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
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcKYg4h6IS
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrY0Reig5a
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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."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0QCdtezXa
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"Does it look safe?" I asked.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAjkHNPcYj
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"Well, we won't know until we check them all."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tlnVsPRjW
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLHTAE0xaC
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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."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmqY1ZGeRf
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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?"223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fuy1D1ahq
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67PThyVQi6
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"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2693iFJxqy
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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."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GTJFME5xU
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"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiyBJGwbIL
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"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxgdhdPlhO
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy912mqvPPI
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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?"223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBRCVbg0TU
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"Heh, well..."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW48giZ3HT
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Krst38Eyl
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"What's the hold-up?"223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85VTSEKhEJ
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"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyTaX0OfLj
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She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c7QxmdxSH
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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."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrJ3kiU8YA
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9oWVWa3OU
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"So, what about you?"223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqR5rQF6B7
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"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQdlYbpkMy
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jRMrTPqMi
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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."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCW1La9xid
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"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPODPdpVXZB
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFGN8n2RxE
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"I can see now why– oop."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdUqzYnJz2
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rbQ3E8Cgu
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI1DAVLnhE
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All of a sudden, a voice.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyiuokATg8
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"Something... I feel like something was here."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFy2C8z5AM
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDegz4tYU
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi6azZJJc4
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"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYALjhA4aLY
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakbWbgXumP
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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."223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0rYffq9hQ
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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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