Chapter 286 Meeting With Friends

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Due to the size of the village, most houses are separated by several meters and we usually have large and expansive backyards where we can have our sparring playtime. Usually I gather with my friends thrice a week, although Erika comes to visit almost daily. Eric and Chris who also live near come to visit five times a week usually, spending the weekend with their families. I have also gone to visit their houses from time to time. Usually I got to do Alchemy at Erika's home, while I go research for this world's herbs and ingredients at Eric's home. I have yet to visit Chris' house though, but it seems he doesn't want me to go there because he says he has many siblings and it's too messy.

Nonetheless, everyone came today to "play" as some of them call it, although I am seriously just training them so they can grow stronger. Aside from the energetic Erika who came jumping across the grass like a rabbit, there was Chris, Eric, Elizabeth, and Erdrich behind her. Elizabeth and Erdrich don't have as much free time over the week, but still manage to come two to three times a week to play with all of us. After a month since everyone met each other, they have begun to get along surprisingly well. At first Erika seemed to be quite jealous of Elizabeth for some reason, but the two girls are now like best friends, so I suppose that changed quickly.

Meanwhile, Erdrich had grown friendlier with everyone else, and has opened much more than before. He was quite shy with everybody, but now he is slowly lowering his guard. Well, with my training, it is obvious he'll do. After all I've been letting him get all his frustrations out with a punching match all while I teach him how to use Ki, Mana, and Demonic Energy. The three energies he can manipulate will make him an incredibly strong fighter in the future, as a half-demon he has a great potential.

"Blaaaake!"

"I already heard you the first time, Erika." I sighed.

Eleanora was at my side practicing magic and quickly waved her hand at Erika to greet her. We were simply practicing Skills to gain Skill EXP while sitting in the backyard when my friends came.

Erika suddenly jumped over my body like a rabbit. I could had evaded but it would had been slightly rude to just let her fall over the floor, so I ended catching her… however, her body weight was so heavy that I ended falling over the grass with her.

BAAM!

"Blake! How are you? I missed ya!" She said with a bright smile.

We have not seen one another for almost 5 days now, this was mostly because both of us have been busy. I've been doing a myriad of things myself while she have been busy in her home. Her father had begun teaching her how to create Dolls and also seems to have discovered new Skills she could use to repair and create dolls, which he wants her to learn and master.

"I am good, Erika… Can you get up?" I sighed. Her face, as usual, was way too close to mine.

"Okay!" She said, Erika suddenly kissed my cheek and smiled cutely, quickly jumping away from me.

I could feel the growing irritation of Eleanora behind me. Since she acquired the Blood Aura skill that she has gotten better at unleashing a powerful aura like this.

"You don't have to do that, you know? It was highly unnecessary." I sighed.

"But that's how we greet since we were little kids…" Said Erika.

"…Right."

"Blake!"

"How are you?"

Chris and Eric were the second group to reach me, the two ran to my side and also greeted Erika.

"I am doing alright." I said. "I've been mostly hunting rabbits lately, and you?"

"My father has been teaching me how to use a shield!" Chris said. He had brought a large wooden shield covered in wolf leather.

"I had been mostly studying, though the other day I finally made my first potion, you should had been there to see it!" Eric said, his eyes shone brightly.

"I am glad you two had been working hard this week." I said. "Are you two ready for some sparring matches? I also want to teach you how to fight better. Chris, are you serious about using a shield by the way?"

"I am! This shield's been with my father for years, he gifted it to me for my birthday!" Chris said, he had recently reached eight years of age. He was older than all of us by a bit over two months.

"Very well, I will teach you some techniques with it, and how to use Ki and Mana to make your shield stronger." I said.

"Eh?! You know techniques about shields? I thought you only used a spear…" Said Chris.

"I have practiced with a shield myself, I simply dislike it." I said. Of course, that was a lie, I had mastered several shield techniques in my previous life, they would go to waste if I don't teach them to him.

"Well, is that so? Thanks a lot then!" Chris said with a cheerful smile.

"You're using a shield because you're all squishy, Chris?" Erika giggled while she began elbowing Chris stomach.

"I-I am not squishy, but not everybody can be as durable as you, Erika…" Sighed Chris.

"I guess you're more of a long-ranged magician yourself, using a shield might be good in certain situations where you're cornered and we are too far away to assist you." Said Eric while readjusting his glasses.

While the kids discussed, Elizabeth and Erdrich were already here.

"Hey, how's it going guys?" Erdrich spoke with a rather carefree demeanor.

"Blake! Erika! Chris! Eric!" Elizabeth said all our names, rushing to our side. She began to hug all four of us one after the other. She was affectionate with everybody.

"Elizabeth! Long time no see! How are you?" Erika said, hugging Elizabeth back.

"I'm good! I missed you!" Elizabeth said.

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