William also continues training with Yanma. I haven't had the opportunity to meet her yet, but I think I can visit the training camp one day.
Sitting on a rock, I fish calmly while William and Katerine play tag.
Autumn is practically beginning, and temperatures are becoming easier to tolerate.
Honestly, it's a relief not to have to melt in the heat on hot summer days. Mainly because this world has no fans or air conditioning...
"Hey, be careful not to get lost." I tell them, but they don't even pay attention to me. "Did you two hear?" I question.
"Hey, you're not our parents." Katerine says.
"I'm older than you, so I'm in charge." William exclaims.
"Okay, okay. But when you're in the middle of the woods, not knowing where you came in, then I'll want to see what you're going to do on your own." I feel like a grumpy old man saying this.
They are silent and even a little embarrassed.
"Bleeh." Katerine sticks her tongue out at me and runs back after William, who runs away.
Hmpf.
Since my brother started training, I still haven't seen how he's evolved. This makes me a little apprehensive, because technically I should be stronger than him, right?
I have the knowledge from my past life, plus I have more experience as well.
I would be disappointed in myself if William became stronger than me. That would almost be an insult from fate, showing me that I'm not as good as I think.
In fact, I don't think I'm the strongest of all time, but I think I'm the most promising.
Basically, I'm afraid of becoming like those football players who were promising but couldn't live up to the public's expectations.
It's a stupid rivalry thought I have. I should mature a little.
William is being trained by a professional knight, so it stands to reason that he will be in front of me. If I want to compete, I must do the same and look for someone to train me.
The question is: who can do this?
I don't know anyone in Legorio who is above me in magic. Maybe there is someone, but they shouldn't be qualified; otherwise, I would have already heard the guy's name.
I think what's left for me is to be self-taught.
I've been self-taught this whole time. It hasn't been a problem, but I'm finding that I can't evolve significantly.
It feels like I've been in the same place for a while.
Sure, I've been improving my mana control and perfecting the spells I produce, but I can't seem to come up with anything new.
My biggest difficulty is Embedded Magic, the magic that allows you to imbue the body or some object with dominant magic.
I need to learn this magic to increase my body's resistance to be able to withstand blows.
"William." I catch his attention as he is running after Katerine. William looks at me almost suddenly. "Do you know if your teacher knows any really strong mage?" I ask.
"Are you talking about Yanma?" He asks. "Well, she never told me anything about mages. Nothing that mattered much." He answers.
It looks like I'm going to have to go after someone myself...
When unexpectedly, I feel pressure being placed on the fishing rod, pulling it down!
"Finally, a fish came!" I speak with joy.
Pulling out the fishing rod, I have a little difficulty. Must be one of the greats!
"Grrr." I pull with all my might until a brown fish is caught on the hook!
The fish is brown, with yellow bands running vertically down half of the body. It has a large mouth, and its dorsal fin is large. Its tail is heart-shaped, and its fins are small. It should probably be somewhere between 21 and 30 centimeters (8in-11.8in).
"Damn, you got it!" Katerine looks at the fish with euphoria, as if her eyes were starry.
"Just because you're a demi-human doesn't mean I'm going to give you this to eat." I say dismissively.
"Do you think I eat raw fish?!" She asks indignantly.
"And will I know?" In my old world, some people liked to eat raw salmon!
I take the fish off the hook and return it to the river.
"Why did you throw him away??" Katerine exclaims without understanding.
"I didn't throw him away, I returned him to the river." I answer. "So that means you were going to eat him, right?" I ask.
Katerine thinks about an answer but says nothing.
I'm just fishing for fun. I don't want to be doing my father's work.