The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wgIY12ltI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPscIGcdjFc
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p4noOexil
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OD7c9eY3g
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOawE8wG9R6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkmF2i7VoP
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRngmlxSUAw
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7ujRj2ylz
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60q0VadvZf
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL1PQ40Z0V
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJMDHbx3ZB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGDCkQLBaM
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogSB9qtpPk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRV8BDLT1q
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEwXmLTtFd
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GHhRk8VFn
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNQe6kGici
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHHuy1m9Yj
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqac0r9Pox
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzxig0cY0p
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqYgKz5uNn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwX38kjzLt
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tbt7os3Vy
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs47o9pwD9e
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfubCEaCwL7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXaZmFG97M
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDiaEH3zhI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtLDzje1w5
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldQVS4HG60
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAHxr6I2Yt
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ2H2EgNfX
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtikRuTPbfW
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL77s3RxJty
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM176sj51dD
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWSBOnhvLd
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIfnFRzGKU
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetoddNaaMj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0CA0KRjgE
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs7QtXdeqz
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2lss586XD
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD94NRzsI2V
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bKcabg0wZ
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWONJgExhMl
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLQnFAbulN
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK9XtgJniq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA3exVOztH
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2847iXl4Co
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkDzvYKg2H
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0CfJfSPbj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8G1yhpOqo
"What's the matter?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEnmehBsGg
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2jz5CrvpR
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBQbz2f6E1
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5ceIWX91J
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzpdHGH4GJ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFaHSudAPK
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTegWGdwIP
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRaW8NbGCl
"Of course."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH43btwjo7W
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ONW9rxU1m
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8brAZaCrk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRkBdeqQuC
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIKOt9J8BH
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBffop7wJb
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLMEswVe1Z
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡValZ2rxnBe
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8HUQ1Y5a5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LeBHcsN3D
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG0z3mMk0N
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqInNWeuPw
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimvaLZwFfr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD2j2BVy5y
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP2K4wanm8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdLKczmxC8
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu9sYp1QVu
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7rx5dhP84
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u1QZdregq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9YA6CJi87
"...Probably?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLge3TFMTdu
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb4hnWNEzg
"Sorry, definitely."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ftediiltn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWv10Ti1yD
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSbv9D5bdo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6EAZRLSOc
"Food's ready!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Hfl4G539
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX6ibnMpE9
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROh1cfpfEx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzdehnRM9c
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdDADhRkLi
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYyRCcyj1A
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi9AwtDKJB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfQ6FyQt94
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl0ukgYgDt
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb5Psq1spe
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Eg2Z3Y7kM
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh9GFy3EKF
"Are you asking me?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aVOweCoi7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukpo5z729V
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUc0SgJEvq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WTBikxqgk
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HQzgBrlEQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWqkaXTb9z
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkEeeswlIL
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVyCwpdQdc
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f4JrsYAft
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfoKc5uIjL
It felt heavenly.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabyUj6QGCz
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Q38lPrXZ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGzIRknFbZ
"What are you reading?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4maRaNkpA2
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cb2ppBK5V
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHQupw81to
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkr5SD2LeB
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B1lFaQ4QO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa7NhsAjNM
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWnkHkAQ8J
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAfgJTgOjU
"...It's a book about magic."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2b61n3Ym6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNUoDTE6PG
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa8ufsA0nS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZoobttFpf
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G4gQl1EbY
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zcjgStCYo
"Y-Yeah, of course."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mWI4UKhrB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO7wiza0il
She didn't sound very excited.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGJCZsCWoi
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmbd4YmkS6
"Do you want to practice right now?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSTbFKvJyv
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJGIR2KsVC
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFE8P19nnn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOREEXWnkqG
"If you say so."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CiarRCQMZ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMLzU3MpL9
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjvHlnJSol
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafXoAxVI8l
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9BFrBHGu7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0fHngFd0g
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBojQHZx9tj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JRY8JZGg0
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTKT4UhMiQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtKlAi1fM2
"...Did he decline?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNIxOImH5V
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfqdD2yoY
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZeZAHKokI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgDs95IYm0
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSyMXQGB94
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbL7LXxn1W
She paused and stared at the sheets.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TkUjamPBg
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq2wLn5VvG
"Today was the first time I made a spell."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1BcK4N36b
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG63mURpYaP
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVINb8lFpj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJxvZeBI6n
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTjMJIjGPt
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ582gWKtVNH
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg3dIyMtCL
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wg8uxtpvd
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTtrcCkUWZ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkZIhoA1sK
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuAoR2GqG3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsji7DqZMGC
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKblaOZLbBa
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTn47kun7v
We sat in silence for a few minutes.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dtp9jasla
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazgOG6cXdS
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G2DLPKZD6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhszPpboAA
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWj6yIWl95
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSmRckeKOs
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvQZ8J5mTG
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXEym88xhE
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AZVHMbVlk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6NIfPAngv
She shook her head no.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS7QxTE59G
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrQnJ0z21z
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVe40lHyIS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmePiACUIV
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxKO59IjgB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXxomaJ4qL
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sIK1VDBbK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYcqr1n9Hx
I felt like I made a mistake just now.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRLExkF2IB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUgdwCIKln
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATgh4SEiUx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvL9Xvqhek
"What is it?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgEFUn4KwH
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOkecZhKyB
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gyoham9uV
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgX603g9bn
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW73F8TOkC2
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqJsreeDSt
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyUzYheJ7k
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN4ckvoVYZ
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcRLWqD8Dh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v1N6BZpew
"I know I can do that! But, well..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhebBIDish
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5uIscZ7oe
She had her fingertips conjoined.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9kACuIeBI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthY5GxSyUp
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNBJKA5ElR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1XGtDapwG
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCyfP8pfrW
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyh40hb2tC
"Alright, I'll show you."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGPYXddlrm
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSOMBhliBD
"Yay!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqXF3KELyC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOmKmRQyht
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcwZgeRa2P
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuZmdIxaod
"I think it's best if we do this outside."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wnKa4WX4R
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuRAmVyRiX
"Okay, then let's go!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv9VD8HCPu
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3Yb3HGZeu
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR1UeCcr7W
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETrIGnBVCn
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AbZ8TgApT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuxxEqevNc
"Earth?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzItfCYPyj4
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv5ilPnWZr
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbvZiya8pe
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6NO1Mhxl4
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXwfAIjkr3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu4Pld9hRi
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKa8QKqB70
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5abLv2C3V
"It's really not that impressive."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE53Pd5MCfx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaKZeByRM4
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn9R91J7tq
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0YyTsfNUH
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfOCs5eyBD
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq1T7yxkGC
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsAAmonSqF
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nZ156dPLp
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhcw0Zhfqh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb3BbgmUSc
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfEZiUEsnM
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCYKnGTjDJ
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G0h3kEZMd
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NnIpvoXvy
"How'd you do that!?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUY0GKGRRw
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAv6KBm8sD
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhlZnpnwph
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2H8QtDVoJ
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzrG7a1mwO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUrEXtWj21
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgiZ3uI4C8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ycAQgQF2V
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc06UBjY2Wj
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eeU8ha3Yu
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UgygkymQx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHafhbNGU1
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfW2Sy75Sx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMZSpar277
"What's wrong, Flinty?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwBPzRjLJ7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiQTRCTcJh
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7dUJ4qbtK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFNky5JUyN
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYDdBtAbWV
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2UsUmZY7X
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dODr9vB3m
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW2TmeAnLt
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeUNkkdtCQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zBrzuWVKb
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bMq5OnKE6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MT0c2V4eS
Oh.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh00fl857w0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxhJjl3w2J
Oh.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM9wp4dGI1
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJfs6gcCGc
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPaiDIlYBo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYQE04OgQS
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9lFi9x3EO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q9mgUnTf8
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Ut6vLXKs
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIxZ5bJRNi
As for me?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUdsJ6wUcT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwQivgq6Jh
Well...75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDNVitmyhK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACua4gzYuw
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsvBrOslSn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1zolNRhYj
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOqnZXFpty
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJz1aaFqtY
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx0YEe5NrJ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ6Re6rCdG
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0GpP8KX2T
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazHhEmvRau
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSs7A8hHGJ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24JqAJZwwY
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm1tLXV0ag
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlmBQYtm0A
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5qPMNT3NN
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxisFi2lRH
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOjF89w3eF
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3yrdltxqU
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCiXHVJY0L
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHrq0saV3Q
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RG6agEZck
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqPuA6sVKh
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLYRxqX3MK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRnSL92OUY
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3DoZNuE4c
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXnNEGVUoK
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L7ToOOC0r
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAOSKNyOJE
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJKeEQ4LuE
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UEpbFHhDq
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa9Qo5DwpS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGX4RXr2Ey
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56yyUV5cNx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL4Uap3Xsc
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH8mnF76zl
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdYQsNmdbd
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9EOKf2LJR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtvoSCXJUC
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBzi2LvF7A
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUouGaa8Ifw
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjODsWtvu2
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg26bAUUAP
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsiH00WplT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE3l70n631
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJrNL4dFZ2
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC0O2alaKt
"Of course. What is it?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWylxjxqpGd
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB0o1jPfSV
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d2kMXtRD0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpuqlLjQ40
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS7NPssiRp
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH8elxD27h
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMumq4R9On
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvHG0vIUoN
When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqZqHDBUjb
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv18QAlC6X
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNS6SSOSUX
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPilDqtpelH
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX6sX90fmu
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYyLyuVrgd
We all looked at her.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Hyy8RFPe
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUPCvTR3Wd
"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j7vWaOV69
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTRmvx3jXv
"Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx7lyd3ev3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLelbB1oh1I
"Yes?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ6gaAKLvV
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkPH7eMhRt
"I'm sorry I freaked out."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyrHrRIHOt
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGLSgMI86f
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzaeKANKtV
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CoFyC4C1D
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VXNMwpuME
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVPYsm4F1C
"Okay. Kenny?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnPfo6cniD
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUMECG3CTa
"Yes?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbo1mcwHBS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz2O76vVL0
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirwYkqQSYF
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3EQcKkEaR
"Huh?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qj2YvDOTa
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6NKcptzD1
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPWZiJq1e2
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOSMx8EkwR
"Why do you want to go?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuW4sTN5B0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEyD9lTXe8
"I... think I need to."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToguaPbHLm
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHrubHWRUU
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyeDoSlMIl
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcHyBkdjfv
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA9EEvm7bU
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBBqbc09nY
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKbd0ytL9D
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7oKOVZYle
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WQLTShNme
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9lpxuHGmP
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbrQu3sZzG
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Jez0LTNvc
My heart sank.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMgPkTijv0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMgepzPlH8
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
