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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYC2qtH9IW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMJT7tP4XL
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxueNFFhtK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eTWI2YhMJ
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv9Op5WBXS
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTo52FW9HP
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcQgDaHMLr
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr83cWM1jO
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o9oJJvCN0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsqmIEkrPV
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLX73B29NF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXODt4AlOPS
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxBlOxp2Az
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEVE8tV1WY
"...Sure."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzcpCG8ukk
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kkloxHdl6
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?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3E5Lv7glY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxQgCOQQmf
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RRXyGjlW2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRICGOGmZ5
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwR4gL6sEg
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyydv0uc9b
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6qsQ3om1v
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TqLt7WqnB
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kPL3qEH6a
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95r58dgaUq
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2bBpRJkM4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuelQV3Bp9
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHP6an6TDl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR3g2A8HUI
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HbWnt5bGA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAWiaxiSjB
"Wait, what!?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyWxgajbOB
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9JJbevQTu
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5cez9yxoC
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpRNyxpVBK
"Why not me?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuIx0Dd0aL
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4f13nS1SG
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkvQOVvDR8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdTtzlpG5e
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR7MdIibO4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bolScii9d
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzSIgaPABv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDhxOop4em
No, you didn't.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW66U6AyT5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsDp7eUG70
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9SC7Z7j8O
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpMT69pcpf
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Z0mw1WVP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk4N19bDHa
"Huh?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJszLIziFd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCiO6ZuBZC
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVSTM8bGRx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2FC15lABb
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDVrVBaqbD
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrp7vMaN5a
"Mhm!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpuok2m4hy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldMN64MVBK
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSGwMU918I
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlyAJHJfmX
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQvtA9spPi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZWJOmZhiE
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBosspQfxf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoqsLKTagx
"...Fine."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGfAr5hGs2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92E319w9BL
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz91vESmJb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAz8rSQZ8E
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hlIy6aQhy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRUekhZpE6
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX2Gn5NnZd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8EpYdcoND
"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!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZGgERFT4f
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoz6G9o3ie
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORKOlkuRfx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kvujr6ex4
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBWIOqKiEI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkZFFodkSw
"Is there... something you need?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8IWChmxKA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE1ZmBc19u
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5fSdaJI9t
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H0hT2mpZ4
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpFUUl0EzR
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AYko4oNJa
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiBmr4HMVy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZKGtBUCuV
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TXmbi8y1j
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYOG0a0NPv
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoh2cDybXC
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmPmiqSvT6
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mCYu4piVM
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5viyeaAjR
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35K5CACUK4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJCAi7znc7
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCiBg21AEz
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwuGOrGv46
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHZjM8jyaZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjfm1r2o8X
She giggled a little. Creepy.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiV6DZmS9a
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRztF6E4dcF
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw6ieqDCej
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYTHtJbP4j
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENfVk3Htji
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcvaGjeBnx
What?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVScqIMw6K
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PHOYm67IW
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9YexO7yr8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvlHxdishh
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXe80vh2qZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIXTtGysFN
"O-Oh..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBGB01AR4b
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe06Pun5IEx
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7hNfjJmCG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ji92PSDDL
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbZCfeOIQy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgmm8jky0h
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4Nlqbj4Ko
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuxAC2N6b
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjnCOc2cXk
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGITAMXZCMd
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILJmskuDj4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9JM6isxQn
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHGP4OLxUz
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Sfd1tyWz
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhOeGc1c0R
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEUP3eld1P
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ug8CA2ir0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vXJ89y5pY
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpNMus0af7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji3j5ICsda
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oAzOjgiEA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDUuqnHivV
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvNlv61qNj
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ734WGjjPf9
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8hffKrmQA
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKrbMsUdvC
Front-page news!?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVs8VCSbt6
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI3fhiAFE0
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lNB6FyIHK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbBSZi9SMr
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhFrw0KtQp
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3Wb44OWRs
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OSlqbZqDT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDKMDXMgx0
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZOdgu5Wwc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt6K5g4yME
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpvp11ehMx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38iLGefpw
"No, I don't."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUwtBCUwD9
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUnHyFJNuI
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvXJrMCIhB
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSp1VZ1FTJ
"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!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM3yT82OSG
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6AalbEQnc
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TahxrCzw5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOxYQK3WE4
"Thank you."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DdOwPDmzh
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYXBKSZ9He
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeuIWRMkUf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxMroEhyZt
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB2VhAr4bK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR4PbA1qq6
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYSplT0eI6
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jUINDqTbp
"Oh."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznuT3jCg4C
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUgXVac1cW
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60e2ubkq7R
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOoOdn3Jqh
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtzgVPGLi2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YNmznydrc
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGWun5r0c4
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzFVUaqF0H
Her face froze. I sighed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy9yrIZYnl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8382SxVGHw
"I-I'll do it in the morning."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQquFq0rkXE
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrMdRQhUI8
"Good luck."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3FjcPXvvS
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhqCL4g1HD
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjRuDkhvJ2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3MnIJ9KbC
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPgqGdpyoN
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3pCpKr9RJ
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyLYKuyYGr
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBwSHNpsfy
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRIvPJVs71
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrIgrjUiyY
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0P3VaPWM0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9UP6IE6n0
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWS9twQ7wd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OMiQdv0FQ
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndJy6T2LEp
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEqu5CG9Eu
"Going to what?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnku2Styg2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1BwCPS2SK
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQvpr4YTXf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRekCJ5tf9K
"Huh? Wash myself?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiziMPE1OlV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZvAU7FJKu
"Yes. Like we did."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mds3WIRZK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yN2WOX8g5
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHoK1oWgrF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kO17wX0gs
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyoQOodWHl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhgUQWxb71
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4QIEmttEZ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7cF61Hy30
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfz2XSyc99
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB60NNeDjwH
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jjMUBfuNo
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr0UWFxzmd
"Buffalo Village."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcAv2WVcOK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYd1Agyzdd
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh3VDu02yy
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW0nGjnuIR
"Really? I didn't know that."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYVlzORS9c
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUm5fOLpOk
Kim looked like she was smiling.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwGrAB4Hqx
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5wADzYRqf
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlsBm9tRsh
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOFHiz5cmF
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8obY1E1Ow
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCDhOGhSfO
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknk0ftfi09
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHYlYjpjA7
"Fine, fine."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNfvMxXzfh
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrH8YgBrVD
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT3FGa3FPH
"..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDce88mscf7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWGeHrPZap
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KjJZhyqc1
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FmMujmJ6T
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx7NwltHyF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMnsMPMa9c
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LskTjHsii
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm2NJ8YX0r
–
–
–
"...Mmm."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZRcVlQRaK
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDsIMcdyFU
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDmT2FDGzn
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf0ZIIe8zL
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3kHgtu1OP
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWD94V4zQY
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gYIsswsQM
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK2dRGpwKw
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rEQfhzl0H
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDh2Ted1yd
"Wow, you're hard at work."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlUYpqENGX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlph4b2z5Mn
"Ah!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4jxh6n6Pb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fcFjcpVKe
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaerwmJCxp
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xABrujyU0
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjZJixAE8d
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7zcBcmRl0
"I don't think so... what time is it?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhg1S1RCEV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkJKE2qJh5
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTB5agh0nI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NInGTTNTJ
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LMGGa8jUs
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFaFAnuODP
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsKAPLyjEJ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN08RjHy9XL
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx6TNOqrtL
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrUJ6MgGpe
I did regret sitting beside her, though.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY87vGKpbNo
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8JOKClxP7
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFk7FWlq9e
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ScJlasdr
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhW6CKwQZU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlWDylBdCR
Flinty looked at me with excitement.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc2qBRm7u8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3lT2vfLAU
"A goal?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIyLU5PtOc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam2EEqbxiV
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI2EqGilLL
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy7FstV8xb
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PUAKiuuYF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTiMKh22SU
"Okay, I'll do my best!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwHJR5p8Zz
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQLnnmOl6x
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo9l9uz1Ld
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymWvapjYA5
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAyPLN1Qxl
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg0djx8PQp
"Good morning, Linda!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDHut1fhQ2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAVR4RArbs
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS1cq041SS
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHfSc4XeT3
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG0v0lJscm
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxBwcxLuoC
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6phkB7kF0w
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeyQnYXHPx
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlwKLDiOKI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC9cLw5Rxs
Friday? Today is Friday?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBqMG20VG0
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFHX5k6MOb
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAs7LvolE7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpqM1u8xlu
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMCJ484tEw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9ZqHdOgME
She looked at me curiously before answering.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYi6PEMlKa
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLej8sNcRXX
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCz3GIkJ7M
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6fWD75Yxr
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAA9oTpp7k
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MKx2N7Ab5
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazcseCcWfF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMezTLGHhC
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGRYgyBI9z
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqOQycW89X
"To whom? Those at your home village?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5STdMKlb9V
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW4avCvJAs
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBmCm4lj87
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJlVdEjWE8
She lightly smiled.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI6Qc9rDDT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70GbQi38O7
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNXygQO5bu
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5K8WJPM4v
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXojMsA7dJQ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3rW7JtWaW
She shook her head from side to side.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVq3S4YQ7B
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OHSibHqSe
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MOFJ1kcfV
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckZKqh5BFb
"So you decided on living here?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj3PcSdvyX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdHbcye84A
She nodded.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrXEL3I8oS
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXzZg7tFzc
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocQzFEWWIm
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQzsIm2VRa
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfVgOZYMAb
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs6uGfCaFt
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeBTxzyH5B
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9mkO06FBd
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub885KYxJd
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKJm00afrR
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDmy4ouodh
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWXDPoaRut
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxA8kN8zHX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7biBGkVU6
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnWLi0uj5g
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYpDwkqNW4
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ8JgZZkqt
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGh3Ccfvc
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpErfokdxo2
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CiI3GDB5X
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8r6zl7tYX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjCgaVcAqI
"Hey, Victoria?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIFf9Nqbmg
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Se3h2fG4C
"Yes?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLl6Q6R0WQ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqV5snTsha
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JGE4pOoh9
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqjGp3Iu1K
"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!"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG7YfAHCrj
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkwq71pGYQ
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTKt3Qzrll
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhk3QuHqzY
"Kim, are you good?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXzC4jWwaT
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8bBpVhNW0
Kim just finished packing her bag.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmOT15C7xI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8M8Eh0HOR
"Yes. Let's get going."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzW9MLn6vQ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxYm4ckOys
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZMkkvwCnY
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5foVXlGR4O
–
–
–
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakL9xLKXUk
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUZsOWJwuY
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8vteGRmpJ
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD6VfWtz7S
...She did do that, right?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oIsOrnS3e
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKV611FBP8
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrHWttYMi7
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yCNuSCqWe
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLE7NskhWI
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjhFTEPcys
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ObDYWI1Cv
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX1TwfnlMW
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7eR6RxWWX
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb9Kcd95r0
"Hmm?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQVFLPDovi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCOSPxc7nI
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCrnbiNq0a
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TkfJxuVnK
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6T3I9iQfL
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz2qZHqrpw
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqML9EvYuW
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU7QWzgqOK
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01rSDW3mi5
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrsGWZyLwh
"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."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3iB0MYWML
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBoAXb58yH
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNSt6vjrtC
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IpWVRUzik
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVizIyZY1sw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD4TUF6ONH
"R-Right."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iRIW9ywZw
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Q0S7OhPo
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnd0zLkxhU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmGLRFVIzJ
"Any objections?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7SvW7iMbf
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxanSgXkyo
None of us voiced any.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0czcX6KyTi
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgFs5OX2Oi
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMQ6JO9Qqc
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN2glGMBVN
"Of course."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFwnUm1LLU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6O0nTDJuB
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFMTDA0IxU
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJgC4heDoq
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTab8bulot
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgc2WrcpBy
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi2gjUri9W
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn5AGlYv4p
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGH7aIAD4S
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbsT0shk5V
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S12MZHZM8
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52XlDZobwU
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg6Zv0J9pN
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiW1cEps8J
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h3ssOotbt
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzGgYyuqn1
"Hold on, stop here."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MUgB8BI15
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOctQ08lbL
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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhoxeyCv0A
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30bhqwqZYj
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZnnCBeXQF
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCQwty4FFU
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7UCCIcQZo
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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.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnV36SiSZ2
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcDKs0mksT
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cR5CqXurq
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UPFIxp6lp
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBMuDdyCYR
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So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95xZ5Ry3As
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkRm662bPG
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwcq0xLnIC
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Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rLKIP6Ohh
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73S9wAkmym
67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iydxLVRN0
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPlnFsHG29
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzMVCOynSF
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsXC6WqazO
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She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlZ1kmHNLj
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc82Sj44OQw
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"Heh, well..."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AKTvqgKat
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I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtdyXssdQh
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"What's the hold-up?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVHzQcHRiU
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfZhnYRLkJ
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gyRSmJZW7
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUXvWYcoP1
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My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzVX7kByiO
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"So, what about you?"67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKUQrf7sVy
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5KiK7Lr0g
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sp6Pw7e4F
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"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor7J18MdJV
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7CyaJGGMu
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj4QzCppfn
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"I can see now why– oop."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjzfbkdOBE
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJHz70RUoj
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IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisvQpuT1Yw
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All of a sudden, a voice.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC8OYTeMcH
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"Something... I feel like something was here."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHfhpxtoci
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It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOZhoCqwCh
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsHQSE44wb
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYz3MmReDi
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The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDcicXBtw7
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."67Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt6p8GtEsk
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Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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