The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkL8SuNDCe
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWFxhu9sVQ
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2kawkjOaI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuknMx96EF
Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRunr5glAUJ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnflaJfD1aF
"Dad!?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oh86bhfH3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyjj9Vd1EF
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Ew9fsYHE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s5ZNL0oEl
"Flinty! There you are!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru7Z4Hpgb3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq4dpvuNXV
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre0ga8YA3J
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1md7JPUwk
"And you must be Kenny?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHgEmf0Jpe
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Zv3pX2zh
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpfYnShQaE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwArcvtvHz
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX48ItDWX2T
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivY6ug97Do
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmalAYPsPi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kj5fooDUL
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhFq650qgl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcGU4JONuP
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSSPC6tJj1
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFcV4Pfi5i
Dear Mister Chambers.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTMuUdb2xl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqsmOC1YGV
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sXPdXIE4T
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICM4IEwJy7
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdMVbl1LzT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgeWEilm1l
"...I don't remember promising anything."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWRxubnVTs
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaOWrPjARk
That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0BxF5sFKd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGYuBf1J8o
"I'll make sure to thank him later."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l2aqTa5XU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB3SQBhxWD
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPglqA5q0h
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SR8pVvycl
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur634H1C6N
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqId1aXn6lU
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sLD45DXP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyy3IasOJW
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZhuMzuaAq
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zOlqNymGQ
It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPeVJUXi5F
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWOgc8rK54
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxLi9vzrHP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ89AzdbIw
"Kenny!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFtF1GDXMl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv9fy5I5ng
"Ah, Flinty, hello."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTlMKa8ckV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9nMWvP4EK
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZlpJZJJB7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfazjOWyzw
"Is that the plant you asked for?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOy8A9YWUs
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzrHKmJxQe
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2PZYhxE8n
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TjtPzutlL
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg4WUiIAwG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE2bGipzOa
"Hello, you two."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcosMRkfkF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyxurpRhgD
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66PUBDkgRG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZySUhrAJjH
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X1b7HLDGF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlEEtyUCxZ
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF4TdRsKPN
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG66PdYBqP
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGucHuYs4D
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFPwyjZ8f8
"Please don't drop it or something."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mB163MWdf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96hX5vNZTj
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWJ8fvzVac
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwJMpSnmmD
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcdQX7cG04
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJshzOmlFHG
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBppwRqRiBn
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yinXhEOF2
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGqg7St5ry
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr41bnDAXCq
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYZ7jPgbOk
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARraBZB9oN
"And you asked for... a flower?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCR3bfZT5v
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHji6QdchM
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72ZrPVJVWO
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMVFkdT6YW
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHAnSAczcC
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw5ZmI6tbB
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjcns98n48
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf55SNBbdZ7
"Arg! You...!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEmYVBFffr
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5QUFfJMqy
Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7YP1HJFbD
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeoiWeIlsp
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWd1EjqLrM
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPzBPldGlK
"Whatever."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUWJKUHgMv
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We sat in silence for a minute.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcRReYL9ve
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzhhSL7ooy
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ777rBNldnZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzsUta2w9n
"Yes! Please tell me!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPGQA1UTEF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXXOuNl2dT
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRrJesoztA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxkX3sbcxM
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR32TRPp6ox
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"Wait, Eastern country?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4IKZ1GjQv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYeSBP93fh
I faced the old man.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl4TT2S2Vn
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"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYym31JymX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndEv2AC3He
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxKCgwNKZv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Dw6ZFuz4
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IXTPRjT6b
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LRUCv9GXj
"...Buffalo village."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanUrRwLkmQ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLk9zE0fI1
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGeo3eDf3F
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡite4hnuyBq
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHWzomKlR3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6285756OC
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKcKyIE9Z8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmESrvo8uI
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF5LxacaYi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpOM9kKAx5
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXhmNMYPIR
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHJi3TVO1v
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxNDlP51Wy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsMYkZTC1H
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYvNNXy6mb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi771RZOSwi
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6A7xo67GZ
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"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCQpNis8re
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I nodded along.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtL889EJ38
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"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCbsWaIr5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Se96DqZ5x
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ849fzFeVFX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXQglt7kJK
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJcTautytb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT6URgDIAh
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpZdybuxl0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqXOoX5LaS
She blinked blankly.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYWaQs0uAE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqIydWMCWD
"Wait, is it?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYkTQBJ6AX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRCDaiqtHN
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ52VL7Nvhy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQahgKZA0r7
"No, maybe it is true."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvM3fdM6XJ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRg7N6MG4I
"O-Oh, okay."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl3XG2LSKW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBunei2zTrY
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU2A3ZKUBW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx1rRk7CKH
"How was your guys' day?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9IXWQiOdE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9NeBgEx6X
"Mom, you should've been there!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EDOIUIByj
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou2eROUFl1
And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRZbPhddIz
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHIdvjFEJG
I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKqipmTYYF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7pPrK1Xvl
It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQh1xnA7NK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UIXmhlF3L
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CQ287fNAp
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p6TqGtt3B
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWusyXPNyZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vdAEjy8r7
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KcHghG8Di
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE7E9JjTH7
"O-Okay."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFpOTgRwLW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nNousxnLX
"Hold on chum, you come back here."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhhLTKoFOw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEEQBrw4Z3
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlogEFsHWLK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IqbOJH2tU
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gBPyNDLni
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYjqitqtQy
He sat me right back down in my chair.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFf0WwB6oo
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1etbFzQe3b
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYMFRoE3qc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmv34iazzZ
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeq2tFWtCJ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBzgEJEfw5
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu5VdQbZqZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOZTAXNxrV
Nobody even heard my "laugh."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5scuNXSItN
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqO56V693A
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPAsY212qW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytqgw5S8Qh
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaJhEfpRDy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9fH7Wv1eV
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtheRCs0os
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwXYQhr1gi
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfTvqOq6LK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPwCNTHxB8
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDdZeY9yJx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡengqrZ7Fz1
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3eFIR6cua
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0fdpeMHN4
"TALBOT!?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELaqgS02Kx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjkZIQt9nZ
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJSh50nVkw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfcKahVcUY
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmVwBYirCv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEa2EHQ17h
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK5b5XHxln
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgGeMV2IRp
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCIDSGJ5HF
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I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiRAA5FxvS
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"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsZsZ1w4Ks
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXUIsaHWG7
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jMQQvnGBo
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V6izXdboM
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbO0nJEgOn
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jCfh7ALoa
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DozRWFAlZ
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2b9WeIHLf
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0O1Eh5WQc
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"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRwBKdm3E9
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For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuA3UAAJ4z
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW8BLaLZjB
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ozYSo9kyg
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxsjoSJuh4
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I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVgXpC8v4a
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"Flinty."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJVeiJs8c8
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"Y-Yeah?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAUEadMtri
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh12g5WQbop
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Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztlpUzsNJ7
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"Okay! Let's do it!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtVh7WqXWE
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There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Gan8cuYT
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"...My tome is in the other room."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yPNMM0VJj
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Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByleJYbBSr
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–
–
–67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnJTlWCaRD
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtjeQhetGE
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I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tdzS2xiI3
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ6FMSXVoO
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhPmPDXai9
"Good morning."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodpckoWTNo
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdn6Cyq56o
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6BNRpfBHE
"I woke up early."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyamXE0nt3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SWLQBygBF
"Alright. Let me make you some food. "67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGyDQ0bDr8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrWyn3IS8T
I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpflQxDHYU
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pAiLzGf4X
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"Right."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7f6Q8lCKF
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Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb9KeMExdE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOutfmB0bPj
Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubhHV5Jc6c
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LdKaU1XoT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hyriE097U
"I sure did, honey."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdmn2CoYff
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"Oh."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPgWvFGFJ0
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszRAaY9n7Q
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"Is something wrong?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJKQiTayA4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBZUNtZghD
"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs8NmCUbjE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmdfHdlE08
She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLiUEJhcfe
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Strange. Strange people.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD95EdvJqgr
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After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEdYVFrccR
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"...I uh."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NFIfYqkGM
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Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjoWcdmTs0
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"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CKMEVlob6
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I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nh4Xlcnzo
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"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdaNmnu1rF
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"Water under the bridge?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiiGbkGLo9
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"Mhm."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf4qyNOwiq
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Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBRScwGs5O
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Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9e7EUZUrf
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They were really good.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vMih3w1oF
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–
–
–
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3nfmjbxow
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"That's a nice outfit"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCvD36uCQU
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"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePYim7Svst
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmtuxoh1Xb
Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5NqERXd7J
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1HBDpdyub
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"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0WanVhyJe
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"Ah, my apologies."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqJZhfHjQ6
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"No no, I like being around you too."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pjElJdTQ8
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Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKujlRUcwg7
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"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tOtfIAgMD
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"R-Right."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8dwkGe6cK
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa2TZymy1K
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"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYcsfkMuDu
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxuog9zQCd
"Hello, Freed!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAYRrNWr9R
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"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl30pyQRAH
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OLlGccST4
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWo4YTBbb5
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"So what business do you kids have today?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvr6AICEnn
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNxLsME6gM
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtQZtWapGA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM2ELG7YWC
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqzXOQcqYi
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG47X6aBFS
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFNkdqz3Cd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrXXk5wzzY
"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn31RrwmdS
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"I see."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ171hMG6GtG
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrv76kZWNt
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"I refuse."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHVRKLPiBO
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"Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zrfqOJy6X
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"WHAT!?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrMwVfBR1D
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEWHOM3VqG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaSnlIXQAJ
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJJsVyteJE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPArssXvB9
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BI723augd
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"...No?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9qpqCFK98
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"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74VZ5snEkq
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His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YtBsvQk1s
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEc96VuIDZ
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ946oVfVd8K
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The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Iu3uqZ5IR
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It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnVIBAV1Tl
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"Down here."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vhdPEifBN
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I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11hQcgetM7
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It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupZOhoTBm3
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"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoRrxNHz8l
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Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfvzzU8U0F
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrXF8J3LPS
Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMoFcvFxUr
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzuhReQRyN
"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TDHNyrp2z
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzTDgAZ1WP
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtAIpJSzN6
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKjO0aPqwM
I shrugged.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkkiWYqjyU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnbjofgDIj
"Well alright, go ahead and try."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqub57Bn01s
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORsow0edCU
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrocAxU4Ef
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKaHezUkdY
"Am I doing it right?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEHfkz68Wz
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytIeN0rjd3
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLTr3gKztD
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWRvCkJ1TC
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshMcReXcjW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxQ5WUIYpS
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b0UTKYX52
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIo2K3P7ne
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1ZclqnCgE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5osBovmJzd
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3NFeMhl9x
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S1obwhles
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvvTEf5PEc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwPvjay8GX
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ6xXKE4Xd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCwAwzmrb9
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNRIDul19n
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayvHhcGv6Z
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlppBDV0rn9
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWV7lKMmka
"O-Okay."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCWTldyi6z
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrilF78ehd4
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo5xlAplvc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Gas3JPIbl
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2XEH8tZDl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlohB0UmDDu
"W-Wait, how do I–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevgYyRfOPF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hVIKbkPPa
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJNdHIstuB
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicd9nNRlUo
"But what if I can't let it out?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBPZUPnUa0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZOwi8ZF43
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MzRuMdbQ4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWAl9XmWBy
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSR9HeuMqH
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwlhmZToxw
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe18QByurML
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N4NFezPC4
"Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrkqGNL5TY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTvleS0FgR
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTHDC9JD2T
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWdoWWOEqd
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUm3CUaO4s
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97mFHDk9e0
I messed up, getting all excited.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91lTdVokgw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9ABflCdjq
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJuRskscq4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbNqfZC0se
I couldn't do it in time.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZvY4X2atj
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**BOOM**67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkupUZfIoc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTDlKRa6RN
The world around me faded.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi06juvMDjZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuLoC0bJwZ
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDQ0EdcmpI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhlmMoKmK3
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNLO7dkJ8s
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqYU4cBQI4
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkdLUI4xRt
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1sfoIC9UY
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92IWND5p7E
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmuWYe80DF
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlZuIY4Ceb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpPonZokiN
I was in the greenhouse.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsiAYOAxj9
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR9HjzwhtZ
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtY4Ynb7RU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPb94E5UEz
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpq1jKH1MI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2hvdWqb3b
Thank God, they were okay.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmgrzSqfTG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZANBiEruj
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFsjwOwKUK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPAe1AHEF2
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Yb4CuvaN
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1a1dobjva
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZKZ1rZveT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrzth5JSA1
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5sb5uTEVO
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sGAIKdSUw
"This is... my coat?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8sMS2Ko5C
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ddEjxKPtq
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CNYarIKCm
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAdgo9OCuY
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5elATbL0Ge
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaO9wwhFWo
I love you. I really do. Thank you.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sXbWM7nyY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrYBDjJ3qX
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSBlFdOmp2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAddATQnen
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLatXRnwlqF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlAcTc3KeA
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtns46bJNIG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VnZgYSlF6
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEmU7VhQ4E
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaCqwa6PqM
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk2qRSxRNX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKyZL26YGi
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbvJXdqiQE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fBW7yLhHg
"H-Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiP4T2ponJ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylfRJwL0C1
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROocVV2oJa
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7XNHb8P1S
"T-That's terrible!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0NXj6sE4C
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcpEoeGUFQ
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulHdVl9IDl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPR3TuYMn
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDBNeqHFXC
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrftCXYIaV8
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq3UQZa2P1
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjlRBn2iGk
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT6ZzQ3Btg
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KvE76M9kM
–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GJIJZv095
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3i5tcUO9g
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun5Ce2y9Ot
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwX3BELNab
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzpc1tXHOw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8lVqNsxAR
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN52EpS3GH
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa9rLwRLQJ
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl6g5mlUex
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VkjKZz0tY
"...Ah!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLUhhBjCZv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMa252YY2O
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6DD1pdyGi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0WpvGUENl
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqh29ECPIT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uRuIQTGtz
"...Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjG9dB4lCI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChWDGVvIPv
She meekly turned her head to me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLFirsDtwn
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"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZlCvdHhXU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfCMEHzUZW
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKgYKemhj5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRScXoxAn8p
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8vFScLACO
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU41vRQOFoh
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Fz8cBaHU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbW5ym24MU
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC71WKtVEp
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"Okay, let's go then!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIEdJI3ZOu
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TQcQSJa7Q
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgGJNRWmKM
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16u32ahxwu
"W-Where are we going to go first?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0fIgjf5n0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FvJAIChp4
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffBBo7GmHD
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxJnYPKl8Y
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSrsYLT7DF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mD8HHCRqH
Yeah, let's.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e34LSB8oW
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–
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–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPOHdPnrW5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R4OKp5mkZ
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEFCETwU1w
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPoUgkC8SR
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKYodvLCCC
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWOQo7OZVS
"This is the combatant's guild!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jWZMpCwCm
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2JecZhWby
It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqq843lx1G
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIXZ2TfVt5
"This place needs a renovation."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReHi1jHbzD
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3btYU7pxbL
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4dHFdAJCw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MBzHG0YOS
I shook my head.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp4NRY7FXL
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"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs1YsOZV5E
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjb52G3DFL
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28HKiFXcNb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4wQzsz4rm
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBDb7On78w
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMgcfF2UGo
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYjQF7aI4h
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdXroj67kh
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG1Vq3hqRe
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkXWyEHTLn
"Do not even suggest it."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2VlvqDeaa
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjJo2O1JZQ
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui6qCuEtrZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoxG8CR85V
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MGWGtQJ9d
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIbpO81xcC
"...Well alright."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsc1G3H1p3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM0j9ZSpjI
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCznNuGv4RY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkIQV6LgEU
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB233FVQKPY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoDicAlxDp
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp08YHNvl4r
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddq6JToSjH
She pouted.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmOApOQx04
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O4s4tmB0P
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuW58dzdLB
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CwoZWseoK
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXQ7VpLyUB
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkAPICWCKJ
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y7S1trE6c
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3JsC2zU2a
"Huh? Flinty?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuwLUumD39
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWLQEa7Bry
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLZViXBu4p
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZesSSaKiB
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgv8H25Wfe
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDEYQwThCC
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcEmwRZA9b
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fqbBAGFKq
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrKGwXOH2o
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA5RDIgBfP
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsSx5GZGRg
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTifppK7vuf
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckjxgUFop7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ65TrJvma0
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJj1RRrENM
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwdypOewh6
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYEq6mIwuq
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmHhY7f6wu
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rj54e99Ua
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ201LdcefZ8
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdx3p4X38T
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKDjGXwojw
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNaD1gAwj5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU9shTTB2Y
"Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFe6M8tKJi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1LGYQgk9x
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSTYV21vcP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqWbUGCg6b
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hsWXpwGQg
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogpFAbu6hX
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XzmVcPBKt
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBxswUTyMV
"You're right. Wait–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpczyoYERY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lw87NZnLh
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqJs7UqRZV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VdLZdmRKQ
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBTeSLOjOP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkMX4iTxCG
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCXyh69niv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMyea1TA54
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSz4yY5zgA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo3kigsLuM
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvH0o73uPb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GDr7Hxlpg
"No. I'm here for another reason."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaV2wftKb8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGm7kDANQ9
"And what may that be?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDJ7vCS4QN
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNz9olvsVt
"None of your business."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI2br8nuX6
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj9trOkWWt
"O-Okay..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMlf5LWugE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURD8YZN0vB
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKduxRSu1Ck
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTV5uCURc8
"She is super shady."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mgzgG29Pl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mKzVKGgm6
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAvpn04oNf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK07uKrRmkH
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEJNP2LeNp
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRwNPNhKaT
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AxdWy0ZHH
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZrfNlfhEQ
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8uIWKcUxi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7HOOMeSRL
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC9dbJgPji
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Gvy6gJGH
"T-Then let's get his attention!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nUWF78E4C
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBKdatWoFE
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6kuKmQilA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2niIFRaO6q
"Let me handle this."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMw3bDQtYs
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8sgjN9B0D
"W-What, why?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp3ucJyS9I
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvyr6PVSdX
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oXaMoza7m
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFrSZS0jxs
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEXmJAcSZd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlenlzPiun
"S-Sorry, Kenny."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlafL8ZOPRV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t5zI2J0Vc
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIcocPPEws
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDlF5e7U1G
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM64FzMoF2m
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Up9kkaCR
"Hey, you guys!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLk0ybdaEf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAhd3mbw3m
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisxcSVXdio
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiAJJ6epYu
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmKUb9GlEv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXRzdza5DK
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbl01ci4H3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJb8lQeNPn
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVTRpqEveV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPmWVskOQ0
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl457E1Mu6
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l2IfF7Ddt
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvQHZsMB5B
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju0wgrLFVs
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcNga0HTv8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6sUUxxriF
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd3fEYHTLK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimFYUfxUYl
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TCtg8I3uO
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo5LOvhqgr
"Here's your bill, miss."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HcBRbKFcY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh75QlYNiT
"...I..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv56QYnLNSF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVbDPcCVnD
She was having a difficult time speaking.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX81orx2vI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtBiw4FBtQ
"I forgot to bring money."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qUYR8HULY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYhRcuMB28
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdYw5AGXSj
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PJo4GEHLi
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNys38kcw09
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxhgcDOngv
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m322Dfh0C
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGYSAZOpq1
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Te1dBSGIa
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUG0rrTP4b
Ha. What a moron.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSzW5lvSpu
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz3NgZMhKj
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1N0Cq0tNc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvwy3NDOIT
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKZXbqdcw6
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsfAzaqsVH
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXnA9shxYi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZbv7RwpyY
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1nEVxaOI7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspFTWF0U3T
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXL4dajgyg
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcur2FqC87
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotQy36TRXo
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQeNJaXAN
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QifrI1ioe
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG49CaJwfS
"Hey, cloaked woman."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqGwFDRQZ7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQgZtpJSkz
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVIuQ0l2Zu
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsidITBtwp
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPdoVJxUhB
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHNUSmom3d
"Yes, of course. Thank you."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6miF5TllO3
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vD6RNqCcH
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojPKITxj0o
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7fbqMFlfp
"Alright Flinty, let's go."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfSbYB35yc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC8d7yHz6D
"Yes!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA5GLltByP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1ve5czjpz
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz60FrBraqf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHimVo7XgH
"What?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EQ84d75IY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBEKAJpAh5
"Kenny, you're awesome."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5XXpIX75x
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q1QFc6oiM
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IeGH1TnIH
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsTC5Tmz5O
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcPe6htB3q
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7IRqNrMg1
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4zHGK9rsA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd5n2F5TQe
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxN2QZbGrb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88ef1imCC1
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX13qeqsnw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaYY5zccdV
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xcp1Tiipe
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9B5kWyOBD
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9n5me7gMx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Esflf2uvX
"...Is something wrong?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIImWfzHdI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4kejcrNSL
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOWbrp1b9T
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IRJHduSLL
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI8HP3tiRo
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddRIAblzMj
"R-Right."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGuCz30Uh5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlYIP97wVv
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
