The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG2CL7HOps
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTZIHwwcFK
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps1mU14ynp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5saYSL5nO
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmx0n2pzyD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGIXQzYPpf
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLKZQVDsIo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfROPaQabw
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnRNdbtPim
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOxjB9J2OI
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmOqyvtcUs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGfc1ZyYrG
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHqdjCWdjE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJhZLLOa9f
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1jxLGjSKX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8dZjBeQPZ
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAH6zYjoLo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmz5RjGmC4
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgwMUfLIK5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3DbQ7xO0K
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkohzDLuKva
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPjWascSlk
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIhusncUMi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyDBWj2cIV
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqpRLe3yFO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefCUcoJSz2
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLzN8I7GN0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhztR35hvE
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaYWJ7zjf5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvMUk0pZz2
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WZL6dSyPB
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ346pI1PdV9
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn2bjbxBgS
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUk1sUbRlg
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS4mdq1XkT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD0ZDKxVnA
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf4cwW4pMj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBRZPFF7Ak
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAXuei8TI4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB70nj7SZm
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwUjLRCuDm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA7aSk5Nhf
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mkUxjiCSJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhNYuBEXpq
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH3mlEOh0h
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItCqOcnva8
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlCTVzjL3z
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxExVsGNPos
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh47GBxJUM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP711qNNb9Y
"What's the matter?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fcDYRHPHN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEqd5RQWNl
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxH329cUm8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnJnSvg7bm
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UbvbQCj5a
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQQwDMqvrt
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHKVMyzqKX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg0WUWXCWn
"Of course."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW82rYaOio
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf75uUUijvD
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsx98odAZ0
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY88cZDnCsm
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffszfmwxw4
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V2eXVUxHC
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVKHb3BWb2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KxO5ZSBmm
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4FxkkvAVL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSGYuG5xj9
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFfJigAufZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ4HmcnH4M
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfdwtAUh5p
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrKCbgTRCi
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YgqMGAr0M
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJkml7iRao
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX5EEJz486
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qt40yQe22
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84xWoVizwX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcMZsq4hNV
"...Probably?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNegyN0UR2b
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbZxo2MR2l
"Sorry, definitely."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiwFIvQasP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhNbwFBv2y
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBdrYotPEH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPekLtwS50u
"Food's ready!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJbQ1R0yJf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2cBve9iFz
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7qo2RWMO7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcVvDhdsXK
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zWJzh6Qsf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkY3WyLW3b
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG66p3IenCj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e8OS49vm4
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjk3lb6uXZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3wpZHcvl7
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKB9Kupzfp
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS9e7xsmgb
"Are you asking me?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ90JhsZpYb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPbszCLp5R
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4KKkWYiyr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S9Dl6KRqN
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyScu9KEhW5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS2ekWXsLs
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz4jsEQgkT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbfaQhpM7c
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7B9s0Kb8T
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3TTQOBcvy
It felt heavenly.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Gl4Yr7Yt
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdplJSHucj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQMTT9LCdj
"What are you reading?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKkYKQGBAN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbWTA1yNQP
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclpEMPlTp7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnzc6cYb5F
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvXKh7Mdov
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC9wL6tq4z
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiy19nPvjc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHiSLwDng8
"...It's a book about magic."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChwJwyNDV5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lMbiek8UF
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY0XF3giWN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivSYiiFvL1
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkByXBZQ8t
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCbmHNF1fV
"Y-Yeah, of course."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkLtc0nLsz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnCtnd9M5B
She didn't sound very excited.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbigThVm8X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4vOo0m2Oe
"Do you want to practice right now?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFxQCA0hjR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMrd6CXKFc
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsW7LuVJlk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexwIphMJcQ
"If you say so."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtff4C2qarm
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUgRQo04Vt
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoPV7yNGmg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk79xpu1qX
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOud0Ehmsb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgtBXAppwi
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMUwd5jNYh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP7y6qIbNq
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfz6vDN1j3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHNBZSRgNf
"...Did he decline?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5uX64i1IZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxGNtWPJtF
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn1GaaRLVh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ1vBeLBnf
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhlK7p6zI3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5cJCaiXrP
She paused and stared at the sheets.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuAUmVQWWI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKal1F9sal
"Today was the first time I made a spell."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dDsw867PD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDLV4Ktcv1
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcraly0G9S
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmzCMgPA2O
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOwWhL1o8F
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkh51tsKmi
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBJ4prsl2u
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQu0GY2B8j
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKqS82qwiR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXOXVCWD1m
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR9rXozi89
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL02HOdRrh
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRq6qSKSDK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTONf947rfB
We sat in silence for a few minutes.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jZ46Ju96W
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAchZZQatn
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfVfJiE2Cv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtMcrZp0sr
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnihnVwgeh
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxefxvWTMl
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetV7ViFwbf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qucdKTiCe
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRHRoLTLqd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vbOw9rqHx
She shook her head no.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV3qiGfAHf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk86jI3JeO
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcgUMwy1J2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HQlf8UwQP
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuYQCVKICb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6gHtfIssR
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYROaMr0UI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Su9NxCXX
I felt like I made a mistake just now.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwkXZlV9JM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsHtcFkyxc
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCranuvrHSK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABjnvwg1pv
"What is it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oHkBKjwFr
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk356ZE55uQ
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKNNHOMlde
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64y5FLc2ul
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00axMgoElC
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqmAODRwfN
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q63izvsx3
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRiXDlfn6k
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ViL2eyNE9
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ5AZ53e48
"I know I can do that! But, well..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFaYFTEeKW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJWvggRIIB
She had her fingertips conjoined.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzrAxTzVWA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViJN4WyVkz
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEtyyAvTIg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1e3k3Xymw
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mA7JD4q1U
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIueLETEBb
"Alright, I'll show you."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzFOIOCRUD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYT1JCiYCt
"Yay!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsN9b3b5fy
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xxDvqy84N
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ieJjpmyn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIu2BarREb
"I think it's best if we do this outside."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT0B0GUa09
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw2U5sayvt
"Okay, then let's go!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2VmMSxqhM
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64d3BKng5L
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiO338H4MZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsQp6LBXaO
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglwKACQCap
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlkg8TNplT
"Earth?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjejJD1IiU6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaq0pe14rx
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSj14YKk46
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rIExZvEIB
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLZgFo8UNg
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46hkPUThQj
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fNUX3K1yI
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zI8ZOSq5y
"It's really not that impressive."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrOFvZOrqo
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExXY8M2I2y
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy2zPEc9qv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl0qIcKAlN
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVWwKQL2XN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuDq4ua6oY
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeL3q8A6nJ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXVOJZBwv4
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJACIvwJI6X
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfFypXW3DD
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTNoyRXwgu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsl78GwIJh
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXizj23n40Y
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvvCRttR3t
"How'd you do that!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEXXd7MmJ8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6774NLTPsc
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVCxprWWYR
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPmTk0AEiz
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttKEschXwQ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZCMq3Z2L8
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ779Xaq0gFz
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnq6XPe57r
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjAVZmhhqY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LRASFscfa
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9UuV64AJY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNOIQz0Ae3
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ox9GzhMe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRWxWo7TUc
"What's wrong, Flinty?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3B7DdWi5s
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l9qJGn9xv
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyARqcxmXo7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnBoapZMXr
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7JMi7tE5i
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEXSvEjqGa
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdwktisxVi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBkMLx3Qc1
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCDacMch5A
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsntMzJgMQH
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNApS8UlUH
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvYLJvYUvN
Oh.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZpyI9FWMs
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf5AiSPGZL
Oh.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKxefvNwmV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2i8fPXf0c
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VQ2xfjHdO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAf0vkV8kM
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsGCAiQ8vu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9CehpHeFM
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ8hchT2el
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTJMzIsHBQ
As for me?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvbRgJnvDj
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJL18fv7Nl
Well...191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImOwvWv5Ti
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpSvbU7TGb
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVrWviAXIN
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42hC1v3IUP
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX4urp4pGA
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMAvn7D3Bg
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KJAXI5Toe
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcxd2GPhkb
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JppWZydOi
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMXtklA2Ym
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebMXf4qcfK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM8w7fxLci
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9v33rVIAP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnkhk5O2TP
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60X722CDHv
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjLXWqStqV
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xTbIrdeMF
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8To0RbKz6j
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5xBRKsSPY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa0b9UzmnE
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvZ3IUYxF8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj4hrFNnSo
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvNgKm54R6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rcinhhPPO
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2kplmSa2A
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1tart5kR5
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSIzoeQWw7
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJr4uDQpLE
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHhKqHx2eE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Dg5RHYT2n
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0lUo0YxaE
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcRilMO6PY
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL92ol36Qd
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt3CKim8XO
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3nivqzqYa
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6wZvcv43E
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZkws67ObZ
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVNKVoROGo
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pU4wardn1
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsrfTTSgt9
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H9A7a0YA8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpIYNS33Wc
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPuizJgNPX
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB0NQWxcaD
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbrYoUx0eY
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxS2DI2iVt
"Of course. What is it?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIzyArxHFu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkjqfsoweW
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNruLixa9Xf
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTspT4BlrB
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX96oN271A
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGzjuSCFbF
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdSZY4ijC2
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV778OHWd7
When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8euOvLljP8
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMMNY0pzN2
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRfCfu6I0D
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq1C29tt5d
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YR30m1OuL
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDf9DPX4vQ
We all looked at her.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZBZp70woW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSNz2Pfe0I
"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFZsmmYsnD
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8rLa7yBcz
"Kenny."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQF7Wr1yg5
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64QcvTBjuj
"Yes?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MkP9sjjpW
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDsRmmt7rM
"I'm sorry I freaked out."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzHLosWPjV
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4vqnT3B0J
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ZqkkaYp6
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP3yQP6Itq
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuhccp29np
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBcXJfmxh3
"Okay. Kenny?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPJ0qAL65c
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJpkEwPZz1
"Yes?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVCC4Tz2gP
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVNCgsISon
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSANnMVnAk
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxubWk8cKvo
"Huh?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aRYSmUMle
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY2RA4pqbo
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqqpo32jOT
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWQ4UsMqp1
"Why do you want to go?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Gv2NXBiK
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6YOH5r8Aa
"I... think I need to."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukVqdQoRzb
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdfG1K3RzN
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtrHJpSipU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJBHMSPvx7
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFLexlcFJc
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xu3m0YXeb
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjhjpE9jZU
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zlKWuDEQZ
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwcOJyTeRn
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e7folkJxJ
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEeCAVEVsu
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTila0WLJrL
My heart sank.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4PXnOr1NO
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkejTCyMbX
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
