I couldn't even take comfort in the fact that the woman was surprised to see me, too. Even Flinty wasn't that surprised. But I was standing there agape and looking like a moron. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMwIrErdgL
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS0r7tm80R
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr85hWXvpAo
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm6IoKWYf3
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6t3Xrbbvt
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tOzBkWPni
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllcjszPZ4f
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw0ROrAK6x
"I helped the bartender deal with the rowdy customers after you paid for my drink. By the time I was finished, one of your friends came and asked for help. I couldn't just say no."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtduasXEA5H
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILbO2yAHnk
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3h8tEDD1z
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pxSTimgiT
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWX8caVlFp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtQMlXDWOS
"...Sure."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqfzTFg7Ek
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsII4dvO1bm
She offered a hand. I sighed and reluctantly took it. Well, I guess if she was willing to help when it got so late, she couldn't be a bad person, right?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHHDLgNYmG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK69mJe5O6
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNGv0K4cZq
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHXbnP2Xlt
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1ATBSgbJn
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAgGv2Pe6C
Kim, Flinty, and I all sat at the circular table while Victoria and her mother left. I couldn't get a word to come out of my mouth, but Flinty was happily chatting with Kim. They were talking about the situation at first, then Flinty moved on to talking about how nice her cloak was. I didn't understand at all, how a conversation could steer in that direction so quickly.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8VOjhQX5m
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAJmHL9LES
As I complained, Victoria and Linda came back with a bunch of glasses of milk. It was warm, too, which I appreciated. I gulped it all down and continued sitting in silence as the women talked.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOwpH9HRBj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGytftGXEMt
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQfz37KUIj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC2c3popQ5
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebJtiCClrM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGTxs383sG
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJcQMq4BOJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu4l819oOn
"Wait, what!?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOx5O305Re
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q9Cup3ZSR
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiTdPZA7qA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK4dCe1rCN
"Why not me?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMsItzc6A8
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhkfTDVoiy
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcxpU8DAgX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFQHfJ9ghQ
I wasn't going to mention how I didn't have much experience fighting. I was hung on the implication that Victoria of all people had some.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF4UGeTyQQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZTIYXyTX0
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ozf505ysF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNcgw3XQe8
No, you didn't.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxhMNpDNeM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eEUSquGJM
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG6W831k9Q
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpvf5GNi1o
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZga5HaW562
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxzXFE1mH2
"Huh?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWBOq6caeQ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6tyxqbkmy
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGuLUNBhmA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Av8hxCs8
"Uh... Well, Linda, if you're so sure of mine and Victoria's capabilities, why not let Flinty come along anyway? She might prove to be a valuable asset in other means."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSa2lg0j5a
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQS2UdUXVn
"Mhm!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsbpheArhj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJhSCDIHrE
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrfuQFZFSJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY01ScTlxRk
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfPuhQso6w
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCmLCBtyLp
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajozHsHLIa
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB79sflAcp9
"...Fine."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDdklLzAI0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2FrVqzfk1
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfEDCqrxRg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5193lmyYL
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfPKcHwpvB
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfMEgWQCwX
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKSjeT4wh0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlS2KIUsHY
"Right in this room," Victoria said, "This is where all the guests sleep. I'll make sure to wake you up early, so get to sleep quick!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24YvktUThC
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN0s6URmvM
Kim and Flinty nodded. They stood up and stretched. Flinty left first to wash herself and all that other routine night care. Linda and Victoria left the room. I wanted to ask Victoria if she had combat experience before, or if she was a magician or something, but I missed my chance. Worst of all though, I was now in the room alone with Kim.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthtak1Qxky
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr4mHtIaGC
Fortunately, she just waited by the side of her bed and didn't talk to me. I was happy for a minute before I remembered the assessment I made not even ten minutes ago. At the very least, I should try to talk to her, shouldn't I? So, I slowly got up and robotically marched to her location. Even through her cloak, I could tell that she was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREjQyxUvSJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBgrn4xs95
"Is there... something you need?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYEHmk5L8h
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOCwtpBE17
"Hi. I wanted to get to know you better because... yes, because it's a good idea since we're going on a mission tomorrow."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7KSVEbcRO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fVpHl3ey9
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI9A7uZoNI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyD4SjhGck
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYbYUrYFS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNuPDPKlj4
I took a seat beside the bed next to hers. Scratching my chin, I thought of a conversation topic and blurted the first one that came to my mind.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjq1muez1V
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiTYrw2EqR
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyZ8tMerNs
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1ohxrkfbX
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk2iqJDUVV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm28Nkl58Fd
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjUsOUUY4r
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTYG9VrmqZ
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoCpKKwORZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CAwnZdMqN
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ353VSzDOGf
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRinyl4pmu
She giggled a little. Creepy.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtELFqv7BZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuFhSI4KsQ
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupWlFBbDro
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDZyPkYXAa
"..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6QdCwebT4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuUj4qZabn
What?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlyS91yA69
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRppc6acutQ
I didn't think that's what she would say. She could tell I didn't think that, I made it obvious. I struggled to even respond to that. My heart sank even deeper than before. She noticed that, and suddenly became frantic.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4XS3CpQTh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItr7tedl2R
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3glBFKDtV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb4h1POnDI
"O-Oh..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLcUiV9nZU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgTHWQegzj
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2FvRGD0rH
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCVegoAkAQ
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb45lDHQuq1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxy4enN0bL
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z0jmNoF4I
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rG9wyH2RK
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw0dIS7cst
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c12XXkaaO
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eHJf9Reu6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvxx4E6AiC
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp6cCDjAAp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9VE9sUts2
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IkFDFeJnI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS1MlyDvUL
But, can I really help myself? So many people have been telling me how great I am. It's bound to get to me eventually.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8rkdZLCX1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfz6d5I47h
"You're an exceptional kid, that's for sure. I've already heard a few rumors regarding a boy who froze an entire block, and I knew that it was you when I heard them."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbct3N22hS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG74bCyJCJ6
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E5WxPJBlV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE44lbMYnL
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0WqDXAdEU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF5rVg2cLt
"You can't weasel out of this one. It became front-page news. Not everyone knows your face of course, or your name, but they know the boy, and they know his attire."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsEzowQkF4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw33vPk6odw
Front-page news!?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYy7zk0Iku
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYhhsPql4L
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkWYn8gZqz
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGbr3eaNh2
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaXNBEcmQ8
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXRw8d79Pk
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPviTcbo3y
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9IephDarz
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfQgOeikRI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ045HNAYpT6
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0VNI3XWEP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTPhPyXISt
"No, I don't."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10n21Nx38m
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLS0KxzQd7
She answered with a straight face. Phew. She must've just had some insider knowledge, then. If I had the whole city looking at me like the people in the meeting, then I'd probably run out of here. Wait.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DENOVCKsZ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5bqJbWNK7
"If you have any influence over the news in this city, please, please don't let them publish that! Or at least omit any descriptions of my appearance!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1C8maJChN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q7Uiuu4rv
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySQuJmMS3J
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrEqByJfSH
"Thank you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrw5tKHfNP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPKa0pmoQ2
Our conversation stopped there, and though I wanted to continue it, I couldn't think of a new topic. It didn't matter though, because Flinty returned to the room. Kim stood up and left to do her night-care routine. Flinty say down at the bed parallel to the one I was on.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJYepat9qx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu912sfkDrb
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGPBGH143g
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKN5sqJSlg
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOhMgH0uNV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi2ogJ4stU
"Oh."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLA1poW3VW
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvrCl3fxIH
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmdAdKW7i1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVKUhwFGr3
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5igwYP8di
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtgvghXmCi
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2FVWtXrFa
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRK3ildGAR
Her face froze. I sighed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkHp6pnAsR
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK1gLfVChw
"I-I'll do it in the morning."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2VnIKNVlC
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo53lxnCzaG
"Good luck."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJqAS8xJl
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8B7gQEG07
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JKpu9pTZj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BRjlo03tq
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BJQvN7vVg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E0g7MEw9F
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgxD9xXEM2
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHPF6l1ZUl
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnCghBSZBJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6kZE2GnVa
I nodded, agreeing with her assessment. Flinty picked up the magic book back and conversation ceased. I stood up and laid on the bed next to hers. Kim returned to the room. Flinty explained her plan to her, and she calmly agreed to it. We were ready to go to sleep.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorjKP8VKfd
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQo679UL9E
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy43IUlIMJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobqETXLV0R
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIt0S5KoiO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeanuuuDb0
"Going to what?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xobxxyo37
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVBw85QIkn
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd4r88DC7y
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsAYL6exj6
"Huh? Wash myself?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI4cfSU3Fi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuky5cPT0c
"Yes. Like we did."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PsQbHOGQf
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcXS4sV5ZF
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhveNYVbSKa
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qYmIznkrM
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWu10RY8rt
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjgmg1bVix
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4b9oyWEY7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsQQ5OVRwM
"Oh, then that makes sense," Flinty said. "But, I thought you didn't do it just because you were tired, or because you were in a new place."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhKAWvsPhb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurUBfLr3zT
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWmzH2Lagc
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA4bARf3WF
"Buffalo Village."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMs5722ikk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7rHGDEjAg
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbXpNURUKD
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgU5XJFIfh
"Really? I didn't know that."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl1eKNwQGX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFfI94jTDS
Kim looked like she was smiling.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6SfayuuVK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnV5srLgkt
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgzqfWqSEM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakE0DZtgeD
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglp019xUfI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsFLDyh41r
"Anyway, Kenny, go wash yourself. I'm not sleeping in the same room if you don't, and I won't be leaving here either."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiFGgoqCZ1
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkWJkNAuZA
"Fine, fine."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGfQ9ftwdT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDclqUeeWEX
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEb7R3zOVR
"..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QA5EkQWGr
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0BztvCCqR
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOGjnz89kV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfJeX8leiP
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsvtgJ5Gc3
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTTOhPeCDA
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasUJ5Wqxjh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02CD59fzwZ
–
–
–
"...Mmm."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NOGyqZrH5
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseTMOMFp7r
I woke up feeling slightly groggy. Last night's search for the restroom was a lot longer than it should've been. By the time I was done, I had to tiptoe to my bed to not wake up Flinty and Kim.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUC1zhKfeg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRxDQRNOzR
I yawned. Judging from the sky out the window, dawn just came. Surprisingly, Victoria wasn't here banging on a pot and yelling. I must've woken up early.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI6thYZJG0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO3CtLBVJM
I looked at the bed to my right. Flinty was missing. Worry rushed through my blood for a second before I realized that she was probably just outside. But no, I was wrong. Flinty on the ground, facing the wall, doing something I could've never guessed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaOEoo7nm4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGYxnRXjZ4
She was making balls of water. I could tell that she was drenched. She took her vest off and laid it on the empty bed, likely to dry it. The ball of water she was holding failed and blew up. But, considering the last time I saw her use magic, she was doing incredible. Not only was it a modest size so as to not consume so much mana, but she also held it for five seconds. I got out of my bed and walked up to her, grabbing my coat and putting it on along the way.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fij1tNPIT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4JXen4BMv
"Wow, you're hard at work."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ozs8ymInp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nWzQOtryU
"Ah!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzemg4HdwU5
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLHSrdbgOT
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjloffBHP7I
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSgkAwb6sZ
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWg36nn72c
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPzy6qGBgV
"I don't think so... what time is it?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49d9UdSsUO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVAdHKtWnG
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo83HRb9hKY
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ihOlZBZx
I sat beside her. She stuck both of her hands out, closed her eyes, and performed mana expulsion. A water ball manifested from thin air. She furrowed her brows, and I could hear soft grunts. Eight seconds passed before the ball erupted.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre7ig8JcTo
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpdZgOJxag
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHMqyiLhFG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB1V67zW0t
She jumped up ecstatically, celebrating her results. I was proud too. This growth was by no means shabby, especially since this is her second time even attempting magic.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4H4MPS3j0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx7SdMagCG
I did regret sitting beside her, though.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W9gQsXpBb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0l7qr28Jd
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZopPtyIjaK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLiQqiHypz
"It's alright. I'll go dry off in the sun. But before I leave, let me give you your first... let's call it a goal."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAeCBreqrl
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9POgKmGPZX
Flinty looked at me with excitement.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IisP3Nnh9
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTd9fQ3VPx
"A goal?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUvkheDsCS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Pf7KlYWM
"Yes. Not one that you need to do right now of course, but one I think you can reach by yourself before we start lessons. Try holding a water ball for ten seconds with your eyes open."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8caw4uKyMs
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOAwS7e784
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiL9DI5ibN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JHdmcXnlg
"Okay, I'll do my best!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHtOVwOJBs
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JWMP4Rq2U
That's what I like to hear. Flinty is such a good student. She was talking nonsense last night. I got up and left the living quarters then exited the farmhouse. I was at the side where the fences were. The dogs and farm animals were eating their food. I thought of sneaking up on the puppies and petting them, but something else caught my attention. Linda was by the pens, washing and hang-drying various clothes.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ3hfraBAn
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qkfSSwgx9
Wasn't this a little too early? Not even the most dedicated washing machines in Buffalo Village woke up at six to do their job. Well, since we were both out, I figured I might as well greet her. So, I ran over.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz0PZol1Bk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc0sv5wwjX
"Good morning, Linda!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi26cstZT2x
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CDYLpGpTG
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcvkaLkjlj
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaXxGcq0E8
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY591PqL7k
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJcWjGkWmw
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL6dvhnqkN
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV1M27kMZ2
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7jF2U0bgV
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tETsMdBIz
Friday? Today is Friday?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQEKhKXNBl
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThYxXtUuKw
I lost all track of time ever since the carriage incident. I didn't even know what day it was that it happened, let alone what time of the year it is.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH6cEhUw4x
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIbr5eHG68
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf4nSRgB9R
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJVarJKbeb
She looked at me curiously before answering.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBRYb2RSTK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt7DkQQvUT
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLoii1yFcS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTWGkmiZQU
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadLEzmkDmH
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc4semBVti
If it was July, then that means a month and a half passed since I left buffalo village. That is, if my memory is serving me well.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6otCQZooA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrSFrOCNJ
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP10JanQ1S7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZTqS2pcAu
"To whom? Those at your home village?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Hku8dbKi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukwKL4XWVc
"Yes. All the chaos that occurred when I arrived here put writing a letter at the bottom of my priority bracket. That was silly of me."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqpyLUoBQK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlbe6WGs5J
She lightly smiled.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcdZx9dESr
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd0WdP0ANJ
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT6UHf7mTM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgjRwsyeSX
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck1XeRPi9C
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL1z1ozQ2X
She shook her head from side to side.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84OF1RDEsU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ9rcwwvu2
"I was originally from a village lower on King's Peak. Around 20,000 feet high and 150 miles from the shore, while the Zariel Kingdom is standing comfortably at 25,000 high and 200 miles from the shore. I do miss it sometimes. Being surrounded by badlands made me feel homesick."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dwtt5LJ9J
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfT6TnTaQU
"So you decided on living here?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3PM0QhofK
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KJ1coYeFb
She nodded.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI09VXHC11
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXs4kkKH18
"I already gave birth to Victoria by the time I moved in. She was a lively girl, even at a young age. I just hope I raised her well."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiCLgrVz5V
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzJRkFWY35
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCghRAXsHS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwHqzsIRZA
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiai9YKA0W
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVJay63nvh
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AQrHYXURk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaSoxJBmMA
"Heh. I think you're doing just fine. Now, Victoria should be waking you three up at this time, go back and tell her good morning."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIwmp8WnJM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hbmjUoR1Z
I had a feeling that she was trying to make me go away, but looking back at the farmhouse I noticed Victoria ready with a pot and wooden spoon in hand. Am I glad I woke up early.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPIYYvCm5H
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfOZ6di4RF
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ15saHOqib
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSQpa2Sq1P
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmYxPam4H4
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KeqSRI5Dh
Flinty was the only one who raised her hand. Kim joined her, likely out of pity, then I did because I didn't want to be glared at.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jRyc5l2b2
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeafhquSnZV
Breakfast was served to us in the living quarters. It was a simple dish of eggs, but Victoria made some mean eggs. After breakfast, we all received a light pack filled with bread and a flask of water. Except for Flinty, of course. But, noticing that she wouldn't receive a pack, I had to do something about the lack of materials.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpmmuJeiJk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGGTPwAbr3
"Hey, Victoria?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb87dmTxNqo
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpQUwnAnVB
"Yes?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRIzlh7NEf
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8Ui2WFg9y
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZuumjwamm
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9VHAw8aPJ
"Don't worry, I'll be bringing back-up food and water right," she paused to pick up a large, obtuse, heavy sack sitting by a wall, "here!"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlTm7XnM0N
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CW6PbYpvf
That at least quelled my worries, but now I was a bit wary of Victoria. That bag looked and sounded like it was no joke, and she lifted it like it was nothing.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI42K0znIxI
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS0Ke5KH3s
"Kim, are you good?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxnnGWzjBG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig0aYTT9EM
Kim just finished packing her bag.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQflYybYhy
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BiJ0m3UkD
"Yes. Let's get going."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRSPgGVlOH
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVAnu2BVKR
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP8J6zw73Y
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxPBOBACvx
–
–
–
We were heading to the forest. Kim and I were following Victoria from behind. Victoria had a lot of energy in her step. I thought she'd be taking this more seriously, but I guess getting pumped up doesn't mean you're taking a situation lightly. As for Kim, she was still hiding her face underneath her cloak.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL22TgLa6zw
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8LpLaDWZO
That aside, we were on the other side of the crop field now. If all went according to Flinty's plan, then she'd pop out of the cornfield and casually join our group. Of course, that is, if Flinty managed to talk to Victoria before leaving.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygZ8BfIxfU
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUgTTbhyFx
...She did do that, right?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QMRxL7HTf
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA1e8Ev8so
Looking back on the events before our departure, Flinty's only chance to talk to Victoria was before I woke up. But, she was practicing her magic.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjHgwWybrJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdhf8GtvS4
The doubts mired my conscience. I looked over at the cornfield. Flinty's body finally popped out. Kim looked at her as well, but Victoria kept walking.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQXRzybxCA
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnMkiV0mmD
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZDxjkGtwq
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR079FruSRz
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysSZ2irR4c
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtJp9cmWQT
"Hmm?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY6yZQqRhP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwVtePScqs
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvczy94QVRL
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5FDURayUT
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeMV7BwGzG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXtec5sOrk
Flinty nervously giggled. I let out a breath. Phew. Phew. I was relieved, but now I was curious as to when Flinty managed to talk to Victoria.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz4eZow795
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy6MDJ5prE
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM3UYLH8RF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiZuiafTMJ
"Alright you three, here's the formation. Since I have physical combat experience, I will be in the front. Kim will be close to Flinty, and Kenny will be in the back in case something sneaks up from behind."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjyNSDPfxg
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRYUTpEWRP
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMdvNNamB7
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB1jW8lHCH
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqDbmDJ3xk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9WcwqUGv2
"R-Right."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFqH3ParXx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9LeGHiBc8
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXxVdNyiFb
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmmPfts32b
"Any objections?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yPzCp1gOk
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a93qFf9V7
None of us voiced any.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgadfGwfiX
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ4qVtRB5b
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pskN4B0g0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr27kwbxps
"Of course."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2tuDOk5mv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VPbCIKhNr
Victoria turned and faced the forest. She ventured in, and the three of us followed.
–
–
–
The woods were a lot gloomier than the ones– or rather, the sole one I was used to.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgNDFSujQO
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5YmKsVPQj
The trees were taller and thicker. It wasn't particularly dark, but sunlight hardly pierced through the thick roof of leaves. Stray roots were frequent, and the grass here had a nasty tendency to cover them. But, worst of all was the atmosphere.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM50T7llKMv
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs2aaD99wZ
Since the moment I stepped in, I felt the air around me become heavier. Anybody could tell the mana in here was different. From what I read, a heavier atmosphere means that the atmospheric mana is dense. Though it did make traversing more taxing on the body, at the very least our spells required less mana to be expelled.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjxChxHebi
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1kSOGgTz1
I was steadily following the girls in front. Because I was in the back, I enjoyed the privilege of not having to watch out for roots. I puffed my chest a little. It was a dumb thing to be proud of, it was just luck. I couldn't help myself, though.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiFw85LuaE
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSryHci379z
That aside, the forest was peaceful. There must've been a lack of hostile wildlife. All we've been seeing were squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other prey animals.
"Watch out here, this root's massive," Victoria called out.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo709Sl0tr
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIVWklKnF1
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjlsyK6ula
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk1EkHMB8f
Now, that being said, my shoulders were getting sore. I didn't seem to be alone in this. No, never mind, Flinty wasn't carrying a bag, I was totally alone. I didn't want to hold the team back and ask for a break, but if this kept up then I'd have to.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FJzx9JZ2k
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZUUUfE4Us
"Hold on, stop here."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyJ1EApOvp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfTpw5K8eo
Fortune smiled upon me. Victoria called for a break– at least, I thought she did. She was peering at something from behind a tree. When I leaned in to take a look, I saw something shocking.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1yhiYifB2
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qtBg0BYw9
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki6WfizfAJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JhvtFpIvy
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGm0hBODLp
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnE8Uy4iMK
I nodded. Our pace slowed tremendously. The buildings I saw were all plainly made of grey concrete. They looked ancient and were missing roofs and other miscellaneous chunks. There was also a suspicious amount of them.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsb2JNh9WX
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMqjwVMUIz
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3OxfWECwM
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXLYFWqc4E
"Does it look safe?" I asked.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIzG3OddvK
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9t9yUbA0L
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gHKvMvDEl
So that is precisely what we did. It was a slow and tedious process, but eventually, all twelve concrete structures were inspected, and nothing suspicious was found. Relieved, we took a break inside the sturdiest concrete building we found.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIPP0LdIeG
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtlamvmOiG
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtAddnkCbH
"I'm inclined to agree," Victoria replied, "but there's always a possibility of something else being in the forest. It isn't very vast, so we'll keep searching. In the meantime, would anyone like to eat?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzrArsgrLF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIXdfhRdyr
Flinty walked up to Victoria and the two of them shared their rations. I wasn't hungry, so I was satisfied with just drinking water.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUNiZMk4nT
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS9ieNBa2i
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4bisfF07S
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO2wxh7eU3
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuAxdIkmqS
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Adf3Ko7I
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdcg2lHF2m
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30Wqz89AHh
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIlO4jfufo
She didn't sound very surprised. Her voice was getting squeakier.
"Do you use a staff?"
"No...? Is that a bad thing?"
"Ha. No, not at all. Not at all."
She sounded suspiciously giddy.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWJ6LfyrSx
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIA77UJjDf
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbPYvlSv9S
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtFgBAiedS
"Heh, well..."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKL64K6ZbP
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh059Zwv4CC
I wondered if I should show her the tendril. I felt as if Kim would freak out, but considering her stoic nature, it was unlikely.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46iMKdsbn0
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrxuk717qs
"What's the hold-up?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabv0viVsPd
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI0ovGa7r8
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP7zE6PaIc
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdwnydLiBN
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jEOCTrduY
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDVWfl5uru
"Think of it as getting to know our powers for the sake of better cooperation. I'll start with what I can do. I'm a Grade 4 Water and Fire and a Grade 5 wind mage. I wield a short sword and have dabbled in swordplay considerably. I consider myself decently agile as well."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwWrSd195A
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsQtRav9sf
My eyes widened a bit. All things considered, a Grade-4 in any element was impressive. I didn't expect something like that from Kim. I wondered if I would be classified as a Grade-2 plant magician or something with my tendril. There wasn't any point of reference, so it was possible.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjI9vsD8iB
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxA3rzwJFG
"So, what about you?"168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrhzG1gGfu
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe759Y95ZVf
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIPFKYiOY6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0O3DoLIei
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8lSTE4Ze6
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkw01tujjg
"This is my tendril. I can use mana spinning to make one of several magical plants grow from it. From there, I can keep using mana spinning to force and amplify their effects."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBlHk6uHQF
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzqJucUfsS
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvWNQToMMJ
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Gc9NRxg7
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT7KHJ2HSj
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"I can see now why– oop."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkWP4ihbGj
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0BarY5Y7I
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZSOxsT0re
IVictoria was eyeing something to my right, where the entrance to the building was. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. I retracted my flash bloom once I did. It sounded like a noisy beast. It was dragging something, likely its own body, haphazardly against the ground. It stopped to pathetically wheeze. Then, it kept going.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEu3NL2HN8
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All of a sudden, a voice.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0fDosfC0v
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"Something... I feel like something was here."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosMTE0U8yq
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu2pSFDeoQ
It was the voice of a man. An adult, one who sounded far older than us. Victoria's pupils shrunk so far that I could only see her whites. She put a hand over her mouth.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSGrHGE86O
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V9r4PohRq
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y25e2MIZT
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sHSxN3200
The beast growled. The sound of his moving limbs was so... vascular. And yet, it sounded putrid, like the beast would fall apart any second. All the while, the man loudly hummed.168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPWBDn00PG
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVl48718rS
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZFE1e6fyc
Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heartbeat was getting faster. My breathing got louder and louder. I was sure that, any second now, something would escape my mouth.
I had conflicting urges. I wanted to stay indoors, but I also wanted to go out and fight that thing and do good on my part. I had to wonder: Was it that bad? Was it so bad that my tendril couldn't do anything? That my magic and plants couldn't do anything?
No, that couldn't be it, right?
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, I felt a soft touch on my left hand. I looked and Flinty was there, grabbing my hand with both of hers. She looked terrible. She looked scared. And yet, her eyes weren't wavering. Even with her shaking body and sweaty palms, she looked at me with confidence. Our eyes met for what seemed like forever.
And then, she sternly nodded.
"..."
Right. Of course.
Now wasn't the time for this.
I was admittedly still shaking, but I was standing now. Kim stood up as well.
"I'll join you."
"Thank you."
I looked at Victoria. She was too shaken to battle.
"Victoria, look after Flinty."
Somehow, she heard me, and she nodded.
I took a deep breath. I produced a Sunlight-Blossom and loaded a seed.
Three, two, one...
"Go!"
I rushed out of the building and Kim followed after. I aimed at where the noises came from. I had to pause.
I understood Victoria's reaction entirely.
In front of me was an amalgamation of black flesh. It was a gigantic lump, nearly three times my height and as wide as the space between the buildings. A man was on top of the blob. When he noticed us, he looked shocked.
I didn't waste any more time. I shot the Sunlight-Blossom seed and–
**SPLATTER**
A yellow light zipped through the air and straight through the blob. Despite the seed's small size, it created a hole I could easily jump through.
"I got it!"
Kim rushed towards the blob. Now that it was dead, capturing the man should be easy. But then a bundle of flesh emerged from the side of the blob. Kim reacted accordingly and cut it off. It was still alive.
"W-Wait, you two, stop fighting!"
The man started frantically pleading with us. I switched flowers into a Dragon-Maw. I probably couldn't reach the man from here, but if I closed in I could grab him.
And then I stopped my advance.
A purple haze leaked from the wounds of the blob. The blob let out a bubbly wail. Kim suddenly dropped to the ground.
"Kim!?"
"Ah, you fools, you shouldn't have attacked! Damn it, no no no–"
As the man kept rambling, I avoided the approaching fog of purple. I switched my plant to a Spore-Blossom, but the spores did nothing to stop the fog.
Crap. At this rate, it would reach Flinty and Victoria. I doubt swiping at it would do anything, and using a Freeze-Dry would mean Kim would be caught in the crossfire.
With no other choice, I began expelling mana from my left palm and quickly created a fireball. Then, I morphed it into a thin vertical rectangle and let it soar through the haze.
I heard the sound of my spell connecting with the blob. I was happy for a second, especially since I couldn't see the purple haze anymore. Now that I was in a better position, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
And then I started seeing black.
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