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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA90qA7McJbp
223Please respect copyright.PENANAVFqbCLp6H9
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."223Please respect copyright.PENANAQncZmwhNhd
223Please respect copyright.PENANAj2vh2dpT8B
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."223Please respect copyright.PENANAB9ZHCmSQxN
223Please respect copyright.PENANA5UmjIdP7XQ
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?223Please respect copyright.PENANAp4HxGqtp1H
223Please respect copyright.PENANAlvp1XRCWZ5
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANA2mplq3rfQQ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUBRcTPU0hu
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.223Please respect copyright.PENANAF1RJWB78Wm
223Please respect copyright.PENANA1BQ9EJfVSl
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."223Please respect copyright.PENANA3Dw6sexE0L
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwDOEqqMMU7
"...Sure."223Please respect copyright.PENANApxb4WTZaYD
223Please respect copyright.PENANApGxOedJnKv
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?223Please respect copyright.PENANAKw8hVdqCmd
223Please respect copyright.PENANAN6fgwzJSDg
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."223Please respect copyright.PENANAXPbM5dcKaX
223Please respect copyright.PENANARDWgGKwZU2
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.223Please respect copyright.PENANAMwi2m0wWa2
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUXV6dUcUm5
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANACo4vWQQACY
223Please respect copyright.PENANAVYYZyzIG8c
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAPORxOzBUQW
223Please respect copyright.PENANAy0eANLo0ny
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAzM0WeKS6m7
223Please respect copyright.PENANA22TSU4lfOR
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."223Please respect copyright.PENANAON3BYJW30N
223Please respect copyright.PENANALWQjUvFPm0
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."223Please respect copyright.PENANAVhW56YEBeF
223Please respect copyright.PENANAbfDsX8y97m
"Wait, what!?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAxSbWFXpiMn
223Please respect copyright.PENANAOs7h1LppSP
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.223Please respect copyright.PENANAncpiLm9aeF
223Please respect copyright.PENANAXRCNs65G6R
"Why not me?"223Please respect copyright.PENANA3A56Jatqt4
223Please respect copyright.PENANAPHHnOdHiU0
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."223Please respect copyright.PENANAP0Vk5hhkJt
223Please respect copyright.PENANA9K9HQSYqYb
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAdKJ6mPoeXx
223Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3LngpvZZK
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAPRfasNFqKF
223Please respect copyright.PENANAY0JemJf7Jg
No, you didn't.223Please respect copyright.PENANAR6x2eaSnNx
223Please respect copyright.PENANArWRUesk8qX
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."223Please respect copyright.PENANAYfhj1NfHtz
223Please respect copyright.PENANA8dtH3pycJ4
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAJC2LVSJKpn
223Please respect copyright.PENANA4MjWAjSss7
"Huh?"223Please respect copyright.PENANATwuLDntmZH
223Please respect copyright.PENANACpTHK00lkP
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.223Please respect copyright.PENANA12zXtIfzCm
223Please respect copyright.PENANATeYbRAFG8i
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAv5GyXrX3NJ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAhc3iAPLSwq
"Mhm!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAwFpqDPkYRe
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwOBQcC6iOv
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.223Please respect copyright.PENANAvaKdJyLeWB
223Please respect copyright.PENANA27NFloj9nI
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."223Please respect copyright.PENANA335PK3xFSD
223Please respect copyright.PENANAWBymGo04yx
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.223Please respect copyright.PENANAfgcUmtq77T
223Please respect copyright.PENANAPLLhABxQaH
"...Fine."223Please respect copyright.PENANAuEbnRxEKZy
223Please respect copyright.PENANAYVXART2YCO
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.223Please respect copyright.PENANASEa2JlhPCW
223Please respect copyright.PENANA35B2LJJllh
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."223Please respect copyright.PENANA3mY2TtExIn
223Please respect copyright.PENANAMiFMIo0YWS
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAb3BrfeEydD
223Please respect copyright.PENANAzoGzCWNkqh
"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!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAbXrKpHzptq
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwutpw8kn7j
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAXinX1HdVkR
223Please respect copyright.PENANActwIPgjtDJ
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA0o2ajzCwk3
223Please respect copyright.PENANAd8ON5o5PhD
"Is there... something you need?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAFGesN81vGO
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUQUafOZZuN
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAjRGJ6zXb4Q
223Please respect copyright.PENANAQc4b4KQedC
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.223Please respect copyright.PENANAcKbdo1HB3C
223Please respect copyright.PENANAg5xFEUaCwD
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAy03k1uOXBT
223Please respect copyright.PENANA2xSoWsRTHh
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAQu1iViAIIr
223Please respect copyright.PENANALbQsiiWU1g
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAZUdxZuaBdD
223Please respect copyright.PENANAd08P4WScuK
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."223Please respect copyright.PENANAdizRnkyqyk
223Please respect copyright.PENANApz1r8ZFFxK
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.223Please respect copyright.PENANAh7BaQHO7fe
223Please respect copyright.PENANAdpX1FWMru7
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAFOuSnSdBPb
223Please respect copyright.PENANAYRCQoKIusF
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."223Please respect copyright.PENANACdgFoqBk03
223Please respect copyright.PENANAJOB7Iq37Ko
She giggled a little. Creepy.223Please respect copyright.PENANAqG1ixLMokJ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwceeBlUO5s
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."223Please respect copyright.PENANAOuBjfhWCsh
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvl8FrFyFUE
"..."223Please respect copyright.PENANARz4yjscJI1
223Please respect copyright.PENANAnWGdAD2eg1
What?223Please respect copyright.PENANAH0ZeCfVCRB
223Please respect copyright.PENANAtbzEYeuA7G
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA52A9M1LS0z
223Please respect copyright.PENANAni8oM3tuAu
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAoRhbu0PirV
223Please respect copyright.PENANAjA3tDNpiB0
"O-Oh..."223Please respect copyright.PENANAwxv3CAf5G9
223Please respect copyright.PENANAkcfGpnqzwr
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.223Please respect copyright.PENANAmFr5bfFpMR
223Please respect copyright.PENANAji39mXV8KZ
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."223Please respect copyright.PENANAMqwpeKrzKo
223Please respect copyright.PENANANfltM0GEpf
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."223Please respect copyright.PENANAVYyb9xWTZn
223Please respect copyright.PENANARjVqGAAfqP
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"223Please respect copyright.PENANATSvQZw9n8p
223Please respect copyright.PENANAKD4ejlPwF8
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."223Please respect copyright.PENANA5APWA1HO1Q
223Please respect copyright.PENANAXNkZ8gNjbu
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.223Please respect copyright.PENANAXl3SeCMPug
223Please respect copyright.PENANAo7ceqwMeEe
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.223Please respect copyright.PENANAWjCRtFg2H5
223Please respect copyright.PENANAkfmozLyZ11
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANATK1HjEtCMm
223Please respect copyright.PENANAxSzwtJCQ8u
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAhLdSDs4voB
223Please respect copyright.PENANArWjD2LEqIQ
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.223Please respect copyright.PENANAmiFltFJiU6
223Please respect copyright.PENANArXfxONRqmv
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAvdnqWdukje
223Please respect copyright.PENANAFkPhm8JpVF
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAtY9RxvZrjE
223Please respect copyright.PENANADIYzKjBJ6v
Front-page news!?223Please respect copyright.PENANALJ1VUCGPMt
223Please respect copyright.PENANAzeNQkS2XiF
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAH6N95xlpqj
223Please respect copyright.PENANAOX2o3vVUTm
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."223Please respect copyright.PENANAZTxxF619OY
223Please respect copyright.PENANAoO96BOW1WV
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.223Please respect copyright.PENANA13RlPWbdMe
223Please respect copyright.PENANA8WwMajzVoI
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"223Please respect copyright.PENANASLePxGE8LG
223Please respect copyright.PENANAhvlNgUtjip
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.223Please respect copyright.PENANAfzgdDUbb7p
223Please respect copyright.PENANAqOQSDhGOlo
"No, I don't."223Please respect copyright.PENANAVeZkUIt4TI
223Please respect copyright.PENANAYPHMM9QN9C
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAELcY8fZ0KY
223Please respect copyright.PENANAv1ywkW7vwM
"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!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAEGyMvDwnqW
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUwLAwXM2jE
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."223Please respect copyright.PENANAPN582Bk4RA
223Please respect copyright.PENANAO5TdMxx79G
"Thank you."223Please respect copyright.PENANAAs4qEryYtJ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAy0hgI6gwDE
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAmDPEgRZvux
223Please respect copyright.PENANAEBCq2iHdOD
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.223Please respect copyright.PENANAnk4nL4Xv4i
223Please respect copyright.PENANAffpdLP0lfX
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."223Please respect copyright.PENANAQKpHVOKqL4
223Please respect copyright.PENANAgZyFqqek68
"Oh."223Please respect copyright.PENANAdyC1zWDf7s
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7EsHi5XMuY
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.223Please respect copyright.PENANAxkrNcowmsc
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7Pz0ux2pRZ
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."223Please respect copyright.PENANARg6RYXKKjs
223Please respect copyright.PENANAAjo0qplVBL
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAVmX9kUrI4T
223Please respect copyright.PENANAXBnF1Fc2Oo
Her face froze. I sighed.223Please respect copyright.PENANAWr3hvloPyn
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUDaJsUzmmw
"I-I'll do it in the morning."223Please respect copyright.PENANAt4VUWBEtDM
223Please respect copyright.PENANAI0bitt7YQQ
"Good luck."223Please respect copyright.PENANAWrStKwZYda
223Please respect copyright.PENANA42I6ueIo9t
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.223Please respect copyright.PENANAD8LUnKkywA
223Please respect copyright.PENANAQj1aoqmWSX
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."223Please respect copyright.PENANA4yL4GXtCi6
223Please respect copyright.PENANAmCxErYqsYM
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."223Please respect copyright.PENANAQe6Mq0t8Vq
223Please respect copyright.PENANAAX327tdNMn
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."223Please respect copyright.PENANA8CZUT02TNo
223Please respect copyright.PENANAekykZ4yNlJ
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA8n0TkN2Ijj
223Please respect copyright.PENANAMUCT7B6MgD
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."223Please respect copyright.PENANAQQbwEXijE3
223Please respect copyright.PENANABPmPPH5hpE
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.223Please respect copyright.PENANAnuTmNsCv4M
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7RCvvOlmT7
"Going to what?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAtObBK9fGS0
223Please respect copyright.PENANAKTuR0iPGyp
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.223Please respect copyright.PENANAUtrlHJ7vn2
223Please respect copyright.PENANACbPNR339eD
"Huh? Wash myself?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAJhW6dgxPSn
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwp1WNj2Rw0
"Yes. Like we did."223Please respect copyright.PENANAk0B1K7l54M
223Please respect copyright.PENANAD13HbLAHpn
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."223Please respect copyright.PENANAL3xKwTyt92
223Please respect copyright.PENANA3fdJZ6vmmJ
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.223Please respect copyright.PENANAscpxSjQTKO
223Please respect copyright.PENANAxfE77P4O0i
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAgyJxiYX3fq
223Please respect copyright.PENANA24WPnDIJId
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAk2aw9JDbVC
223Please respect copyright.PENANAWEIfpzAtwp
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.223Please respect copyright.PENANAh6j6EhOFFc
223Please respect copyright.PENANAR73Fi5jaoS
"Buffalo Village."223Please respect copyright.PENANAfY03guqmXr
223Please respect copyright.PENANAH12BMiuqlp
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."223Please respect copyright.PENANAIHQ8Zpf9G4
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvRd3fHGOmg
"Really? I didn't know that."223Please respect copyright.PENANAWxL7Tc8E1Z
223Please respect copyright.PENANAD2kRjOen2J
Kim looked like she was smiling.223Please respect copyright.PENANAVUrwMOUBSt
223Please respect copyright.PENANAYPIdm6dA9P
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."223Please respect copyright.PENANAW77km0Npjp
223Please respect copyright.PENANAYzUa24eD7E
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.223Please respect copyright.PENANA66JbEqH604
223Please respect copyright.PENANAAIQrK9BUh4
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAXIp58B68Qh
223Please respect copyright.PENANAFHXHvlcvWY
"Fine, fine."223Please respect copyright.PENANAMWWVeqKAqe
223Please respect copyright.PENANAGOppE5Pgq9
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
223Please respect copyright.PENANAt983Vr2HDg
"..."223Please respect copyright.PENANAY6p6gcoNtL
223Please respect copyright.PENANAVAoNi95Ttx
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.223Please respect copyright.PENANAm8rHnQQx7F
223Please respect copyright.PENANAhlX9q1wKej
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."223Please respect copyright.PENANAiO3kUgaKa1
223Please respect copyright.PENANAjP0LxPMCRr
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.223Please respect copyright.PENANAgWlbrmJhPV
223Please respect copyright.PENANAzp195ffHpn
–
–
–
"...Mmm."223Please respect copyright.PENANA1jJ8KCAw7l
223Please respect copyright.PENANAWb29Kx8Ll6
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAS59z8DIUhV
223Please respect copyright.PENANASwnQqDVqww
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA3A5MFrBiEP
223Please respect copyright.PENANAlT8J5502Hy
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANArYKjRkcZib
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvzjMFKWC9X
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAwTyKH3ZTtB
223Please respect copyright.PENANAAPcyuUWuBw
"Wow, you're hard at work."223Please respect copyright.PENANAuz1504Sekt
223Please respect copyright.PENANAaUicMbdTkt
"Ah!"223Please respect copyright.PENANArLYUu2p9Ml
223Please respect copyright.PENANAFh83YtLIbo
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.223Please respect copyright.PENANATx2TMe6xee
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwuBrs8PYuF
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAYDgndlWwEC
223Please respect copyright.PENANArjeNQqGE0W
"I don't think so... what time is it?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAElvssLz2ls
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7MmdGEHyN0
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."223Please respect copyright.PENANAk5kRQu4RPC
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvgCRNwDYGK
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAstqZNNwymz
223Please respect copyright.PENANARbcsuY9oAm
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAUzlNdqnEIV
223Please respect copyright.PENANAIWwmOjHQm9
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA0AgQzxNHJL
223Please respect copyright.PENANAc7IdNZJWDj
I did regret sitting beside her, though.223Please respect copyright.PENANASPkW3yHBDa
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvInOdJmMmk
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."223Please respect copyright.PENANABPyQice7ZX
223Please respect copyright.PENANA5iZzVZxK2T
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAFRHIGT6Hl8
223Please respect copyright.PENANAHqMAAOVTTs
Flinty looked at me with excitement.223Please respect copyright.PENANAqGx992g5Bs
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwwGr6Wo5Mn
"A goal?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAO493HcsUQJ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAq86ZmXQpPo
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAWPAKRyKokB
223Please respect copyright.PENANAomTFlwXUgk
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.223Please respect copyright.PENANA46bQKrxnc6
223Please respect copyright.PENANAZEvh7WTlZq
"Okay, I'll do my best!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAw4cMAJazCf
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7hxVsHHK0B
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAiYemVFyFrh
223Please respect copyright.PENANA3NbMNhqU6L
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAVZ8pfcoz1u
223Please respect copyright.PENANAPP3MrhzQYR
"Good morning, Linda!"223Please respect copyright.PENANARGC0f7GHDS
223Please respect copyright.PENANAeBQQ97WiRG
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."223Please respect copyright.PENANA5bHeX7sKyf
223Please respect copyright.PENANAtapkfhBUVM
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAakn1DDNYGX
223Please respect copyright.PENANAOorH78P7aK
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.223Please respect copyright.PENANAmpxVFaUinb
223Please respect copyright.PENANAxtLIjruXop
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."223Please respect copyright.PENANAq8f6XrxrTG
223Please respect copyright.PENANA5UgJIManFK
Friday? Today is Friday?223Please respect copyright.PENANAX765iT1qvN
223Please respect copyright.PENANAe346WYtHb0
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAAPodHB2Kya
223Please respect copyright.PENANAXSlnZSVmai
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"223Please respect copyright.PENANATSA009Dy9r
223Please respect copyright.PENANAm1RnfNsSEW
She looked at me curiously before answering.223Please respect copyright.PENANAU9lJJijNUK
223Please respect copyright.PENANA1foDTnAT8O
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."223Please respect copyright.PENANAWDYIJ4Ry7n
223Please respect copyright.PENANAe16h4RI7o5
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.223Please respect copyright.PENANATRFEtTM6C2
223Please respect copyright.PENANAMAZVdxt7qY
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAWUOKJNjpvG
223Please respect copyright.PENANAbvRCyk4NLQ
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."223Please respect copyright.PENANAcfhHu6RQwB
223Please respect copyright.PENANACTzHGLqImD
"To whom? Those at your home village?"223Please respect copyright.PENANApXtoGujFg0
223Please respect copyright.PENANAoWOHCtB2tB
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAXaPzRqlfHF
223Please respect copyright.PENANAtY8uDpH3JI
She lightly smiled.223Please respect copyright.PENANA0BzUrqczZZ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAVeeyvjtkir
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."223Please respect copyright.PENANAVQOBBUc1JN
223Please respect copyright.PENANAIjI5Xbe4SB
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAyef342GPJB
223Please respect copyright.PENANAQYKkuJmNwN
She shook her head from side to side.223Please respect copyright.PENANA6Nf8ohABr1
223Please respect copyright.PENANAzYWq7GuEGl
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANA89pyAMof2Y
223Please respect copyright.PENANAxNRZccuvL5
"So you decided on living here?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAbU0Lif4ufQ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAeInS91jr4l
She nodded.223Please respect copyright.PENANALLBubBUizM
223Please respect copyright.PENANALUFACyIiWw
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAzITKqGWg9O
223Please respect copyright.PENANAB2sm4Ntqe7
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.223Please respect copyright.PENANA44HAUNm9gK
223Please respect copyright.PENANAcVeBp7ZMim
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."223Please respect copyright.PENANAv551t8rx3r
223Please respect copyright.PENANAcveDCa6Uzq
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."223Please respect copyright.PENANAfYmkHlZvJs
223Please respect copyright.PENANAtbt3Jfk38G
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANA6U6pYKqdYV
223Please respect copyright.PENANA1OrnCXsjTV
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAGt5fPqQSt0
223Please respect copyright.PENANA0obhAUGBSf
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.223Please respect copyright.PENANAhHBU2Ww1KC
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7cTs6H2d5q
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAybuwpes2tN
223Please respect copyright.PENANAWhySuwlXud
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAS0PF4vqfYV
223Please respect copyright.PENANAb3zkVYsn6F
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA0CiO13jd8N
223Please respect copyright.PENANAGGKvgTwL0k
"Hey, Victoria?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAsk4c28z43i
223Please respect copyright.PENANAl5TQ8oSoR3
"Yes?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAyKGJ9uOyPH
223Please respect copyright.PENANAG1Ed6ixID5
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAjaZoOlhPYI
223Please respect copyright.PENANA7mas6b9e7e
"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!"223Please respect copyright.PENANAlXjFduL6c8
223Please respect copyright.PENANA4x79oZR4yG
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA11chx9coMo
223Please respect copyright.PENANAE6hWc9Mbae
"Kim, are you good?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAHKisCPsnPg
223Please respect copyright.PENANAIrgIsiDGmr
Kim just finished packing her bag.223Please respect copyright.PENANAHOxYQdEeqB
223Please respect copyright.PENANA5HO6lCECyD
"Yes. Let's get going."223Please respect copyright.PENANAjL0JX82CiY
223Please respect copyright.PENANA8rhE4N2RIM
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."223Please respect copyright.PENANABV1rL52aO5
223Please respect copyright.PENANAJsJlNdvlJ1
–
–
–
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA4gvb9n5ZFI
223Please respect copyright.PENANAwk2uh0oOHT
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAno4wiFdl5M
223Please respect copyright.PENANAhKJ5Yjx791
...She did do that, right?223Please respect copyright.PENANAOgCVgZNZxE
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvvmWVDJ6kJ
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAW3D8kDyT8u
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUcbzflVHLU
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA6UsMMU2AQf
223Please respect copyright.PENANAL81ppj8F5s
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?223Please respect copyright.PENANAisOAVAs6KA
223Please respect copyright.PENANAr24eY9Pt7e
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"223Please respect copyright.PENANALzoyn3roSV
223Please respect copyright.PENANAe54bKu4jRA
"Hmm?"223Please respect copyright.PENANARewXYOIo4e
223Please respect copyright.PENANAe1raAdyDnE
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.223Please respect copyright.PENANAaxk4685WKK
223Please respect copyright.PENANAmKZ80F3nL3
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."223Please respect copyright.PENANA55yLOqBmEV
223Please respect copyright.PENANAj311Nk5nFR
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANACpuJAh4GWW
223Please respect copyright.PENANAaz7hu1Didl
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.223Please respect copyright.PENANA8nRHCoBRs4
223Please respect copyright.PENANAnMnhbsaIWQ
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAS3c3QLRWmG
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUj18SclQES
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.223Please respect copyright.PENANAxBXU3pOB8v
223Please respect copyright.PENANA0l0p6zn6iY
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."223Please respect copyright.PENANAjMnVl7tjoh
223Please respect copyright.PENANAifzB70N468
"R-Right."223Please respect copyright.PENANAlGPUZhS0bH
223Please respect copyright.PENANAzdBKUV0dbQ
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.223Please respect copyright.PENANAuXBu26Rl1l
223Please respect copyright.PENANA64BrWbXA34
"Any objections?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAPFVarrKbxr
223Please respect copyright.PENANAW2TmcDuYFW
None of us voiced any.223Please respect copyright.PENANA7IuNZqF0Al
223Please respect copyright.PENANAukDbTu9ToU
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"223Please respect copyright.PENANAbzCqxPyaQf
223Please respect copyright.PENANAZt5VQ1GF0B
"Of course."223Please respect copyright.PENANAZc8309Kj4I
223Please respect copyright.PENANArjkKhq18CD
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAxS9TSearQ1
223Please respect copyright.PENANA5XNpKnmc8K
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAOpyK2DaYCk
223Please respect copyright.PENANAUO4tP6o53b
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA3DyZVvqUF3
223Please respect copyright.PENANAlfdYF9GWAM
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAMEMNqdRi6n
223Please respect copyright.PENANAbK6iRUDSH1
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA5AqbBfX8e9
223Please respect copyright.PENANAP07GOyXdHS
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.223Please respect copyright.PENANAc1Wjjj9yNm
223Please respect copyright.PENANA4C2rrcDCgA
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA6QVbmo6Akq
223Please respect copyright.PENANADqbYWYCO99
"Hold on, stop here."223Please respect copyright.PENANAwRGZ7vcje2
223Please respect copyright.PENANARXWflAutqg
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA5EHI0kjc8P
223Please respect copyright.PENANA1eGGUjNCR0
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.223Please respect copyright.PENANAK9XL7bN8ER
223Please respect copyright.PENANAWf9sFizTWL
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."223Please respect copyright.PENANASTeI825RK9
223Please respect copyright.PENANAKeUqoUAWW0
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAIcKYg4h6IS
223Please respect copyright.PENANAMVlqVlPQ1t
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAOrY0Reig5a
223Please respect copyright.PENANAMNcFBY4Rbs
"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."223Please respect copyright.PENANAM0QCdtezXa
223Please respect copyright.PENANAgkd4Fi6MwC
"Does it look safe?" I asked.223Please respect copyright.PENANAdAjkHNPcYj
223Please respect copyright.PENANA32TtxzWEOl
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."223Please respect copyright.PENANA1tlnVsPRjW
223Please respect copyright.PENANAG7oSXsmm6h
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAFLHTAE0xaC
223Please respect copyright.PENANA2xaRarZmLG
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAbmqY1ZGeRf
223Please respect copyright.PENANAOsqN4H5x2p
"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?"223Please respect copyright.PENANA3fuy1D1ahq
223Please respect copyright.PENANA2e95SeQ9UD
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA67PThyVQi6
223Please respect copyright.PENANA19abCrtgK3
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"223Please respect copyright.PENANA2693iFJxqy
223Please respect copyright.PENANAeDNOz1M2zE
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."223Please respect copyright.PENANA0GTJFME5xU
223Please respect copyright.PENANAnoPRcDxqvU
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"223Please respect copyright.PENANAjiyBJGwbIL
223Please respect copyright.PENANA6fAzNXgasy
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."223Please respect copyright.PENANACxgdhdPlhO
223Please respect copyright.PENANA4bwdJ31kNi
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAy912mqvPPI
223Please respect copyright.PENANAZFOJV4lr3K
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"223Please respect copyright.PENANABBRCVbg0TU
223Please respect copyright.PENANAtDtbrqRUX2
"Heh, well..."223Please respect copyright.PENANAxW48giZ3HT
223Please respect copyright.PENANAJnqTJA1oDO
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA1Krst38Eyl
223Please respect copyright.PENANAKcSy00K8Qf
"What's the hold-up?"223Please respect copyright.PENANA85VTSEKhEJ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAGas3mQUNce
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."223Please respect copyright.PENANAMyTaX0OfLj
223Please respect copyright.PENANAHuYmK3DnZ9
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.223Please respect copyright.PENANA7c7QxmdxSH
223Please respect copyright.PENANAQyJvDMixSC
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAYrJ3kiU8YA
223Please respect copyright.PENANA4cc61cyKms
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9oWVWa3OU
223Please respect copyright.PENANAf5PUfss8Yl
"So, what about you?"223Please respect copyright.PENANABqR5rQF6B7
223Please respect copyright.PENANAmfGuGSB1Ym
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."223Please respect copyright.PENANAqQdlYbpkMy
223Please respect copyright.PENANAcRNPgrUXSc
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.223Please respect copyright.PENANA0jRMrTPqMi
223Please respect copyright.PENANAy7fYaV6s4e
"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."223Please respect copyright.PENANANCW1La9xid
223Please respect copyright.PENANAQnkWdrlLw0
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."223Please respect copyright.PENANAPODPdpVXZB
223Please respect copyright.PENANAAQy9vOK1Wc
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.223Please respect copyright.PENANAQFGN8n2RxE
223Please respect copyright.PENANAp0TpiIIHFQ
"I can see now why– oop."223Please respect copyright.PENANAUdUqzYnJz2
223Please respect copyright.PENANAbF1EZBHI3Q
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA0rbQ3E8Cgu
223Please respect copyright.PENANAsMewMOjPfj
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAuI1DAVLnhE
223Please respect copyright.PENANAZxWD4TmHNM
All of a sudden, a voice.223Please respect copyright.PENANAxyiuokATg8
223Please respect copyright.PENANA3qDHxWeOyl
"Something... I feel like something was here."223Please respect copyright.PENANAIFy2C8z5AM
223Please respect copyright.PENANAg5LV6vn0j9
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANA2bDegz4tYU
223Please respect copyright.PENANALCixIys797
I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.223Please respect copyright.PENANAwi6azZJJc4
223Please respect copyright.PENANAO6U2Ukx7mP
"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."223Please respect copyright.PENANAYALjhA4aLY
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvXQpbVXk9I
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.223Please respect copyright.PENANAakbWbgXumP
223Please respect copyright.PENANArtQooRUaPS
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."223Please respect copyright.PENANAS0rYffq9hQ
223Please respect copyright.PENANAvFAg6md3bt
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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