I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvntor5e5f
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqCVSVrLoe
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTPelB5j2k
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb4eFaIUhh
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLLuNqBtl0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCvCVFOaSv
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJtZOMoNym
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNn7vXcRzzp
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzGKPmxOuu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LGLgJ1K4z
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUswye6tWGz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiWxZMWCWg
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy1icAVni7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdYmtkCgsQ
"...Sure."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3gU0n1aw6
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrXejnW797
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtlhAEqhn7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhWS6R7qEO
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7hr1XUmHY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NUXjeX2At
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLW5J1cBdK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRyVQyoqbS
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHAnTLhZRx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2efHGMFMh
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTSXvLqrdm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml5ABAVS1y
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ4GZZcrxl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHzhkLyxEy
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHpsggnYSS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx6LOAaZmZ
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Yr3rLUqa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u30krAwsu
"Wait, what!?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhVig1LysF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2QAHEGOdr
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1BMd0dwEX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RVL06oV90
"Why not me?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSKYg7QMPJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HTGQ0wsp0
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthxtjttHRF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqoTU5jfry
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwtW3QG6K4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeZpGbBGci
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErvZRFvzRt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzUFbP52TM
No, you didn't.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbbzcr66lP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0lM4wouv3
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFVDgOQJ0g
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFZYQW6vF2
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JRm080XkX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl0AdNE0NX
"Huh?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0gSHPKjqb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TBAxJdRjw
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HYlwEdlNB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpijATQGypY
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxBizclsbZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucwKR0LVCY
"Mhm!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HZEYbfRwX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeMptH4n05
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsM4HLNYtq
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBzcybcomR
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43E6Tuovnb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybq6EcyYNI
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg7k7q4asu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhmbc45ooT
"...Fine."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR097PeHvOS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ349u2xhXQO
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DiIHAOqXJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQh7j4lazQ
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv411E1iwSf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8I99zZ1Bi
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnyj1YbLnI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyyTxb4Pm9
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULzZSn7gjk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ5MD9J3xV
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIQD9nS7aa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko4sjirx3W
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDCC8A7V9R
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzmyvtcamp
"Is there... something you need?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVjv7e0XcG
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRe6qO97AD
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMCw1tZAdf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2fmYc8tAH
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bpAjvwAsf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFa5m42yFb
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcfL9T4oHZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7deJGnFOy
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KxEvdDPIa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzgzh3Yc9F
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBiI5K9mc7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPnx1j6vDx
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLW2h5Vgon
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYvCHHm9Yk
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo9PNMf9t4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ6OddTmXU
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4xeunPwhp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68DRu78J8J
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVnrP4Q1UF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI02dl0SILB
She giggled a little. Creepy.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiquUcTn42G
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNpMUttWtM
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX05F22EFo6
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHZtjcblhE
"..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXucwf5WN6Q
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocc6jKqS5z
What?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybumdwOkxx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnHghSklog
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99M4o61Fe6
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLYKCboHR3
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeYlcsAjy9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc8iV7KxT1
"O-Oh..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QOMOjRPbd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnHIDITewv
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52uGji3NFL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SN8xzV358
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWPRE4RIRd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj1ed3ec4a
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mNPRvZUUj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUEmOaWyFh
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR0QJR3PkH
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTDRIRObKG
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPk1D22E7A
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbvpwglx9I
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdmLW3TVKA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHfI7HyHK2
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4SWSP30l4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G20AQyLY3
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv19KqeTMaB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe0SMwIHIP
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCvEMPyfUe
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNygGksFju
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK21HJqy62
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCqJY8UceJ
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCVOtXWalW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTbOIa1pWi
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBimt0ITVE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbsp5gX2mg
Front-page news!?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKIdoXmN9i
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf6N8nFKcF
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPykNoCSfgg
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh8xV5yrIf
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqr1U5kKXI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8aHFAxFAh
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzAqfUCAzL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi69IBL5dE
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Drfsce86
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQDxDVHi1X
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZKW54xhfr
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR7OP69Xi9
"No, I don't."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXmcuUZ8bo
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQJNpiItod
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbJReP6YNx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FQfSMk60Q
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7idGvbqUJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpLzh4PM75
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR20rAv1Xiw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDGc2hElHi
"Thank you."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYYuApCkQ8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5dGiHBvAR
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp8ZZpX3gf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHHXOERL3h
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrbqgYY3fv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec4M5ppIA1
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0a8eAmRu4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqazkMD2HO3
"Oh."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3ZpjrNxNk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIsy21dJbW
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VXEK1qWns
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2NBiFQk7g
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM0eU4JgDk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnAXHRXvln
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm4QWPSjAF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrQLH0zJEa
Her face froze. I sighed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf3n670lmN
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccuCN38zxV
"I-I'll do it in the morning."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b4vXOZttV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9IxPmU15W
"Good luck."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9aAmEp0CY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSDj8AWGvT
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun6slVBSte
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqSBFN83lQ
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmntMO76nx3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzMQNYQRX0
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwESlduvQpl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENSPM161oz
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFznCEE9aJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcr1otsaMy
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPLnOalAN9
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW0wOpK4bg
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQGoXPALpd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoz6zKbkkH
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKriEf4mys
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZdjWadrVF
"Going to what?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhVPFiyFb4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cyLI7539n
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D85x8mgyp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml5Bl2js8K
"Huh? Wash myself?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrurYp99kSt
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r2FtXyyY5
"Yes. Like we did."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsYy2sYFg2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEZmgrdrRl
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTQjjEcaKP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLCRz3t06E
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuCMpXryqu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCSmVjwAOG
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzKGvYovbm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtg7TzdeMf
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJTL8TseO1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7Icb39rB1
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA10a6h5TH
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLrc1ZDoKb
"Buffalo Village."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKPbRf9P6O
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHxZgBX1mq
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSrPCVPA4n
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAc4NvZdQs
"Really? I didn't know that."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkbpg5bFQI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oue7icYtM
Kim looked like she was smiling.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSZ9RLf0mV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NBh1118ar
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAMhwhs5jE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wDuDzDg94
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPkbvdEUxj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO6pWxnNAT
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBuWMqsf1U
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKtm34ldZG
"Fine, fine."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVtNQlBLDA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5URypln7Gt
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6VeeVEClU
"..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJA4CS3N0V
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSMlY4jOSr
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U2668OYA1
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kcoij5hmR
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo9TnfUto3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUQljs4OEa
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2XxDHDf5w
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlSDSqAXeI
–
–
–
"...Mmm."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSeoGxIUHx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxrVA9Mjtj
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGarD5nO7pR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyShBYbS3Qe
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxTdhAEipE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRU6gaUN7o
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoywfF5e4Dg
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTZiVGHgTE
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQiECUTwZC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d2EiLmRRu
"Wow, you're hard at work."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeU6Tl9UY5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL7u2ytWeK
"Ah!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGpey1FYYO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7uuVwFmZA
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleyEtEdFiw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEPPCCtVPf
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSs1llpirZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f6h12KTg5
"I don't think so... what time is it?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt8eqJzjpJ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBzvrNau20
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECibv51DGV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyguBvJtIXl
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPTUvXVBlu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPWlVemu8J
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRWd6A4GTI
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokm8Cs9nkY
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxiCEo6b8z
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO24ytKD75
I did regret sitting beside her, though.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnxUMBWyWi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVjHMz8hWB
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7sRDzyF0i
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJvldtHPXp
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsude2200L
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIoHka8vrI
Flinty looked at me with excitement.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LueNzurvr
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdamAKtbteu
"A goal?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qbts6H6wK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3dOORM6hI
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI9QVzXQDF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpULsXlGnj
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYav0d5qc4
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf8Embgrn9
"Okay, I'll do my best!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CCMSN8Low
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2guBzd1v0
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj1mX70LU7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P0ZwXVz2u
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaE5kP57Pf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3QNhv2J0y
"Good morning, Linda!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIobruR51b
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZiyRLKCTH
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvajL9hsH38
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumPcCLu53I
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5CTdxwuUb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVSLni3JT2
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPl1iPX56c
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ5A0s7ORO
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZiPrAyJgQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk6UDtlk1i
Friday? Today is Friday?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcupHEZ1QrC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7zVcPRpS3
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkF2M7MIsR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6MVtXojxF
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWBCSzOlFz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZQXz9u05P
She looked at me curiously before answering.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboXBCd79Se
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPtcTyhhkh
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArFh1meiOu
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBxey8tolA
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0oX4Yto5Y
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDUPSi8diK
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpMD9MgSoi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvicqgRsfH
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCliXctkFa
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxkWFAEq3V
"To whom? Those at your home village?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxz5YSgnFP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdfi6xZ7Uf
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQIgfgiBA0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqdu67CucA
She lightly smiled.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCHbjEq8jh
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkn0KfcYoU
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QtEsaZbNk
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEewUBCdnX
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY0is0mBCC
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CDSm2xhTK
She shook her head from side to side.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTt91snB7n
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavCua1wP5G
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6Lv1EuNcG
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8D5JfCJvY
"So you decided on living here?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYs5FYzOEM
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpHSZMUxj0
She nodded.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTqVPpkOQX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd9YAOWxSL
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARaoxHqMd0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4fx5AVVke
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBngo6BIaN
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5cxdMRVuf
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnomf6ZXoA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTl1Fsskk4
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzLGgQSMei
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2R4ievhMZ
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeb913Z7JB
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CDRhC6bCt
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPnT4c4pJd
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiDuNNtYsl
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkygoQL5dq7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbVJz1xyZR
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaIsuX4Gbj
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvveJVhHW0C
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7wZq3T6ys
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmi4suDfzj
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpjcQ2CH0E
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfTZjvIWs5
"Hey, Victoria?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfml0yKO6kQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB0LUPPIXD
"Yes?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzxwXdIiCR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAoUYMQKop
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkEfZmMCYV
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ouA1pQzL
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ucxP96tnZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBZSBB4J42
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDoV24eaAS
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWZNuJraNM
"Kim, are you good?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0XjPhW3tQ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvP9MHsEYo
Kim just finished packing her bag.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb8ceCqGYw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmWU3kqxhT
"Yes. Let's get going."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8xUfaYceK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON6ALExG8Z
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOoWrzNHIP
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLEWOo5bbD
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep6iQkTxdl
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTpjMsY9aj
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJh6y3y5wZ
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z1rV1l7W1
...She did do that, right?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYGkEk87gR
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2QkLoZ8ME
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDbjpCuve8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAGNFi6eRQ
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyqmyPshUm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iUhrvNph4
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpilGHQFZ8E
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyAso32O5G
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0vHaqvgl5
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVC3NnLRGZ
"Hmm?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC0s4Vg6Sp
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElggWiKxSa
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjIJNv7tng
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCPIz7dXCt
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjcGQ6Qw76
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNPWl3gKj8
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2UBHIV4fn
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvhcLamjP3
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW31gAYhnX
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a1SXxOAxh
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesIbABlX6M
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMCHeyt25m
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7x2aJCm24
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFCysIcuyH
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5n3XRvqZ0
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyKNbTGACF
"R-Right."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcoGLkoZde
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wJpUIdPxJ
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cHFvuu6rW
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoLNEq0n3c
"Any objections?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQc9Udkq0Q
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwGqXKOn8P
None of us voiced any.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgtpWKv0zc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl8vAZOXgN
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QsS1jTXkL
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpyTaCFsJx
"Of course."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAPvOReyyr
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9xbuL2OBN
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqURi3VZO3
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHgPhQJvJJ
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29dl3wqLay
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpnVPSJVWm
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSg5LeWMJm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEskJB0scjL
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUtpOliZCf
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO2NP8UwPi
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHy8dj79nx
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75MSESLM5c
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UBb0GgX5m
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rIMrP5Dcw
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NRtfFe6ui
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtpfTQBbmH
"Hold on, stop here."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGeLLBYeLU
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZzxRKuhdM
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2etlQr2mSO
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmxG3DJMfC
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw06NO3KLs
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjfZ1ZT8js
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk57gKDw5AF
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs4IZwXyWF
I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP78sQvXt4
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgWBv0yoTJ
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdceM7iguT
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7hxrSIeO3
"Does it look safe?" I asked.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s9GrqRhOz
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTUh5UupTi
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL3YHw4xBE
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakTa8nu1Bt
So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxzAmq4gml
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSMMd8cYmp
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"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ0KgaRb2L
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEbeIZAfl1
Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLITwbLeYb
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknW7MTz3Fy
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAJmfV4YIl
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvSLZVp5qm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbSrtt2YFm
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChj6lhWPIi
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1taqAKU4G
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlfcJiegNw
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFnUeekRzU
She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk65j4RzKhA
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqJNupvvCi
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v6b3mzdKb
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JkW2FvJcR
"Heh, well..."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Dl5Y7qwm
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP79rtc9xE0
I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCSrVxFLRe
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"What's the hold-up?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9wJAlC2gG
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMIuDbRHol
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDj23CTaFD
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHeFRwF3K0
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"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3eZrM2OGY
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SiPHsE5qi
My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu55qULCjZe
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"So, what about you?"186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr3DFZemzs
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa3LkMY5XE
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM6lcypnEv
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCVVRpFbMW
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP7eGmWT6b
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhZ7E2bSHX
"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxdV9BFiq7
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEthiwSaVRd
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cs3pM0pOc
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFpBIDEwjN
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw723v6dI3R
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"I can see now why– oop."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKabbalNX1T
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBPQVWGIto
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hLsaAUpPB
IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMcrMrrKYb
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All of a sudden, a voice.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6s6fdLuw7
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"Something... I feel like something was here."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7ES3XQf6D
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad36CHD1uq
It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLcJtai1zi
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaboiBO1RDK
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HORAPFnbH
"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa3UoXeQP2
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOtS3UsOs0
The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUszg3Q227
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc0QXHSCFT
I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhUbS6M9s8
186Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTGnydiV0F
Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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