The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz7AqLdGhz
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP8QfWnZtN
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJepfQYzYGW
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYvEYDQKg5
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MKYPrOAzk
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVIzcAX005
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G7ZqdUvn2
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP8CqXTe7x
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxZoKNMimU
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg9BLyY4Dz
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHipSuSjrA3
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFloTSsXFB0
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhynRQwGRex
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZbzxqCMDz
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM6MBwbCuU
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmcb7JcA8Y
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZhg2BG1Fj
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfQCtuEpBt
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpl1dd7llB
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYEk6ZuOQC
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpnI3tGWtV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvazDguueP
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqQRws7nh8
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGQldSbYxG
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEQj6v6gRt
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdx77cNe9W
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDslYnipX0
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIuablzGiu
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupOoei0A3V
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcEeMwKDf5
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25jMPw407A
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4GPNicpqI
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaP2Bkd6Q3
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtYe9BAPcI
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6S1u6YLFI
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtg0Rfn0Xy
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OCQqvBi4j
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVDBO9lCeb
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1d8e5YXepn
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkzpiuLjOA
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ491b0qO4xd
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwbwjY2SZk
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIqtfim676
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFNSSsrb6M
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o5QNFIDqc
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSrqrAEhD5
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aWQenP2b3
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjMzXxqFZp
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Oumz9spf
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR7VPM1Pnq
"What's the matter?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVJoNIzX6G
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86GA2EYM4K
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx5jdONhiV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H0dtPAUGS
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXAVkEQnQy
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYZiYb2lUa
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVba1bs04rb
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeywOD1gHne
"Of course."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Deru0rEp
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoO9nHi9T5
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ngZDH5zP
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1OUuuEliA
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThh6xwWQc6
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL9Pukeu4s
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHhubAEnF7
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOKaLnsSvc
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGXUIB8RnR
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAN7KsP9cZ
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzGSmOScO9
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43oPAkdZvU
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpudHvZ8Bb6
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbLJ9KqjqT
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiQeEvrDqC
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6pFRGFHOv
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNzzktVIua
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18ErwiQK5r
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMmeTnjoOx
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2sRzIKb9x
"...Probably?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o4rmUVQdD
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNFIDSqBki
"Sorry, definitely."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17eWsfYhTP
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6fuvsE1BO
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBksFfYEAWF
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuJJB5yp6X
"Food's ready!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtDEr0qaQN
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4puqvpwz9
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eIoiXsyPK
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZlVfWe7f7
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW8mkxVhfd
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i7oKfiFdX
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw9hejgUSV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R32Bj7uBr
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy4yH4wsLw
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwUgS3djU3
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxHtUhkwTl
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYWKlFh7zZ
"Are you asking me?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMogPBu78iA
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGQgUhzbi0
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfs4W5NnZO
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXnIHSTnr8
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK9UEqFbCO
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqyCxYy31g
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreSo6AVUF9
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP14VCnseO4
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4rnFVX3cx
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoOftLaeX0
It felt heavenly.
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz074dNdnpS
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL52UxkH1j
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zld3qF9w0
"What are you reading?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxhG42tJHO
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWbRpqmV2n
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzPTzXpRpo
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WyUkCNmYl
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKG1YgiqJK
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGJkbD5vvd
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSDoZuD2x1
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJv5y25ncq
"...It's a book about magic."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsA6i2AKRd
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xxh18a0Vp
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROyJlMXqYZ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nyQFMMqwS
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw0gmC7k2W
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tUvKNTHH6
"Y-Yeah, of course."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtMvu87l9z
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlifO3yrEem
She didn't sound very excited.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKEQY7F3e5
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tw20f5gdN
"Do you want to practice right now?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXHkYbGP3g
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXraDrv2X2
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt5iI2eiKo
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkGjBkd5dN
"If you say so."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj3n8ubyTc
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8V8DpChpb
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdQR99865j
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBiFThNWfL
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM4WB02Ohe
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W4rtphgkd
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvwXvVC909
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HFnaptHvQ
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkbPW6O78J
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRtegKKGhJ
"...Did he decline?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkeay3QR4q
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3aEoDc0Q1
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzCn4cYxKu
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGCenjoHHX
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VZ7MPzIXz
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbaYAAukx9
She paused and stared at the sheets.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIGbf34CtO
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBLP6Oo9Bz
"Today was the first time I made a spell."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsaJBxSaQB
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiPTuGEwhn
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kJff4pcln
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWF0OBGBSQ
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpEp5SjCyl
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoHGY6HWvL
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTksIBLpXda
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4b0hwoFFv
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtcdLPvQde
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztusxZz0je
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIiwtQtQky
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8EgMgxegi
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWBOOso3mv
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZGvBnfBI4
We sat in silence for a few minutes.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUBXpWwqb0
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOJqgLZAvH
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0puX19aJsV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YD10n3xmW
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmGVH4NdL0
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhvS7lD7Af
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa3BfG5JXA
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2dzX7OAZt
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NaUo8gMDA
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpHDbjN23B
She shook her head no.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuIuIGquk4
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxfBbokfGj
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUfASav5ln
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLfTmvRZhp
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEl6M5TWYi
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw54PU3soP
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b9QsvJZxq
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qJwzSI8I3
I felt like I made a mistake just now.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMBU2idcnJ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf0ephFecq
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ730TvbEuan
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xco1stwYL
"What is it?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74AOkeLsYE
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFLPxLrubJ
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qqDSrFSzo
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEc1MXlkKk
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVQPRcghTe
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5cbLr3vap
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5E21Tco0B
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmRPwdmHH
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o9iSne6Ti
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9r9Bg1eao
"I know I can do that! But, well..."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETd3wBED4n
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU4Js8Xe0o
She had her fingertips conjoined.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosj8NmPRTS
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGu7RAo3Kn
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vDuaT5UC8
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7nWFw1x18
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGYapmHro4
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5DegMiCOD
"Alright, I'll show you."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPewSjxB04
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhArfPgvvuO
"Yay!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju8dtf4qcZ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rvyda4VOh
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5eyQqG0aI
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SBYMP08pv
"I think it's best if we do this outside."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORLMWEWTrR
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvWzzoN8yx
"Okay, then let's go!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvow0GYGcV
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmlBBVnCaT
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLdD3dPB4r
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMes0FnyRh
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBEATMYE1c
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhBoXaUs4r
"Earth?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHt5BwIkvI
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"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThVzoN0mlu
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Ypzd6iMb
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6lJmi3UY7
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Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCGTY7jyIw
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"It's really not that impressive."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPyzsnaPxD
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"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hjKHyptwa
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjO3CXyehu
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34jtwAY055
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Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnwl7obaSK
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbuzFyfx7D
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"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmeX0RqLYB
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFhDMh5cl9
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag3z5BzCMB
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"How'd you do that!?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByJdWnasdw
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasE6tWHhSy
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxrfkl4KxL
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L7fzT0cBw
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qiWtWluzq
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"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZBGkKgnbs
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"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFkdMRyQr9
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcQKFZmr8g
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hXi1tPrJk
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But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EWaRYAidu
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"What's wrong, Flinty?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF3ieH2b18
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She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xtza24y96
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxWZcIXSFP
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl6wpz4vHg
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZfBdI4bMn
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEFnsLW8d5
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1kI8cFU9s
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlgadOijs4
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQULHiz6t5
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQVfVp6QvF
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Oh.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNL5Jppjdr
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Oh.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1Ep9LvAPt
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The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uYBbiZwZG
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The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RZ59RQPMc
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YYbGJ047W
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRor5lqxeOH
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As for me?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz7LnGBFus
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Well...154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEgQ3SBzkN
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"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKnPApQAIP
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**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEgYy8ePTi
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8r1e13HvW
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"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjm9CkyRDz
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That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEjaa3wO7K
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"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFSz0Gq14l
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I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThK8Y3hxMB
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq7gAqXFLQ
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQYHPh9soV
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk1LrtvB4p
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"Ow! Gah, sorry!"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4j3lnuRNk
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I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40reoxJsXN
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq2NkLJh1J
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC6HwL11g2
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I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHj1wzOYKB
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"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb1N8i86s3
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E3tUJfTE5
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYYBthi8co
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRop6h2FLcx
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uJdRDaDAJ
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"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR9LJlMqvS
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSVcVx9CFA
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sZFD9bjPj
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GDLrusKly
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J4uleGjs2
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"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7CR3NF2UV
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I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfAJ3vVsly
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41dlqUV5j3
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBb8tcrSA1
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"Of course. What is it?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XRk3yzpDn
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgm5EAeqPI
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"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIj4BXpV39
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ900xKIHVhC
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqed9uJEY1
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When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHP3XSPcSQ
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOrHc2Hc1g
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"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmYEWOLuJU
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54llwRQEga
We all looked at her.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhkYCWQzu3
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"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOGrvgBNfW
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3MIlafsX6
"Kenny."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisV6kkjMCz
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"Yes?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRUIRJYMQv
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"I'm sorry I freaked out."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFYGn2v6TJ
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I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloxBlBfpXi
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"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNhPQrUTKv
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"Okay. Kenny?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IuSpgWPf5
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"Yes?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56ckUjoUfZ
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"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzcQeIHC2r
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"Huh?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPE9Lo8Uwj
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I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bCDzzPIfo
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5YN1YV4F7
"Why do you want to go?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLN5173MDP
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"I... think I need to."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwopBEqbsxZ
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I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYU6PBOmld
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"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9A0ClEFqm
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfr0Arqh48
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pS8cpz9Hr
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"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw4zu4GqV5
154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYFtuu20AE
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi68N97fGwm
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My heart sank.154Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dZi0u1SR3
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There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
