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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAgqNhvXqEiv
21Please respect copyright.PENANAc1CO1LbKy6
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3Nw5c0fKDT
21Please respect copyright.PENANABfjWH3wtvL
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."21Please respect copyright.PENANAQoRH2wzyJV
21Please respect copyright.PENANArKBZcOb5Ma
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?21Please respect copyright.PENANARRUZOUMAck
21Please respect copyright.PENANAJK726SfFGE
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAQWaxSeXUdf
21Please respect copyright.PENANAX0i9zIdZcR
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.21Please respect copyright.PENANAqvMMfDVyrU
21Please respect copyright.PENANAy3dZ7SO1g1
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."21Please respect copyright.PENANAOViReah0t2
21Please respect copyright.PENANAzoKGzxM9BV
"...Sure."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3boXINiP95
21Please respect copyright.PENANAF8mD4mHXLs
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?21Please respect copyright.PENANALpSRIE7NiB
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9cdr1CIKO6
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."21Please respect copyright.PENANA0zYBhtYHMj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAeegEuVwqyC
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.21Please respect copyright.PENANAKjjEoL1GC6
21Please respect copyright.PENANAorUTkiCaOe
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAO4b0LhkfJT
21Please respect copyright.PENANAkHEmjUIQxe
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA3C5Zep9oiY
21Please respect copyright.PENANASgWe5ngt35
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAm4SmSOrkx7
21Please respect copyright.PENANANkEkb6Xvhp
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."21Please respect copyright.PENANApC4KnNaV1C
21Please respect copyright.PENANAb10c4ijzBV
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."21Please respect copyright.PENANADGvq6Bzz6o
21Please respect copyright.PENANAU0GB0O7fSQ
"Wait, what!?"21Please respect copyright.PENANALs9ZFAPWJL
21Please respect copyright.PENANA1KBJRyGhch
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.21Please respect copyright.PENANAANJYD7VQDM
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoBq3vR50Ks
"Why not me?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAwxOMgM6QWF
21Please respect copyright.PENANA1jAoVvhFIb
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."21Please respect copyright.PENANAhSNVL4lkgq
21Please respect copyright.PENANAJuGdc6crmp
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA6qRsS3pl07
21Please respect copyright.PENANAbcDkNd8Dpv
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAybzoUNConI
21Please respect copyright.PENANAltnEqUjEGz
No, you didn't.21Please respect copyright.PENANA0DCdlHpfU9
21Please respect copyright.PENANA4AA2KVcyWk
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."21Please respect copyright.PENANAZOSJdG6FJj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAF0LFUkja4i
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAXOKPGvoAPm
21Please respect copyright.PENANAZLIpXG0zQf
"Huh?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAvCrX2U8PPW
21Please respect copyright.PENANAwZAfbyR1AE
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.21Please respect copyright.PENANAv8JYLC0ahI
21Please respect copyright.PENANAflxdQsHbFJ
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA4Seo12Wl1b
21Please respect copyright.PENANAB8QLI2Lxo5
"Mhm!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAuQrE9v2TnO
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxqkl9iyrVv
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.21Please respect copyright.PENANA2B9Fg5t12f
21Please respect copyright.PENANACOfkQmYaog
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."21Please respect copyright.PENANApdxceDQppl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAdB7T9QmmhH
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.21Please respect copyright.PENANAKdF8aBYpiy
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXn8WxGPZ9h
"...Fine."21Please respect copyright.PENANA7pjxyQ3rZ5
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhSgYJP7j4K
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.21Please respect copyright.PENANAFHHcrvgShF
21Please respect copyright.PENANAaRniV0QDXs
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."21Please respect copyright.PENANAQD32I2kc62
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXxZm08EMvP
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAx3tpfevEUO
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9PSjRy3bjm
"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!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAleh4QSNmom
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxtH9C2lIH7
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANATwDLbMMzRa
21Please respect copyright.PENANA4t3lvAXJUS
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAnBtMokZmRt
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9l3OoUgVzA
"Is there... something you need?"21Please respect copyright.PENANADZujFjjKkn
21Please respect copyright.PENANAkvjcTzdpY2
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANARbpews4N6R
21Please respect copyright.PENANAbEncU68OhZ
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.21Please respect copyright.PENANAMMc0aduu3R
21Please respect copyright.PENANAaTmfEdZbAq
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"21Please respect copyright.PENANADeBQNl5oun
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXWM3fTrAk5
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA8RunPk6Jlj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAmHCZ6CrTmr
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAdXc2CR1C6d
21Please respect copyright.PENANA9p82YzUEcC
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAnPb0uPJ3gJ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhqGZpAn1wt
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.21Please respect copyright.PENANAoY4O4jogLA
21Please respect copyright.PENANAAvz4uLxX57
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA7VBA0iudWT
21Please respect copyright.PENANAyvDV3U06nP
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."21Please respect copyright.PENANAf5PZNEkB9j
21Please respect copyright.PENANAPlbeIQTd3E
She giggled a little. Creepy.21Please respect copyright.PENANAm6LR2UZpXh
21Please respect copyright.PENANAgVLnfqaXnN
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."21Please respect copyright.PENANAjE85cdS0EM
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxh6vt8z112
"..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAzSwkTJ4IGQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANASOSuqnmPBC
What?21Please respect copyright.PENANAHXxtx2z4NV
21Please respect copyright.PENANAWJBlEEv0cl
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAzfr7ZcKQRx
21Please respect copyright.PENANAowM8aTNF5A
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAw2gnwssVpu
21Please respect copyright.PENANAz64qZEizD3
"O-Oh..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAg9Tr5w3ZOB
21Please respect copyright.PENANAT19hc4kQpQ
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.21Please respect copyright.PENANABGBjUBp9CO
21Please respect copyright.PENANAVYPjGvQ2xK
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."21Please respect copyright.PENANA2vsZDT7zge
21Please respect copyright.PENANAAdQVoBid5Y
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."21Please respect copyright.PENANARlgu3Jxe6o
21Please respect copyright.PENANAuKpn9M6c0H
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAv7yR1qZi7G
21Please respect copyright.PENANAgUamNcqGEK
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."21Please respect copyright.PENANAN3CeXuX4iM
21Please respect copyright.PENANAaPgGFaRbiW
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.21Please respect copyright.PENANAxDIY0tZM4s
21Please respect copyright.PENANAmnX7oCWSyH
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.21Please respect copyright.PENANAvjhQp3Xvxh
21Please respect copyright.PENANAZrvP164aOf
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANABtuxLs5QMX
21Please respect copyright.PENANAD9FdUPJOU6
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAbdFJhnbaSq
21Please respect copyright.PENANAF818AaMSL6
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.21Please respect copyright.PENANAtdOXsj6Rxj
21Please respect copyright.PENANALqluTOuGIy
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAxGEspiWwHn
21Please respect copyright.PENANARTBSzNmy0S
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAGNilk5SgMg
21Please respect copyright.PENANAdpr5S56t1v
Front-page news!?21Please respect copyright.PENANAhX8fB2VZlF
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8XPmTQXTFb
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAl97ZYicOvK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAWoY6uRxAGw
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAKUXTwzF1P5
21Please respect copyright.PENANAOEsLLkJOcA
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.21Please respect copyright.PENANAnsJcMrASAz
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoO7AuFhEw0
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAT9OGicD9Em
21Please respect copyright.PENANApDh8Zj04PQ
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.21Please respect copyright.PENANA7us2qaYgDD
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8jl1ZARkPe
"No, I don't."21Please respect copyright.PENANAXCpCabEI3t
21Please respect copyright.PENANAUyPFCQsnEQ
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAIyeaCp4wsJ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAs5nlCG6TOm
"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!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA4f351kWAXl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAkq69szqRNz
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."21Please respect copyright.PENANAIW4VTf2OAE
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcEVevSPzwo
"Thank you."21Please respect copyright.PENANAIh8ovn1pp7
21Please respect copyright.PENANAisrAzx1PR1
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAjMjRo1Fsbt
21Please respect copyright.PENANAI10yBHxDgv
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.21Please respect copyright.PENANA3mDIkWsLSo
21Please respect copyright.PENANAZbV9HEGJG1
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."21Please respect copyright.PENANArUtATrVwux
21Please respect copyright.PENANAl02QmO1MIG
"Oh."21Please respect copyright.PENANAkQYFdN75vr
21Please respect copyright.PENANAHAN0Y7RRA6
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.21Please respect copyright.PENANAsgrlD7BdeN
21Please respect copyright.PENANA8f5WAzal2W
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."21Please respect copyright.PENANANDAuME5juF
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXXaLYffL8t
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAmUSnT42QHV
21Please respect copyright.PENANAoNLXDPdApz
Her face froze. I sighed.21Please respect copyright.PENANA5kq0Ot3vIM
21Please respect copyright.PENANAVgDN0YttiN
"I-I'll do it in the morning."21Please respect copyright.PENANAsBcGCA6szw
21Please respect copyright.PENANACba1EsT2e7
"Good luck."21Please respect copyright.PENANAKgYigyAxoL
21Please respect copyright.PENANA1ahS010jyz
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.21Please respect copyright.PENANAVma2IC9dho
21Please respect copyright.PENANAl8jl11ghGp
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."21Please respect copyright.PENANAG43Ol70hz2
21Please respect copyright.PENANAK3cNB4eHOi
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."21Please respect copyright.PENANA5eJKlW3PpR
21Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7Cw963Gkw
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."21Please respect copyright.PENANAZuFk673O6J
21Please respect copyright.PENANAG7HJXSZ0Uy
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAfUrc8BhJuW
21Please respect copyright.PENANAWn30DLZdAo
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."21Please respect copyright.PENANA1rX1CD6Dto
21Please respect copyright.PENANAYsgQpTtMJ0
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.21Please respect copyright.PENANAQmM4AO2Ywd
21Please respect copyright.PENANACxIgj4QWDm
"Going to what?"21Please respect copyright.PENANANpgN8xdWY5
21Please respect copyright.PENANAVYzy0qcksK
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.21Please respect copyright.PENANAXaPOT0p0yG
21Please respect copyright.PENANAhJG7sGGUYU
"Huh? Wash myself?"21Please respect copyright.PENANABb7sHuHcNq
21Please respect copyright.PENANADw84j19T0E
"Yes. Like we did."21Please respect copyright.PENANAutoHXLbldC
21Please respect copyright.PENANANtZCRp9WLG
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."21Please respect copyright.PENANARamy9lyyLD
21Please respect copyright.PENANAgW8EZV3gxL
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.21Please respect copyright.PENANA3zdBvv1g8q
21Please respect copyright.PENANAwUao5omHrn
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAuwj6292l5N
21Please respect copyright.PENANA0iunPuWg1j
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAYUQn2gi2qz
21Please respect copyright.PENANAU24MQsjPax
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.21Please respect copyright.PENANAjqdUe5oxtY
21Please respect copyright.PENANAkCtPQMNgdD
"Buffalo Village."21Please respect copyright.PENANAKbeuU8QYEG
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7LPXbsdEPR
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."21Please respect copyright.PENANAvoZwQQlqai
21Please respect copyright.PENANAu1YqItJfrw
"Really? I didn't know that."21Please respect copyright.PENANASE4JO2lRBt
21Please respect copyright.PENANAQKn8f9e2lO
Kim looked like she was smiling.21Please respect copyright.PENANAbagswl68LK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxEBXrGcW9p
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."21Please respect copyright.PENANArqMtw4Ml9z
21Please respect copyright.PENANAazSHvoOOl5
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.21Please respect copyright.PENANAgjm85Y3pLj
21Please respect copyright.PENANA6BfBmktk5A
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANApkSHc2jU5g
21Please respect copyright.PENANAuPBUAxkoNl
"Fine, fine."21Please respect copyright.PENANAeVvFadxDBt
21Please respect copyright.PENANA80unffI4Xg
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
21Please respect copyright.PENANAMwyISxqRuH
"..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAkcVtWy4v6h
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEboyTPWu11
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.21Please respect copyright.PENANAhUaMXCBcOu
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcfh7B1g1jZ
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."21Please respect copyright.PENANASPUwS52ui6
21Please respect copyright.PENANAxvWNE3liDN
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.21Please respect copyright.PENANAW1vtKz9sS8
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcE0wY8zpUI
–
–
–
"...Mmm."21Please respect copyright.PENANANBCvBUC0R7
21Please respect copyright.PENANAQibCUD7t15
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANABwsM0P871t
21Please respect copyright.PENANAvbpaS4IvGb
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA1Y3SVBncGO
21Please respect copyright.PENANA5K6AEFng2O
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA36CSntKXRW
21Please respect copyright.PENANAMAq2Ry2LEW
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZwViJ87in
21Please respect copyright.PENANAUSo6msKSIf
"Wow, you're hard at work."21Please respect copyright.PENANAyUrhDGaILO
21Please respect copyright.PENANAFItHnIXUAf
"Ah!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAZ76DAszNSj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAcPsu5crigm
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.21Please respect copyright.PENANAZbqBNeNUJw
21Please respect copyright.PENANA93daYZdhKo
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAeZRPG8yF9h
21Please respect copyright.PENANABzpiW3EXUW
"I don't think so... what time is it?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAGRsvyrirrF
21Please respect copyright.PENANAXldS6w3O4A
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."21Please respect copyright.PENANAOZO0jNU8Nl
21Please respect copyright.PENANAGZov5W90IQ
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA5csWmMVBgo
21Please respect copyright.PENANAdMIXCamHAw
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA0WQGS9KZwj
21Please respect copyright.PENANAzSHVd0prXE
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAJcje2qbnlm
21Please respect copyright.PENANAAlWuTPgHhD
I did regret sitting beside her, though.21Please respect copyright.PENANAYuc4xO77DQ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAMcAXVu2AQj
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."21Please respect copyright.PENANAUrT75dRu1h
21Please respect copyright.PENANAP0ZO1RRY4q
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA5rE2vfkrU9
21Please respect copyright.PENANAjNdhvMR54j
Flinty looked at me with excitement.21Please respect copyright.PENANAkLEeo8tUJn
21Please respect copyright.PENANABziVvoQZJC
"A goal?"21Please respect copyright.PENANADGTdsPE0vV
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7zwzKG2WEq
"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAjPmSrGG5SB
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3hFZXkVs0n
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.21Please respect copyright.PENANAO6CTHyEPNZ
21Please respect copyright.PENANA3xx4eOy1Im
"Okay, I'll do my best!"21Please respect copyright.PENANAjZxb3heTyK
21Please respect copyright.PENANA7wByZ7kCO8
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAcx0idhlqQW
21Please respect copyright.PENANAIKK0c5WDQy
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAaPKKwBMDjz
21Please respect copyright.PENANAGYihcbG592
"Good morning, Linda!"21Please respect copyright.PENANA6bMHHf33m1
21Please respect copyright.PENANAiqBsBRLIyg
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."21Please respect copyright.PENANAc2BnLNtGuC
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"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAyCsOtPHc9X
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Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.21Please respect copyright.PENANA4T5ioXnrzc
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"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."21Please respect copyright.PENANAh0GjwvAEOm
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Friday? Today is Friday?21Please respect copyright.PENANAjs5tJb3zXB
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANADy7F6fRXC7
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"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAztRTsAViV7
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She looked at me curiously before answering.21Please respect copyright.PENANALWz28JKxWY
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"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."21Please respect copyright.PENANA7aYE3NWrdf
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My heart nearly sank when I heard that.21Please respect copyright.PENANAzQJbOJ5dHp
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA4YVtS27ytD
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"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."21Please respect copyright.PENANAsWvsOODNos
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"To whom? Those at your home village?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA5Edl7z3aQb
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAWNMbtbSJ5i
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She lightly smiled.21Please respect copyright.PENANAR2S7SIaosn
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"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."21Please respect copyright.PENANAI5Q2J52RmE
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"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA91kGFhpDGb
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She shook her head from side to side.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyhgv9eZa8R
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANA9QsgTxxgVU
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"So you decided on living here?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAPv5pjMIcdq
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She nodded.21Please respect copyright.PENANAfu22veJml2
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAD9JydURYkQ
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I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.21Please respect copyright.PENANAbgaMMEPmfK
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"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."21Please respect copyright.PENANAo8rwLtYO4d
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"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."21Please respect copyright.PENANAgERxm8HpN6
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAzq7hs5SJPj
21Please respect copyright.PENANA0yZ1o9kgNG
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAKnZ3kQk49O
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As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.21Please respect copyright.PENANAE1NgmnIrBI
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"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA8qK4WOWE9t
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA2T5IwJIdIK
21Please respect copyright.PENANAOhlOxZbG7H
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA7efHgcuoat
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"Hey, Victoria?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAQXlYaVBQCD
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"Yes?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAemWLoqfQN0
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"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAJPbpfh1BKI
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"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!"21Please respect copyright.PENANATdMZFhDXDJ
21Please respect copyright.PENANAf1gscoSbbE
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyiveLMoCyH
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"Kim, are you good?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAbgiU3Qy809
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Kim just finished packing her bag.21Please respect copyright.PENANA6Al9CTIxIu
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"Yes. Let's get going."21Please respect copyright.PENANAXG0yHJPRrK
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"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."21Please respect copyright.PENANACkB5wdKF9P
21Please respect copyright.PENANATV6x6yp3kn
–
–
–
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAs9pExnQWEi
21Please respect copyright.PENANATA8EbiLBFI
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAvDqCH9oh5T
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...She did do that, right?21Please respect copyright.PENANABksFGc7b4D
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA5BaG4DISfm
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAUW9GnK7kDL
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Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?21Please respect copyright.PENANA0IO6jHXriz
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"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAlyfzP9faI1
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"Hmm?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA3G3SrkLs2W
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Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.21Please respect copyright.PENANATPpbX5UOqa
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"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."21Please respect copyright.PENANA3TIlNkvnl9
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAWZf8q17hgY
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Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.21Please respect copyright.PENANAyfOYIo5BZb
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAwqV4zVnBxp
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The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.21Please respect copyright.PENANAygfahi8twU
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"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."21Please respect copyright.PENANA4qM85FH5cf
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"R-Right."21Please respect copyright.PENANAaE0GT0ucZs
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I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.21Please respect copyright.PENANAMzkqXJjKVA
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"Any objections?"21Please respect copyright.PENANA9fUAnJaRmg
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None of us voiced any.21Please respect copyright.PENANAw4958F26Zz
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"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAxslQoaks9a
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"Of course."21Please respect copyright.PENANAjwKf837iCj
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANABKqb0pw8Q2
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAxS1q3SDK36
21Please respect copyright.PENANAq9ljhnvlRI
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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAEhLi1UIpYv
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAHsWXs1ISHd
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANACDJqno8DLF
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It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.21Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8mDh84MKv
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA8MrddndaZN
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"Hold on, stop here."21Please respect copyright.PENANASLiNpvmEaE
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAOzQGOjQK8y
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It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.21Please respect copyright.PENANAybIcrWCSgu
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"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."21Please respect copyright.PENANAZAS4QWsKXo
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANANWXDcsDWsD
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Aside from the sound of my breathing, I couldn't hear anything, but it was too soon to call the environment safe. After all, this had to be the base of operations, right? Victoria would occasionally branch away from us to check the insides of the buildings. They were all apparently empty and looked even worse inside than outside.21Please respect copyright.PENANAuw92WPOtQW
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"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."21Please respect copyright.PENANA403rIuGW0a
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.21Please respect copyright.PENANAGJC3ZaSqiB
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."21Please respect copyright.PENANAPVVdGYjRN6
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAnrqIZkGhsn
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"The presence of these structures is suspicious," Kim said, "even though they aren't inhabited right now, there is a possibility that the perpetrator uses this place as a base of operations."21Please respect copyright.PENANAwPalrPkkPb
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"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?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAUiq7jNQTmI
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAETSa88IThV
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"21Please respect copyright.PENANADRW90iiKeU
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"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."21Please respect copyright.PENANAaULrk3aTGC
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"21Please respect copyright.PENANA4JjeZ6fwVp
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."21Please respect copyright.PENANAf7OvuBbOGQ
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAFoqyLIL7wr
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"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAdQopCnYh0k
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"Heh, well..."21Please respect copyright.PENANAz0lmapBZV1
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAeqapq4kznd
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"What's the hold-up?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAXuvREjQDK9
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."21Please respect copyright.PENANAq9mtcvH7m9
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.21Please respect copyright.PENANAYyBHMT9hr2
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAhfIOIp0f3V
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA1Tx00QkRWF
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"So, what about you?"21Please respect copyright.PENANAFYaRsnQrP7
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."21Please respect copyright.PENANAnRFQp6tFSA
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She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.21Please respect copyright.PENANACGDCyXeFr0
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"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."21Please respect copyright.PENANAGmo2sJFAvh
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."21Please respect copyright.PENANA1cKg7sSXGZ
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She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.21Please respect copyright.PENANAb6Ej94Qars
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"I can see now why– oop."21Please respect copyright.PENANA8775TqyNKi
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She stopped her sentence midway. I was going to inquire her, but then Victoria suddenly stood up, squelched my flash-bloom, and put a hand over my mouth.21Please respect copyright.PENANAWklbw94qf7
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAkRVkGxRBjm
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All of a sudden, a voice.21Please respect copyright.PENANA2ag3Dwvc5a
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"Something... I feel like something was here."21Please respect copyright.PENANAvJSqtDInLl
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANA7nUdr17EyU
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I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.21Please respect copyright.PENANAU15kQWxYCt
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."21Please respect copyright.PENANA6hCJl5SFNu
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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.21Please respect copyright.PENANAO5mr69FE0d
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I looked above us. This building only had half of a roof, and though it covered us, it was anything but assuring. I looked to my left and at Kim. She was poised with her hand on the hilt of her sword, still inside her scabbard.
"Victoria," I whispered, "how bad?"
She gulped.
"I-I'm trying not to vomit right now."21Please respect copyright.PENANAtON4lS7yYT
21Please respect copyright.PENANAEzvsmRevqh
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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