Chapter 20 : I need friends!

''Crush their necks. Make a rock javelin and hurl it at him. Flame wall."

Time flew by, the season changed, and I was still killing bandits.

Yep...I culled them like weeds from the roadside. In that regard, I also amassed quite the experience in real-life combat. You know, facing someone who wanted to bury you six feet under while also making your move to break their heads. Stuff like that.

As usual, it took a bit of practice, but there was nothing my good old magic word couldn't do. As long as my imagination was running strong and my mana plentiful, I could do whatever I wanted. And I was not even finished with the unfair part. Using my enhanced eyes, ears, and also the blessing of danger, I could dodge every swing, arrow, and even magic all day long.

I may sound like I was playing around, but I really took culling these swines seriously, at least in the sense that I treated everything as a part of my training. When I wanted to train my defense, I didn't attack, and only blocked.

When I wanted to train my reflex, I did nothing but dodge.

I may appear as a cold-blooded psychotic bastard, using these people as a tool for my training.

But here's my logic. This was a fucked up world; everyone knew that. And it was not my job to make it better. No, I'm here to save it. It is what it is.

I could surely say with my conscience that I found no joy in butchering people left and right. Everything that had happened was solely for my training and growth.

I needed experience in battle. The real kind where they my blessing of danger would buzz madly. And the fastest and easiest way for me to do that was through these bands of brigands.

Honestly, I never bothered to find out whether each and every bandit was guilty or not before carrying on the deathmatch. No, I didn't...

It's just...If they didn't want me to find them in the dead of night like a fuckin' bogeyman, then don't be a freaking bandit. It was just that simple.

On that note, I was currently facing a magician turned bandit, and he had quite the skill, judging by the cheers of his men. Why would someone so capable be a bandit? Who knows...

"Change his spell trajectory around me and hit him back."

A ball of sizzling flame made a huge loop, not even close to grazing the tip of my robe, and hit the man square in the chest, burrowing through the transparent membrane that protected him.

His scream rang harrow throughout the entire camp, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it.

Having a round with the dude, I came to notice a few details regarding my current state of power. Apparently, it was nearly impossible for me to kill him directly with the word magic. When I said directly, I was talking about crushing his heart, smashing his lungs, blocking the air into his brain, things along those lines.

They could control their own mana to protect themselves and reject my power. I could do it, to be fair, but I reckon it would take a tremendous amount of time and effort, so it ain't that worth it, in my opinion. Though finding out about this information early on was a nice boon, I must say.

That's why I had the idea to use his own spell against him. To my surprise, it was far easier. The flow of mana in the spell looked way different than his body which felt like an impenetrable fortress.

Ah, that's right. I forget to mention it.

I regained yet another sealed sense. That's right. The sensation in my skin, how it felt when my body moved, cramping muscles, pain, everything. I recovered them all the moment I turned nine years old a couple of weeks back. Of course, the whole gang went nuts after they received the news.

But they weren't as shocked as I was. Honestly, I couldn't express how lucky I was that my sense of touch wasn't the first thing god restored for me. Why? Because it hurt so fucking much when I was limit testing, it was crazy.

The expression of your body getting torn from the inside out while being squeezed dry was the best description I could give. I didn't think I'd stop training because of it, but let's just say god really did me a great deal of favor by sparing years of self-torture.

The pain and other irrelevant things aside, it felt nice to be able to move again. I still couldn't walk, but at least my upper body was working just fine. And the cherry on top was I could speak again. Hurray for that.

However, I had to change my voice with magic because I was posing as this hulking macho dude with full body armor and a creepy mask. Imagine when a child's soft and immature voice came out instead of the heavy, intimidating juggernaut.

Well, the creepiness might be shooting through the roof, I guess...

But I digress.

Anyway, done with my training and culling the bandits in the camp, I flew back home.

Renata welcomed me as usual, and I then told her about today's session. We talked for a while before Hannah came to check me in and end the day.

"You want to play with the other kids?"

"Yes, Father."

I faced George early in the morning, at his office. Bringing my game, acting clueless and spoiled. Alyson taught me...

"It is...risky, Alex. You're still weak."

I was, but that ain't good enough reason to stop me.

"I know that, but I never see kids other than big sister Alyson. Besides, I am recovering, Father. Look how good I can speak now!"

"That still doesn't mean you are safe yet, Alex."

"But I want to make new friends...just like the stories of how heroes vanquish evil with their friends."

"Alex..."

George looked at me as if he was guilty about something. 'Yeah, a bit more. Almost got this. I'm sorry, George, but I really need this.'

"If I can't play with them, then how about just looking at them?"

Intrigued by my sudden proposal, the man's eyebrow arched in wonder.

"Just looking?" He asked.

"Yes. Adam turns two next month, right? I want to join the banquet, Father. I'm so curious about it after hearing them time and time again from sister Alyson."

It was true; I was curious about how the party in this world actually looked. Not that I ever have any experience in going to a party other than seeing them in TV shows or movies.

"...Only for a while." George finally relented after a long pause.

"Yes, Father."

"But if you're having an episode, then forget it. Do you understand?" Stern and firm was his tone, seemingly to tell me that there was no compromise to be had there.

"Okay," I nodded gleefully. 'So no limit testing that day. Sure, dully noted...'

"And you will listen to everything your Me and your Mother will say." Added George.

"Of course."

"...Good. Then that shall be it. I wish to talk about something else with you, Alex."

'Something else,' He rarely did this so it piqued my interest. "What is it, Father?"

"It's regarding your education. You will start your study soon. I have found the right teacher who I believe is right for you."

'Ah, another good news!'

"Really!? When do I start?" I exclaimed in joy.

"Next week...As soon as sir Lodrick arrives at our fief, then we can make the introduction." Answered George, looking a bit lost.

'Next week, huh...I may have to switch my schedules up since there'll be less time to train in the day, but it is what it is...'

"What will I learn, Father?" I probed the man further.

"History and Maths." 

'Um...what? That's it?' I asked again just to be sure. "Only history and math?"

"...I assumed you'd be glad after seeing firsthand how much your sister whines all the time."

"It's always fun to watch sister Alyson. She always has new things to tell."

He chuckled at my response.

"Let's hope that mind won't change after your class starts, shall we? For now, let us do with two subjects first. Trust me, those two will be quite challenging so you'll have nothing to worry about, Alex. Then, we'll see how later whether you can handle more or not. And if there's nothing wrong with your health, we can increase them."

"Then, can you let me pick the subjects I want to learn in the future?"

"Only if you're healthy." Warned George gently.

"And if you're able to get sir Lodrick's agreement."

'So I just have to convince some dude?' I smirked at the smell of challenge.

"I will not disappoint you, Father."