I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRfE90TfEz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvZewOguA8
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO4WDg6OlN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8VRrviNa
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFdB5wh7rz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNGPbKjjB9
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbzIOw44Uh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiXyzFjw4x
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2dUVKnUij
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM01EuL4z0w
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkmrI3xjKA
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYqgUjuVLG
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY38yymTc9i
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMRalhBwnM
"...Sure."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROveBkOkmm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RmGRccpAF
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsWX5RaOoN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs1VTKILLG
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bzPWPNnon
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhYSkY4oQs
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaliQckuWir
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V6Kz6jE8X
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rFJOAfceG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMXsrfrll4
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYDEpuAXWO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUzXUZE7Fw
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHGzTrohO2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfxfTaIwiK
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SH2e4EjpS
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRQ9HLrROc
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIF5679oTq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BNP38ixxU
"Wait, what!?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0epRX7Squ7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBLv1T1OCf
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMbehWliu0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhm5GVelhg
"Why not me?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6JzCNt2kz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j4fZU32mC
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxb9ikk80g
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgDGZX3ulw
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFjgneaExV
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf1VVIoBu9
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEKNji8efv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp83Rgj8VvF
No, you didn't.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsitsUpcef
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XDxRAIdLQ
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmjDmyKa5w
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIxhvwXhwo
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVvfwzVZfo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF0CcRwGiE
"Huh?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN13O0XNUh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0ArtcnEoM
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Blv2VbIeb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKUpzg586z
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rkvxOb7V6
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JdHrWzm1T
"Mhm!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNW0XPg3hE
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwRATSCgDC
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds0AHZnJqT
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSbwi9EPMR
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISh7EjMTV3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1toibQ1QfI
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ6riXCrJB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ri2rzuRJN
"...Fine."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDuwiZ0uWB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq7RLLusE4
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgnKhVl1RZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAhdpcXIzr
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdHNhFsyyv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzMnZxSEml
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALW6gZQSyc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m7p4kuqnX
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8IEXNXBuZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiwW0GW3GV
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BNTN9g06N
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV59p89FdMU
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUyLDlWjDo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YbJ8QrhCa
"Is there... something you need?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqxU9405CQ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUDKlwjqkp
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAArCIBv9I
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UCJjsVTBa
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5medR37wjl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQyqKQAmvS
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DlTUTIVIs
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzPEEBtCPx
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20uD4rI5pC
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2b1cocshx
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLp0JQ1I69
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDBVigis58
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG9wb43jjq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFgrDgqVDT
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX1u3VaQok
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXayhkHyocH
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkCxLPmLwR
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EDMZl18kV
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6fTEgLjkg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8P991FPJj
She giggled a little. Creepy.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbXRFh4iuq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13EBfDgXUD
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZqz5bUngq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36PVaVthZe
"..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8Xpm3C7fz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLItpJrlqX
What?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAKZjGinyy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6kOsbjaou
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6qPgafzbM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnslDdsPKh0
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75VUIxZUOf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUA5qbp86b
"O-Oh..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSZCaw4GkM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVOmeP9mn6
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfOoHfXAkn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M5mXjeqjv
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SJXWnD1sa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJING4qKXwb
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0YkOB5AbD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jbk07LTD6
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM14ZBnWBOh
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFosbclNtnF
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMzQ3B85HV
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04AJOXH0Jc
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5nMKnL7wP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu1ZzA6Cwg
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmzo3iSkcJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0Etm6muxi
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9wD7lx8PF
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk0SW1mk7B
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgtOitrRd4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo4bhnL1ZE
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tKJuIlHnJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAKn80TqSH
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqNBAMvIwi
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZNibjcAm2
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z2AvKFiOO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVFxlLIWoL
Front-page news!?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamAmLbuTiF
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLH59jouRn
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKjAW5vW5w
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1loYGkVYPq
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXywfxH25z
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mnJI5dizM
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnRzvoGbZO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aPpQsYKYD
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDYXAC6DzM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycWwa7Ktqn
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc1rQoyg08
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxdLVxgANg
"No, I don't."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31sAlCc9oJ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEN0sHTjgE
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7xUuWJVSO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJpBab7BjQ
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN6YSGnorq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbnScsT2uI
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7smPlwXjM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBnvfrFFYa
"Thank you."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcsF6PZ5kN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto1sKjhwoh
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOa02FyQ29
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNcaVkJz4W
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0SQzIaZZ2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBVZZtLGnr
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiNvwpl4z2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiILKmU0ki
"Oh."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU8Z61meyo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBCsTw6MJo
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM2e62MufL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkftt7qKCe
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMybeuRFCv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmmMbFbmYw
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTrHTXWIQW
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomvy680JfS
Her face froze. I sighed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpcXZ7ABGN
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYMFHg08U1
"I-I'll do it in the morning."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20RFghxfJa
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUWvrjTS5f
"Good luck."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv58byRBhP4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZwcUDSbgt
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc65LPGBNLB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg9BlCskXk
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqXUMOq63h
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkhwLfPQoE
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq4ZUWhLBp
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WpH74C5uq
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0gVhNjVQd
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGZlx8MV26
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyk3GppRyB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPpVAMwvKb
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrij2NInLun
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1iO6Ez5vq
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNxjoDf9Ei
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOrVR2ugRK
"Going to what?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3iiKjt9Ce
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmziJKwqSm
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVsNOuRyN6
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiv6eJaid3
"Huh? Wash myself?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE0BVl4h0O
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9w3Mcuh4G
"Yes. Like we did."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAMzxxqyZP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT1yMIyyS1
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2khS4L3z2S
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA2T3lJn2m
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83No9WDoaY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6EPhqKN5v
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy8qPHiIau
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaR5J6S7n1
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgfVml7Kx5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jjNTLUFqb
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeKkFnCec7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBz4IsgAyn
"Buffalo Village."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveV8G7v4sc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMaPuzF1us
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIvvDqbtwy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlPFSR4DUF
"Really? I didn't know that."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzZIzEVyMs
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gxe95CDqq
Kim looked like she was smiling.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyErbseENq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8hEgB2JsI
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6qqyF9hMo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60BqHnzFJ4
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKdwNNjk9i
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkvMyUi8oD
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfcmV6k07p
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN4YIDumLS
"Fine, fine."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl1Y6U4pxP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BrmokG9rQ
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV6CuVrIQ1
"..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeyhn1H58l
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYBrKBs1Bw
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa4k6KMYHj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKMxCzp3wS
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRkWnMmwFv
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmn3GaFEnB
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNQMSFAVv4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6fI6rJKFP
–
–
–
"...Mmm."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErqs99tSMS
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07oLqnrNCd
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMJLLLdYT6
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ2JaZVG2B
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFUtEOufNg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVdVkqj036
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflwdaCWjmU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nXllZgdo2
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhHbJsK35E
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavl6Entjcz
"Wow, you're hard at work."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3Tjq7UfX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJFVMYpTU
"Ah!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3beuW2RuGw
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczQQIJN8bB
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvP2KknMxO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTzFdDRtkM
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh3csNKd3r
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhZUFFTINO
"I don't think so... what time is it?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UatP3QsUZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjlxtYLdfK
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4rfrld6K1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCWXiokKMo
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbcOS3PpEs
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GZLEuvPTy
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtRNq31m2J
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0HUBn4l9F
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMg3MZ2SZx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNwBrMVSfa
I did regret sitting beside her, though.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsrMbzb0EP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HmH6ccFCu
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY6jFu5k2G
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaXnESmSu1
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l5NtyVFto
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Twa4m8YJ
Flinty looked at me with excitement.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsGP6WyK1U
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0RtZMmOfC
"A goal?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKneAgJdRB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHt7qSJjq7
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplwhT0BCbn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx09uvOS2i
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOQSczwnDt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKvm5WBN5i
"Okay, I'll do my best!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQYIIhM4WH
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpn9Q6Rb2l
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcUSAR3Tfz
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj8EEXIr5Q
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqNqp8ZFeG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBq3ysHJry
"Good morning, Linda!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJOb4fluQ9
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR7KDQMUkh
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlkqShRmt5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah02dvEGee
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz9xVnNfcQ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXc0ubbdUV
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP3StkOvE8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZksZSBz4zu
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW4oro1wTq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdpPbTlzaF
Friday? Today is Friday?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0asfHZju7
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMwlTH7NJc
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzANxhXx0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dNlfFGAPx
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC9TTrTpEU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZJ86pKPoJ
She looked at me curiously before answering.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04GegLE3Bb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr5f7GuVfn
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQoOinkm8S
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7kmezkIeJ
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6hASalMrG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtJy9mxK1f
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHuSdHmoEj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEPsLUEInI
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMUqgmDlKR
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdGGGCCTYz
"To whom? Those at your home village?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNCKAVmWyB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlLvNzhRKi
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqcoBs8qR8
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHkJapwam3
She lightly smiled.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIed47w2VL0
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YkWVDqzuU
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo4KXkz1Av
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO87Dam7bU
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrDjNPYxaB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIqVjbiMWa
She shook her head from side to side.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8I6aFbFX2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpbaRFTfZd
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWD3FTzWfc
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5T7ZlDNmJ
"So you decided on living here?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvfZra5Qvn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cEkq62LXH
She nodded.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiQ8I0mgxj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRj5VpyxZs
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdh7cW7cb5
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN24woBhAI
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmAAOXLHxx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyd4Tu0Hg4
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9F9xXstOx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AlAUL6QgH
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSCIfvaCje
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3nRZSgN0E
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqdSgPl3fn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9jZeTNUB7
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSg9JHmHmn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNRVTbym4K
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq4118FHXR
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbIbt1Vj2H
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexl7D1uAOU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANyrNMc0uK
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqJd62kBtf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag2dx9iYKV
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw4NEqoWxr
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTbOv3eMO3
"Hey, Victoria?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7lOwKl5Is
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5cyG8pdHf
"Yes?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvh3KrtOvb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmxuxALek3
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSer4vfLoJY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclY8Q0xAdT
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7DSa5u7Xb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk2PqvNIO4
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1xub9kmLL
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfJb1CcPWs
"Kim, are you good?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgwDRAnHzx
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDQ3nA0gxW
Kim just finished packing her bag.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE21l0XctZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYwFoddPBg
"Yes. Let's get going."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxRaDfdnIj
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXWzWYlAE6
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2Jhk2QiJM
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lYVlFhKcy
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUlvc2OL7G
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifHDUlScak
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGChSzd0vY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00XGbxnBxs
...She did do that, right?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PI65v25BB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62xJBglwMN
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7crXRpJmn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq44als9iCD
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkk94ID5VB
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF51UFZWIQ
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj0CB4ut14
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9ORshidiB
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5uVBtxG33
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMWO2EEzN0
"Hmm?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6cMwt5tqp
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37tP9mrqxj
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nA68hux0a
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZo68qZwQ
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtNqHSiAce
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1dReBKBBn
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHoV3gzOKf
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNA1k8Q1sM
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPmzIvWZ2x
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP6cpYAGxY
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7MgudzXSG
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5tTSrBJtL
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQyQohVreQ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdipaMS7CQP
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0gV7iDuph
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen1iLEzORO
"R-Right."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SPHntrITs
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5RfnqSqWJ
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp06GNSytZ
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vtifvWpnU
"Any objections?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5syMTKaYD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsUTGkKufU
None of us voiced any.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAg64E2rdl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiNnYXoMYW
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCVAOdJZI
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TE7viizSF
"Of course."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJRDkQ3Ghl
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ10WRbxegr
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KjUi0mYwm
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaUnGI2izJ
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiXr5VC5Hk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkePiNQnuw4
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKFZNclENg
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD9HaC4ve0
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn03FVHiNR2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICMLYqr2pt
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMAsIeyiip
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDWJZcvJJp
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4O3JDEA48
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocm9Fykvvo
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77d5Pw9Cw4
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo71ETw5DI
"Hold on, stop here."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ePC2Wmtfb
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHTx5oM7ui
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsM9eYmFuH
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVd5xyRNjc
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpzOOpMWDT
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmmrjchjyk
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCAR2sd019
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL9LstVbkh
I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHeHDtpGis
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByxhQwTfQq
Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonPXwzCGJy
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqeBlv6G49
"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwyLmfM3xO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH8SIZ4BHB
"Does it look safe?" I asked.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2gs9CRA0D
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQV5WnUAEL
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe93NRBMigA
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvBU6phESA
So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuQapwAcbC
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1bjdm815L
"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAngQO5PqdP
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BjOnbrDwW
"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzqVoI8vbX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYziTqnI5p6
Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBHEUK7ht1
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwZIZGh4nZ
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYjZ1O6tvk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k3GgqqRrW
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xupScIBrU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT2SnFK4as
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqEDbgfLqt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbKKuEiHsE
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPxSo3fT7r
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjaRNdCXOg
She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyRS423RDw
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz18jwOWiyl
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL5sCLTwmn
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp67ZtEf0pF
"Heh, well..."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgn6jNFCAw
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ZTQlPLBH
I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73NHbzp56D
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iodDFONrz
"What's the hold-up?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOeNXW6WjI
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUgYI0hwtD
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRtNdB7fTO
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQniBFoiWk
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsQkmYus53
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNlVu8aFaA
"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X682vJCy2
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQDIEZTWAy
My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR8gQZQZqK
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS2sibhJuT
"So, what about you?"82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV4DDdLTFk
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzE0w1eNK5
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2Zt5noS4p
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmphr7tMya
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbRrbGZm0z
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiR96fHSwG
"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW17OnWIWGX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0OdlYshXF
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UxoPwNIpo
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8JAqzHkpt
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnA9PRAgRp
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvECTdbrcE
"I can see now why– oop."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRigQQYRye
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl3ALJxOBX
She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbfZnzXf5z
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4eHV6RtKA
IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdh4xuPdHU
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5HsVNh7pl
All of a sudden, a voice.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER0ssIz3xD
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpjhzaNAY3
"Something... I feel like something was here."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdvuAi6Viq
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedicCzxE7R
It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVA4U6pCZ3
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjkhy4lY2b
I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZwswAtyLY
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsMcIJD2ce
"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv17HW6E7b
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdxA5ybfD8
The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphWz1MkIlX
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L0cEbbVXb
I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6XPE6alVt
82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx46824Urdr
Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
ns 18.68.41.139da2
