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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJZWb0tUt4o
23Please respect copyright.PENANAhsXyuIMBN8
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."23Please respect copyright.PENANAuUMCFeeKlC
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnrBoocSAeC
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."23Please respect copyright.PENANAFjNxryKcqc
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVXXspolSVX
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?23Please respect copyright.PENANA0xmAWj6iLG
23Please respect copyright.PENANAMC4qSCXBo7
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAyf3CJT1Ex0
23Please respect copyright.PENANAldyBGL4khW
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.23Please respect copyright.PENANAAAYp2k5e7Y
23Please respect copyright.PENANA0nOvGb2ODO
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."23Please respect copyright.PENANAjyRQFFFWjN
23Please respect copyright.PENANAjCQI1zeNFV
"...Sure."23Please respect copyright.PENANAlWKEnWcwp8
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKAKwlD6YcU
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?23Please respect copyright.PENANAifP77KlJc2
23Please respect copyright.PENANAbEJhbdQNfd
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsrjxxaiXE2
23Please respect copyright.PENANAvER4m1hP8X
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.23Please respect copyright.PENANAS2KP8MEpZN
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQOgMNqIn1d
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAOE6nu34m5L
23Please respect copyright.PENANACec7VFf3NG
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAyAsJysbTvj
23Please respect copyright.PENANAO08TMqHZSH
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAItMD40ugHt
23Please respect copyright.PENANATDMcmt6IB5
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."23Please respect copyright.PENANAYdfSwQzyfA
23Please respect copyright.PENANAc3nMu1Zu1d
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."23Please respect copyright.PENANAf60ZGfbD9b
23Please respect copyright.PENANAuaSPwwymQS
"Wait, what!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAxW8CmYqduj
23Please respect copyright.PENANAAQjfKN6VmL
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.23Please respect copyright.PENANAwskMrktlQK
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwIFbpoymCF
"Why not me?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ok7WihkZH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAU7RnyASC7L
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."23Please respect copyright.PENANAHMW8wIh2c7
23Please respect copyright.PENANA2UKbXflEph
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZrR9O418R
23Please respect copyright.PENANA0Vh0a9Ep5V
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAX51vh7TyWv
23Please respect copyright.PENANAT24ztR1EN5
No, you didn't.23Please respect copyright.PENANAkRVofaMM2Z
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnHIFUtDlHl
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."23Please respect copyright.PENANAKwl2la4Ps8
23Please respect copyright.PENANA2lFaZzjZs7
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAWFFHNBJ6Um
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQrhoL2BvUM
"Huh?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAtt0mZVhV2S
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVsDGOmTwUu
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.23Please respect copyright.PENANAp8QiWjiK8x
23Please respect copyright.PENANA92N0XNpCnN
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAnplaynPevJ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAO8AavjCCkD
"Mhm!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAFZ3leFvwQU
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzFy8lKX3CY
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.23Please respect copyright.PENANALSW7IrVGUt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAqAdyScmccd
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."23Please respect copyright.PENANAANaR2Q5iWx
23Please respect copyright.PENANA7yhi2HZ1pk
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.23Please respect copyright.PENANABFFRn0Z05l
23Please respect copyright.PENANAW97Nl3yaZN
"...Fine."23Please respect copyright.PENANAJl5CNUxrni
23Please respect copyright.PENANAEg1YhOGJAs
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.23Please respect copyright.PENANAoc321afZfH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1X1edYOUX
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."23Please respect copyright.PENANAcBeG7VHfwN
23Please respect copyright.PENANA8X7sOuBJ3G
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAbOXGpi8jCs
23Please respect copyright.PENANAakhxDDLiyJ
"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!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAR6zVyDy43Y
23Please respect copyright.PENANASPPw8X06Fj
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAHqbCMUBDGq
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcRpV8yMXTN
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAguoBenZjzy
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnKU6n3JOVZ
"Is there... something you need?"23Please respect copyright.PENANApfthxi6fsx
23Please respect copyright.PENANAsJe61CEMsx
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAozDqZAJLq4
23Please respect copyright.PENANAjVoWg8gbqj
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.23Please respect copyright.PENANA4QZyUvXYoW
23Please respect copyright.PENANABr1bWlnbrc
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAyqDtApERt0
23Please respect copyright.PENANArb9eqldbQK
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAj6kQ8E7IPt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAXSj7Zdu6TL
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA95GQ0pwS2g
23Please respect copyright.PENANAt77Xbh2mLE
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAFqL7NahLDa
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWqHQwdpoOf
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbmmnKMX77i
23Please respect copyright.PENANAGZbfcAeh7d
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAkpd75a8EAY
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkGMUHLW4ts
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."23Please respect copyright.PENANAeb9In7cTJp
23Please respect copyright.PENANAZdjwttIibQ
She giggled a little. Creepy.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjEGvrFWCba
23Please respect copyright.PENANAR96vTcVDRe
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."23Please respect copyright.PENANA1vTpOYBEBJ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcWpfuzOpXU
"..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAVCoYSNjsPq
23Please respect copyright.PENANAjJV9L0G3S2
What?23Please respect copyright.PENANARnhl6QNq2l
23Please respect copyright.PENANAZpzQxuj7WJ
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAsrstMjeemi
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4zF1uV73Wa
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA1l0pSVbTrU
23Please respect copyright.PENANA7hRb4j109V
"O-Oh..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAUj38RV0JiP
23Please respect copyright.PENANAY7wDFFtaJm
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.23Please respect copyright.PENANADe1eOozAxz
23Please respect copyright.PENANAU1uCUyIHhh
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."23Please respect copyright.PENANAyIoSDVlCIY
23Please respect copyright.PENANA1k2wCKKYfX
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."23Please respect copyright.PENANArDInTxo1hQ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAg9hLbJGYTV
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAB8R7VIXIhN
23Please respect copyright.PENANAEHG2ftVBZe
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."23Please respect copyright.PENANA06Ts9DUbSQ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAfMidy36FkH
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.23Please respect copyright.PENANAE5Y2C1Yykk
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6egdNwzybT
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.23Please respect copyright.PENANAeWVcPcSWGj
23Please respect copyright.PENANA80k2uDOWuo
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAUgPxeFiKeV
23Please respect copyright.PENANAm4FDsZTncX
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAICkbq8EuAg
23Please respect copyright.PENANA07Re11F4DV
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.23Please respect copyright.PENANAUTNUU66Z5u
23Please respect copyright.PENANA5CcSmFg723
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAXiFYCB0aQ8
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmx6a8E9ewa
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAHCAHK6ClEV
23Please respect copyright.PENANAP7ETluii6K
Front-page news!?23Please respect copyright.PENANArjp7eEyCeq
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmsUuIRYZTw
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAlENC8kOUPN
23Please respect copyright.PENANAggkF7zFvxB
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAOp5acdX9w2
23Please respect copyright.PENANALEhsUsLJy4
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.23Please respect copyright.PENANAEwByL8WMIR
23Please respect copyright.PENANA8OaDgbpZQ6
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"23Please respect copyright.PENANASJniKL8KNx
23Please respect copyright.PENANAhpN5HZ8fym
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.23Please respect copyright.PENANAX3W0eRh7oA
23Please respect copyright.PENANALlLKYYFdc4
"No, I don't."23Please respect copyright.PENANAEsklb0IqeT
23Please respect copyright.PENANAl1JlzSNCGv
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAvRSAUYfFCO
23Please respect copyright.PENANAXVZrsywwBz
"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!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmH3LN6X5O3
23Please respect copyright.PENANARuJEt2lDiH
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."23Please respect copyright.PENANAm20gTAZCwD
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwZscLhkw8B
"Thank you."23Please respect copyright.PENANAHMyoCLdQaZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWcgN44eAQr
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA3o9yWuVGBi
23Please respect copyright.PENANALPY0LUnIvH
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.23Please respect copyright.PENANAkROWSlz638
23Please respect copyright.PENANABOTvxEgsNJ
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."23Please respect copyright.PENANAjwVSSDspay
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcmyhO8zpoV
"Oh."23Please respect copyright.PENANA4Etok2ENqI
23Please respect copyright.PENANAErguxVnuqs
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.23Please respect copyright.PENANAuFqqvG9E4n
23Please respect copyright.PENANArscRlEz7Zz
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."23Please respect copyright.PENANAk0UqXmjsB4
23Please respect copyright.PENANA90TaqAbQGL
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA7PE3axB1da
23Please respect copyright.PENANAs02IcmpE0N
Her face froze. I sighed.23Please respect copyright.PENANAuFMYi98HW8
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6l0rflULlT
"I-I'll do it in the morning."23Please respect copyright.PENANANOBiCZvIxH
23Please respect copyright.PENANApHlNOUVS0W
"Good luck."23Please respect copyright.PENANAwvKS6ZL8F9
23Please respect copyright.PENANAeSRshDo8ZB
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.23Please respect copyright.PENANARKcIUEK4UP
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQxdXOgE91o
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."23Please respect copyright.PENANALsK0bdVbGW
23Please respect copyright.PENANACAsZttuu3f
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."23Please respect copyright.PENANAMLCN1V9n3k
23Please respect copyright.PENANAj1AruFDr9V
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."23Please respect copyright.PENANAR5L6ra13sp
23Please respect copyright.PENANAka72xydRJV
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAtmrSvyOaf0
23Please respect copyright.PENANAToUcaakIvY
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAePWAhIIF4p
23Please respect copyright.PENANA0NhBlMybjB
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.23Please respect copyright.PENANAZE6pCMc6Hq
23Please respect copyright.PENANAG24OnVU8KH
"Going to what?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAHVIGcP4YYO
23Please respect copyright.PENANAlP8Bh4sYRD
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.23Please respect copyright.PENANAk2Ugo1xglx
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgMIAv1DCEI
"Huh? Wash myself?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAfa1TZZKC3x
23Please respect copyright.PENANAbRS0SOGXTe
"Yes. Like we did."23Please respect copyright.PENANASGT5ifSpd6
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwWbePzbWl4
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."23Please respect copyright.PENANApDikLHO0Qs
23Please respect copyright.PENANAd5w2xrbiXC
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.23Please respect copyright.PENANAERUu579tfT
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4YpYeunWCK
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAu28K16qg1T
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4Cy8sQmTNK
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAvdEz9Ujg7F
23Please respect copyright.PENANAY2lNeie2OE
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbkApfNs3Ws
23Please respect copyright.PENANAa0Rb5nvNBm
"Buffalo Village."23Please respect copyright.PENANASgVrbMNZMF
23Please respect copyright.PENANAdImYeTmneG
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."23Please respect copyright.PENANA2ppbdN75XZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAllfvIUBO9w
"Really? I didn't know that."23Please respect copyright.PENANAbjJgPGVpXY
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgQWI8nXSdg
Kim looked like she was smiling.23Please respect copyright.PENANAw67dd4uPtj
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6tYvwVpUXz
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."23Please respect copyright.PENANALdtWuFXHHz
23Please respect copyright.PENANAtmeQ641OPN
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.23Please respect copyright.PENANAvvEbFJQSdj
23Please respect copyright.PENANASjRdXSC8zR
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANArXSIEL66nG
23Please respect copyright.PENANARbbLbmylLc
"Fine, fine."23Please respect copyright.PENANAzc5gvHuAZZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAxUGRK1LloR
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
23Please respect copyright.PENANAg0pwGppwo4
"..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAPFqh2htE7r
23Please respect copyright.PENANARI0q148pTu
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.23Please respect copyright.PENANAYQzNFQnyfF
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkPenZRh6pq
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."23Please respect copyright.PENANADW49HzHU7K
23Please respect copyright.PENANAdXoDiuBacd
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjLnZ86XOnD
23Please respect copyright.PENANAT4hZBbPl5p
–
–
–
"...Mmm."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsfJdCoFBEQ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmLwOrkbqbp
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANASGd5fQ4hXv
23Please respect copyright.PENANA7PZucVgWGs
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAZuf1CEucK3
23Please respect copyright.PENANAR38EoWGLRj
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAE6kw51Lo7r
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwZ76PBP1mt
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAehAAJYe94h
23Please respect copyright.PENANALN5qwbq3jx
"Wow, you're hard at work."23Please respect copyright.PENANAjhEepOTiXL
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnmopjD5bVF
"Ah!"23Please respect copyright.PENANADlo26I0s2u
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKgM3UxlRCL
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjNjF3uTPDb
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgT661Qn8F8
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA59JvEhyfjB
23Please respect copyright.PENANAa1AlFpVx6T
"I don't think so... what time is it?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA1WIw9SHOK9
23Please respect copyright.PENANAegVNGxkYJ3
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."23Please respect copyright.PENANANI727Vv5VO
23Please respect copyright.PENANASvGjb8QvTB
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAocOq4txxK1
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwWCvrnO3C8
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAzoktnTTMW7
23Please respect copyright.PENANAR3vIGzRceW
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAlaDEo2kOA4
23Please respect copyright.PENANAtj4rXXcXs8
I did regret sitting beside her, though.23Please respect copyright.PENANAon1qbHNtCr
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVYIj0PDBj1
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsDrJkNEq4W
23Please respect copyright.PENANAEvkYK0zjDf
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAFNqNRIzwnH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQSaKhjViRI
Flinty looked at me with excitement.23Please respect copyright.PENANAp5dhyah0OP
23Please respect copyright.PENANA32EW9EWpWf
"A goal?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAcxHQwtyaCf
23Please respect copyright.PENANACX027tNt7p
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAtIQmzf4wcI
23Please respect copyright.PENANAJt1gGGEev0
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.23Please respect copyright.PENANAEHNi28z1bI
23Please respect copyright.PENANAMhjjTkhrCz
"Okay, I'll do my best!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAvWpYF1jqqt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAtEn0cSPjrS
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1DhhqckvLt
23Please respect copyright.PENANACc5My86A46
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA74lxIEDENm
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQFeS6bs6Qf
"Good morning, Linda!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAphOgSP8Kak
23Please respect copyright.PENANAsBM0EEQRkW
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."23Please respect copyright.PENANAwe2mmZIEKy
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"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmhR6jQF0q5
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.23Please respect copyright.PENANAXZv9IotTKy
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."23Please respect copyright.PENANAN1A8HNxeDw
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Friday? Today is Friday?23Please respect copyright.PENANAZx4GHY8yFz
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA93qTZ5bC6F
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"23Please respect copyright.PENANALPmsswI2Pz
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She looked at me curiously before answering.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbKXo8a2vBE
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"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."23Please respect copyright.PENANAVTOG3esypR
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.23Please respect copyright.PENANAi6EyBRua5X
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAPFNq9WncbR
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"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."23Please respect copyright.PENANAQTCXkMGTKJ
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"To whom? Those at your home village?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAjk8kbjNDUw
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"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANA4b8fNxisBh
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She lightly smiled.23Please respect copyright.PENANAxh3CJH6a6b
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"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."23Please respect copyright.PENANAewv0BxBvPz
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"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAB8iyWAVc1o
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She shook her head from side to side.23Please respect copyright.PENANAGM1nbSGKt4
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"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANA0CFU2ljqnZ
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"So you decided on living here?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAH5L6xQu6CO
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She nodded.23Please respect copyright.PENANA7OsDC41L1A
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"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANA0rXEDjoVg4
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I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.23Please respect copyright.PENANA43762l69kc
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."23Please respect copyright.PENANAk6LVJon5s3
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"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."23Please respect copyright.PENANAs2J5T6s6AB
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"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAjljDoiRzvO
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwciTA9HOKb
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAzgrTuAqrra
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As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.23Please respect copyright.PENANAQdtlJ80G2d
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"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAcO5IsrXOri
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAsIVOGPuubh
23Please respect copyright.PENANAR4k2FPfp3D
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANArI6bF2ocxN
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"Hey, Victoria?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA7IpCLGhjRj
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"Yes?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAG33MKsvaqv
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"23Please respect copyright.PENANATbMTIDstpt
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"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!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAOaya349gsT
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANALojRjw6wDc
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"Kim, are you good?"23Please respect copyright.PENANARWBp9u3Vsu
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Kim just finished packing her bag.23Please respect copyright.PENANAWFlsCCxD2B
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"Yes. Let's get going."23Please respect copyright.PENANAh2I5P1mpmp
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"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."23Please respect copyright.PENANA3BSkRRipGt
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–
–
–
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbVrPlT5Mvz
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANALeWpmSm9ea
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...She did do that, right?23Please respect copyright.PENANAZaYGJnwm03
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAGB6Q3ty4ga
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAg2pR29l1zT
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?23Please respect copyright.PENANAdsiO4JF9To
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA8sLlUQ6vCv
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"Hmm?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAeScQUfOicT
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.23Please respect copyright.PENANApAbUv8Wpyk
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"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."23Please respect copyright.PENANAuNPQunRzjA
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAnLjdicYmsO
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.23Please respect copyright.PENANAiPkX29dPpz
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"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAv9oWG7bkAI
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The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.23Please respect copyright.PENANA03INBQ9YrK
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."23Please respect copyright.PENANAJrrBzdmPyz
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"R-Right."23Please respect copyright.PENANANO6FVRvdBc
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I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.23Please respect copyright.PENANAGJRfZWgbeE
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"Any objections?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmZJw5BK3uB
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None of us voiced any.23Please respect copyright.PENANA2hqN4tEJVL
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAjCGS9VVGCi
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"Of course."23Please respect copyright.PENANAPqiYVttiX5
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjxzMtECLb5
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANARSAc7XgkQ6
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAqQIHpDP78D
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAO8UBv9969t
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJavR8wTX0W
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It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.23Please respect copyright.PENANAVXZQ3NNelU
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAC744OeTBes
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"Hold on, stop here."23Please respect copyright.PENANA9Oc0FpboyM
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAYyD7T7ynOB
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.23Please respect copyright.PENANAXn74PSMtJS
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."23Please respect copyright.PENANAxyQAriU5TW
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAckTp6Wps24
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAOg3LETP0QA
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANA7AcPYAr680
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.23Please respect copyright.PENANA0MLFG3oKLL
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."23Please respect copyright.PENANAvyvGgFYK8d
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1zLmYUGRqb
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAX5ZpMUeTbI
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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?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAPgrZGeKvUE
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAAv0YMcNuvO
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAIOYkOtF6Lx
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."23Please respect copyright.PENANAClSAOASocn
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"23Please respect copyright.PENANALIdt6XKk4v
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."23Please respect copyright.PENANAircBv0g35T
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANApjKDZVMkTr
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAXY833DEjY0
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"Heh, well..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAGkSW9ZBOz8
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAtkid1vrSwY
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"What's the hold-up?"23Please respect copyright.PENANACrmjitr4Ox
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."23Please respect copyright.PENANAt0YR70Avg4
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1BLISj8qDt
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAVUPFlydk16
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAzMifi3dYnK
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"So, what about you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAkW6sqSjUjG
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."23Please respect copyright.PENANAZXcVzePUSM
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbaDi1morVh
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"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAMtb8sIdNd7
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."23Please respect copyright.PENANAqUkIA2oYqI
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKUzER8sKUw
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"I can see now why– oop."23Please respect copyright.PENANA76Q7kTXz5I
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbBxSorDvro
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAvp5TOP6fPw
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All of a sudden, a voice.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1FIBqXxgnC
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"Something... I feel like something was here."23Please respect copyright.PENANARCf2gaIMkO
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAxM48Yfdz0a
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAvW2Tkznn26
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."23Please respect copyright.PENANAoS9bspcxGB
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1VF0Q95bXi
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAHSJNezhLo9
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcJGxycywTY
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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