“Do whatever you think is best.” After thinking about it for a moment, my grandmother replies without much emotion. My enthusiastic explanation didn’t seem to accomplish anything.
“Wouldn’t you like to advance to the next rank? Don’t you want to become a diamond rank?” I ask with genuine curiosity. It’s something everyone dreams of after dedicating years, or even decades, to training.
“I cared about that a long time ago. Now it feels more like a dream I’ve passed on to the next generation.” Her eyes look at me expectantly. “I’d be lying if I said the possibility of reaching the next rank doesn’t make me happy, but what makes me even happier is seeing how much you care about me.” She smiles gently.
“This body is already old. Even though I keep myself physically active and still make time to hunt a few monsters every four days, it isn’t the same anymore. The only thing that has continued growing is my mind and my instincts.” She looks down at her hands, now marked with a few wrinkles.
“If you manage to advance, you’ll be able to help the territory for much longer, and maybe even meet your great-great-grandchildren.” I try appealing to her emotional side.
“So you want me to keep working for even more years? What kind of grandson wants to exploit his grandmother for labor?” Rita pretends to sound disappointed and heartbroken.
“You could always take a position with fewer responsibilities.” I roll my eyes. “Don’t forget the most important part, watching your descendants grow up.” I emphasize that point again.
“Yes... I want to stay alive long enough to see how many women end up marrying you. I have a feeling more foolish girls will fall into your clutches.” Rita teases me.
“I’ve already told you, I don’t do anything. It’s just my natural charm. We’re getting off topic.” I decide to change the subject. She’ll keep turning this into a joke if I continue playing along. “I’m going to find a way to obtain whatever’s necessary to strengthen your body and your cube so you can withstand another advancement. I’ll contact Mirtha soon.” I’ve already made my decision. I’m going to be selfish.
“Do as you wish. I won’t argue with your decision.” Rita smiles warmly. “Although I do find your sudden need to visit that territory again a little suspicious... You don’t happen to have a lover over there, do you? Did Mirtha seduce you? That would be a problem... No, it must be someone else.”
My grandmother suddenly falls silent. Her eyes lock onto mine like two daggers. “Maki... You never mentioned it. Did you meet her daughter? Did you happen to meet Lully?” Her eyes don’t blink even once as she watches for my reaction.
“I knew it. I knew you had met her. I knew that everywhere you go, you somehow end up meeting another beautiful woman. Why didn’t you mention it? On second thought, don’t answer yet. It could cause quite a stir, and our territory is flourishing right now.” My grandmother starts shouting, her imagination running completely wild.
“Yes, I met her, but we’re only friends. We just spent one evening talking together, and the next day we went to a fair as friends. She isn’t in love with me, and I’m not in love with her either.” I explain everything as quickly as possible.
“Maki, are you even listening to yourself? That doesn’t sound like friendship at all. You must have inherited that cursed ability to attract women from your grandfather, except you’ve taken it to an entirely different level.” Rita rubs her forehead, something she always does whenever she feels stressed.
“I’m serious. We’re nothing more than friends. Oh, by the way... if she ever comes to visit while I’m away, could you treat her like part of the family? She said she wanted to escape somewhere peaceful and chose our territory as her next destination. I think I even offered to let her stay at my house.” I scratch my head. Now that I think about it, anyone could misunderstand that.
I hear the sound of my grandmother’s palm striking her forehead. “I’ll believe you’re just friends... for now. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep saying that in the future.” Her usual gaze carefully studies me.
“Treating her like family and giving her a place in your house... that’s going to become a real problem. Hopefully it won’t happen anytime soon. I might be able to manage the situation if I speak with her first.” My grandmother is already looking for solutions. I know I can rely on her in any situation.
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“I’ll leave it in your hands. I’ll repay you by helping you advance to the next rank.” I slowly rise from my chair. “I should get going now. I’d rather not be late and create problems I can easily avoid.”
“Every time you come back, you solve some problems and create several more. All you know how to do is give me headaches.” My grandmother stands to see me off. “But never stop coming home. I couldn’t bear losing you. Now go. You already have enough problems of your own.” She hugs me before gently pushing me toward the door.
Dinner with the girls was relaxing. Between Brendu and me, we told them everything that had happened. They were all jealous they hadn’t been able to come, especially Arisa. She enjoys fighting more than anyone else in the group.
“You should have let me come... I missed such a great opportunity to improve. I know Maki would have protected me if anything happened. He always would.” Arisa pulls on my cheeks.
“Yes, I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you.” Thinking about it... a few injuries wouldn’t really be a problem. Even losing a limb wouldn’t matter now that I can heal it, but I decide to keep that thought to myself.
“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow we’re all going to spend the morning together at the lake.” Marga sits while hugging her knees, resting her head against my shoulder.
“Yes, I just hope our security isn’t as strict as it always is whenever we leave the village. Having Maki with us is already the best protection imaginable.” Sol is sitting on the floor with her head resting between my legs.
“Those two old men are only doing it for our own good, but having them around is so uncomfortable. We can’t talk about whatever we want. We always have to use mana or Imra to keep anyone else from overhearing our conversations.” Brendu complains.
“They’ll probably come with us, but they’ll stay much farther away than usual. Maki can fight a diamond rank, so they’ll have enough time to react while he holds them off. And if an obsidian rank appears, then we’re all doomed. There won’t be much they can do either.” Marga comments.
We all slept together again. I had truly missed the feeling of sleeping in the same bed as everyone else. Yesterday I slept like a baby, and tonight will be no different.
We wake up early, get ready, and soon arrive at the lake. There are several other people here, just like us, enjoying a day of rest. Everyone notices our arrival, which makes things a little awkward.
At least the two diamond ranks understand the situation on their own and remain several dozen meters away. They’re well beyond the range of my Personal World, a reasonable distance they could still cross within a few seconds.
I still haven’t had the chance to interact with them. Hopefully an opportunity presents itself soon. I’d like to spar with them if possible. It’s not every day you get the chance to train against diamond ranks with so many years of experience.
Watching several children playing happily along the edge of the lake makes me smile. There’s a safe area for children where the deepest point is only one meter. Parents feel comfortable letting them play there, especially since several security guards patrol the area and also serve as lifeguards.
“Cold...” I touch the water with my fingertips. It isn’t actually freezing. I simply prefer much warmer water. I can endure freezing weather while walking around, but my body rejects cold water with every fiber of its being.
A small smile escapes my lips as I remember something I always wanted to do in my previous life but never could. I lightly gather gravity mana beneath my feet, just enough to keep myself afloat. Once I’m ready, I take my first step onto the surface of the water, then another, and continue walking.
At last, I fulfill one of my childhood dreams. I’ve finally walked and even run across the surface of water. It’s even more exciting than I imagined. I know I can already fly through the sky, which is even more enjoyable and much more difficult, but this was a fantasy I’d always wanted to experience.
I suddenly stop when someone appears in front of me. She stands there with her hands on her hips, her blonde hair and white dress swaying gently in the breeze. “Finished having fun yet? We’ve all been waiting for you to eat.” Brendu tries to look angry, but her smile betrays her.
I step forward and pull her into a tight hug. She accepts it, but only for a few seconds before trying to push me away. “You’re wet.” She tries to hit me, but I don’t let her. I trap her with gravity and keep hugging her.
I already knew I was slightly wet. Running all over the surface of the lake had splashed water everywhere. I just wanted to tease her for interrupting my happiness. Sol and Marga probably sent Brendu, since they can’t fly.
“Your levitation technique has improved.” I comment. I’m carrying her in a princess carry while using my mana and Imra to dry our clothes before we walk back together across the surface of the lake.
“Yes, I’ve been practicing every day, but I’m still far too slow.” She looks somewhat frustrated.
“It’s only a matter of time. You don’t have a gravity or wind affinity to propel yourself. You’re only using affinity-less mana along with a small support device.” She seems much calmer after hearing my explanation. Flying at ruby rank without an affinity that enhances movement is incredibly difficult.
We spend most of the day playing, eating, and relaxing by the lake. Once the sun begins to set, we decide to head home after such a wonderful day. Both my body and mind needed this chance to relax. Tomorrow, I’ll begin training to fuse my abilities.