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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOJXXFuiCv
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy96aoTy74I
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"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFSoaMKSHe
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDBCpFvMh1
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0jquRKrzd
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjkVs3r5Mu
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzG4cW8onu
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQiLJ4V6or
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKaADBToRr
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ3c2trUKB
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHNXTiAY1W
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"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLp0uKtCbQ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjwsrUV3Nz
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyu49Mwveo
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOWkJF6SHR
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8SnsGrG8w
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq88YLL7SE
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8RpaK5KHV
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUteQsIYoW
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxguv9PcWfx
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPc4YtjN1I
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HnQC0Nuiy
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUPWqIhSVb
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURWr6ILtif
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1nTgM7P6U
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipHXBcJC5T
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnezWD3PgT
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YyemqY1Wu
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwkHMBgtN1
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi2FUrBYIJ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGPbhzjd1f
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeFLwQyBNK
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FMXhwTUWl
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC81TTdrvIJ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yV75PUx6T
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKYcwz9oBS
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtzo6soZJi
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvx6Eg3NWj
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7rmvezrJK
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBohPS2Y5rm
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiAQ3N7BkP
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hC2VntEHR
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwTkD2khxR
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScpwiy3LSv
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–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiEtWcDxm5
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"What's the matter?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHqray3faU
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG4XVmwId6
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ46RbexXtC
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvhtQbAdGE
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRviO9QXp7d
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"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz94Hr86axx
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayf1RPJgYm
"Of course."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c5Ag82MYG
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9ivJj6Ehq
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0mUScENKt
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCejY7BLQup
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG80M2z5Ik8
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HCUmxIaaq
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73H8ofg1Rr
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TLc4PvFE0
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfhgtWprQz
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixDGuWdeX8
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSU3sLrDIo
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgqJKUCWw5
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf9yuziIDH
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRatEQ0uz9G
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8754GntNih
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdjXbUMFMy
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0oVpDub1U
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"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35oEMZMcnj
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"...Probably?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTZSOEdnOv
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"Sorry, definitely."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXacFHp487a
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She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnTM3D7Uiw
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"Food's ready!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoO5u2XAkU
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvp3Obk7iD
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ5L0XSJ7O
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiJMYn3vAI
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It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U0shUaEDC
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"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKcFPasvu1
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMIjvZfIYq
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAYiNWc46N
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa2jDWuJwG
"Are you asking me?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZNaJVeCLG
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She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9kBbSFIC7
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny8caemCoW
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgdE93bjDw
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbKnfQlDg8
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL9tIcD7IM
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbWzhP2cXK
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJc4dRM5KG
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp3p13aB2o
It felt heavenly.
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Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKpZsy933Q
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"What are you reading?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMEkO9gfOQ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBOK3HHV1Y
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdKYcSzptl
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPInReW7y0e
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGHdo88pxP
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7pulp4rIG
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3y8nCkwlV
"...It's a book about magic."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy10Emti5x
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHknqecoyTf
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFNCEHOhnU
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoqxv6S4i6
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl43mI96n6
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"Y-Yeah, of course."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLAK9Bsb0R
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She didn't sound very excited.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d86Hr2MlR
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"Do you want to practice right now?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZOWByTnp8
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3iQwQgqjs
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMExdMv98K
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HwAKeBmY6
"If you say so."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGHi99Nt8n
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Is0dPCuR7
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EslCFEN6c
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2owYcmNlg
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTXwudZmPt
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlCYf2p4JD
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ChLoxOWWr
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lxuEKO8ZL
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtNaYzwyWL
"...Did he decline?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8EATwqeRH
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbth6C8OVYm
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvUvy8EVGJ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKS7liaySM
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADqCd5tbBm
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVK0NP05Jr
She paused and stared at the sheets.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYgJWXBP0a
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"Today was the first time I made a spell."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxxRIQPPSz
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq9q5G1DJl
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZb8Gkzul7
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHfRgb74q5
"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoH5mZT1Dk
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrw7Tbz5Yr
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4mLyBTde1
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32z3Muqa3x
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClqiIxOLFW
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjvp11yoUQ
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRH4m2cBxQ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PBjy1WfHh
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvvvs7p1sZ
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We sat in silence for a few minutes.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAAIMm8JfO
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"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."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaXSoJgytb
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEqMq5GxYJ
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MHgUPSdOR
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HLHtMfQ3n
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM90LfgVhk
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"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGcX0vpTlX
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She shook her head no.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rVSjukPqx
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMlJ1ETrni
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8ZiGu9Ade
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXQuvsK5bW
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokuTXEqC8s
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ohVS0AYdS
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6oju8dgUB
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglkd4N0kJ3
I felt like I made a mistake just now.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdJKjIFmUg
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeYumNBxOb
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xBCo588Cr
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"What is it?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjsaGZ1zvJ
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She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdHoXDGO6S
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"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPRaWGlS4Z
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J3nWJbSai
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69wa79cGAD
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP03I9nHiW
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYogBXokSE
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCdJKuDGOd
"I know I can do that! But, well..."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL2aKQAkjH
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHRsGHJfCM
She had her fingertips conjoined.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEq84YQO4L
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiGEqQHhzl
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLZhWFK3qa
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOVFsDeSjC
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgH1rpOCNC
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"Alright, I'll show you."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToAIpzJ6zr
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"Yay!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xokoG1cIO
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn9ym6FlDQ
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMWbOMEAHn
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"I think it's best if we do this outside."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc639sprmuh
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"Okay, then let's go!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5UJvMxHDH
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog66RlXMHb
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLtY5IRVkm
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgklyZ6LlQ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmpIn1j16l
"Earth?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c0Pkc93CW
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE14SevTSVh
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHutoBkP6zj
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqF4akPutO
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquIcfSXmDA
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"It's really not that impressive."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLULyDht3Gh
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtqKNBkVbr
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdhxNe2N4O
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM3FzUb0RZ
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZcYmUaaAK
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9pKTXSfeK
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMTR3moqqU
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kd7wR5soH
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ex3ROnrjf
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsFZjUGBme
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"How'd you do that!?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwHOe4oSZV
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIyT5GHBEQ
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TV8HLxFXj
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFHdPZCkRF
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGh2ezo0FT
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPYVBTDQ5P
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"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sx81kcVPX
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxWPDVSkrw
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2xjTdIkAX
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLxJLOeMlm
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNOn28MlUH
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiDys3pDN1
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafpWHsh0rB
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWGmWY4HT3
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX0SUI3KzT
...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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWxdwt9YtH
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uI2he0fjm
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToH9GN85UZ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj8DBWNZv2
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bgjVnuK1X
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Oh.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3fcDi2ZA6
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Oh.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWrNLyc0cm
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhwuB2Flsw
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjt1Hxvypc
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeafixqbKo
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBvR086Loa
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As for me?111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ8DP8cKTS
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Well...111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVKFp1Axxe
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibTxlcYpL6
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd4971ZGE1
**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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGcUvnNvgI
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTCudy9J0i
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpde1YsI6Vd
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTclZkCjbm
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ3OpduaRv
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoXTRGAtTL
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbw9HWuS0r
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTomGfbEwGt
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZrVfLd1S3
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk5NbCh9Vs
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfxNwmX1dy
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"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQpQiV596c
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RZq6992R8
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoboNI5dFmN
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEx2XTk6jU
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZPAqamw1n
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUVoqxNqtZ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02salUMSBf
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqcdH1zutb
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8l5X3CFGN
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHx9wFQUh5
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"It's okay. I was scared of it too."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydwNScaiqo
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQKB5jWW9j
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhmxHzsNvn
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"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2p6CjVAZV
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"Of course. What is it?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUmgNAlVGe
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkk77qCGBI
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6mcPoqrPy
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvDJIDvOoB
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEcG0zH9og
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvG2KHmqv3
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNn76nPWIF
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOW1NutPyC
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We all looked at her.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtgChS1nL2
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"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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LMoMgWZha
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUvVenbmS3
"Kenny."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4VPDJAJYB
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"Yes?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0itoc51Q6
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBqSdyGBiJ
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5taXanCAcS
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCmzF1aNRs
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxYuBwNG2P
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmzDWWyBa3
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoBT5rM50F
"Okay. Kenny?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtXXiB6Dby
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"Yes?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M7ZSMbU6w
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHG3rGaEdF
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"Huh?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAtjek0kKz
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNnnZBTLkr
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpFYTSyIV7
"Why do you want to go?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIKVfndCSh
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"I... think I need to."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMP38uSx8J
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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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuUmuLvwRC
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3HBc7bcPc
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQEWhUrMXj
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"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiGIlvzViq
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDZYJXQMDk
111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcF7U1uqF6
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.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ZqEYXyt8
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My heart sank.111Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHziaNmi70
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
