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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNhmSzIJwA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97HqrOP5rp
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7sqUtQUWK
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva8v6vcgAT
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39RxMI5t3z
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnkfVRZBKU
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sbqun687Q
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU53ioKNll
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48hnZVdCwO
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoHimO9jsr
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh75pTHg1t5
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopOYZCc5wN
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV4iyUuQu3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7izxhiG8H2
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5DTDvtb9f
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc5Vbgmx49
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmNZVoA7ET
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkotlBn9JM7
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTiePmXDWY
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGbbKeGGeh
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzPGyT4IAE
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchOi3hoGDi
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsgao4XUZR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf17kOPsIJO
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z6DNDgxjG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLnoiW4jHU
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoFOJPBcrr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeKja9p7bJ
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgdMXx72P7
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4PUXi0E9E
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNYDREZB3q
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelqMMoHZYD
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp15TuBPyER
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gZgJHdwc7
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCybFPqdcp
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF2hZSSBn9
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklU4I0HX2H
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzCyQ54u3k
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCclPhIOibL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKNvzpn9mm
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpopvSIHTT8
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwf5qdvGUv
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqeEDNTlCj
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEZMTVNFQt
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm4heYsljm
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVTBRpkXf9
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CcxLL962e
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QqwGAyh82
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWy2X8DYIy
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQB48sg0l4
"What's the matter?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17WJo7sCUA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ju0hlU8r
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKoUelao5K
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0tO2KVrxe
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERO0s6R3Vr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9euK22jKrA
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcCu22U01x
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGPnAzgwlB
"Of course."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qgEsTRo15
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oKPz3dw0h
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWd0GRtGSL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7haH0cpeQf
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2C35Rz60S
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCGa0fmWrn
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gGegNZQHb
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyo7DmXrJq
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2kieUkdUk
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mQr8B7OKy
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JIcOg3a6w
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6H3AOlSpw
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSibCOZ4QEi
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mnQ8IFpx0
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu43FYWy76E
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjofhVfDOa
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLmBILK8ca
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92onTmalmR
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjweeSDyXEM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJnwucAZND
"...Probably?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3b2QS54gV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBefXHMJlIR
"Sorry, definitely."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9SoWN8JaH
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVNu7wGjcZ
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgiALXSJc0
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGgYV4sRNB
"Food's ready!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBlN5GcGAV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX29FpfI3I
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPkoRHFTcd
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda4Sqs6Jx0
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3aWs60APe
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGmSCmLU08
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wsylKVvsA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1AkD1BNcB
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lzZjq0sFH
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeuN5ATeAP
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qSEvm3M0t
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G9Z5T6zgR
"Are you asking me?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgEHQhLVQa
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFvND9B90S
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTGzgmd6do
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMivwHYH7r
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAbu41k3ks
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH8qnTkucD
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6XwlVqumF
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM5BIPADvy
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ2ZMa2LgG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyUt1DNIJf
It felt heavenly.
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEvTfqp53e
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QGGFJLiW9
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn6fTeAyUC
"What are you reading?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAjreBh7TF
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOPAyIFcwI
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvsV2KwC8B
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9NNLdhgT7
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx73FmP3T8x
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rdy37W7Hh
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqRqdlAzIe
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nh8T7q8ej
"...It's a book about magic."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a3GDH52rn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg7YgWfgDw
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bhmHzRMCH
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLidnFtzGL
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodJKRqJBgR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOUHIVMQ6S
"Y-Yeah, of course."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedlFLMnRvD
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcKsWhuuwE
She didn't sound very excited.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhwllFIAXX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxECdACX4Qp
"Do you want to practice right now?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXxC7gEcvx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sCmYqt5JU
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMDYZF21Ne
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF0iwrt1iV
"If you say so."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw43u8oeuKt
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU0nDy3Gdm
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPnFdeuaQ0
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqfirpdKfS
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDudWUO4sA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0IwU58OV2
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzyiGxHFU2
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Immvlp0XW
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFqDc5BgAP
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86TwkD7VDe
"...Did he decline?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYulbCOfPC
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq1slQAE9w
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlZTKVU9xL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xtANzy9T7
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAqKyKFaSF
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeUfxblb9A
She paused and stared at the sheets.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLZAfHKF8i
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMSttlVnOk
"Today was the first time I made a spell."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pX5XbVOMB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrchPd2x6sV
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY0CcE596J
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIBlutmha7
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9qlC09jOf
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LZ3my62Vz
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbDQ91y0GB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwKoN4afnM
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cxCEkh7cd
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoCbBZ4AeV
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkynTwjJ7Ge
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MChGx2NcH
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrShwRMioM6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcFTDw5kXc
We sat in silence for a few minutes.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZXb00Szn6
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0LZnEBKLD
"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."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUB0qaP3Jo
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUef7elSdPw
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJK60sUxNx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKZsM0JIiv
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEYRVlqUBv
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJryBtF1lG
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa0YxgLREw
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29tOac1QoI
She shook her head no.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTzyLoVj0o
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmciyB5fIwg
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHFjbymFCL
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcVgzZQWre
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNCVFJnqKx
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ox6KWkZYc
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K4tU6Odkz
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3Wdss4gCY
I felt like I made a mistake just now.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnQHrIsAU4
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhdx1eSZ41
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHA1LLbD4Y
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLQdLtwAs7
"What is it?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OuqQcQv9b
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgo6ifKrtj
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4BNRquK9K
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CNXrHKBWw
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghXKxiPaVT
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH9bAWWRUu
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSgTrwWutJ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTU5WMFh4u
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqNI0vELdt
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuTYdVmnRE
"I know I can do that! But, well..."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8qzrvvQHK
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1GogJgUAC
She had her fingertips conjoined.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6We4WIgr59
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR173V4asAr
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV0tClPTSs
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVGArPLLgk
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNmdivMU8n
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiqezBAhUn
"Alright, I'll show you."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLPVGNKf3X
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygn6sYMxTS
"Yay!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSVXomWohG
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqSH1OY1hd
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPANkUgnuDu
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7oBF3CIEl
"I think it's best if we do this outside."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu3bWYUTLV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcN1Q9Qaso
"Okay, then let's go!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlcYJ0UMUU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjkAXPL1E3
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDa2GXjykf
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3okz9Sy7M3
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Qnt0tF67
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd868N5h7o
"Earth?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2RflMAKsj
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFszJ6JzBbL
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoueVaaOi8
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlORrdPyoRX
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1DX2YTNC1
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESS8arQhj3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfq5cCGqRI
"It's really not that impressive."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoERhAHPPBJ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohANkAOtzv
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTWOQ3FStB
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXYZmnU4Hm
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpvIpZ8EU8
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1XLxOX6jO
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE0sxPOwmm
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"W-Woah, it's a ball now."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjkOmTllJX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZrTnM4T1h
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tS0hU1daj
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbmTzGVJHX
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aMrUYBnIP
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe4TXXSKz4
"How'd you do that!?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYFxmPaf97
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovPGg6oOSw
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6rRdPxzPM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tteed84Mz
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQlFRmpBtX
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZBoOsOybq
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjWlVqTTcy
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZltHQKIto
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG1LyyRy2R
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQm1ZTFvrw
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXPAKXc1Vv
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKJX4hgyge
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHLckECrVV
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m99Ap4boE
"What's wrong, Flinty?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2U8MfGPIu
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyOMl7uCfB
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjV85D2LLM
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMWQCK4Uux
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5TS6QrXXD
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHd7FGGeiR
...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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEPg0Ob0I4
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7P2aiwf23
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOxFpssIHl
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8iow4FIlR
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXdd2QaqOd
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvMOmA6Yvd
Oh.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFWm8QAa4J
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSYRTLtcJU
Oh.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c4fTHOhK1
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBkGgpw0au
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CgzYzBp3c
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Mk814vSf
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAIO3q4od3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyf4HZflrU
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdjx81RxBF
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR20xlRn0G
As for me?178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1e5JMrYxu
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Well...178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbXOLoT4qw
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6pmmvrIHZ
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3bwrXXDid
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeasNU9f5L
**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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdauDbcudp
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Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgFXcCtbC2
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJEK417UzY
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvlaDrA4px
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6dfoKbGO0
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK7sQR54ut
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHQDMpVMzj
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMVHYHuUXR
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfQtnp3a0X
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSet7RVYCMU
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–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsMbckUwUy
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKegejmc5qs
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv0ZjOJfEA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWqCDccz9J
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRTPZjEMPA
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXTPyqNVSP
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdKRMgZ0od
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF2bwQM8yV
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAskyD3uag
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIppKbqp0v
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJoaIL9Vsr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIpVQPiqDF
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbCDNRWF0p
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQb1Fsf4Mg
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakV7ErH5Id
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYD2HxvSXX
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmHPapGtiJ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeG7bPrTjv
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXrGyMYZ15
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydasikbI2N
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ790dtMDOli
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacFEyD9Pjf
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OGJ5lLNeZ
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPFEcrNrb7
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuVi6jL0JH
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6bFEF26jw
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34y5dXuauU
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpcJ2VR0F
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwskHBLDs0X
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORrqHKvWl8
"Of course. What is it?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrMm9FH65H
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"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkYwqTd3ze
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOVgTwnACk
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6LOp0gmIz
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rBsxkuXRO
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrPcnu1QZT
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERLeMjj1Yt
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSJ7E8kAEX
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"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zKhfexg6v
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGirkTs5nwO
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppaDD5elmS
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU51Lm8sAK4
We all looked at her.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSh5J2MjyH
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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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7OleyIfDi
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Dtzf8594
"Kenny."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKfFKkcre2
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9teZDAfIU3
"Yes?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyCIfJ69cv
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmdF7b886u
"I'm sorry I freaked out."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAZECwD3wn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxnB4LhJ7n
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAYVwV6Qia
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnlNzUMUbR
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oQqLZIcJ8
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"Okay. Kenny?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKvmwi3gx3
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvG3hyylji
"Yes?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0OWoAMUT8
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyBVKTOhKX
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE7hMvx9Kw
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bBC0jUKr4
"Huh?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Yg4PF8Cr
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wlHDIZ8jC
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FDFwLU4Bh
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4kVwURsK3
"Why do you want to go?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CSUEktI7c
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXuwO7uXH4
"I... think I need to."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvY8p1fizq
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllLb5o5VgW
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIJZkdC4OH
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOcSgPuDq6
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV0jWzsAok
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6i8guAMSS
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjVrC4mJVF
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL0Lx11Igs
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXcL3Kvr1c
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pE4aW44ce
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.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMTrpuoqvn
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVdsRvTzHH
My heart sank.178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspqw5qWth4
178Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TaDiwWIZN
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
