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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpIyxCz0rf
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I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLnBxEPnVO
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRjQ4DA0NX
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"Dad!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH54nKxmGgB
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Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYxJbq7Mfo
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"Flinty! There you are!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTl0kb5sYx
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1G0n0tN6G
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkccSDuuTt
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN2atocwTl
"And you must be Kenny?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDRlSglEcf
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwxSnYaC7g
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4ZQthqgGc
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I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGqTONloQQ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iS8QzzaAq
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn35hDiWsH
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WAzgATtSF
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 here212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPli2qXKWK
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44yW5zSx6D
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzvVJCDMn7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDgbpqsAP1
Dear Mister Chambers.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5ZarW2zqZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWwp666SaL
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PYNUBIjOz
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPZuX3GVnl
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIZB0MZ0TZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Utm8WBGe6
"...I don't remember promising anything."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZKykjE2H4
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgL35iFjw7
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"I'll make sure to thank him later."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFFncLjDCl
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUpQaw82l0
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxsCFNS7NH
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cdrhjqzar
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGTpK1mQsS
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflwmeH0mWi
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfOzZIqezp
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHvzOH7ahZ
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON04zrxEb5
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpLAvx9NHe
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyJ2WY621E
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTWva0sjpY
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14ZFEPo8JY
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"Kenny!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoMEPaWkKs
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"Ah, Flinty, hello."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOI97sk4T1
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInhtIdYJQr
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ827lS4oQQJ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtopsa9fio1
"Is that the plant you asked for?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeHvTB8vWu
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujIe8pKS18
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHsDXfZUhT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFacjpBoD6m
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3logaupUsn
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"Hello, you two."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJGooSq9wT
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Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuB6DvzCIV
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"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXpp4gBi60
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"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlIWSmXjnK
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He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsbRl3CG3C
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"Please don't drop it or something."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw5o50jFxQ
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"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBgGzlYZn2
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TI0twS72g
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCPPEq4jSi
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"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46a0AKel0N
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWXdRtyF6v
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzGsbMBx1C
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T7k9H59C6
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhlt8YZWWO
"And you asked for... a flower?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb26WrsJ8n
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtpIg0hrCc
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteo7ek2Oyt
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Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJD6kd35KZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VuxhIZ1vf
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5rD8adIVF
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"Arg! You...!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ98Gi1EBrM
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRx7n06yuB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O7SqSRRlV
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDxj8G1SQt
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"Whatever."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHogVeBZieO
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We sat in silence for a minute.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATJrw7NZRL
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"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnwNUe1jJm
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"Yes! Please tell me!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLeVaIehqt
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Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt2bUhqoFW
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1eqiSB68j
"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–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG1EQIlPST
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"Wait, Eastern country?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6lcBM1Khc
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I faced the old man.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCWQoATZZw
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"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1AjFr7txe
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboFD7knGb1
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyNf9GoSaP
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"Yikes, where did you grow up?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvDav7Thll
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"...Buffalo village."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBfWx2dySP
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"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIE3emYULB
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I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5Ne73GunQ
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"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcyvoPAvS0
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYplUPuUmc
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYJTSIFDgC
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Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9WccysUmC
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"Can I explain this one, Dad?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99e0ois1xH
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"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxILEfyYfb
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Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4BBGUFAiW
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbirvG5irY
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I nodded along.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRt4FHmcJN
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"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YglzI6N0m
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJtYpOND8y
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAklXImb42
"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!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIdOLKaBji
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"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3yOoQzsim
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She blinked blankly.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6tQgk8zgZ
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"Wait, is it?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS3yu81ZpP
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I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXpOULisjM
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DmtFxatOM
"No, maybe it is true."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95vWESxo53
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"O-Oh, okay."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fkv2dbSxO
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"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIm0ItL60n
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"How was your guys' day?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ889y9mJsbm
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"Mom, you should've been there!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDVPRhH1sn
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeHJpe8Pj4
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6MiOFeEkK
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp7uhSQjBx
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I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6dv3B8o2V
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"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo6JQybqGy
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"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqC8QuwPxg
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"O-Okay."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNkJJMNJE3
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"Hold on chum, you come back here."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2NJ2W915
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07M5TXnjgt
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K2dRLuoV8
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"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5nb0xe16c
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He sat me right back down in my chair.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko8Rbg5n3n
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"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX8byjgBqm
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The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1c9ZxGu25
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"...Uh, hehehe... he?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThFdUQw3aH
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Nobody even heard my "laugh."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjU6rEtG7J
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"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipUUUM7JQE
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"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiMUPdogra
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"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlge9zIVz8x
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Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2bGzjvQ2s
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"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8NICfcmnl
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Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rnrQqVXBl
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"TALBOT!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn5fFQvKBN
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO6To13yyq
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxcALPjQ4f
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"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxhbXpmme
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I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrtNDGmTEq
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"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5UhyS5b3B
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I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhiln1aaBW
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"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu7ZfNl9Uu
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"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJSTEsrWN8
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqoYZ5AZEi
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXzCaaUQ7F
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjXif2BJGJ
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I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeoG4dCOia
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAtnsFD9bx
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"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbH5gyKjX2
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgcXlrcXCT
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX6M0TSKkV
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ixOtLLYU
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdYDaqP3nq
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I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIwO9xswfe
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"Flinty."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSHFeM41L7
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"Y-Yeah?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFkj305xHY
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwqw8MzGIn
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Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYILDjKiFiF
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"Okay! Let's do it!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6yNLkHv4P
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsAdMLXdw4
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"...My tome is in the other room."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBvvaB5k4u
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Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QOgccNyPD
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–
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–212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhUMZEn16R
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8FTiN3u8G
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWEvS5bJ7A
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnAigtUETx
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"Good morning."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fmKXrt45v
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLiiO4xJBc
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"I woke up early."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnwPMUModx
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"Alright. Let me make you some food. "212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqifoTape1
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qNiQcbnnG
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjqdKargdN
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"Right."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4b1GuPZ4q
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXhhZTUEm1
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4IWEtaqdC
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Yb31kusk
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"I sure did, honey."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzVFyGMArS
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"Oh."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gGT2tpHWK
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sLMrAZDa8
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"Is something wrong?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UR8E94J7m
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"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvIVtm6Zmp
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b7gl24Arj
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Strange. Strange people.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eQOwR0YpZ
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn6W4oUSyg
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"...I uh."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4YlLx0pXm
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GD5Wlrmxr
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"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMTpOrinLW
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I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXM800mJzw
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"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnflm2jytgv
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"Water under the bridge?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl369lQlhg
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"Mhm."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n6FxXIme9
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYb0NnmADz
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Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2b1D9O4VX
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They were really good.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2IGtimJO2
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCqqgL9aKs
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"That's a nice outfit"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsAbDLmLsv
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"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLj94VSRie
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aRQ4KPYUt
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyuOdH1ph7
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"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhYAufCXDO
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"Ah, my apologies."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJItH0ZCQz
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"No no, I like being around you too."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2lSuSmaLx
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Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWocUXpkvS
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"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM3CSZErUN
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"R-Right."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt2rqZ1Q5B
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mrc6DAqGD
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"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n47zW9aNl
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"Hello, Freed!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdKohJ7BD2
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"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53xiHSETFy
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When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pPBHADBXH
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"So what business do you kids have today?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqYFrnqtkc
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"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbQUBsys2m
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"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbjFuZpJWK
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcacZJ28M1
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60K7RTNiNJ
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qFHIYrfa8
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"I see."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm3HAhJthz
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZWICmkB2E
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"I refuse."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloVtAeDkL5
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"Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh3KEmuzK4
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"WHAT!?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dBHucFaJh
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAPyh3wovJ
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"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFQm9oZ5jC
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"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyOFw8PfwV
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"...No?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1qcsvlsFA
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJYIvYrJrF
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw62NbvGEuw
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCr2cSGthv
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p7GL2nopp
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjSR9nHQKw
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3zBpUaCh1
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"Down here."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEFwOZnJjN
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGDHrNiRa4
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mk6BSsbdJ
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr7EprcfnC
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Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gimQtvOVl
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmcPP4L44k
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdNW7e8wxI
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"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs83xvmnmjN
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I shrugged.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMqY3wwNGo
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"Well alright, go ahead and try."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtCxIMk5hi
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsj0UaLDbG
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"Am I doing it right?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2q0sjnDQn
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"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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0NzYFqBxw
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"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwR24UUpBs
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQib7C3rPM
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnvEBwWPR4
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMODC36JPh
"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgW9KuLmOY
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsGi1qULPq
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsl5Ja41gS
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I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuZHE4Jq3P
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"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhEcuM74zd
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Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLGQe5g8Qa
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"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNWupDDHub
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"O-Okay."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxiMszPZCu
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She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrPYel6s4p
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1qRsWaXiR
"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacKuL8qek4
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3AZ6ZNeMP
"W-Wait, how do I–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mIjv5LdgB
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"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?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz8nMtFTzR
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"But what if I can't let it out?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbNPo3BJiD
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwsP2fQXbr
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyTAyYmsxs
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOQqQGyhl0
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUe2FBM8L8
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"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGel8DZLK4
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"Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX88PqlQ86
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She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYuMpoIVCS
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The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDiZi8JXRx
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I messed up, getting all excited.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JDZvxZ68n
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAnLVi2YsX
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I couldn't do it in time.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW3wiSFs3M
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**BOOM**212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXS1sCOKce
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The world around me faded.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitXP3r5cwj
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–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFqFZ8JF4x
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfklEKRGVvb
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?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn76DndElOe
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pzmB3trDM
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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5Bk9yp1A7
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Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFktRLOmWoz
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeWsbE7VXz
"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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1JLQqW3aa
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I was in the greenhouse.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsY4h6PRmF
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"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa2nOhCjdY
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec6Oqnw276
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMKFl89vNK
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Thank God, they were okay.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbO2dOLm25
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"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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNvZDzhLC0
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI5CWywmrm
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uIczx8FIs
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIJiN3Jtpt
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bAUBDS7Rn
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h5v9P01vw
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"This is... my coat?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlw5HsCyYo
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"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Yu1LXd43
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOEcWybAXc
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvHV5ngylU
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I love you. I really do. Thank you.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39eXm7l2xd
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8krG5cev0m
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESwv0fQ1xO
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She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ580GUD9ggn
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"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7gucxLexU
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"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5INqoAH1PO
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLY7lCmVgi
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSCxP0ej5z
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2mmTZlTYE
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"H-Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivfkBsFTGh
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYM8kfidCF
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"T-That's terrible!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUO5gJlC4l
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Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6MRuw9Hmd
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"Uhm, well, Flinty..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hg5x4JnQO
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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".212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPuQXw5Z8L
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It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoKXqLtTdf
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–
–
–
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4S1ynRXjK
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2op9aRx4I
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kfcGvd2GO
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEmhHQM46f
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMux6tdg6D
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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?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsnAT0Uxlw
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"...Ah!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHkUwKnhnC
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I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUsr7unBu2
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"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem2LKRUJMG
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"...Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSp7ueZBYO
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She meekly turned her head to me.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5SWZeZKwX
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"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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYercw9Uji
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She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzlNLzgN3O
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"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiwJ7vP8kU
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"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI1T3LBqij
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Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuElRTElK8J
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"Okay, let's go then!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF37kkTmduL
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She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRog7qlrtps
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"W-Where are we going to go first?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaCALRHyU5
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She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnDUFCzKm0
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"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yg8CfN3g0
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Yeah, let's.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCMo4ibJnT
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–
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–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35K1yv7vAw
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaYsFN0VLl
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdP5O0tJcg
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"This is the combatant's guild!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVjv8jAmo3
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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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBGkrfQtHj
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"This place needs a renovation."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJrftJ5CRv
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"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgATcrj01eo
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I shook my head.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH3kmabdRL
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"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI4o42eELx
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"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH4HAvhYfy
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"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwtGI2Emht
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Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeYuPcD1wc
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"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–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8gL8LPPhR
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"Do not even suggest it."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg00OPasPFZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YT0iXkgwu
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0l7sKsu78
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUutoOK9GL
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1tdEP40Td
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqetOSzxoEb
"...Well alright."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObO8ipOSjA
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHbxHKat23
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgYmmRGNac
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJREWtpaqm
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yPwlyipKI
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4crQuw3JT
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLas9tVuVV
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbaJsxjppr
She pouted.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcknXQh9u3V
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCVmsP1krU
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Eq5xJ41CH
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyDXQEGVPF
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYgTsH3tH6
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1canWGEub
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLesFFwRBYP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeymvfLmzS
"Huh? Flinty?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuCWudDMih
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZcle99d93
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKSIIwHeA6
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoenWEjyaqI
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqMwEWaPnQ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgSMMSbwb9
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV43pxrGbq
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZUWWMeAgS
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc5ZqUsoGv
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfU8JY9THh
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pAJBI5J9b
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0dapjqyXH
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXLmwkwSqY
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Yvm7NueX
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqplWtSSo6O
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3FGdtMHtc
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1jpLVV7RM
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iB6QHJW5E
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!212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugIIgoxixm
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwFixvoL5u
"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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd30iifAxj
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXCatQGyLF
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvAzGGUHn5
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRkBaRzuvO
"Huh?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZacVa6QJE
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWTYaey21e
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBocp0vc1Of
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxnFAxcb5J
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfjip3IQNB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkrjOyaVvQ
"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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTvnQeBLzw
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZOZkxkNEo
"You're right. Wait–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltig0zhbUI
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7RT6C20yM
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawkfXD3H96
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGotT9B4Cm
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDS1iJ5c2B
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B3b0n9q24
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo61L6ierT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVhzpCOOmL
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ5pOZSXhg
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFkfFNQpHC
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJszD3KgpD8
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbv8JROCAq
"No. I'm here for another reason."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86eG5NpvSi
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LUBR91Kas
"And what may that be?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppRoA0AOCL
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhg7B9v97j
"None of your business."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3pp7LZIw7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDeCaMBEJ2
"O-Okay..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aZYHO36GN
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScNUeVcRfi
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrMzRLnX8R
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpqeCiudiU
"She is super shady."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWE2w836MY
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpBW0VGORe
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTXxFlPCCC
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLFmMPD2tg
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0bjqNKipB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ilyG4thuK
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerE7ubm7Wx
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzXxPA8TJY
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQfU95NdyC
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWAA49A7Bt
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YrlfHubNR
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaokcigG7Qh
"T-Then let's get his attention!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXaCc4QtKY
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhTM9jnnCS
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROZYC8bMIk
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF7IwSYutb
"Let me handle this."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykemznQQmJ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLuJs0dHHM
"W-What, why?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEh44f2Nw3
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN38TXFYYMP
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVegG73UNE9
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFlvB9ejuu
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAuGnwMtFW
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGflxgYvez
"S-Sorry, Kenny."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa6iKU2BsU
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQrMrT2UGd
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQXjhLLtiH
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLBMlIQuL
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuXXCbojdn
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBNR7DWpm1
"Hey, you guys!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxCYqw7tBP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p2X3P8nz6
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ic6VA7ELb
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3rPSvheZd
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeukzJFGjT
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqN0e8W8Rl
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gvbf9ZlUh
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAr6R5LYgO
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc3HTETMBn
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglp4oi91uu
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmlJfydH02
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUqtzX39C9
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOhhyIQ4wx
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYSBsFZPxl
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO949qpciup
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9RDcrboVB
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qnFTqJRbt
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11pyzqzJNc
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH3lqM8oPm
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuWiacblMf
"Here's your bill, miss."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehxktH2i55
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e2SqcjIcE
"...I..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi3g1xIPZ6
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJEEQ6AXiD
She was having a difficult time speaking.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JpWsql1Mv
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0pNA6k2fG
"I forgot to bring money."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Iave2CjU
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS4xOEiOOh
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBgxc3hUnn
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPxfeG1ZUX
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutWg2MrmPn
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDh61IxXRV
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEExUvCsVB
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIQblx35Yb
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRds0BFrSUl
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1T4KwMDiY
Ha. What a moron.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr2wi5sVsc
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh5Lc7e5We
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZjYPnzjcV
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT8ZoR708e
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJyTsqURGH
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOjPF9Fiw9
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnULuU0qE3a
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqQUP6c9W6
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiO3jp0HIb
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xn4S0rn8m
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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvDeUw2yQN
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lgTnesc83
"..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBPTm5r7KZ
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAtXU4fELL
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd3L6Z9GbP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o4imIYOlN
"Hey, cloaked woman."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLcL2Vwh5b
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiEDX91pra
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWA7pTkkm7
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ItffFXETW
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa6GARQCLV
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo1kgwX1Ja
"Yes, of course. Thank you."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt7OTfGoVb
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU3tFnB9Xo
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7LmKEVUMX
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6dFMIWBqb
"Alright Flinty, let's go."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h03CiBqw1
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sfocCwMaH
"Yes!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92Vh7AMxOP
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8np3sXJXi
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb4pdOoOTI
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPsXE70XyJ
"What?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3dl5KEV4I
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvalblLHiE
"Kenny, you're awesome."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEryYAhexXV
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufeXf7aVIW
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuUOyHWGQR
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pXTo2Jtid
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6K7TXKcuo
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluGAuZWT4o
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EFF6uY3xu
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UuM6bFNty
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0NqiaqAl3
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw0wNkYihi
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifFNBKzs0j
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgzaRSE8m3
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiMbyrOa6D
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BFKUKGrMN
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3quhEMqvR
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpxkG22irf
"...Is something wrong?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jPKvA7bWr
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd9m3mP1Yo
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e4rGIg22i
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRop6KdTvD4
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1nuRZWhE2
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V0MuSIKoZ
"R-Right."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcXLZjPRvv
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg0sxLGB2T
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
