The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WDncmJKFA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0hZ58Lrc4
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ErfkBAd8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3PY6Z6Wvd
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdSLBVFF6p
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cQVc9mOkL
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa8i2ztFtS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVgT7drfB4
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sp7FrWaHe
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq87xcUCqGx
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEsZk6HDBl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJPyG288oh
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiNeOXpL6E
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGCx344SYn
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrdpqBcwQv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkR7MJdBeX
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMuPkHrYQD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZngAUzcSke
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XW1BQzE0c
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCDF4rFhgp
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjabXps9iu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsixrKpSNUc
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJHDNH92IS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN7zVNJqu4
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQWD648BZa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpDOyeqxW0
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggArykJFCD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8uBoyaBiq
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmUxUvuyPt
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBJNQti4pq
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9cLueiyUz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01FTKvofkM
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDzthmO1Ec
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj7Tudoh01
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWaev5gEwG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66OZWQPjtU
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHPQG1DDvC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1mMYAVJRx
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33LSwcQ9yx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHE63zTCg9
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xETLnRUJ6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G4PtBECkD
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DTz5srd1q
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwauVTZeO9
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRByv2waXB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIpBWAK0zn
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx55a9yCbk
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySOXjxOGGm
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeOdZpwnpb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKSfjIrk2s
"What's the matter?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnMW3ZKrK7
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREv69mWkCS
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OSj2i0paA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuIcneT9GQ
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeWTn0yAlE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOASyQg9SG
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡure5eLcIig
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx80Lc2dwW
"Of course."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDantbOsRSA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHwW68a6yy
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBSCdAljuV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR9SVJ3Q8i
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuIBcNloZg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPoWoPaGJC
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIvfdCp6MU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eTBc8tNtH
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWb0FUPlmG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4PRO3CkCm
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgajma8fUbM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsHpJCt2Fr
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7jYa69MEX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q4cQmz2AN
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTc88rT9sy
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fBSEdFwB3
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Z96qCmFK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr08vccSGTV
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopYFeLJrUW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8i3qYZQLo
"...Probably?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG8JDW9Ggj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXixMJ0YUu4
"Sorry, definitely."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsIR0Y6ZQi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aW5oXEiHg
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM0m0WUUnC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkeTKmnCSX
"Food's ready!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG79OkAKtII
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWn3y3GY5K
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33cqL9B3Hf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCTLoky3LR
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PfUBGj6AW
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerS2qhbhSN
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazEvTbie44
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kigQ7WPtQ
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBGQALrZII
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6tAPfQ8yH
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYhI2VZD6e
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzDqNYs9jh
"Are you asking me?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWT7jJ5YlX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t1TJ3RZBA
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje1qOObyth
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetHn8zmhhY
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY4A1532l0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNzEVBtMxb
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs55EWdyatg
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8LGekQdjj
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MnnmCQWd3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUneuMAZJ8S
It felt heavenly.
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa48K7Cb4Ks
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLVEcElTIl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznA1jQzZR8
"What are you reading?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwTqD9Wzop
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBCWFvAZq5
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupP1uyJAgS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUnhsVx7Lv
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC5vRZR9wc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIha49eY6P
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoUJ5Xb1Z3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkzTIGLrD8
"...It's a book about magic."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi9TSfZTr8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw80kG2pfi5
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANyVWpz1If
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gmH9iZm2N
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7UDMKdsJB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdxlSQ5Zdc
"Y-Yeah, of course."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2fOXF96R0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0CZqLeGTJ
She didn't sound very excited.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVYcNbksHO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxi1p9Nvpe
"Do you want to practice right now?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5gNgZTpHv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq05Ceu2gPr
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Wravqsyx
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ4W5bR9Fk
"If you say so."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazENU1wiCj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hMqps8Pb1
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfCMHiuTyZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wq9UHLqex
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoxhqU8TiA
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FKsFy6hhC
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69xCIhmvql
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMKcQ8O4Jb
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdIcMYf6cQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa8Wk38Bba
"...Did he decline?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbbRJDVJuq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67YLmgWqX0
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yzaV0O3dX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQvZ4KUC52
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrfilQHCvd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2wzRS055K
She paused and stared at the sheets.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9unkbCRAUL
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTwmzxA6Mv
"Today was the first time I made a spell."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyuIATHDI4
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLfD36NmQ3
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1xvvH3G2Z
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPApxfzpPpT
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4TyiF6zI3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR7P9SgtXX
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0jbb0lWeC
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglG5RaOhuE
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FIrD9RzVr
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfnPrY4AIP
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYXaitgzKf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pg8nFEztW
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQuSHpYpYR
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1CZ1JUSnf
We sat in silence for a few minutes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS7l84mYL6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJQT55UuIA
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu6CL6JuA2
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaGKi9fknr
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNTTBT9rtB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKMLIQduaf
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUGdFQPcco
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDScZgWwxCE
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSNiVwKpJl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgoNxC6eJL
She shook her head no.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF57fEUtKQ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf6cT7mEZY
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEobBZKhXun
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjJc4rDJHK
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbtyjHx7M1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUozOUTDMz1
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHpWlOjiqF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX59IFLJ8BA
I felt like I made a mistake just now.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqzr8CTt7T
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a5vL5OGfm
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGeMArgect
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5kBZXUcqv
"What is it?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPycmrA2kY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuaDn8inRK
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNpSrOXXai
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NbYEKkexY
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhtqLmmFbb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nSyU5SG3L
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2eU8RHMzD
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTffIwAZCNA
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1GTkbft1H
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkqofcel7X
"I know I can do that! But, well..."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF58vr3sQvc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoR9IJH4jK
She had her fingertips conjoined.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XmrxdTjPa
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryqDThX5js
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkg9heCGbX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9swwNEwgP
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMnpVk9BKL
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebxBgjXg8P
"Alright, I'll show you."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy0tYDWE41
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49DTeABsuw
"Yay!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUNCaeiodE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMpMaqBVnF
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUi3cWXBtb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFBNTvbIcG
"I think it's best if we do this outside."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkejSSNzfRS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAk64Auvqo
"Okay, then let's go!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOJ0jz1ciP
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ISAztobEt
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy18gGlJuM
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeolsQDv40v
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SbXXhI4z3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdgNg0W4gT
"Earth?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hBztGEqAS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xItsI98W9
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt9016yfe3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZRdkJI9Z
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LKzsYXloz
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfvMxqJQrA
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"It's really not that impressive."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj5Xe31XuT
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOkrEek68G
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutUuaTYIef
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBR6vWF4xi
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTci7KVlqxd
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wDX0vOjlk
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARIH723Gr3
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTofcjaBZ4I
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWDulsPW4O
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWHmSvkNdv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSy2bzluGt
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL6vYeS8VU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAyALQXRyJ
"How'd you do that!?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAUH5UaaAj
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBNg7nrTvq
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXPVrmhkMF
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FocHyoNAg
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpwTfopxdH
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkVvkjiyIl
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN0i8U7dZ6
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxysZlclKG
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDIseOlLby
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxIvjJI9SA
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm28YrIq7M
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UiQEwXUUf
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHbzoM4LDB
"What's wrong, Flinty?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlbNuNw1Dd
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFIFsiOJsT
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiLxlTuN1b
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgBhZK9W3B
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzR9WByBPB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqhSHM3r0Z
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc7CTwA53k
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVw3Yqrf2x
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNXL8NcCpN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhJyfzQjb5
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtP8pKg0Ww
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQHb8bE2UN
Oh.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnLeHj1LYy
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiydieTSc0Y
Oh.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt1Cwg4q6j
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVlB9XgImy
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13ADhimriS
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytRvFXf1qp
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vp6JREHjc
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaewxgYwKpY
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JHJa4R95B
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK73rhUmiBm
As for me?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvrcB5USye
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6nH0FjGi5
Well...74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UDPUq17gU
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwx2UpbMgJ
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1moSeOEo6s
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgAHh8FXmR
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKsWhMksLF
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzgLMcTccY
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hHpPw9ono
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml8PUhUZBi
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2iYyQs2zE
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51KTOGu9e3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPkJo5eERa
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrW33F34Ap
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERE4WYAxLU
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYlk7ltxMo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXygXwJBq1b
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXaGKN85Xw
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR164N68t0
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4w3YoHHl3
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq8i7acoAo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mZ8Lt1Fun
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Esrrxeztz
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO8xXmpvew
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFKTK2BXcX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclBEeS4odW
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfOaWdQRIN
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgekBjzb5aV
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDbtMmJjUI
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcfwr9seSe
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraCgpAw2hO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcP8ImjtAM
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoEXmbSrdZ
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVEjrfQo4z
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nnUG5Thom
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpFO1qWK7g
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVCtpU1bfp
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgotvyaOWB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxrypZBSRJ
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq3y8PglIO
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODqLb7Kw16
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwRzRI3kJ1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESShvTyODZ
"Of course. What is it?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMF7Giddlt
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PP4Aj2FuX
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHVP0gYkFm
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKJYTFYX6z
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lSiXnTjNl
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcqUHVssDf
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTcwmqlHPe
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5FMh4qgmB
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI0JCl1adr
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1qQoPcdgo
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV7UOqyEOd
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJCiApd8T1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41bBLRP0fh
We all looked at her.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdajbyW91Va
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsERDU1CLwT
"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkzbXLLaT3
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69PXCelQ8q
"Kenny."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Ik0eL6Wu
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYZGwcE7eg
"Yes?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ365g0ogZow
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdproMt5IV
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9e3w11qH7
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwxgqJk9OG
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqxnc5ug3P
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2fIojWd7t
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZFOY6hEK2
"Okay. Kenny?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uOErgo9hE
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP6V9doloT
"Yes?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc83j2GFw9
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFHopepPqy
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJjk0Af5rq
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoVWZPsebR
"Huh?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr1cKGUhp1
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCjvkPjFXW
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRkVe38S4x
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjzbe2RN5p
"Why do you want to go?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w3S9UqHWt
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz8rhj65ZS
"I... think I need to."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJZ18KDa9m
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHrrMPfR7T
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUNwUiMsFX
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RWbQXqXMa
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDGp7pQBgw
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdG6zKCzsz
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIRLhNXhnK
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHujggadDt4
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv02k1XePv
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31khVz9T9k
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbdTPQbBzb
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp5L0Ladp1
My heart sank.74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAT0tNoZW8
74Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg8uslyiMX
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
