The earliest thing he could remember was the book. No, that wasn't quite it, but Kenneth had difficulty recalling. He gave himself a minute, and then it came to him clearly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVncxen9C7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEXPAgrQxB
Kenneth remembered a building, a grand one in the middle of his home village. It was a church, the Church of the Buffalo. It was on an elevation of two-hundred feet and was five miles from the shore– hardly anything, he's come to realize. He remembered the town having abundant greenery and a gorgeous forest nearby. Of course, how could he forget the forest?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6S3paEycc
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Kenneth was getting distracted. He sat by a boulder and took a breath.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ5teUjJkW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaytBHzskTC
He had just turned three years old. Kenneth was about thirty-two inches tall, which was considerably short for his age. Kenneth was wearing a black robe, akin to that of the priest's. He was standing next to said priest, who was giving a speech Kenneth couldn't remember. After the speech, his head was doused in warm, relaxing water, and then the attendees of the ceremony clapped. Kenneth was just officially declared a toddler. It may seem silly, but his village was small, so ceremonies for the young were held like this quite often. It was Kenneth's third birthday, he remembered. He ran over to his father and mother, and that was the first memory Kenneth could retain of them. His father looked sick, his mother looked guilty.
From this point on, Kenneth could recall it effortlessly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcr3iSqLL4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XstRubLPA
When Kenneth returned home, he was treated to a dish of kind words and a refreshing meal. He was only three, but he had such a big appetite already. His father was away from the table. Kenneth just sat with his mom.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF3a9RNEZp
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"Happy birthday, Kenny."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX4a7Tv3cB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedXdI2E9QS
"Mm?" Kenny hummed with a slice of bread stuffed into his mouth. "Mm! Thank you!" Though it was hard to hear, her mother smiled. She was a nice lady, brown hair and green eyes. Kenneth loved her. He loved how her mother made great food. But Kenneth always thought that she looked too old to be his mom, maybe his grandmother.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF5azP351a
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVdrBSsx6L
Dad came back to them. He had a glass bottle in his hand. He looked tired, but Kenneth was smiling vigorously at him. He still didn't change out of his church robes. He sat at the table, slamming his empty bottle on it. He stared at Kenneth's mother, and then at Kenneth. He burped and said, "Happy birthday boy," and passed out on the spot.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTJfu6bRjM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEcMbnJ8g8
Those words were a lot coming from his father. Kenneth was told to rush to bed, and he did so cheerily. He did it so.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVZojnitwQ
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That was his first big day, his graduation from babyhood. Kenneth remembers it fondly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rhR1ikStK
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Then there was the other big day, maybe six, no, seven months later.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5jrUhlWVM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRlBxRD8AK
Customary to the tradition, Kenneth learned how to read and write now that he was a toddler. And he was quite good at it, he soon found. By this time, he was already writing cohesive sentences, and he read every bedtime story in the big folklore book in just a day. Kenneth loved to read, but he loved another thing more: the forest.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GYOVJIEB0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPicI2dwR3j
Kenneth's house was closest to the Blooming Biomes, a gorgeous forest near the village. Kenneth's room had a window placed perfectly for him to gawk at the forest. It wasn't a dense forest either, so he could see the magical plant life there too. Some of it moved, and some of it released spores, but Kenny marveled at it all the same. Kenneth loved looking at that forest so much that his dad forbade him from going to his room throughout the day. So Kenneth, the smart child that he was, went to the forest.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBm6IjNswO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBvFoS9a8z
His mother stopped him immediately during his first attempt. He couldn't even make it ten feet out the door. Kenneth protested, but his mother explained that the forest was "dangerous and filled with wild beasts." Kenneth didn't believe her, of course. Kenneth spent all day looking at that forest, and he knew wild beasts weren't there.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9WfLbviFA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5usQ1b59qa
On his second attempt, Kenneth made it past the rickety fence surrounding the house. His dad picked him up this time, and he fiercely slapped Kenneth. That was the first time that Kenneth could remember himself crying. His mother was furious, but his father apologized and hugged Kenny. Of course, Kenny was satisfied with that, but he was a smart child, and he knew he could get more out of it. So Kenneth tried to pressure his father to let him into the forest. His father almost slapped him again. Kenneth thought of it as progress.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjQFrW550W
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JPfKVZawn
Kenneth's third attempt was much more successful. His father caught him trying to jump out the window. Kenneth didn't account for the fall, and he plummeted with teary eyes, but his father was right there, frowning.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFepM8EPuh5
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"What are you doing, you dumb brat?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsSXVjfzaW
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Kenneth began to tear up again. His father sighed. "Don't try this again, Kenneth," he simply said. And Kenneth obliged. For a week.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp5pfCs2aS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLHW6sw2lA
Kenneth's fourth attempt wasn't interrupted by anybody. He managed to do it, to finally do it; he was in the woods. Kenneth frolicked around and gazed at the scenery like a dumb drooling moron. He hugged the trees, tickled the flowers, and even pulled one out of its stock before he was hit with a spore that made him cough and wheeze. Kenneth decided against randomly pulling on plants. Kenneth ventured further into the forest, and he swore that it grew more and more beautiful with each step. Even the grass had a sparkly tint to it. Kenneth loved it. But something went awry.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRpj6dogwL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyznsLsfHg
Kenneth tripped on a large root he didn't see. He scraped his knee, but Kenneth managed to suppress his tears. His father's given him worse after all. He rested against the nearby tree. Though it hurt, once he raised his head from the wound, his joy washed the pain away. The forest was that majestic.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP6aPGPMLF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeJWrf0eZ4
Then out came an animal. It wasn't very big. In fact, Kenneth thought it looked familiar. It was like one of the farm animals his neighbor kept around, but it had long curvy teeth coming from its mouth that pointed to the sky, and it had a lot of brown furs. It looked at Kenneth, and Kenneth smiled. And then Kenneth was forced to roll away.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJJxCA8t47
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTTSEUl2Bx
The boar hit his snout on the tree, dazing the beast for just long enough for Kenneth to get on his feet and haul ass. But he tripped again on a different root. This time, Kenneth cried. The beast inched nearer and nearer and Kenneth's scratch grew to a disgusting flow of blood. Kenneth crawled away screaming but the beast kept approaching. Kenneth's pants became damp. But a miracle happened. The boar stepped forward and forward, and after hearing a snap of a branch, a great purple something emerged from the ground. It resembled the maw of a great dragon, but its eyes were missing and it was roughly the size of Kenneth himself. The boar stepped back in shock, but before it could make any distance, the boar's head had been bitten off. The maw retracted into the ground. Kenneth couldn't move. Ten minutes later he slowly crawled to the hole that was made. It wasn't a hole, he realized. It was a set of four large leaves, parallel and perpendicular to one another, and in the middle of these leaves were blue sparkles. Kenneth knew better than not to touch it. Kenneth smiled with glee, got up, and ran home.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzeokiBWqv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgmErpNlOD
Two things happened that day. Kenneth discovered mana, and Kenneth discovered magical plants. He was running back home excited, but a loud ruckus coming from the home prevented him from entering the front door. It was his mother and father. They were screaming and crying. Kenneth waited until they stopped, and it did when he heard a slap. He didn't know who it was from.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvS9MkvATH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BqTSWWjtF
The next instance Kenneth cared to remember was when he turned four. Kenneth somehow hadn't been caught sneaking out into the woods, but something of his had been found. His mother was in his room, holding a notebook in her hand that Kenneth was all too familiar with. He turned to run away but was grabbed by the back of his shirt before he could.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT6pV7F92w
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"What is this, Kenny?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQM2TZ0l7k
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ajG1sHpJM
"Umm... it's a journal. I draw the plants I see outside in it."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ9e5zDlzB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfeZZZr6qU
Kenneth decided to tell his mom a half-truth. Maybe he could escape a beating that way, he thought. His mother opened the book and flipped straight to the crummy illustration of the purple plant that killed the boar.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh8maZwbQ0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlzpd6jeFd
"What is this? Magical plant? Killed big bad boar? Kenneth, what have you been doing in your free time!?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxolbSxNLs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX4Xt1rkHe
It was no use avoiding it now. Kenneth told his mother that, for the past six months, he has been going into the Blooming Biome and studying the magical plant life there. As well as a kid his age could, anyway. Though Kenny expected to be slapped, that didn't happen.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuiN4O2OZG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk3Egte5ue
"Christina, do you know what this means?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTkCOT6H3c
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFH0TorQPF
His father was at the door, crossing his arms. Kenneth was even more afraid now.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV1OuYVgOy
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"Magical plants, the brat loves this stuff."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfZFVZTE7W
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zJDnAMvgj
Kenneth's mom nodded. Kenneth didn't understand what was going on, but the two of them were smiling and that had to be good.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8kq72L20g
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It was.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQor9PYGMP
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A week later, Kenneth's father presented him with what could best be described as a tome. Kenneth didn't ask where they got it, because he was having a hard time even lifting the thing. His father explained to him that it was a book of magical plants and alchemy. Kenneth had no idea what the second word meant but he didn't care. He just received a big new book to read.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ5VCbhYVv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9yKsMwiUX
It took Kenneth a month to read the book. Another month was spent reading it again. Kenneth tried to sneak out again but his parents had been keeping an exceptionally watchful eye, so it was impossible. Kenneth didn't mind though, because this book was the greatest thing that has ever happened to him. He didn't know any of this 'alchemy' stuff, but the plants, oh the plants. He recognized the few he's seen in the woods, like the spore one, or the purple one, or the one that occasionally shoots out blazing beams of light, or the ones that make him vomit. But there were so, so many that Kenneth didn't know about, or could've even dreamt about. Most of them were at much higher elevations, but that was fine because King's Peak was easy to traverse anyway. He saw gorgeous illustrations resembling beasts more than plants, and each picture carried an ungodly amount of information. Uses, known habitats, behaviors if they had any, risks, stories of their discovery. Kenny spent all day in his room, just reading about this stuff, over and over. His parents had to take away the book for a week.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHflKzJDxZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDQUOMOENX
During that week though Kenny managed to sneak out of the house. It seemed that all the time he spent in his room reading made his parent's security lax. He ventured into the forest with his journal, now filled with plagiarisation from the book both text and picture, and attempted to connect each plant he saw with an illustration. Now that he was older traveling the forest was much easier, and Kenneth learned to bring a weapon with him this time. He had a small hunting knife in a sheath in his pocket. He discovered that he could also use the knife to take some of the plants he saw with him, but he made sure they didn't shoot out any spores before he did. He kept the retrieved plants in his other pocket. It was fine for a while until his pants became wet. Not from himself this time, but from the plants. He took them out and they were all leaking a clear fluid. It was clear but it was sparkly, much like the rest of the forest. Kenneth didn't have any cup with him, so he improvised and took the knife out of its sheath and used that to store the liquid. He ran home, forsaking the plants and the knife, and snuck in.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxgXNt1HA6
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His parents still weren't home though. Kenneth usually wouldn't pay that any heed, but there was broken glass in the kitchen and small red liquid on the floor.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyatQPrUdT
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"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsJVz6EH1R
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Kenneth ran upstairs.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uQm8ge8tM
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Kenneth spent the next week experimenting with the liquid. He relocated it to a small glass cup and tested it out. He didn't want to taste it quite yet since he knew that was dangerous, but he did touch it. It felt cold, even after being in his room for so long. It amazed Kenneth. Kenneth then spent time putting different things into the cup. Grass, food, a few of his clothes, sometimes his own urine, metal, and by some miracle, fire. Nothing ever came of it though. It satisfied Kenneth for a while, but ultimately, he thought it was a dud. He kept the glass around. It made him feel nice.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0Ar1uQWNQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPBU15Nbnz
In a month's time, something exciting happened to Kenneth. His birthday was just a few days away but before any celebration or presents, his father sat him down outside. This had never happened before, so it made Kenny die with anticipation.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpbm8o4N7H
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"So son, I hear you're really liking those magical plants, right?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw9sPY6VyH
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Kenneth nodded his head rapidly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbrLVyfdH2
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"But you don't know anything about alchemy yet."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP42kQvKGy
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Kenneth still didn't know what that word meant. His father puffed out his chest.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAPLkDa79j
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"Luckily for you, brat, I know exactly what alchemy is. But before that, I need to teach you what mana is."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C0NpvCOpA
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That was when Kenneth's life began.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs80hUQLRPf
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His father taught him the basics: how mana was the essence creatures manipulated to conjure objects and tinker with the world. Fire, water, earth, and wind would all be conjured, and in the right circumstances, they could be manipulated as well. His father also explained how combinations could occur but he glossed over it. His father told him alchemy was the mana manipulation of chemicals, magical or not, and that it took a very skilled user of mana to achieve success in alchemy.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGcyJshuXg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb7ySZPqH1
It was all Kenneth needed to hear before constantly nagging his dad about lessons. His fifth birthday rolled around and his father had bought him a basic alchemy kit, consisting of flasks, cylinders, syringes, and dropper bottles. Kenneth was unbelievably grateful that he practically ignored the new clothes his mother had bought for him. It was a white shirt with a grayish-blue vest, and a nice pair of gloves to go with it. It was meant for his alchemy, his mother explained. Kenneth loved his parents dearly that day.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhbIcZxvBQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWbPOOzdX2
His lessons on mana manipulation were coming along steadily. Sometimes he would be beaten for failure, but Kenneth didn't care if it meant getting better. Three months passed, and after numerous bruises and fights between his parents later did Kenneth "graduate" from his father's lessons. The whole time though, Kenneth messed with alchemy, and really, he only needed his lessons for a few weeks. It mattered not though.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72dcaaXVv8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqelxbfM0X
Kenneth was an auspicious child. He mastered basic alchemy like matter state manipulation and chemical changing, but to him, that was all just chemistry. No, what Kenneth really, really wanted to mess around with were the plants in the forest. His parents didn't care if he was out and about anymore, so Kenneth took advantage of it. What was probably his hundredth trip was taken with new knowledge, his new clothes, and a new passion.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN7aq656sm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOxKMP9eFY
Kenneth brought bags with him, as well as a flask and a syringe. He had a belt where he could hook the flask and syringe and a cork lid to make sure the flask was shut. He put plants in the bag and any leak was put straight into the flask. He regretted only bringing one. He wanted the purest sample possible, after all. He still did have that syringe though, and since it was going to be such a small sample, he knew it had to come from a special plant.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW9nxqXCt3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxl0xWqrGd
Kenneth smiled. He knew that there was a special plant here, alright. He ventured further into the forest until he found four familiar leaves. The sparkles from all that time ago were gone now, but that didn't deter him. He crouched down and stuck his syringe into the middle. And all of a sudden, out popped the purple plant.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkdz8xQbmu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzeQGvJ2Oc
But Kenneth was ready for it. He reached for his knife holstered on his belt and cut the stem effortlessly. The maw fell to the ground, motionless, and Kenneth stuck its syringe into it. He also decided to take the head and one leaf for good measure.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2McWq9wwq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXslC07Fwg
It was a haul, and Kenneth couldn't be happier. He returned home ready to tell his parents of his discoveries. That didn't happen quite like how it should've. His mom stepped outside as he was five feet away. Kenneth opened his mouth to say hi, but she looked at him with ferocity. It was a face Kenneth never knew her mother could make.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINwIrNxsgj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVztPA8Rupq
"S-Sorry, Kenneth. I'm sorry, your dad is just..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbHtGyUvDb
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Kenneth nodded and entered the home. His father was sitting at the table. His forehead was bleeding a little and his knuckles were bruised.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhjU00i734
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"Hey brat, what do you have over there?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uDA5QcvKO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4pEEHbOh2
"J-Just some plants, Dad..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu4UKuWIaZ
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"That's my boy. Hey, come over here."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QtLTJ6qSw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexHdBaYSYn
Kenneth gulped. He let go of the bag and waddled towards his father. What he got was a soft pat on his head. Kenneth blushed in surprise.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfW8XqfgUA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSIpbilYBc
"Keep doing that stuff, kid. I'm amazed by how much you love it. Don't worry about me and your mother, alright?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK0PkFkyhX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUnRKDwyxE
Kenneth's eyes sparkled, and he nodded with a smile. His love for his parents, though still burning, felt like it had been reignited.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2gJGQACeo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDgBRPFPqu
Kenneth went upstairs. His room was converted into a sort of miniature laboratory.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5lXLUkJCp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAdzd4xyZC
It was in that laboratory where Kenny would enhance his skills for the next two years. The time flew by fast. Astonishingly fast, but Kenneth's growth showed it. According to his father, Kenneth had already become a grade-four alchemist. Kenneth had no idea what that meant but it made him happy, and it drove him to keep improving.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMr86sE6YR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCZYhSWwlJ
Usually, Kenneth would follow the book. He learned the mixtures and followed the instructions listed there, and after hours of practice, the results he received were even better than what the book described. He managed to make a fertility potion to grow the newly planted tree in an instant. He managed to create a healing potion which, according to his mother, healed a boy's broken arm instantly. He managed to even reconnect one of the cut plants he brought back to the soil, and now a spore-bloom was in his backyard. His father punched him for it and removed it, since it was making him sneeze.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4uFbcWhwO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmaoxmALvn
But, after a while, Kenneth ran out of instructions to follow in the book, and he already perfected each and every recipe. He asked his parents for a new one but they claimed the books were "too expensive these days". Kenneth was upset but he didn't protest, he just thought of new things to do. A night in his laboratory made him realize just how potent his mana manipulation had become, so much so that he could do it without thinking. He thought maybe to learn proper spells, such as those related to the four core elements but decided against it. He decided on something new entirely.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mtrwF0aAD
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What if, Kenny thought, he could manipulate the plants?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaBew1NwGQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73fjxZRAMt
The next year Kenneth would learn to do just that. He mixed his alchemy and mana manipulation with the plants he would find in the wild. He made roots grow and shrivel just with mana, and he could even accelerate the growth and decay of plants. He soon learned to amplify the effects of the plants, such as how potent the spores were, or just how large and hot the light beams from the Light-Beam-Blossoms became. Ultimately though, he returned to alchemy, and that was because of one thing: the purple dragon-maw plant. He planted it back using one of his plant-revival potions but did it in a more remote location. The maw, for whatever reason, didn't react negatively to Kenneth. In fact, the maw begged for his attention. It would lick Kenneth from time to time, much like a dog did. Kenneth grew to cherish it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuzxKWGdF9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh2Ym1wKi5
The plant itself seemed to be rare, as, according to the textbook, it was an "ancient species likely to be extinct." Obviously that wasn't the case, but Kenny didn't mind. That was because there were no alchemical procedures listed with the plant. All of it was free reign, like a sandbox, and Kenny took advantage of it. He mixed and matched substances and potions with the essence of the dragon-maw plant, all to varying degrees of effects. Sadly, Kenny burned through possible combinations too quickly. He had to leave the maw for the time being; he said his goodbyes.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeYsd3BsxD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr7coyq8tn
Kenny returned to the forest again to gather more plants. This time he ventured deeper than ever, hoping to find a species he hadn't encountered yet. It didn't happen. Instead, Kenny found another boar, but it was smaller than last time, most likely a child. Kenny left it alone, afraid that it might hurt him, and continued to go deeper into the woods. He turned back once the sun began to set. On his way back though, Kenny found an interesting sight.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJeJ3NN1Es
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2q7ytjwVr
"...It's dead."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7TtfBwebU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqYwFqFO1Y
The boar was lying on the ground, not in one piece, but in several. Its insides, few in quantity, were sprawled around the grass. The boar was practically hollow. All that was inside of its skin were bones. But for whatever reason, a single part of the boar was left out completely untouched: its heart.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKvtDD4OLO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqv2bDNtch
Kenny didn't know what overcame him, but he reached for that heart and put it in the bag. He ran straight to his room and took out the syringe containing the essence of the dragon-maw plant. He stuck it into the heart. Nothing happened until he used mana manipulation.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jHPfuOWNT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBvDTdfyn0
What he saw made Kenneth jump in ecstasy. The heart began to ooze the liquid, and beat.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpay6EuZUA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcJQOOnN5K
A month passed and Kenneth continued to mess with the dragon-maw's substances. He inject it into other plants, even into a live pig at one point, and used varying levels of mana manipulation just to see what would happen. The pig oozed out the liquid, but was fine. As for the plants though, nothing happened. Kenneth came to the conclusion that only flesh and bone were affected by the ooze.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaBS14F1xS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKSpMxgpnF
Though that month was a blur, one day did really stick out to him. It was the day his mother entered his room.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHZyAe3Fgm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWsQuMWnzF
"Huh? Hello, mother! Is something the matter?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPKUaMwGNg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgcnclOvhf
"Oh? Not at all honey, not at all. I was just wondering what you were up to."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FEJKlyPIA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrHL1zSh2i
That was the first time she ever said that. It made Kenneth happy, so he explained his process and findings, how he used the ooze and injected it into organisms. He told her of the pig, and how–361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvJLmyDc3f
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhUE7pxlKP
**THUD**361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0rMik6n3u
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEHmxs57FH
A fist flew right into Kenneth's stomach. He was launched to the wall and slowly slid down. He looked up at his mother, who was making a face of pure terror.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEuLIddg0p
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡindV7fRjEH
"You, Kenny. Don't you ever, ever defile flesh with your crazy, stupid alchemy bullshit!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYRI9NVUd8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkwNlvTw7u
And from there on, Kenny was disallowed to use living things.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKMSN3CRPR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujgWge0F4A
Three months passed. Kenneth's focus returned to manipulating plants with mana. He quickly grew more and more efficient, to the point where hardly any nutrients from the soil were used to manipulate plants. His raw skill in mana manipulation grew, too. His father told him how splendid of a mage Kenneth could become, but Kenneth didn't care for that. Kenneth's greatest achievement was growing an entire tree in his backyard, just using his mana. The tree was nearly twice the size of any tree in the Blooming Biome, so it attracted a lot of attention from the neighbors, and Kenny got a good beating because of it. Kenny didn't care though, he was improving, he was growing better and better. But it didn't feel as fulfilling. He returned to alchemy and improved his potion-making abilities, and through connections with his father, he even managed to sell them to outsiders of the village. Having a sudden income was pleasant, but the process of making potions became repetitive.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGptglSVvYk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWb6P4Ngxe
Kenny had the itch to return to the dragon-maw. But it wouldn't amount to anything. After all, he had no flesh he could use.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldA80r0AaN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1YhQzjpMb
That was until Kenny looked in the bathroom mirror.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfCkYzv021
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7z2MGJAcq
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVzLIhDkAE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhGyDfWcOe
He almost couldn't believe it. Here in the present, recollecting, he couldn't believe he actually went through with it. He continued reminiscing.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKXDb1knxz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vdy6smFh7
He used his body to test the effects. He started small of course, just a quarter of a syringe's worth of essence, and the effects were immediate. Kenny received a deal of discomfort, and his face scrunched terribly. But something worried him. Unlike the pig, the ooze never left his body.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zb1f9nnBv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiboM20apC
His curiosity grew. He returned home that day, hoping to continue his fiddling in his room, but when he walked through that front door, he was met with a thrashed kitchen.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qiBGxzvrt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xavrv0kjd
His mother was on the floor, sobbing. It was so distinct to him, that sobbing. The house had disappeared. The hallway, the broken kitchen, everything was gone. All he could see was his sobbing mother.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdYlwr53rI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLuvxe5DZz
Kenny had no idea what to do, because now he wasn't playing with his plants. Now, he was in his home, and his mother was sobbing on the floor, and his mother was sobbing on the floor and Kenny had no idea why.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxP0xbEYJx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgE1CANRDq
He scuttled upstairs and burst into his room. He rummaged frantically, glancing at potions and doing double-takes, making sure he would grab the right one. He eventually found a healing potion. Keny ran back down and offered it to her, wordlessly. His mother slapped it away, claiming that "she was fine" but Kenny knew it was a lie.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVK55Hk929
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn1Vw7GwCh
And yet, Kenny believed it. He nodded at her assertation and simply walked back to his room. He lied down on his bed, and with a little trouble, fell asleep. Why did he do that?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW3NmipE0F
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIILtvdn0uD
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKaoSWRPYi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKrgLES3QR
He returned to his experiments the next day. Kenneth had no interest experiencing such discomfort for results, so he changed his strategy. He drank some of the essence. It tasted like crap, so he spat it out. He tried mixing the essence with fruit and bread, but it tasted like crap so he spat it out. He was nearly out of options until his father brought home a bag of seeds. It was for the garden they were going to supposedly make. Kenneth found a new food item to try, so he injected the tiny seed with the essence– only a fraction of the syringe went in –and ate it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOIKPar7Ve
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK3bJJfxhT
It tasted like nothing. He tried a few more, still, nothing. The dosage must've been too small he thought, but then he realized that didn't make sense. It didn't matter how small the dosage was, it was always going to taste the same. But he didn't taste anything, just the grimy seed.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJsTjdIgTM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi63IIwEMwr
Kenny thought he made progress. He ate a few more for good measure, and waited.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TJfArsKJA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFNp2PXTHC
He concluded that nothing would happen once his ninth birthday rolled around, since it was four months later. His parents didn't bring him any gifts for this one. In fact, they weren't even at the house.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XjWdWaQsk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoS9YR7BBb
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKL02xdGGM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojWKBPpdoJ
Kenny didn't mind. He went back to the dragon-maw plant. The plant was excited to see him and repeated the same licking routine it had been doing for a long time. Kenneth was excited to see it too, of course. It became a great close friend of his.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50VXnyCy8a
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B9Ll9RDH6
It was while caressing the plant that Kenneth noticed something strange about himself. For whatever reason, his shirt was bulging at his chest, and he felt something cold and hard rub against his right arm. He pulled back and stared at it. He couldn't believe his eyes. He pulled back his sleeve. Still, he was shocked. He took off his shirt and now Kenneth became worried.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc06VK9cGXc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7dYMot91J
A bundle of roots about as thick as his father's arm was protruding from the left side of his chest. It wrapped around Kenny's right arm and stopped right above his hand.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8Z8gWznei
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwkBVgDHL9
Kenny fainted.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3UuCnwW93
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeCoaEBV71
Kenny woke up an hour later and the bundle of roots was still there. Kenny tried to move it with his other hand but it wouldn't budge. He tried ripping and tearing at it, but it just grew back. This tendril of wood was seemingly stuck with him now. Kenneth panicked and asked himself, "What could've caused this?" He kept asking this question to himself while flailing his arms, trying desperately to shake the wood off.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiFlxrPQsd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFnG1A1mL3
He thought of all the plants he'd been tinkering with until this day. Was this revenge? Was this way of getting back at him? He knew it was silly but he couldn't think of anything else. He almost fainted again until the striking image of the spore plant came to his mind, and all of a sudden, the tip of the tendril blossomed that very plant.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR77XlyC4q
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLxz8ZsFl6
"...What in the world?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkxCchzHri
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0xPvjh0iG
It was much smaller than the normal plant. Half the size, just about. Kenneth didn't understand how this was possible, but he kept messing with it. Next was the light beam plant, and it blossomed at half the size. Next was the dragon maw plant, then the poison one, then the one with the sparkly liquid, and all of them came out perfectly. Just at half the normal size.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpT0sZPGDk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZhq8v5dZL
"But how do I get rid of this tendril?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXY8ERcQwD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapPDfXdt0O
The utterance of the sentence made the tendril swiftly retract back into his chest. Somehow he didn't get any splinters.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJWuit5rZx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJQmF9gm8J
"Is that it? Do I just need to say tendril?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoUZYzrs8Q
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbzKcEJso2
That didn't work, so Kenneth thought about bringing the tendril forth. It came out and wrapped around his right arm without him even uttering anything.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupgtgjeEMv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgOgfwDjSW
"So that's what it is..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOPqGfTYwc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmzDDdlmKM
Though Kenneth was skeptical, and frankly, disturbed, something about this was incredible. He jumped for joy and ran back home. He couldn't wait until he showed his parents.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0rfCYDU8k
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9eIqJuEMu
Sure, they might've been out when he awoke, but they had to be back by now. Kenny did pass out after all, didn't he? He ran to the front door and slammed it open. He was so excited he could barely see in front of him. He suddenly stopped, because he realized that if he showed a wooden tendril the size of his father's arm coming out of his chest, he was sure to see the priest or something. So he tiptoed in instead.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6BJNyJoTZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6pJeA5Qjf
He heard some noise coming from the kitchen. How exciting! Even if he wasn't going to show them his tendril, he was sure that at the very least, he would receive a present. Kenneth turned the corner and entered the kitchen.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22boPwWoJF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7bkUifuiQ
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eJ5JcivsN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkav1yxz0H
"Haaa... How do you like that? Can't give me shit and hell looking like that now, can you?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXncW8r7jQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtZxlGhUWs
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss0xzfNEmE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KM5PbXGpY
Kenny was sure, for a moment, that he was still passed out, because this made no sense. Of course, that had to be it. A tendril from his chest should've been a good enough indicator, but this practically confirmed it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GTOSQOfY5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoLbmVrmZo
His mother was standing there with a knife in her hand. It was wet, and the liquid was dripping onto the floor, making a great big red puddle. Kenneth looked aside, and saw his father with his head laid down, and covered in that same red liquid.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xyGqB6BJy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPym5ZhpqDl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtRKBp3TpD
"...Dad–"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgpvLYnZk2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqBkpZWkaZ
"Huh?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSrZcReM0H
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNubETKAcM
His mother turned around. When she saw Kenneth, she looked terrified. It made no sense. If she was terrified, then what was Kenneth supposed to feel?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSzeNCAKwk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXK4THcLG4
His mother fell to the floor. She dropped the knife. She scurried away from the boy as if he was the one who killed the man she loved.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9uWwSNGlB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUElraiA0TX
"K-Kenny! It isn't– it's not–"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPcLcjT31r
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ZnrE8s86
"...W-Why? Mom, why?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGAQ7IYvrr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FdYzwntLg
But her mother didn't respond. She began to cry, to wail. Kenny didn't understand why.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TkGnb95jM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv81i3ZSmm
Kenny just didn't understand why.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY00pGEIBM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN32puoVx0
Kenny yelled. He didn't know what was happening but the tendril stretched and pushed his mother against the wall. Kenny kept screaming and screaming, and then he too began to cry, and he kept crying all while the tendril held up his mother. Soon, a neighbor came by. Then another.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOTWLOXsVB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqfgInimb3
Mother was arrested that day.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQV08WhoJk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Lbc9tBoq
–
–
–
Nobody questioned Kenny's strange new limb. Nobody had the heart to. "What kind of soulless bastard would ask him that now?" Stuff like that. It made sense.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfT048gdX7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV7ktBVyco
He was back in the church. He sat alone, wearing his church garbs. It was the first time he wore something other than his mother's gift. He couldn't possibly imagine doing it now.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEYKC7wwU7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdLhPSw8HU
Kenny's mother was under trial. The whole town and the priest served as the jury. At one point Kenny was asked to testify but he couldn't move a muscle. He just couldn't.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o6wyDVdQr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3FWyHPO9I
It was a pitiful trial. Kenny's mother didn't utter anything, and in the end, she was sentenced to death. Kenny was forbidden to watch the execution, but he somehow weaseled his way in as he tends to.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6HWkZfKWW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiIdJadWPj
His mother was hung with a rope around her neck. Kenny didn't know what to feel.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl84XsTcqUP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomVeFxdHnW
Kenneth didn't know if he could anymore.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphrkphZfCN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwtb59SCIW
The trial didn't even last half the day. Her guilt was just that easy to tell. "But what did that mean for Kenny?" everyone asked. Of course, he was famous in the village. He served excellent potions and has made spectacles for the entire town to see. But nobody knew the type of person Kenny was.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbztX2O3rWp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBTlzG77wC
All the while, Kenny could do nothing but stare at the ground.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7f7JpCMVB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgzAxi8Rfh
A decision was eventually reached. A family with the surname "Somber" would take custody of the boy. Kenny was asked if he would've liked to keep his old surname but he didn't say anything.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5YNM0UHPj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt78pyDswpE
Kenny was taken to their home. Kenny didn't know what became of his old residence. He was fed at his new home, and he even had a little brother now.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQDCl3aWAW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW39ori89N
For the first month Kenny didn't leave the house. It was excused at the time but eventually, his talents were needed too much. So Kenny, who got his equipment back, returned to alchemy, potion brewing, and the selling of his potions. He did it as well as he ever did, but it was different this time. It was wrong. Sometimes now, Kenny would slip up and make faulty products, and those times he didn't receive a beating, just a scolding. Some part of him wished he did receive a beating though.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTjA3xfNa3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7smbSgKp8
It went on for another month.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7348q54W9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK0NawdgYT
Then another.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG6SSEfSZ9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZ1Xwnuhz
Then another.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9QORBuwGC
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTSZPdI89o
Kenneth couldn't get the picture out of his head.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8gOvEQrgn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdEmVB77Sd
The blood. It was slathered on the knife as if she was going to apply it to bread. And she was just standing there. Kenny didn't see her face but he knew she was smiling. And then her face after. Why was she so scared? Why? Why?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn1IXNRyuL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLybhMMBEd5
Kenny couldn't get that image out of his mind.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU9aDTg8Oi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEbbZtAyYC
The image of his mother, of her horrified face.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWYtVW96ar
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw5K5fscrB
Kenny didn't understand what compelled her. Why did she have to kill his father? Kenny didn't understand. He asked himself and he didn't have an answer.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HopR38DLb
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHqDtLO3a2
But of course he did. Kenny was a smart kid, he knew what it was all along.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSjTSzhENZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCXjo5p9eT
They hated each other, didn't they? The "why" didn't matter, because look at what it amounted to. And all the while, Kenny was out of the house or in his room, playing with his plants like they were toys. He was at peace. They were not.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6EFArH0hb
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtcSiFm3kw
And Kenny reminded himself of this.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ak8T6QsCR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj62TS5MXkW
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIj1UmvL53
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpjUI937vG
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoA81w9s43
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYwMYkicdW
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFclhSkqPYM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF8qVVBgNB
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PNsS9EYDd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZre7H9ktEJ
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrmOO2mmJN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwPoJ6wq0n
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZbRez7qMJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOAWNp9P0m
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzJpMsgHO0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4MzJf6LYe
Over and over.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAyv77OSo4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82J6DPIYRK
He left the house. He turned ten already, somehow, he couldn't fathom how but he didn't care. He returned to the dragon-maw. It was called a Viscous plant, he recalled. But he hated that name. It was Dragon-Maw and that was final.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8oOtytzew
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGptmFVuw6w
Dragon-maw was excited to see him. He licked Kenny's face and even ticked him with his snout. Kenny appreciated it but wasn't here for that. He took out his syringe and took a sample of Dragon-maw's essence.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS86SsQdND
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RnrHabLNQ
–
–
–
Kenny received a present for his eleventh birthday. It was like a coat. A large puffy white one with brown outlining. But it also came with a stylish shirt and a pair of brown, skinny pants.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNstx8ow4d
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU98ZeByYC
His new mother, Anabelle, said that the coat was there to compensate for the bulge whenever his tendril came out. Kenny smiled and thanked her. It had been a while since he'd done such a thing.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidkWN3RbtW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAF4g67pHS
After the pleasant event, Kenny returned to alchemy and mana manipulation. He hardly improved though. Kenny lost a lot more than his family during the incident. Kenny tried to stay in good touch with the whole village. He tried to put on smiles and talk politely, but all the words he and other spewed never sat right with Kenny. Nothing ever sat right.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlJ4k7wSqR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRmRVsAKNI
Then there was Dragon-Maw. Kenny saw him every day. Kenny used to love the greeting he received from the plant but he's stopped being licked altogether. Today in particular, Kenny received a face akin to disgust, though it was hard to tell because the plant lacked eyes.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZDGxcsKiz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirlMZtRgJi
"What's the matter, Dragon-Maw?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotCZX4j8RJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMwZxaoIe8
The plant shook its head no. Kenny didn't really understand.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cucfY5cBx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOFl2ae6QH
"Come on, I know it hurts but it's only for a little bit. Just let me–"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q5CeolWqL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2ts6Y8bDB
Dragon-Maw opened his face and yelled at him. Kenny fell on his butt.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SgAeM4CKi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUuHCZY2Uz
"H-Hey, what do you think you're doing?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt9nJNwf9j
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTnfgBI88R
He was getting agitated. Still, the plant continued to flail and yell. Kenny rushed in and tried to pin it down but he was knocked away. Kenny grew annoyed and used his tendril. He wrapped it around the maw and shut it tight.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPvcjv1NT2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe2J6LiqVC
"If you keep resisting, I'll just knock you out."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvLRjwFBr6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiru8D88jil
The plant resisted anyway, and thus, Kenny did good on his words. He took a quick sample and returned home.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlbkjBvz6g
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDbmfXqMZ0
It seemed like Dragon-Maw's behavior wasn't the only strange thing today.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueYjneFuKh
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Jjkg2qJG
Anabelle approached Kenny before he entered the house. She carried him inside hurriedly. She asked Kenny to sit down and he did. He waited for a few minutes before she returned with a letter. Kenny was handed it and he began to read.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzCof7JhSs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lypMcSFq3
It was an invitation.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmJuQTJnSI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGaBwYJ5ZB
Somehow, a scout from a prestigious school of alchemists saw the things Kenny had been doing, and considering his incredibly young age, thought it fit to enroll him there. Apparently, tuition was free, but the school was an extensive journey away. It would take four months on a carriage.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXoq2NBqZM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTVd7N5HBE
Kenny did not know how to react, nor did he know what to say. He politely told Anabelle that he'd consider it and returned to his room. He continued doing his regular alchemy business but the invitation continued to nag him. He sighed and put down the flask.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB711p05PuT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfmdDEKYmJ
"What am I supposed to do?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB78N8sIYaO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzpvYAKxpl
It was a tempting offer. Kenny did love his plants, after all. Alchemy was profitable and enjoyable, and he was very skilled at mana manipulation. The selling of his potions probably caught the eye of the university. But why should he go? He was already exceptional in his field. He was fine here, wasn't he?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a4eR8Zkdu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZtWGARbIO
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOR7g4QPpF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yN6YevMze
How long had it been since he did any experimenting? How long had it been since he went back to the Blooming Biome?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsGC5o4wPQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBePU43mfrq
All of a sudden, Kenny's mind began to hurt. This is something he'd typically avoid thinking about. He sighed, thinking it was time to clear the haze in his mind.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DiC4FITfX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9a26pBQka
–
–
–
Dragon-Maw went missing.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXATVwdmQ8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IiT62I9t8
The stationary plant went missing.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ICKxc1EnT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfYYTkGFJr
He had no way of making a new one. The one in his tendril would simply produce blood– it was something he discovered months ago.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4mBTeK6T3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE0UNcJuAN
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljgzZyQae8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNbsKK1GvV
Dragon-Maw went missing.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWM7kzHJ77
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigTxYRuJqQ
Kenny asked, though he already knew. He fell to his knees.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqGGZID947
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDfsqMkICr
"...Why?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrEMfd6HYL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85saVceD0Z
Didn't he see his face? That terrified face of disgust?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKw63FGEwH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DZjC6JA8x
And still, Kenny took his essence.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2JybcSrvp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AvCxIk0mr
Of course he would leave.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW04K5DYTV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQipdZIcof
And Kenny wouldn't let himself forget that.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfD21m2btI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHgCRbo14R
–
–
–
Seven months passed since Dragon-Maw went missing. Kenny didn't move much since then. He grew a little bit of belly fat. It relieved him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcRK7GJOGD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yoMVBnAmw
Kenny was still doing what he did best, brewing potions for the village. That's all he ever did, people say, just stay holed up in his room and do alchemy. It wasn't a lie, but sometimes, Kenny felt like he wasn't even doing that–361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWqneFZprv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6xWRfrQto
**Knock knock**
A sudden noise. It was likely Anabelle. She usually visited to bring him food.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnU3ZJwh5g
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepOjPTcSS9
"Kenny. Come out here."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrleSzpv7M
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXUaJLAsPz
But that was a man's voice who just spoke. He stood up and begrudgingly opened the door. His wrist was taken and he was pulled.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4Bmz409Du
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfatmOjQhYG
"W-Woah!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVegOCD8KoP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXa2WVm1T7
"Come on, this is no way for an eleven-year-old to behave!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGN83OwrzY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Qb4t3ZCd
Kenny couldn't resist. The pull jangled his body to the point of nearly fainting.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bhuQOfzPc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2jn2i8ILk
"Just look at you. Sheesh, I'm surprised you at least have your normal haircut."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4RrTR7ge1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvqfabcS9n
Shortcut red hair. And yellow eyes. Kenny remembered how distinct it was from his mother.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY7jnpv3of
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcXFNi2FSf
"Now go out, you dumb kid!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YO7uAFMYS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGL61JC4ls
And then Kenny was shoved out of the house. He slowly rubbed his head and got up.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5LV0MjYaW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0FnCb6XbT
The sun was bright outside. Kenny had a hard time seeing so he covered his eyes. He tried to re-enter the building but his turning of the doorknob was met with a kick at the door. He'd rather not get hurt, so he decided to just roam the village.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT7M8d5xzh
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCpIE2LjFn
It was... strange though. Not because something truly strange was happening, but because the mood was different. People were out and about, doing their work, and children were playing and having fun.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9d87eCGjP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc2IXVO5xc
Kenny didn't get it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWBhr2J9jY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF5BC0YWbH
Don't they understand that it had only been a year since an incident? Why were they all so cheery?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4n3DHsMWy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsI9xgZd6W
"Ah, Kenny! Look at you!" A random woman said with a gleeful smile on her face, "You're finally outside, about damn time you recluse! Hahaha!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJntIrtEXMk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZpwrKqHh1
"I... whaa?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbFupSaAoC
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTujKQrCAo
Kenny couldn't formulate a sentence. The woman just waved at him and went away. Kenny didn't understand. Why was she so... rude to him? Didn't she understand that his parents died? That his plant was gone and that he was all alone?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGewg9gPHDP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojTettCR5s
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBzd6QVxaM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnkIhrzoHv
Something truly was strange. In the seven months that he stayed indoors, this town had changed.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8LmZMX201
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXpVCCf6wp
He didn't like that. But still he kept wandering. He didn't know what else to do. He watched as the kids played and as the adults chattered about this and that. Kenny was confused. He didn't understand it at all.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAIc7m4rXU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6h6bxi5Yc
"Ah, it's Uncle Kenny!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO8QJz6pvX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfDZKySH76
Uncle? Kenny turned around and a little girl was there grinning ear to ear. Kenny was much taller than her, she was probably something like six–361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMDpohueOO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWV6V77kVC
"Huh?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAXOxCoWvn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzm9HkhhUR
Kenny suddenly felt her arms wrap around his back. Her cheeks were against Kenny's belly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0w3HzTokT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPkk3gNsAm
"I'm so glad you're finally out. We all missed you."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvPxFmHEJc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKB9cI8IDU
The girl let go. Kenny couldn't speak.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTu2oIfMeU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtgtaEQQpy
"Oh, and um, thank you so much for making that one potion for Mommy! She's so much better now!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP7tqvTPBt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCTUQZyL6F
"Uh... sure?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj0GkUFnKk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeRRsRtDOJ
The girl bowed and ran away, and kept playing games with the other kids.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ582WWLlEQG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQvRlLJJRG
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31c6LdQj5R
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBazUtMxSUZ
No, Kenny couldn't still.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5SMftnzT3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7jFFZXqUo
He still didn't know what was going on.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmovm2OnXxn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbhNz9k2Bh
So he kept wandering. The same sight as before, but this time, someone he knew stopped him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfa5oBiCxS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXfpHo8chH
"...Big Brother."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOaUEuUs4C
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo7s0Xc2aa
It was the kid, Jackson. The kid that was supposed to be Kenny's new little brother.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Rig2gLVE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2fnfawWZV
The kid looked upset. Of course, that's the look. That's the look that I should be getting, Kenny thought. They're still dead, and the plant is gone, and he's still alive, and nobody should ever forget that, Kenny thought.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU1Z85xQSi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0zsNb3XN9
But then he smiled.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ovMHRZpc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaaW2gGB3j
"Look at you. You finally moved on?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdseOznyF0D
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbivxsLdqiH
Jackson reached out a hand. Kenny didn't understand at all. So he just swiped it away.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcy2cTFSl1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppzEKQUrWm
"N-No, move on? Move on? What the hell are you talking about, 'move on?'"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxLLCjlQym
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjhtmcJxOb
Jackson just sighed, but Kenny didn't stop.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSzAsl5ynI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpeKVhynzd
"D-Don't you get it? Does nobody else get it? My parents died! I drove my plant away! Am I– am I the only one who cares? And– and its–"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMomyXovGve
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhAsx9tmJa
"Listen, Kenny, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but it's been a long time now, hasn't it?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKyn9mpmSg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKkW2wWr8H
A year and a half, right? Is that really long?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP158XfPnLj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHy1Dj4CyP
"I get it, it hurts. And I'm not saying you should be all cheery. But for a whole seven months, you stayed indoors, and it was the plant that drove you that far?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0ArYOkR2v
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxEHKPELgH
"W-What? Huh?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhBEnRdtUe
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWusaqkx7xK
Kenny didn't understand. No, this made no sense.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjvaSBh420
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOAfzxfZ3i
This was insulting.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoWERTaydv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcxlt7qDwA
This was just insulting now.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLqpNjF1zR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuOAdidnmD
But Kenny didn't have a chance to accuse Jackson of that.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgzPjfmelK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr2BJ7dhj8
"What in the world is going on inside your head to make you so hung up over it?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AsHcTpBWx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvqnw98AI5
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd30ks4kvcj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyPj5FfzLq
And then something shattered in him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX02i6nKdL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mb6knxKl0
What was making him so hung up?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7dZNMM7vI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabpC1jh0J5
Why, that's obvious, isn't it? It's so obvious that Kenny didn't feel the need to say it out loud. But Jackson was looking at him like he needed to say something. Kenny couldn't though, because Kenny knew that it was too obvious. Yet Jackon kept that gaze up, and kept pestering him with that look, and–
**SLAM!**361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwSB8sc3XT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrPZxOopJo
"...Huh?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYCmtrbfTw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmkA2sFjE6
And then Kenny was smacked on the head. But it wasn't like the other times. This one was soft.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxODsnujnP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrIOoARCiH
"L-Listen, Kenny..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5JNVa9iqV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeDDrVdNHN
He looked up. Jackson was looking sad.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhXTcFDqdf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswJU2KlkwV
"Don't tell me that you think... you're to blame, right?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpMa7Pdpak
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92xBBpZgnc
"..."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvvasFzdsf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyb70rObI9
It was the first time Kenny cried since the incident.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj9iViASs6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUASsfWlue
–
–
–
He had a talk, to say the least. Kenny grew better. He had a difficult time talking to others, and despite the discussion, his feelings for the incident and himself didn't go away entirely.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoVhg3FokH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCkZC8WlXL
But Kenny was fine. He turned twelve, and he was about to board a carriage. Yes, he accepted that offer. Transportation wasn't free, and despite Kenny's insistence on paying for it himself, a carriage was in front of him while his coin sack was completely full.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnc099GjkP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi089TxaoH
Kenny turned to those saying goodbye. It was practically the whole village, but Anabelle and Jackson were at the front. Kenny swore he was going to cry again, but he held himself back. He was wearing the clothes Anabelle gifted him. His snow white jacket with brown buttons and outlining, his complementary light-brown pants. It did make the environment a bit toasty though.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfmWJT3Gbt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqi3aLdsyv
None of that was important. What was important right now was that he was hugging Anabelle and Jackson. What was important right now was that he was boarding the carriage and waving goodbye to his village. His home.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoS7sCdai8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCYHzYwO1h
He was going to ascend King's Peak. It sounded a little crazy to him, but it was really happening. Kenny brought the tome and his equipment with him. He couldn't believe that a simple set of gifts got him this far.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBBqEwJZiD
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He wasn't perfect, no, but now he was ready. He was ready to go somewhere new and finally make some progress.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS7kSCq24m
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Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. That's who he was.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6lhamyFbM
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That's what he remembered. All of that. Not all of his questions were answered, but he was glad he remembered that much. He got up from the rock and scratched his head. He wished that he remembered how exactly it came to this, though. Kenny was in a rocky field. His carriage was totaled, the horses were missing, and his driver was dead on the ground.
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