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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0Tl2GJaZr
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY4cZlN5FG
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcoleIkAcw
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDbWbPWwFV
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmPsYY8Asv
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZwlHEShCv
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTpp0RpxL4
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgJXn5Yhxm
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYGt25SCxR
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfv2MLC7zU
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT8fzEDarZ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffPwmnkvA8
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRhRdjoReT
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ULwzgjjB
"...Sure."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYsStwRjHF
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRUMDL15qk
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?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPKGb1VCz8
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpK0yMNOGp
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZgRn8GGXs
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh34f9glKak
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSHcn8XSfn
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPvE6YirRC
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMl9kYJokW
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxSLVVkmfX
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqarJBNRqih
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0xx1OmWb6
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN19cYOgFU
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA9PYIKzr7
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ICpXDy0r
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrJSjocEgH
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWGTSQypcl
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgC3Qy1c9B
"Wait, what!?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhh2iKUVAO
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUtwIcawyE
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXFAbnovqu
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzj36mn9KB
"Why not me?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5AhOwZyzp
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GyYkMc6JV
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb8ycpkVWu
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatX6iJd2U7
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsWZf9A4Us
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QdFVPujX9
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0GgHN7RKN
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoQKiSomsF
No, you didn't.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT1KLUEtbk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNk1oEUJ8J
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaemrk4NKe
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8JTevcBEE
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLQ2G7Y0S6
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXePIPFMaB
"Huh?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmkdEbzODG
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdWwKjWCAW
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IH92mi7oc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYF6I1TeBk
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsCt8kpbjr
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMehLCpJHRy
"Mhm!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARNR7wSVIS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSWUPRP71N
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJwOvQJBAd
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP15fl0Dsx
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcErxQebLgS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblUxJZECe9
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9CA8KNu5U
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lF3kMIRG0
"...Fine."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDLCuFEeSc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3TWTLTq1b
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqw44AUps0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4KwcuJrnm
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyQD5QLyEG
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD31ih0Mat5
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtA18GDrLP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ962Ewns1b1
"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!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL8IPzBtfU
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbR64IVFnB
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSqrCpzcTb
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmXkb0B5AF
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7KiUjhjHK
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WqXNEiQ9x
"Is there... something you need?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolcgoq2ndc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW3vXd1iZG
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxrWPFQ8Bk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMZbajv4d1
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYJxfSuGQh
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0hR1pl5Gu
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8aqgTIqc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmCS33m400
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqhoMCOUnc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZO6kXcvcq
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn3OjkhS6L
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWANfANQAHp
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrxMhHNzvB
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUe3WzGqov
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKrxpqEhlE
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjXL4NDGZN
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdEqnBb8bv
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfgzm5hxMn
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzcqqwRoSm
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VAXLtJFSP
She giggled a little. Creepy.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIwxQmGbzD
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfelHw20MXt
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ0U8rnLRK
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtCKppM047
"..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs2qU6KWHV
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo6sAAwpFT
What?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUPWLOz8ia
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bey8eIvzg
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc4YiKxb7s
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f1rhY4gI0
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6HlScJqn2
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh1V1x55mb
"O-Oh..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYuSYs9ugR
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML62whm30G
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduzjkD7cJF
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw9aKjGZF5
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttr28yZm6C
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jj0oYttuj
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs3f4CSFFS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy16PnhsWYq
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SW5l9DHLl
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iEJT6TpJx
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLFIV5vtuI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTqgpK5MmC
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd85gER5ox
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO60hKbhNUR
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9T7SZKT82
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz9vdub6EW
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH9ta8AoXo
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6gtmo6NbN
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcmdzBuGRk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85P7u3rTE5
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsnbHRc3JL
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yYqv3whtr
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsdD2FhqFH
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxHrJvKxJv
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rlz58aN0y
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkeMO0CNv9
Front-page news!?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa0QP2UvDX
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPrOwwwbna
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig95igRHql
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVyqoZxCpv
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5CNBdyGRS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnhZ9deL2P
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7RJqlruz0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKadKdtDnqc
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWDJAM5qmi
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM7Jcw4dH4
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehTuQhOWNc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcLDRbWOlO
"No, I don't."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKMCfFCG3S
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDewoEhPWg
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNSTymQbLa
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr0djFYvps
"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!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmWh4AJd0s
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMWcARICQo
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfHRaMhgtJ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4vxjWdwbR
"Thank you."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymU0l2FhrX
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4HC52K5q5
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYQVVPkEXw
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SOKw57MOc
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsbKuDRgR4
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmqGMlz6mq
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEOF5sSUPR
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ig8o8WNA
"Oh."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hi301sXMa
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKFsiV4wOb
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLPsDgdkXh
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYy3N5xiEg
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVWWuI6O8Q
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj833JYmAS
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOoJTDeyik
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlkFmzW0ts
Her face froze. I sighed.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm1Hlw6CzI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhJcQh5S7L
"I-I'll do it in the morning."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2hHy3Jm5j
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ9rr35G65
"Good luck."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IAxyIV8Xc
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0jG3hPzQu
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r1A4wptOo
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamvHajB2wS
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HMPjrcLXn
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXycY9yiN0
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM5geBHnug
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBKQqj2N7Q
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy7t6FKJZS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIfykS72IE
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M6gX84RX0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gussds3g0
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBeN3sREFr
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiBoa4kH7K
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlKa8YnpVR
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDATnuGklDY
"Going to what?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQan0MVlWd
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4RePnpplI
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREk9T4LBVX
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjSeIxfd6V
"Huh? Wash myself?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOFju0EeLk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgLZm2iDeo
"Yes. Like we did."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaDonGoYDo
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ySFZFILC3
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoglWTNIX6
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagf7UqMgDg
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsUf5VToZl
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKK1j46t2n
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19KQnVLjoZ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjCbgAorQC
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd90626nvcC
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UIx9xsve4
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUXCt1ZAW5
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmE035go8F
"Buffalo Village."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZIDB7up5w
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWAFG0xciy
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvc48WPzos
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHDVhvJDFj
"Really? I didn't know that."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrjW4tSvrj
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWoEyW7Hzv
Kim looked like she was smiling.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm5cdzq7ka
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq7LDSagYT
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihjJlogDt0
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB7AMPKWsz
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJYQohvn1F
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQpAP4t49a
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfZmumEgGS
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D3Ego29I1
"Fine, fine."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPS77Awln6
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I2ZvdJVjo
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhoQcytoYr
"..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxQcRS2CUs
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSndqPldwDy
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpnHO3NWnE
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooDeiq7l9M
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgj9f67iNV
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM2czDUPxR
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwQ8lnW3Vl
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPoa781r4q
–
–
–
"...Mmm."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1vTAZLrLd
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F3fMjvRez
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHLeezp13A
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8gmQqtiyJ
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGXhoDDBo
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZfZ5llwb4
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVMnhtiDPj
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtwMKpowyU
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E6CBYIa0I
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvCCZLiEQj
"Wow, you're hard at work."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8t1GtwnPX
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeAfmJ13sk
"Ah!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXgyPoVPIO
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tkwjpUQHU
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBlVudchhI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz8lODKcmc
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSGTSK1122
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkxfhvLHHa
"I don't think so... what time is it?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEWC3a0r5n
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcuX1qaADX
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNLy7NEvvs
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QI63uyj9h
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb9GTFr7pO
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknzl4A7vQc
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yyo5bWmc8
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BfZu1V0SF
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxwX7FITG
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWHHOZaMJX
I did regret sitting beside her, though.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVWYVFZsd3
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk3Rm2n86Q
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaw0xElzKP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl86wzyINtp
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgdNSbZJxj
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QWNP5ashg
Flinty looked at me with excitement.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHk4FBDgfk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWBLPD5S9w
"A goal?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit4eevfXjD
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkp8uSCliZ
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX3HuDHz2q
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aSQM4GO7y
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlZJG6dKmT
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TPwL7lSSp
"Okay, I'll do my best!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR77YljIeP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTk0VRFfxY
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DUoMHwQf4
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlL9PQ7sO6
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97P4RWOrHL
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBuj9sMDoY
"Good morning, Linda!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg0LMHTRcM
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfQDNGK18X
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zUz1aXZF4
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzndVaimVE
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfNCE6PCq8
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc57bTNY35
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08pwfHHaOY
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cb1yQnz0x
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xt0Yc4xpY
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7ki6fsMPa
Friday? Today is Friday?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBgrwmz7lh
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuZDrfEsfc
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z26QW0BO3
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUvuf9tNIc
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhHCGU061F
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqDSSDHMLn
She looked at me curiously before answering.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn8WTtdYUm
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ykjWGSXWI
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A8KxFQK6G
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzlMAhkXhy
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjKGU26prB
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc8FInVdH5
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFTumu2w4R
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb4seV0vuM
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMokSfLMmzu
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8THORsPsfs
"To whom? Those at your home village?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkhNDPC7IJ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRsiS23kb1
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ939hR4U5HP
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2fs6yDJwV
She lightly smiled.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGleNYr2ss
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPumf5NBro
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRnOq1Kxt5
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51VQJyPzMq
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6J4w6BaSb
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d6PNS4HdK
She shook her head from side to side.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwzzCP1gC6
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwd8g6ond8
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArSeugBKWh
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjnxatguKA
"So you decided on living here?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DPAKL6iSQ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLhwwNdXvg
She nodded.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFdCO7KZW7
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzbFFxlKOb
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpedEbSldr
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Eqf2080D
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1pylxE0ZQ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcHlqRuPL9
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5jgb8gLJn
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSORtuzbAC
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ59KgKtG7
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv2wAINEsb
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqqWUil7ch
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Jt5whTfn
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeNWSV9MTb
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdMVRe3rX9
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ04O6X4mj
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjWWMTQAC
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfXrk1mBn9
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSAYJ1q2WA
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvnHOzW7zR
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CHIKVYtwN
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijgzcMPTJC
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfQkKEuyl9
"Hey, Victoria?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpo8UcAchJ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohKTzzft5q
"Yes?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhuNn04Y1u
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZITxnz0WI
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GgosEGbD7
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKGi8Fj62a
"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!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3EAl1PXpk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgckhjhWm2r
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvY0vSI8S3
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVhjc6pNke
"Kim, are you good?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KVNF1nYoB
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiwwlULoDB
Kim just finished packing her bag.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmZJkVHWyZ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRQl8ZCzua
"Yes. Let's get going."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SWnfZY8CB
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlJNPaIX1z
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuujthj1qpN
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PsuAVHelh
–
–
–
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvipTK2AWjI
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoHJ16XwDM
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj70vZhJLWO
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEWmbMH8Jt
...She did do that, right?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YIncdLQTC
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRKqBfunPZ
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKR7bZNTsx
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq74RsZpvZs
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmIC4C778V
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0LG4xUrsZ
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZVM22Ztt
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NA5e4x5sU
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONGqs5uvEx
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgUIV4paLE
"Hmm?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e81zddZMM
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oyWzb33LW
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkkmnL74hH
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZXPg5RJHB
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38qWo7QUrJ
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9Dk2eRWPz
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxn3QY7Qz9
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHUGcIjBdt
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5HLjOHXdT
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc3GkZXkcq
"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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTmCXxlF0Y
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7WvKAh5QE
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUw7zZDvRg
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX7BsyOtP9
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOHcM6nkTw
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDNpN00Y1q
"R-Right."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qI6qj1mQm
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFPf0WIuoI
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3J4FUEYjA
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdByUVVKeP0
"Any objections?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsWG10Ki2I
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPSlxvzI02
None of us voiced any.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqjAeXDA1q
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFgSa4wGtR
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSITte3j1i1
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMNtC7FKLo
"Of course."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtN09y9z6c
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9YuSuBAD5
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmnxVwWuKv
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtir9QZkcN
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVl2P7ATLk
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiamXLVfHe
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv37zUCvPmE
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEcSbZej9v
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ5F23n9cE
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xq0Ys50D1
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzdojL946v
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3egHYbCp9
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92GkgrsDGw
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie1bsAM09i
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnTw0990L7
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FoSyfve9H
"Hold on, stop here."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpp47JWQ5Y
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VDIlziGzR
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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BKB0K3o7d
101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBFTYdioVy
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk0aHqM5mI
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQGW5eS7jV
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLptlWEwOSh
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQSdBXDMi0
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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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4Dr7EK0ba
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgL8drfqq7
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsZCrjfK04
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4IE6aVTTA
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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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQooJy9kCVq
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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?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0J2CSG8Pv
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxr7WSXhkf
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqyRonm5fA
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRAxEpt1lP
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIhKae0NfZ
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXOjfviHIR
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxzwY3vA48
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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?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE4jCXjKVI
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"Heh, well..."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY6IHUpcZB
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW714ga8TZ
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"What's the hold-up?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy3RyNIUWo
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC8cd42cn6
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wbZn0xkke
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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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6uS5kstfF
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OFHpzqRCn
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"So, what about you?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtrqyNIyL2
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULWodIDJh5
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAnvVgASmU
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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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzeSBTcAoL
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJy9PCtvtd
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCBKu6y5rr
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"I can see now why– oop."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cc44GPTt5
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjLoW7rSct
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZSI5rDeyE
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All of a sudden, a voice.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFwYson4Km
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"Something... I feel like something was here."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT4EunNOxK
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9NJxUkxP0
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnHZVLXH9j
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcdw0warOr
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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.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCB5d8iAJp
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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."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ncEwQvEq
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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.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
