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQeLNL4uU
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF3OavIQUy
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nYpVnEam2
We sat in silence for a few minutes.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYGn2EQvZ4
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHH2GtaVml
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG2tzfZi1J
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UvCpSmtba
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmWVFwXvz2
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTXbkKdHIQ
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmLabh6f82
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kKhssQGGw
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D2JmuaDDO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNhE0PtE6A
She shook her head no.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSvhYNN6Ya
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvTumqs1at
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAxgqodhmv
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPekHLZN0v2
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaZ2eFpWG4
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB4pWQLKAC
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvQCtlUhph
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWsBn9YuLM
I felt like I made a mistake just now.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1fjr73ny7
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3KcRm2P3x
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxYEjBcqP1
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmtb5Pwrfa
"What is it?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gg5rP1ftf
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcmbWNxoNU
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZMn23x5fw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVh6zVzmlD
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sKd9Z7Ueo
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnticMWBEYJ
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LPfcyzcdt
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HN4dVaeqX
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbn8bGhCeX
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbelyKyGca
"I know I can do that! But, well..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJbX7e9c5v
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFYYkIi6ZW
She had her fingertips conjoined.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkdO7C4Xcu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9HcnlgNvj
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsctqZUnvIq
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6yYUDn2pN
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSV8towQeu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAR01rzcx6
"Alright, I'll show you."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZHpqLvgYX
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVG3xQph7Y
"Yay!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjNhTbiYEU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq84b8rptw
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PwdjqhCUK
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IpBuCbSB9
"I think it's best if we do this outside."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkCZfqDhFu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYYxurHavR
"Okay, then let's go!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0hK1Swtuh
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniS1zVQJQh
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaZxnkNcJy
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpy5nWmGYX
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gy1y6OGAo
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPVhUKSHnL
"Earth?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiVynrfP6m
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m2Z5Sg9Z0
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQvotPUVkS
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmHXllISwL
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNFjZCJawS
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrkA9eD2Hh
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg4qpoQa97
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Ei8RcCmO
"It's really not that impressive."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn6LyZnSl4
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDn0TVW2ZV
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABRZswV7Z8
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWD6N5hsnC
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9d0r7WYoB
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW17dsozqU7
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHHfk2XMUo
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT3jemn10z
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4WM2mNxAl
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMbpQak8g0
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO26OjVUaMw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCV0G5PfUu
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUTug8EyNO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo6rw1hoU8
"How'd you do that!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGqTkW56HB
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3zjgPIqn1
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxpYOTmDBe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dvEfo2cnQ
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHrF3xEl7K
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ET7uqrm98
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FR0ZhzHWI
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kG5GSA9UX
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuMEs93CsF
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0cao8mUhb
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa3VzNoP3G
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUosU3oOTFB
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUZYbuyE3m
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdazHCiAjb
"What's wrong, Flinty?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVO1rcMUmA
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD2XvwTIGu
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTe6OSIXIe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzGIhxBWgN
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb90YYrZoZK
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdneXDd7qNt
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelHPWi3ZR0
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi1ugsXaQ0
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5Usx1LzoN
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS9njiomBr
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0HrXLDVXm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj8F80Dp01
Oh.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcYMpjpfZh
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp9yEY4zmL
Oh.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ0SWIOLLG
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aciKPJBDz
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCos7Vhovl
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK0GdAsLco
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsl0RB4oh5
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHupaxBJtE9
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLqF2ptdM7
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDUjHUnPAS
As for me?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyWvCjwjMl
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0W2bN4lEn
Well...157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEMyaoA03Q
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b4Wk5jhe2
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx0QDsGWta
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKxzlyKXDa
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvGMSSShPg
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhicypDOLAl
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgMeD0hi0q
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyCXHW7Lwz
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUDSHGCMCt
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN3WtMU1Ci
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbTZYVVpNS
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w30eLxPr8
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobO78VIhin
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTtLddnQ8O
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9Fy0FkApU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfu3Q28PI2
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJmxIadvpo
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1CVVa9SjF
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXvwnB2k7u
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A9TrahYpx
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemJbGjekop
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkN6MuN45G
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprfDG2Tc6g
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyv7kveCI5
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAke4jTzi3
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH4T6DdQI2
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5VtazHiQ9
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG0BAv8qhg
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xjrvgPLfu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKycHdphQq6
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM3DBYTgjz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyboCkez4Q
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QLUMfAbZe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjMHfFcJVu
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hl5NWwroM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ54prPJX5
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBjTctaKui
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhJgsnEff5
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NRMWyTS3g
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WUyzoymGB
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijlLq3HudV
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVU3d4UOvJ
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxSbx4EDKS
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMigyGhvirr
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0teZeQB3Gu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZSZexmNuU
"Of course. What is it?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWjrXrZZ4G
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIWHw5ogR0
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4gwowoIgY
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZyD1Dd9O
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP4TObFtn2
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimiKwmgKzT
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyTqJX3fK7
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUEUJvcUdU
When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHR9ZT5oqp
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHeNU61DOJ
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfVtDVHY8b
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ2iOfk2rS
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOrzqCLdYv
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMbsrUPT2T
We all looked at her.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN3qdNN5y3
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdYjWbf6vq
"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIBp5mhTQJ
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6G4xzLwPK
"Kenny."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExqgCFnHci
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp3MxgbdUN
"Yes?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGVZWuX4ur
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZtyvE4euO
"I'm sorry I freaked out."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzTAP3t8U2
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zg0UU7VXI
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv54J8u4rn4
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFNOQMVQ7e
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIrBfGSLtw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu5cD1iLi9
"Okay. Kenny?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aZT8P0R3w
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlGeaewMr4
"Yes?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9HnarBmGx
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtTbz141tY
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX0FDGuSLn
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCVST5S7Xu
"Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqYVUzPzFb
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK8gmIOLKg
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXpQIZyz1X
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKLbaaRoyb
"Why do you want to go?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujGU5dpC3i
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8CcC8aaAd
"I... think I need to."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxwQWopm43
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1zG5Jr0w0
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVSrWUtFKt
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs55tl8lL2Z
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcUKYBhiIV
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Oqhqphvu
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSTLKTD7qd
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWxR0qxNsa
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05LzkbNS7Z
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkZj5gwIQw
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCK9fUTkWV
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmfRn0aUGR
My heart sank.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XStpnlWpN
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIz4IIXfZ2
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
