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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxBdJh37ua
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiHo3i524A
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jySBxrhhb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLuJw6fab5
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrcHSF2laI
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nT3nx5xIw
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqOAx2Mdp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8KGJXHIlb
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRWxBTXeFT
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMRu2wuhIA
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM4EyHiY9b
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyEqHiN1gF
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfo1pE1gx1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7g456lsIM
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau7mNh3jPy
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMrAsB8OxT
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6YwJsjWI5
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRE7SzXw9D
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7Sa8TWu2D
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYScU6Gah4
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWPvh4IzQH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfMWCInSRg
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCRMEmak7P
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yxOp3RkT1
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoRddoDaaU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ875usDmBx3
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzik9UKWaM
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Po7qAcAPV
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CYo7Hcee6
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtCCLlQUCm
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPKcj6MUZE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqagDxCJj4
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDJ5wLS0Gt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO5ljog7WS
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ulnlPvgjt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf5kfwaE3n
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNwyhHGNz7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lab9sGh1c
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlcQMdgM1N
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPeZ0ZCYiE
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsdonzJI5M
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpZUM5jpWj
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMeTE6iCmo
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4xsx1Sxbm
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyviJu0AVcQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqUCCkdxYs
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AlNtkecJs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXHLAYwLcA
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjm6fH11t9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSjta3c98k
"What's the matter?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHciqnfFVb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CJ52sjq9V
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonMmWS71PY
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gSNUFKB5B
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKewMTRgQr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUD1AvXrUO
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6A8GoySM0
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpHHdDkuZG
"Of course."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFQJbIuIEh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwHe5SBXws
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwqzr7hLSC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgowX0ecFy
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCUUZ7PGIL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlBmrHiIlz
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwRlth5njF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEXFMDHPKv
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSfcttSCXf
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60ngrEiEx8
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT7InOqIWt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C8tdSKlTc
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRcaxifMZR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqHuc9Vy0V
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ195iSBLHZp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46RPrKUZ48
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSthpNgFnhb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dsr54Fiby
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbWgErkNWG
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon0LXtjjk1
"...Probably?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF4Av4poWM
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05fZ69uXNn
"Sorry, definitely."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2GY23OtT8
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRcFHBiSBE
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq95zilcfBb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5KFuV0yAN
"Food's ready!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqDIK86u8i
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH2VWncl31
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGmLdOOKDo
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13X15xIFAd
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYjYdeE3eO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEt8h0BYVa
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9nRTjZ7oF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZVjoHeJ6H
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnJBPEtwYL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60scqsjwiY
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yf1xQDPJH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0cpnVfyHK
"Are you asking me?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX3VGRAAOV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVV9rQ4x5r
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeM8yWALeG
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOU5ojmBHJ
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyrfFpjKZk
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtNzXVEAWM
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZaCYsKAjD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4Jfv2FQs
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA14NkRGAQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cBTcQCeIo
It felt heavenly.
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGuAvchPVb
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaGgEsgI9o
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kcM4TQmCk
"What are you reading?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mrjRt0NlV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvikXwuVec1
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bzwLAjzCa
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNmqpKHsgw
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdT25acijk
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Q2bKFCXn
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLz3WlJfsy
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwalGeKwpU
"...It's a book about magic."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrnbYRhcHF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvUEcAMJrZ
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabb0rCPrKF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nEQRGgKoq
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEeS9KxqOn
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVNk8WSO5O
"Y-Yeah, of course."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXYUJZ9YuU
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy7JFdNDkN
She didn't sound very excited.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVm4cOIgxv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbPcGdrl2X
"Do you want to practice right now?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WuHuNBgzO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtipcD3r2V
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7iQr4zLFb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9yHqdmuoK
"If you say so."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2H5kL5Ztb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYU9e2a5xG
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuWz8XgRFT
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltIQqqC5a1
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FvFxKDOlg
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsjWy75N3N
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjwLhHQE7N
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHIcOoRfys
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV1tUNjwvQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFZyxH7SXw
"...Did he decline?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTcNkDiz25
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOH0rM8zTl
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnatoaghpUW
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQMaLD9Mx3
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFHMLEYGHo
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCZtiW9AG8
She paused and stared at the sheets.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBBhLhPqJG
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rafdqQYUH
"Today was the first time I made a spell."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvu3fqBSGj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y3U9USVRC
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyG3z0OEXc
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZekRKkFry
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gk2cfu97M
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPrp49pp9O
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHcxZflKfp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MwRIFQROg
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnJ988Nptf
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdFR7HA1PY
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKTrB4EWR8
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTYLw9fGpg
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTlXLVaR3Q
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjjIBvnSLT
We sat in silence for a few minutes.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEfchKkWgQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WYP9TUtsc
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5daUsZLua
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISzeyXxgzn
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Kr2vY8vz
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdOe9LVk9u
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlSLN1jOvh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzLR0MLWMs
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84tVde7WEN
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xICzzoORP
She shook her head no.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL0fFLyWvi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiun5a3cPKg
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ9X44pcUh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanhXoYSaTI
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCw3HGuGix
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR7WuypZbs
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN1vUKNSIS
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8TxLKTtAL
I felt like I made a mistake just now.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlWGq0gdhb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVJ4DPlSRK
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10cAkUH8qw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0ifbbxCaN
"What is it?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uIkbhvNuf
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxy2rQ8hPt
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp25OoRsuuF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp73EheM2qy
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj6i6pAhfe
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHV01SEIsP
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ojk3ilPxO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCOWUyQQq5
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJWyRE8gdo
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgVlZz7xCZ
"I know I can do that! But, well..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk42sVv1Ku
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNbkqe3PBA
She had her fingertips conjoined.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsKxiIISHp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPkYxbDnm1
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE6xt8RKei
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDTNRLrQQD
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOvcLXzXFr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxPY6ZcwtW
"Alright, I'll show you."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KuUCXKj2F
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec6QGqqWMv
"Yay!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJcyphJh4O
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMZNnc487V
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Tr3ClRba
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL5dNg21NV
"I think it's best if we do this outside."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspycGAyYqh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuSPgf6cEJ
"Okay, then let's go!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAbm8hBaZc
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU8m9gHZob
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4kdXI6Hke
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpj7pL8LRI
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAouiovWDH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uULLFd6YT
"Earth?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2inTzqGhdw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gNLsgAofL
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIALwQ6OUY
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpoZWDsLkM
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbjKCsqTVt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHBakrxJzY
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrc5CDSJKi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZmRuMKQ1B
"It's really not that impressive."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pHQOjg8RH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce6L0O3DUg
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC22Sf3atH
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s7RLakkJP
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuGmEJv5Io
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThfSGeumna
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MzXTCMhhZ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlrc2dIH8a
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSpG9XhaVP
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPSjKzb3UI
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNWQ5IEvHd
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzaPfQ2U5H
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevDKDy1BAD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8TSokxsPs
"How'd you do that!?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRAeYH6F8g
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWOapD1Q8z
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j4XXzoBGY
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhITlGtr6e
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeNFCedvBN
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIodVu0DWpZ
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWJDjIkXYd
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNZa5zY9fJ
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOKmugm7Sx
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ511uqipTJl
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6HXdx2lf6
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZVF79mCbd
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPaoGxLCDT
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdu9BtUjfj
"What's wrong, Flinty?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNXuZRI0XL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyJqtvzO9a
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcRUqpGgo5
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5mVMSpZtN
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt0wh9g8nd
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElhJTbm3vv
...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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeyTtXsAIj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9tZFi16eE
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhqL8GwHAX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzst8hYain
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRLw7GFb1m
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwOvUmG2lX
Oh.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKsNqBRuz4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gd5Y0IoxW
Oh.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa09AgrwPv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCjyGSQ9X0
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5DNZINVyL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF2R7PZIVg
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWqH1skKCw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gts5G48sb
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetQ3BkfEBR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lvYLSm7Zu
As for me?132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EIxJJBlHE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hwanQdf9Q
Well...132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWtmJthko1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdWlZbvUA4
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZPWd2FHQz
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGf1Z2V6pI
**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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5wLqRaPu4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx3rrkSBO0
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp7MeNdpVV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcGrmtfJQf
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEYfd3r1R6
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu7NKboz7f
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pEl6t20tO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEsWeV4mGK
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyPQh0Uddi
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJztCz37C6
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjgw7EmXJ3
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4cdfbXvU0
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrm1niQLfh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F4PFysmet
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq7ZEpBl9C
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf91aWXJdb
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aiKtw4yXb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHigwPOGkGd
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVd2GtqV6W
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVQWEhUsG4
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs6ok3tRS4
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhARdZo0YF
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkLU7DWi6w
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJxye8GnTj
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA9xMSQpeG
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5brrpy762
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v9UaER6x7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkV0XrYa95
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqLJ2XjHke
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1MGxjqLHr
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1fx1rp9he
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNzHwBsTJV
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnosQdi6Pb1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sqi6J8llz
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhicRjYMvHv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUQpdpCaMp
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xsilgFgKM
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ008JJUaLcP
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6glVC15SFk
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXiWUEuYjA
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR0xx9bh0I
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"Of course. What is it?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1vh4IvMpl
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb1kwQzKJL
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbn3W8HuSE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd5gQCfyM1
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON6pyTRB5v
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEuCC4jmXJ
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rly9S6rSa
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUDFihxcF6
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWYoZadyWI
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡustQd3Ec5R
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXm9RdF7J1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NRq73ig4P
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvBaKViSLA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoxvvfeMS5
We all looked at her.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9nLPCAkvr
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt6Ik8udfO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPngA0li204
"Kenny."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBIHGp7AwO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrmaC4BHRS
"Yes?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8hqXaV1vO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D5ggtDkpw
"I'm sorry I freaked out."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAJMifs624
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDBvQN4BIE
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEOVYpAe7V
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOoYOjWeiN
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2TQJptroG
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD1dTp4aFp
"Okay. Kenny?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GLhOQkfes
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlIqZKeOnr
"Yes?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eWDTMVlRa
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NvMJQsbTA
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPGlovwOJb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMujjRYfMp
"Huh?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwiFpfJGUA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZEBY1eCXw
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2T25kAXrR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKbNXfKhDI
"Why do you want to go?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsjqwLHRNr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jGGqt2OAA
"I... think I need to."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTegdq6jfcn
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIHCY3tNWB
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZiCnWgzbP
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbw4P0qTkN
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDdxm52AKL
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3MCVKCBYK
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8VXE1jAe2
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2GnlPc9vg
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AlJLXhCmV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwiI0PJyM0
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxemCDH0PxO
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D0ju6Tnho
My heart sank.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FS5VN3ldg
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D9iIh6gXF
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.
