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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBaPkymlyN
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"Ow! Ahh..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGJYS8iqH9
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"Hmm? Did you trip or something?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzOAb46wOM
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE62AgQI1R
"Crass and oblivious... that's just like you."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYytk4GENY
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgmGkSw4FJ
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXbi3yBUl4
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"...This place is giving me the creeps."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X05tkJmwa
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"Huh? How so?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uDpjCCKJ1
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiSQhQuDXl
"Stuff like couches and carpets are for snobby rich people. Also, nobody is here."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs9SEetbeN
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"Couches and rich– wait a second."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvyUDeZn7x
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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?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWkCduRyS2
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"Hey, that priss with the box earlier said we just need to show the note, right?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83rcrTVWU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMv4ZSgWnB
"He did, but, as you can see, that'll likely be difficult."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjIfq9KjSr
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"Tch! This stinks!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aDTYT2xlR
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkADaiwUIGQ
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"What?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J1c8C3NBA
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDI2vf1wBr
"Don't be so noisy! If it's this empty then something can't be right."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk54c80W1zL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYUmhRQ3RP
"What? Are you scared?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLDPTtKr4n
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZUR3z5MhV
"Frankly... no, but I'm close!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQQrbeGimA
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5W7XoMzda
She raised an eyebrow, perplexed, which surprised me. She then released a sigh and shook my hand off, crossing her arms.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkNg2UDdad
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"Kenny, Kenny Kenny. What am I gonna do with you?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6BWEIQbOJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26vBW9WDyE
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMwfGauwKq
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I stuffed my hands into my pockets and sighed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOifPPU4lEM
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"Alright, I might've overreacted. But, seriously, we should be quiet."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK3f1R6PqJ
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"...Fine."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX7PGxSoaO
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Thus began our predominantly silent inspection of the Pillar's first floor.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis2EviFRsS
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfqqY6u02A
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VWPNni4Oh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfVoI47sKO
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaB2LU7ZKO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGFqViuTGJ
"That's no good... especially if she ends up empty-handed, too."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOyms4SWzV
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ISsVtCu98
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuchkCCk4z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBTMHYCBzN
"...It's locked."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OL4eVfDCT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuwFKZpcbd
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–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tYEWaBl6Q
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstHiXOmAk5
"Oh! This one's open!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQuvawKvDq
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQG10BPGI7
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"This place is– cah! Ack!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDnYymbHgx
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlx1c3ztXc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbY672oTiB
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?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EGskMKOw1
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"Don't tell me this has something to do with the lack of people here, and all the increased security."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrM3mCUVxw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobcnR8ql5W
I gulped. I wasn't able to form any conclusions with the scattered information I had, but I assumed that something was terribly wrong.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFVpVWs9cH
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShaqM7kVN4
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"Rover would... scold me quite hard if she saw me like this, wouldn't she?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bNLWLvj84
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbYlBaX6XR
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAr2HczEJN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nMrskvS25
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZpxBmvX58
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ngYY4sHUb
"Judging by the papers, they probably sorted out documents here– W-WOAH!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGn0DwfXnj
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCzNnxM3Lf
I caught my leg on something and fell to the ground, landing awkwardly with my hands out.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu7RSydTZ0
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"Ow... what the hell was that?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ol0lEEwS
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduXVEpa5RX
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But still, that begged the question, why was this one unlocked?136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnaGN7SEZr
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"--No, let's try not to think about that too much."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuDO6sYChz
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL08W5SK0Z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICOeCTWwuO
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCHeEAz7Pm
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwVCjFLOFp
"What's this here...?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18AM0vPUa0
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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!?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbi1HdstyL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC76yn5PaEP
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZuD14iqWG
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf6oQ7dI9o
"Your magical skills are impressive, too. Is that how you were able to infiltrate the Pillar?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39LiJTkthN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemQEd8Kp0T
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WlacSCx9N
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLuGXn43o9
"I-Infiltrate? I think you're mistaken, miss. I entered here with explicit permission."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDD3obOy0h
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J0Uj7k4AZ
"...Really?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVQKmAJK44
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAtCsmRjHB
"Y-Yes. The guard Mason let me in..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFx2XSRYi3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXeufsDEpX
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–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn6dHCVhvJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjbdk2ek59
"--Wait."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf8NmvgKOu
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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–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzqRpaPxhB
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**SMASH**136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYkdkbUv44
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO2Jti23IF
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHfFw2dtsc
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"Earth magic."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0IBCb0grE
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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–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cFaID0wV1
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**THUD**136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRgiOaEedU
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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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs901dgtLGd
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCN5dhauMp
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQLbs6yK1z
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"...Tears?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d7ibSnKte
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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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNSsDx5wxz
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xwRCaborA
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaOgU0QDAR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoygvywmQy9
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCuHcBPM7i
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"Yes. After all, that earth spear of yours was no joke. If I may ask, what grade are you?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEgvJ7mg7q
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwXC8NJtqU
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwndi2mZA6
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtokoLry9i
"Ha, how interesting."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLDPlbvxJw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvsuZKEDtX
She looked deeply amused. I was unsure of what to say, so I kept quiet until she spoke again.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMiyQPPXij
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"I'm a jack of all trades type myself. I'm third grade in all elements and spinning."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZkDeDDGF7
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoFGEQRE4g
I blinked a few times, making sure what I was hearing wasn't a trick of the ear.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8q8DxPpgh
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"T-Third grade in all!? Goodness..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvup7WR1Go
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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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36XiwVtiPg
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtis5wQJkl
"Similar fields?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHGDyao81P
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfCuhjVkRN
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv08myVqDB
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG3rdeJTy3
"I-Is that so...?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dL2jK24Zc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjCeLR8oOJ
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T1uUIlG8Z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp58noroHK1
"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–"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xh0X0ZPko
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDF7RtSsS6
"E-Excuse me, but can you slow down?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3NauaU8lF
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5b3yToJGh
I raised my palm and pleaded with her. She chuckled nervously, muttering "Of course, of course" in a raspy breath.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCDPL6ZfSh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4RUwF5q5K
"What part didn't you understand?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfzMmI5M3x
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytlvTMZmHA
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOWwCyTg5E
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sDJShwVeb
"...Huh?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPQqaJnN9Y
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZAcIK1T2l
She tilted her head. I realized that my choice of words was poor, so I coughed into a fist and spoke again.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEIunGLdIE
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBInkchEDa
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQemJxSCTej
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ1eZAbcyO
I crossed my arms and puffed out my chest. Her neck only bent harsher.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZYJlbxs8n
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5JzWJLn72
"Huh?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOAWaJ1Gw4
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIKEFcg08J
"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!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy3Q1GiGER
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bfB7IE3ZX
"Magical plants? If you don't mind me asking... what are you talking about?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ysSzpa4Lu
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtlqts6knL
"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!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY6did3C39
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd3R6q0VJI
"..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ042PSXpk2H
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufqB2R86lt
"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?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07eybswzEb
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3pUmUiucl
Lola's blue eyes were wide open, and her mouth was agape. I could've sworn that any second now, she'd begin drooling.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxbFGZECP3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfUlerXjNY
"If you like plants so much... why are you doing this job?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTsx587WpY
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifGxIDI8u5
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MC53wZVrL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzqs1rr9Zc
"...Pfff– hahahaha! A-Are you kidding me!?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlovjXvPfw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUruJSsJ9V
Then, she burst into laughter. Though it sounded joyful instead of mocking, I couldn't help but be taken aback.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8La26dY17
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCOONuWNeP
"W-What? Do I need to teach you how interesting they can be too!?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiOB37BU1V
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OAWEjbxYT
"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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi0V0qZ6pp
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCjlInFemL
"Is it perhaps your youth? I wonder. You said it so matter-of-factly, too."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQQwNrVTza
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYviE5ytKS
"What are you talking about!?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnOjsKKvD5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnUkfWAtkV
"Nothing at all! But let it be known that you made my mood much better!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3iz6XO3uR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq707E6RDJ
Clapping her hands, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75YWzLV6A6
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHqYXXv8Ei
"Now then, how about your questions? Go on, shoot."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4lRK9fJhe
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSXf0KcHGq
"..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7V1siy5H9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4OHq8fWMj
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–136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7StmS2nwLL
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqcJQp8y4K
"Oh, I apologize, but there is one last thing I wanted to ask you about."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH8nZhh8ta
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfBehXwz5F
My face morphed into a grimace, but I understood my position well enough not to dissent it.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70EZstnOqR
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOmvwtczX5
"Fine, go ahead."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JuxVVKSV5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbim9Vh5UgN
"That Endowment of yours, what does it do?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqQxG8ELsP
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqh9qLtb1a
"Oh, are you talking about my tendril?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4M4DTZmpw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxZlBd0Jj3
I pointed at it and she nodded.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wC24xU7E7
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCs7ej7ouT
"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..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAAII3PHBj
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PUVCw9c2B
"Hm? But what again?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O9i1mt7XH
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihZM5j6yZz
"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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd51kgbWMOc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMPYPHx0FA
"I see. That's disturbing."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIGTW6BFXJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvdK1GNP4l
"It's... not so bad."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwlichIE8r
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq8DavSsGH
She gently huffed at my response.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zBUg58USh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLchVMCtp5G
"Say, did you have to fight Mason to get in? If so, did you use your Endowment at all?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZT1pKvjly
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNH0m1sOVB
"Fight Mason?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyqZttCtUw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6iTb5EU0f
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4HIFSg8DV
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc2r0IwNsK
"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!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBXLQp4GCU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDO9rBNOEY
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn0KtA9mTo
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCV5DakdKW
"It was nice talking to you. Before I leave, do you know how to get to the Dean's office?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCcs4OGOSO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLV6IHYGrU
"Yes, I do. Why, let me take you there."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqhYARSbOO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ571k1udmmt
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfMZuETs8R
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOsrbi58j0
"Is something the matter?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfWTJAbUxc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH2lzKQQNh
"...Where is your friend right now?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyrMxIs2y2
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEhoM9FW6K
"T-That's... why do you ask?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwueTraGKu
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopBwTo16Iv
"I have a hunch. Did she happen to go the other way at the first crossroads?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNbIe4uLgv
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEon3BEVyK
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIsInl39QU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDXOPNwSNa
"Yes, she did."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MLdwUQzq4
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnJZR7LbI8
"Ah, I see now."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QeSSXoP37
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj4t9yVfIR
She walked through the door, plunging her arm into her robe and pulling out a two-pronged, heavy dagger.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeR0E9LWbk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeMl12Y0wo
"We should hurry. Your friend might be in deep shit."
