BOOOM!

This sound is what I had expected to happen when I struck the stump with my lighting hand. All that happened in actuality, was that I cut into the wood. No sound, no light effects, nothing. I left a blackened cut about 2 inches deep(5.08cm) in the stump though. After the blow, my lightning hand lost its power as my mana settled. While I was hoping for better results, I was fine with the damage. However, I bruised my hand in the process. My physical limitations are really holding me back at the moment. For goodness sake, my strength stat is 24! While it is one of my weaker stats, probably due to my age, it has gotten stronger in the past couple weeks with all the levels I earned.

"Nathaniel!" my mother called from the house, peeking her head out the back door, "Are you all right? I heard some noises out there!"

"I'm fine, Mom" I sang sweetly back in a convincing tone.

"Okay, I'll let you stay out there a little longer while I finish what I am doing." My mom called back.

Turning back to the problem at hand, I could only see too possible solutions present to me at the moment. I could focus on mana and solve my problem by just increasing my mana density with layers. By taking this path, I would be a powerful but a physically weak mage. Or, I could focus on physical training. By doing this, my body would be able to withstand my mana and I could use it easier. Taking this path, I would be probably much more of a strong knight that could use not as powerful magic as the first option mage.

Taking the logical action I resolved to do both, balancing out the two.

Shaking my hand due to the pain, I began to stretch out my body. Just as I was preparing to start exercising, I heard my mother yell.

"Arthur!"

"Rushing" inside(moving as fast as my body permits me), I got to the door to see my mother in the arms of my father. He didn't look like he had taken any major injuries, which I was relieved to see.

"What kept you so long?" my mother said while in his arms.

"I am sorry I am late, my love. I had to help rebuild the town of Fari. It was damaged in the fight of the third class Zeniv demon." My father said.

"When we got to the forest of Durel, we encountered the demon right at the edge of the forest. We were told it was a third class Zeniv demon, but it was definitely stronger than third class. It was at least a second class, maybe a early first class. We were not prepared for the strength of its initial attack, and if not for Mikel's warning, I would not have put up a strong enough barrier. Some of the stray attacks hit near the town, damaging parts of it. After Mikel finished off the demon in the long battle, we helped repair the town. It helped the people of Fari immensely." My father continued.

"Afterwards, we reported to Baron Daviz, the lord of the land, giving a full report of the incident. Then I came back here as fast as I could to see my son and wife."

Looking at me and my mother, he smiled.

"Actually, I have a surprise for both of you. Mikel was looking for a place for his family to settle down where they would be safe. I told him about Cree and he decided this would be the perfect spot. He will be living not far from here. Meet our new neighbors!"

My mother let go of my father as he went back outside and ushered in my new neighbors. The husband, who I expected was Mikel, was a nice looking guy. From looking at his well toned muscles, I was pretty sure he was a swordsman or some kind of other physical fighter. He was clean shaven, with unruly brown hair. He was about my father's height.

Next to him was the woman I assumed was his wife. She was a good looking women with long blonde hair. She also looked like a nice person.

After they both gave their greetings to my mother, Mikel turned toward me.

"Hi Nate, I am Mikel Lantideniz, your Dad's friend. I hope you and my son Lufis can be friends. You are both around the same age, two."

Wait ... ... what?

Out of my sight behind his mother, a boy about my age who I assumed was Lufis, emerged. He had unruly blonde hair, and was honestly an adorable looking kid who would probably got lots of love wherever he went.

"Hi, Nathaniel" He said shyly.

"Hi, Lufis" I replied back.

Almost immediately, a quest window popped up before my eyes(at this point I am pretty sure people can not see your status window and my quest window).

[Quest Window(copyright of Otherworld Ortus Project)]

[Quest Befriend Lufis Lantideniz has been unlocked]

[Description: You must become friends with Lufis Landtideniz to complete this quest. As your best friend, Lufis will be of valuable help to you. If you befriend him, it is very likely he will help you in you time of need and throughout your life.]

[Reward: 200 LP, "mana" sword instruction manual, best friend]

[Yes/No]

Okay . . . . . . I think this quest thing has gone a bit to far.

But I could get a Mana sword instruction manual . . . . . . . . . . . 200LP . . . . . .

"How about Nathaniel and Lufis go outside while the four of us chat?" My father suggested.

All the other adults agreed heartily that this was a good idea.

Once we were outside, I turned toward Lufis.

"Hey Lufis. I am Nathaniel. Want to be friends?"

Lufis looked at me.

...

...

"Why?" he said.

I didn't think two year olds asked that question to people who wanted to be friends.

"Well, I thought we could get along. After all, we are going to be neighbors."

Lufis looked at me. I think he was actually thinking.

"That makes sense. How about this. You and me will both release Xetral at the same time. Can you do that?"

Xetral . . . oh right, internal mana.

"Sure."

Lufis looked overjoyed at my response.

"Really? Most kids our age can't release Xetral, and I didn't think I would find anyone else who could around here."

Raising my hand(the one that wasn't bruised) I looked at him expectantly.

Raising his hand, he looked at me with excitement.

"Ready?" Lufis continued, "Three, two, one, NOW!" he shouted.

I released a portion of my mana just enough so it caused a bit of wind. Watching Lufis, I saw that he released about the same amount of mana . . . I mean Xetral.

"You really can, Nathaniel! I didn't believe you at first."

Lufis after saying this looked at me.

. . .

. . .

"Can you condense your Xetral?" He asked me.

Looks like I am being caught up to in technique by a two year old.

"Yeah, do you want me to show you?"

"Yes, please!" Lufis said excitedly.

I willed my mana to go to my hand. In about a minute, I had my "mana hand", as I have artistically named it.

"Impressive" Lufis said, "But I feel like your technique is off. Let me show"

Raising his right hand, Lufis closed his eyes. In seconds, his hand was just like mine.

I just stared at him shocked.

Opening his eyes, Lufis addressed me.

"How do you condense Xetral?"

"I move it into my hand. There it condenses as the ma- I mean-Xetral builds up." I stated.

Lufis looked at me.

. . .

. . .

"I see, you are doing it the long way. To do it like I did, just take the Xetral in your hand and bring it to the surface. After that, move more Xetral in from your core to replace it. When you undo it, just do the reverse."

Releasing my mana hand, I closed my eyes. Following his instructions, I took the mana already in my hand to the surface, and then moved mana from my core in its place. Opening my eyes seconds later, I looked at my complete mana hand, not inferior to the one I had just made in the slightest. This kid is a genius.

"Wow, I can't believe that you got the technique I just told you down so quickly, Nathaniel" Lufis said.

"Thanks. Do I pass your test?" I asked.

Lufis looked at me.

. . .

. . .

"Okay then, let's be friends" Lufis said.

He held out his hand for a handshake. I moved my arm in turn to shake his hand, but at the last second he pulled away.

"Actually, Nathaniel, before we become friends I want to ask one question."

"Okay, what?"

"What's 9+10?"

... ... ... ... ignoring old memories, I am surprised a two year old can cogitate math that isn't something much simpler. I honestly felt annoyed at myself that I judged Lufis just by his looks. If he is this smart at his age, he could be useful to have around later on. I should have realized this when he corrected my technique. I may be academically smarter than him, but I don't know this world.

"Why do you want to know that Lufis?" I asked him.

"Well, I nearly agreed to be your friend just because you can release Xetral. I don't know whether or not you are intelligent, or just super talented with Xetral like your dad. I don't want to be around or deal with some dumb airhead."

I am pretty sure that sentence is too complicated for a two year old and some of those words I didn't know as a two year old(back on earth). Honestly, most of his sentences have been too complex for his age. Actually, let me rephrase that. Lufis is probably the smartest kid I have met to date.

"That makes sense. 9+10= 19."

I shook Lufis' hand.

[Quest Window(copyright of Otherworld Ortus Project)]

[Congratulations, you have completed Befriend Lufis Lantideniz!]

[Collect Reward?]

[Yes/No]

I clicked Yes.

[You earned 200LP]

[You earned -"mana" sword instruction manual-]

[To access -"mana" sword instruction manual-, go to inbox]

[You now have a best friend]