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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn0NJtWxVw
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"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvtdPeciTV
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"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdShHEc73E
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You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJQ3JmpdXA
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FNeohCFdm
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblExz1Fc7o
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How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u2lGd5Qie
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"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7LdbkBRO2
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"...Sure."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCkMJhmQtt
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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?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55wzN5CJnV
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"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyG0HZ1pkx
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FjEhiOIY7
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU4tmzaoya
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyVDhyKK5T
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaVmgzihs4
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkcfclYFmd
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlsxsjIzSj
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5N7WxZ1O3
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptnvWkBAVp
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"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoquQq4Xqvr
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE36BiKkob
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOkTAlx546
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"Wait, what!?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIw5v2qRdP
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Flinty stood up and slammed the table.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2Lsm36Law
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"Why not me?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Dp5ddpGz
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"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkQsTS0Fnp
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPP7Sfx7CA
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqHqKwqqEr
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63gyQj2AXd
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbbiLPWGp7
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No, you didn't.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUGOeG7zzF
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"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1KwT4QQOy
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"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIXCHPwb09
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"Huh?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQEu8TfBxy
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I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf7jWDgUxT
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ0X9VgR4G
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEuYJnbTKi
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"Mhm!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnUggw5mg8
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Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYqSWiJwDK
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRmMq36g4e
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvdx9xvidZ
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Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFqt7x5Mgn
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRBsniRJhl
"...Fine."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ8X4jVc2o
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She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8VHOI3uAU
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26N1YP84qV
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOKdCOn9q4
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"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56k2qb9VQ1
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QhLcircaK
"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!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O0ItGXsnS
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwfY91zA6W
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9aYR4m54A
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5TPVha4V2
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1VuKknZxK
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"Is there... something you need?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxKePEfKbJ
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"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dxiZyP8em
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RUclGUPyM
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNfBIHSW9V
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"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtr29Aw1SC
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGEMfKb5wn
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"Why is it that you can't say your name?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKVhVaPNOL
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"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUbRg6wZKR
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She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcljV0S5Ki4
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"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgSWIQRWKi
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"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLmjNe7Xsw
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She giggled a little. Creepy.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj3J9ffWC6
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"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzz1mfGB3O
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"..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZQ0gJyoBT
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What?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr38weEWV1B
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOmJ5oLirW
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwCZbm6Skp
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFCipJ00Cq
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"O-Oh..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tEl7q9s8k
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She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUCoHO82sy
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"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKjPgAnXPl
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRooKuPF6SZ
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkzHDFuJ0d
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"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gbisDybrF
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU4MPSVnOC
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtAE4ZO9Rt
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Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZlws52L5h
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Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyYjfwnaQD
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC17WfrFRT
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"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXJMYDzfKC
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See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOHLgpNfQ4
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbKBeWuwNr
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3nUhR0eff
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"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KkupntLa7
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Front-page news!?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtKM2oocjW
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"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4C9x36bRR
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"O-Oh! Um, uh..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRRjSquixn
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She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuNInc9Cdv
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"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W9gzQ85dV
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She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrcpp8YY9u
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"No, I don't."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUqcpbxO1V
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPTUDzLzt5
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"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!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwS4bMY3uO
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"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWHrkUfa78
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"Thank you."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPUApTyVpx
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUcGIXa9G
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"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciTWXRwteE
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"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt49OjBsAr
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"Oh."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zg4QhlmgM
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If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5PiVdfWPE
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"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kYl2k6uKe
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"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl7rQO6dfp
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Her face froze. I sighed.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMPkHOJ5wc
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"I-I'll do it in the morning."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqqeeDRl7t
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"Good luck."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjwPba7OWx
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She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0727j1xY0d
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"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUzWw8kY71
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"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG3Eyz00ho
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"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV09yKHSBM
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QUB4cTuKE
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKzBTxJGnR
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"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B3jnwoHAs
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Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f9vrkrJPR
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"Going to what?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6nnJLLOen
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"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YNjPkPkAO
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"Huh? Wash myself?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4fZLZrbPR
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"Yes. Like we did."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT6TdrUrn9
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"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokdENdawkN
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Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLaqV1Q7iz
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"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pXaKg5MNA
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGHerES2BC
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVDySpAW13
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"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHNI1wtG0l
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"Buffalo Village."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqr0EQuAQQ
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"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLw7i0D52r
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"Really? I didn't know that."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdvbD00k9X
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Kim looked like she was smiling.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcU9T5UZru
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"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzi8BDyJ3g
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"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA6G5AMr18
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"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSNZDVGFfA
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"Fine, fine."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJwUfYMAo9
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I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp45wyruP3
"..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FQl5TtE0j
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p7YOpGMJv
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhIYqpejMu
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb7BwILBKt
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbplu7QtynC
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyShvNxcnB
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3leQbZ2bv
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWVIip8Vcm
–
–
–
"...Mmm."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ig4noX2cg
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDv8Tr9JdW
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfnu0QdOfL
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5BWAD68tU
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzxDGjS1s7
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoCU09fcpb
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCCu8wqjmB
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dXXdNsVU6
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8KkAmvSMO
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6XB46FIXS
"Wow, you're hard at work."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMaFepGiYW
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47YOeQVJLL
"Ah!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MAV1Iu1hA
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She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDn8DTXpmf
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqPtNAQleD
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukcqvcL6rM
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjiXUNKwPM
"I don't think so... what time is it?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Kmh6UvgG
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p3hdfufkL
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN7utSHx5o
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWnWsGkZg9
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogEqoXUuDZ
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH5ddSxb13
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHE1RCjROC
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnMQ1wmnQI
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr5eY28Mpq
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mvt147C8S
I did regret sitting beside her, though.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EvYpqpgHn
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bWCxtnlXm
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfFnNTdjLY
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gIg1QE2hD
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P2pUc2330
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fPAbVTkrM
Flinty looked at me with excitement.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD5X8zXtIx
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHTUQGkeaM
"A goal?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxsvBEseDZ
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA8XM4fPFp
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKe5CyoDuf
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vASB5RraD
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchAKO08C5U
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"Okay, I'll do my best!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDJeKk3Muf
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC4U52dH67
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Ssqdap53
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fL5GWSqvd
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKFAv3WCs9
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxg8aeTiAb
"Good morning, Linda!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6cQ78j0JT
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9PIaDeL0B
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7XAL7UsbD
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL5ZUJd6oO
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJtTBsWhsZ
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZmlNG5xAE
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB11VC9O2tl
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvQix6ndFl
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AE0QsKxlH
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFX01kTWox
Friday? Today is Friday?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs08qLK2dhN
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3AgB4oiFT
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJI6FcV64r
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgygy73AUIQ
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLSr7gWz2i
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6amg6PDGoG
She looked at me curiously before answering.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt5RUXODHH
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2tg9RIzR7
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8j4x0SaWo
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYgzTsQvVZ
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB5pZziuFv
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A0iPF5LX9
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNGFcMkBeM
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jsJkxh64q
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhNZLJUuv5
"To whom? Those at your home village?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuOYQNbGV2
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTHhx4BbBe
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP7eW75YcE
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pM9Wy6tTF
She lightly smiled.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubcAPM6jfF
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN4AiV4Jkc
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiYwAudNNj
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX4IWGb3VZ
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z8DJX1XZR
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOGJc7L7mB
She shook her head from side to side.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvlY7FDPTU
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4OBIHArrH
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4tLJpqPb0
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazsG5zneAJ
"So you decided on living here?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpEe13EA3Y
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlQy3LXOPN
She nodded.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihFMOPep9J
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuGGosErkk
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7TwNkc72Q
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjRUNaTsQ7
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBn9bIYSdh
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVmHP8NbB7
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXehFhx1GJN
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLwaNW8EZm
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu8s2KOB2b
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJjD5SsWSm
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vSAlcqAcL
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtroa3TByfv
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlyXXSxx6S
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWWmK5GZ18
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wh9jI9YWL
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjiq2sUq5t
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGBFbXssd0
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxZyEfFJRI
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IxlImrfVa
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq2KVz2UDe
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5jJ4QTqOJ
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"Hey, Victoria?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw8gpzk00g
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG5EarYCxm
"Yes?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXX15akTcj
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgN5JBTOll
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIkuAhbsv7
"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!"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWOBSVQWg6
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBGSuWlcja
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg9ZOpnsmr
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9pp8LG9s8
"Kim, are you good?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eCme7yOg9
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8qJvf9vpZ
Kim just finished packing her bag.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJyDnSpeNa
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWeZrdPvmy
"Yes. Let's get going."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlB9eXxU4K
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroQmvxC5SV
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZRi6WmbcN
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EqdzO7sNG
–
–
–
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0dPmBDiSn
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64UiGfIaRS
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRyR4rxbhY
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwx6ubLsvD
...She did do that, right?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi24OBajSf
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauDZpQH0OJ
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4jjtVqhIh
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpxDenoV87
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDJzOBbAwD
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZqMXc5NsH
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KGIar450A
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH4GOwS4NW
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA5IKx2Th3
"Hmm?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DxjRLJyP0
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCFIrxAmPd
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lE4OP41TX
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgJYwK7DwK
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGDNMzu4Jf
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepTgva9oVw
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNLAjot9zY
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKTeA0c2VV
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcfsMvA7vh
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46JsrcmT35
"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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsefzKVBfl
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBG0Br3kt3
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2tkdycDk0
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOYFO8mSPB
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJbYJkkCq4
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EkkdJvh8q
"R-Right."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHMu7iXz6N
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq0dbBvBAH
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmBLUnnUN1
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xYE4pJq86
"Any objections?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCpBUdJ2uW
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCoV3ndatJ
None of us voiced any.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJCIDiijB1
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Y7x97Rf4
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvDbMrXNPK
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasi9CDIWtu
"Of course."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN37e75Rbz9
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod9aK2G1sF
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
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–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CF0cFTM77
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGoWWjWN6Y
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCUJUzDCjE
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2z9k4TANP
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh32vExatu
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrrDOJlJaQ
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI58THy4jE
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcWSb7qalb
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrISaiLy93
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2htKDl3krg
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUyWgZYWUk
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyQfT3B6Lt
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp3pYPtGHs
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIIaNVEsah
"Hold on, stop here."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuanUpGe9mj
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup5HL29QwF
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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxVPrFzuk1
119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqtRMdn6dj
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsN01ijynO
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaTjubUwS7
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMbV0HQICF
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcG5ZMX7X0
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz4uFmKdRj
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgdJqogIv1
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWyF0owOxh
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa5J3oJ6jg
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1yL148EUF
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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?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzPszfck1r
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb4DMokKUY
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRrUkmI6kr
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1qtvifpph
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OIC9Fwdu1
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxGLJ1fetF
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan8UzHFs6c
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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?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWpa7jwwDp
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"Heh, well..."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtwlSrNyMf
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jb9fOaD5L
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"What's the hold-up?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw13R8SFo2
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XBOY4W6Cl
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQcL5nDkuP
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt5m8pj5AO
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyi20SvA5M
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"So, what about you?"119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNS5Hz0FMV
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTyNZqRrur
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5KHGNRW2T
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLnx6wUUeD
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tjlthQICa
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFggF8Y6ZR
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"I can see now why– oop."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GpApdkh8A
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnPdKkcnRe
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAELmZgrXlY
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All of a sudden, a voice.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnCHWZntdQ
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"Something... I feel like something was here."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFqwE7Z9Vd
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VOqk5gbwP
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOTs6mJXIt
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYU68UWaqX
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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.119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaNtpwz66K
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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."119Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIHIaQwZt9
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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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