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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRZ5WcvK2g
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bOVWZ7lMc
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPcwZSPUFE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMJf2o1sFV
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOutfn9sOP
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzeh7zd426
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNwym12FQj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw0e7IR6Cm
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePEL5AVdze
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ5EpuAosf
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY12Enb2dKC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOejgbXmZj5
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlaCQtNEoz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLVsj3rq5I
"...Sure."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNfCjhC1Ar
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGZtcSuzLI
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?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopfnPojUxe
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeikVxoSdt
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NRNAc9fDM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNNCJMaIGv
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSeNUYw2Kw
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7waQ6xPrZh
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUzh5EUnTw
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jqb7ds0E2
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqOCS73HKz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHqlb5IJKc
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvr3E37iFQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiU7qK4I4Z
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkctWvvaujM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtRIk99iKV
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFzfNtt7ub
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei6oQJH8Ky
"Wait, what!?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaOQ6pSsN0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf8EWzd14u
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QKGHdlCp6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl3sy50tEz
"Why not me?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3MOB5XksK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArUr019ir5
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoykRTHIOq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCTy0XQ1oZ
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStEvauLbUb
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRuKvRsBxr
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIqVSWyuwv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG24VhtYeZ8
No, you didn't.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VKUt4vfj1
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5obDxYAuU
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb4cdgvdpC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ILZRgpSx
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvpiTA4YoQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkQVV7CbHg
"Huh?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JzdpzHi5s
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3XucHVVGs
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmedZDqoqHr
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiezHSLp2Tv
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv2IKo9jAg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8HY7xSDv9
"Mhm!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgMgYBQHJd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTKcVXXsh9
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqepgi0BHGt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg7sHQVAiN
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKRt9yTWwm
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnwkwsxrTM
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPEVcgOIDL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80z6L3SzQo
"...Fine."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkH4Vs8Ves
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mJpflq4am
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgbvoF8Cdp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtfbbQpBcg
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo3kuC0o8E
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHK9SVJrfc
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw3hDxbkrC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5VKvKunUC
"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!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkyiyv5J5U
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4baYjtDVf
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr0JkikcNS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY7Vsn5lMh
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWegAtRGPd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAVG5fTYUj
"Is there... something you need?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLSntGCBPi
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnRNAg4CuY
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKC20yVv2o
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2x4sh7p8m
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyQYIlJcpM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tMAQdAcfu
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qcvmhOzTj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZHipnxJtG
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Uc6DTk2C
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP54hssral
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBZevS2xc6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm1aPdFeJA
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe04eova2RD
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlSf4lx6GV
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH49Ik3GSa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTmclq1dJp
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuGvAZCi85
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mKyUtEIRE
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJJr2hx48z
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIFZ2o3Ebb
She giggled a little. Creepy.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrwHjbdqEq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaysRWyrcKh
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXQLgUgZsm
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLr5WQJyJb
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ57ZTGBZB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVEj1CZ2eR
What?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX6yjlzgfH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9yXiYaiVE
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrplWkVD7Pp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L3oRNOZ6o
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGZy7bcCVg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n6hLoY7Hm
"O-Oh..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfAlMAJVBX
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGFxpK8tM5
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAL4dSWOXY
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp8ZdPU3OF
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjkoNmrWb4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzU1NWn84U
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRrV2nYqsy
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bUO7jbrtm
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbUtbnr7o5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGH5019sUy
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMPbRbY1bU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsbRIfGa6S
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ7h3tnrDt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4qBhRu3Oo
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyMIvDKUNS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvjdtU6o4k
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxDU1uUsgl
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv65kWHu5uT
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTVURVk7WF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi70pt6EzOX
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAjMxsbI76
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNupp17MqCw
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve7TQ9rkYx
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwck8nN78Cr
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VidAd4v6w
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaadxSll2lp
Front-page news!?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQcbXXfRsQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGZv4B9RQy
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkahuuf5I5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFsCCcggtS
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5UKR3kf5W
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR5kKIBOQh
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zXoydu9aQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRu4tv5CoA
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpddNNMpRl
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9cJ0qGon0
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxnaKrEmBC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz3SwKvlu3
"No, I don't."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJFZ4Xc4Bj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZY7bnr8ji
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspCQOKbsgX
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYeqaLZXM4
"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!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceUav8gUJv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNIsJvAoCG
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJmQ58paNz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqnmO7BzPm
"Thank you."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAHXO0ftXu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf8pATt6Rl
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjed6ENbjx
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqWxLTbClG
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMJsQntJST
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFq5dLrIUA
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq0NwPKWTh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQRxCBFClC
"Oh."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME6vN7vP42
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbgiMBP4lm
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpieiYjuDvU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzCtpgJNjw
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykrJmSiRYb
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0HbcV4PKx
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeRGNG7kvJ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5V39hOX3z
Her face froze. I sighed.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ5UrKyAhv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSqHjIzJ4Z
"I-I'll do it in the morning."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH9RKMx03B
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYz0a1BPZw
"Good luck."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xVBILbxMw
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdmml6jTx4
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4k8BpUf08
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2gbyqbCRv
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRGq3wxK30
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMulfIiyc7l
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEQbfDyHD5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FKdOOVBF5
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2LuGM1wzS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpsxbHVT72
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcHoRYcrh5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxag8VaI6RV
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vuRn5vp2U
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QOFASFj7j
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvmjWnROGB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqqJ2gft2W
"Going to what?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMtOmn3tL7
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREBpUX0Z3N
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkagAgthVp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBcCOYRCg0
"Huh? Wash myself?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaHYrA17jq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVV82LG8Qz
"Yes. Like we did."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAAAal6z75
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h7GNbZDOH
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb7QmyL7R6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTPSankeLD
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY0BY9QzAc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE1AlDWdjE
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SKrAM0BzU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Mt3vbfpE
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxplTOXEQyp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93K82Kkefg
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVj0iiRsNh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN89pxmTbyL
"Buffalo Village."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXVrkFEkdk
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBIj0c3omT
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YmDPlw9WN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5sTTpVnhV
"Really? I didn't know that."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZYlU5opyG
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni7BVZhaUg
Kim looked like she was smiling.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiyZnhgs6D
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYZHdr75XP
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGaMVgDqIk
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeVLs1E5rx
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGguyUdDFb
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYqYRwNYQE
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCJ91zZN9x
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShxf3oZOzO
"Fine, fine."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdETqCC4jS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IloY9JuR0
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXCGAQ4xs2
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgz8BaDgaG
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhIULiYnsf
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHfxn7JkMU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lu6jgXy7G
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoYP3TB0JA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCrvhXc3ui
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNEezngKCZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ePfcbVE7r
–
–
–
"...Mmm."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmkrzDA3bt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9XTkx6wtT
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz5G8tBI56
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBamuJIZ1O
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttMR0Vfbza
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3z30fGTlC
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN3XX11NRb
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivJVYQDHVh
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWCO2tGFVo
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEN6Ve14S3
"Wow, you're hard at work."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPjCYbXa8Y
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKSpaivKbe
"Ah!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnogZGkO9C
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPBmGkkrVR
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxRFS0BE8A
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8QAMFtmh6
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKvjN0yqNS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nX46Af80m
"I don't think so... what time is it?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCED4AUwRN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKmVYLGBBD
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYxEgmCc2B
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dkfp5oeJb
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2TZWID3IX
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nCjpXS3jI
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k8MBnIGlK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQfBJ3YdCT
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMa0sxqWNg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVdisgk8Yx
I did regret sitting beside her, though.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39yWMRBAia
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07tu337wjk
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmK9VI2LC5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtESOUGZoC
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UAOWPpJQ2
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl0kbZMVCe
Flinty looked at me with excitement.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyjUWLfll
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWyFGfFU5I
"A goal?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ThVlcab94
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVgy01ztfY
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwayhPo4hF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AlGXHDxmP
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLSeA4c1n3
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LpUpqGgM4
"Okay, I'll do my best!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrcAY0BtuQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1lHjzXauN
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77XOKvxVUs
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLac8n2y59
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDu9Dwy4hL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGoWLpIM9e
"Good morning, Linda!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65AjD4sSrq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmwKEICoRp
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwmDqJPBwz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q7IKlytcF
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQC0GTfK01
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK7GxLlyJ2
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcj2x3IMAZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SVGHiCQnS
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhdmZRyEVe
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZlgzsVrGv
Friday? Today is Friday?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4H9zHgnKr
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5lj7UkCvj
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWYBLlw0Fz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd1HZjG5dy
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf1W0JdAC3
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKJbAvQyv7
She looked at me curiously before answering.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHe21eCf80
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak023D1D1d
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k9fqd1mZZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbEB1S8ESM
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvfVAVKfd0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8buwY7i4N
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ41FbXqwSh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZANqEdcpWP
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWIsM2CSlW
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHUG33HzeE
"To whom? Those at your home village?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz7HFLUARz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnf8FVbSNs
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagWLAg5RIz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLZFicDhBt
She lightly smiled.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrNHXmtk5H
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmIDeqe5wb
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWS162cojZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkKNkznUVT
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUUMsV08Tk
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4peS9MHFSP
She shook her head from side to side.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pA9l8gg3t
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvKqZeFije
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsthpdeVOr
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3nMJYKZfJ
"So you decided on living here?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3gpORhBRh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8RCThJq4q
She nodded.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCNlukhwVq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokP5ZTMZZA
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP2nA4fElj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMhvO5EVDr
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBLoAylDjo
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17pO68rtxx
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRExwpQOPs
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsylSf7q7sx
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6i26Xsnce
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURBEXuS5Mm
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW0jFGU0Px
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvLrlO9DSk
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPWNdEcAJZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgsLzTivWi
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZMUN2Royf
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pV5942wUz
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLDiiWHsS4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbpfv2aFRn
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQGgTpoEKQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2frxqISWb
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YlyV7kgq8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfm14JiRIi
"Hey, Victoria?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaV0u5AaqB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf99IZn0yh
"Yes?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx2wdSaFBB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0w26LbVVH
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5GPk4lJon
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFjHvBqGXS
"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!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RmH0Qfptn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ms0g11l2B
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqozUQmRIIz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WJByk75qd
"Kim, are you good?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2i7jmPsg4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiVvHnVAcN
Kim just finished packing her bag.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjqO8MOIuV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNEfKiVjnT
"Yes. Let's get going."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm8uSSmx5R
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNodZyRsfq
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIZlwDPtCY
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH85zc4p96n
–
–
–
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPekl4gm4dY
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBft82nLoIM
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq4Ow9Lehn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQbO8chVS2
...She did do that, right?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75mTSiNgK7
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrThvAqyHLl
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ9vlz0Kpu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXas4QPCLxx
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5G6VTwxvn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdV4BmIIK3
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKHEQ3xEPG
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieeoy4wvs2
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oPqRiDpGj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUn8w5ChSN
"Hmm?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm1V1yFMCx
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU4vVlOIvT
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznwDKnUV1z
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigobheXxDk
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbmK1gtlzv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRGt8I5qbT
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qSYRub54e
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYK2Ju5XN1
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd8g6iX6WS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ifStmCLbV
"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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj3VkHKGTa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDch236DCL
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTRVCDeimp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32hZjlpiiA
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuGvVdNcxL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwibZ6NEjSA
"R-Right."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKe7PEhion
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUUyeDQAXn
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaINsa6oTu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhlaFs21ij
"Any objections?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCafUCfVvm
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFnXJed3Rh
None of us voiced any.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yYTuuVhwg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqhWjrqwXK
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWj36XAXAF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFENJVgpzb
"Of course."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQgE30Drda
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vkEurcinH
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P6bCwujsu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZKF4oVccy
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwViacLaWIJ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo8ot89tp2
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC4rcLfm8e
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlE7QPknyq
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHhFtig4xv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE2r8kutTo
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZKkQs4BnL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn8DYy0igd
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcOBHmJjPs
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pBBp6IOqm
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRKvv3wjml
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyYFxFmI5U
"Hold on, stop here."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKl8NiaPOa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbriuraaBbA
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAH89tOCDL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrJxW17Irv
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZxR4jDRR1
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsKX6r2ZER
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kv8zkXPYU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtDOgGdQL4
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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazvIZPsh7v
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfveZAqcBUf
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7qTC9U79b
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZUis5qT5z
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA1tey3CC2
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkfv4oVNQG
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4WkAmZAla
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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?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qMm9nnHOa
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXSy4H8L6I
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLC8rBRCZw
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMvFeasj0A
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1CsMoX8a1
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpGAn9XwVl
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsDW6tIMC1
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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?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sOkAwORnM
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"Heh, well..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH00mo5tAU5
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1xUDrPEUG
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"What's the hold-up?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlXyOV0ene
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqVn8UlubD
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCKLyEBWj7
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiHcNMfK2R
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BmNHKkmaz
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"So, what about you?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG1MhK8YjE
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SuAQTTB4X
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMIJRDyb8K
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2CBraoRFN
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKmyX3tETe
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClF5m65t6c
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"I can see now why– oop."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihQlRXUl0N
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENnZgK3qzP
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hmOnEc8xz
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All of a sudden, a voice.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M3EQdYSXg
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"Something... I feel like something was here."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsooSxclYo
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacNVflJ8vq
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMR972NNDt
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2P39YuDA0
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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.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eHpH9RFHJ
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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."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozVk3PQbes
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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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