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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPULnqD9AY
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIaBsm55Pb
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1durVZtalZ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MshDlbnph
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupwQIVZcyL
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3cyjszdbj
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULAIvlqPZ5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk0UXvkKRk
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe0Yqa1eX2
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoHbcUubyb
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIVbFkE0wC
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKgb7QLjAR
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoPBIohIqt
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCbRZN9H0n
"...Sure."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sCcjKGm5R
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfGizw0s4D
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?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMoDFGXXpt
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKWNI9UWOw
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdizCcarLj
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnMjSbCgFH
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbomeJih5HU
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVv6FDlfvY
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQTV8G4a4Y
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGze0I1BlNl
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhsFjCBqlo
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaSl8a18CR
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2KF8V1QOb
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObE1RXfjw8
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPRLLYwah1
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ3oU7lAvZ
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDONTb1Clpw
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYDtlFULNL
"Wait, what!?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJFESfr3wT
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWlt68sic5
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAeGqGHa4q
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBH8uTf3Nq
"Why not me?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl8YHyfhBm
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkkIrxKVoY
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCS2AT2Bn7
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26bvTf7eUh
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bwt0ccHpK
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm5eENbyD3
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMN5MxU8NN
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAizlYpMX03
No, you didn't.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBLj0bO1fw
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8ZDxV5Gox
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F4QHz9qj5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLOuuVyVUt
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6eR3VsNa6
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMHagIwbYH
"Huh?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivj9mxPSU5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJXtSpC7kL
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9z0sCbLQK
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZZPBBJmRc
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKxERTJ3ny
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2gWyl1x4d
"Mhm!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS0LbyIjb4
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKebxqrJs6
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWaDHjEL9g
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfYTzEjzgX
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mqlvyPCSD
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV4TRvWYA7
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMCoYfIs5z
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNAGcS71jD
"...Fine."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XD2QsVQu5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bK6fd0nBb
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdbe2fgTID
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH5uu5hmBG
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlkaW09SbP
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUqlWVcqTv
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiArAIzCRbw
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXFZ0bz49k
"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!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCY0OAjTix
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7gWJBEZOw
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRMBk0USPI
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHNgx3sglm
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkg5dzBUVh
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbARweMlR8J
"Is there... something you need?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt4tgANXsC
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TI2YN1zRV
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7PTnRtlpx
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmi4ENLami
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNizAffh2EM
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZjeWQjp3N
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANrR5eg967
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn7Wgt018D
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFXoN2DpML
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGIXr6OSZT
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHD6NsOjle
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22vlmjclFt
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyMFyVCWOc
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mpyqqNHVx
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT8Q4KC0bw
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWNuXjkGwB
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCbinwHDy3
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizoTI8C0EX
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqivAg4LFLE
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOpZnQol85
She giggled a little. Creepy.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7009sn2sHE
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOBzPNqZsZ
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dJh8sM1EM
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUXaLWH2MC
"..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzslZwnCBcJ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMykmX3JJ8J
What?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraMQUd9dUj
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSmNwwQlGR
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLwEH2No7M
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMce4seQCF
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasa6QXn3cE
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvy2STm8Cl
"O-Oh..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTCGKKq1po
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC9xbhub0K
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWMNxhGWap
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UbXEWrWVM
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyOAD82SWx
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3lUFB3zOp
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW55AfA4zyu
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOjM735SFF
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHYPhLkkeg
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6C2UFCC0l
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14rkt71bvB
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4LE5jWNDD
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblLzmbMmwW
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFnqc5OTAu
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuebQnjTuSj
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGRSIPhgc3
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB463Ph8nd
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vyp0y2imM
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGosuWpAAM1
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPGVyQFs3K
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xo5fuQ3cJ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknilBTPIOG
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBeaTUNM1W
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKgV1LX9dL
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6VPofImIa
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4Xax1Nuue
Front-page news!?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyj6xRylQH
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv20WAQI7r4
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCjf1K24Zf
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0uN69G6Gj
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmaLSTgvsK
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTZ2O2A3qv
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXdAmObQjs
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h5LNXpdFc
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qnhZUHvfr
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC64Hbc5Ad
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXbDG5IkyV
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBmPDklngg
"No, I don't."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNN9kk6w4P
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsRU0TwK5e
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoKFIH7Of6
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4etKc9RoD
"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!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uGEA2BrXK
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVrZVwPJii
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VfvnmcbqZ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGF4SrQGpg
"Thank you."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztXR5FghzX
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE2Vgw3oa8
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbaVWEoyIr
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0MLGuW1qK
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbciuwLklj
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcW93SbaYj
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ODbXBaXH9
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9SIJTqUrf
"Oh."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1hbwGhfrf
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBWWwqewQm
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOdlQgID8S
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtY6Q5j9Mn
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gu6X5QGUS
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHnmRmjgLk
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsJtH3qj0h
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtLRKyVNtw
Her face froze. I sighed.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvDHF6Qpob
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcUl2cNcOL
"I-I'll do it in the morning."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54gJdj0Kv5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdwHapU1CW
"Good luck."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQRT8KIeCl
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHWsUi65Ra
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO02ON3kNTZ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimCUTHO1pj
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmMUM3htRN
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDSPhTIe89
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA7G8OTClG
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV4LB0Qxx4
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ueI28hi8y
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4cONtSXhF
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZfK281pJt
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2Ic3M1NFa
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8V1hckUwS
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl040sBEaOI
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0nJYoSgaA
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTz6H77hbP
"Going to what?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOis5gVi9O2
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK0ve9e6qC
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRZ1RgxjqG
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB7ExWt73l
"Huh? Wash myself?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpZGR5jrn3
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ri9qapA56
"Yes. Like we did."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvutwZQJ9TH
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGmi1svisw
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk1DpDqxJg
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6etrNDGscN
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngJ3i0HArw
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87BEU4CSir
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONBj7Gutge
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB3jIc5Smu
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDXEIV7pJg
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLvxwxDTaX
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2SGn5QYvj
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjEJihGqHQ
"Buffalo Village."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRrkerBsjh
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjITBVJk8bp
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ar7pF0Km
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDNxYVnEMS
"Really? I didn't know that."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgE3MGz7EO
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkjYo6dAwo
Kim looked like she was smiling.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfxaH9DleW
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIIrrQggTS
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZR4GmFK3l
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbksJ80C5P
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zQyDqbp3E
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfOdX3zzJM
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfBbUk4pMj
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUltoLXNEc
"Fine, fine."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LVshfuF7E
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfWunj9wVT
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmQFTIOQTJ
"..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmGrFkeKx3
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTJlKkGq3n
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOcBZ0w1rL
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNpXGO42Ac
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddFvCjBMwf
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzFSe2YKy
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwjRWSZ85J
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCJXi18zGr
–
–
–
"...Mmm."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZFsP2S7t9
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPbkd2oHVa
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bbe19v42n
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJfxLarP0m
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZvP7mEATg
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMoGiU0z9l
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3BjafDTgc
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSYlkvs0QN
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnTLHPtUvE
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLzPHd85hP
"Wow, you're hard at work."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0GQk4MgRa
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI0YZYYWVZ
"Ah!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLFsbKFwrF
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMII1lVInuh
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFF6ekQJL0
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpWhpnO743
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIeou8j54q
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSk3Vjjt3m
"I don't think so... what time is it?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycWPftnl7y
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqN1eM5Vq1
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fP7izC0fd
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87YHtNuDOk
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VDkptY2o1
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3yqOOynSV
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEytpaTa70q
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kxfs93bJJ
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAOJtcI0W3
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOqSUSeOHJ
I did regret sitting beside her, though.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs0b7JNGIz
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0iboc9I1v
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA8MSxtS07
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVR8hUCQ03
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ731zBCGXIg
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlA2JLEBeh
Flinty looked at me with excitement.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP09m9OTM4
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztxiuroVCf
"A goal?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDf1zNEq53
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB1E3ruxXl
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w5NbQrmaM
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjrCBIgnhv
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC2mw89b5p
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfjsiKmkbs
"Okay, I'll do my best!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS7cCmuXWN
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KF0mWWe8Y
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzXZcPDulr
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdWS6IloYl
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxZutAz02l
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgo62zHW2H
"Good morning, Linda!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR40NimRsU
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvBzYHeGMF
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKsq3Xfgnx
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq618Yh94zK
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgdetcI1ER
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhBubmiIdW
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVvKeoiijx
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvhAanGo7t
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGQGjt3QiQ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixtgxySTIC
Friday? Today is Friday?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NvDu0Lv8f
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOR4ThE9Tm
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7J9oVxoHq
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFwkgfW8li
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw17YCryQBU
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaRdBkNS8M
She looked at me curiously before answering.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeeB4KqvdV
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20UO8lCatv
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc2SEezqma
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrn9E3LxP6
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLLuZcHFNz
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDalHzweWcA
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LlaW1GZO6
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8afOfpd6jk
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UIuDyOwdr
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXfXVJFr3D
"To whom? Those at your home village?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E5AkF3pNW
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ1gCq5BV0
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow2pTUF3Im
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3my3j1h66i
She lightly smiled.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtb1O0pwuS
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQH7ipNfQn
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo7r2zyThe
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCxTtmsp12
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu5cd2ZT06
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyx3z66dDH
She shook her head from side to side.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5yOzQAwe2
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfnLhmrd8t
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PiwT9xKBM
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxRkv4lVAC
"So you decided on living here?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWa6vZKWmz
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUOMCV5xGE
She nodded.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW7XrYgnC5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRupGKRE2R
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLvP3NonVu
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2VsTz1w6Z
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzBG6Nzx4q
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wWhTQaaMq
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhDjYKMssV
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL6EBv1qNW
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtUcGT6DtT
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyRJSqHNdY
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai37rzo9Pv
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTZ4BjKZ8A
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9teBeiVvXi
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXYlQFF8OM
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblIFfO3eER
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jt16qVq2Z
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv1XYdLnOv
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOMRkKOyVv
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM6diVggHg
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtgrKCKdPC
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaUNdU4gOX
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNs5catyHo
"Hey, Victoria?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgfvZjJBI1
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn8X1aTqMC
"Yes?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7bCeEpF6c
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nsTlJZWX8
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmjpPcL9WH
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMoHGrq6aJ
"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!"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tU9TygSYc
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd1ikIkcjR
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhhv9N14JL
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXC8yjOicP
"Kim, are you good?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVf7vULfaC
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICW4GLBn0m
Kim just finished packing her bag.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrUHAZZF2I
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV8bewcPFc
"Yes. Let's get going."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcueLuRYra
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m31213aqo
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqu1m29FCr
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK09wzjXuri
–
–
–
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmTwdb1c8f
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs4XW2P97m
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPyNQc11FF
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEhs8x5TOT
...She did do that, right?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLUIKDBwSC
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrlb0z3PO0
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBooui9FmpB
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICrA9ruhKT
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBErJlnFL5F
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI1oW7hDnY
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1L2zEKJbU
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ulisYPoQU
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNe9ZlkTwB
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfq3zxBuhy
"Hmm?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFvGPO0Jcz
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMEPkiFP15
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnBRJWN8hI
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLOV7JZiy6
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITgKksLLQL
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D1pJn4JKT
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RvqqF8doi
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QxC97Z3TJ
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZhXs55O2
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQcmWAmjPc
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo809pa6kmk
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8jXOUufY8
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq00op6ILL
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRMunUuUgV
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L5NCyuQiB
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ByQSFnoNB
"R-Right."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jZJB5BjqM
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6FdbV5w1T
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO7TOscyE8
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgREuY9lxa
"Any objections?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwod3OhhiJ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEXd7TI8Vg
None of us voiced any.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXzZzvGlo3
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xy1I5mYWo
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr5I1BKuPz
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZMQvo5whS
"Of course."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYVJSlZjQV
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnqosPTSax
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYdDyuyKTk
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH2m2DaonE
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuao5ChZqX
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjtufbIcVd
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9oHWIVyjl
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpFv72Dbub
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa8ZKmQD8a
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHgHLnyQCV
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8a7l0SLAQ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MA70NTMIn
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJnoQ5mxB6
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty0bmsLcgf
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACLcbVLxEC
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TgG7bCESO
"Hold on, stop here."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52yURJsKQl
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zwhqkMIJ4
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnjXWUL21P
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOCwmtzicW
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ND1Y2nGf7
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrJvJviv5m
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUk10qyfHE
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WbVqBpR6X
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qKWGDtOX0
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVswVlj9pUa
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OgZ4vnyhE
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf73JwzMuc
"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2WoO7CW0Z
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKxqH9gRd5
"Does it look safe?" I asked.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6sminVqcQ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyROSL5ZHi
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8T8FOHVpI
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ2BMPNygj
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncL8U25Xih
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg7mYzGtnu
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A9sXBW3xQ
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1szHWIiey
"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?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB48ikQM6I0
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61c2FEPQgl
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm0HO7X1tn
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXDtOMxfC3
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1QDiybKbR
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSpRf83KzI
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzkzpOZKzp
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDD1ez7tnu
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoMt14zkf3
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGSJZeaaKT
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYHPn1fp5P
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6jOKp7FFv
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2sUWNWD3q
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9bhM8pmSt
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmF6P0Zq3o
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtYDH9lx2M
"Heh, well..."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ302XErUBLm
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGycOh1omP8
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQTpbVoEFY
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ9Miw5JJF
"What's the hold-up?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtO1FBJQ1i
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyuqFesofw
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wp248YgNr
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64HvlXItHX
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmRUkbcH58
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxPWPlX0q8
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYfjfahkO4
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ5HlPJHMF
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoFFgecRor
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8TFtmvsMz
"So, what about you?"150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzc2MBTWmt
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUAVNOKjTT
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifAz3Wwfud
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0znukworOR
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PX8DfCjV5
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J5RKm1ZrS
"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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNGizq3feW
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpGVwjP9Zs
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SuZpIJrm2
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf4cry40mp
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm6Nb13ZPK
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLRww2oOyr
"I can see now why– oop."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMY2uFYeen
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlBpcoplYt
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3tANw138M
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vrhres0oz
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxjUyqZiQb
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jQRbsWEeB
All of a sudden, a voice.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspbwcuMuHT
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO6RoFJACK
"Something... I feel like something was here."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLDKl0VlB0
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiN3YRanVL
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQesNizoARv
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTuYgw2mpK
I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9TdpvztAo
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxBstjtfzF
"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauSaztwsMN
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4vx2w3bOO
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.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡongXGLc9g4
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZSdrIrpZ3
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."150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZzEwmZZf6
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL65q7Kq9uA
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.
ns18.117.8.233da2
