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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFAYjS3TUm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHjr8YWNbZ
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ElTjrUtf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ffqLfmHfZ
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6id7Vp4Xv
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbONOT5STt
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeMgWq8ba8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhb6QdlSRc
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsXkElAtrs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNTPrL80tv
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGGa5HqjjQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdivN7PGJuS
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYtMse8O9U
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkLPgBf7lA
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58fyE2GQBr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsueA7SUjW2
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtuVANji0k
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMPuVEZHuN
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ828S494kgE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYifPiNqQc
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkAdNFxTia
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H8y45WUrm
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOoA7eYYyE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnLlawMGtv
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFY0ZxVYhO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmulMSFMsP
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa60s8LAVe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGM9VLft4p
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIsDRPcNX3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX5jqCOAwt
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTeZnzvu3i
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9XFMGI1l7
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYtUkTqvHt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DuGsKZpbK
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Pq5eOXWW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRmhfkw0L9
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡausixVusQR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4C93YCFlE
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0uXVLwRu9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WvZssuxdw
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DEYd04DxE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgToNoZkJsr
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRhBV1LEbE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1GPrYFRsT
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb81H317oX4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInx0DnEJO6
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ho36dVuje
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ3HZ5H5fY
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw837tMCGp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonrlV0o0Rz
"What's the matter?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3X0T4xQ6T
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjayTxzzlMh
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOszBRK3Efs
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSBCAXM4jl
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU5TtK6y9B
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbXkP8Xmhq
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFAE91ER6j
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqWAmVqugm
"Of course."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hfdls32fc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFGB1cYrpg
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzgK1TSBFI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EcsGolKVk
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytAky0UYU7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwgVDZyk14
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaCb14r5qK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJ2ivFW3B
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6ExsZn8On
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKF2QOkxbJ
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cvJOyAHJa
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjps0bVba9M
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJJsM6Olt
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IKW8eRu5G
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt6y0xcBJ6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYisE0NydE
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvrDqQnEiB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw7n8ybbxD
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArznJLOtgp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpjkliWmnz
"...Probably?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp6LP9fxO7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvOr0DLtGK
"Sorry, definitely."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA90ZqYiL6
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdSIIqoPIj
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmlAa2amws
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH61wwfe5P
"Food's ready!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnYrPnSAC8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93XQeD5K4Z
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLDNiGewVl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA6o8Qu3ks
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jorbkDDIW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jhWBWZwcL
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt2nSRBqv0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2eXdBCO4P
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Sqpei9Wj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9HzmD1CpG
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7w9hNWsia
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX3WEr2M02
"Are you asking me?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfumejtr4Ae
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IMcDyOZF6
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8UTr8DYok
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKeIw9scJ6
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqNvs3EewL
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jTeoKDRMa
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItkEagfNYy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiGUcPXDxx
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT8KQ7ZPYV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JG3SM7jvk
It felt heavenly.
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g7Hdf66rr
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS8fGjO6A7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKnXe9n7Oi
"What are you reading?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHqMoPslzP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTvykwQc2g
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V3qFbAIc5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp4VBXTsfN
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡageXWenTa4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSZTiToGFM
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1lXmgl2xu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsiruoTXN9
"...It's a book about magic."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoNiq0Hit1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlY8Q3kxn0
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorKIvyLceD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfp0L4ZmV0
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHldBteluu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHkSKyZOO9
"Y-Yeah, of course."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxidBNAiXgq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ThNHYza2H
She didn't sound very excited.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdbbey2jro
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1A2RGoSQG
"Do you want to practice right now?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTJySnvPSD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC64nXv96g3
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwjEWJwGbT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLPUHilTRU
"If you say so."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDQFGgcXf5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gu8rJpXhz
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7pA5C8Lro
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj3Yy9UX4T
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx1q04CDVZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4KOHFcMnV
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyIUn3FgsW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfotGlAcpZm
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0myeftttoI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc05H7obByT
"...Did he decline?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM21C2Axtm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAPbiC71Cf
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpESHpCLnT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy7oNlywl5
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71hInqPk9p
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnNnznwXTe
She paused and stared at the sheets.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kI1w6hIlw
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zwa7ct3nQ
"Today was the first time I made a spell."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gzi3MFiwK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTHo46Hnkq
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOJ2WA6fE5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOAjxy7hRj
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI9u4aWPj3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXscC7OYEG
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYKGBt8XX4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ075Xtu3Nld
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDSH0X9AKN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABQzhda4QU
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIdEKmj9Q8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MLJSShc8A
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpMjAhXi8e
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFm7MNWtC0
We sat in silence for a few minutes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qLez4md0h
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdh2cQYLPv
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdPif6q5iB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgeC3ABIrK
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9OAELv2ab
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1XTFsYmgj
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvC5Nf60ls
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqhpPqwfbB
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHoykTn7MJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0NLhCWwbJ
She shook her head no.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvB1NWPanY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtzSZMrUyo
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OR81CUvd7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgetTm7mgH
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwq9HVvAL3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKbDqfFQVO
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRlAQOuFwP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cjLBZTLZp
I felt like I made a mistake just now.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXbewfX2yO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqslLIyZRq
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERu5Oi2WWV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1qn3HyxlU
"What is it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9zzSIRiKX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oqNnpJuLj
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W4pfsivCU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lAYbLZJuA
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmebognf4NX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqV4plKyCI
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9CZWwULfS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhQQgL8zZh
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCaG8jxtqe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00jNB4rN49
"I know I can do that! But, well..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yz2fp1b6F
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Keo2woCp
She had her fingertips conjoined.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bg0e1Ca94
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPKGRrCZ0L
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWauDRRqb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy6MdtklTH
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1cnzJfbL4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkBulko0tj
"Alright, I'll show you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyz4KaCj1O
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI6GXFglvq
"Yay!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OHUF5HhQc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG0cs6UNhP
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwIBWcjG2f
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCH8eEiGS9
"I think it's best if we do this outside."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaYiuGlMYc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyv9rIJfSW
"Okay, then let's go!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfT8MOtqPI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA6jBk1oZq
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKBjGSofRc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Y1WOpSx6
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1sllYfFBO
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"Earth?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q97Ezih9h
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Q1xloBVu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp54Tf0rg8
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgSy09fcVb
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE6aIotfcf
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"It's really not that impressive."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGVJ1Bnjl
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4OVGprqHG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dlAywSJkQ
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHeqhDxZ6t
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9zsINwPJR
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLppIEWguA
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"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu4Quq6MYh
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMxICcKygs
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"How'd you do that!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqvG0YGp01
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPDAYHcXOM
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWEitU3C3p
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzJrUvFwUp
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczjawoHTXE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOrzsk3Vib
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hQ3a8y5Ke
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wjXODZJFC
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbezRMGYXRN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatDHy2PUr5
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0790oBuY1
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOPs2MGElv
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ423pYwSKlS
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cXaD7W6T2
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7S3s9e0KU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz1OZaNHsW
...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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK65uu0uoh7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruNInhwUkn
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWMryGRuXB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL3rFz9klc
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcLOLLQJm0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD10EtmWjd
Oh.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbOraGD4MW
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Oh.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeX3711TV6
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvfwpHg2Ve
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3THZfIj6J
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS9Bk8zJDC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVIXkY4y8f
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaEdbDyHY1
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As for me?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCHYj53s5g
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Well...133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5kUwS1AP8
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNWARE88GY
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**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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0wv3liKoR
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi8qN76KgK
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV25MDNXXT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD4OPK4TXU
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5RmkN0Y1K
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbb6dqCQV4
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE5JkRjfIN
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ou0C8AM85
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKpqPh57eO
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp9VVgWDy2
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspUSQnB4qP
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty8GMxjC5q
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAyEJrXNUS
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcC46gw2M4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AkmjgdEfh
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUTW7cT24e
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"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU53wkZISm
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pp5RPygfX
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDB7aB8VgJ
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLMkL6cOPd
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLdzKxkS27
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2naydWYR7w
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"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxFW5kWRjV
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"Of course. What is it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1WvypvNaR
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB9zMRdrNQ
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMSI8z0ljv
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8F1fA2mOd
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1dOGlhtHh
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiuRtmmdXN
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOujsLz3Mz5
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKmJmvF99k
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGLIlHBBt5
We all looked at her.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTpcfgCXCi
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ580AJnz7yz
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"Kenny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsfSlPIbpb
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"Yes?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbciCkR8m3
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoio2wIfl0
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBj7gUTcKm
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyx8DQJl7q
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"Okay. Kenny?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF8McZiZCN
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"Yes?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVkrNJ54Sk
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rSZdO3XuP
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"Huh?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKNJ3MaDsJ
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptPgO8ZE8r
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3POyR3klCr
"Why do you want to go?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5dxgSYufk
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"I... think I need to."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Mic4yWW6
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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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aWS0cFabQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy1oyvnUE2
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZdk1E6C4B
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHcGBFsRGJ
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNpbILF2h7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma75KlH1PV
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWY6ljPkeU
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZipLVkGfMO
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ttkOem4uv
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My heart sank.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSJRN1yseD
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
