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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3muhFYYHy
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcObK6N8rcL
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACAcsItWC9
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsc9zhTZT5
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiV2jrWPXt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PLnmrlNvw
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0KnGMK90Y
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjsHoLM9K9
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZtJCEK2n5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gZtNS1ber
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzLSvYACGm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGxi6gl7SO
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHIzD9YFCI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkNLQo4siO
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5SQCjDkji
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ5YHjbx8C
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs774hgdgB
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdcTJfNTAc
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAscxJQOnQ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoh23X51TU
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloH8ShtqYH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGtcMa9K0L
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelbOFJyoK0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux9VzHykP2
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4vW5pzrKu
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAss8TCTFe
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19yTEWkSQO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw4PSMK6AI
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDQ0KKBybO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKnccSNIn6
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00tqTWlaQ6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTjVaOJpFD
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAOGcSsARt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDSoOfvSie
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqaOr38Y2H
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hwN5lLMSp
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMymO1LkDe
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe7rYllopj
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUJTDWQ7up
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6JgkmlrhB
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZenl33r2jo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeEnjyw3IX
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D5GAbRpG7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlelHvkjS0
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDoa1s5BDE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxVfkGhwjK
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAAEfXm0cC
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfeZ45S0a2
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMAdDmwfq1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdAMv268Zj
"What's the matter?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY5sSY1LS8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YEkXFd5QJ
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOITW2kvEh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDVlcwNRIY
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzneS8vUFI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3XOgSTvMN
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o7QlWQ8cI
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnMjgmMVew
"Of course."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jpu2Al2Nn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdRDUC6oSC
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYomDnlNAcJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt478VoAH9O
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgZnb0XuCr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltX5xWfjZx
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuQ2AYaK5n
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oHCEgetvG
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEvLKRiZrt
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHeaNt38Hx
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5zf1N0tlb
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L8yO5JpSh
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ0GR3qCGj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccNtiZn19r
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas8bnj51VV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W08qo4Igx
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SSAaFcTju
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhyhspxkYE
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcNmURnVZg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhEqK0tFYE
"...Probably?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1n7SeK0qW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZz0dBxnq5
"Sorry, definitely."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxFYgyguYi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTTkYtslDb
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYP1cgABUN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml4cJ6NW66
"Food's ready!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AxJAcE3un
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBEZDMwDmu
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE1mnJu2HZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sOg5jBkOt
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKMHIt9Kau
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OKwbjGtNh
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbZWIr6Axn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgaSCkvtbZ
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7e38y3KGy
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8FrzKpUZu
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKQkXOZM5g
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0tewHAxVQ
"Are you asking me?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbZUqcdsFo
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNCJCjIH2Q
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuSUhlU6yK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxel2Y5iehW
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMqy4Sd86w
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDRSwdPwiP
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuKhywmkkj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC5zgmbgIB
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO7bNyA1Sv
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pBgDuUX5Y
It felt heavenly.
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZvh5BQBgE
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTW0Ud8pYd
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku0wuLF30z
"What are you reading?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESRta7mDXl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldAmF5svsE
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqe3DNDRiy
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBm9Z3Kn01
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBfzEzgcOk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB85JNWkYO9
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhB0qfmfct
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCF3G5Nc1H
"...It's a book about magic."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTRbqCb59X
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBkYN1umvB
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1iD2d2ldD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzCEMc1EdL
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLAEvrkvUy
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ7nuOb1CP
"Y-Yeah, of course."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRIVMz2ykj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenUVriaVeD
She didn't sound very excited.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WTcN00nYj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UEsHaGlwS
"Do you want to practice right now?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBfbC2xroF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYuWXGrx7e
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ2fLeV4VM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7kKrh0Wge
"If you say so."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmsDdhCL44
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDxTs4QnXM
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMUXn4PaaA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37h4ukIdM1
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6DMYPXinj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa12voyxMP
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXqbIgvZ3x
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaajBnnGWY
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7VvDOHSQ7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJpXw6jhyQ
"...Did he decline?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUConAgwvMT
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykI8sRtmyP
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZAJe3WNc8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEEiHmAqYE
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm4MNRslA6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5emS7NjKPb
She paused and stared at the sheets.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kq3HwdT4y
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0RIjmrnm7
"Today was the first time I made a spell."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq6iNkyc5F
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp915Hru3dR
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oAmf9gSEw
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg5Svk6I4V
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxVhbAAmLE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTbpmunCJW
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQNfJm0YP6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5JMdPDVpP
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpi3B4tPTZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFXfWiQ3qS
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuJjaPN6GF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthwMgbCJtk
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezNwRUEZKc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BQoDGzpIZ
We sat in silence for a few minutes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGZVCMbS0Q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTd0mKauIN
"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."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu6InSqIag
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0VxG6JCOU
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qVEejymwJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi84XsJJZc
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOhJxljRi0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHN3f7m7G3
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRBQwU7DRN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnrah8m6VS
She shook her head no.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOQWd1LBNR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS1XeLQJzG
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtebQjwxzm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom1jyw2rmC
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAPoOQglzZ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbcEunppv2
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52H8darkTx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmavZB259c
I felt like I made a mistake just now.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCJELeHNce
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lS4exl5UD
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8dqs1JgkW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtmublgvH7
"What is it?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYZbbPRPjV
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlrn9Il9mY
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt8QPyO0E5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGiriTeMEi
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4rM0BCi2w
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA3szwtYyc
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhN8hNjafh
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm7Vw0Ux39
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVbgIcfAx3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYAcnTOr7g
"I know I can do that! But, well..."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLMxStedms
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRwuLPimWz
She had her fingertips conjoined.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQW5K7GR0D
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3NBKyDM1a
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu4LEOzRVr
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mnSM6e1oc
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqukKRw8k0
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNwJET2emV
"Alright, I'll show you."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjlTg0y9Gw
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspS7Lm7PNE
"Yay!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ787FoxxODe
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW4RaB2tcK
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZVDSFisyf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQZ7Lv84t8
"I think it's best if we do this outside."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXWFe8d72H
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02RDIDlUa0
"Okay, then let's go!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ndEqUJ4A
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F3GH7JCZ4
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTI5J37tba
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZnM5OpDj1
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VSY1ELe7F
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8BnVz6aiO
"Earth?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPpBuAudqF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9iNg4tgmh
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzwNH4K5cN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU8TKjNRBh
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqegBLZHZ45
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WTXUMjLOb
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8fe0imSk7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmplXWV0twA
"It's really not that impressive."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVKNcTJEIs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwvnjTYZWu
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRwFOgUGMs
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiq8WgfJHf
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwGFWVjOU7
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklAsA84Dl2
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMt3Sv5NxY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEFnj88eZ5
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTqhnJlmrO
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7qv0NEegQ
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISqPZ4Yn5X
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGXorfTmF2
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO2z3inYN2
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyCip3McKp
"How'd you do that!?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaS2rbMuhN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbKDNcwMgR
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjNLwZgSfA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDQ9c3hXRb
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjgMfLC0XA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabA88sFRS1
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTEhp2drnc
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAuuwAiuBe
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo6Wgy67Kf
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWMo0fGEQ3
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD41ngs3gzz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uvLmiqWBp
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI1biB0wCG
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkemtOewlnt
"What's wrong, Flinty?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7CYbtx3F1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPf2K8whqi
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5a8iJdh50
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIloCY56cVG
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9AU0WOBrN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUflWnopKuS
...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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZgruM2Bx3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQsIkxI8FN
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03PrTueFpH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQSzC8rvdi
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbfoUX3siD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy2M4pKphD
Oh.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMvkFr4JlQ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL5gOzQ1K6
Oh.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9eWPZd68S
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev30dEOsIM
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSG2cwpDk5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z9D9sHoC8
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjaL0R1P6R
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxJbEUZJE4
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEYAcVvBuz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2BTYnOrGX
As for me?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfFupnIHi3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4yAthkd6v
Well...219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpbYL1ak5S
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nN0FLwKHc
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1sKVEYBzD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qwuEGlf4S
**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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIz9BEV6KS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsNT5lSauj
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7GjgH8kjR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhRgO6kvhj
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRg22EVmcY
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5KlrRMQnv
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybfUqA2nK
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7luSg4YE4L
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFA3RG4nZu
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohYbzrnKRm
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu4u9KgsyE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrmdb1ir0e
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjrQyf3mDW
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfMZhJoP3L
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSICYvdfNuH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf33k3thDGh
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3RtOxwiOT
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda4j7dEG53
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhRk23lU0n
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulKlnQgjg2
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMdnBPzdla
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa2r0Wn2VH
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIrMDZvnUN
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHt8N1MxXF
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeSBPQkRxm
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAoem4r1yg
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2keyDJCl3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF1MweWK7Q
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgaGFSFhXL
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k9mo6Gm7p
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtYS8Ew7d8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8WTsWBwkg
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lHrU4NDy5
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESsghYmGq4
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP5JnuCRPF
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN38Y69fqjm
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sZVf07wXS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6pjTG79GW
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BWEXr5F4q
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB5EYsO2RI
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk9dJfbMjl
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PUSOG0S8v
"Of course. What is it?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VSZTXJfWg
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBOPjj4cnT
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnGcFtbU2w
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mf0gl1kUB
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ192BIBZCy6
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs1UQ7xL9R
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuNTRWA36M
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbo9uEQv9V
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3oNUHeBeS
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WqgGRCCYA
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG2PD4JfLk
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeOiW6tAaV
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O4vaABqX3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLLd0uJV2D
We all looked at her.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaVzrVyedx
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC8Rwe0MQM
"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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP9lKTzpAz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX64SfutnM
"Kenny."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfEdMiOVYR
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiMcrazKzy
"Yes?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fSxKaO1TD
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8uVqSYySM
"I'm sorry I freaked out."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRpkySUKTA
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK514Lodqyi
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnXq7RLzME
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDEP5K5VD6
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5BX2jYpeM
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDRgPGPq0d
"Okay. Kenny?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkBRdYItLn
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxFDdnOCKj
"Yes?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yHwMHlJpi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4zUdZuVj4
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RINtNiVCi
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4wLcxLlQt
"Huh?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0tdWJnPUE
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZxdlUNfEj
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7sRYVpnO3
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXXlKEXY6R
"Why do you want to go?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dgseh2WD1
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jBmVcULlb
"I... think I need to."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhBc13fRBj
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6WAbRKIW9
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpUaqz3M1V
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRomWPBGlRB
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrqTmpVtDH
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwBZ3eLNmz
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjyW4WLzQz
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPbyHChItk
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuzeQVAeiJ
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlATp7Lqrp
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.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MQkH57kN8
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsluHW7mAOe
My heart sank.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTfhfHQN5p
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnOiBY5f1G
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
