The doors to the Pillar were made of thick glass lined with bolted steel. Opening it was arduous and unexpectedly time-consuming– that is until Rover caught up with me. Though the hinges fought against the force valiantly, Rover's sheer strength proved to be too much. A simple shove flung them open like a cupboard door. Unfortunately, I was putting my whole being into opening the door beforehand, leading me to unceremoniously fall onto the smooth floor.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakwVt3uuz1
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"Ow! Ahh..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMFpVzdMVC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lE5048La2
"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBP02HHPcO
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"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3ssjXAx4x
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBa8JKS7Ka
She tilted her head at my comment. I stood up and rubbed my own, ignoring the inquiry shown in her gaze. We took a few paces into the building. Immediately, I noticed smooth, carpeted floors and lavish furniture sprawled around the entrance. There were lounges, tables, receptionist desks, and more. Though it was the first time I'd ever entered such a scene, I could draw a comparison easily– it was very similar to how the Tea Mage described the "student center" of Talbot, after all.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm5s6RNy4M
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"...This place is giving me the creeps."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdnUyeOwPl
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"Huh? How so?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtByx2KULNC
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"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz67vgfK6G
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARsm0uf4Ej
"Couches and rich– wait a second."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkDx0dK6Wc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI4UY2G0TM
Doing another scan of the environs, I found myself concurring with Rover's deduction. At that moment, the grandiose atmosphere of the room vanished and was replaced with ghostliness, and a cold sweat ran down my back. I also became confused; after all, didn't Mason say that security was tight?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8kkrvnp2D
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw63RIoS6OZ
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"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwlkyBJ7lK
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"Tch! This stinks!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHLhmDfUrv
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Rover stomped the ground and began to storm off, but I grabbed her wrist before she could go too far. She turned her head to me with her usual grumpy scowl.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4JpgCGFaV
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"What?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvK4cuME9y
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMPAxRzbab
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpCVbx9Xcp
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm5GItfox4
"What? Are you scared?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub1JeXi6BY
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"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xOt9QPwjh
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She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmYUlsOLj9
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"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSVZY4kANU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8pnfIjJ5W
She had a wry look on her face. I understood the intentions behind her words and tone immediately, and I nodded in the face of a revelation. It was one I couldn't properly articulate, but the feelings it stirred up translated perfectly into an action.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBCsU6btMJ
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcVjz0s4lz
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"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h3bd5S3GU
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"...Fine."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIe45QIi7v
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Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPKkKAJQIZ
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RWXfL0Uwb
Rover and I didn't spend too much time inside the foyer, since it was obvious that what we saw would be all there is. Instead, we walked deeper into it and were immediately faced with a fork in our road. A left and a right, each path leading to a hallway with a set of doors. The ends of the hallway were comfortably in sight, meaning that traveling them shouldn't be challenging. I looked at Rover inquisitively. She pointed at the hallway on the left, prompting me to take the one on the right.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0YD537G51
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn7MYgJxfz
My first impression of this hallway was that it was bland. There were no elegant decorations of lush chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was a hallway consisting of simple white walls and doors. Most of the lighting came from windows and the sun, though a few lights were stationed here and there. I hit the end of the hallway quickly, turning the corner and continuing my expedition. The hallway looked identical to where I was standing, which made me feel as if traveling in this sector was a waste of time. Rover was a much quicker walker than me, so she would already have seen whatever was beyond the next turn long before I made it there.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82haLN6FyK
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"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSJCoXOsM0
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbGULmMyDT
Our goal was ultimately to reach the Dean's office, which, according to Mason, was perched on the highest floor of the Pillar. However, Mason also said that the interior was heavily guarded. I doubted his words, but doing so wouldn't lead me anywhere, since it wasn't like I had a lead or someone nearby to ask. Therefore, I decided that I should look around more sensibly, and with my new mindset, decided to open the nearest door.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZFDNylxsA
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"...It's locked."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwwjTCn9JN
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRugz6qZGun
I shouldn't have been, but I was disappointed. I walked a few paces to the next door and tried to open that one but to no avail. I repeated this action for the next half a dozen or so doors, until suddenly–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLaR6Mp4By
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCEJ7qa1NG
"Oh! This one's open!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BrmGPqR54
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Before I let the door go wide, I released my tendril, giving into the sense of trepidation I've had since entering the building. Then, I took my first step. Aside from the tiny slab of sunlight crossing barely over the threshold, the room was pitch black. I produced a Flash-Bloom and was greeted by what appeared to be an office building.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm9gqOtRdd
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekJ3RLmSJw
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Thrown into a coughing fit, I eyed the inordinate amount of dust in the environs. Opening the door must've flung it all into the air. Now I stood there, coughing and in regret.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz9E3TvcAY
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But I had to wonder: Why was a room inside a building as crucial as this so dusty? Was it just an unused room? Or, was it something else?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6XO4HRzel
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHASAvrwqYe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnFlTfEe18
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4bQIb8NF8
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This line of thinking, the sudden freight I received from entertaining such a thought, froze me. Even though the room was empty, even though the air was still like a statue, unperturbed, I couldn't move.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uN6NwLs6U
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjRnnxewal
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoDu64Qdyi
Somehow, uttering that stray thought that crossed my mind returned strength to my legs. Though I was still shaken, I was able to properly inspect the room now.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF3fHzcBIL
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD6grvouJb
It was a room where tables and chairs were stationed in groups. Inspecting the contents of the table, I noticed that they were primarily empty, though a few stray pieces of paper found themselves on the desks. I could tell that this room was a workstation of some kind.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiB7zE3kLd
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"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQEkUKQzZw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe1HJBraAp
I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTXyd3DzDJ
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4QFiqggoX
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I raised my Flash-Bloom to the culprit of my toppling and saw the tip of my shoe wedged into the floor. I stood up with an excessive amount of embarrassment. I should've expected as much from an abandoned room, so I admonished myself for my lack of attentiveness.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bHge5LQPB
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0e1QYODI5
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"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ocgtg5cjk
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23sheexUx8
I decided to save those questions for later and continued investigating the parameters, paying extra attention to the floor I was walking on. I inspected the desks for anything unusual, just a glance since I figured this room wasn't going to provide me with what I wanted. To my surprise, I found something that wasn't a scrap piece of paper.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyLOp0JBRz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOGmzyEhHX
It was still a piece of paper, though. This one had words on it and tears at the corner, leading me to believe that it was a part of a packet.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ97dgkmkm
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"What's this here...?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8z7F8ZzIy
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Most of the page was covered in dust and other debris that, coupled with the lighting, made it illegible. Fortunately, the title of the paper was thick, bolded, and easy to read.
"...Flatlands reconnection proposal?"
From the few words that weren't blocked, I conjured up that some group of people wanted to return to the Flatlands. For what purpose, I didn't know, nor could I begin to imagine the thought process behind such an absurd idea. It was no wonder that this page was left behind in such an unkempt room. The proposal was simply ridiculous.
"...But that doesn't have anything to do with my objective."
Sighing, I crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it behind me. I checked the rest of the desks and found nothing of interest. I only ended up wasting my time. I walked to the door with a heavy heart and–
"..."
I froze.
It wasn't because of something I saw. Well, it was, but I didn't see anything horrific or otherworldly. It was the implications it provided, the droning insinuations it drilled into my brain, shaking it, stabbing at my nerves that rendered me a frightened goat.
"You're attentive. I'm impressed."
The door, which was opened only a smidgen wider than when I had entered this room–
**SLAM**
Was brazenly and noisily closed, leaving only the light of the Flash-Bloom.
"W-Who... who's there?"
Using mana spinning, I increased the brightness of the Flash-Bloom, yet I was unable to spot any figure in the room. I turned my body and even looked under the desks; nothing.
"That is a peculiar Endowment you have, I haven't seen anything like it."
The voice, that of a woman, resonated in the room, coming from no apparent direction. It left me frantically looking around, wallowing in my confusion.
"S-Seriously, who's there!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyty37ptAxO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF2TOA0irm
My demand was not met with silence. In light of this, I began mana expulsion and created a spear of stone, keeping it ready for whenever, or if ever the woman showed her face.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndivKzdP54
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcLe2CrbNo
"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB6AZm2bem
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk42jeCP5ab
The way she articulated herself sparked a sudden bit of hope in me. I choose my next words carefully, struggling not to stumble on them.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDXMy59MHa
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"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxPe4lU5Ze
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH0O47Ue8K
"...Really?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjil0RgdmJm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6twwpf52JP
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp92mvePpRo
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rBQOoLnf6
The strength in my voice died down, but I was thankfully able to get my message across. I did another quick scan of the room but didn't see anybody. I didn't hear the woman say anything, either. I was left in the darkness, confused, and unable to–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhnKFLjvrL
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj2pa3PK4C
"--Wait."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmbJkeqWvC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyZFinHZT9
An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVuTWTQ4Bx
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**SMASH**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6h6DJJ6gF
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Once the dust settled, I found that the door was busted down. However, a second inspection revealed that somehow, it was rebuilding itself. It wasn't with wood and wadding, however, but with pure rock.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWvcfSpHA5
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn06PUafrG
"Earth magic."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb9HTnmNB9
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But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IUDIcle18
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**THUD**157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr55400I8EU
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I froze yet again. It was the sound of something heavy animate hitting the ground. I turned my head and lit up the area. There, I saw a woman with a lazily worn yet silky robe exposing her shoulders with pants of a similar texture and flounciness.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd4zmTywc6
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOeVjOu72g
Her clothing would've made her look harmless if it weren't for her... eyes?
"Do you have something to prove it?"
"..."
Every indication was telling me that this woman was a threat. The situation screamed to me that I should be vigilant and wary, never letting her figure escape from my view.
But her look told me something else. It wasn't a disarming look, though she did possess a beautiful face, or a mien of kindness that could ease even a rabid animal's nerves. No, it was a look that was asking me– no, pleading with me, desperately desiring for some reality to be ascertained. And, from the somber yet quivering voice that she used to ask me that question, I knew that I was the one with the power to realize it.
So, ignoring my better judgment, I did.
"I do. It's in my pocket. Let me show you."
I slowly reached for the note, making sure she could see my hand go through every motion. My unfolding was meticulous, and I gently tossed the paper to her, mindful of her vigilance. She crouched to pick it up, never letting her gaze stray away from me. When she went to read the letter, she made and aimed a monstrous water spell at me, keeping me in stock still.
I was unsure if even the Valencia-Bloom could stop it.
Her eyes slowly moved along the lines of the page. Her expression steadily morphed from a cautious one into a gentle yet somber one. Then, her spell dispersed, and she covered her mouth with her free hand. I was shocked by what I saw then.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E9LktmJrm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQi1zb95Fi
"...Tears?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS9bfFfySj
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My eyes didn't deceive me. Tears formed in the women's optics. Her quiet cries turned to sobs. The note was meekly released from her hand, and it fell to the floor, gently swaying.
"T-Thank you. Thank you... so much."
I was paralyzed. I couldn't move my limbs or my mouth.
And then the woman fell to her knees. She wiped the tears off her face with a hidden smile, gibbering her gratitude.
–
–
–
"I apologize. That was an unsightly thing to do, especially in front of a child."
The woman, sitting with an arm hung over the tip of her knee, was offering me the note. I took it and, checking for wet spots, folded it before putting it back in my pocket.
The woman had giant bags under her eyes, but I doubted that they were caused by the tears.
"No worries. Though, I do have a lot of questions about it..."
She chuckled, tilting her head into the palm of her other hand.
"I imagine. Why don't we introduce ourselves? My name is Lola, and you?"
"Lola? That's a quaint name. I haven't heard anything like it before."
"Yes, it's foreign here in the Southern country."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BvCGegLjC
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXG9CTaTAW
"Foreign..."
I hung on the word, spending an amount of time Lola's subsequent head tilt deemed inordinate.
"Sorry, it reminded me of something. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but please, just call me Kenny."
"Buffalo as your middle name? Do you hail from an animal-worshiping village?"
"I... do, yes. Admittedly, I know little about what the village thinks of the Buffalo. I can't even remember seeing one."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobo0x1mgtE
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQKmeNaqTC
My mand broke for the conversation for a moment, ruminating on why that possibly was. I quickly found an answer and instinctively shrunk in shame.
"It's a pleasant place, but I spent my time poorly there."
"What are you doing out here then, love?"
"Love?"
She had a look of surprise that was quickly overtaken by a chuckle.
"Sorry, that's a Western thing."
"A Western thing? Now that you mention it, you do have an accent."
She slowly nodded in response to my observation.
"I'm impressed. Many don't pick up on it so fast, if at all."
I shrugged. I figured that spending time around Juke helped me pick up on those details.
"..."
Though, her vocal inflection was very similar to Mother's–
"Now, Kenny, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"H-Huh? Oh, sure, but..."
"But what?"
I thought of the mission. I was in a rush for time, so I didn't have the privilege to sit down and partake in a leisurely chat with her. However, I realized that her presence opened up an opportunity for the knowledge that I was sorely missing.
I decided to entertain her for the time being.
"As you might've surmised from the letter, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Ah, indeed. How about, if you answer me, then I'll help you to the Dean's office?"
"That'd be perfect! But, would you mind if I asked you a question of my own in addition?"
"Of course."
She gently nodded. Not wanting to be rude, I took a seat across from her and dimmed my Flash-Bloom. She began to twirl her grayish-white hair in rumination.
"I know why you're here, and I know that Mason let you in. How about..."
It was made clear that she didn't have a question prepared, meaning that she likely just wanted Fto chitchat. It irritated me, but I stuck around.
"Why not, I'll inquire about your skills."
"My... skills?"
The question surprised me. It was the last type of inquiry I expected.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHqYwNFApj
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"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39LOcxpHOv
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"I'm a third-grade earth magician and fourth-grade in fire and water. I'm ungraded in wind. I'm not sure about my grade in mana spinning."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tj1tUO6Zj
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"Ha, how interesting."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzqscGTbte
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She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV7kpsdOl1
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"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb52gZgjqnj
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM115m3AoGL
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVAcL29UjQ
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tFMkRQS5q
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"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kM2STYalw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnVDYfyYcq
"Similar fields?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcStIcFg6Q
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cRuOxJqu0
"That of a combatant, of course. What else is being this proficient at magic good for? It's for guard work, or fighting beasts, or taking care of the occasional delinquent."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmhVmLV20s
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw90z4X0fge
"I-Is that so...?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP0EKF77Wb
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1UVjtsL54
She nodded with her eyes closed. Truthfully, I wasn't following along with what she was saying. Though I did understand her words, none of it stuck with me.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS9ZRiiMES
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXPN1G95ij
"Isn't what you're doing similar? Escorting a crucial letter to be sent might as well be guard work. Somehow, I pity you– oh, but I don't mean that to be rude! If it's what you've set out to do in your life and if it makes you happy, then by all means, go and chase–"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPLbeKZxhu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv73KZO0cuE
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatfSU9o6Pv
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ587Tnptbnd
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbaRG6mQ5y
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG8UZxfJwb
"What part didn't you understand?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwZ5Njv7Cx
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLmDsDWevm
"No, it's not that I don't understand what you're saying, it's that I don't understand why you're saying it at all."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7LYU50VRd
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEjQPzVqvG
"...Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkeqimMnl6
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3QWn41EgF
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG70zDhNqO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5npv3nOYgC
"Well, yes, I am doing work congruous with my magic skills, but by the way you talk, it's as if this is what I've decided on for eternity. That's not true, I'll have you know."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ieKuYYqV
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWp2bfjzwc
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDBYGWOY9D
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p0abKI1VK
"Huh?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGbEgG4VZn
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzruHZpAiGm
"I'm actually studying to be an alchemist! I won't say where, because people freak out when I tell them. I've already acquired a handsome amount of grants from selling my potions alone. But, well, alchemy is one thing, but what I really want to do is study magical plants!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMcbZ70tbR
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYyOpB8M5h
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1ywWNj9Zm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT1j8cEexQ
"My passions, of course! People call it lame, but it's because the most they can spare for them is a single dismissive glance. They don't understand the intricacies nor the beauty to be found in this type of Exotica. Plus, their potential for advancement in knowledge in fields such as alchemy and, well, magic in general, is boundless! I imagine, at least. I've only ever read one book about these plants, but it's more like a bestiary than a scientific text. So, I imagine that the knowledge in this field isn't very vast, and it makes me want to expand it!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDxZOzFYSa
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLays5g3Eu
"..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLmNkGuQ17
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VazGukmlh
"I plan on studying them once I receive a full education, which I imagine will take me... at least a decade. O-Oh, I'm sorry, I've rambled quite a bit, haven't I?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUBmT0XlFM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnreEKNiuZ
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69PhRn69PU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY2BwNBrIq
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58WOiHBMUN
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HFhwvSnK3
"That's because I've been offered a lot of money and the ability to view new ones in exchange for taking this type of work."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf403r7vIv
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS5fXROZuv
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsekdQlcoZ
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldf1qdhPBY
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACpV85MaEM
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIuF6aqgCh
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIm2Udu9Ms
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvh6YQ1zD6
"A-And that's what you say? Ah, oh my goodness..."
She calmed down and took steady breaths, letting out a few more faint chuckles before speaking again.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkDkjpLBDz
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYVyLag65S
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1WGaGnLVu
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDgd5QL0E4
"What are you talking about!?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLoANuEPvD
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ7RQqx5Tr
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qu3ONuKVO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHNLeYhuUF
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWlCSYvcwU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EKQYZubD4
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIVci6r9l8
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPogkkWhgw
"..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJb9RhCQpe
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKs9UgpFmN
Frankly, my flurry of emotions from earlier had barely dissipated. I took a minute to calm myself and ease the tension in my body before asking anything. I did appreciate that she kept the number of inquiries low, though–157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9mncIgME
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8C78TmLvu
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4BFWH79cK
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkFRFpcIUF
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsHw41uclm
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eSF1Tk8X2
"Fine, go ahead."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1l5iFml3k
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7CikwxF9u
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDwBK4JJmL
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnDZ0Gmn9f
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2ebXFcCpU
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BK1QLmyZc
I pointed at it and she nodded.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9HiLXPiKw
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0rrLoO2B
"It allows me to create miniature versions of magical plants I've already performed mana spinning on. I can amplify their effects with internal mana spinning from there on. It's very handy, but..."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRCXgo271C
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbxjdCJuC0
"Hm? But what again?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgRE65Bu6C
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC8hy2MbgB
"It leaves me more vulnerable. I don't quite get it myself, but I think that the tendril is intertwined with my body, or at least with my nervous system."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqDtiRvzWG
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6t9yPJ5CG
"I see. That's disturbing."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyivkYgYln
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Cm4DTYip
"It's... not so bad."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOJUU5zXfj
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXV7pZ3Ajr
She gently huffed at my response.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqCo75PS41
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJjQDs3Jsu
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ430nKOWoIc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3OKH0Vbmo
"Fight Mason?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9bvUYB0vV
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBngQJRyen
I realized that I failed to mention Rover in this entire discussion. I rubbed my head, anticipating disappointment for the answer I would give her.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkkifNhs96
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMuCqSbfVt
"No, I didn't fight Mason. My friend and colleague did. Her name is Rover. Oh, I should've met up with her by now! Ack!"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAPVyuN6dk
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncb6ErtDn6
I made a considerable blunder there. I got to my feet and rushed to the door. I looked back at the surprised Lola for one last word.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZVIh6LXmH
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSozt6HI8uE
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyykmCct9q
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlnDber545
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqp5zymGWH
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglCEMHztc9
She got up herself, adjusting her robe, and stopping a few feet away from me. I thought it was a signal to open the door, but when I did, she didn't pass through.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlM8PuHSHO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kUCdmEZlA
"Is something the matter?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7fWp8HWiO
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWgvJSzRCS
"...Where is your friend right now?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83VuO0utXc
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEt2xbKBdT
"T-That's... why do you ask?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iqtjQ0TYf
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj44pemlxpg
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoIPQAJWaW
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ztsf1ER5E
I blinked a few times. I knew she was insinuating something, and though I didn't know what exactly, I had the impression that it was sinister.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCM3oA1JlH
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UppoJBptO
"Yes, she did."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzHLJJ26ym
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7FkOAfzMe
"Ah, I see now."157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq3zYX7eqs
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFa2FtoNeg
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XIKCLlMKb
157Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKPdFq47rI
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
