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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn9hKRBXDT
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"Ow! Ahh..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt6JjgukCO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGAeGHuhNk
"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrq8d8VHIn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w2qxTubuD
"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKGhkCKhAA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNfMTbyVIy
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh13v1Vm61
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"...This place is giving me the creeps."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLir4Ztrkl
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"Huh? How so?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeFVAHao0a
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"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOxQEjbMuu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZzDvujS89
"Couches and rich– wait a second."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtaBMIkOWR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfhVNKdDhZ
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?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjqmpToUmm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOacwZpGkw1
"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTo8Zruncq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3uhgeukUD
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJvSYVSzgR
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"Tch! This stinks!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl3KAVnNJz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lH4bq8UWI
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzaY5LY8Dj
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"What?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoChoanvwwe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDDEQhslO5
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJXXxtCdoj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtmsZ6xgUk
"What? Are you scared?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwHlL5jlzh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv6NglBvRp
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQiUoFMWwE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB02Gi0nWZq
She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E4mnXLnpb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvyPj670EX
"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK5OHmhuQl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWJbzShpfz
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2uMJPmHoz
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEJFaOFT5F
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0anObTmHhJ
"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXctbVSlvj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzCgC6P0hs
"...Fine."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E1lT06tK8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdvOjcQRCn
Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UxQv1vN5U
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡral1a7sz6L
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQH9w1C7HJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ymr5A9IXS
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQDgPJxthJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLsNZNj8Ul
"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrtLks1fBo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ei7SAGkZ6
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIPMFUBfF0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCUDwIs13V
"...It's locked."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9HT2BhC1N
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aHDHxZBgF
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–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3abMux4saD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt4CrrdMgG
"Oh! This one's open!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrAdkMvzyX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtLI0UEmpv
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG99HRDvAbt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOTtdzOmFD
"This place is– cah! Ack!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgEv7z2Puw
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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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGVxTf10Wo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV0S8r2eOR
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?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98WfMBNLW9
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk5Outvzrf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHBWTwQfMR
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Er8YJ4Ff
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs8ZzfeTqg
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40JW7XUlNF
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4t5eAVnPG
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJt7RQ3cjG
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJfu4Xqps2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMXHu7ydQn
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N5PHbrmKW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi9y3qYbRM
"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yF00H67Nm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoPOgXiPdj
I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRmFcSu6WF
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDj2Q4EtAp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKslEZ5o9ZM
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2zKB19pzz
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2sjyPnAiT
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"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwprk9k24W0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnk3p4IN2Z
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16xW6wOCum
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrDFHSg9D0
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Phk6bOxRI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUIxSWGVV9
"What's this here...?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbIRhJQrm2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSDv3MyCYL
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!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnmUmYwhM0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOcwPCV1tu
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYnWYMVJ8a
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYIpuvyXF4
"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQXWo7PoE1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiqhgR1z1j
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmLBWdnz4b
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37XV977Dlc
"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXPT5mY6XM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV70lLlvQa
"...Really?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cs2Dea66O
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUO4LHpNwZ
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2wyDY39CL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ7jBA0Wt4
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–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdlTNTXqmo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaDgQKB4vF
"--Wait."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4khZC5yOg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfZKBrnpKr
An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGJCjiJDv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgEU0di2Gk
**SMASH**191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcqFTvgoz0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaL9GeYVP4
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMqjPB954n
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxKMEdMcax
"Earth magic."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fu3ZYjQP7
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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–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSAcesQX7C
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**THUD**191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyYOYLKIue
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjRCA2ojoI
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9bRfXDHmu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzZvhwT8YW
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dXi6960Ph
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ot8FfioJN
"...Tears?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yl3KI3Hob
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZvzMtMagf
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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlkx3Y1gxy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwEVO7yrhz
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0yIjjXNXn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkNGPPqEsT
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm3lzi9J1z
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o85E224dN
"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEuTSx1DrG
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSThFCZyVk
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXhPUBnwzI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XVScXZYLt
"Ha, how interesting."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbk81kr7nu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5n6WWi1X6
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1OudoXmja
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51GgVQlKbF
"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIunkegLwh1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqKUYREmqM
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDPLIMMiVJ
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRivXj8mCq
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaESTjNYrgQ
"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJrIMeFBcw
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1A7hDHtoD
"Similar fields?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxMUL89kmj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBnu0joWhO
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOZZKhUeCe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wnyxzg1mD
"I-Is that so...?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUcfboJUHT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSMlrYZ3Hl
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nqFqA4fvu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvAVDg72ku
"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–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUQKnW633a
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTWEdLVJ1
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLxlAmNBTe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfXyiNzSM6
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOyXTG9oX4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBpYvRea0x
"What part didn't you understand?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxfHKk7pUi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBSGxKP5oA
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKSepOTBVQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhDqIbBYlM
"...Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv3pVZjeFD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWLqipETos
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYX6JYd14k
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcIzb04W4b
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFstPcFFhv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J3hvuvDly
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KfIqdGrbD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJqjpFDy6
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqQdYRfLiu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ6Ucn35Ri
"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!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTGrjWazB9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ526b5VIhlS
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3R9oLa8VN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCqY2uGr6z
"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!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH9lxr2x3v
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmy50XaBKh
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LQkvuFu4X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xuEfHXD9c
"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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0BMsNyTrl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhSfr7CYXK
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWs8Tffkej
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZRFAe7VxW
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyoLpvRdlO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAhS0zZYyH
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL40Jetl4tf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3SJBiEJiD
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn8fYvBRxA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0kNIjYxMc
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4RjUULTn1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3rwMd3qb6
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZxeOKK9BE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eatkTH1nN
"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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpAuWHVqUY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuLkRktoDh
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hLrAlrTGJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXatuIuKXW7
"What are you talking about!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCbuh1G59Q
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZvO8KqFgN
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9qogMcBZB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk16DN34xST
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wEmZ9rj5X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJO39zzTFn
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUma02vAZ8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdc8CRRu43
"..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4vBFBOR7X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNHBIqgxSX
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–191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFuOvIvSUl
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrzaA7jVk8
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJlfmRDRMQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTki11qijXH
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoIJPTFtNP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlNzoJZuCJ
"Fine, go ahead."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg0OKlLZ0j
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnpfnPR2sy
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe6k9Q6BD0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6wARHILZH
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7efosny8Tf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJv3UZby2U
I pointed at it and she nodded.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3w5hM8qsE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyJFZOIoKv
"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..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeIcCJT7wc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AvDabvX8V
"Hm? But what again?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3WHnxNzx8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsCNy9Wq4t
"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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPFCbiAt76
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlJfd0Y1Qu
"I see. That's disturbing."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz2pQ26diM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtpidJSKZr
"It's... not so bad."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvxdAlWsxb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBpJ9RM2rf
She gently huffed at my response.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcCDh2WneS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfFSLdhXjq
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwobE0H9cR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECUxDv2N6Q
"Fight Mason?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhJXexojUT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQi6o43waO
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5auoka0EYZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph9mRYAuXp
"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!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvbBuBWST8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7czZcea2W
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJXpElWtt1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VjWrfln3B
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF9lgfYrIA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTM4jrijiZ
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElfWTmhZlu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0w7HqeYad
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgEWiqPSxN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTqLZD9yGU
"Is something the matter?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V1OEEbl9V
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCieYEd3skr
"...Where is your friend right now?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WVsegVL4p
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWgDNuWM75
"T-That's... why do you ask?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoVoxzshJS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOdzK8Q9dG
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o5d5Uw3sS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVPU29OVKM
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4JvG2xWvt
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdeX6wyleH
"Yes, she did."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1oDjbPqom
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ00kQ0s4T9
"Ah, I see now."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus2S68Ql1E
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vbb5bfJKu
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrBK6htWQd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gV7wZKp7I
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
