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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAalD98auACi
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"Ow! Ahh..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAZbxkXrJeoq
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"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAPQYIl9mTiB
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"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."24Please respect copyright.PENANAWFbsk13Q5v
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAyxs6KCn1mY
24Please respect copyright.PENANAa97iTSeOec
"...This place is giving me the creeps."24Please respect copyright.PENANAqifPxYFR18
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"Huh? How so?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2QOaz5iW2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAK94LbOTcFb
"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."24Please respect copyright.PENANASnYPENvxQr
24Please respect copyright.PENANAPFtPNNAyvT
"Couches and rich– wait a second."24Please respect copyright.PENANAEDc4y7GMnx
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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?24Please respect copyright.PENANAH03xFtU7DQ
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA8AXmJCsMz6
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"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."24Please respect copyright.PENANALKmh65x1FA
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"Tch! This stinks!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAkaw1YgXIDi
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANASwBR70lmSn
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"What?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAQggnNcq0ea
24Please respect copyright.PENANAGlkW3qufiB
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."24Please respect copyright.PENANAPmT80GGwdY
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9D0AvDgZhd
"What? Are you scared?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAuQji4gSahQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1qyCkKvV2E
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAhJZakpnjBz
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She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.24Please respect copyright.PENANAtEvZR3eJye
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"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAzyV3POsmlC
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAS8NvlkQCSn
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.24Please respect copyright.PENANAQU0ylGL2dQ
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"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."24Please respect copyright.PENANAt3L4jBqbwP
24Please respect copyright.PENANAWkHpLqSXLC
"...Fine."24Please respect copyright.PENANAvVX3Q6wlTm
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Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.24Please respect copyright.PENANAiEDdciXLjq
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAqFlaStOezo
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAwGDoadvCnK
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"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."24Please respect copyright.PENANAQSdyTyODxI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAEqcvgmshEY
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAKT5Xx4qBln
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"...It's locked."24Please respect copyright.PENANAHkIRuxpQas
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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–24Please respect copyright.PENANAbnuuVMEfQv
24Please respect copyright.PENANAtZGAov5qwM
"Oh! This one's open!"24Please respect copyright.PENANA0YZ7g8dlju
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAnokc1X7hJY
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAaiizZ8wpwg
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA1kgMAac5Jm
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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?24Please respect copyright.PENANAzTwjKFhHso
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."24Please respect copyright.PENANA77g9JzDb89
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I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.24Please respect copyright.PENANA4hxaunQst9
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAC6TyFVFn3J
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAucwiKxU1wA
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAlvbxdKnM59
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAkrzjh8V8Tg
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"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAudER9cbBII
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I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.24Please respect copyright.PENANA1myk8X3Yu1
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"24Please respect copyright.PENANATjHmfutDcq
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAV7HjUSNBBm
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?24Please respect copyright.PENANAW3vrn5JnQb
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"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."24Please respect copyright.PENANAQj0tONfgIe
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAF3QA8CVyZy
24Please respect copyright.PENANAdCcfuePjg4
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA4WIkBfoRMz
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"What's this here...?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAaNw307Rovq
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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!?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAX7yNryHAv0
24Please respect copyright.PENANAlaVr9dlmkc
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA4mLwWDRJwZ
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"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAdk4z8bNxLc
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA9uCxCbhcL9
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"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."24Please respect copyright.PENANAwvDdSxMZZd
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHka2i2nzQV
"...Really?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAIzJS0P9kP3
24Please respect copyright.PENANAswTrzGrMNx
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAFz98vC6cEC
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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–24Please respect copyright.PENANAzTcJRzj6Es
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1C8ESiqhFq
"--Wait."24Please respect copyright.PENANA4Da3RVdhbT
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An idea, obvious in retrospect, came to me and offered a method of escape. I aimed my spear of stone at the door and–24Please respect copyright.PENANAC05ohMXiIo
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**SMASH**24Please respect copyright.PENANAybCt2j95la
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA1S2vwxQB8G
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"Earth magic."24Please respect copyright.PENANAjE8qFhwYJo
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But, it didn't repair itself very quickly, meaning that I could bust through. I created a second stone spear and–24Please respect copyright.PENANAleAEjUuDtD
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**THUD**24Please respect copyright.PENANAYj7aJiIsNC
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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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAqGBQUu9OVN
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAUz0wIMcXl
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAv9Kup0q4op
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"...Tears?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAi6jgn82kfX
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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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAr4M4incEFU
24Please respect copyright.PENANABZWs4sZ5Me
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAS2Ew63h6SK
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmjOsJdixaA
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAVCDZAAW16i
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"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA9HGXzLmNYA
24Please respect copyright.PENANAzAZW5AsT4p
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAnQbwFsEhUr
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJWRnPdkkcC
"Ha, how interesting."24Please respect copyright.PENANALSFFwE09O7
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She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.24Please respect copyright.PENANA3AmK9s9tx4
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"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."24Please respect copyright.PENANAqQgcRHtOgI
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I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.24Please respect copyright.PENANAm1neUBgul0
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."24Please respect copyright.PENANADHUwxqnZRT
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"Haha, yes, I suppose it's impressive. But you're quite talented yourself. You and I must be in similar fields."24Please respect copyright.PENANALvq9jXgEs1
24Please respect copyright.PENANA7cr5QfzAP8
"Similar fields?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAWCbsE7uYj0
24Please respect copyright.PENANAJxIjKWq3Mi
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAN4xDmX1LvA
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0sPOLzcpP
"I-Is that so...?"24Please respect copyright.PENANALiTET4Oj6K
24Please respect copyright.PENANAS7TKwkhbNp
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAsSEmIiSqpu
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQkTvcuLZ7R
"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–"24Please respect copyright.PENANAWV0z8iiSwn
24Please respect copyright.PENANAQAORB8cN9J
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAHYNJHuB13g
24Please respect copyright.PENANAknx4YxFqml
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.24Please respect copyright.PENANAtOJUddhVbG
24Please respect copyright.PENANAU309RIdFXe
"What part didn't you understand?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAoRPaH0P9Du
24Please respect copyright.PENANAYk2rKcExKl
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANApnm60xput7
24Please respect copyright.PENANALumL1cgy1Q
"...Huh?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA7Au2TlfQ67
24Please respect copyright.PENANAZQPf8w8zlg
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.24Please respect copyright.PENANARc01fTh4cC
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"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAFqnZJJglTo
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I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.24Please respect copyright.PENANASGtSxycMm4
24Please respect copyright.PENANA2jaKcI2U5s
"Huh?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAbWc0cCjEl8
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"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!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAkf3FqaMGoD
24Please respect copyright.PENANAV2s7bHnzcF
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"24Please respect copyright.PENANApYa9aNM7if
24Please respect copyright.PENANA4k6ooG7ieI
"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!"24Please respect copyright.PENANA2VEfRsMOwD
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZVdnrQHhh
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAmS8TSz18Og
24Please respect copyright.PENANAz12HRYW1EU
"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?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAxXh46qBaqb
24Please respect copyright.PENANAUWRLJwoG43
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.24Please respect copyright.PENANA3NWRS4Xzqq
24Please respect copyright.PENANAezLkPngrW0
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"24Please respect copyright.PENANADugvf5tWPW
24Please respect copyright.PENANAW9XLEH8R0R
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAorikqDcShI
24Please respect copyright.PENANAOnm819tZwo
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAE7bj2xwwTZ
24Please respect copyright.PENANAl8t85SFM3I
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.24Please respect copyright.PENANA3hyFnm4uHQ
24Please respect copyright.PENANA4jq8Tx9tDn
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"24Please respect copyright.PENANArsGVhbDeSa
24Please respect copyright.PENANAu0gNtRRk2L
"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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA6cqTQm0XVo
24Please respect copyright.PENANAoEkc5pCODG
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."24Please respect copyright.PENANA5N5RCF2AfA
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9mGF2nGlAC
"What are you talking about!?"24Please respect copyright.PENANApaCKfpoSOw
24Please respect copyright.PENANAgh2evYkPI1
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAuvPAZTgBXm
24Please respect copyright.PENANA1LD4YLuMOK
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.24Please respect copyright.PENANASTNIww9Pzp
24Please respect copyright.PENANApiERfNzdiw
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."24Please respect copyright.PENANAbvgNsgKVGC
24Please respect copyright.PENANAGdPCt4Nu2Y
"..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAFjI6sF0rVx
24Please respect copyright.PENANALxgmEOwEuc
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–24Please respect copyright.PENANAQD9abWuzSt
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5we32Guk09
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."24Please respect copyright.PENANAiO2CwIXK1m
24Please respect copyright.PENANAaOD19ytXzN
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.24Please respect copyright.PENANAM8ADOJKRoK
24Please respect copyright.PENANAF40OqqK3iE
"Fine, go ahead."24Please respect copyright.PENANAUME2bFDFn2
24Please respect copyright.PENANA3Sx4sAcV3J
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAuZ5s0m3DUE
24Please respect copyright.PENANAfLeUnkrLFT
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"24Please respect copyright.PENANArg00ALGRMe
24Please respect copyright.PENANA696LTSdItI
I pointed at it and she nodded.24Please respect copyright.PENANAoowpKTpg4R
24Please respect copyright.PENANAXAIrD6XVcW
"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..."24Please respect copyright.PENANAEYR07VRYJA
24Please respect copyright.PENANAIc8Yrn14nj
"Hm? But what again?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAwMRB11re2A
24Please respect copyright.PENANAa0qN7xm7sP
"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."24Please respect copyright.PENANAnBqZPxe1GB
24Please respect copyright.PENANA5szGuZ2NYj
"I see. That's disturbing."24Please respect copyright.PENANAPBoBDWyo9A
24Please respect copyright.PENANAyr5eIdVuKd
"It's... not so bad."24Please respect copyright.PENANAECFZG9YWKP
24Please respect copyright.PENANARiq3E7trcG
She gently huffed at my response.24Please respect copyright.PENANAhJ80EsHYrE
24Please respect copyright.PENANAdieeFIeH5T
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"24Please respect copyright.PENANADrZlwpXSAy
24Please respect copyright.PENANAmbWn5rk8aQ
"Fight Mason?"24Please respect copyright.PENANA34veQ9y7nO
24Please respect copyright.PENANA0XPLH8hPYs
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA8HgjHTYLnu
24Please respect copyright.PENANAHVTsIsxtsc
"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!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAed9Sln3NyV
24Please respect copyright.PENANAT71Z405Dsb
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANA3LWjpV0hlI
24Please respect copyright.PENANA4Pvgufa7oQ
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAQjQRlgmGun
24Please respect copyright.PENANAp4JGGcncQx
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."24Please respect copyright.PENANAYx69joz2L8
24Please respect copyright.PENANATY6veBYcfY
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAsBOGxfoexL
24Please respect copyright.PENANAML4LgxInjM
"Is something the matter?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAgHG7aQ4WOX
24Please respect copyright.PENANA9vLLoFLStS
"...Where is your friend right now?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAdsx5igwRfW
24Please respect copyright.PENANAUcDeFAGt0B
"T-That's... why do you ask?"24Please respect copyright.PENANAmcnp1NYazi
24Please respect copyright.PENANA293no7q0IN
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"24Please respect copyright.PENANASGVdnHbPw2
24Please respect copyright.PENANAAX1XUoJ7W0
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.24Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6tHncvxlP
24Please respect copyright.PENANAIVvCiJGyFP
"Yes, she did."24Please respect copyright.PENANAXO9udZTXOx
24Please respect copyright.PENANAwVWmDlxj1D
"Ah, I see now."24Please respect copyright.PENANAPWOXXkhE7z
24Please respect copyright.PENANAhOXGNw0bqq
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.24Please respect copyright.PENANA78VHGVmp50
24Please respect copyright.PENANATQcLjd6874
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."