It took one week for the first Elementalist to finally learn fire manipulation while being instructed by Billy. During that week, they thought that it would never happen and kept their eyes of skepticism at him, but once they first learned, they threw away all that and began to practice in earnest. They were a simple bunch…
Considering that Sarah only spent half an hour teaching him Zen, it wasn't fair that Billy was using that much time for them. Still, heended up teaching them for two weeks, and thanks to that, nine other elementalists learned Fire Manipulation. They looked ecstatic… because they felt like they had become complete magicians. Now, the others just had to keep trying and practicing what Billy told them.
During those two weeks, Billy didn't see anyone on the other side of the river. It was quite disappointing since he was looking forward to it and because his friends said that they had appeared three times during the weeks he was away.
"... You really helped us, thank you," Sarah said.
"There is no need for thanks, I gained something out of this," Billy said. "Besides, I know that you are still itching to kill me."
Sarah didn't even try to fake some surprise. Billy wasn't stupid, and it was only obvious that such resentment would last for a while. Most likely, that guy he killed was her sibling, cousin, or perhaps even boyfriend. Still, due to her position and to make her tribe become a bit stronger, she threw away her pride and asked Billy for a favor. That was evidence that she was growing up, and her feelings were getting weaker. Billy didn't want to fight the people that could be useful to him, but if she were to attack him someday...
Nevertheless, after that, Billy returned home to have some days off, and when he returned, he saw his home empty. After a while, he looked around and saw his siblings on the training grounds. That was right. They were already five… and he was already twelve since Billy was seven years older than him.
"Time sure flies…" Billy thought.
It seemed that he wouldn't have the chance to play with his siblings all that much during that vacation, but it was natural. Kids would grow up and spend less and less time with their family until they would become teenagers, and they would think that their parents are lame and such. While thinking about that, Billy was laughing since it was a bit funny.
"Mother probably decided to return to guard the walls or maybe she is hunting those spider-like scorpions," Billy thought. "I suppose I can use this extra time to level up the rings."
Billy - Lv 59 - 2250/8000 EXP
HP: 167/167
MP: 377/377
SP: 161/181
Strength: 69
Speed: 58
Magic: 156
Endurance: 28
Dexterity: 34
Status Points: 95
Skills: Deadly Wind Lv 13, Steel Spear Lv 11 (+ 01), Light Spear Lv 09 (+ 02),
Spells:Mana/EXP conversion Lv ∞, Exp Master Lv ∞,, Analyze Lv 22, Appraisal Lv 29 (+ 03), Meditation Lv 26 (+ 03), Earth Manipulation Lv 22, Mana Infusion Lv 22 (+ 11), Water Manipulation Lv 16 (+ 04), Wind Manipulation Lv 07 (+ 03), Fire Manipulation Lv 05 (+ 04), Zen Lv 03 (+ 03)
Passive: Language Skill Lv 48 (+ 03), Spearmanship Lv 38 (+ 05), Swordsmanship Lv 15, Archery Lv 27 (+ 02), Firing Speed Lv 15 (+ 01), Quick Spear Lv 09 (+ 03), Block Mastery Lv 06 (+ 03)
Skill Points: 170
Since Billy was busy leveling up his rings, he didn't level up all that much in the last two months, but that was fine. Leveling up the rings will make his level-up speed a lot faster in the future. It was an investment. Regardless, when the sun started to set, Billy saw his mother, grandmother, and siblings returning. Although they seemed fine, they looked troubled as well.
"What is wrong, mother?" Billy asked.
"I just heard that Samara fought with other kids," Camilla said. "They were making fun of her because she liked to practice her magic more than her Spearmanship. Samuel argued with them as well and then they began to pull each other's hairs."
"At least they didn't use their training spears…" Billy said. "You don't have to listen to others when they are taunting you, Samara. They were probably… no, it is nothing."
It probably wasn't a good idea to tell a kid that she was better than the others in a certain aspect. It might make Samara become reckless and arrogant. She was a nice kid, but certain life experiences might make that happen.
"But they were laughing at me… they said that I am weak and slow," Samara said with her head down.
"It doesn't matter, what matter is if you think you need to improve that aspect," Billy said. "Run if you think that you are slow, practice every day if you think that you are weak. It is good to focus on what you like to do, but magic needs mana, and mana takes time to recover. That is why you need to train with the spear as well."
"Okay…" Samara said, still feeling down.
"Let's wake up early tomorrow and do some special training," Billy said.
"Not fair, I want to participate too!" Samuel protested.
"Of course you will," Billy said. "You also need some training, while you fought because you wanted to protect Samara, it is no good if you have to retort to violence so soon. Instead of that, aim to be strong enough to make others think twice before picking a fight with you, but you also need to know that strength doesn't give you the right to do anything that you want."
"Okay, I got it!" Samuel said.
"It seems Billy took over your job of educating your kids," Anna said with a serious expression on her face.
"Hahaha, it is fine now and then," Camilla said. "Besides, they probably will listen to him more because he is close to their age.. Still… Billy truly is scarily reliable."
