The doors to the Pillar were made of thick glass lined with bolted steel. Opening it was arduous and unexpectedly time-consuming– that is until Rover caught up with me. Though the hinges fought against the force valiantly, Rover's sheer strength proved to be too much. A simple shove flung them open like a cupboard door. Unfortunately, I was putting my whole being into opening the door beforehand, leading me to unceremoniously fall onto the smooth floor.261Please respect copyright.PENANAXGEqcd7DcR
261Please respect copyright.PENANAqhMRMp3rhQ
"Ow! Ahh..."261Please respect copyright.PENANARn9teNPKg4
261Please respect copyright.PENANAlaUvWuOYHf
"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAoQMiWJchHT
261Please respect copyright.PENANAeMlsS4V4AC
"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."261Please respect copyright.PENANAnwOC8In4CN
261Please respect copyright.PENANAvE253HOH2o
She tilted her head at my comment. I stood up and rubbed my own, ignoring the inquiry shown in her gaze. We took a few paces into the building. Immediately, I noticed smooth, carpeted floors and lavish furniture sprawled around the entrance. There were lounges, tables, receptionist desks, and more. Though it was the first time I'd ever entered such a scene, I could draw a comparison easily– it was very similar to how the Tea Mage described the "student center" of Talbot, after all.261Please respect copyright.PENANAB1yclF1nU6
261Please respect copyright.PENANAPlCSg3yy6C
"...This place is giving me the creeps."261Please respect copyright.PENANA0IMZ6y8C37
261Please respect copyright.PENANAhZG3rxXq2r
"Huh? How so?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAVyaouFEnaa
261Please respect copyright.PENANAIfiHu2DB32
"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."261Please respect copyright.PENANAu6yQvlEtRM
261Please respect copyright.PENANA7FC8n9EBYY
"Couches and rich– wait a second."261Please respect copyright.PENANA6hjl7rUaj4
261Please respect copyright.PENANAlSgTxkQ6DH
Doing another scan of the environs, I found myself concurring with Rover's deduction. At that moment, the grandiose atmosphere of the room vanished and was replaced with ghostliness, and a cold sweat ran down my back. I also became confused; after all, didn't Mason say that security was tight?261Please respect copyright.PENANA4WGhNaEAUz
261Please respect copyright.PENANAY9XVBqlk7n
"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA7weGLYlW2g
261Please respect copyright.PENANAM6KmcV3gsT
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."261Please respect copyright.PENANAIv8zKb0xiz
261Please respect copyright.PENANA8955y7tVzu
"Tch! This stinks!"261Please respect copyright.PENANASEXiqWfj8K
261Please respect copyright.PENANAmWUpbh7kvl
Rover stomped the ground and began to storm off, but I grabbed her wrist before she could go too far. She turned her head to me with her usual grumpy scowl.261Please respect copyright.PENANAHG2cNYrWkw
261Please respect copyright.PENANAbtKsezSSBk
"What?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAV3a5EEU4LL
261Please respect copyright.PENANAzBeBEoJkQK
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."261Please respect copyright.PENANAQLTPBfM0Lo
261Please respect copyright.PENANAhdMoYm3BJ7
"What? Are you scared?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAZSbmE8Is8E
261Please respect copyright.PENANApViBG5CMhn
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAQZMZeCatCn
261Please respect copyright.PENANARJLqZ4k1PR
She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.261Please respect copyright.PENANAzYG4i26m4u
261Please respect copyright.PENANAXHY0unHGlR
"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAQmuKVDmTDE
261Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZmeHvWKsc
She had a wry look on her face. I understood the intentions behind her words and tone immediately, and I nodded in the face of a revelation. It was one I couldn't properly articulate, but the feelings it stirred up translated perfectly into an action.261Please respect copyright.PENANAe1padXZ2qi
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.261Please respect copyright.PENANAaWkxymOjSN
261Please respect copyright.PENANA5bjsN9m9jZ
"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."261Please respect copyright.PENANAV0cPsYpzAM
261Please respect copyright.PENANA7QoxQWqG9j
"...Fine."261Please respect copyright.PENANAtW8hGEudo3
261Please respect copyright.PENANAGEL71zVJWi
Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.261Please respect copyright.PENANAcdOrH88OEC
261Please respect copyright.PENANAfgW8yg8RFS
Rover and I didn't spend too much time inside the foyer, since it was obvious that what we saw would be all there is. Instead, we walked deeper into it and were immediately faced with a fork in our road. A left and a right, each path leading to a hallway with a set of doors. The ends of the hallway were comfortably in sight, meaning that traveling them shouldn't be challenging. I looked at Rover inquisitively. She pointed at the hallway on the left, prompting me to take the one on the right.261Please respect copyright.PENANAhKMT21mj3k
261Please respect copyright.PENANApHqOEVGHQK
My first impression of this hallway was that it was bland. There were no elegant decorations of lush chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was a hallway consisting of simple white walls and doors. Most of the lighting came from windows and the sun, though a few lights were stationed here and there. I hit the end of the hallway quickly, turning the corner and continuing my expedition. The hallway looked identical to where I was standing, which made me feel as if traveling in this sector was a waste of time. Rover was a much quicker walker than me, so she would already have seen whatever was beyond the next turn long before I made it there.261Please respect copyright.PENANASkhowPbRxZ
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"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."261Please respect copyright.PENANA4NfdGv0yz5
261Please respect copyright.PENANAL3bGyDUOEU
Our goal was ultimately to reach the Dean's office, which, according to Mason, was perched on the highest floor of the Pillar. However, Mason also said that the interior was heavily guarded. I doubted his words, but doing so wouldn't lead me anywhere, since it wasn't like I had a lead or someone nearby to ask. Therefore, I decided that I should look around more sensibly, and with my new mindset, decided to open the nearest door.261Please respect copyright.PENANAZQHEEsdeSY
261Please respect copyright.PENANAqizxhkxGtO
"...It's locked."261Please respect copyright.PENANAz06W12EQzQ
261Please respect copyright.PENANAecn21Xs6TE
I shouldn't have been, but I was disappointed. I walked a few paces to the next door and tried to open that one but to no avail. I repeated this action for the next half a dozen or so doors, until suddenly–261Please respect copyright.PENANAmwSAf0ATC7
261Please respect copyright.PENANAGyaF2urWeT
"Oh! This one's open!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAiEEsJyKyE4
261Please respect copyright.PENANAFrdMp5Yurz
Before I let the door go wide, I released my tendril, giving into the sense of trepidation I've had since entering the building. Then, I took my first step. Aside from the tiny slab of sunlight crossing barely over the threshold, the room was pitch black. I produced a Flash-Bloom and was greeted by what appeared to be an office building.261Please respect copyright.PENANACx6JMNbYnp
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"261Please respect copyright.PENANA0wC8ErplN1
261Please respect copyright.PENANAfyctzLH57l
Thrown into a coughing fit, I eyed the inordinate amount of dust in the environs. Opening the door must've flung it all into the air. Now I stood there, coughing and in regret.261Please respect copyright.PENANAFexmD8xoHe
261Please respect copyright.PENANAyjMm56wyIS
But I had to wonder: Why was a room inside a building as crucial as this so dusty? Was it just an unused room? Or, was it something else?261Please respect copyright.PENANASRZxsqK9xB
261Please respect copyright.PENANACv7JkcYG5x
"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."261Please respect copyright.PENANAclc2rhL3JM
261Please respect copyright.PENANAcKPGakdiVn
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.261Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2eSxCvQlt
261Please respect copyright.PENANARlQzG8JqEQ
This line of thinking, the sudden freight I received from entertaining such a thought, froze me. Even though the room was empty, even though the air was still like a statue, unperturbed, I couldn't move.261Please respect copyright.PENANALuoCqv5XML
261Please respect copyright.PENANAn0evLODktx
"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAixPwiH1yjZ
261Please respect copyright.PENANAh5iRCoG5o2
Somehow, uttering that stray thought that crossed my mind returned strength to my legs. Though I was still shaken, I was able to properly inspect the room now.261Please respect copyright.PENANAwCcWcnHQFe
261Please respect copyright.PENANAlYdskXDodS
It was a room where tables and chairs were stationed in groups. Inspecting the contents of the table, I noticed that they were primarily empty, though a few stray pieces of paper found themselves on the desks. I could tell that this room was a workstation of some kind.261Please respect copyright.PENANAoHd2BxJzWd
261Please respect copyright.PENANAqbzn2VaIy8
"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAYJXeaB3k1Q
261Please respect copyright.PENANA8mti3fw1sO
I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.261Please respect copyright.PENANAdEDuAVMzD7
261Please respect copyright.PENANApJUqLCFk6D
"Ow... what the hell was that?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAvqAjdQTMRB
261Please respect copyright.PENANAs165VKyuLy
I raised my Flash-Bloom to the culprit of my toppling and saw the tip of my shoe wedged into the floor. I stood up with an excessive amount of embarrassment. I should've expected as much from an abandoned room, so I admonished myself for my lack of attentiveness.261Please respect copyright.PENANAs5vK4cnGKB
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?261Please respect copyright.PENANAxHtBor0tr8
261Please respect copyright.PENANATbSl0Np0iK
"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."261Please respect copyright.PENANAzReMQnWnJO
261Please respect copyright.PENANA221ArwCyKg
I decided to save those questions for later and continued investigating the parameters, paying extra attention to the floor I was walking on. I inspected the desks for anything unusual, just a glance since I figured this room wasn't going to provide me with what I wanted. To my surprise, I found something that wasn't a scrap piece of paper.261Please respect copyright.PENANA6zYts4itp1
261Please respect copyright.PENANAeJxpz3ocDy
It was still a piece of paper, though. This one had words on it and tears at the corner, leading me to believe that it was a part of a packet.261Please respect copyright.PENANAhdpavbVwHs
261Please respect copyright.PENANAoYTiXddDOl
"What's this here...?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA2gMXfGGeB8
261Please respect copyright.PENANAUwrB0b4WjO
Most of the page was covered in dust and other debris that, coupled with the lighting, made it illegible. Fortunately, the title of the paper was thick, bolded, and easy to read.
"...Flatlands reconnection proposal?"
From the few words that weren't blocked, I conjured up that some group of people wanted to return to the Flatlands. For what purpose, I didn't know, nor could I begin to imagine the thought process behind such an absurd idea. It was no wonder that this page was left behind in such an unkempt room. The proposal was simply ridiculous.
"...But that doesn't have anything to do with my objective."
Sighing, I crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it behind me. I checked the rest of the desks and found nothing of interest. I only ended up wasting my time. I walked to the door with a heavy heart and–
"..."
I froze.
It wasn't because of something I saw. Well, it was, but I didn't see anything horrific or otherworldly. It was the implications it provided, the droning insinuations it drilled into my brain, shaking it, stabbing at my nerves that rendered me a frightened goat.
"You're attentive. I'm impressed."
The door, which was opened only a smidgen wider than when I had entered this room–
**SLAM**
Was brazenly and noisily closed, leaving only the light of the Flash-Bloom.
"W-Who... who's there?"
Using mana spinning, I increased the brightness of the Flash-Bloom, yet I was unable to spot any figure in the room. I turned my body and even looked under the desks; nothing.
"That is a peculiar Endowment you have, I haven't seen anything like it."
The voice, that of a woman, resonated in the room, coming from no apparent direction. It left me frantically looking around, wallowing in my confusion.
"S-Seriously, who's there!?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAefsreXvR1a
261Please respect copyright.PENANAEl4R4xGnTt
My demand was not met with silence. In light of this, I began mana expulsion and created a spear of stone, keeping it ready for whenever, or if ever the woman showed her face.261Please respect copyright.PENANA3pNNNkCGbY
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"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA17NjTkrzVQ
261Please respect copyright.PENANA1yx2HmS0HY
The way she articulated herself sparked a sudden bit of hope in me. I choose my next words carefully, struggling not to stumble on them.261Please respect copyright.PENANAf4gXRT5Uu1
261Please respect copyright.PENANAX1yGLZAnyN
"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."261Please respect copyright.PENANAIf0bH7ans0
261Please respect copyright.PENANA23uUdya8MR
"...Really?"261Please respect copyright.PENANANEIsSuIGck
261Please respect copyright.PENANAd4p6fC8WB9
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."261Please respect copyright.PENANAVz9tQba2I3
261Please respect copyright.PENANAlkuzagQK4A
The strength in my voice died down, but I was thankfully able to get my message across. I did another quick scan of the room but didn't see anybody. I didn't hear the woman say anything, either. I was left in the darkness, confused, and unable to–261Please respect copyright.PENANAuwLwCLiQP3
261Please respect copyright.PENANAVIHX2nkhZT
"--Wait."261Please respect copyright.PENANAQUjG0gDPyN
261Please respect copyright.PENANABfYHDVMijB
An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–261Please respect copyright.PENANAlIuKVzEgk7
261Please respect copyright.PENANA4gnjjTW6i2
**SMASH**261Please respect copyright.PENANAL9ghuLPqYu
261Please respect copyright.PENANAeW1gKfw9zc
Once the dust settled, I found that the door was busted down. However, a second inspection revealed that somehow, it was rebuilding itself. It wasn't with wood and wadding, however, but with pure rock.261Please respect copyright.PENANAW9MjrZbr7u
261Please respect copyright.PENANAVP3uvCENve
"Earth magic."261Please respect copyright.PENANAvj0NT7sDPg
261Please respect copyright.PENANAC6sDqF1M9t
But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–261Please respect copyright.PENANAgoZPRqqIDB
261Please respect copyright.PENANAd74mxVqA9Q
**THUD**261Please respect copyright.PENANAeFaXuVoJX3
261Please respect copyright.PENANATeS07Asxw1
I froze yet again. It was the sound of something heavy animate hitting the ground. I turned my head and lit up the area. There, I saw a woman with a lazily worn yet silky robe exposing her shoulders with pants of a similar texture and flounciness.261Please respect copyright.PENANAhxbuJbtO1v
261Please respect copyright.PENANAqrWJAzaiQw
Her clothing would've made her look harmless if it weren't for her... eyes?
"Do you have something to prove it?"
"..."
Every indication was telling me that this woman was a threat. The situation screamed to me that I should be vigilant and wary, never letting her figure escape from my view.
But her look told me something else. It wasn't a disarming look, though she did possess a beautiful face, or a mien of kindness that could ease even a rabid animal's nerves. No, it was a look that was asking me– no, pleading with me, desperately desiring for some reality to be ascertained. And, from the somber yet quivering voice that she used to ask me that question, I knew that I was the one with the power to realize it.
So, ignoring my better judgment, I did.
"I do. It's in my pocket. Let me show you."
I slowly reached for the note, making sure she could see my hand go through every motion. My unfolding was meticulous, and I gently tossed the paper to her, mindful of her vigilance. She crouched to pick it up, never letting her gaze stray away from me. When she went to read the letter, she made and aimed a monstrous water spell at me, keeping me in stock still.
I was unsure if even the Valencia-Bloom could stop it.
Her eyes slowly moved along the lines of the page. Her expression steadily morphed from a cautious one into a gentle yet somber one. Then, her spell dispersed, and she covered her mouth with her free hand. I was shocked by what I saw then.261Please respect copyright.PENANAVA0y9rU1lK
261Please respect copyright.PENANAti5eovnrqV
"...Tears?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAJXFVEsaadD
261Please respect copyright.PENANAko4VmQQxlf
My eyes didn't deceive me. Tears formed in the women's optics. Her quiet cries turned to sobs. The note was meekly released from her hand, and it fell to the floor, gently swaying.
"T-Thank you. Thank you... so much."
I was paralyzed. I couldn't move my limbs or my mouth.
And then the woman fell to her knees. She wiped the tears off her face with a hidden smile, gibbering her gratitude.
–
–
–
"I apologize. That was an unsightly thing to do, especially in front of a child."
The woman, sitting with an arm hung over the tip of her knee, was offering me the note. I took it and, checking for wet spots, folded it before putting it back in my pocket.
The woman had giant bags under her eyes, but I doubted that they were caused by the tears.
"No worries. Though, I do have a lot of questions about it..."
She chuckled, tilting her head into the palm of her other hand.
"I imagine. Why don't we introduce ourselves? My name is Lola, and you?"
"Lola? That's a quaint name. I haven't heard anything like it before."
"Yes, it's foreign here in the Southern country."261Please respect copyright.PENANAlZiUdjMeNI
261Please respect copyright.PENANA2U4VsiqXGr
"Foreign..."
I hung on the word, spending an amount of time Lola's subsequent head tilt deemed inordinate.
"Sorry, it reminded me of something. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but please, just call me Kenny."
"Buffalo as your middle name? Do you hail from an animal-worshiping village?"
"I... do, yes. Admittedly, I know little about what the village thinks of the Buffalo. I can't even remember seeing one."261Please respect copyright.PENANAj9jM2o0Qif
261Please respect copyright.PENANAntnpOYbpho
My mand broke for the conversation for a moment, ruminating on why that possibly was. I quickly found an answer and instinctively shrunk in shame.
"It's a pleasant place, but I spent my time poorly there."
"What are you doing out here then, love?"
"Love?"
She had a look of surprise that was quickly overtaken by a chuckle.
"Sorry, that's a Western thing."
"A Western thing? Now that you mention it, you do have an accent."
She slowly nodded in response to my observation.
"I'm impressed. Many don't pick up on it so fast, if at all."
I shrugged. I figured that spending time around Juke helped me pick up on those details.
"..."
Though, her vocal inflection was very similar to Mother's–
"Now, Kenny, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"H-Huh? Oh, sure, but..."
"But what?"
I thought of the mission. I was in a rush for time, so I didn't have the privilege to sit down and partake in a leisurely chat with her. However, I realized that her presence opened up an opportunity for the knowledge that I was sorely missing.
I decided to entertain her for the time being.
"As you might've surmised from the letter, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
"Ah, indeed. How about, if you answer me, then I'll help you to the Dean's office?"
"That'd be perfect! But, would you mind if I asked you a question of my own in addition?"
"Of course."
She gently nodded. Not wanting to be rude, I took a seat across from her and dimmed my Flash-Bloom. She began to twirl her grayish-white hair in rumination.
"I know why you're here, and I know that Mason let you in. How about..."
It was made clear that she didn't have a question prepared, meaning that she likely just wanted Fto chitchat. It irritated me, but I stuck around.
"Why not, I'll inquire about your skills."
"My... skills?"
The question surprised me. It was the last type of inquiry I expected.261Please respect copyright.PENANAgBXc54hdst
261Please respect copyright.PENANAR54zFip7m8
"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAPFBYQWUSCk
261Please respect copyright.PENANAm6TFJC7tCL
"I'm a third-grade earth magician and fourth-grade in fire and water. I'm ungraded in wind. I'm not sure about my grade in mana spinning."261Please respect copyright.PENANAcoZpDG6lis
261Please respect copyright.PENANApJXQovj07H
"Ha, how interesting."261Please respect copyright.PENANAV7UI5QYXgL
261Please respect copyright.PENANAzUKGDfVTC5
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.261Please respect copyright.PENANArvlmL0wNkc
261Please respect copyright.PENANArrVy5jmICc
"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."261Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ainca5Hem
261Please respect copyright.PENANAUIls6kpEFG
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.261Please respect copyright.PENANAQNtRgSjqDx
261Please respect copyright.PENANAlfL7XdQxxR
"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."261Please respect copyright.PENANAt8uZvnYqtO
261Please respect copyright.PENANAAyoWPlqx9H
"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."261Please respect copyright.PENANAoShebrYVzz
261Please respect copyright.PENANA9zs4pSk9bS
"Similar fields?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAGps7gIQCQV
261Please respect copyright.PENANAt23UpcwD04
"That of a combatant, of course. What else is being this proficient at magic good for? It's for guard work, or fighting beasts, or taking care of the occasional delinquent."261Please respect copyright.PENANA1EDQlAqAYQ
261Please respect copyright.PENANARDuKNyYuKl
"I-Is that so...?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAvuTFYNnwUt
261Please respect copyright.PENANAKUGlOcTfHE
She nodded with her eyes closed. Truthfully, I wasn't following along with what she was saying. Though I did understand her words, none of it stuck with me.261Please respect copyright.PENANA1ua5xi7IEQ
261Please respect copyright.PENANArGnvzRNMGs
"Isn't what you're doing similar? Escorting a crucial letter to be sent might as well be guard work. Somehow, I pity you– oh, but I don't mean that to be rude! If it's what you've set out to do in your life and if it makes you happy, then by all means, go and chase–"261Please respect copyright.PENANAGqr9YtEgSM
261Please respect copyright.PENANALVvlCVZRA2
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAtKT0g8D4mO
261Please respect copyright.PENANAFR1Y1oFygD
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.261Please respect copyright.PENANAktnc0sTQ4s
261Please respect copyright.PENANAu4uODlCVw7
"What part didn't you understand?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA0qIORQznVu
261Please respect copyright.PENANAjP4z7uaplq
"No, it's not that I don't understand what you're saying, it's that I don't understand why you're saying it at all."261Please respect copyright.PENANAf5MJrcQWG6
261Please respect copyright.PENANAMM6MxDXvFV
"...Huh?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA0UkKq2qNPd
261Please respect copyright.PENANALnWLf6owyA
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.261Please respect copyright.PENANApSfZGHAbzu
261Please respect copyright.PENANAC63oMcbYhD
"Well, yes, I am doing work congruous with my magic skills, but by the way you talk, it's as if this is what I've decided on for eternity. That's not true, I'll have you know."261Please respect copyright.PENANA4f6pxYaHxS
261Please respect copyright.PENANABycoIhiIWR
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.261Please respect copyright.PENANAZxGsSUFhWf
261Please respect copyright.PENANA2y70zIL8gS
"Huh?"261Please respect copyright.PENANADOc5oZZF5V
261Please respect copyright.PENANAPPRQR9HAjf
"I'm actually studying to be an alchemist! I won't say where, because people freak out when I tell them. I've already acquired a handsome amount of grants from selling my potions alone. But, well, alchemy is one thing, but what I really want to do is study magical plants!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAY4cYLPJr51
261Please respect copyright.PENANAuEvwxRTgmF
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAb6WoFa74RX
261Please respect copyright.PENANAbPp2jcDJk3
"My passions, of course! People call it lame, but it's because the most they can spare for them is a single dismissive glance. They don't understand the intricacies nor the beauty to be found in this type of Exotica. Plus, their potential for advancement in knowledge in fields such as alchemy and, well, magic in general, is boundless! I imagine, at least. I've only ever read one book about these plants, but it's more like a bestiary than a scientific text. So, I imagine that the knowledge in this field isn't very vast, and it makes me want to expand it!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAYt8OLN8s5I
261Please respect copyright.PENANAuUOqD0UZQW
"..."261Please respect copyright.PENANAqLZKGAAMKz
261Please respect copyright.PENANAQDEijMIjhG
"I plan on studying them once I receive a full education, which I imagine will take me... at least a decade. O-Oh, I'm sorry, I've rambled quite a bit, haven't I?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAs9qcPQITqi
261Please respect copyright.PENANApmfMk9pCoM
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.261Please respect copyright.PENANAsRg0MRXoMq
261Please respect copyright.PENANAkxOTAz1o2x
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAtavPWNinyj
261Please respect copyright.PENANAwWhnggYZKT
"That's because I've been offered a lot of money and the ability to view new ones in exchange for taking this type of work."261Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3quBqldeq
261Please respect copyright.PENANAWeJkecFMyh
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"261Please respect copyright.PENANATE0AsGgFBY
261Please respect copyright.PENANAFJ13kAi8c6
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.261Please respect copyright.PENANAuqqGfXNVl9
261Please respect copyright.PENANAYZP7Or1Rbx
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAVwnT988jbA
261Please respect copyright.PENANAMqHpJUBvkV
"A-And that's what you say? Ah, oh my goodness..."
She calmed down and took steady breaths, letting out a few more faint chuckles before speaking again.261Please respect copyright.PENANAp0Z3qpGBMt
261Please respect copyright.PENANAFQmJ7NlKoM
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."261Please respect copyright.PENANABLcgP47NGP
261Please respect copyright.PENANAZpO9TWMaza
"What are you talking about!?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAiBUfQiyyaF
261Please respect copyright.PENANAEW2hQqGrW9
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAMSQEwD6DGO
261Please respect copyright.PENANADoD7BPw5CW
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.261Please respect copyright.PENANA73LR1hZN71
261Please respect copyright.PENANAVCnHS7Lcw5
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."261Please respect copyright.PENANAcEin0BDu7y
261Please respect copyright.PENANAWV6ymEkFex
"..."261Please respect copyright.PENANAX8xv93qVxc
261Please respect copyright.PENANA6mjmp0DNvQ
Frankly, my flurry of emotions from earlier had barely dissipated. I took a minute to calm myself and ease the tension in my body before asking anything. I did appreciate that she kept the number of inquiries low, though–261Please respect copyright.PENANA9u9tRbaiIl
261Please respect copyright.PENANAeoLBB3ur8U
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."261Please respect copyright.PENANAKPXdW9vrLd
261Please respect copyright.PENANAoRZwB6O4CU
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.261Please respect copyright.PENANAe7DCsW6vxM
261Please respect copyright.PENANArlTCnZhyoK
"Fine, go ahead."261Please respect copyright.PENANA0ioVvzq8PP
261Please respect copyright.PENANAs8tUkg6UdM
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAXiibfLuBrN
261Please respect copyright.PENANAI47S8W4p5p
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA8wk5qychr8
261Please respect copyright.PENANAqonyslD3BT
I pointed at it and she nodded.261Please respect copyright.PENANAQDRMSAEKvq
261Please respect copyright.PENANAGWhGo8jDMP
"It allows me to create miniature versions of magical plants I've already performed mana spinning on. I can amplify their effects with internal mana spinning from there on. It's very handy, but..."261Please respect copyright.PENANABGJewkFJzd
261Please respect copyright.PENANAidWdpMAqDE
"Hm? But what again?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAUB3u6aZDBl
261Please respect copyright.PENANAPgJHKHLpGq
"It leaves me more vulnerable. I don't quite get it myself, but I think that the tendril is intertwined with my body, or at least with my nervous system."261Please respect copyright.PENANAUULL1zzDLR
261Please respect copyright.PENANAVKXs0lK4FT
"I see. That's disturbing."261Please respect copyright.PENANAhgpsKjDSme
261Please respect copyright.PENANAS7Kzx0ig2F
"It's... not so bad."261Please respect copyright.PENANAQKcHzQIH2i
261Please respect copyright.PENANAnC4lla10Xr
She gently huffed at my response.261Please respect copyright.PENANAR58ufCNnrR
261Please respect copyright.PENANAms6x8cPtDx
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA9aAJ3nojyg
261Please respect copyright.PENANAvu8yUxgOt3
"Fight Mason?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAlH9hV9J6vG
261Please respect copyright.PENANA4lyUMTbfMn
I realized that I failed to mention Rover in this entire discussion. I rubbed my head, anticipating disappointment for the answer I would give her.261Please respect copyright.PENANA1jKi9UdzVI
261Please respect copyright.PENANA5sBwr77d94
"No, I didn't fight Mason. My friend and colleague did. Her name is Rover. Oh, I should've met up with her by now! Ack!"261Please respect copyright.PENANAPqzwFA0mdx
261Please respect copyright.PENANAsHQT2nHRzh
I made a considerable blunder there. I got to my feet and rushed to the door. I looked back at the surprised Lola for one last word.261Please respect copyright.PENANAOEGkC7zkjK
261Please respect copyright.PENANA6JuFv4dhaY
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAvlwR4MSiEF
261Please respect copyright.PENANAGnic4Q3iay
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."261Please respect copyright.PENANAVWo7yktXtD
261Please respect copyright.PENANApdK5f9t8tI
She got up herself, adjusting her robe, and stopping a few feet away from me. I thought it was a signal to open the door, but when I did, she didn't pass through.261Please respect copyright.PENANAoXtdxodHBO
261Please respect copyright.PENANAMzofBUrs2h
"Is something the matter?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAFTpEhAoUVF
261Please respect copyright.PENANAhvv7j3MJTs
"...Where is your friend right now?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAXJxJY6PTCq
261Please respect copyright.PENANAlFgIStZHi9
"T-That's... why do you ask?"261Please respect copyright.PENANAgd6myYhjjU
261Please respect copyright.PENANAXnhuecADui
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"261Please respect copyright.PENANA1gIpV4nBuj
261Please respect copyright.PENANA5cAuCr0owD
I blinked a few times. I knew she was insinuating something, and though I didn't know what exactly, I had the impression that it was sinister.261Please respect copyright.PENANAHl0EvZgsx1
261Please respect copyright.PENANALohV5KSmLU
"Yes, she did."261Please respect copyright.PENANAxS4aqB1y5B
261Please respect copyright.PENANAYJirytFYES
"Ah, I see now."261Please respect copyright.PENANAeeVvRooHWM
261Please respect copyright.PENANA68Nas6Rkgr
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.261Please respect copyright.PENANAaJEIe8rAh6
261Please respect copyright.PENANAwJIZFc7Nw2
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."