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
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazpUTAIrFv
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yBJhUVml0
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"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
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDdltfh0Ne
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpULhSwdn5
"..."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1uJyvXTp
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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
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"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
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"Flinty."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEQoJMzLOB
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"Y-Yeah?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyc9fPHEUN
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"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
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"Okay! Let's do it!"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeSqkPW7rA
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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
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–
–
–256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ebpDCCrtx
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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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN73bSz0bpk
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuO9Nkv3LD
"Is something wrong?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL45M7yKjd
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"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
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Strange. Strange people.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uAraTj2xc
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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
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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
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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
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They were really good.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Paqc5QXgj
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–
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–
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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
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"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
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLGdSESl3O
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"I refuse."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRnyTdgB5g
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"Huh?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxidOp0IIRx
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo51hHiuxgd
"WHAT!?"256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEvyvDcOfA
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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
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"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
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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
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"Down here."256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Qq1rhMgu
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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
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"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.
