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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4IByGNVG9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTtEp6DSs6
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWrzsmpkGd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRB7UtXgEu
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2rNzLlZhY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9ZsSZ7LWh
"Dad!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGvW8Fo8ND
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lw0NluTN0
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe55BxpcJDP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuRFC8549A
"Flinty! There you are!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOfFdpkCp9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARcRSDY3Ee
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DmqZIb8Go
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wnfYxBKeP
"And you must be Kenny?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3V1KiFv6E
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gujDMG4N7
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMYCuwe7LP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfC95nQk6e
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AjUxaSoB8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7BDmvhbG2
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTT3R6JLlA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dah676rYX
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 here164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV1y2meCNy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHk41Bva83
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP2JJpMYMp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u9uWz5dA7
Dear Mister Chambers.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrX2MBPTgh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaMulmMOId
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETPJlSJAYc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FfhXRIbHP
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduNuCcl7GQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFd1TlYwOE
"...I don't remember promising anything."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb6opTZDcH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFAnpXiZ16
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6TLpVAwB7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE02KlftWl
"I'll make sure to thank him later."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqyGIheJ8u
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUakfnlNBP
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvIRYMNTRp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlISpnqsVf
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HW9nexXpb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljAc4czdOI
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXwxL38F7W
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdUahGRLqP
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9FiSDuCrv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsdFrpzQBi
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMTHDfToZc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk90KyKNXn7
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6dly4Y7WA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWQ0Gllqlw
"Kenny!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfa7FuT4vl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ5vFTFw8v
"Ah, Flinty, hello."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiBVRkqMjk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u2f52QyCJ
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK67bMS9O0h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIHOjqvkpP
"Is that the plant you asked for?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJozOQ9ElH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcS1YF8LNq
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiUo53Dhh7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTawqeX9qyO
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgMSgQRkik
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0dFstSeg8
"Hello, you two."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UiSsjmeVO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKrmRZqiPv
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewXb0nEQwZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBzpFU6Zq0
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLxWfHuMzt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhk11RHKh6
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdUsZb5iWa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f4jsSBne4
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsEerlegIc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzGgHD0jtQ
"Please don't drop it or something."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtWykaJwi3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mexWVEbf8
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Ikk6htNw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaID52m3Pb
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY6BTUQfY8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXdAOb53yr
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEsMla8ODB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheS1jyACv4
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohtVTLVR0o
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hYiL07T5Z
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ilo63H6j8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOtkPI4lK3
"And you asked for... a flower?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWtEiLxyOg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNCNQBHaGx
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9ugAESh1b
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXiP5VYt4Q
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvu7ILHWBS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgcT18oMGQ
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTLMxgXw0T
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHzS60NSf9
"Arg! You...!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehAxquxAnW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54xhXAY7wE
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbjEXodwdm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwYknP5huT
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnwV6z1ySV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQoq6evy2x
"Whatever."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy96nYYaWHo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVZbYFSDQU
We sat in silence for a minute.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauxNtz95mx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN688p0XdEr
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsuFhBu84l
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1fX7bzc8K
"Yes! Please tell me!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmDblQGXAQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe1s9SVq9R
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsG1w3Z3Lk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBweDeKpCAQ
"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–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhcvfzCScU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA11A1jdlOk
"Wait, Eastern country?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFZM85VJVr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdqxBOQyU9
I faced the old man.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYEIrAZb2I
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfjP2ksoLW
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqL9x0qsik
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJe1OA7D67
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXlYpJWVWy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflAhppxeJx
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN7VbNojmQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQWsiVpyUS
"...Buffalo village."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6VDI9pgAU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHacK44NWP
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug45ajZwkE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoctmdcu2yp
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYCNnnaGPQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKn5K2tbEQ
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoctdVCjjm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEn5y8HpOm
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4z41nYlNk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzYK4YJHzU
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5iVJYxgPb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXClsVh08BY
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbQUpcCLpf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleVYe0aAUr
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE5QoQmiY0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETflDKyYvy
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA2LaSj4VN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6lo31Usap
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtypi9O4dm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpKJ9mVWnf
I nodded along.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryNSeqCHAb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZAkMyaWuI
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK11EtFHpV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2a5y13r1
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63DUM0iBzc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg16dFRY8Iq
"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!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooFplt1gfM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixKj2LyZyc
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbZaJ0B1Pt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0YcYqSQAv
She blinked blankly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr55QTTw02
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPBPEx4VxB
"Wait, is it?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTXR4CWTdY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLctPyWYvzA
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpT3JHoPjb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22BzrLPADN
"No, maybe it is true."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJRnreNUCl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs56GRK2U2S
"O-Oh, okay."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvT8QKkPi3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5tl3mQy9V
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTs1Z2M7QP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d7j2JyvSY
"How was your guys' day?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9jxjNw2Of
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AHpMHi1BF
"Mom, you should've been there!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf7G17MHpJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GrIvZLocy
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagQ485BnHY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrkBT3qyH4
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFXIjvAThQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nUs4BLxVZ
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6LPFqqmeS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSrqfCerh5
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEcsFST1w7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxIBxPPOol
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFs3ZlUTDu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURLqXCpq5D
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohelRzkkgU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70MMkFjxFS
"O-Okay."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsUdzH6KlE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRCLWb5hlK
"Hold on chum, you come back here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz5kf5k7Oc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEskKWktqLL
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMPmfieyDD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhigf0NsW9
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8NdOmE5qL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbM38MJubF
He sat me right back down in my chair.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedCcAqEtiN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOaowM34be
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vrsCdTbgp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmsRWq6I9d
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0YjZNw1TE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVnCAvaraC
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai9T0kfDXI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s0gep54E9
Nobody even heard my "laugh."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k7ycdz4b1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqVMoTBd2r
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12gTiIw7Tl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O5NP3USK3
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA9SEcgCqq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYDTgwXQYR
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv8dBDaTP1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmRCw0jgx6
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakgckVBUBQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcaErQukIk
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW7E9bELBF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarZxdxl4ED
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKZV7EtI1P
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUfa3R8gxu
"TALBOT!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHek7ulqxS9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYESt0yPMa
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKnst5S6Lb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32hgkiL6uL
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmNyTSGOOf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lZABMnqIg
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSECOy2UQHh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkzwVG1wdo
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2KXtVbFlO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktPvAV1qww
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2chaZYvFq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5muhffjHH
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRHzlqLTiq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79iKI0WlZe
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHomydPtpVz
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDFuKormkC
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriP7FvRz6k
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9qeNsubAe
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I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUYaaXL3FU
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh039wJHn9
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"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2MPuLgnW2
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JPF2rVpvf
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEJRnkKQeo
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYb6hnmuBu
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60ia2cnAqk
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwpHBLmY08
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"Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetCR7SMB2G
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"Y-Yeah?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn6X8Zp6Gh
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyX1ODj1oM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9MCAEzqfz
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacZDEQ5caX
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"Okay! Let's do it!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtTuRE1xIA
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEcpFTTjf3
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"...My tome is in the other room."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3928IVKKh
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Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIZ2yHF6Kc
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–
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–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjUviYj2xQ
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yCKQKEwbb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw43YgHqFR
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTPJhB0Wil
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbLRpPHI4K
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmLMDMG7FC
"Good morning."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MkKeeE1Ot
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgsN6qUaMX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwqproDbXJ
"I woke up early."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwui7U67Old
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"Alright. Let me make you some food. "164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMITY3VUm4
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FmVMQXY6k
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGUJQGR7OM
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"Right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPh2OzkEls
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocSsYCumJD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumJkvbMydt
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSrf3YdyRV
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscYSIubQ7N
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8DWYob8R0
"I sure did, honey."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw52MKDOMAh
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"Oh."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOyldOrmf8
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZVRGD7Lqm
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"Is something wrong?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelhEynwaIW
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"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxonAy9vnI6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXAGtGcQib
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrrNESElNq
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Strange. Strange people.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK9Q0mLkwW
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhGFvUhTeh
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"...I uh."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5LOoZhEhA
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5wH9t6Eq1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwqj35PNHY
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wtf4dEaG2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcVV6wsKL0
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcD468lkGm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm8HwBxTJ1
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtclWpOLzYA
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"Water under the bridge?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SgCqXjETr
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"Mhm."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2PG9L87O4
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyocHIKILzX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl0bpwT2fH
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MM2dsU2TW
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They were really good.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPtoKPHMts
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiLnKPloUJ
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"That's a nice outfit"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2iKhBwjpR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9hdxDWgwK
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9FOq7D5MI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDTbVntxBC
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0czB0FSGY
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikCUI8Nrv4
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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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRAC62MF1S
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"Ah, my apologies."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpHiiAqp9I
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"No no, I like being around you too."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzp1k2ncgV
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Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJh7s1fsOG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeorVq42tC
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylZzEZsNz0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TdLPPHzfD
"R-Right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7B4lG9O5x
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMkAV4azAZ
She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbm0LwcjF1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHTvpiaMqM
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQhX9758Uc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUIoytq9yL
"Hello, Freed!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoMtotiTMg
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"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspOcY1jtPV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigzLmeF9ez
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C97MII9ck
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwYy8kXTLk
"So what business do you kids have today?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7gPY0hXYd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW4Z0ATK4j
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMhwLbOfdt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g8akKsma7
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuqPRArTqV
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u54FZVIaM
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ1Epf1JGM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4JDhg8n1v
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w0Ax4Saso
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"I see."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ncohHLUm
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupALIVqJTx
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"I refuse."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNR7B0AyHM
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"Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehDhbAFBHo
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"WHAT!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1hZNSKJIi
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9tLWCscw
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"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYNwEuFSxP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDML5IMMrtZ
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAL4T4tOjJ
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"...No?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh43pwRguN
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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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16MvO0zj1U
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLJloIZ7zS
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QbzrzGwKz
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIy8UddHJV
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOD5bOG3ya
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKl6DSAKN9
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTT8XphUHz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Co2nGXTx1
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F2FcYmpp0
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"Down here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEGJsdmHWB
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIGkulIOib
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqcaEvTXl7
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNuv0ERHDI
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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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m4y53FQd5
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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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJC9Y9SbtZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKklw7TWJt
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdrc82p4Q2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1knHOI9ot
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPhH5lswDS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKt1orEQjS
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEozTyY0Byg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFqidAxP2P
I shrugged.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuiuK6hn2j
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8fEkkpkaw
"Well alright, go ahead and try."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOyEMdbg9e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTDM1lcieE
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPujNNtZ4Z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjidwlhlgTV
"Am I doing it right?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN895J5JRpa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45zfV2lbRT
"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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7I1PSil38
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFo9mwzyV5
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpasVMRKShV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYnq83xmIT
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDCljOAgPm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqJPt9LJFe
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8cvrr0tpj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN5NRrwg9O
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdstTuOFbJy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcJXRZ0BeM
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFZRy4MFUL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClhpkHA5HL
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0jOt6CArA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6ATvLCmRm
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXY8P0hoRq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg5fSbYlw6
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz6dxbuCGy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ1hIj5Um1
"O-Okay."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL57YOgAEv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmXXXSMYUH
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tl4NM9xnc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH3wDCKqvb
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKc3raOKjL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R2Mzko8Ro
"W-Wait, how do I–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDo6RCdLGQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86iX3KsvXk
"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?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD6uDVRcyO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGnCQtIbIM
"But what if I can't let it out?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqH9EXeE4M
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaVzdT699z
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2qOsnQvDE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETVxnWyeYF
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHR9bFZKn8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05KoLWsmGS
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDBKRTe8UU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeuQJaMnpm
"Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaDYRLfCdK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCYjQPU1Nn
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkWX8tLlYw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDlBs3oHZQ
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1RbOl4DQH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycuAQmRn6q
I messed up, getting all excited.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetTP4Vw6PR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pK868Uk2j
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5qbv4nLd5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4vAEelOgT
I couldn't do it in time.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU2pAFC2JB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z1BFaS9I0
**BOOM**164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdZU55iCHL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W5qV7s45d
The world around me faded.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4b5EQRgP5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOBJ9rIsCq
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBVKRyuQuS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJizuAuVMXa
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?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzSJ9SfXG8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGiAr2aMlN
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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgo7wk3TK1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtmZoQWefw
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mmfv6NfbD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNglflxkm0
"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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli61i0xyBI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2XO83Mdv8
I was in the greenhouse.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc02E1BVum
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcxjAmq44S
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdDiHBVAvU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4zuoKeYF5
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURbvl8oqOy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYGOUK7J9f
Thank God, they were okay.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7BOMcNpGJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpBcsIkp0B
"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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPvOZGn2PI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAFCch4pqh
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94v0A08f80
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyizCeVMhBW
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwUFt3Xdhn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLOrSy8uQx
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs5qmwAM27
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlD385PgvS
"This is... my coat?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCb15EPztw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y3RIgu4de
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDKk8rZKKC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV8suksMSe
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8up8lmlCkJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsukMu2sV0j
I love you. I really do. Thank you.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I45HccD0I
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9sNaMA4KF
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7YOHKmbPu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7JDJpz58G
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjb64SFXFL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXeeHhw8iO
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjVa1YjPVD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO47S4t8pF
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tVH8vdp1l
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB2MHSZz6g
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUNkjhCVHh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz6G8OWVVv
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIFTtDEAAh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeUXsV0xig
"H-Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMT93XOYOB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldesZLPIA8
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN65x6xtwef
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6HAQQvtsH
"T-That's terrible!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCx7IaBAty
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MkBpTUjC4
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseO1fCSYcT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivE30kjNxD
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsY0MlBowa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRihDQBV6t
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".164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZO7sYIVaF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGJYRNxr6t
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaatWu6FH6c
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoqM17us5P
–
–
–
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK1CLNtDgQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr69yZTIi7I
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jSSHShlTR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgQP1uXquh
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJJvpVPu1h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O0znbFvqr
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbvf6J6eMr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuekeR3usT
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?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzsTsevL3V
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqsXuoY4yW
"...Ah!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT9VJYbQPW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDAm7nbANx
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMJl864IdD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzCZnwOKMd
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ao9xPnIOp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaasuEgLncx
"...Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz2cdxu75q
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyhLk1AOLZ
She meekly turned her head to me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wDfG4Tegc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWA2mIDOkc
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO2XZUtRxV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFseJB0OiyK
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvnNFGdQFz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrIndUgiuo
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfEyuA5sd9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKo3WHVNyT
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS6ksRUrHa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO224aCkye1
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTojeWHWaTX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE7WUz0xM0
"Okay, let's go then!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqO402DT4W
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr20uQN0ta
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd5bHkFM7Y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PW5qMMNBH
"W-Where are we going to go first?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJmMdHgulJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07DthC66Ms
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNMcinYi0u
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLbGlhUvIF
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrD4iCEdl9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNuvKC1sxu
Yeah, let's.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkAVXexxzr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgxxPHQTVB
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIjM5DW0DA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq27bcUnlea
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhOOkLuZ8L
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMHCpVwqCi
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp8h9A7Rmy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHGqMMMTap
"This is the combatant's guild!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46MSx8Am9t
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GxJQzkexc
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88gazX9TRS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIriAhvHkN
"This place needs a renovation."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHN1ATZekh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKgITo5QWL
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dctAGKpzt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sGmk7vcZJ
I shook my head.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf7JOoRUR9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4BoPqTX3Z
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwcxhqmLLU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwO8e3LZiU
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKY59QMqGW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51q3GKiEoZ
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmfUG12m1H
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM2obdvuHP
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqhvgi8vwL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHphvJ3ORW
"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–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwS7BQXOiK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4v3pbc4G1
"Do not even suggest it."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69UN831cDz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEoYA8cba4
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCt1UtxA0e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwMMkNxwlM
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrZjrxvkJk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6tN08LqcL
"...Well alright."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJrDUIxhhP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUC68bHxv3
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD299cwCtU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX2calgo3w
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6S1NasZ6d
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9uGAwNlbX
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZTVaxTfSx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGDkG92Yve
She pouted.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAInRBD9PQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFRrJBVXjS
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11ih8qNaYq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4l6SUJ4d2
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j1OZUqvSb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkQ9JGKKah
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5uVFjOJ2o
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06PvYLN6aR
"Huh? Flinty?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdZXRiqUbV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRY6h7UgKu
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4LjJE8WCW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIABgmJo2wo
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzYAQJ8wCE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZRUyoUIeB
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB3JyeSmDG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5ALMIW7Fy
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n2oCtUpZg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYPXoSThlC
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdefzpKpAYd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO4sALfbIF
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpZjuZt5YO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKMOD3FRt0
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtohUX7QF0p
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rRJdfQbSt
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRbYTH53Gz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjstmrvPp91
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!164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9qqOXgIbS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKdQ22JvoW
"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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE1Ww5pHhN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSbNEOKfAU
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3H12wO4tC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0yu1sX3ad
"Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEXRYP0bp4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpwIfs33gZ
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Y8Ft95xA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuMmjApNcd
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpDSX8yJGi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmT1WUl4AP
"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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeynMqtryC7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nf71uBHGe
"You're right. Wait–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjIJnT6KEi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlJRQIWQXH
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgNMtPjFaE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvk3n58VGn
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee8C9pMrPN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDDuXeLU0C
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy445whwJF8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcYq2oce4f
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnvV0HfUux
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXvf2xzVZu
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr9sopL2da
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvSEnHgn6I
"No. I'm here for another reason."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X28PyuTB4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N3ZXnnQYi
"And what may that be?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxTHGbssVc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ez0AZJx2x
"None of your business."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hhPwIXt3e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm4PupmcD2
"O-Okay..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyhlZH6QfT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0RXAEhLf3
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjluSwIvo5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHbh2Njqw1
"She is super shady."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzPy6eXlVO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6GSqlTE7l
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKoTkUqJek
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl2CQApg2A
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R2h5CIqOn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ySCVDGbm
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0cZCmndqi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVWsu5ccJu
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZuX9LW88f
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsMqR1GEya
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnCLWb6us5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUDO0F9w75
"T-Then let's get his attention!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksOwDfEg1y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWPj5gIKdp
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z8qizNz1J
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kOuNJK05S
"Let me handle this."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY5iIy0aJi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mNGTMhLm5
"W-What, why?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe869Dz5YHG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DbahevZNM
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4OA9jZLts
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvYG7gHCN2
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZQ84Ns3d
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HLQ3Qlsb3
"S-Sorry, Kenny."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrXxQe0G15
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUujUb8dAI
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBKYYNRFNv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49yCHB2xHn
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTDWpo6iSO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC3m8kpNiv
"Hey, you guys!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz0UyR9hBX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dL6OzYhp0
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBNeUoGBZL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK2pg2rxKC
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aow1SKbJN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEOwFR5wHH
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3ORBozpXr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqimyoiSBjC
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr59rWEYQ0a
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVLqOhIdTL
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T4xTE10Cv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4JwCvyirD
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrzbYby61Q
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdwEUp403Y
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzNirCqGAh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCZrtM2aJP
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGrH6YTyur
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW336DjcmH7
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmwlYIUDpp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoW0BtAF1m
"Here's your bill, miss."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZZlLWS9NO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YStcgN7bN
"...I..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb94A20BooO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopIeZw487A
She was having a difficult time speaking.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTocbrsWie
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMjapDwmod
"I forgot to bring money."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A88SyNvPA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfzhIrPgu9
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8chrmuTYkw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwvj8CAKAx
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wPl7ZT8aY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcFRwOesr3
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYlcyfeumw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CARsCXdIB
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQppbi2ggc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gSA7mSrKO
Ha. What a moron.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s1DSjGXkw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvYhArl0dB
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7kY9KziVf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySinjtLoSa
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrHgSfFgm5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ufKyNv5Lo
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuCRbACCwx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjJfuaU0ds
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sYwhqpy1P
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIU3G2Bl3y
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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAaxiO65Uy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jSRoDvvOB
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAfSG5ELPi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRy6eThfP1
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKkfbO708M
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMASg0ejtX
"Hey, cloaked woman."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqcYZjHu6u
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE8yXEREAc
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFZMjAKN1J
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq37Jdxwvlp
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpyNo0syD5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0cKofEGyY
"Yes, of course. Thank you."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut0qOIYfq6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DTLkpqbEK
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjfNanAgVn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX5XHJratn
"Alright Flinty, let's go."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLTyXNGNcr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NrKPv1qLV
"Yes!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJC6NpikCe
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgPOwefxPz
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mRrWw0P2M
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX1nxyKLZX
"What?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtLm50A5bg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoGxkISLKB
"Kenny, you're awesome."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOCS4ODsl5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6KKKT5Tjx
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ArABPdlA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZtWP0nZNB
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ886l60xU14
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mvrRByKKF
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDucmgnFtOv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4boNqqDj8
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZjt1MQHXV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv7NS9xmcs
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Qq2xy5JT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIoBHmJItC
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lQFIgP08Z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM5NNKuZVI
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DjvVOFmww
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhMhVHS1B0
"...Is something wrong?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyv0OZal96
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PcZXopBLh
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8p2MrZnsv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3hV0PCl7W
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0APQdEjNe0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR84hKnsO8b
"R-Right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ndk64pexL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41icTsvT8p
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
