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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGaXLv2nxq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1uMODrmLl
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyGdJJ0MoH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArpmvK0YbY
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2999BpeTtf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnazEhfTzUT
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlX7DcpBrh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpQ9zbP1jP
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEJ4Y3RrxN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9asg08jLoG
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vqYEr8ISI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQCBsQRq3A
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV9MeUHgIq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfI2LX249S
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5JzRL0G9C
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrEETCd89U
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTANEfjuYLl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7nDGJNMxe
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTV6tDo4Gf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWfRL6sTE1
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSajY9beGa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRG7IvDXQC
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPQEr3f7Z2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGLbo87Que
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jyhkwuXoJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MuJRfMvTw
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8szYzLlcZ9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgLinfXHXx
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hdFAhfZkE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FvBYxB6gr
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUutTYZ0fAM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn0rf8iLdf
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbjZmFLqBA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ072Y2WwoVl
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQcOnZXCzT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM0Df0WPdy
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu02jrdyHjl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Q1ClqAzp
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMthuz29Rzc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1ISIzze5a
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVadqMtRXiS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYPZ5eHob0
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteqsjuMBVt
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjML2sxCMzR
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdzoxVlKIy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5jabwerD
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHavzf3oxeI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaxLRw0A1H
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtkVgFqigJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq3KdqCtj9
"What's the matter?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vuCaHKrXz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrDolgH9b0
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYhUTy4ohp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKyZP3gRKK
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXulgsFTvOZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dF7UyiWbg
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlkGHpK9Cq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ehpm0Ahdm
"Of course."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ3d1vlqa8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBZIzKM8Qd
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAArxirxGzJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXGyyMoD5H
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lUA262EVY
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgImvjrA5C4
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA4cdJ4VhE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODoPA8U017
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisnJW57iFP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoJDPf6WJV
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE7Hyasmm7
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjxYs0MHU0
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBnjuCxDXy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpZPPr9Na
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78xUZVeNPx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2UaZo0H1N
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10n1BUt5Bu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJe6FCihwe
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXfmGYufXh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIFkIa8p8G
"...Probably?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUbjMTP60d
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHI2pgIyJV
"Sorry, definitely."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTPIIYMwve
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSIHIEDQKG
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOpIx1rQci
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6lEIvrtD6
"Food's ready!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtbqu6BGlX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5rJZWlTgi
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1QewEuber
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bTng7sfmW
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JJ1lhFBTB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIWI5xlXqJ
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvK66YFBLr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kkKO6JVza
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1e6U1C1sW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNszju2CyIv
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNieASTnE1B
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKzwwFlP5X
"Are you asking me?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6zinliugx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB3tqGIPHl
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqMwTSKP60
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VDKTnXUHC
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYabo8XRL51
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AQHktGSuE
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKMvBHH3ym
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzUjRNbxTX
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRuOGrLtNd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2alhIvBxe
It felt heavenly.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdMsNKfcCM
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUFo8MocXz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYyIstazTL
"What are you reading?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuUCF6hJ88
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwz9cLSmPi
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZJUQjzxBn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeiIM9l9DQ
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVMdQJYFwi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFZYzE26t9
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB9HnH3Y3Q
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ838yhfuJFT
"...It's a book about magic."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHorTRWK2X
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PjXLqNf5U
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqeDHqzX6K
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqQ2H0ddi8
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsUdHPHSTv
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnPDM03t4r
"Y-Yeah, of course."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCbBiYJRF2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPQY1i4hPQ
She didn't sound very excited.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcx2GSLqXL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTQvwbhsAE
"Do you want to practice right now?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscr86nFm0l
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQl5oJGlBv
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jih0BzSu3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTtao4dJAe
"If you say so."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4YFfEcPGW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH4T23hUyU
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMr9vKODWW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnNj7avPlE
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrGFjgVVyH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03XOekbanC
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJcsyqNv9R
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZgRA42JHV
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sWZ7vzIHT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4djbw9t5NX
"...Did he decline?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOWWp0NCGe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkYUewSSB
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVlLpn4oxM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLzeQTRoVF
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOzp0V3wMu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M7afOv6nz
She paused and stared at the sheets.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQwAshLxJX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKbwJhAaIY
"Today was the first time I made a spell."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ttV0hwiwZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kwLnZrXwh
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY1EW7nM0m
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMCfSnZaMz
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lIV1Cuu9U
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqYdLlIOES
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgU31iqpnC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNiLsOghd4
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJHysl12Oz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZJTvSZvc4
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ3gJ5JORc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyf6GI6vol
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDCfx1ytIE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPty4Juwmz
We sat in silence for a few minutes.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIguLFRbYs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGKR713AdW
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKASvsVH5TA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcq0qO1VPZ
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ly298F2dF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRXHHjWZCY
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeFXE4QKGR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlze1aD5j1
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpHsOjOm3K
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiODw2qvaD
She shook her head no.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTScHQTpvB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSljkLzP3ou
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISIqSVfKVs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fu6l8I6VK
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXXvSf5sO2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfZCaiq1Uc
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hW5g3eoXx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhKJlMlxYR
I felt like I made a mistake just now.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsEAC2ElS1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoInDugJwL
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ATnWDQyVs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFokiCzvRtK
"What is it?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDFap3VwFX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4XjlSmXXG
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy2VMmrkNa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8BG0V47JQ
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeistuWAZb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28SSoQpHB4
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J1r4ZQkYs
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nYYYvrhhq
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ7MsxkULL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWhrFjt9gn
"I know I can do that! But, well..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRJIWw0Ycr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC99HB4UsYU
She had her fingertips conjoined.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXruXCfu6Rx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH55A09lGYp
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUm7nOGryf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUjZfRlZu3
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLlzEoAwQ4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDofT9WXjLR
"Alright, I'll show you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDqrMOtNnZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUG6MYzJY0
"Yay!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg3EXcdOJ0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi91ImLYZGc
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNsCRgG4vi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g93XGWzRs
"I think it's best if we do this outside."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSrVWtgSvd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZKwJTGYGs
"Okay, then let's go!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkabY99hLEx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWcMiUzbAy
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIDCcDSlDy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRcp1owhHk
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5HkLIBYpk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqyJXO6QV2
"Earth?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt8FfWh8ua
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhgegHsdvY
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjWXE8I0gO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hv3wvrHSa
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB8v2DoVDx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoGr6wm9jw
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtF8C2ruXM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdEIpcC9Tl
"It's really not that impressive."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMdSXBEj9Z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTWI7OVZ8I
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UcJqsBmlH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXZsKmJNxy
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUfBCME0gh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqlVhfYjE2
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ6Pz8kMi8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcZTTA1XqI
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmes2QapYlT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYqljHX40w
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGck2cwh3iz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjljYz5JC0a
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxiz8vMHkK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiitdVpFrAa
"How'd you do that!?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1L0rmQ6f0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeZL3NEcpa
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK4Z8TZBRz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzq1oTfDaF
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevgulcmtXd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrWxhSm0ol
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRWjtMlACl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKpEGmr4qt
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ2RuXUc5K
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNmDC4qnTy
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwRJY5D6VI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh78gikUSZ
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOec7fB7RLS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm71yTE3xKk
"What's wrong, Flinty?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcvpBhzmmR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxRt378U2A
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtkdwv6nQK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe48D6ui29
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxusrIoNiU1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPlt2hPJhM
...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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UVTmK81Ob
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdLzFw59fP
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7KFnr9nSp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTWi71eLRB
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJeMwN6iAO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvkqBv0N68
Oh.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwETEDrSR4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy63sr7I7N
Oh.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuyosJJZnq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBpp1lchhs
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyXFvx8q09
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWVkZkm0tz
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hUsXvs1e2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEXQqcRCZ0
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhvtL3ujsL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXZANmkuiK
As for me?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlVuzgZWfS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Wm5CSHDI
Well...187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNmniLeVd3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetj7u5bFr4
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ymlYfJWKi
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBgIX4T43K
**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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPi56Ut7Nw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxnjMrtuml
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio7cr1NxB9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfPRq5dt9G
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQGtmhexjB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO8EzkJGNw
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSHGoYlQTZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdXK02Fb1L
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrxtyRvDjV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQqKsKInIA
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1UIhimdAb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9m92324a3
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKIvGe8fDB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYzdhwfhxh
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ712IVWhxa8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr5rtNA4uC
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaalf4nMZA1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxBODLzWRO
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3JqBinTY5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkjJ03GikM
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx37qhJx0jO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2X79v6KOF
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5DEVWxohe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYNWQBFXUG
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx2TbZOXxN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7JDELOPbZ
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoKWlLB4k1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAHEAhKATu
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGT01H1ezK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS8nSabvXq
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIFQ3qwklz
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQmA2z8bK2
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvC3AmA6N8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimnfTzOCsd
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQBdtkEupf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1rHfdsJou
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm32hJsHCrW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfRtUBDpv8
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVAWFkWqKa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVUJo1bpIF
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk9B1xSHKp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6xIiwfGHr
"Of course. What is it?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF34HRPYxOk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWGqOr5REM
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwChJWlkXc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnvLNc3kRN
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLxgBSmyr3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVre59dkeGx
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m7k9YPGEl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViIVKgD2wI
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TUANzrFg7
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uFjGfNpKL
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpLcFtt5ZY
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6GoeSVbTB
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEx2PQlwXv
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJsoODXPhG
We all looked at her.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtSaurfydr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3OP7Lp8Cb
"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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbI0GlBG8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq97jnlBIT
"Kenny."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N2rb386WG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsKXo9QJki
"Yes?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjlTzZ7KEk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4DpybAWz7
"I'm sorry I freaked out."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG2P0wuy3H
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLcxuqNAVb
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbHwGN2YaD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq11S4QAuex
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4hNaoFvt6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl4K7RH8HT
"Okay. Kenny?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6QIwTmr5S
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVeiIJIcSl
"Yes?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CHlZn0RWW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYf7PNCP7c
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk803ngDdcp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LHTawnOL4
"Huh?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2AKHETCN9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSLHEmp7rP
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfatjbqvYzJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBvCEpnY9W
"Why do you want to go?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzYWiYrvhy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucTNJanJog
"I... think I need to."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMFi8cfydp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKDqLex8ve
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoUpIWHmAc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEjxwucsm4
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkiAX4wO7G
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh5UX6gzEg
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANBayRMcPN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK5LUI8iHc
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLVoa4EBV5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTVXn9d7BJ
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoTOQ6CB1N
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKsJytSudC
My heart sank.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyT6wDj6v3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksznWCDwQP
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
