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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAOFk4GXOuYi
28Please respect copyright.PENANAWoOwoY45t5
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."28Please respect copyright.PENANA3ArbyjkOij
28Please respect copyright.PENANAGHLYBj4mRj
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."28Please respect copyright.PENANAOo5tUWjHwy
28Please respect copyright.PENANAJwKZctHEXk
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?28Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZnpVHocRY
28Please respect copyright.PENANAjpjtilAejY
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANA9S5vpyoXdd
28Please respect copyright.PENANAxqZ2u59vPS
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.28Please respect copyright.PENANAwuBGJ57xtT
28Please respect copyright.PENANAoaEDqFeIs1
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."28Please respect copyright.PENANANZWB7Fh65M
28Please respect copyright.PENANAXMCbxsZMQN
"...Sure."28Please respect copyright.PENANAxOvcAnFutZ
28Please respect copyright.PENANA3ykXY86ySq
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?28Please respect copyright.PENANA1nl8ZNauMa
28Please respect copyright.PENANAt0GC1LBr3g
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."28Please respect copyright.PENANAodYOKOyRPW
28Please respect copyright.PENANAUpHeshNddx
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.28Please respect copyright.PENANAxGZxLoXFc6
28Please respect copyright.PENANAI83Ey63y14
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAzri3hhPF10
28Please respect copyright.PENANArIplieLQ33
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAAmG2Z8QkSa
28Please respect copyright.PENANAXc1SN7loue
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAe33koKzxHy
28Please respect copyright.PENANAttMxgUuJA5
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."28Please respect copyright.PENANAMsNGVVLmnY
28Please respect copyright.PENANAjeXTJOO4sY
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."28Please respect copyright.PENANApf9O3tDZkg
28Please respect copyright.PENANANjgqZ1iF4Y
"Wait, what!?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAh3sfmsxUnT
28Please respect copyright.PENANAkDKhx3kv58
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.28Please respect copyright.PENANAx5LPvHuPwL
28Please respect copyright.PENANAtqDG164Tcs
"Why not me?"28Please respect copyright.PENANArpPUQj3MBH
28Please respect copyright.PENANAnjBFtBVkWA
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."28Please respect copyright.PENANANWFf0Anjaw
28Please respect copyright.PENANAVygjvbnbqm
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAMiCBX2WdDB
28Please respect copyright.PENANA4n3U1JN9bo
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"28Please respect copyright.PENANA6d8dZqegy8
28Please respect copyright.PENANAchJFsj2Bui
No, you didn't.28Please respect copyright.PENANApI5829IFfz
28Please respect copyright.PENANAbh2A7gTCAW
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."28Please respect copyright.PENANAofQOV2Ot4S
28Please respect copyright.PENANAH1g5vcUuoP
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAzz7nECgpey
28Please respect copyright.PENANA9VzOAiSRdF
"Huh?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAJBhElux4DU
28Please respect copyright.PENANAh7RJ2Qyzua
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.28Please respect copyright.PENANAP0zcplu2l6
28Please respect copyright.PENANAOVOauiSezo
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAMff3QniVjE
28Please respect copyright.PENANAW8zs1nRpF0
"Mhm!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAGfFcORdYSO
28Please respect copyright.PENANA3hVNi50sVx
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.28Please respect copyright.PENANAbGtINvuvaU
28Please respect copyright.PENANAaCj6wyQ4wH
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."28Please respect copyright.PENANArfzr34cWoN
28Please respect copyright.PENANAX8XhsyOJ6u
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.28Please respect copyright.PENANAA4YWA5xA2D
28Please respect copyright.PENANA7M0vi5FUK7
"...Fine."28Please respect copyright.PENANAvUfgHSRqQg
28Please respect copyright.PENANAcTgCPkx8mb
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.28Please respect copyright.PENANA3AriOeVfzF
28Please respect copyright.PENANAManJgXQZGi
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."28Please respect copyright.PENANANUt4nGt4lN
28Please respect copyright.PENANAUMhBNbOWfr
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAsLjzPtXd8e
28Please respect copyright.PENANAAZnXYovR93
"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!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAGCaEN1v1k3
28Please respect copyright.PENANAZdXZcWz5Nu
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAw7QbU2ydiT
28Please respect copyright.PENANAZwU8dha5M9
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAWL6GoB0Fs2
28Please respect copyright.PENANApgvDlQcxsF
"Is there... something you need?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAkMUQqXWa3L
28Please respect copyright.PENANAbdsMRZzeWN
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANArRL3FCuSZp
28Please respect copyright.PENANA3N7jPUFPOj
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.28Please respect copyright.PENANA3KMO88R8Hs
28Please respect copyright.PENANAij2NpgYmwX
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAwc67JmB7mQ
28Please respect copyright.PENANAEkg1KZURk0
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAyg5apm3AcU
28Please respect copyright.PENANAOXQmaXea5e
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAfG8g5AvCAr
28Please respect copyright.PENANAqWBQhd71V1
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."28Please respect copyright.PENANA38NFiiD5SV
28Please respect copyright.PENANAb2e6BpqdAO
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.28Please respect copyright.PENANAMKKDeoNInl
28Please respect copyright.PENANAkpnjF3bSGz
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAT2oMfd2Hhj
28Please respect copyright.PENANAQtH4hWg0zc
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."28Please respect copyright.PENANAXYdEOFHBat
28Please respect copyright.PENANA5hdmT6fVaU
She giggled a little. Creepy.28Please respect copyright.PENANAlkvplfmWCw
28Please respect copyright.PENANAbAlYL2QBJ7
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."28Please respect copyright.PENANAj0UiuL0sn1
28Please respect copyright.PENANAWxD2zjam6s
"..."28Please respect copyright.PENANA9rcxlVMWK8
28Please respect copyright.PENANAhGCCCyoLhB
What?28Please respect copyright.PENANA3kj7RcUU0q
28Please respect copyright.PENANAQFZd45NXym
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAOE3CvvSDTN
28Please respect copyright.PENANAGu4RXTl3u3
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAV9XsAJyMnS
28Please respect copyright.PENANAFr5n906v4I
"O-Oh..."28Please respect copyright.PENANAkUJU2mTM92
28Please respect copyright.PENANAI2NoOPSYGr
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.28Please respect copyright.PENANAom5f7xnMaD
28Please respect copyright.PENANAhEpPrp6okJ
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."28Please respect copyright.PENANADpvRQCgGSb
28Please respect copyright.PENANA66ceFCBqx1
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."28Please respect copyright.PENANAkenV9y0IYd
28Please respect copyright.PENANAIxd7THubaR
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAYPK6RLcVWh
28Please respect copyright.PENANA7RexHROybI
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."28Please respect copyright.PENANAnFR5IIYinL
28Please respect copyright.PENANAPwvZx3CrJF
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.28Please respect copyright.PENANAbiqlJXFisR
28Please respect copyright.PENANAQkErBVyMns
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.28Please respect copyright.PENANA49bG394d4k
28Please respect copyright.PENANABSorX3AAal
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANADHUuIFkrZ0
28Please respect copyright.PENANAcj6o9RCcXn
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANA93KXBrcOqu
28Please respect copyright.PENANAo5DvLfeNcr
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.28Please respect copyright.PENANAH57AgrFO9S
28Please respect copyright.PENANAhAJsSaFbtV
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"28Please respect copyright.PENANA5grkH1kTZ0
28Please respect copyright.PENANAZw4cKRmVS6
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAfUaPBuOAB3
28Please respect copyright.PENANATREK1TLE1j
Front-page news!?28Please respect copyright.PENANAT5BG3SW40H
28Please respect copyright.PENANAsFg23IAvSl
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"28Please respect copyright.PENANArQ5qnjHnq5
28Please respect copyright.PENANA8Uy1cfHQDN
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."28Please respect copyright.PENANArbLDK6I8P7
28Please respect copyright.PENANAj0esaZQ5TB
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.28Please respect copyright.PENANAKOYcFXUqr0
28Please respect copyright.PENANAL7r5RWjlMW
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"28Please respect copyright.PENANA7YxvEsGJCW
28Please respect copyright.PENANAArkRklXija
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.28Please respect copyright.PENANASWZXCGlEpf
28Please respect copyright.PENANAiIQURcdIC0
"No, I don't."28Please respect copyright.PENANAXwxTkMut1g
28Please respect copyright.PENANAsjHIwFr3lx
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAeybxcbeuc9
28Please respect copyright.PENANAYkfBr1DVNE
"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!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAwg1NKB8kti
28Please respect copyright.PENANAYUlilaqffp
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."28Please respect copyright.PENANAaEsLZ5Qnlu
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgIBDSU5RA3
"Thank you."28Please respect copyright.PENANA84ATpTTOT8
28Please respect copyright.PENANAYOPD5qrp5G
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAXbgyzdTPr7
28Please respect copyright.PENANAH8BEP2ehLR
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.28Please respect copyright.PENANA7gf24RjPX9
28Please respect copyright.PENANA3Kh0UkZhQI
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."28Please respect copyright.PENANAflVW7d5E2Y
28Please respect copyright.PENANAlWP4VZo9WW
"Oh."28Please respect copyright.PENANAHSCUalSyZQ
28Please respect copyright.PENANAqPCUwhZc3T
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.28Please respect copyright.PENANAa7Q9sL31XZ
28Please respect copyright.PENANAACixQO0Ziy
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."28Please respect copyright.PENANAk9Fpb77Qv9
28Please respect copyright.PENANAtwtRSPJOQQ
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAtZAcqSUPR7
28Please respect copyright.PENANAkZeIvIOumT
Her face froze. I sighed.28Please respect copyright.PENANAIX3CEOfNqf
28Please respect copyright.PENANAP6u8WBDUWG
"I-I'll do it in the morning."28Please respect copyright.PENANAhayeFby43s
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgkzyx9Ls9m
"Good luck."28Please respect copyright.PENANAlVQ4OjVUKF
28Please respect copyright.PENANAhiU9oafG9K
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.28Please respect copyright.PENANA9e0N9eYCgI
28Please respect copyright.PENANA8zLTGKNqnd
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."28Please respect copyright.PENANAnkPvu8wriY
28Please respect copyright.PENANAUuMQFOF0M7
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."28Please respect copyright.PENANAFQLapzrT0w
28Please respect copyright.PENANAyrvomT3dNv
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."28Please respect copyright.PENANAySnNAbTXbx
28Please respect copyright.PENANAVNVyxMKSav
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAxlzt62yz1y
28Please respect copyright.PENANAOHoGdVSZW9
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."28Please respect copyright.PENANAZdHcFQZwwR
28Please respect copyright.PENANAlrei4hgVIY
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.28Please respect copyright.PENANAbB6vlcuLsi
28Please respect copyright.PENANAXFMJpLXvQB
"Going to what?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAK7qmfmxW64
28Please respect copyright.PENANAbzBMRRslfb
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.28Please respect copyright.PENANAfjPfFVtTMl
28Please respect copyright.PENANAxu74vVv6Rs
"Huh? Wash myself?"28Please respect copyright.PENANA3lTz7jr8c3
28Please respect copyright.PENANAsOqSM8Qrbg
"Yes. Like we did."28Please respect copyright.PENANAzuAQ6d7iMg
28Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZrPKlboph
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."28Please respect copyright.PENANAX2HDdzHfmW
28Please respect copyright.PENANA1rR8pcE2aj
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.28Please respect copyright.PENANAXl8wZKUlnt
28Please respect copyright.PENANA8Rj6KuAxMn
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAel5kj3nAqi
28Please respect copyright.PENANAHl1zoRqrOu
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAdwxFitRD2U
28Please respect copyright.PENANArUIXKJQnBy
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.28Please respect copyright.PENANAWSjoddKY5S
28Please respect copyright.PENANALkBO4iloy7
"Buffalo Village."28Please respect copyright.PENANAZTkv71iqwQ
28Please respect copyright.PENANADRvqSTA3my
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."28Please respect copyright.PENANAq1AM4DU6L4
28Please respect copyright.PENANARK2mzpuKHc
"Really? I didn't know that."28Please respect copyright.PENANAvVRcfClOHW
28Please respect copyright.PENANA660J3H6FHl
Kim looked like she was smiling.28Please respect copyright.PENANAXfayitlzzr
28Please respect copyright.PENANA380eKzSYGR
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."28Please respect copyright.PENANAsrOG5SDYqn
28Please respect copyright.PENANA1n82uF8a0d
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.28Please respect copyright.PENANAmzDMP8G7vk
28Please respect copyright.PENANAJPZJ2anSs6
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAg2IWQ1izK6
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgGmIzpQ4fW
"Fine, fine."28Please respect copyright.PENANA2P9hWOczix
28Please respect copyright.PENANA9BLfo05WQf
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
28Please respect copyright.PENANASj0k6QCq4w
"..."28Please respect copyright.PENANAeP34xbVI1V
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgYw19DXDQ7
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.28Please respect copyright.PENANA7ofmUww7Mu
28Please respect copyright.PENANAWfRku342hR
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."28Please respect copyright.PENANAw0H0Fwg4zV
28Please respect copyright.PENANASQCkyVlglG
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.28Please respect copyright.PENANAFXPgUkRmce
28Please respect copyright.PENANAd0CfqqlXKo
–
–
–
"...Mmm."28Please respect copyright.PENANA2RULLLWRU3
28Please respect copyright.PENANAdj55XKIWqI
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANATGWrKPNFfC
28Please respect copyright.PENANAIhr3cv99kV
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAG3PQd8hIvG
28Please respect copyright.PENANAkXQ4voMtJc
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAU0GMawZ8aw
28Please respect copyright.PENANAIlJYT4knyN
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA26oTaNMxlI
28Please respect copyright.PENANA2SKeFbPxFH
"Wow, you're hard at work."28Please respect copyright.PENANAucRpf2OKUI
28Please respect copyright.PENANAs96aZYTbKv
"Ah!"28Please respect copyright.PENANA8rAqq0AXhY
28Please respect copyright.PENANAdDFSYVsUfh
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.28Please respect copyright.PENANAcFTSfUOnRY
28Please respect copyright.PENANADgjarxoZ5g
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAv9TIfaxNwd
28Please respect copyright.PENANAxKDS4vc2ND
"I don't think so... what time is it?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAV5lLghPQTx
28Please respect copyright.PENANAHPqdOiZEmr
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."28Please respect copyright.PENANA1ht7Xe5wpM
28Please respect copyright.PENANAWmQIj5P67D
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANALJTimiGGx5
28Please respect copyright.PENANAazFJfCmnU3
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAz2kvK10s4P
28Please respect copyright.PENANAPwF5oQTvGP
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANADL6fVI4a0x
28Please respect copyright.PENANAvLpPGnqtQL
I did regret sitting beside her, though.28Please respect copyright.PENANAGroE8zm8vH
28Please respect copyright.PENANAvofZgxfa9J
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."28Please respect copyright.PENANATBOfABIldI
28Please respect copyright.PENANAJXL5RuOd3T
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANA0do6zCU9ww
28Please respect copyright.PENANAj9S6sHn9Sb
Flinty looked at me with excitement.28Please respect copyright.PENANA7kLn7sP4YK
28Please respect copyright.PENANAp488FMlAgr
"A goal?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAVTQf87PeHz
28Please respect copyright.PENANAZqVWuJg3h6
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAq7K4MePeBl
28Please respect copyright.PENANAry0lFL9O6p
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.28Please respect copyright.PENANAaeIgSyOYns
28Please respect copyright.PENANAdXNrbnJDTx
"Okay, I'll do my best!"28Please respect copyright.PENANANqSH9O2e5u
28Please respect copyright.PENANAMt0rfYmUrN
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAeUx2iz1XK5
28Please respect copyright.PENANAWlaIorDYvq
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAxrOr4DZqP6
28Please respect copyright.PENANAKI341KYakd
"Good morning, Linda!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAAayYUCaRLO
28Please respect copyright.PENANAXCwGHgpaMg
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."28Please respect copyright.PENANAX1yezfhLQM
28Please respect copyright.PENANAzY0O7OYs2c
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAfl4UlsUELS
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.28Please respect copyright.PENANAPxZLqrsp7C
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."28Please respect copyright.PENANA5LOkucMCVp
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Friday? Today is Friday?28Please respect copyright.PENANAq2KEg2C8SP
28Please respect copyright.PENANACIkEFR4ONT
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAw6e1EbxHSj
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"28Please respect copyright.PENANA91OdIt0NIc
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She looked at me curiously before answering.28Please respect copyright.PENANAyUpLyCPglU
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"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."28Please respect copyright.PENANA7IaaqlENgI
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.28Please respect copyright.PENANAcZfBUDvn8k
28Please respect copyright.PENANAlWMXDSYlDw
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA1mVDzXA3Di
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"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."28Please respect copyright.PENANALpyewaLxAw
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"To whom? Those at your home village?"28Please respect copyright.PENANA0bCu8K5P9g
28Please respect copyright.PENANAMdzOBMYKbQ
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAtGs3UDgkrT
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She lightly smiled.28Please respect copyright.PENANARHWqmpbfHP
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"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."28Please respect copyright.PENANA9PSx2NtsOn
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"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAO4lSYACvkh
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She shook her head from side to side.28Please respect copyright.PENANA5NoygTB3Nm
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANA6hYAMTdNis
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"So you decided on living here?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAPJtzWtTU4M
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She nodded.28Please respect copyright.PENANAheTRtNFxE9
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAyuEEjC8Pt6
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAsCnOFzuoia
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."28Please respect copyright.PENANAiGitPBHbuY
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"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."28Please respect copyright.PENANAb8fPG2f5G4
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"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAoO8BNIrTEr
28Please respect copyright.PENANAgIi0V0qgXX
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAa289PWSm4S
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As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.28Please respect copyright.PENANAaPwBIsTylp
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"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAYnXL73R93v
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANANxBFLooNRR
28Please respect copyright.PENANA9r1KgXZHY1
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAyamea0zS0V
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"Hey, Victoria?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAvshf3rA56n
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"Yes?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAAx8RMRLWIA
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAWfpUZh1eTd
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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!"28Please respect copyright.PENANAbOyM1br2cZ
28Please respect copyright.PENANA2Zj2nkj214
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ur66blvCN
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"Kim, are you good?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAACNADQEDnj
28Please respect copyright.PENANAYfEsOS7tXd
Kim just finished packing her bag.28Please respect copyright.PENANAdalPoX7mVp
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"Yes. Let's get going."28Please respect copyright.PENANA8PKtC60ETr
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"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."28Please respect copyright.PENANAFm5VVU6ntM
28Please respect copyright.PENANAHjDW7OtLfQ
–
–
–
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAj2cFMLnLcx
28Please respect copyright.PENANAM2RzsCtjZP
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAbSTCnfltuG
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...She did do that, right?28Please respect copyright.PENANAmkEQF6S0Ji
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANApJQH2i3aok
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA4FbaigbLXU
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?28Please respect copyright.PENANA4sntcH75i0
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAqc9YbQb5Vi
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"Hmm?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAGWcIHASjx9
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.28Please respect copyright.PENANALprlnj61lx
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"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."28Please respect copyright.PENANA3gUBZ3wF3M
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAaDGXPawvmx
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.28Please respect copyright.PENANAQu1VDUGAQ0
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAp0dKFIdXqB
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The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.28Please respect copyright.PENANAzZOA5VKcnv
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."28Please respect copyright.PENANApHsO5pU0s8
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"R-Right."28Please respect copyright.PENANA693PePAWHL
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAlTU5g22jYN
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"Any objections?"28Please respect copyright.PENANADliVosTgIm
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None of us voiced any.28Please respect copyright.PENANA9yzyHNLGDg
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAnzEG6j0Zcp
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"Of course."28Please respect copyright.PENANAJuLXoDDY6s
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAveKmvpU8Up
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAdEchEhSsQq
28Please respect copyright.PENANAvXLlg88v0B
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA2HTOFNaGOQ
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAASXpOk8nZs
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA2zAFTUEluk
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It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.28Please respect copyright.PENANArfRJZ4Gx9Z
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAOlMAb4VKu4
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"Hold on, stop here."28Please respect copyright.PENANAHZhphy1Ume
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAuftExLIy0U
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.28Please respect copyright.PENANA2I7axlJVUb
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAu99B9rwSdJ
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAeewTWn7Bf2
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAsiIxoQYfWX
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAuykUYeVIgp
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.28Please respect copyright.PENANAIsoxDwkeI3
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."28Please respect copyright.PENANAwLpTraEQCH
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANA5HnuMc38XT
28Please respect copyright.PENANADYf1H0tfx7
"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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAtdWJe7mc1Q
28Please respect copyright.PENANAnKty6XJhJh
"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?"28Please respect copyright.PENANA49wvhr4rfu
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAXJrLV5BNs2
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAOjPR652cYz
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAWdGOrfsWcr
28Please respect copyright.PENANA6rvh2K668u
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"28Please respect copyright.PENANANnoiPtKTql
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."28Please respect copyright.PENANA1SHnoP9b0Y
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANADtoZ4ehlJQ
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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?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAgx8rFTJmQR
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"Heh, well..."28Please respect copyright.PENANAJCRJL0uOay
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAM7AvJJBmGP
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"What's the hold-up?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAyQHU0Xr7Hd
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."28Please respect copyright.PENANAm7K6WdS6D5
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.28Please respect copyright.PENANAVrAXo97XMU
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAXKFPhwZSno
28Please respect copyright.PENANADkdMek3WeQ
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAjGs2W3sYYS
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"So, what about you?"28Please respect copyright.PENANAR7e759iT6B
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."28Please respect copyright.PENANAIp7wrxISXY
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAV1ABhnGi10
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAHXDNPMbGLQ
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."28Please respect copyright.PENANAQghfYand6P
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAGDryCTZka3
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"I can see now why– oop."28Please respect copyright.PENANAJlr1oHMN6m
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAFgLamTi1gq
28Please respect copyright.PENANAn5OxvRpBKV
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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAgVRmmNDZJo
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All of a sudden, a voice.28Please respect copyright.PENANA1hjADSf6hr
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"Something... I feel like something was here."28Please respect copyright.PENANANeCGKD3mzh
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAcwIlQ2hCzZ
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAydbYmbf42q
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."28Please respect copyright.PENANAdolxmqtMbC
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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.28Please respect copyright.PENANAOyjKvw9NQk
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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."28Please respect copyright.PENANAJGdozPHnmj
28Please respect copyright.PENANAax7zL0Qwfq
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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