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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvPTrE5AW2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw39L78LAD8
"Hello. Kenny and Flinty, right? I assume you remember me from earlier."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy0sHzt8HZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkNA4q9s8c
"Yes! I had a feeling you might be the helper."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWNjd7bhlX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCnI3GEG7v
You had a feeling, Flinty? Why didn't you tell me? Why'd you leave me out?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqaIIANGyE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Oz4eqDk2
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkyzAvqakj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt1628EtFx
How noble of her. Hmph. I looked away from the lady. She didn't take the hint and walked towards me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEezMU4yNCl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpMVsrO6hh
"And you, thank you again for your generosity. I plan on returning the favor."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVhUkykrXU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRgvuYWMrn
"...Sure."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yUpNoB7tw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRkSIw5qee
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?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLSJ8uHV8i
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCGk9bpSnU
"I'm sorry that I cannot give you all my name. But for now, you may call me Kim."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjH4KmGUQ6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj0BrbZSOz
"Then, Kim," started Linda, "why don't you sit down at this here table? I'll have my daughter bring some drinks.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y7PBf3LhC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHpgNPnrJU
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q7cnyjORG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwK1l6pw8m
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdlowQcUtb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAhuXuFLhO
"So, Kim, how much of the situation do you know?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AL9PfXBEd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui33GW0UhK
"There's a monster that was just extinguished, and you all are trying to find the culprit."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJXN0Fc57i
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfNNKNKfsA
"Correct. Tomorrow, you, Victoria, and Kenny will venture into the forest and investigate."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaDzWlaKay
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLt1LB680t
"Wait, what!?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7VzFvUy7F
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFAb8Vqk14
Flinty stood up and slammed the table.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgCp6HWRzc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYOHnDA0w4
"Why not me?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxs72gcnhO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u3H1IXRNI
"Well Flitny, you are still young, and you are also a far less experienced fighter than the other three."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXPsVXdkrp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYqbaRQq6H
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JC07pMG9p
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0TEzCGaCH
"B-But, I can still help! I know how to use magic a little, I swear!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrjKvTXhaD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ395tzr58vl
No, you didn't.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6cYfJU9rP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ104YZFysMq
"Sorry, Flinty, but even then, I cannot let such a young girl go, even with the likes of Kenny and Victoria."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixNfORhKmX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloCvWSeSQm
"C-Come on!" Kenny, back me up here!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGBmkSYNfn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeJV8Dkvao
"Huh?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF81SErM3JX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCRIixmAC3
I was taken by surprise and didn't know how to respond.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mpo0PMfEC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddUuCo4lZd
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k3zpqfPa5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6DORpTaBD
"Mhm!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuS0EMwecA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNPJPHlEID
Flinty sat down and stuck her hand out to me with her palm facing the ceiling. I gave her a high-five.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteH5jULdUf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtI1TKh3jJ
"I understand your reasoning, but I disallow it."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiDcMHHj60
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUziOx4pDQ
Flinty crossed her arms. She was looking at the floor with a frown.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdeSSCYkTR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbovuar7eA
"...Fine."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXhYTkAMvV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOX408mXTW
She glanced at me with a wink. Ah, so that's what you're getting at. Alright. I winked back. I hope nobody noticed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq4reh2IJr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2oKT7Z3oN
"Then, why don't we turn in for the night? The earlier we wake up, the better I say."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji69kCI1Ha
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti2Zo922L3
"That sounds great," Kim said, "but where do I sleep?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcUWHkotax
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD0dopCVFL
"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!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqqLRxH2Vb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0qbuZRkxq
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XWqUQy2m6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE5iVDp5KY
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeXmvAx5XT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc0rtH73Nf
"Is there... something you need?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP24rljITM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPv3ewactq
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ry2aOEVOI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsSYGLPrQV
I was starting to think that this woman possessed a curse of some type. I never struggled to converse with someone this badly.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC24A0zmVS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3akE8wtTJC
"Oh, that makes sense. Then, what did you want to talk about?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH74VlUkWJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6steSG8dI
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UVvH20F7w
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRApfJXsMc
"Why is it that you can't say your name?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8mXPKnjnX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6iivEtwhs
"Ah, of course you'd be curious about that. Hmm..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsFYQ3Ekzq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aDPtzMdWd
She didn't immediately refuse to answer it, which gave me some hope.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF81MEBZhpu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncoBdIasVD
"I can't tell you, sorry. But, to make it more fun, how about I give you a hint?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdygCEpy0oU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQIWIhfo5I
"A hint? Sure, I'll play along with your game."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C7v03TyYf
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRHDKkSlZ2
She giggled a little. Creepy.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtD2Olb8RI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqxvt7HFCI
"I can't give my name, and in some way, it's because of you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aSLx61TQj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJHUGj0aY1
"..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSiD0At59B
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoBGZsVMMz
What?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOqxRMJUIS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu0Ez0e17X
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXogaTG6Q3X
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN2WNTfjtL
"I-I don't mean it in a malicious way! It's not for a bad reason, I promise!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXCWadopZF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fko5BvyHz
"O-Oh..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRaT6200lL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHwApVOtfz
She sighed and mumbled something under her breath.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGLvZoVk5D
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimQWubakdB
"Sorry. I forget that you're still a child."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZt9nm33jN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NuSGY0EtP
"I'm aware of it. It's a perfect excuse for almost anything."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavhIPE7Jno
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0rjrZeZ1v
"Heh, aren't you a little demon?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVZROLiYSn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hqFCZWI0J
"Nope, just a kid, that's all."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUMK1Sx8B6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQg7ep9PJg
Yep, I'm just a kid who's been accepted into Talbot University.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nGm0tLR1q
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWAGtVjkQ4
Okay, calm down, let's not get all haughty. It's not like me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7icR0RzMM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsHfXUvV1B
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFl96fFZ2V
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECvuOE9y6s
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8rxzfxZc8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4q9DVHqOy
See? See what I mean!? Wait, that's not a good rumor at all.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGGwzcNMZZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8Ik1NPRNM
"M-Me? I didn't freeze a block, what are you talking about?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcGN9pc7Q5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2kjT2rGn1
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqZQhdZz40
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI9j8KHter
Front-page news!?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqh38HBmpv
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTP5fO2eKC
"W-Wait, nobody confronted me about it, though. How could it be front-page news?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNRg5HMCKB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zMystsdqL
"O-Oh! Um, uh..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4cVmHjK7z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt68KBXBhLl
She started rubbing the back of her head. My suspicions were crawling back.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8rtdYtix7
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cLNw26mbf
"Don't tell me... you work as a journalist?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMCIVy1DwT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCujfNBgZE
She let out a breath of relief, for some reason.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBryc0cJ3Sw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7MosGh41u
"No, I don't."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF4CXa4RNp
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pT5tr94XQ
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDaB1Xk3kA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17MERCIeOB
"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!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLbnAYJp8I
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshetwzQjT9
"I-I'll see what I can do. It will be posted in two days, I might be able to convince them."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOtn3RuAzc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPbGCvGI4G
"Thank you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkieqfyFEnI
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6tvVRtxjM
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0NbZJvNIZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutlID3pDJ2
"You look like you're in a good mood," I said.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnS0fOqysh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4cPyjfEN5
"Do I? I'm pretty nervous."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFfr5882ns
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZHVua0oXu
"Oh."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoarXXZcojo
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta6FjbEOwf
If that's how she looked when she was nervous, then I was jealous.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn4KF87zBT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0iVoKmWEf
"But, I'm also excited. I'm gonna be sneaking into your group when Linda isn't looking."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnjEci3QZB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRNY6fI9m1
"Did you tell the other two about that plan?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CIwW4WNnd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvMTaoqT6H
Her face froze. I sighed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxiMCJBcYQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe7pShr6k9
"I-I'll do it in the morning."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj864I0e5Ga
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V22XnkwKY
"Good luck."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfbRZXVX8s
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ8r2hHF3f
She puffed her cheeks with a dainty pout.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjZNsUjlyW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFWNo6c8Hw
"It might be smarter if you tell the others. You can do it right after you leave."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvfDQQ9QRr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVllb2RVoS
"I don't think Victoria is going to like that. She'll listen to you better than she'll listen to me."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN9o4Labew
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTQJZlpbo6
"That is true. I'll have to wake up a bit early, then."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefbNhzgIlL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagFw9WVBcD
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fTG3K12kN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTp4dtA3ws
"Uh, Kenny, aren't you going to..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOL65OO37Z
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZUrUmJ4O1
Flinty was asking me a cut-off question.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q2tqpK3Kv
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22pXurLTiz
"Going to what?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7JNiXWQhg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCyVQxWQfG
"She's asking if you're going to wash yourself," said Kim.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn1S6ZQ95Y
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevDoHOc1FE
"Huh? Wash myself?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2wJfGUmXD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wK0ENDlj6
"Yes. Like we did."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3REWq3lAfJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRbiYfaji7
"I don't wash or anything before the night, though."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsBLqTDBLY
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvgZAexoFA
Kim looked at Flinty. She had a mortified expression on her face. I was suddenly feeling embarrassed.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxfmpeajQF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlIYbusXSg
"L-Look, they didn't do it in my hometown! I didn't know the culture was different here!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEZk56bUrQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ox0gzgje
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCIyEWHRb6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBDAIgRm68
"What town did you come from?" Kim asked.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAEIpSeM9J
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iRfNW4l1o
"Buffalo Village."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt05I8HBE1y
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAU0uSnnmj
"That's far. That village borders on Ferdinand Kingdom's area of control."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3HvH2vAi8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDxkL2TAGJ
"Really? I didn't know that."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10CXBdr0GY
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw3atCGQyk
Kim looked like she was smiling.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZvmVswZIJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16OlVlAgbf
"Well, that's because Ferdinand's Kingdom controls the lower parts of the Southern country, with a few exceptions."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv73EP8tWZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxh801G60h
"You're really knowledgeable, Kim," I said.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2BC22FhVn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO9paVbr2J
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSsBVcnlRr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmWo5PzhTx
"Fine, fine."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhD7tqnVwlK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79qGxapmTd
I got up and moseyed to the door, exiting while popping my shoulder.
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuzADIh9SI
"..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDY2b7tIfo
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcGMUiJLCU
At least she bought my explanation. I didn't want to tell her that I lost the habit because of... well, I knew why.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5HCFJ05MZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡant7ErAIPS
"Now's a good time to get it back, though. I'm sure Anabelle would be proud of me right now."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOdBiC1YPZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIjzFLGUhJ
So, with a raised fist and a smile, I went to find the shower and restroom.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg6yHuH6Er
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xkqP6RQFI
–
–
–
"...Mmm."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tmR78rxve
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh0FcwFsrS
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmcqR2ky3h
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nlNZ70mjT
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVsaLtqE3d
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHzsi8rDAJ
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBOsy5wZBD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj69QsAwDpO
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCCjAUmL54
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghsbJEmH2T
"Wow, you're hard at work."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSweXaw9FKw
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeacY506jfb
"Ah!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsXR4L6CXb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkHoDpXwUE
She shrieked a little, lost focus, and was splashed with water. Oops.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvUcdLwIlb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgADvCW7TFp
"Kenny! Sorry, did I wake you up?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1IdprViDP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB9r0HWKhU
"I don't think so... what time is it?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB4E0ALvhx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X42vg6iIh
"It's six in the morning, I think. Vikky should be here soon."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT4H3nxLbu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGU3cKk9Am
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG6WtkNpSr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgkKMMRUZV
"Ha! Yes! That's a new record!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXu8AElngX
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3Gz0kDs4R
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw02Kj3pOM4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtNWiQsMEG
I did regret sitting beside her, though.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztY7grllC8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc4N9JTBIy
"O-Oh, sorry Kenny, I got you wet."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGmQpCONQC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVryPbwmkU
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7Hpe5VWYV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwTRLYG8OU
Flinty looked at me with excitement.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNx9BI17iC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wbp5gTv8Z
"A goal?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zgGm0JTIM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMU8582LoJ
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZC8spvxXL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wzm8uviSC
She looked aghast before swiftly shaking her head.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M4dEf7dtZ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyGQr8gDRe
"Okay, I'll do my best!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVddwW5eYh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4UdsgieYf
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESlIUvZOtu
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAcxUFZaia
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKlbGn159d
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2URuVvWiZn
"Good morning, Linda!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOIVof1s32
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG3QNgVc5h
"Ah, Kenny, good morning. You're up early."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqcJgPhtnF
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpFBDpze4I
"So are you. Do you normally wake up at this time?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggOiKVOiy5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjAX4CC0yo
Linda hung up a shirt and looked at me.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP52zjaEcJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAwk9UvYda
"No, only on Fridays. Friday's are laundry days."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tPYkYoxt1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0zlvxhd0v
Friday? Today is Friday?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AglkZHFoj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38RTJTyfg
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡongFmR3t2K
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh2bx0NcoZ
"Say, Linda, what month and day are we in?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTrooFuoRU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7DZcUSbSy
She looked at me curiously before answering.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l7OMFWOBe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTagip3zAP7
"It is July the seventh, year 342 KPA."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8kD9OkzQy
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuDXTLq5cb
My heart nearly sank when I heard that.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZGLr4h1fK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxHTiVHBkO
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dEUWElPOb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD1cA7MWCq
"...Linda, I think I need to write a letter after this."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXgXH7TIRk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkLcROQFP4
"To whom? Those at your home village?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kcwKeyDRD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6FuZHYs1Q
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl1kyRV5xd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnamMlHXAI
She lightly smiled.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsndSdODN52
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydxz4EodPD
"I'm glad you hold your hometown so dearly."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl27OzIehgO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfIGK7vt7f
"Say, Linda, did you grow up in the Green Zone?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJwarLIODr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk6y7YZayq
She shook her head from side to side.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7UGN3rh4C
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9clo6jCCW
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTLSvqiomW
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdPpLGPSl7
"So you decided on living here?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1qH5dE7LR
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsJznVWOU2
She nodded.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucU8uo167X
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxT1h5F6hD
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDuyUs1Lz1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf0Lc3MeHo
I wasn't going to say anything to that, because I would've felt wrong. But I did nod in response.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7Y4EkPnW8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoQUunJw8T
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking with children. Or, talking."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1mke1hUAS
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p2FQW3eWN
"No worries. I'm not good at talking either, to be frank."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAEoqNvCvx
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7BSKzCL5d
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5H0EK9clq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwuwUtx9tq
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP55dM1nj70
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHuuWz9gyp
As I approached the house, I heard obnoxious clanging and angry yelling. A minute later, Flinty, Kim, and Victoria exited the living quarters.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea8etbT5hj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd8FcOJDNT
"Oh, there you are, Kenny. Now that we're all here, who's ready for breakfast?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5iJkiPEIc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj7UCXIgzm
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQhSlzeWet
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwBXhh3Mg3
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf38W8b4xdO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JrWpkgIAn
"Hey, Victoria?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Yr4aqeTK
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoE2RkbxVE
"Yes?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vK2PnEGXT
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnF8UhwWcG
"Can I have some extra bread and another flask? Just in case?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuidmWJEjg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ls13XHuRY
"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!"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfS0CbIffk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NkLC0iNhC
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR8LOJPKTN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2j1JKTxDq
"Kim, are you good?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryrFma87VH
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DYgxnM64y
Kim just finished packing her bag.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2icZ4keWr
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzswC7RpCe6
"Yes. Let's get going."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX2omCxQ4g
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5YoG1BETs
"Alright! Then, before we enter the woods, let's talk about formation and all of that."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnZlR92Iag
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgEYOmvTsf
–
–
–
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvoeuDG9gV
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y4SsRjYUY
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYVgEPnS2W
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3X6XQULJO
...She did do that, right?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkYJnG4D8f
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHQQLJwtBP
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX8iIVgXvc
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3589hMQCZ
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTLUupIuNO
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96RfE9TmmH
Crap, she didn't tell her, did she?187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxLqK5lhSd
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UFgVkg0qz
"Kenny, Kim, Vikky?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAm1fte7gj
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu5MXFlsNI
"Hmm?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJEQ4dWMOL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkCMlWkScX
Victoria was the only one who sounded surprised. I was already preparing a farewell to Flinty.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncuaGexGTl
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I6a7gJx18
"Oh, there you are, Flinty. I was wondering when you'd join us."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNnuzdoABe
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAiLCaXvuK
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjleJE2N0pP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmuU3Rpnec
Well, that didn't matter now. We were already before the woods.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGs8BXWMTM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtogCSdPblv
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32tmRDEfG1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLxPiFJ1t8
The way she described it, it sounded like she wanted me to be the first to be attacked.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwumb8YtU9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC16kzF6oX
"Also, Kenny, since you're a mage, it would be best if you were the last to be targeted."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEx1r1NNPU
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnWDs6D1z9
"R-Right."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnr4WSTqqQ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM59wS5RvW1
I didn't consider myself much of a mage, but I couldn't deny that I was good at mana manipulation.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCgiVNCAHg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimHKfeaCHS
"Any objections?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX5YL0PWl8
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfDcTG25Ry
None of us voiced any.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQayJ2MUXsA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71fRIL78Io
"Then, Kim, please stay close to Flinty, okay?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaPcGzlknb
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHsdgJjVEC
"Of course."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRInpdOKco0
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMpWOvmjNl
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8SDvzqY8D
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SZQYLRrwS
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiaCRpQ1BJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79c2JEwCwI
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHADcAZuHm
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFDOVKrD1w
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ThShJi8Bk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2r26AsGv8
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3J94nIzU4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJLth5ncQ8
It was a nice trip. Maybe a little underwhelming, but I'd take this over fighting those freakish monsters any day.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBJIyjgkuo
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDVFzSfOnw
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTFiID6w1d
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOu3w95Azm
"Hold on, stop here."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExeGdpbWrG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPkrPNwotY
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntvqyoG9Y
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVIpGFuGLV
It was infrastructure. Not just one building, either. There were multiple, positioned as if they belonged in a small village.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIuH2fgzNP
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG0WcxuHAy
"I think we found the base of operations," Victoria said. "It might be inhabited, so be careful and quiet as we move in."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkagJAvo5k
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZxzbtsKJe
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi1k96FE3P
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5NHDnLgTM
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPLXg1fW2o
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VejrfCmcv
"Not to mention the smell, ugh. Y'know, I don't know who left these structures here, but I wanna make a complaint."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWGeO1iwRE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZOd0cHHRr
"Does it look safe?" I asked.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rYpUfxFxM
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGNn3CusEs
"Well, we won't know until we check them all."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzDcdH3Al5
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyszUOmVCQ
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c0fs0jCs6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3y6O9tuJ6
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9RiUBfsBk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZY6F2H8pD
"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?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0oEVPxnt6
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVaT0nR0qY
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAQsAXIrc7
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxCn8kCCx8
"So, Kenny," Kim started, "you're a mage, are you? Where's your staff?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLXq6oW1dJ
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFJocRO0Pt
"I'm not much of a mage. I can perform mana expulsion effectively, but my interests lay in alchemy and magical plants."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerqwZw1oFD
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd629eGpD1
"Ah. So, mostly mana spinning. Can you–"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kIeXZWzDa
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtUPKpKfzL
"Yes, I can perform mana spinning on plants."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSe34N2lmE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHQXOTf64n
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ93uyolVBB
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKFSsfMRv3
"Anyway, you're one of the few people I've heard of that dabbles in magical plants. Are you any good?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywhZ5yMzdh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E86pExodP
"Heh, well..."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli8igOTcf3
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJCDz0xVQ0
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FCqr5TkdN
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYjrMG8Fo0
"What's the hold-up?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIS8F2T92Y
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OgKp7q5Re
"Uh, I'm not sure if I should show you."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9901jRIjVg
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFEHett56l
She slowly nodded. Still considering if I should do it or not, Kim kept talking.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQwPWXaylm
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYfVrvVH1L
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvYfzvR6jt
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM6Sg9U98f
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1MdYHxMjG
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6F2Mw8Vsu
"So, what about you?"187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN8A71iQVk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iqcbDI9ZW
"Ah, right. Promise me you won't freak out."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdlhsCzwwh
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnYXFZbCEs
She nodded. I let the tendril loose and it wrapped itself around my right arm like a snake. Kim's figure froze.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K7AJeYZL2
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZTGURIeYg
"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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3bH3GzNhL
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslKmtXP7qO
"I-Incredible... I've never seen such an Endowment before."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DkY2mrUCk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsGLZX6tmM
She sounded genuinely amazed. I scratched my cheek a little. I produced a flash-bloom from the tendril, and Kim sounded elated.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTsK485ksn
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubzgbAVkjB
"I can see now why– oop."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvXVTj6P5B
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0flPg8DzBo
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjcHj8WjcA
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP1UUmhIOv
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf216Kk4D9
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4HxvLyVPK
All of a sudden, a voice.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVqTFJhSD4
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXa9J1sTuZ
"Something... I feel like something was here."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBsVsqtuoq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWleLroEknq
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPszgt1jKoC
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1WznSB4gV
I was feeling my heart race, imagining just what it could be that Victoria was seeing. The man's voice came back.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UP6Ma4jWE
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jCQ8L39h0
"Hmm. It might be wise to check all the houses. Jeremiah, elevate me."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57utssE4E1
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRCeNnNls6
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.187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnfOLIzwcq
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gVFcwHExo
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."187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJMZza3Mtk
187Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkneHVPUE1Y
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.
ns216.73.216.214da2
