The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.256Please respect copyright.PENANAFwCnreyzPG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAt6NfIHKlde
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.256Please respect copyright.PENANA10d38Wxjvj
256Please respect copyright.PENANATGTy4QJrfj
Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.256Please respect copyright.PENANAMQx7paEMoX
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4jb5fGb2yu
"Dad!?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAFtTy2YsYIs
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfZGinMtQSQ
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.256Please respect copyright.PENANA6IKGzfYqJW
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4LoRUO67Av
"Flinty! There you are!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAXco6SBHno5
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeSTsuXvdHF
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.256Please respect copyright.PENANA8fdU1drUKl
256Please respect copyright.PENANAe8v0gbrhJb
"And you must be Kenny?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAIwCxkoMcDZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANASPjzAu46oa
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."256Please respect copyright.PENANA709unMbzeU
256Please respect copyright.PENANAEju8wZUil9
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.256Please respect copyright.PENANA1X3tRs3o0X
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVQOcn2JU4x
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."256Please respect copyright.PENANArbDrisMq4c
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7IxAHyTXin
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here256Please respect copyright.PENANA13j65PVuoe
256Please respect copyright.PENANA30ivXJp6Bg
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.256Please respect copyright.PENANAMc7ytJR9og
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbyV6JJydqh
Dear Mister Chambers.256Please respect copyright.PENANAkV1OMVwzsb
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgrZOPO2DXf
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.256Please respect copyright.PENANA4hsL292KEe
256Please respect copyright.PENANA47VVOb2yuw
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.256Please respect copyright.PENANAOK6Lu6L1vv
256Please respect copyright.PENANANg0vRusevz
"...I don't remember promising anything."256Please respect copyright.PENANALcSKlykTlC
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlf8hSC7IC6
That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.256Please respect copyright.PENANAUuNK4cSUrS
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXXTbzEpqq5
"I'll make sure to thank him later."256Please respect copyright.PENANAYq2bQNotww
256Please respect copyright.PENANAcpw48nqWkp
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.256Please respect copyright.PENANAC2mvISjgcf
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhG32hx3EKe
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.256Please respect copyright.PENANAYaQlA9b5Pw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAwLnmDldw2m
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.256Please respect copyright.PENANAkQy2C4pF4h
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlHHxPS2SOv
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAdKBLvt62Jb
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnPAY2oVAgB
It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.256Please respect copyright.PENANAicmSOmJoEH
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfkErvedpbC
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.256Please respect copyright.PENANAY0Dfn48qBH
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaxSLs8q97z
"Kenny!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAXrlCkqJBsw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAllnDGlLt2M
"Ah, Flinty, hello."256Please respect copyright.PENANANM9zx6NvSZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAwZNYo7YNQC
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.256Please respect copyright.PENANAITmgDRzilt
256Please respect copyright.PENANAizcFTlyOY4
"Is that the plant you asked for?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAg7KAqMr1N8
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfOSozTPFR3
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."256Please respect copyright.PENANA1j5TFmHa4x
256Please respect copyright.PENANApCyUMpgZbP
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.256Please respect copyright.PENANA8hkZRnYylX
256Please respect copyright.PENANAq0Nak8krww
"Hello, you two."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhzs4XNJHuH
256Please respect copyright.PENANAb2j9oT2NKn
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.256Please respect copyright.PENANA0C1eaYsbA6
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZCgEWSfQg9
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."256Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ0Xd9K2wr
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvcKzt0WTt4
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."256Please respect copyright.PENANAThlIKBd7Tx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAS1erjmdJYG
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.256Please respect copyright.PENANAUCBsHEHym0
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnSzs35IHb9
"Please don't drop it or something."256Please respect copyright.PENANAa9VlhyjfwW
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6ksOsODT8I
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."256Please respect copyright.PENANAcjgv6nS4Ql
256Please respect copyright.PENANAB8uPqaX8KM
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.256Please respect copyright.PENANAO9rYmpU5tI
256Please respect copyright.PENANAn5CYsjARgr
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"256Please respect copyright.PENANARegaThSLYX
256Please respect copyright.PENANAOy7yJwdBj3
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."256Please respect copyright.PENANAigSsyb84t0
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmQzMeJqqy0
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."256Please respect copyright.PENANAbL2eioFIRt
256Please respect copyright.PENANABnut456Uia
"And you asked for... a flower?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA7C6FOesuex
256Please respect copyright.PENANAK9XvX7auuq
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA60wQTOxMzC
256Please respect copyright.PENANASJPdOnAa5L
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.256Please respect copyright.PENANAGpL9sCYuHN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAD1nQ4IvASv
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."256Please respect copyright.PENANAn2EZJlCVbc
256Please respect copyright.PENANAE1PC44E2qQ
"Arg! You...!"256Please respect copyright.PENANACmpPcmSn9M
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdU6zbmvkl9
Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.256Please respect copyright.PENANAviAo7gbhp1
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKbFWkVTPmF
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."256Please respect copyright.PENANAWnQPhOvyiX
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvnhEulL5NR
"Whatever."256Please respect copyright.PENANAVVGV7KkYPO
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7WT1u1bTzu
We sat in silence for a minute.256Please respect copyright.PENANAWeR9AbKsJO
256Please respect copyright.PENANALHcQwUblj2
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZbK7s8RKv
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgccRT0wRz5
"Yes! Please tell me!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAJfJDORP28C
256Please respect copyright.PENANAO2Ma37Llg8
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.256Please respect copyright.PENANA4OQciqkypV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlJ0wTfDjNS
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"256Please respect copyright.PENANA7N0BSlfK4P
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdMEKw9IwV5
"Wait, Eastern country?"256Please respect copyright.PENANADeAMwmHZQB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAuec6vbyWc3
I faced the old man.256Please respect copyright.PENANAyQkc0Q2eu4
256Please respect copyright.PENANA5YWY2zzrDQ
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"256Please respect copyright.PENANANQHrjaub1O
256Please respect copyright.PENANAE5UPLLA5oT
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAjt5Ybi83ss
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQkRPhh6QJ0
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA2855cwJvV8
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdCYtqX4VN1
"...Buffalo village."256Please respect copyright.PENANAN4APUI9oZG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlQzZUOizJO
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."256Please respect copyright.PENANAbCebHkoVvg
256Please respect copyright.PENANAE1kxOFEWTo
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.256Please respect copyright.PENANAOBeO3pxOyc
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzwkPBeVu7V
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAjMynGSOAzV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZiTpQ9Vy35
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."256Please respect copyright.PENANAVFwyr4EaN1
256Please respect copyright.PENANAab4gtbRcju
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.256Please respect copyright.PENANAA8FMH5XrJh
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZSnonY7voy
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAvqoVEA1PN0
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3XVylqBIZc
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."256Please respect copyright.PENANA8gBmu8o8xV
256Please respect copyright.PENANA0kmSNc3zQ6
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.256Please respect copyright.PENANAjpc8qRKhX7
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKUvG1gI9Iu
"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."256Please respect copyright.PENANAiy6k4Oz2D3
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgC9GYOEC6G
I nodded along.256Please respect copyright.PENANA5wV0Lj1CYa
256Please respect copyright.PENANANCaV4RWINk
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."256Please respect copyright.PENANAE6JNWORmpS
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ90l1Mb51
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.256Please respect copyright.PENANAbnzpjPoUAP
256Please respect copyright.PENANAcOiVYx7DnX
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAaCWI3xkesG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAwcsLHhdw7U
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."256Please respect copyright.PENANAMpCU3sKmse
256Please respect copyright.PENANAyocg3Wa51R
She blinked blankly.256Please respect copyright.PENANAhYHQuIxBm7
256Please respect copyright.PENANA2d5nWeqcWk
"Wait, is it?"256Please respect copyright.PENANApFck533oAZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9yK2GVjeYv
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.256Please respect copyright.PENANAi5nVWe2CXK
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvcGIyuMXkG
"No, maybe it is true."256Please respect copyright.PENANA63viH9Y9oP
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQZ95kmXgmn
"O-Oh, okay."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhCh8zMjJdw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvBlR9zXtdL
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.256Please respect copyright.PENANAyJdtwYPZXL
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjMkHuMPF8h
"How was your guys' day?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA0dG9eVdBzm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxoS4j84I6Y
"Mom, you should've been there!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA6aMq6HtExR
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9yXkYUcmLo
And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.256Please respect copyright.PENANAioAo1cKK4f
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4teBjyCRkF
I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.256Please respect copyright.PENANACugPBAHERT
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXRMlZPEDmi
It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.256Please respect copyright.PENANAnwxakKuGUB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXkquZ6yBkG
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.256Please respect copyright.PENANAHO12jq9cin
256Please respect copyright.PENANAU5l4H9d8uE
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.256Please respect copyright.PENANA2bVUIBvA5y
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlx53OdEBTG
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."256Please respect copyright.PENANAFgtH1kORXJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAv9KnmGTR5G
"O-Okay."256Please respect copyright.PENANAcpOnvz5e6S
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbS9Gl3Svra
"Hold on chum, you come back here."256Please respect copyright.PENANAcp3WZpGI3N
256Please respect copyright.PENANA2eyHeNzCsq
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.256Please respect copyright.PENANAzDmnkn1XVp
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmA0n8LBEsA
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAUKKgHmQVBf
256Please respect copyright.PENANABCWSUB49Be
He sat me right back down in my chair.256Please respect copyright.PENANANtonh2xTm2
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjbmBGjdGoy
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAQBqrDIHhsa
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvwe7RQz6JE
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?256Please respect copyright.PENANAduRDL1g8Xl
256Please respect copyright.PENANASvG0DINcZV
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"256Please respect copyright.PENANASo5AH5sB4g
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHLamD1gRyP
Nobody even heard my "laugh."256Please respect copyright.PENANAPkJz1kFVJ5
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZskU5nJvmB
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAgx0z8CWpLo
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgxZwxUN8ht
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."256Please respect copyright.PENANA7TGui8a7Ya
256Please respect copyright.PENANATKnRYET6MY
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."256Please respect copyright.PENANAZHHG1c7P3S
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVnZ7lRpUqt
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.256Please respect copyright.PENANA6KzvN7Yo1R
256Please respect copyright.PENANARwj3o9kFhg
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAc2vp0ssgQJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVbFe4BNHx8
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.256Please respect copyright.PENANAiMNCMxzDfd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaTEPxx77vU
"TALBOT!?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAJRiOo1QCcP
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsaZ2FDYdWk
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."256Please respect copyright.PENANA3GGevAwtuf
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlX4sfFwEKn
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAMQBfVLEudW
256Please respect copyright.PENANAx0116el07q
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.256Please respect copyright.PENANAEhtWYHVScC
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmofVVU959X
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."256Please respect copyright.PENANAB0Px34iLkh
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvW7YdaTbzS
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.256Please respect copyright.PENANArnQvyq7UcP
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhd1FAvJo1B
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAF3tEu79R0Z
256Please respect copyright.PENANAiebwKwMhJs
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."256Please respect copyright.PENANAWFt6vv4jvG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAO9zpphstWJ
"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.256Please respect copyright.PENANAazpUTAIrFv
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZ83NZXzGOs
"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."256Please respect copyright.PENANA7yBJhUVml0
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWZ7pU3clKt
"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."256Please respect copyright.PENANALBZohsd0tb
256Please respect copyright.PENANAU9mYwoJX15
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.256Please respect copyright.PENANAtpbUOgFI5e
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzS0myb1Kc3
"Yep... sorry, Chum."256Please respect copyright.PENANAvDdltfh0Ne
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmpULhSwdn5
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANA3H1uJyvXTp
256Please respect copyright.PENANANAjPaBpzqX
For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.256Please respect copyright.PENANAm1bLn7fA48
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFHcp8rsRu5
"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAYdRqkv8OOg
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmq8GUr8vPE
Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.256Please respect copyright.PENANASoVgQeJ6Dn
256Please respect copyright.PENANACEiz2pR6uf
Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?256Please respect copyright.PENANAHtPLH70XhZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtAteGauSiE
I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.256Please respect copyright.PENANAnJzZDiBDks
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPZyzIpM9ZN
"Flinty."256Please respect copyright.PENANAlEQoJMzLOB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAyT3FAw75Wy
"Y-Yeah?"256Please respect copyright.PENANADyc9fPHEUN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWxFDnycw1S
"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."256Please respect copyright.PENANA6CIJZfNKwG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAiXTzLKBqKd
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.256Please respect copyright.PENANArckLJv9kv9
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6Z4yoqv0A7
"Okay! Let's do it!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAqeSqkPW7rA
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZw46m0Of5C
There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.256Please respect copyright.PENANAASN89fBrGr
256Please respect copyright.PENANAiHpKxek5BG
"...My tome is in the other room."256Please respect copyright.PENANA6nRaHFbnYx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXMD1QYnGWg
Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.256Please respect copyright.PENANAYNxwcrqsLt
256Please respect copyright.PENANA5fTlJN7jIG
–
–
–256Please respect copyright.PENANA7ebpDCCrtx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFnZJ0v6oFL
Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.256Please respect copyright.PENANAFUc5dfTUhx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPUUDFqX7wt
I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.256Please respect copyright.PENANAnkTCqtfJE9
256Please respect copyright.PENANAoP7eF8l6hq
"Ah, mornin' Chum."256Please respect copyright.PENANAesgHcYJwaP
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfYIeOGW7FX
"Good morning."256Please respect copyright.PENANASTCms71j05
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzvBRQMyEFb
"What are you doing here all by yourself?"256Please respect copyright.PENANATlh0HEgVwG
256Please respect copyright.PENANA2gmzZsx2M0
"I woke up early."256Please respect copyright.PENANA9xIc5YIdTL
256Please respect copyright.PENANAMMH2HAEVJ4
"Alright. Let me make you some food. "256Please respect copyright.PENANAJObMfAqcYV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAp2Z2KH4gFH
I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.256Please respect copyright.PENANAJaXW9pMHtW
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvvOX7iwO6h
"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."256Please respect copyright.PENANAJ06MnFGsyb
256Please respect copyright.PENANAH8E7DatiVQ
"Right."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhxlQP1fwBW
256Please respect copyright.PENANAMz3EvSKnfp
Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.256Please respect copyright.PENANA2gIUATraPW
256Please respect copyright.PENANAGF0xbEXLgC
Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.256Please respect copyright.PENANAaQVUN5Exek
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKE8vj8B2aj
"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"256Please respect copyright.PENANANSCAiX0rf0
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgKxXWqX37y
"I sure did, honey."256Please respect copyright.PENANA2nsXTvqjbd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAL11ZzhSzYA
"Oh."256Please respect copyright.PENANAMnCkAkFeGe
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbEBVZQ30Zw
Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.256Please respect copyright.PENANAN73bSz0bpk
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYuO9Nkv3LD
"Is something wrong?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAAL45M7yKjd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAR74tW1Qmz6
"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."256Please respect copyright.PENANAy4HD3gwgbP
256Please respect copyright.PENANApllDNSRf1s
She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.256Please respect copyright.PENANA9Jj3tbc5M5
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlLJkrDuOoz
Strange. Strange people.256Please respect copyright.PENANA4uAraTj2xc
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmZo6xB3ZJx
After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.256Please respect copyright.PENANA28CnrM7VvF
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUrYdrZvf7E
"...I uh."256Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9QUpJseBm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWoAgNbj2ir
Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.256Please respect copyright.PENANAvQvK1TQFY4
256Please respect copyright.PENANA14fmYcT5km
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."256Please respect copyright.PENANAv19Axc6XZo
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgufG9mdzb7
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.256Please respect copyright.PENANAv8vcNMwcva
256Please respect copyright.PENANA8khemztNks
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAQSO1GN94M1
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3ME7MDzStr
"Water under the bridge?"256Please respect copyright.PENANABcHZkwpX9J
256Please respect copyright.PENANAMzgMz1Ta1P
"Mhm."256Please respect copyright.PENANAnY9VRb7cBt
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHMOXvgjXJo
Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.256Please respect copyright.PENANAycwDwDEu9m
256Please respect copyright.PENANAedp4CEDaEP
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.256Please respect copyright.PENANA2LXp4lcc0H
256Please respect copyright.PENANAJaQWxLyW4r
They were really good.256Please respect copyright.PENANA9Paqc5QXgj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQMUxrEl3EB
–
–
–
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxcZGKO1VIM
After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.256Please respect copyright.PENANADNrmm4H9C8
256Please respect copyright.PENANA0fwpTrM8sN
"That's a nice outfit"256Please respect copyright.PENANAfwe026VnV6
256Please respect copyright.PENANAawNsIa68jj
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."256Please respect copyright.PENANARBBcyZf9JD
256Please respect copyright.PENANALIbBRkHLjh
Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.256Please respect copyright.PENANAbgJW0SuVWY
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvZzjb24MKC
"You know this town very well, Flinty."256Please respect copyright.PENANA88qwO3hdzq
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUXnTysdnuc
"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."256Please respect copyright.PENANAMY6LmaMOdG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAx7FUGcI89y
"Ah, my apologies."256Please respect copyright.PENANAIxndfipzur
256Please respect copyright.PENANAuQCqXXQHyU
"No no, I like being around you too."256Please respect copyright.PENANA5G9qZN3Khx
256Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zdn5lwD0t
Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?256Please respect copyright.PENANA70ctVjAibY
256Please respect copyright.PENANArAXwt7zqCG
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA9ehlMx0H9S
256Please respect copyright.PENANANsAacEttaE
"R-Right."256Please respect copyright.PENANApc3w4vF4r4
256Please respect copyright.PENANAIbbIM3Mn0M
She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.256Please respect copyright.PENANALdzCKBMibF
256Please respect copyright.PENANAIpn3iscNgK
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"256Please respect copyright.PENANABRMlWMnZyI
256Please respect copyright.PENANATavMCEmVed
"Hello, Freed!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAw92OFsFlwB
256Please respect copyright.PENANALRQ4ZM8QVV
"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."256Please respect copyright.PENANAyLT01b2cA8
256Please respect copyright.PENANASAVfN7APTS
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.256Please respect copyright.PENANAymyBajKahf
256Please respect copyright.PENANAD5O44OgQU7
"So what business do you kids have today?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAAYsf4Hsh10
256Please respect copyright.PENANAykEJkFVm8j
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAsEIs1jIRjH
256Please respect copyright.PENANAm027D4Mswx
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."256Please respect copyright.PENANAsb9FkRZ5uZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7E2ogLK0SO
The Tea Mage slowly nodded.256Please respect copyright.PENANAQynDx4Gkgu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAucSMU4b8DW
"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"256Please respect copyright.PENANASZLN7xruPG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAByX5emKnvL
"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."256Please respect copyright.PENANAQMOgjkW88G
256Please respect copyright.PENANABouDscrsYi
"I see."256Please respect copyright.PENANAeZpal5CVkY
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnMuGbyQVrL
The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.256Please respect copyright.PENANAPLGdSESl3O
256Please respect copyright.PENANAx2ys3VJz6W
"I refuse."256Please respect copyright.PENANAPRnyTdgB5g
256Please respect copyright.PENANAK5MIssb4Cc
"Huh?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAxidOp0IIRx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAo51hHiuxgd
"WHAT!?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAaEvyvDcOfA
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbF4luBOvbq
Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.256Please respect copyright.PENANAnHnPtJ5Q7S
256Please respect copyright.PENANAJEgw2NZ8W0
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA9r72aENeVw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAGXa22yelYU
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"256Please respect copyright.PENANABrI83SDmCj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWcLRul1zbe
"...No?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAUPX1TDSN9u
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7xeFeWaP9f
"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."256Please respect copyright.PENANAixdiFyMDQk
256Please respect copyright.PENANAH5dY03rV78
His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.256Please respect copyright.PENANA31HqRPNnVJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAiboOcAnMV5
"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."256Please respect copyright.PENANALW1UkrkvM1
256Please respect copyright.PENANAo7XSA8OWa4
"Hold on, follow me, you two."256Please respect copyright.PENANARGviONRnMd
256Please respect copyright.PENANASxytACnNts
The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.256Please respect copyright.PENANA0pdx9yDleu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfhrAksUb2a
It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.256Please respect copyright.PENANANkUBzr12gd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAt7o9jyBxC
"Down here."256Please respect copyright.PENANAy8Qq1rhMgu
256Please respect copyright.PENANABnTJ2Hz2XI
I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.256Please respect copyright.PENANA4L60uEcGnN
256Please respect copyright.PENANACQbbZs7Ni0
It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.256Please respect copyright.PENANA2frHbXO4zE
256Please respect copyright.PENANAe5Jad7QXV9
"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."256Please respect copyright.PENANA4HblapmjpQ
256Please respect copyright.PENANALaCJQuLuZQ
Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.256Please respect copyright.PENANA7giaZSj8aQ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUXXIDcqwGk
Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.256Please respect copyright.PENANABU8p9odNKg
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlC1wuvJRFP
"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."256Please respect copyright.PENANAnd8ypUagQV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjBUlUF1Lyb
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAbOB8VNFxUo
256Please respect copyright.PENANAFzpArfc0M1
I shrugged.256Please respect copyright.PENANAVPxWLj7Ybg
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeSLiUYHbQU
"Well alright, go ahead and try."256Please respect copyright.PENANAGjD4H81zFq
256Please respect copyright.PENANA8AXB9wXFCZ
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.256Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ3xTIfKmK
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtiZZrC4mCt
"Am I doing it right?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAW5vc7mUEco
256Please respect copyright.PENANABoYQdcKvBK
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.256Please respect copyright.PENANA7tUuugLSjS
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUMku4Lyacn
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.256Please respect copyright.PENANAz1VwGQouj9
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9YnX42tsd1
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAPv4Zy0imXi
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlns0PWljES
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."256Please respect copyright.PENANAvaGOjsr8Kn
256Please respect copyright.PENANAu2N0xUX93L
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAuzkBUlAnhx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHhq0S9DdzY
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.256Please respect copyright.PENANA9vbwM8mQQY
256Please respect copyright.PENANABJwNp6EH35
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhAGWeCoUIo
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtTUJCn9I6T
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.256Please respect copyright.PENANAqHpK3oJU3M
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7UpcaH3K3K
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."256Please respect copyright.PENANANJH8psQK4O
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzy0VDplgnp
"O-Okay."256Please respect copyright.PENANAf1xZgEzwYm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtp0XhlWymN
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.256Please respect copyright.PENANAZFRoAPnxzx
256Please respect copyright.PENANADRdaeIaDMB
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."256Please respect copyright.PENANAqiS7lQcaAf
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXJ7TZBrM9W
"W-Wait, how do I–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAZhEWWRM1KG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAz4QzDpYY44
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAIX5ewYiX09
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6vuWamrcPh
"But what if I can't let it out?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA5Tz3M1ho1P
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7P5Yr9z0q3
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."256Please respect copyright.PENANAIOQehxUjxY
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9NgzIOGt0X
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.256Please respect copyright.PENANAbIUETWZDCB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgrFGv80NxA
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAcNmdPBMV0Z
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaqw11VF874
"Huh?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA37EOsSyybJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYKqFO6lnNu
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.256Please respect copyright.PENANAYM1gTa8vPZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVGlS278YQ0
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.256Please respect copyright.PENANAKgs8ROY2zp
256Please respect copyright.PENANAEqibNWl3VV
I messed up, getting all excited.256Please respect copyright.PENANAXXLTZemjpt
256Please respect copyright.PENANAMb8dlc1b9Q
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.256Please respect copyright.PENANAyfGEfbKhHK
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHsdl58Qo6L
I couldn't do it in time.256Please respect copyright.PENANAGT1MvT6swe
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQbCBR57ul4
**BOOM**256Please respect copyright.PENANAr1MfLUpFLV
256Please respect copyright.PENANASdr7WGTtCp
The world around me faded.256Please respect copyright.PENANAeJhl6uum9g
256Please respect copyright.PENANANDBfdRDLJH
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAbpHqSVVAtu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPTTrITIWrm
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?256Please respect copyright.PENANAtC2pDkGpsB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAr5Q12BxyYR
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."256Please respect copyright.PENANAsKGJGGHCjX
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxLAORHzJVg
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.256Please respect copyright.PENANA0Yo8IsuL26
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAghjS3AQbU
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.256Please respect copyright.PENANADgdK9UhNBA
256Please respect copyright.PENANARMbWzJgDel
I was in the greenhouse.256Please respect copyright.PENANAqSn2lVTjeU
256Please respect copyright.PENANAqGH7aIBlsJ
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAwlL0ZoVlEk
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1ubBpkz1Y2
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.256Please respect copyright.PENANAUn0jqksdg2
256Please respect copyright.PENANAInixbpjdfM
Thank God, they were okay.256Please respect copyright.PENANAKnxes8BkOh
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgvt7LDTCNF
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.256Please respect copyright.PENANAPQo3leuBjo
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVzjvuRlGEX
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAPCISzmKrlR
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnNzQRLoUf6
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAcKm8NGKRsY
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgPRnkHW8KY
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.256Please respect copyright.PENANAVhu6pNynVX
256Please respect copyright.PENANAqnq1ITmWQv
"This is... my coat?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAAhy41HqlEM
256Please respect copyright.PENANAWsxtp7570P
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhkdj2Wzt1c
256Please respect copyright.PENANAQORKBKaqUf
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?256Please respect copyright.PENANA96xWs1Skih
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzGfUJ2UuBk
I love you. I really do. Thank you.256Please respect copyright.PENANAz8mztclzmW
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsI4aIHUF9m
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."256Please respect copyright.PENANAgqUlId1912
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgzT96B4Z4m
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.256Please respect copyright.PENANA8X9YL5yKgV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKBwc6QA80h
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAusHMPqY34H
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbKw9JasG0a
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.256Please respect copyright.PENANAxt1xDIeIXZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y80ucg8PF
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."256Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5bGHRBgMO
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3Vg0vX6oTK
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.256Please respect copyright.PENANAxeDPpeq2nS
256Please respect copyright.PENANAzWlJ9uscET
"H-Huh?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA26ikHzgUld
256Please respect copyright.PENANACwkHlcjTnJ
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."256Please respect copyright.PENANA72alij835i
256Please respect copyright.PENANADshKD0HQRH
"T-That's terrible!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAIlorUgCkQM
256Please respect copyright.PENANAgI35MV2MU8
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.256Please respect copyright.PENANAS7Izcg0dyc
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4v5a1j5uHA
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAcCP1IhwR9w
256Please respect copyright.PENANAEb6M38Efxt
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".256Please respect copyright.PENANAHvX53tB8Cw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAehrCCkcT9A
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.256Please respect copyright.PENANA6pbbiP6eH8
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1xkTleUYIH
–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.256Please respect copyright.PENANASGurosbory
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaF3Sb95tyj
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.256Please respect copyright.PENANADfazB3B3w6
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdUz0okbrho
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.256Please respect copyright.PENANAD50hyjQHyC
256Please respect copyright.PENANAuhpoVOoNq3
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.256Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZwqYA3ESh
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKrIBaz1LPa
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?256Please respect copyright.PENANAivVthGtzib
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4KGZWE76tD
"...Ah!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAkoDOcq6uTh
256Please respect copyright.PENANAyVef3pEvme
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.256Please respect copyright.PENANAvi5tlLpas5
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhpquzhSzc2
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"256Please respect copyright.PENANADHnnkmG8pC
256Please respect copyright.PENANATKrq9a5oCd
"...Huh?"256Please respect copyright.PENANA7yvUrjXpC9
256Please respect copyright.PENANAuT0QmvjPZT
She meekly turned her head to me.256Please respect copyright.PENANAbUw2nsl0qw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAIbqDKpPw4T
"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."256Please respect copyright.PENANAum1cTYRhOd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVmjvuVhnAv
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.256Please respect copyright.PENANAwXYhG6hVGz
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnTeKdjbv54
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAc8ik9V6qNl
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4hRivFEPFq
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."256Please respect copyright.PENANAWYFOAjA2iQ
256Please respect copyright.PENANA37fX82cbTN
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.256Please respect copyright.PENANAEmQybUocST
256Please respect copyright.PENANAAy28vYl5QY
"Okay, let's go then!"256Please respect copyright.PENANARlX2qlYUcB
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVcXg9350oc
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.256Please respect copyright.PENANATCEWeeaUeN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAo5s8rcYhtu
"W-Where are we going to go first?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAIaWaLjbQE8
256Please respect copyright.PENANALeNDqbJS2w
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.256Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ9ipwvHec
256Please respect copyright.PENANAbIPfq4S4wt
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA4eSJT9QRTp
256Please respect copyright.PENANA8mT5y94FCx
Yeah, let's.256Please respect copyright.PENANAiWosn2zkCW
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4nJCrnShd7
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.256Please respect copyright.PENANA69QhBDFGUe
256Please respect copyright.PENANAqRDRPJIbSw
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.256Please respect copyright.PENANAuTYjg7ZyhV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPUZ0hDJJ0m
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.256Please respect copyright.PENANAcoxpo2LUnm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdmqNxe2dc9
"This is the combatant's guild!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA7FFIssnv81
256Please respect copyright.PENANA00zqhTLodT
It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.256Please respect copyright.PENANAAqlR5RNNbi
256Please respect copyright.PENANAkhPuVDPF8b
"This place needs a renovation."256Please respect copyright.PENANAjud0SZlpZx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAEefhtnwqxl
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."256Please respect copyright.PENANAUECjyY1BkH
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvReWsVFbPT
I shook my head.256Please respect copyright.PENANAFva3ZE1HMu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPYsyH84fMT
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."256Please respect copyright.PENANARwTHauFqDp
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7vyy8JXgei
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."256Please respect copyright.PENANATiE8v6Bthc
256Please respect copyright.PENANAg56Cz6eYzj
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAjehszeFWQt
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdJ4aaOM490
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.256Please respect copyright.PENANAILC8agDOuA
256Please respect copyright.PENANAztUfMbSs6m
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAFU88EgjfQA
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXFysO9L4MN
"Do not even suggest it."256Please respect copyright.PENANAPBH0EZM7xF
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZNhOiJNQNO
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.256Please respect copyright.PENANA7uGOOq34qZ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAD6ptVo2WJr
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAz0yLl7Gzwf
256Please respect copyright.PENANAt1SxaZ5hqr
"...Well alright."256Please respect copyright.PENANAbWGj9i6Eu6
256Please respect copyright.PENANAMEYgKSqLWf
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.256Please respect copyright.PENANAf4eSCQ6qFr
256Please respect copyright.PENANAlCxO2QKi8t
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.256Please respect copyright.PENANAieQ8V67Jq2
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9KXbKT9WZp
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"256Please respect copyright.PENANACDS5jvCWmK
256Please respect copyright.PENANAf6UeyOj2sj
She pouted.256Please respect copyright.PENANAfk9X4TwGXG
256Please respect copyright.PENANATkpnVPL2qA
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."256Please respect copyright.PENANAOuEWPRa4fk
256Please respect copyright.PENANADCFOBb4SxV
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."256Please respect copyright.PENANAw8upneiiRU
256Please respect copyright.PENANAe3o72Q7Yno
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.256Please respect copyright.PENANApHZWsSVSzQ
256Please respect copyright.PENANAseQShKH1OS
"Huh? Flinty?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAU3VhBmaxSl
256Please respect copyright.PENANABiQOraKvkh
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."256Please respect copyright.PENANAGOev4cgVMM
256Please respect copyright.PENANAvZLkrp4aY4
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.256Please respect copyright.PENANA5RKhSEEZKN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAUtbTYPBQyI
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAsMXZsOh3IG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAcJlZQxezlT
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."256Please respect copyright.PENANAcHkMAk5zxT
256Please respect copyright.PENANA95PkKjt7gG
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"256Please respect copyright.PENANApnpHxycY7v
256Please respect copyright.PENANADRT8arQx0A
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.256Please respect copyright.PENANA2t6PeXBVIz
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxGI3X9dr5B
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."256Please respect copyright.PENANAv3Mz73okMr
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9BGS3ka1MF
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."256Please respect copyright.PENANAu7egs9lVE8
256Please respect copyright.PENANASuhWa9cblJ
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!256Please respect copyright.PENANA5HFrQLtGI7
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3oPlVHFgBQ
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.256Please respect copyright.PENANAb96XwNGsnj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAv3HHLHmd8G
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAw2PrjXGg9u
256Please respect copyright.PENANAVn9eWkirYX
"Huh?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAa1zsjkflmj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAdx3BYzkUqu
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.256Please respect copyright.PENANAgnwp9N33qb
256Please respect copyright.PENANAikktpoQxvz
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAjtKcS8ckYV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAZoSOglNlc7
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.256Please respect copyright.PENANAaehuZziEZx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAwRWDvqR3VP
"You're right. Wait–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAXHaAkLEz4z
256Please respect copyright.PENANA9qsxaFUb99
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.256Please respect copyright.PENANA9nlThZBm69
256Please respect copyright.PENANAkD0Gy1YKOO
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAZgLWnRSuqx
256Please respect copyright.PENANAmAHvScSbr2
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.256Please respect copyright.PENANAwjnfQFbBJA
256Please respect copyright.PENANAP4SMla1lac
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!256Please respect copyright.PENANAIvUnwj0ZnI
256Please respect copyright.PENANAOtvlbx18S5
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAOg6mCaQ5Um
256Please respect copyright.PENANAnGDLzu7mKK
"No. I'm here for another reason."256Please respect copyright.PENANAsp4cOP3MEy
256Please respect copyright.PENANAb2okaMHYvm
"And what may that be?"256Please respect copyright.PENANABPXG58K3Xy
256Please respect copyright.PENANAjrMaAmO1Tr
"None of your business."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhORUzJJhUj
256Please respect copyright.PENANA6K9mQzPSMk
"O-Okay..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAg1P8cQdrAx
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1HlW4seNJv
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.256Please respect copyright.PENANAEPZ91C2nG5
256Please respect copyright.PENANASLr5zspdwW
"She is super shady."256Please respect copyright.PENANA15LYzgkjBb
256Please respect copyright.PENANACQ2sbt7X53
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."256Please respect copyright.PENANAvD3U2skdPO
256Please respect copyright.PENANAevh7PwXeCP
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAhze9cMCms5
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4hyYvrB0rg
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.256Please respect copyright.PENANASQ1GYspbHg
256Please respect copyright.PENANAGjVaytlM45
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.256Please respect copyright.PENANAaVMxSLtzDI
256Please respect copyright.PENANAwJpaNR3miQ
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."256Please respect copyright.PENANAQP1BpMHkjs
256Please respect copyright.PENANAxFxDZ2qTQ8
"T-Then let's get his attention!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAhcQ4QfYb0e
256Please respect copyright.PENANA1JwQyBsNma
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.256Please respect copyright.PENANABqF24wkhmo
256Please respect copyright.PENANA48MO9YTkdw
"Let me handle this."256Please respect copyright.PENANAmYSZdY9EI8
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHO6tCmtsUL
"W-What, why?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAl2Gk1j09MR
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeC4boqhLou
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."256Please respect copyright.PENANAD96oUZDmK5
256Please respect copyright.PENANAKZfWNsqGhv
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.256Please respect copyright.PENANAUqvvaK3zzz
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3CBWrem4MX
"S-Sorry, Kenny."256Please respect copyright.PENANAGzzcm1OURJ
256Please respect copyright.PENANABlnGJZbHxi
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.256Please respect copyright.PENANA0prg23ZmqO
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeh2RN4kgj5
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.256Please respect copyright.PENANAJcGJ1c5ERX
256Please respect copyright.PENANAXD62NtibN3
"Hey, you guys!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAN0GQ4nGEPD
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3z8WW42DmR
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.256Please respect copyright.PENANAc6Skm1G4Ax
256Please respect copyright.PENANAEkT56pIz8n
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."256Please respect copyright.PENANAnWHCmIIU7W
256Please respect copyright.PENANA0XrITH1inu
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAV5CAUV8E6e
256Please respect copyright.PENANAs4L2FkpU5b
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.256Please respect copyright.PENANA27PIOEyWck
256Please respect copyright.PENANAPMFwdYNBVa
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.256Please respect copyright.PENANAkM8yzx0EIj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAj4RiCx9IXO
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.256Please respect copyright.PENANAUrxdBWd2SN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhbhtFyzkc5
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."256Please respect copyright.PENANAeHoQXSPaNR
256Please respect copyright.PENANASU7GNGhWG3
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.256Please respect copyright.PENANA2q64YEGGGW
256Please respect copyright.PENANArHRGMxssmr
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.256Please respect copyright.PENANAUfNx082J1Y
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3Jk0Vs1kS2
"Here's your bill, miss."256Please respect copyright.PENANA6cLwx8wZv1
256Please respect copyright.PENANARtfFjcaB43
"...I..."256Please respect copyright.PENANA0GyM5J82Qf
256Please respect copyright.PENANAeMvHyYcqj3
She was having a difficult time speaking.256Please respect copyright.PENANA5xBGWPULJ0
256Please respect copyright.PENANADyB3EpuBXw
"I forgot to bring money."256Please respect copyright.PENANAmkLq4GSSWP
256Please respect copyright.PENANA4p6NloUAS9
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAp3xURf2060
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHVkYCIqZoO
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANA6wHJx7XusL
256Please respect copyright.PENANAsymRuQlrA1
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANASHKx3hlV9l
256Please respect copyright.PENANATxiJzaQ3Ud
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.256Please respect copyright.PENANAVctqjMUxbM
256Please respect copyright.PENANAW33FfX3EMi
Ha. What a moron.256Please respect copyright.PENANAXNCTFX2LXI
256Please respect copyright.PENANA7QUxDTIgPU
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."256Please respect copyright.PENANAhcbj5bXFhW
256Please respect copyright.PENANA2XCuCOKAIR
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"256Please respect copyright.PENANAfeIBJCfplr
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaD8hRfgqS7
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."256Please respect copyright.PENANAaM3BQjcLf5
256Please respect copyright.PENANAg8uFO2DqSm
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?256Please respect copyright.PENANApzBTNbP2XL
256Please respect copyright.PENANAarU2ixcrs1
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."256Please respect copyright.PENANAM53F8ciOMN
256Please respect copyright.PENANAaIjKZdess8
"..."256Please respect copyright.PENANAACeAqIKzhj
256Please respect copyright.PENANAu5KQ7DXtBp
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.256Please respect copyright.PENANA8kMg3gqJRV
256Please respect copyright.PENANA3vPHUiEoBu
"Hey, cloaked woman."256Please respect copyright.PENANAFvt1lA7Dpq
256Please respect copyright.PENANADEwcDspYx7
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.256Please respect copyright.PENANAwh6ER0CYev
256Please respect copyright.PENANAOnkTPKNyv5
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."256Please respect copyright.PENANA1wn0n6d6By
256Please respect copyright.PENANAcGhbFWGEqF
"Yes, of course. Thank you."256Please respect copyright.PENANAg3vsxCvcNO
256Please respect copyright.PENANAclmTtHJuBH
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!256Please respect copyright.PENANADhMpLdEhVu
256Please respect copyright.PENANAn5UohT7RrN
"Alright Flinty, let's go."256Please respect copyright.PENANAxhy5cL9ash
256Please respect copyright.PENANAhT81ZFRo4u
"Yes!"256Please respect copyright.PENANAKKhXq6BXSd
256Please respect copyright.PENANAoHTuN3Bc3m
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.256Please respect copyright.PENANA0hyXzTSIiG
256Please respect copyright.PENANAs0gJpb8Xvk
"What?"256Please respect copyright.PENANAx8CpFFZYVm
256Please respect copyright.PENANAYDklVSNCzh
"Kenny, you're awesome."256Please respect copyright.PENANAF55IKNG0zV
256Please respect copyright.PENANAHzYKXN8hUW
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.256Please respect copyright.PENANAOXp9n22OJX
256Please respect copyright.PENANApG1ioOENZk
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."256Please respect copyright.PENANA9R4w4fFXKR
256Please respect copyright.PENANAN8LD8xLTOA
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA0vNXggQ9uy
256Please respect copyright.PENANAIV50U9f3TY
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.256Please respect copyright.PENANAazvfnYCQsC
256Please respect copyright.PENANApqTyeSs1rW
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"256Please respect copyright.PENANARwdd4kQHzw
256Please respect copyright.PENANAGmy7JrYJUo
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.256Please respect copyright.PENANAv9NuTCpiWv
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfaymgiYIF2
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.256Please respect copyright.PENANASGBIjcPam4
256Please respect copyright.PENANAomu2pIcMxl
"...Is something wrong?"256Please respect copyright.PENANASVVxYoYL1F
256Please respect copyright.PENANAovzwpP9S3G
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."256Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4WmciW7xl
256Please respect copyright.PENANAfI9yXqrwPw
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"256Please respect copyright.PENANA1FhzjViHnK
256Please respect copyright.PENANA09UlKWz3E6
"R-Right."256Please respect copyright.PENANA5VUnbpTbL3
256Please respect copyright.PENANAtk23OteIDL
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.