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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp7EcwOvU4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdpxJbKemq
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZrPULz3z0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ziN8EvX5
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc9bLDZjmH
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AIeA54D5G
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLQSP0ZRLf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dacT67VFM
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8wHkCs6AB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtslrDFrwF
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieSBLRN9dR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB2pNE5825
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN0mckl2Cs
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8wJ6b6LRt
"...Sure."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwIGUp7M1F
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2uS1yP7MB
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?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EpDivMJzt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYdS3db4em
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE52mFt91KR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfqkFRmYFp
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlPzqAyyLY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RiidapeSl
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uks4ubx5p
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtXODPUcD1
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ijtXxlF4K
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQdefGm6sL
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkRLusM53h
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwj4zCJgpu
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20XRdoMQl2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1waEtk2Af
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pzIxMOmXp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zzDhReNRg
"Wait, what!?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBgzWqvGbc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t1TqLwS6B
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXizd8kdRmD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJrhfTS9C1
"Why not me?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9pSZXerLw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCwQGmOOCw
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYCzNtNIkE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFaAsmKzWu
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaDmkkh9fJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvCoOJfAP3
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqlmJ7wrvA
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No, you didn't.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnMn8BSuaN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmVMfhVVy7
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UxTTpb4z7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q9AW13B1S
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn23KGtpbT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqBpMi62zZ
"Huh?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0HCUbARwj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IijwT5Icl
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mn0FLHElT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q7cixTEAY
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbQyewJxiQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1VObrlsze
"Mhm!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZylYnm0mM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO2MVkZUkD
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTgYLc3CPT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT9VkNIuAH
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzaYRL77Hb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEtnmgMjlf
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2GHq8e2Gu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w8e2oLd0S
"...Fine."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zEL9hUAFU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq228AfXM6
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Q2ZlELrZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaWCv2enea
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXx9uUZNvo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBeWj5iNYx
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s69lLNmk4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8mvaJ1w3L
"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!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvZ7Sq5KMS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YcFaxhLWh
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEOAoprCyd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vukaj5P3p
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8tYVDqgN5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrpQI8upa9
"Is there... something you need?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbilyaTtPK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGekUwrgE8
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mgN5ffWfJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDSOUXjvKI
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL7iR2afBn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJgxx4AOSp
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna7W18jb4K
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTs9AQX1al
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1c9o6KWo5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBjdOeQr5g
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5HtASR0Ml
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPi5ZwJUh4
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcoVxctlog
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She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEx9o4dLER
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboggR6VqBT
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnr9qAJDZd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyoCBgCGBj
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwabzKcF0i
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks6OKA4rDj
She giggled a little. Creepy.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQjlgtSErC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULQnGEOvsP
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMtREXb8Ml
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oS5D8L37A
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfZ545rpfX
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What?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUwjwnvh85
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfwjU5H9Cb
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMBOapj49U
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5qhyqyBv3
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd0RnsZUfX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI8gHUfKkW
"O-Oh..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZwZJTHKQJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSZuY1SUod
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY0eu9XCdK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5y0qGmo0Y
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOhXOnL4Rc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHHfcjHqMq
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclvcFKs2y3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3jOzBN7v
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXYfjHcqtw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FFlcbDOTY
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBa5JSyThG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Kwtjfb5oq
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfXiIbuyjJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBlHZFVLeh
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf6OBnZRwo
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeKrGh7nI8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGKGR9lhtY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTqFPEr9Tw
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5UqELIZ0l
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJhO8APGw8
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2AVul5lTI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRGIuChmev
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdHFXVSfxS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNklkMS33LZ
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNkT8CBeHA
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cg5AZy9ip
Front-page news!?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Mi8ARa28D
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoBP6xpyi3
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTuz2onbK6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3zieQxw7Z
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4iBNwe6mM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u5MAiiDO6
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZIK1XywqA
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO8PA5aa7k
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ES9t351yG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7HcU8jZBh
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4rDQj7Eum
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"No, I don't."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd62ZrHoK0c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZLF1x0xK8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p4ppsqvpN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxg8vCuMRY
"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!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcx9vPwJXG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rnV8mmOo5
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq86d5S1NOR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHEkxCHsMM
"Thank you."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqmz9HGEPT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt4Xqlp2A4
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMoIAieApM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyahPKjqmF
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM4O1KwxMK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzGzg7gY7y
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP5OevHK90
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"Oh."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5SeMSGFny
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If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjFkDL0uss
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd2Jg8O4AB
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoO10NRGcI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EKg4f283L
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEIenPvbSM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDknsF6EcZ
Her face froze. I sighed.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR5LMT52y3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerDMldKLCh
"I-I'll do it in the morning."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqNEDCJ143
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjNEUkTNqR
"Good luck."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HpxkopiEd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOTQzDLF2Q
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxxvSopTpf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPSRenh4m0
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRiabwqdRD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWnrC7MFnB
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg75KHqs78
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2A4CuMrMI
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05J495qTkk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBuDgw15E8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNKjkLRxdf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSWxw9hR6y
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bOQH1yPue
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLHw8WCfnI
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYno4TBV0cn
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"Going to what?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM00QuzraY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK1qqbRoY0
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiffv6bnc7h
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp2SQJVw77
"Huh? Wash myself?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlNd1OvWPf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwZXGbZwSW
"Yes. Like we did."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TtokEkr8Q
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxAlKBssmS
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpirDxi1TiX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSqiO8kqjj
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v9lp1GCmb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9iPAgDgZu
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyugAzcq70
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kBggtIV3O
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWQgmlxel3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP24ePCBWu
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCW6kf7eqy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mgH8xK59K
"Buffalo Village."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBK3ASvPWR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT1Tgu22NM
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJBLZ7y4rx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTKFSRxnfF
"Really? I didn't know that."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgp6PDkbl8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw8pSZYtNz
Kim looked like she was smiling.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62lOamcIeN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VvM9jFWI1
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUfki8TWes
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51FWDcMVNX
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKNX0Fx0ee
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcQLIU0zkD
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31SyZO5lGe
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmmvoQou1S
"Fine, fine."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sseFgmXmU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15PNrwhcdJ
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN6iyyaqjP
"..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU6ys6Gk3a
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPTBzz45YC
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2hQmZ7Gyx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccLjaDU2ed
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSKzjCs2ue
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg93dfmIGdX
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtCUzOxra6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6BnxRJ8zM
–
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–
"...Mmm."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucGPdmunBB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eo9ivmzWA
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtXwBCWoJy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkGeLTPK4M
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjoiZ35Mrx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTaPaqWRqI
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsyKAz6H6z
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYSEe3TO2C
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ969nWIv65j
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9cSc72mLP
"Wow, you're hard at work."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMtmK4o7PI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRExgopXHM
"Ah!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB990uELHg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wqMFnfMXk
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUUJyVDheZ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdygdseLSP
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkErqyHTyl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoRgpoRr5V
"I don't think so... what time is it?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupZ8lT9vIT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UmzixzFbl
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPNoCCwHwc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWARldAcpKH
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0E9rVvvjb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AJRSJk9XE
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQSqMAla5c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc6v6nttWu
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bPjXdNutY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiVNMAA6Ft
I did regret sitting beside her, though.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgJqYngQAq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUnfec5LEc
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh24kd0VXc
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdesq9F3mC
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRCjidvMGi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaA269zC5r
Flinty looked at me with excitement.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CJjeJ0y2Q
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWo1A3Ocae
"A goal?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmvrumGUPH
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVKftMYZOP
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76IhkUEx0A
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNEgMpf2XX
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0djy516Io
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekFn6VJCal
"Okay, I'll do my best!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5EpahOtyJ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3vjl2yE4e
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtWrykKVnp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66DZ8aGJRY
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIDJHvAWZU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF74RnjuDp
"Good morning, Linda!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKerTpSIFB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGEqvpXKxi
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTLHGkdomY
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrjGShf1HY
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC68IQDkDG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOpVuewszu
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTnKNj2tjp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1dv7bfgiX
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVI5LKLvTE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ2mvRXSYY
Friday? Today is Friday?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNIcGGhKJ7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EYEud0goG
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9DRdUf4Aq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90y4LNE2WR
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLXN0GogXd
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQR4opGeK4
She looked at me curiously before answering.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSo46unFRN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgsxAUDUl0
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurwQCz3HSL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcq9OAqekF
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dJkVjjW1Z
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHquQquJl
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N3su1bMiU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflNu0dLeI8
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw4K1I50FS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreVq8kbuUc
"To whom? Those at your home village?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTHTcNXRGX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDtca6Ge0G
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe51hypa25
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSODHhvIdR
She lightly smiled.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSgZJenfQu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQX4SDv7fU
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqMmdaExoH
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnxT6h5TRV
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HGkWg4BiF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ2q5FpyJV
She shook her head from side to side.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBUNObHX16
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSrfkjny0C
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhARuPTPUn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT81IVzBqm4
"So you decided on living here?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUXWIehfqw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZpmkw9M3Q
She nodded.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSylwjngK7z
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQmNFnLMw3
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq60IXAP3g
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYg9A2xlQ8
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxDUOO0wKs
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjWipqiOyN
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ipof8vn5z
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5FA7HHJ2u
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LjJXJM9Ax
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJMTJgavZB
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU24ynV1j94
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlv3QLsO5Y
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZGxZvQOgC
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlSEWn3Ntw
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThi78jRBDK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60P4eZu3kZ
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu5RfovEn9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFgU1YOgvh
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASXe577wAB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2kgWD8gRc
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQjLiWh7sx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypPHtY0hE0
"Hey, Victoria?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5bxGo5eM5
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiWKvsjDhJ
"Yes?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbAmGI1He3
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3t8Q3Ip1x
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPbF1mE7YU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9kdnlwX0J
"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!"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32N5mwEo6q
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMyrvgGLyi
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EUpz8Een4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y7pG233vL
"Kim, are you good?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gl1vratqA
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgAewTK7Gt
Kim just finished packing her bag.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU2tI2lB0e
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtyQxW5Tt9
"Yes. Let's get going."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3arOLhJobF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWttkXQcmh
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPrnjH3wJK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrL5e7ih7B
–
–
–
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9hsxAonSa
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHXupvwiqG
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1VNnjlK37
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymmCOWLIkq
...She did do that, right?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjVdPo3idP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXt3mpxmGB
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiUE6apA55
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MJocajllQ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCk7nxvsFx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU0HjazWSl
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbogjt81G6W
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuszlhZxXT0
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrMZhBTlKB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDnGkajI9z
"Hmm?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JBR7OItNg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre1Ls9o48W
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvyYkbYyRQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6aM6QrXzO
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz46pal6jX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY3DGNrGfp
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE5IsjxC7n
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC7GjrWIIy
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEoClwN97C
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyM6OVrOz4
"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Mb7K3AsB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHVCBsytw9
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3lxBrOzMj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPZb0bTFyb
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7G9tJ1G50
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Ss3FBox9
"R-Right."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqWL1MzFlN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqeXZdOAHj
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOboQ0nVG7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj5npGYpzN
"Any objections?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYBmaMuIzz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE15beP1zN
None of us voiced any.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYViFyl45q
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhDND1CZxZ
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1wNVDN3K6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04gMK4p7PA
"Of course."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvB9PsW3gs
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYveUNEb12
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
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–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHUBiQd2xE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFM1NgdD9m
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3MjxvGxaq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivxyAkOI2e
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVnIE24yAL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPbfhKYVQ4
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy6zI7oUgn
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIQoyFTMif
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vO5ZL222e
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyhiBhlZ4m
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPjU7dNfrm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnvi1jD94u
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjj6XtrIm0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipvQamTq9
"Hold on, stop here."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTki3lgoKb7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn2Y7f6g0d
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdKfpI1sYF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KkJs3o4ok
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurgni1NRwN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQuhBuWb1Z
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1doT03Gson
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD2snZuiUv
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEVlgGEqcO
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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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQfEolEf8h
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPUt0zVZZ8
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfC8bfAJOX
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Gc0tVyEq
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"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnhp0fmGQP
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"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?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUZRpFmu8U
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWOM711uXi
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCL4C0RezQ
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qd4yYZAZ8
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19qzuGC84y
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKVq8GCC6M
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gfOq0KYNE
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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?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17XF69sZeD
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"Heh, well..."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZfxEwrr3j
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Y4K4Gexi
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"What's the hold-up?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81FJU2J3V3
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59RzssTl7A
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zK7fDZ5I9
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"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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFFjvCRLC
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgiTCHogAg
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"So, what about you?"141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyreFWVY8i
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLPT9D9Wro
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8y3BRSaab
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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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfJWfbvH68
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoH0yqgRbP
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFtDkmmTNq
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"I can see now why– oop."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFpjgzP3El
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrFbIoDFMn
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhh7LCNifs
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All of a sudden, a voice.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsglJC2V1c
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"Something... I feel like something was here."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9cvudpOvz
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1ObIizIDf
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pm1BGtPiU
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKjFdHeX1P
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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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiiDAa5fPS
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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."141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEAqKGomZL
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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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