The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kT3aPKw90
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmboXiX4ItI
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7pGxPx0uq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTL7woUfQy
Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffS7oq5VPD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu93clQqHVQ
"Dad!?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lcRTuj1BB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKpMcyIvEP
Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtuv0mIj9m
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqrk40JeM3
"Flinty! There you are!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh3NE6AyKD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkkgeInOjc
Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zNcme8bwi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrcpRhEeV0
"And you must be Kenny?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6neITwnDU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf2nRHgEE9
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUP0DL4B45
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii7A1Av5P9
I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uKMMhesbB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZfL9mgZ7V
"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa3XjQG8yJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7hMZhXv8J
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYEM4UQXfo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gm9TGHamN
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBjlexhScj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJdFCCAZUT
Dear Mister Chambers.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGLjxm2ehz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkbaHpkg5H
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzax2l9inW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7oxkWVsit
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWgMw64SK4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZObyRor7sO
"...I don't remember promising anything."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XK3Hf3sVJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs35iEa2UG
That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5mKFfpc0m
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7ppS044Bw
"I'll make sure to thank him later."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hYe8x04Ci
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BkTWipmva
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qSwDyRsgm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAeVxqLHR6
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgXXKbKaCn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkpbQZAd4J
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4jrkg8i3G
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjXkK9aKYf
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnYuWNRiG1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJzopcTisd
It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wt6DANEGf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkc4QCK9Nw
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMBSck1o1k
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWzRjt25e6
"Kenny!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95kfyvCxCG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7534Yodz3
"Ah, Flinty, hello."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqeDDULFEk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSl7GJMeIx
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSss3nwd6nG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL88IXdYxz
"Is that the plant you asked for?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HGZ1qbB9J
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkaGHg3403
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FNhFhUxnT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQVnJ3qTDn
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J5zBFZJb0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQvUhdmcLS
"Hello, you two."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLtAHKGcPi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztrjmpEBrE
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUTVovQAbO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwAzrTTUBK
"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PU6DIxf6n
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTMFIjfo03
"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAxYZEDjZo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan7pHhGbkf
He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGgq8rMBzh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V3TNDXAor
"Please don't drop it or something."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICJCcOeFzb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnzv4b1GVt
"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SS7oN0DAW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJoRosPs9y
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QqbsQlwyh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhres0adv7
"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjupHuQdN0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq1oG4V9JX
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd6Zih8SUw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFlGrrrLbi
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i0E7SBOLw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs7JQyCS9r
"And you asked for... a flower?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YzZWO7X3W
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9XjSE5B6N
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlkM55XEi6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7w5kvMoIV
Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYddn2UTZ4E
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRy1ZK638e
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeyOFe74kY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM4yR7S3ZC
"Arg! You...!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPytGZvwAk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VDbqI1gSf
Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8e9kDsoQb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMOM0vEVi0
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4ZQeT2J9Q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HGnDv24Ls
"Whatever."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB80itxBNDY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunbKDwxsT5
We sat in silence for a minute.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWLSLWT9QT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyU6obK84C
"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0uf9ZmJkQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8krei662Se
"Yes! Please tell me!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdssAHJyya
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg38dJmUaV
Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXXveHkYhM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUS0VLUrAd
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ87oAeDoGF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxicg5oYPgB
"Wait, Eastern country?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7F5DLOLJ2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQWc9R4MAL
I faced the old man.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPqpCJMsWY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBKovqAARE
"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1DsMwTLh9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmBlCeDiab
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFNN0as8Hm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCQmlRO7Ax
"Yikes, where did you grow up?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTGm7uZ1DM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscJcsHLgeC
"...Buffalo village."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERalQlVTz4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6K1k57v7V
"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ599DbiN6tw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU07htzOsCd
I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEQs84ye0E
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMvRZrcl5F
"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g3ppRxmN4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hsGbsnANL
"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EVgJwCXyH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAGu0WRSGc
Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUk4utVBgY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZiQ7cXn6K
"Can I explain this one, Dad?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRABB3eWUu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOIu3r1tnR
"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76p6j71qeB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMbJ6K0Uop
Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf0MJV7qhG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf5NWGcUVc
"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfWvxNJlUr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCqDnLSXBv
I nodded along.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aGwA52vOJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ul4O9oK6w
"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOy4y7bVrY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOgK6KWuLP
I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG39IOoRz5c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cYMGstjyv
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpapQ25sCm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡookKaS32Rb
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi4srOUE0n
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJSXSjsU5e
She blinked blankly.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmcnCBX7LJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzseNgmZKW2
"Wait, is it?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPCofJ7sMN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6mvNpeq4X
I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qEnNTwMEL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ei6zrYrxX
"No, maybe it is true."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqP6FRt3QU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqhhKnbpmx
"O-Oh, okay."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGHIGlk8GI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQGMaQovTy
"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNkaJ7TQEU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCW00p02A7
"How was your guys' day?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUd4ceduzy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa0uSkn3r9
"Mom, you should've been there!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM1hjuUnvz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMZNRvUau6
And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvop7nwRn0I
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ737PB48uXn
I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHjkN6OpqA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cQUlVG41e
It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjWhyrIAYM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLTROtY9nC
I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NCjMypUe0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYH3jlUb21
"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnBavlzFhA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwh6iLRDPD
"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y6GolV4Tz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobagH7BDGO
"O-Okay."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE10F8FYN15
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcwtG75igN
"Hold on chum, you come back here."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8XuhI8lF6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmS8jGXYzu
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQdp324Los
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nj9W2zf6I
"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCV6YlD3gX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBipAdAcULm
He sat me right back down in my chair.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah1MhVRX3X
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTBUOHNwyj
"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2aU0DamLS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1A9gIsC5l
The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT7t02d7kT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr6V6ZdQXO
"...Uh, hehehe... he?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLDClbGqca
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqhc5vr8dL
Nobody even heard my "laugh."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLvBRIsXTW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AQQsqdNCA
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytkREMwI6c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa67Yr96ZPU
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRknjA0BDs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGO9ccla5v
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNbzyZ3Uou
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw6w9F4vb1
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCdwmY3Sjr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyooFKNzp24
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ87YJuw2qb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojcZd8JhvN
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKOM3Ckiqo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazy4BWOtVs
"TALBOT!?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANDRrNqjmx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOfgD6eJKY
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUndye9vNe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2YXfsVHEB
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3EzkRjl9S
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhrswgwS1S
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp082qaFT98
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAPozXIUr1
"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeunWQwViS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8UdCG3Qap
I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28hennPu8B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMlLi00WlK
"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eMCzAvptZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD1Xj6Pd04
"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGASSMEOcZi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAJMLFCLjA
"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpuk1VieJz
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHrJsx76CO
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAqkZ82BRD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8cuJfuHKs
I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WvyZ7UYLC
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Bpuc17G8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnd3WOEnnd
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdR6INv1tl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOMTCSVKOe
For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTju0lTXMiE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUArMOhdq0C
"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOSOBRMCNL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7LREpiQRJ
Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tSULBl0Fp
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Hp9ScMse
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHPxA7LDJw
I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd76FrcVJG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud23PS6wae
"Flinty."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB4Kff0kPS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb25ii3DqEh
"Y-Yeah?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu7xqGH8bm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkanNFyx5MT
"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxahTK9wqI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQYbDBWbnZ
Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLADjTwwxEa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL4agbgaDt
"Okay! Let's do it!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzc1hFxiTo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPiT83sZ22
There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtsjpJ8kTF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JyFu87NBq
"...My tome is in the other room."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRZageaQoj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJow94Avep
Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL7unXpxSs
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–
–
–434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R3r9eqwe5
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL08S9QVjV
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I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7b30vjjyW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZegMLO4mG
"Ah, mornin' Chum."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX85h0npSCA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0WKFpa5GH
"Good morning."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7AYGFE4eN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL3FSjTmib
"What are you doing here all by yourself?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sj1tKZ0ko
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SopZOKsxZ
"I woke up early."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlD6Gt07he
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm5Sx9xZ0m
"Alright. Let me make you some food. "434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgKkaD8Y24
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPDegHlsUN
I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqwkQYzKwX
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRRmR1GeuT
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"Right."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s3eJf7d4j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtN5nVsV68
Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tCa340KWk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAF6rPMmsv
Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurSz7TBNbY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBb6fejsKS
"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBIZeyC50E
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjg8fjM2G0
"I sure did, honey."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY27Bo8jHhi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9DWFNZHRi
"Oh."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LOwwItWjv
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQBLtU4EiQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv53OM9bU3M
"Is something wrong?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD93PTAowrG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30wfQqFV5I
"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDemo1lWfTL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M2uY82FHe
She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN5dWUhZ8W
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Strange. Strange people.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPUyOiwzv2
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After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSJqfWteYe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAuTL5LU2d
"...I uh."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn6hCVVUDn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlurBbPYb4s
Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZbyqROdE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsSBem4Vjz
"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrORACrkWrO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7oNt5XF4m
I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LwQFA01LF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z74uFIQCh
"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrUZVLD4u8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmW1jUrVtn
"Water under the bridge?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7Eh5knKt2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSi3492bTP
"Mhm."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlVD2EiTW0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dCk2BNcu6
Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTruHtLtuOV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdioLrVRWA
Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT29IM7rGT
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They were really good.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWooENVLSUb
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–
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–
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccgRz7Ewdo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64C7GqKQta
"That's a nice outfit"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYEEAKYL48
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pQOdB9PuC
"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZaXkUTusM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9MchLZ7Hs
Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2OabCIzH0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iCoTa5RSF
"You know this town very well, Flinty."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphO21VIf0d
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjcGYvOvkR
"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr97GQWDiLx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwrrPtVi03
"Ah, my apologies."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMfBPK5NMU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIfVjjTUHT
"No no, I like being around you too."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFNOAKzTp9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JgyEjZyvC
Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcdPmiVWfM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzflChpnZJq
"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHCFNq6c9o
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KDknHPBoP
"R-Right."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jQGuVFKM7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1ZkzdtvO0
She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrMh9stBRR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsylRHkTe3
"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU8usCwSCW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9zvO3X2ap
"Hello, Freed!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOtOotaZj4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc50UcsOU7F
"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmGT489Xx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbQ9oZbpPk
When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ2lhAzIFX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8OAnQNczN
"So what business do you kids have today?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleunWPHxQP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRCyXfhU9A
"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL52x8CTZF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvTWrH7UC0
"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSbi69o0wG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyujTzZmTyC
The Tea Mage slowly nodded.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjGqSRsUNd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4MfIaTosE
"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3FJoPMXV2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y09SjJ3c6
"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XGLgLr6De
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2LRzlTOmu
"I see."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMiGizocXM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD7HX7XkqO
The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4hZhqkxrE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HayGVUkfA
"I refuse."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhshEhYlMx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4RQOFUZ3o
"Huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvonQ2oHul7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6BPE5d54k
"WHAT!?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBRXpRjQbU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVw6dvRhcU
Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VVV8bPSoN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mssW5iTXn
"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrF3dlWh62
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWG3rNVz8v
"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGl8cps63y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGbFn50Fdp
"...No?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalLo7kqpnr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZcLIBbtc
"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIpCdUMleh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UDOL73pM1
His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8HaINgVSr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzragzdLL4L
"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlbMdi3pYp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAYBnZVqvS
"Hold on, follow me, you two."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQIJ6emFx8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiRpNfoRHx
The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1VYl8fjNp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgkXoEtFUz
It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr0eQrlTm5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmabMySEwZ0
"Down here."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAlkhDdpIO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKitOT629xk
I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ztZS9swTb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqlRo1qjbB
It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlLJ4MwwuE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWSydC7OeE
"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZToCatG7G3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVE1zRPoI
Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CtAdt88Dn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy7YwtmiXc
Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SpiBELCTi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvGirTphDv
"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq4FzOz0W6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeJnkr7CsR
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVddHrSBnQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOz95HZFi7
I shrugged.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFwzlx0IvG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKT0k7VtbS
"Well alright, go ahead and try."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NK9bNJrBu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RUnmpebNO
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTZLXRGE2Q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMna0ugiPAR
"Am I doing it right?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3VcBoEdjD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl7SNflc4O
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrumweCrZ03
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUovP6PdcPx
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1tat6mYpJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeokdnnFTRN
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhe2VsoccW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jUDBdTJTZ
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgW7PDGBwD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hf3TZoAfg
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ucC9uSpDM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1rsNqk0Ck
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNh21yV2Em
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz4DHbeLoZ
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfsYjudKWS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KtvKOF9ky
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLDvUb0XTX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5wA2k2038
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqcyGgimUd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fmALyclDN
"O-Okay."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMODQ6bhAc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73awN6PgyG
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO0S4rtJyh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD5qxS9g6g
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb52EQDab6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKtEaN8rhC
"W-Wait, how do I–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIvB0e840B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pmmm6t3mg
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOypRlU7Ah
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtoZZw1lgW
"But what if I can't let it out?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ENR07i3lp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F6kWozZ8f
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkBMqcwz3x
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysIinK2gWP
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbz8UsSwPi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lFrr2aRKb
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ExRdLtWyC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaOPvG25my
"Huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftycQAW9oz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDQ83m9ZQZ
She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8r0eThouC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEezff7KUQg
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtYuiyC954
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4bLMv06bh
I messed up, getting all excited.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjFzRrWlnS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZScyRCSqnw
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO7JTpMYXZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bPoHzWK2z
I couldn't do it in time.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEkLC0KGCG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2yXU2vgg1
**BOOM**434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBEgLTUBCL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaNiA4vUyD
The world around me faded.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejOdlp7V1N
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu2MJHwLla
–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALgXChmp1N
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8Eu67j14a
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZoaAaVUz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKwTVVvNuM
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsBBBkUcVG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLC1oXa2bN
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLn9tBlIgs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk7dwB0EGH
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpHAmOe5uQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLMHAPm7hS
I was in the greenhouse.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4sUA80FK9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFx0HHCJhY
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft3WACMqjF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh4J8EwA4p
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3DPlqLWHZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI2TSWEo4S
Thank God, they were okay.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLF0r46EFT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUnRlKMeLa
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGEqrUyWlR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTLw6cjhKU
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwRFzRzvYG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrjiNjsEay
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kq8YduXXs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFRObda3AP
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzt1CZi2Xb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6XBWeF1G4
"This is... my coat?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpyEztX1OL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn60wCm92z
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh7hVDbuB8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOMzs1WaPo
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEJH1xDbqN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSqqhEiXCa
I love you. I really do. Thank you.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID3T7akJTI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYMt1Le2QB
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoR27IZuhk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kutvoyRDP
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjeeIZcnIP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MWfYhszU8
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjsJPbswdn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRKlEXnHuc
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaTVffbJL8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JdV58AVet
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdHz3bR2yz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9AUylj65A
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtEg6rhupP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3QfXO42TV
"H-Huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfozBMchr9j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHDgjEhQTT
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTilX8outl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoW1GQrre2
"T-That's terrible!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgrkAckvRR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4UbEaRfQl
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWcbD3HKwG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlxCqcAQl2
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA5hm8SpvV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2hvA66sSY
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyNQvoMlO0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRWYTGzgRI
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGZaztwxhP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEQDiBUBJ6
–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCDS11pBDr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUHzYsYsT8
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWdUUU3hpi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwogrLp82o
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEKV772bAE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm60Wwx2fB
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavCnvH6J4k
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZgIaHDwte
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluVushcSlp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zsyYxTsFP
"...Ah!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGddmtQEdRY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxL10EAttz
I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOb1pAHdj0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9AajXbYnj
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTI7x1x8jT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mYNlmYVwy
"...Huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxVTa7aA20
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFHpNUnstn
She meekly turned her head to me.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDbFJSkkJw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eOGIBobKq
"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXb5K6yonb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdySasbAHvw
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwsrQhxfe8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJN9HqoT6j
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J8ukVhJoL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20opq8AEZS
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX5GHlvb4T
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL9fYS9FgQ
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiROSxtjKmM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnIksJCxxL
"Okay, let's go then!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6JAMViZkH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqVmApOU4R
She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy3ecjRctQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFAXHMb36W
"W-Where are we going to go first?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxCWYBrbff
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1r9hvrQmQ
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP6WxLYBjS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpExLXTmfU
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxumt3QhyW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbj1xKXMBz
Yeah, let's.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxFEyc0gHJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtChJwrsIMo
–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowMp5pM9Jg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqGNRRMtJJ
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Dkq2vCpF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZer5PDldua
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69PTFYKN0W
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJBNa3p7QJ
"This is the combatant's guild!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL07tZlk13
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6cQ4BS8JN
It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabMlMiZzCC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGdJVlfp95
"This place needs a renovation."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZcahJ68DU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJEQG4ubOD
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwRkAmi6Q9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQcE7k7rBV
I shook my head.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzIR2pbDRi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx3SVBZprr
"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVo0LzsooJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLeqGNZFyA
"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MsgA5gpwv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPMg57JsZM
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ybUuYEhnc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIo68hJI0Y
Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwBVxV9tAq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0u4Ow4GAf
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wsBch15j4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7twX66qTa
"Do not even suggest it."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9IxR0baI3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEtOnac2rF
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ra5fFFGdx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o0CcjxJLY
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxHJtg4Xvz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6NaAgL1Mv
"...Well alright."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ODzwRfpZM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ8p8oN5ZK
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1f9mdmjS7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PFSPZkRPH
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAAPZ4zRIk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kAyKI1hSY
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDjh8In87p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRUwpJHbnG
She pouted.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbRX1OPg6o
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPK8Fz5Ubp
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPySEMENQpm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTIoWL1UZH
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7BKUuhxoX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡish5NgZGJx
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyrT4jiegy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UhomdQxuv
"Huh? Flinty?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjUOPDUyVQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnw9D8hPxD
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLfT6iXIZr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVGetj5gRA
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGnpq94p4U
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p6wlUconw
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx7nqdzhxO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnCEH5B74J
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3qajgDZ3B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHOnWib8dq
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8Lf9YzaND
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZQQX9r2qS
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1LEqptCYh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuqKNqWqTX
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdcQ383nzY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKQEpYeP5g
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyZThw9QPz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROERK3waVy
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQVP32TcHA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7hMS8IzxK
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJoFIOVlun
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTtKIVwuXq
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh29GUKU3D
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO9gruuQwn
"Huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4GbmtnFcc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDg2SE4Yic
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolAvS7Mwl2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEev4xnQePG
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8su8KxYr5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKqRkChmWA
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlk9AVaD1b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jaPYdlnnj
"You're right. Wait–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84tOe4SIqU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vKxWKhtOX
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsCDw4E3WA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZQ01Gew9N
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuisharB69b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BPprdZ1fn
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q9hjwe72G
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDrI70WT4C
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y7p0iCUQe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLdBqWLR7Z
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEnfLvEnSs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IzfMqxUuz
"No. I'm here for another reason."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrZ9tHyQTt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQobq1ylY1
"And what may that be?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblSdKgw3lK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPqofJ1fNY
"None of your business."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AT7g4VfKi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe451Ou2Ui
"O-Okay..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzDsZ5IfPi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3oXDuXALK
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn2pQy3AjY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J2e7vjmGD
"She is super shady."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlABKtkMhwb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemE945c6FE
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFBtsCnRUw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1ZONHtwBC
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbmPkKGOOi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtshIXau0f
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1P2wMiJKu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoyaLVLd6x
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyDp7lgRkA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVFKuwf80c
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlR2BKsgoo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aahNqN4pa
"T-Then let's get his attention!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQyD1cMJlK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3ZK0SGovj
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYKoV2KeJA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUuWvtRpAj
"Let me handle this."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMOYVeJc9u
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1ATPkczay
"W-What, why?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jm5An6VAk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSFGC110gJ
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1mCfAQlIc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXpeWPVee7
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsOlQ105DG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGjuZX2lZW
"S-Sorry, Kenny."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f5GS2wDTm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGngWRKY3O
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzGcQLdIs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKycKBqziVP
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDbk1mXnzH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhksCssHnZ
"Hey, you guys!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHxpsnGM1v
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gq9LrODec
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VT2QP8A7a
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas7SqtBQAv
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxKfhjcGfn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxF20HDFa3
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNAZ4tsQ1G
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2t3dXrbR3
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeknT9AYlhq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLG6XLJBdO
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Y728yyFc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9qrUoc4Zl
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgggG2jivKy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAlla7C1fl
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPdTrc9Esk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxcqWZWjGg
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNHpS1OAMs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHMwfphTRL
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqtKF28iMo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu7LenxBzo
"Here's your bill, miss."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSg3OZyFWv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvACmyyWPj
"...I..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiE7x5fal9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg6AcVbyql
She was having a difficult time speaking.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oHGprGEWF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoBy5UfYWc
"I forgot to bring money."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqss4nPmW4b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdaMeiSBh8
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9N2Q5wOvJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NQkfBLsTE
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqXPIv2COW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQzYUgQsNV
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHuYYYXiKu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsLlyLzrUm
I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5vpURe4vd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwLGvXIjqO
Ha. What a moron.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWmN7VKX4i
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj5WMxMvqd
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLui28yNf3w
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunM0Do0hHw
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u4vT4TgTG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwew5vUtet
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrhwmWMOGi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezcGLtovUb
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6dVfdFYnQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBHmtzt0Nz
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd0E1QpRzR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbydktC8Bw
"..."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5hrlMUlgZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRsjgPaOrt
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNhrM6Pgu4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabkGrU7t8o
"Hey, cloaked woman."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLVVKtiocR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCdCxZrxQq
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcHYNMggqd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0GGzjdtY3
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU8WPXIeWE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIRhL6q0Ij
"Yes, of course. Thank you."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cioT7akZO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDtuDlGxQM
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvepjiXVY9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetISz3ZUAN
"Alright Flinty, let's go."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8vs9bXQUQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkhAJVepii
"Yes!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBASR1TDKU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm8biOVggU
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUvUvCkJAp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoykNzEfaH
"What?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxNcv5TRIf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUauK00ja3
"Kenny, you're awesome."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXayRSVaJB3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJY7e3ZwzP
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6yuwSdT1Y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOegTmMcXFb
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1WUXHgFto
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxciXocgxm
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS6LZRGYPh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGShE8WDaeh
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hQ9rzKgZ4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhipaawZy7
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcyam8Vf8e
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5aTfzFDW2
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexQfmDIQfP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRqnTqEJ48
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZSilmFEGD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLQ46WasJo
"...Is something wrong?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUuNomLjLK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg4hrZEL7q
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXW9grZFkn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxR8JQeXFO
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOdmwPJFDD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6387BAUEa
"R-Right."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQdy41X2kq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi4sbLF4bm
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
and then Add to home screen.