The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UVusDoDbd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r1J3839aE
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXApuhIWmw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFzAFJMboG
Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpga5c1B86
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBEj5p6lLS
"Dad!?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh108ICPJy
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcoJfTYMq3
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs2Hul7afZ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETVi3NGqVr
"Flinty! There you are!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GWL7slKNJ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaNLN5o1J4
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn7kgr9pJM
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLazy2X8Ej
"And you must be Kenny?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3vS4UmHFT
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk4Yzuto8t
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HBfHJj8RZ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmojuR7sdFn
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BsqpY7tiD
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UhnPCOzLs
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPogljnHYC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ib5YQJZRA
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuMTiDPV1N
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPQdXeqfC5
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2l854xe6o
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpGfxvYbeY
Dear Mister Chambers.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbZXWeIRac
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQD33eMRfq
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXVqKmF7eH
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamw0O0Ca31
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsrLi4NAZM
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ64IDPWpR
"...I don't remember promising anything."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2kLUhR7Y0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRkCG2RMid
That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyKsKWpOpm
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuicNwT5bSi
"I'll make sure to thank him later."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVz1ffkRkL
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgeCHFz3E9
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2JNWfyqDa
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsGDVFJV3u
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RmxFNpeX3
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a7EZYLbWm
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXjqiGhCAc
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ361jPoWLlT
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaGg7CCaXU
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp35aQTCf0N
It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4XtwyxAzO
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdJPL5RyFp
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCbJvVXq5w
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXWQSxRwjO
"Kenny!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZIc2kWOuS
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0tt2crYyU
"Ah, Flinty, hello."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E4J8RV3i7
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUaJEdB5uX
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98p2TiA4Xk
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHqW6ESMVv
"Is that the plant you asked for?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40ZapClXKu
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UIR7OytA6
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlvOILWpWC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssEF73ktLJ
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWNxFvWVIY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡursavfUimi
"Hello, you two."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qCrb5fLq8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKHBSrI6C8
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyfV6k5HzD
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0KBXGc5oo
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mJCbdDDrY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsky4hIhX8
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBsgAMEpi4
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJzena6mIo
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMSGmmbUX8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FrROeQiT9
"Please don't drop it or something."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqvUKHEcZX
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaQYFSHTdq
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse7yywcZtd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwoDHP5YY0
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ZDvPUGGC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qjPUQBNIf
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaoxT7767E
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBd3YN3V1S
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc9ZkzAmcX
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AlcMNBJjx
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQUmnMe3Y9
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37YLwfiHi9
"And you asked for... a flower?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEijAcOnYFt
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE711iwzdL
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NemBr9bUj
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm5xzscq0v
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZQFFyTWFH
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk9aiu2AaG
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIduc0XrBn
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECoYfWuGVD
"Arg! You...!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeKfbrS1Qt
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNoq4ueqte
Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwRmuj2fCw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk72qr2Tof
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc6EByQPrd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNgl5g3CwO
"Whatever."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZGYZKhjqU
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkEOQFtAFp
We sat in silence for a minute.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F5tfuHwOC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M7Fgxgvyo
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpiZfP9otU
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6wvj6znYL
"Yes! Please tell me!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yQX1KCYJY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW92gylHLJm
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHezpABIy5M
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOpG4y45Lu
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ296hMKvvdV
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVsMr5NrY8
"Wait, Eastern country?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswjPGS2noC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd7neD9hb5
I faced the old man.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSIAx6IXtb
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpogWDIQ86F
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZOJjEJCgk
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVZirVDSOl
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HU9bqRGmw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN4QfDU6Hp
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0hqmmstde
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqoPvNUBFN
"...Buffalo village."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX38KGdR4MA
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdFHWXJ2GK
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1zgq7nXUn
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U9IYE16ab
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QmT77est1
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjWX7pbbci
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xuF81cCD6
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiqtkqPoPc
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6r63NzROY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1rxoLTx4Q
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbJYiLwU9O
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTi5Ul6w9N
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkADCrrGKW
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Ocqnt8Xs
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ANDAgyo0J
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Cy17Mzuw
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ydiIfKabg
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oRR4PSuTV
"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o2SwH6oVY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDQZaDvxlo
I nodded along.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa36HeIWi2R
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e1nL4EuEN
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX1LsLm6N2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCUcEC5EfC
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqFavrf7mi
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclQmJwZLqh
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOCzdBSh0d
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDt1BYtUP5
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaLptfXRJg
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOtQSo6tZv
She blinked blankly.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPvMOXir0j
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPikaHNPns
"Wait, is it?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUArxnGWHz2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSILecBacRu
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqXwyIJS5q
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk0Eor2rTq
"No, maybe it is true."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ehh0RptWG
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDP4raMLpr
"O-Oh, okay."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrRlJn49X4
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q1IqFoInJ
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFZUr4mMhu
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p8gokmue8
"How was your guys' day?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskWR7kdP5U
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LPW9onk1z
"Mom, you should've been there!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX39KzLu7j
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8akGpROGLZ
And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RBE3CtCVK
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LRmM9KnDB
I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXACqmJa4n8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz5EK0aJZt
It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNiMKRdOZU
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQFbOwsQBZ
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKzUMd58q7
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMFe56TQth
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6YiKCoYhQ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdPeE0J9DC
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv49SEdrYqL
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p2zS2oDsm
"O-Okay."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuIYLFjQGZ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzq4T2iOwO
"Hold on chum, you come back here."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENLh3IclxA
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VQx3hZI45
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k79P1Vr3W
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t4Z5BB04n
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXdsARpCNK
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD6RqD0YoB
He sat me right back down in my chair.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FOF4c7aAw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUAedOhmJt
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAsg5AheJl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJirvR9Ku1r
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjHQxs7V6T
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tVVHdS0rw
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZImwpu2gRj
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJpNBhbhDt
Nobody even heard my "laugh."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2q7WDicXS
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCfMGYh5oS
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML0J8BTnJr
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPs5QAipeg
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiShKoTVED
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOTSYnXU3I
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6lqJ3v2TF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTQrxTd9st
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7vdAee4Yq
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdlLXC2oE8
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86DGAbfNep
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiriK1CZJQ
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gOHzaJAp2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjYLjaugyR
"TALBOT!?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AAhRVLKjH
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdawUDdmNs
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmwztjB3G1
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwCJvyfWM6
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScI9zCWlqo
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2QiTwjFBk
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSUD3faD9u
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RUohKwm1B
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXj5ACvsQw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Sdgwakxv
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPEZXJ6c1d
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJJv3XASXE
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie2sain7vo
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkxM2vtw7v
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75up3OK6Dy
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkUuE5h8wk
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSmJWm2AU4
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv2ZCriSrd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNNnx9UzwI
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZNRlaRpJ6
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdra9BJgjjV
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUPG8WevdE
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYYY6StvyP
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For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaegM6caVhd
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnP1zOptSB
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p31ZbkcTX
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u7wY1CWRb
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIZTpig3Ty
I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbaICxbITG
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"Flinty."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyeoT7fDzx
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"Y-Yeah?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutv44s1Rk9
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHIZiaEbQS
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5Tz39syjR
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YOSxneCJG
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"Okay! Let's do it!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNwyf1DTKL
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There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95SQgOK4ln
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBUq5yudnC
"...My tome is in the other room."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56iiU2Qb0t
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeDTWzrm7P
Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYHhDdb8uv
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–
–
–257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxjummP9NS
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLDTKrwH7R
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQyaEQs4tP
I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj5blXMuB7
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Im0pdAcW
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"Good morning."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbmMvsRpZd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr8s4fZ4ls
"What are you doing here all by yourself?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7tGiQTIo
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuw0XcXnxS
"I woke up early."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwkTt2ytIV
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"Alright. Let me make you some food. "257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXWXCLJ7r3
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I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w6Zqy7Ygd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OvHy4PDwK
"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcu96HNu3A
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RDOBkWWOC
"Right."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXYOL6xD9J
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Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHEz1M9ayH
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6wSARUvmx
Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxy18CZilR
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmyQRjfj7R
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yZy24Mzk8
"I sure did, honey."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRDl3Q09WE
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"Oh."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWda2lYGVG
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yoYWlur0B
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"Is something wrong?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaZciLdXId
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDTStsis8N
"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvJfbylQhh
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPSPIh3eon
She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXbT0BBpyj
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJAzeiarnO
Strange. Strange people.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5p8VTmRyy
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After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpogq9Fa3zq
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"...I uh."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFiaLYW2VH
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVRndShfAf
Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5K3LSyiVG
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesMJPonJiP
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N5loeOFm2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFffvpKVTP
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJDpojNp0L
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXKYU570Yx
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeZyLp9A9U
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"Water under the bridge?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhlbXkVdpF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfKr6OBjNX
"Mhm."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwukWpn6MT
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Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPnZ8V8iA9
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mp9NBKW1i
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrQvi3IJsn
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They were really good.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2mb8Z3jbv
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–
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQHpdT2h2e
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"That's a nice outfit"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SNI8mZIHg
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j40Pn3kYW
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3rdVpgchB
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf1MYHekyR
Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AhHFWwlQn
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevjlMfkAvU
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"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEmqytQTRM
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntBVeFUWAZ
"Ah, my apologies."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQk08c8uC8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObE6Q8180v
"No no, I like being around you too."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MGhjQgmqC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37styczZv5
Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjJYauuO3K
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ590jU7acD2
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuLZbrJsot
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"R-Right."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjU3jpA93Y
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ0ribIBjF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiGgq1ZrTY
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1wPep9bxG
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCnIr9DkAP
"Hello, Freed!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecoomjNHM0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Ia0O6FdY
"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrP1l8o8MN
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8bIwEdhdU
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj38yoowBxK
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPZYhXBcZP
"So what business do you kids have today?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrdVJbZFiJ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdUfcnrjNt
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFUCEJ1fyy
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1OLVJEBIM
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuLsoLk4jT
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxspKb4lfTg
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtdV5cBEpk
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuJhKSiW7O
"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdmvMzd0gj
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"I see."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMi609wxi6
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRyZDkhStQ
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"I refuse."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzu0WzjH1w
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"Huh?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplTffPUU5k
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"WHAT!?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTHnXi9UOX
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWP6yPpTI0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1N3hd5bps
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOpPwrgTLo
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvR59BLTFY
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYVTd75DS7
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxows5raYu
"...No?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pGJiI8d1l
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyoVIxCnmZ
"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhEoeX1xZc
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOlYMnnF2w
His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEZCnWxxyN
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fv58DdKJR
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlM28KUQ8z
"Hold on, follow me, you two."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxmJED5NwD
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The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8chiLETz5
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4QCrPErpz
It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4qMpVJh4I
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"Down here."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPgvL7Njpv
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I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtnwvlXZY0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZx0nRuHXn
It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdksSrleIik
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"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuU0I8iLgI
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAki9JQwSQ9
Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt5yUFtEAX
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX9tZW1uQV
Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHtYX33B1x
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhcPwSxRHZ
"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMMBU4qtBl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazKQVTBbn8
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhEtzeZYWC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F7ipeIMlQ
I shrugged.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIPbFSgy99
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtTW5I8wcd
"Well alright, go ahead and try."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRcracSUW5
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5p96MmLlw
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h8Cnw0VTF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0nKYub7Yd
"Am I doing it right?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiditXvEcYq
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aCaD6o0Dq
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS3IJmfrtx
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZVcexWaPx
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d8rYfs5Rl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p359zj2cl
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPQMVB61ab
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU82BumELYu
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjqJfKtLic
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWM3OmrrKI
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vDGPx2Vov
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOzmEKFd2B
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnh3yYTleo
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTp0uwQ3rS
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7KGNpGxKK
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgoKXNP6n2
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSZMuV7MP2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7n7PCi1X0
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkN6cOUV5c
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEfeTjqDBy
"O-Okay."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHoEVPlho2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoG41TiN7E
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeQQCDkQXf
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf3TONxTcO
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhK0dWe1Jl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEG9cvIL2b
"W-Wait, how do I–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14RZ0nvTGZ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWiHBXDinm
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM383XX99X
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkAArV2Xqp
"But what if I can't let it out?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJVaiNsPv0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhPdcSiIbj
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURAyNyb608
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWjZO5uWwf
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyrMtWgTQa
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJYoNwd9oR
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TCUbW3rIg
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqdP5jZe9d
"Huh?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTHCNbyiad
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94oKR7xM8X
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdwybI1Oh5
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3ZjlOEaGC
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZzt6IFQmy
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjiXo34QVr
I messed up, getting all excited.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoHPh2t4M7
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpudV8DYrhh
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YiJDICvBp
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6dAUVt82c
I couldn't do it in time.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNBG87DbDG
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXErO8kfQTz
**BOOM**257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mu0u9pZRP
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53iPGBUNOk
The world around me faded.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dxm9eKdPo
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r5hj0MaPj
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII9lJMba9t
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTxz8rbEtJ
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmvfyo6rKw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3eyy6xHgn
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfxsfi0lu8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEIRwV20aN
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLhRUyqjM8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiI7QKZFx9
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RjmgIVISg
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMQerzc6iL
I was in the greenhouse.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGC7c9U2em
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkcnC5aukZ
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq0QxbFn1u
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYcUtDenOm
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN5UIaARB0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Bbt7WCw4
Thank God, they were okay.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQVdq3tREF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNPu4BL6lt
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOb8Rwpo38
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGOe19K8Bk
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvJxhVR4tQ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaNiOHUZ7o
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbZURoyU4o
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5wBEAUD0A
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv457WhfHRf
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3gvDasyH4
"This is... my coat?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV171Cc8Pm1
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJsEevgSOj
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0rqUC8iqS
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOH1MysDaV
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcAKQhwLvl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwR5T7FSFW
I love you. I really do. Thank you.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLoe5cw32p
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCA6d20xuY
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dk4DsgBNd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCYqKuCb1j
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynvYo14C7L
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RtvkTH0KW
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE2JdTsGxk
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrhBdjnFjI
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlRnQgthf4
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGuobNRoxw
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlQMViUWdE
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdvvo9qX6J
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt3ZVg0qm3
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd27zVjFFrQ
"H-Huh?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gcfvnwwtE
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl25FIyzRT7
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWUA3JoQLu
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH7VcaWrFw
"T-That's terrible!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6m5BRD54t
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBQDM7csuN
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt73kO6j4r
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAVEzH79uJ
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvYOHE2CM6
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WWmoZF2Ta
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOevuoIJQXj
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxDB8lwSTp
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CxvUGmEle
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8GUBp0hcH
–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFnFMUDcwk
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1XbgtcCLt
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4CzDw85ra
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkukxgaOVp
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxEIhk4Egb
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSJcHFhTJQ
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG18fK4HNNc
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEifViRYVpO
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4TkRj37G6
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dy8Vuz2cc
"...Ah!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlMAp0gQBZ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMixv7RdHf0
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjgL8uAqn1
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtt95efnBS
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOHuEK6mnW
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvV245u2wo
"...Huh?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoDFJasFRe
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v2foZbfcc
She meekly turned her head to me.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTwmBZwtw8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP1awjbgF6
"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFT67Jabb2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KQuuynn2Y
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwy5tZDfnE
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnofb7qeQ
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUZyIRrdID
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpAYU4Y6FX
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwSDPt0D60
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgdgVYDAp8
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7BUrM9tWC
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfdp83UTdY
"Okay, let's go then!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMKqJ1gy3H
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBGVaGD1R7
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRJPs9gBfu
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD58hzIwvS
"W-Where are we going to go first?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4xkE4NO7N
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAzM9BmH8a
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGTx1UYuVF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYuwTkwzyT
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH9FSdksEJ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12AcN95v7F
Yeah, let's.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUyWK403pn
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGUFpdJF45
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRHY7BT92U
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhPKsLaDC9
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTXP9axL99
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEsqfmS81A
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHqBb1CQNO
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw01Xu6LM0V
"This is the combatant's guild!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI5ZX8dgix
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOltaYaKF5
It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEJ7y4nisw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS7f2l2Ssu
"This place needs a renovation."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6BYcUL44Z
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVzU4tNhXQ
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsqK4ILdSw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0cuICjD07
I shook my head.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg4wgU4b4M
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRdCMestPL
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENQn2x8Q4y
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7wzr5L4j8
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEBjxTTW5m
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSZTXhvr9Q
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePbyKdVWRr
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBIj0xJt9z
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFUfVj9Typ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgr0VhPRIC
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1RWJPLmEQ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIrSsU5ZDD
"Do not even suggest it."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vsjdDxfaw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1EfSudxjr
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l0K5ifI1h
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyHT8qyzia
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1mYypnvb
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrNY4a3NZ9
"...Well alright."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFG4Ykoqey
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQnZ4qchrs
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LC1sPd3Lw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbNBcjZuQ4
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfh3g8oTBe
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwojYMG5E1T
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEullcRkce
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhaUEGUHwV
She pouted.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Nbwc95pD
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUZGe8SOC5
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh6aHKkk7k
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLphKE0AcVB
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl1bwOyFu4
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrWkIJ5qDs
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwXfiRlLsd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03BvkYJW0L
"Huh? Flinty?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPMRFvynGr
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP85blvIgh
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjrA8ZQZCY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3YG662GRu
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBTvMj0MrS
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5psFiKc0s
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3VW1rDSUa
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdsRxghKqH
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFVyFHY1r0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZItrbvjEvK
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lOyovfWae
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYnWa2nqGT
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kMxp2FolE
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3u2H8Z0yp
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ncTrwNKby
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOndVdKsJS
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEuj6zaDiP
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw8YKh1ECe
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYgaCqrNcM
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGATQ8QyvQ
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHIIFAVu2R
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlxiu7GXBm
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhjS7G4rdl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECFka6tuWV
"Huh?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi8rE6CCHy
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOS2kIdBuz
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3mod1tBXO
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFKZ6WFqhH
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtUVdbMHwQ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvzDmYoZKo
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMLWZWqjdd
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgZZJOAtt7
"You're right. Wait–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjg3qrZG5G
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvXDz5deW5
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeInKi7kdwJ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KSyuH030n
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmnJNXkd99
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq65Ng0ItW
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSCy20Wntb
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHkwD2dI3f
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelhfLhcLOs
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavGU4rzIRa
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7XgDpbzoJ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUj4THbyLB
"No. I'm here for another reason."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerqSSiJ3Wt
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7IxAu1Uml
"And what may that be?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloSUFpWJ5o
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tPBtQvGOt
"None of your business."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP07hiynL0H
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sUiz7XPZM
"O-Okay..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lynabl5hA
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpQ34oGprG
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrpXizfgOD
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniAspFYlnu
"She is super shady."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh07YKZsge
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZXlZEra6A
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hfBiPmERT
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6hZqDYbx3
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgElgUsOWxG
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyf9IDYc88
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5FoHgiR1k
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IWbxzZCKt
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3dh7LCVur
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj6slWGQxw
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYJx29ld7s
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFWlfcMmFs
"T-Then let's get his attention!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm4piqBt58
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtGD8nKciV
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo09a5rh5qa
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93wDk6xLPD
"Let me handle this."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOtd8j2WpO
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwFmg6MHe6
"W-What, why?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCuqxdjWDP
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HLqsjHlpj
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7kN8IL9Oe
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnAaYjJncD
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW9ofMXsjs
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYvIUwvrX6
"S-Sorry, Kenny."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7txY7L7p4
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8TLLBKcwJ
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnPHpojoVF
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTawUNQVPA
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcrgUmmnk7
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6X88Goj5a
"Hey, you guys!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp9H8z1MzU
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMROg5UuHO8
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNDc2OKT70
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpZqcVxMTB
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfX2FH8D0y
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj88fGL7qyk
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wE5afDAy3
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO7zbIaYMR
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqQrCPhwgY
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57eKASulzg
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae3PoLDZlX
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwMaJTDEsq
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ghcbwLFux
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn1h73mqZh
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZQdLmas9o
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAGd7W7eS0
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZuogvfYbu
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOlK6ppVYv
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdql0w1k40p
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFf1SS9Zm6
"Here's your bill, miss."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ60g9M1sD
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cVRnzmMmN
"...I..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mj0wxnfLX
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG8qaAYVjH
She was having a difficult time speaking.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXCcQqtdiB
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16SASML8dv
"I forgot to bring money."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3rFh4c0oZ
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC2u0bWb1P
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEimq5UvaD
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOAIJIj0Z1
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc68emZvO7
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnHAnG1X7i
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmxlC41thW
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSNZ0YjjyG
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwepotAB8l
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0mAgoSR5d
Ha. What a moron.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMyovuOyVE
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3p0j4uI87
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkb8fC2Nrv
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWQYLZBXfD
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIiJp2dmuw
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoqvP9Pxyk
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvjMRn48Sl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7y1oqmSSK
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLOBgqs6uq
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQM7WosTkP
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhWoh9sU8z
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Nn12fZqe
"..."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULDyYKMk1g
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Zqvuu8nC
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Be4yM3zz
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6kyNkH6Ne
"Hey, cloaked woman."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wxzm1u0J0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDRX9yWa2E
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf41Fra8o8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsSqTROEQo
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIsk1754ar
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7g909S9UN
"Yes, of course. Thank you."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLngOS4DrZ8
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2tGTFn82w
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4mc3zg1Wt
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyfC3EIHeY
"Alright Flinty, let's go."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA0PjCFeFk
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUO9vmeVk9
"Yes!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdJrqfNXf4
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPL7pedsQJ
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCWvdhGqB0
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmxcmsjcHh
"What?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30wZBdddgO
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr81lpTtd4v
"Kenny, you're awesome."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OjBHQYhGn
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MRdoPwSiB
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6S06K5TBO
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGPFsQuKly
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvagLA0oNmr
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV0DT4VimJ
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3rmnfZb93
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFx2iJAtEY
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnV1h7NTAM
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA9RoZGxzl
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuxQFrpNz2
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fi4ckMR2B
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkpyC0n7x5
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRY1ZGXLRv
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCfqCreP4d
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9KJDMDQxW
"...Is something wrong?"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCafYwUKSUX
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFGf3M5bdf
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgj0fhhKC1
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOTCZLoRmf
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBMpmcVPPl
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZrryBNFfh
"R-Right."257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw6O1eXOvg
257Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUeWGMHLaS
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
