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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAAulX2kg7Uf
25Please respect copyright.PENANATcZnF87Zdj
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."25Please respect copyright.PENANAhvvWV42grw
25Please respect copyright.PENANACqbCJ8N2vr
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."25Please respect copyright.PENANArfsTP00pPN
25Please respect copyright.PENANA51Dgn1Yx9k
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?25Please respect copyright.PENANAOo7YhKnC3A
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8QSTS7D9ya
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANANT7W4fxxil
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZsYMCou6Yo
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.25Please respect copyright.PENANA2VfOG3AHA1
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0gW67a446f
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."25Please respect copyright.PENANAiEJtZhNDkv
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHfGZAvuSOz
"...Sure."25Please respect copyright.PENANAKPAlf22z9O
25Please respect copyright.PENANAJIVW5xZw8y
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?25Please respect copyright.PENANAbySb6Ok0pg
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1gUVo0w3MF
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."25Please respect copyright.PENANA2uQgtQ5pyk
25Please respect copyright.PENANArTUJHewSdy
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.25Please respect copyright.PENANA7llFZTE41s
25Please respect copyright.PENANAmGHYxgMXUx
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANARO0fr0MNJG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZWCZCvydGa
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6UmfbB3MtJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXNm3TklGx4
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAcOVdNMnAcH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKN284Wi4aQ
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."25Please respect copyright.PENANAPnL8v1cf6h
25Please respect copyright.PENANAuB8Qk2AxgW
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."25Please respect copyright.PENANAqUvMci08Zg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAviIpc8EfPG
"Wait, what!?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA2VxvCaaAte
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGrVF1A4FYO
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.25Please respect copyright.PENANAv11gW2RSWY
25Please respect copyright.PENANAx9CS7wTU1Q
"Why not me?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAY8hfUNOBbW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGATEVC28pc
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."25Please respect copyright.PENANA76soN1ribz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhPIT21mB1H
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAzJZLqYb07O
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFErlcQibpa
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"25Please respect copyright.PENANApjUnkw7FHD
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6nA1pbSdRa
No, you didn't.25Please respect copyright.PENANAPpSPUgub6P
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOmHIV3WzdY
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."25Please respect copyright.PENANAHxfywBh0WM
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6wjE2uLx5r
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"25Please respect copyright.PENANApfxDHQCU9g
25Please respect copyright.PENANAORtvB4awFH
"Huh?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAPz10Ar86PU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzTwQbxKXEN
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.25Please respect copyright.PENANAadF93L82aR
25Please respect copyright.PENANAw9ufrVMjpy
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANA7beJhDMoJx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAv6A2uEYYkd
"Mhm!"25Please respect copyright.PENANApBOvi5Z932
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5BKesL6utN
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.25Please respect copyright.PENANAFw8QGylGdi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0kSnfuIFZ
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."25Please respect copyright.PENANAQaG6bWYETh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtcR7bIEWP6
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.25Please respect copyright.PENANAI3VzoxbiGV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzbZX7wugIG
"...Fine."25Please respect copyright.PENANAY1NQSuYcOg
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6s3KscC1Nl
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.25Please respect copyright.PENANACRKndCA7qh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqGDrMsNYDm
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."25Please respect copyright.PENANAyAWESckgnr
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1yoBLAi8Y4
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAbWY54Qt20e
25Please respect copyright.PENANA643UIHz9Vb
"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!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAEGOoHPcTK8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjQsagzcDe4
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAnUXcxvh4Zo
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6EG2UK2QBn
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAZGwGh7k4tc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAeOLqDOp9Rk
"Is there... something you need?"25Please respect copyright.PENANABb08VLYWZ2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAycSNdMPXoD
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAW0k5zmKJ9U
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0kW3z7Fn5K
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6kGFFJUfBW
25Please respect copyright.PENANASzLyYnCNst
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhSqWV7aKnC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzJ6nIA1IDu
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAsxy4p9zNPN
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9kw8MpWWyH
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAuKf7XQo29U
25Please respect copyright.PENANATluGcGuwZL
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAkjuzjuV2WS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEWGkkjOR5J
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.25Please respect copyright.PENANAFvcePyYQmt
25Please respect copyright.PENANA10Eudh35li
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAXqVOB2xMOl
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhABlD10y3R
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."25Please respect copyright.PENANAXf1EzrD27c
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKuoXOu0sJG
She giggled a little. Creepy.25Please respect copyright.PENANA3Dcg8xpxzt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXJmJsZUH1m
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."25Please respect copyright.PENANASzbPSwqHHg
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0mbm9f7ita
"..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAnFCbZtmUqh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAmgPwQ7bW4m
What?25Please respect copyright.PENANABg2OZ764Df
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5ug8cEFtq9
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAWuakMgNttp
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7Mj64wbKLe
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ04P7CZFvA
25Please respect copyright.PENANADy00IInPvz
"O-Oh..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAH62tVtXCI4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHuj1tim6du
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.25Please respect copyright.PENANAEf8spgUnfD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQFF6ekwdBL
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."25Please respect copyright.PENANAx8xw6Ohyay
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0uvQBxPkkC
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."25Please respect copyright.PENANAr9EnJqKCyU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAa36LQZgiUB
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAyX2QrAj6Mr
25Please respect copyright.PENANARnPLpyRpzj
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."25Please respect copyright.PENANAv7v8p89MEn
25Please respect copyright.PENANADIFSYZyc35
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.25Please respect copyright.PENANABRmZVRtSta
25Please respect copyright.PENANA4AuY31Fc53
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.25Please respect copyright.PENANAjT7QFelTx9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGzsAwLIwKy
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANASTUOs0gK3p
25Please respect copyright.PENANAHLW2smjC6X
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAYyaYSorJYW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXSQO4ZkDFt
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.25Please respect copyright.PENANAXUlRS9K3L0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvQTNCaRdCh
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAMKsaGstkPz
25Please respect copyright.PENANA41AIGThocM
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANALkqOrmvzzc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAi4KQtOpeET
Front-page news!?25Please respect copyright.PENANATvl2fRHK3c
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0a8s1w9pGW
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAqdOHeSjI5b
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlvN6Aby2vG
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAiJEzeCno07
25Please respect copyright.PENANAarOgQaJKKK
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.25Please respect copyright.PENANAwNzr72XRd9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwuu1hChQuf
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA7L4sdH9vSC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWoo0qTpKJU
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.25Please respect copyright.PENANAgtJbyENEc3
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0XqPeXWbzo
"No, I don't."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMYn165Gys9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAojNK6Sppem
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA1wdtc20O78
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFrNfJvbNL0
"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!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAWg0VPwprNS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAygADmnx7y4
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."25Please respect copyright.PENANA9aV3BNuwKy
25Please respect copyright.PENANABtwSwxqcau
"Thank you."25Please respect copyright.PENANAuTnnOkWCmX
25Please respect copyright.PENANAv8i5NrsCRD
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAlOF8fmUxS8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnNN1BJwWzj
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJpXKfWKeKc
25Please respect copyright.PENANArNjwT9Po5H
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."25Please respect copyright.PENANAggPUjahxBW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtwGbJ2L37x
"Oh."25Please respect copyright.PENANA3AyFRx4oZK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAn04hhbeuOD
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.25Please respect copyright.PENANAVzJaxoO83h
25Please respect copyright.PENANAH1knDMJVwZ
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."25Please respect copyright.PENANAtSRJ6jhPjm
25Please respect copyright.PENANABeIgxs8TfK
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAxBxGVAhcre
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEH5vXzcTyW
Her face froze. I sighed.25Please respect copyright.PENANAU7H7flNxff
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbMQxaliGkF
"I-I'll do it in the morning."25Please respect copyright.PENANADn1Lrpo7lh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAt7CNrkIYOK
"Good luck."25Please respect copyright.PENANAA9vSUCFB8S
25Please respect copyright.PENANAH7dFYgAaa7
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.25Please respect copyright.PENANADsBOYC1kV4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxzN57S9gre
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."25Please respect copyright.PENANAbQJqNgIqU8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEYW1ThyF1r
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."25Please respect copyright.PENANArvoHZP5uKN
25Please respect copyright.PENANACvuXOMB3tT
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."25Please respect copyright.PENANAdGfsTHZ3zq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIev040ZYeu
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAq4zd9QNKat
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdhvVbkORTr
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAaNO4Rt5ZQx
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9giMExbji1
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.25Please respect copyright.PENANABJTfIm2OOw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAyzvL32Swpj
"Going to what?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZvcRfCI99
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAodLuJJHb2
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.25Please respect copyright.PENANAw5DGjTWAck
25Please respect copyright.PENANANPbwnidYGf
"Huh? Wash myself?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAYNhSz7OeOa
25Please respect copyright.PENANAmoMFJaDhLG
"Yes. Like we did."25Please respect copyright.PENANAvWE8SXUXG5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZS3bhcf3nY
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMkVlx2tmGx
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9oOixGOVql
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.25Please respect copyright.PENANALhKI3pjZ4J
25Please respect copyright.PENANADIIuaenvRT
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAhiJsRbWaba
25Please respect copyright.PENANAGp1m0UZqKv
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANATZoqyAF6FG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxs0QB24i7B
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.25Please respect copyright.PENANA99AcuXS9BC
25Please respect copyright.PENANARNkP9DVwxV
"Buffalo Village."25Please respect copyright.PENANARnkltcHit5
25Please respect copyright.PENANARZYv70Qgrl
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."25Please respect copyright.PENANAV6PsPO13tp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIVpkafJcPF
"Really? I didn't know that."25Please respect copyright.PENANAFfyIa32NX5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAcebqN2Bep
Kim looked like she was smiling.25Please respect copyright.PENANA0mEjiDsPCx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAi26LG3zvyS
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."25Please respect copyright.PENANAvqxzVnG6hD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAG2NETK5hI3
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.25Please respect copyright.PENANAp5qdOJvuNq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAae00u6M9wP
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAVBUWahC10T
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvj7GCkFzEw
"Fine, fine."25Please respect copyright.PENANA6zyBZQZqYQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvWNHZaHm8v
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXOsjTU7Gjg
"..."25Please respect copyright.PENANAb8Q68xNQnd
25Please respect copyright.PENANA08rVvHR7hw
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.25Please respect copyright.PENANAY3TgUQyoaP
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWN05yPKnjy
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."25Please respect copyright.PENANA0wiXfMCb0h
25Please respect copyright.PENANASwq7YEgt1F
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.25Please respect copyright.PENANA47ZWwK9ufg
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6sPBjQRMBH
–
–
–
"...Mmm."25Please respect copyright.PENANACQUvPAXgTU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAOHc5pk8EkH
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA563XW7Fe2k
25Please respect copyright.PENANAeVOYoqpy5T
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAOhOrAW0i1G
25Please respect copyright.PENANAW56M18DAEZ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAunJrJhI1ph
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKhqQAI5GMd
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA32HtJnrcdB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiPxN8HUpNn
"Wow, you're hard at work."25Please respect copyright.PENANABqoGnRNE7b
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5A7XatUmYg
"Ah!"25Please respect copyright.PENANACfnUivsYTf
25Please respect copyright.PENANAII3p5cf9Rx
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.25Please respect copyright.PENANALOz02oh4Wa
25Please respect copyright.PENANA03dySXiwlu
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAgyDVL8NUMe
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwpgIwR4hO4
"I don't think so... what time is it?"25Please respect copyright.PENANArcMGUsrJhf
25Please respect copyright.PENANABdQ7dcGkw2
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."25Please respect copyright.PENANA8YDN1vi1sx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjA12yCypfg
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAspUSoIPxxw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6sjd4ByGK
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAIfAsUdv1z0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtxjLM9CUgx
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAaQ6m03sY31
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjcD3Nbvi69
I did regret sitting beside her, though.25Please respect copyright.PENANAipxO9EH9Qx
25Please respect copyright.PENANANtG4YMr2IJ
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."25Please respect copyright.PENANAoHwmGnrs4H
25Please respect copyright.PENANA59AzywHXil
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAiy3akTF5RE
25Please respect copyright.PENANADa7e6Jjgov
Flinty looked at me with excitement.25Please respect copyright.PENANAmiHLHpTbqV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxeYR5anaf5
"A goal?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAHD3PXDCkAg
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0yIOhzD1V
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAO6W5T4BgHo
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwKvRvq2ynf
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.25Please respect copyright.PENANAapJ21HV0T6
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYgIVtnYWg6
"Okay, I'll do my best!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAyVEfiCdRqt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5l7r6CFAq
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA41McX4Tejv
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAV7g4jGI9W
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAEU3gqekH5W
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXIMrFWcwY7
"Good morning, Linda!"25Please respect copyright.PENANA9yxEQyCB9p
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbs0h1P1j6l
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."25Please respect copyright.PENANA6mkSVmErUr
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEBngx1Nn8D
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAIsqoFNS2wE
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.25Please respect copyright.PENANAfUhGrn84mm
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."25Please respect copyright.PENANAyki84mtJM7
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Friday? Today is Friday?25Please respect copyright.PENANAGhMKWCwKok
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA5lhQRi5li4
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAHNRAf46qpd
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She looked at me curiously before answering.25Please respect copyright.PENANARTiXcjQuVe
25Please respect copyright.PENANATYmIjL645g
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."25Please respect copyright.PENANATpDzpkFy7M
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.25Please respect copyright.PENANA6mUTnRRlJv
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAiHTMZG1H5Y
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"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."25Please respect copyright.PENANAZaZ2cw8lcn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAf3HYBP3Tkt
"To whom? Those at your home village?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAHTnqNf3kys
25Please respect copyright.PENANA27Zn4tXw3m
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAT14nMkW01k
25Please respect copyright.PENANAk2pr7SOyTP
She lightly smiled.25Please respect copyright.PENANAm4RsAjpPSe
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtjxGeOwLkl
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."25Please respect copyright.PENANActrr4kAH9i
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQY01duuM3l
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA1N4hZwb0w2
25Please respect copyright.PENANAecMIcFOkU4
She shook her head from side to side.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9lIwwnZtA
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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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAjUu6bhIlYa
25Please respect copyright.PENANA0L0AaUP9DN
"So you decided on living here?"25Please respect copyright.PENANASrLPFGygPS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAuBT4f9yY7H
She nodded.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJeys5quJGe
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"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAddgi3JvCUX
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAfcfjUJJagL
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."25Please respect copyright.PENANA79Ul5WkISY
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKlKkwvlq7O
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."25Please respect copyright.PENANAlePy1e9SRw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdRK2X6ih9k
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANABr1ClOhepW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWPtiMjoi2v
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAz8YwivDJqD
25Please respect copyright.PENANADuRjmVQMpN
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.25Please respect copyright.PENANAIr25m9nLjJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAKc7kbgM63Q
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAGxQBcJFnb3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMJCGeISfsH
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJOflI6dP5T
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVAKm2Jks0n
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAHJEAr6WSEN
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"Hey, Victoria?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA9YbDlvTThm
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"Yes?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAcVwnIDlRv4
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAIcIj8h8kEz
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"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!"25Please respect copyright.PENANAWHq7JksrV9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfy9VuUL0Oy
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJNG5xgfMzM
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8pQ4mUaAX3
"Kim, are you good?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA4RQ7rwhyhh
25Please respect copyright.PENANA38MoetUVcB
Kim just finished packing her bag.25Please respect copyright.PENANAUvNnRho1se
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"Yes. Let's get going."25Please respect copyright.PENANASnB7miV6oP
25Please respect copyright.PENANApR3gG7jnXF
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."25Please respect copyright.PENANAKAbdFTkwFf
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvKSYPik3ax
–
–
–
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAs2gQGokySv
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXcBCtu5DXH
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAI3nGSY9O6z
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...She did do that, right?25Please respect copyright.PENANAF8UBF6FWSm
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAPoHcDHJ9S3
25Please respect copyright.PENANA8VkvzKkRr9
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAe5kPiujv3l
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?25Please respect copyright.PENANAWES0zL47PJ
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAnmTJBLUTbU
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"Hmm?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAp6LhaSGKQ5
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.25Please respect copyright.PENANAuq5vZEpGMW
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"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."25Please respect copyright.PENANAMxb7vnMX0k
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAjJiUh1uqqV
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.25Please respect copyright.PENANAHhhRuyX8w8
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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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAUQWff6qQNW
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The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.25Please respect copyright.PENANAnt1qLvZWtc
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."25Please respect copyright.PENANAfxDMYxhb6V
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"R-Right."25Please respect copyright.PENANA3Jd0mPLHSq
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I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.25Please respect copyright.PENANAgiIhhy4PV1
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"Any objections?"25Please respect copyright.PENANA5uEXRw8kdd
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None of us voiced any.25Please respect copyright.PENANAVuu6sEk1xd
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAbqKYu2AwLW
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"Of course."25Please respect copyright.PENANA83Lhdvn6SL
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANACZ7RzDRfF1
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJNPZVVNfij
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnItYLyFPT1
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANApJUk7Qb8Qd
25Please respect copyright.PENANApZAPuzIsKi
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAu1eykBYy2f
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAKGoWAnc6Xe
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3nQxXBmMI1
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4ZuHfk6fN
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYKBN2WPChZ
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAlsSIXqoG00
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"Hold on, stop here."25Please respect copyright.PENANALYwiYbqzYe
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAurMvmUPvvi
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.25Please respect copyright.PENANAUvA0mONDFO
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."25Please respect copyright.PENANABsI8rBLRT9
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAGoirSJNPtK
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANABTtKOXNlT8
25Please respect copyright.PENANAaSeZVgqFsk
"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."25Please respect copyright.PENANA3D1f32LOiC
25Please respect copyright.PENANABSl72cQvNJ
"Does it look safe?" I asked.25Please respect copyright.PENANAtxjdkZAiIn
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."25Please respect copyright.PENANAVl1chwHX2z
25Please respect copyright.PENANAExXKByryVT
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAh5gMVdrdwX
25Please respect copyright.PENANAw2xAWt0cuN
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAlc5Xm7NnSr
25Please respect copyright.PENANA74RYC8vz3W
"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?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAqhpkF6ADlh
25Please respect copyright.PENANApy8a1VuA8H
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAkOsAtx65LZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAlhFBXtaOtG
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"25Please respect copyright.PENANALnlZe8kRaz
25Please respect copyright.PENANA28jv3m6LZF
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."25Please respect copyright.PENANA13P3Z1VWRZ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvrOVHotCdL
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"25Please respect copyright.PENANAsAAFQfZiMx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhdDycuXvXO
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."25Please respect copyright.PENANAL9GFipbP8G
25Please respect copyright.PENANAut8uGHzS8M
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAkVQ98l2nZB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnmaXTJPmAO
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAfnY9KLahuX
25Please respect copyright.PENANALXVXeO4CDG
"Heh, well..."25Please respect copyright.PENANA0jiJDO4zRo
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA29tYeanSSc
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"What's the hold-up?"25Please respect copyright.PENANAKtL4DhpL3J
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."25Please respect copyright.PENANANsOU7vO8PY
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.25Please respect copyright.PENANAr7R0D8lYvW
25Please respect copyright.PENANAclWqS6bmff
"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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAlYKAFEPix3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAowzutzLSXU
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAU6xxzrFhMV
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"So, what about you?"25Please respect copyright.PENANASnqUpvTnal
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."25Please respect copyright.PENANAcHbgJzT5fm
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAJiRIVnxaIq
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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."25Please respect copyright.PENANAFk0nshAd8x
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxkdE0CTVo7
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."25Please respect copyright.PENANAXnCDzZr8jd
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMNHdXfk0Jx
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.25Please respect copyright.PENANAhJTcKflXdd
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"I can see now why– oop."25Please respect copyright.PENANAuDPQtarnZi
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANADN3nNcJKJC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWXKuVBjeIB
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANA3GorktAVSH
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All of a sudden, a voice.25Please respect copyright.PENANAYuTvEbMyHS
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"Something... I feel like something was here."25Please respect copyright.PENANA9nLN7nERke
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAUDEgaZL8wG
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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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAeAGb9xlQE5
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."25Please respect copyright.PENANApG7Xh9LaNS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAnRSHBXX3rz
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.25Please respect copyright.PENANAhGjUKBYOmE
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6uKD7Q3rMF
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."25Please respect copyright.PENANA0GEt0k8SMT
25Please respect copyright.PENANAR5TNQZSM61
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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