I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.22Please respect copyright.PENANAilQzrHd27J
22Please respect copyright.PENANAx8iCQjpYtW
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."22Please respect copyright.PENANAMphNadBYY3
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiPrtyFT0oJ
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."22Please respect copyright.PENANA474BmPWz9y
22Please respect copyright.PENANA9m8LwOBs6f
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?22Please respect copyright.PENANAyffsboD2Ve
22Please respect copyright.PENANABCzamOEEM4
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."22Please respect copyright.PENANAn1EoUXy7yZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmLXBuoGCLS
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.22Please respect copyright.PENANAY5Or8EvyP3
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4EhoTUi5Xe
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."22Please respect copyright.PENANAKC23PrQ6dn
22Please respect copyright.PENANAcz4jm8BkE4
"...Sure."22Please respect copyright.PENANAxyIKxAq4B9
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5PqyMevBQh
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?22Please respect copyright.PENANA94cNLy8d04
22Please respect copyright.PENANATTrPTYBWHN
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."22Please respect copyright.PENANAH7SJGXc3hb
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsInMIHFytF
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.22Please respect copyright.PENANAkodhxOPGBy
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGCzSYoQdF0
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.22Please respect copyright.PENANALEcFk24OLB
22Please respect copyright.PENANAephipUhPqN
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.22Please respect copyright.PENANAts0i7JkqCX
22Please respect copyright.PENANADyoJto4zxQ
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAY4GVxGUtC2
22Please respect copyright.PENANAoRfoU89Vrj
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."22Please respect copyright.PENANAXqy25R6IMi
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7bhO8WBFBf
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."22Please respect copyright.PENANAMCDoNeaJUs
22Please respect copyright.PENANABD9YW5UHgA
"Wait, what!?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAFS4Drpu56W
22Please respect copyright.PENANADiTUWEYxvd
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.22Please respect copyright.PENANAgeVdumgYbz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjCU9xgD2bD
"Why not me?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAyhjiDN1sZz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhBPdb3waiY
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."22Please respect copyright.PENANAxYEqcK5cAP
22Please respect copyright.PENANATgqpYFuDli
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.22Please respect copyright.PENANAqXlHNI2vbz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfwmkjxXIeK
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA1YIZYnr1WN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAAuTlLeYz7O
No, you didn't.22Please respect copyright.PENANA6UpImWZHmx
22Please respect copyright.PENANALjczhNwFSR
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."22Please respect copyright.PENANAR7e8n1g6Wu
22Please respect copyright.PENANAm0nqylbioX
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"22Please respect copyright.PENANACBn0UIUozL
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUG6OjZMW0T
"Huh?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAg1PF4SQtzz
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3YQcoAZy7H
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.22Please respect copyright.PENANAfE7OvHqEuF
22Please respect copyright.PENANACJVn4esbxT
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."22Please respect copyright.PENANAO4nIuC46fb
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3uGoQnUlpv
"Mhm!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAemIt84gM5x
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7tdKa2rwGp
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.22Please respect copyright.PENANAOfjv7TVLS9
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0iWSA6iBvR
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwBnVtK0NKw
22Please respect copyright.PENANArYSKKqwnkA
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.22Please respect copyright.PENANA77TI6W1qUR
22Please respect copyright.PENANALLWEPk17pX
"...Fine."22Please respect copyright.PENANA2353tpgsO6
22Please respect copyright.PENANAh1062meAR3
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.22Please respect copyright.PENANASewg9qcDe5
22Please respect copyright.PENANAR9hYPTDf4n
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."22Please respect copyright.PENANAdaPCpPeGol
22Please respect copyright.PENANAPYZ2GtlCjw
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAU3WOpd9Ana
22Please respect copyright.PENANAcHJu9fUG0K
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAyfTMPAB8tN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMPNB5ZWhVf
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.22Please respect copyright.PENANALTPUhWo2wn
22Please respect copyright.PENANAojG1akOzsi
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.22Please respect copyright.PENANALV3xn6YiDx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAL6juNncthp
"Is there... something you need?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAdHOovHFP1W
22Please respect copyright.PENANASVSKQ55fHQ
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."22Please respect copyright.PENANADqjmw2IvFv
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiqQFopCmG4
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.22Please respect copyright.PENANAwKtpuUtWQ0
22Please respect copyright.PENANAA2yd6c7tuq
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAioEV0Y8zFu
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxwVl6IlYNb
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhOWWaCLt7F
22Please respect copyright.PENANADIK3nXqagW
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAS8Odd5dDMF
22Please respect copyright.PENANA6ms5crdXR9
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."22Please respect copyright.PENANA69ZFT5ETC1
22Please respect copyright.PENANA11ioK6gz9f
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.22Please respect copyright.PENANA58FwDPhR9B
22Please respect copyright.PENANA73iChXO76Z
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA2eTheWoE3M
22Please respect copyright.PENANAV9Kwase7WP
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."22Please respect copyright.PENANAgMwxPEHkf5
22Please respect copyright.PENANAoyLzbsDcl4
She giggled a little. Creepy.22Please respect copyright.PENANAZHmtelmzFJ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwaJKPJdWlv
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."22Please respect copyright.PENANA8cJBB9SnmN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFDgczQZt0x
"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANANhARAnPATV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAh1X4u5bHut
What?22Please respect copyright.PENANAhec2Sk3DH8
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjNt8I9mu66
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.22Please respect copyright.PENANAz6uoNYrb0D
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7SuGn0PqCb
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAXYlUskDgjo
22Please respect copyright.PENANAlT2Ips8WJM
"O-Oh..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5Gjn9LstQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMdZ5hSwWUo
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.22Please respect copyright.PENANAXfU1bLXnrj
22Please respect copyright.PENANAs3w4wfI0rA
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."22Please respect copyright.PENANA0uzUotdIJx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkkDYVvui7s
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."22Please respect copyright.PENANAbMRUlrr840
22Please respect copyright.PENANAw1iIK8bXiq
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAGwY1n0jzpp
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjiXp8U36xM
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."22Please respect copyright.PENANA5vbYK7wadb
22Please respect copyright.PENANApt9Xr2x6I7
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxaVKotMFVk
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7RhgqG8ooi
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.22Please respect copyright.PENANAPWJVKWqIJ6
22Please respect copyright.PENANAYMl5E7cHIT
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxscnEvrhgS
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMdpqhb7R0N
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."22Please respect copyright.PENANABhoLGphEEc
22Please respect copyright.PENANAm1D23geeZw
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.22Please respect copyright.PENANAJK08NBZ10E
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEhdkISaNPa
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAx2Sp5vmmKX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAdWamP1IJFy
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."22Please respect copyright.PENANA13zgIvWoaj
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFGWi9jyKYd
Front-page news!?22Please respect copyright.PENANAFYjYc7ixjO
22Please respect copyright.PENANAci57u1zDz8
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPRTdtQsnuL
22Please respect copyright.PENANAtYMHqIe65F
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAACZ4VDYEMc
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbidTnZkipc
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.22Please respect copyright.PENANAVwer3QLhD4
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZpLfH4bxIj
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAFnQ2teNq6F
22Please respect copyright.PENANAJH7JEIV3Sa
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlJDoIxXnyL
22Please respect copyright.PENANA91wDb5xJNw
"No, I don't."22Please respect copyright.PENANA15ujwtK5Gf
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGRIvS9LCyI
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.22Please respect copyright.PENANAOWo4ScpmMX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXxk2rEQgXh
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAQxbVdedNXW
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvxQm16WwqD
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."22Please respect copyright.PENANACMjYnLMzP4
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4n5W1Jkibv
"Thank you."22Please respect copyright.PENANAsy0haO1Sp3
22Please respect copyright.PENANA6NKenrlqkV
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.22Please respect copyright.PENANAMAVawIJtEg
22Please respect copyright.PENANA1yhpHGHNWN
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.22Please respect copyright.PENANAeQh5nPpFYM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjYSRaFAZsS
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."22Please respect copyright.PENANAj8RkvyDnTp
22Please respect copyright.PENANAdtJDdQT85H
"Oh."22Please respect copyright.PENANAe0rEacpwgR
22Please respect copyright.PENANA342qNzYx8p
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.22Please respect copyright.PENANApX0848oGi0
22Please respect copyright.PENANABnu0kHLYPQ
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."22Please respect copyright.PENANAiZx2UpLHOS
22Please respect copyright.PENANANxNZC8N8b7
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAGbA46A6Cau
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUNB5jDjDsJ
Her face froze. I sighed.22Please respect copyright.PENANA211t98nsC4
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiYoezdwe3A
"I-I'll do it in the morning."22Please respect copyright.PENANAURGzgMGYgZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFljMucw8P7
"Good luck."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQmUdcyDAfB
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUa1605DXk8
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.22Please respect copyright.PENANAN5WlvQiQ3y
22Please respect copyright.PENANA1iE09IHmzS
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."22Please respect copyright.PENANAeyQekoVuPj
22Please respect copyright.PENANALkViGmJZJb
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."22Please respect copyright.PENANArsq4bBFJY1
22Please respect copyright.PENANADqbdE2u7DV
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."22Please respect copyright.PENANAggt6H1PL00
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7P6xA3tQBc
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.22Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7QTtnIgZt
22Please respect copyright.PENANAKhejs6T17I
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAHjyGLuLhRA
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5ek1OU9lsC
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.22Please respect copyright.PENANAECgpiuH06N
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGq3r13Me9m
"Going to what?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAOtnT05ELgK
22Please respect copyright.PENANAefDOdib2qr
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.22Please respect copyright.PENANAEKOVZotfd4
22Please respect copyright.PENANAii4IM5HWqR
"Huh? Wash myself?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA3XfSsPQdXB
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZRU2vUFtUA
"Yes. Like we did."22Please respect copyright.PENANA9RGrV9T9mx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUZFrFuCOwL
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."22Please respect copyright.PENANAo45Ucso2ph
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxBc3Cpe6Hs
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlQlf1tNowt
22Please respect copyright.PENANAOmIUZKWa4H
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAVE1o48RBTv
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGyT6CBc6Eb
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."22Please respect copyright.PENANA1MfdHKI6FP
22Please respect copyright.PENANAPwAXo8hgLu
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.22Please respect copyright.PENANAwS8pHBMV49
22Please respect copyright.PENANAt931YzCaP9
"Buffalo Village."22Please respect copyright.PENANAsvbAQapNtS
22Please respect copyright.PENANARr6zAaZPU3
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."22Please respect copyright.PENANA7gHd7yRQEV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAU53l1fPd1G
"Really? I didn't know that."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwLRmdLJoDX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMjsf78jbzT
Kim looked like she was smiling.22Please respect copyright.PENANA49MfaCZA1H
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkTvrX35QfY
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."22Please respect copyright.PENANASUVBDS8Wb1
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIwxaIaART2
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.22Please respect copyright.PENANAW9xFsahgV0
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0WJ98AT6Vh
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."22Please respect copyright.PENANAZ43KN7w5QH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAWb4ZAy7Xzw
"Fine, fine."22Please respect copyright.PENANAfKUS2y32tt
22Please respect copyright.PENANA2gOrIELrbl
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZHpcuBP6AP
"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAfa1EeJAg8n
22Please respect copyright.PENANAePStQCeMBq
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.22Please respect copyright.PENANAOQLJ1gnNUq
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhFadSvH62R
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."22Please respect copyright.PENANAeWZYSbkT7F
22Please respect copyright.PENANAPcSxqJeQye
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.22Please respect copyright.PENANAwV6FQuxBvr
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmcZZGAE3HW
–
–
–
"...Mmm."22Please respect copyright.PENANAXBAlNRrGrM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwr7FMHRqjs
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.22Please respect copyright.PENANAnv8hThj9SM
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0nEUdT0sUt
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.22Please respect copyright.PENANAaAWTFHEGRH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAx0hmcTJ6be
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.22Please respect copyright.PENANAawhFRqCjVM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAQTU2c9aIPo
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.22Please respect copyright.PENANAkwnT8eAW1u
22Please respect copyright.PENANA6PZRfAaLNu
"Wow, you're hard at work."22Please respect copyright.PENANABkcJPMxsFi
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqMAn7s0opQ
"Ah!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA1N8hzdZ5CJ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAn52nGybnl3
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.22Please respect copyright.PENANARqj4pC2DWZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFqXrOKRoCE
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"22Please respect copyright.PENANADtWA6ohsog
22Please respect copyright.PENANAVEpW5g3XeU
"I don't think so... what time is it?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA8IStjRW2gB
22Please respect copyright.PENANAf8q8ZtffNw
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."22Please respect copyright.PENANAuAigPL51LW
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkr2gufH8oL
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.22Please respect copyright.PENANAMIIAd7HTx9
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfCLf6gQ4py
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAQdm0ANEIiD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwEAI9p0Xxm
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.22Please respect copyright.PENANAQVI2LO1EEt
22Please respect copyright.PENANAgtpExmpRia
I did regret sitting beside her, though.22Please respect copyright.PENANAfLZFV3x9bk
22Please respect copyright.PENANAYJj4frV2vc
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."22Please respect copyright.PENANADoaBnjkqDN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAS1wlB9W4y9
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."22Please respect copyright.PENANAvuS0eXz8o0
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMWGqwHgNH1
Flinty looked at me with excitement.22Please respect copyright.PENANAHZbWo8lheb
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMQDk5AiOVr
"A goal?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA6tNYZvwGu1
22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3M33FLXVY
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."22Please respect copyright.PENANAqm5TuoSb69
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsW2VrInkD6
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxdIbZAoWyM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAk1urXVQbRq
"Okay, I'll do my best!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAvZAsOXG7yr
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbzS51kxWnt
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.22Please respect copyright.PENANAm00mfW6K3T
22Please respect copyright.PENANAh8lJJEIfMQ
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.22Please respect copyright.PENANAyOtuW01wF5
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3C1qa8F0Qe
"Good morning, Linda!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAMlYYhTNkpb
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4lldLwORsL
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."22Please respect copyright.PENANAcQXYxPfP3u
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"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAWSttF8vSdB
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.22Please respect copyright.PENANAJpSz0OzhLg
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."22Please respect copyright.PENANA9CDiuOGHCs
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Friday? Today is Friday?22Please respect copyright.PENANAMXOVA9se2J
22Please respect copyright.PENANAN9mtP77PXk
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.22Please respect copyright.PENANAdZkgT8y5n8
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAhwsI9mIa2R
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFZKRHT5jqv
She looked at me curiously before answering.22Please respect copyright.PENANAJRufFvMPfs
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"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."22Please respect copyright.PENANAVKf81gkwzh
22Please respect copyright.PENANARNSXWI13OV
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.22Please respect copyright.PENANAN5PBakKnqm
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0ykS7UWd3H
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.22Please respect copyright.PENANADBgQnia2hP
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"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."22Please respect copyright.PENANASCB1soB7kS
22Please respect copyright.PENANArCwhuKlSuv
"To whom? Those at your home village?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAmJufsdoknD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMDB8b6m9cr
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."22Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2bTo6GRwc
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0IASkXGuGL
She lightly smiled.22Please respect copyright.PENANAKIPf0EsT2B
22Please respect copyright.PENANAj1vz2j9fWx
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."22Please respect copyright.PENANAKWyZqc9Q3Y
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7IhXeEYC15
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPlBVaXpcoT
22Please respect copyright.PENANAOby067qIlX
She shook her head from side to side.22Please respect copyright.PENANAOX6AUdeEQH
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"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."22Please respect copyright.PENANA7XesmDlaVC
22Please respect copyright.PENANAldeXpWH3U5
"So you decided on living here?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAAfuTCo43hg
22Please respect copyright.PENANA33J5rWmE6P
She nodded.22Please respect copyright.PENANAtiGfw0sP8e
22Please respect copyright.PENANALI4xOBNWci
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."22Please respect copyright.PENANAqIavjf42A4
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I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.22Please respect copyright.PENANA141MTavJEa
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."22Please respect copyright.PENANACyvpjECrsj
22Please respect copyright.PENANALukqCzwZwY
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."22Please respect copyright.PENANAARp3dpas8R
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8HdJY8j01M
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."22Please respect copyright.PENANASRi3NoHqlb
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbizSNihcAr
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.22Please respect copyright.PENANAGKP98yhiXV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAa4MkTMMHdk
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.22Please respect copyright.PENANApcWboAbTWR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqxPCd6STPn
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA68hOJ2bDdi
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXIjrxBxBAH
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.22Please respect copyright.PENANAInIPMErkdO
22Please respect copyright.PENANAYXHxsIwL2m
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.22Please respect copyright.PENANA40M0xENtJV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbozTnQEiA5
"Hey, Victoria?"22Please respect copyright.PENANALQuoy9M0Fi
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkpnCVVNMdz
"Yes?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAwtTr0dHMjs
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA0soFC820WG
22Please respect copyright.PENANALYTIelFTBK
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAAGLDEMcAQT
22Please respect copyright.PENANA86pZ3s6Bd3
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.22Please respect copyright.PENANAagr7PyJZ5J
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsTLNu97qLa
"Kim, are you good?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA2R205nuEX9
22Please respect copyright.PENANA2vY2bLSrg8
Kim just finished packing her bag.22Please respect copyright.PENANAbEsL6KkPNX
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3AElL7JWTw
"Yes. Let's get going."22Please respect copyright.PENANAmjKR6pyS8j
22Please respect copyright.PENANATDMDZQoX4t
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."22Please respect copyright.PENANA84pdNXQ8Jg
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEA8WP56Noh
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8OInaibM1g
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUuOAyd55x2
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.22Please respect copyright.PENANAyWpss5rbKX
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...She did do that, right?22Please respect copyright.PENANAysLOXpy61J
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Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.22Please respect copyright.PENANABlYi9CJd1T
22Please respect copyright.PENANAnoDuNelhD3
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.22Please respect copyright.PENANA7eLdcXkwfU
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?22Please respect copyright.PENANAsnK6F56UMl
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAvHzVaJMQvj
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"Hmm?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA0AC2KBH02a
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfNG1UwLxpP
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.22Please respect copyright.PENANA3u4xgkYx8S
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUGFoLz3wnX
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."22Please respect copyright.PENANAPVmS8x7E1V
22Please respect copyright.PENANAVzeq8x8v39
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.22Please respect copyright.PENANAbQmukUvmeS
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.22Please respect copyright.PENANAAjZGadoFMk
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"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."22Please respect copyright.PENANAsVMpkMoktU
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqgdbuQYPfi
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.22Please respect copyright.PENANAwz82NDn6Sy
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."22Please respect copyright.PENANAS6Kimf52Rw
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxHax48Tu1k
"R-Right."22Please respect copyright.PENANANJ1y4L5RpW
22Please respect copyright.PENANAVru8kQAdWO
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.22Please respect copyright.PENANA4xxCN3CCSn
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"Any objections?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA3aWGbZovKu
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None of us voiced any.22Please respect copyright.PENANAVwdxTuwVov
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAXM9r4ykA1B
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsM8OU7jHUj
"Of course."22Please respect copyright.PENANAsu1u8HchFR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAK91xpmgogf
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.22Please respect copyright.PENANAUdxLxRJj7O
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmDPABjan5d
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.22Please respect copyright.PENANAKbMRdyztiQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwduQvaONia
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.22Please respect copyright.PENANAFlErjCbHeX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEwjfBB60w5
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.22Please respect copyright.PENANAbFNGm4Sdvs
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That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.22Please respect copyright.PENANArdccDd0QAY
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It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.22Please respect copyright.PENANANYtFQnYrv1
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjoB3cqEulI
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.22Please respect copyright.PENANA1h3nLNkbTv
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"Hold on, stop here."22Please respect copyright.PENANA8AgxEXWj34
22Please respect copyright.PENANACuq5QloaDo
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.22Please respect copyright.PENANAT3Ga9dX4sj
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.22Please respect copyright.PENANAsQjQZTXqx2
22Please respect copyright.PENANA1XpyvVbADq
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."22Please respect copyright.PENANANKvV6aSrR0
22Please respect copyright.PENANAggKtQUDQod
I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.22Please respect copyright.PENANAdIcLBySXws
22Please respect copyright.PENANARaMX29Cu6b
Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.22Please respect copyright.PENANAEE4zhGmDuz
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."22Please respect copyright.PENANAu0xVFHR1Nk
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.22Please respect copyright.PENANANYCkTj5pVs
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."22Please respect copyright.PENANAN8CKTE5VRI
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZS5nQp4A4O
So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.22Please respect copyright.PENANAuUPYaYJ5GP
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3C6XMlFX6W
"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."22Please respect copyright.PENANAl3PVXyv23H
22Please respect copyright.PENANASQWRC9Wrf7
"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAuvfElr5Zj2
22Please respect copyright.PENANAiBwjmeU1hK
Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.22Please respect copyright.PENANAQk94ZePShL
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjMkVZMONLq
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAFiNgMVa8Ek
22Please respect copyright.PENANAQt3xHCzxmt
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."22Please respect copyright.PENANAgbjhypw7ZI
22Please respect copyright.PENANAeIB5SF7ABV
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"22Please respect copyright.PENANAIUZUqCDP5R
22Please respect copyright.PENANAL6L5PwV2Gz
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."22Please respect copyright.PENANAWTmTlePaV3
22Please respect copyright.PENANA46teyzbzHu
She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.22Please respect copyright.PENANANE5tw6au2Z
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAngXA4JlRdX
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"Heh, well..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAfi5BYbzBkt
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.22Please respect copyright.PENANAoGHAxoPVS0
22Please respect copyright.PENANADiXEUqEfwZ
"What's the hold-up?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAk40bSk11gD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAPteTNGHqWX
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."22Please respect copyright.PENANAo8uHAjUjVZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANANGye1KEluZ
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.22Please respect copyright.PENANAWAeSm3M5wD
22Please respect copyright.PENANA37LGG1TtRe
"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."22Please respect copyright.PENANAeBKzjtILWO
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIh6KtiaeTR
My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.22Please respect copyright.PENANAAEAxHYKXDT
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"So, what about you?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAXVaTrI70ci
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwTmglGQrFD
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.22Please respect copyright.PENANAUNGSUfZ6N8
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."22Please respect copyright.PENANAmQssC7S031
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7Lz6lPdGlb
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."22Please respect copyright.PENANAqP7yTdwhN8
22Please respect copyright.PENANAyvlHxVVvfl
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.22Please respect copyright.PENANAyb58noU8zx
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"I can see now why– oop."22Please respect copyright.PENANAO1fkczZAYd
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.22Please respect copyright.PENANAxhoTdlIoCI
22Please respect copyright.PENANAcdtVPbwQNH
IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.22Please respect copyright.PENANANJ8hZZTT8w
22Please respect copyright.PENANA6EYLn6vqAJ
All of a sudden, a voice.22Please respect copyright.PENANAqbapw1ytcG
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"Something... I feel like something was here."22Please respect copyright.PENANAP5fz3AMNqR
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7H9PVH5kBf
It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.22Please respect copyright.PENANAndaQikqjx1
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.22Please respect copyright.PENANArhvzFC8Hst
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."22Please respect copyright.PENANAVg8IlcthYm
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.22Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6DdSSNgaT
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqs6Z2kmFKu
I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."22Please respect copyright.PENANAL6vouRvUyi
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMdyJqkfcp8
Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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