Benny soon learned that there was another fundamental difference between him and Tenryu

Tenryu was incredibly untidy with his room!

He had seen documentary films about people who were total slobs and horded every bit of junk they had instead of throwing it away! In those films, it grew to the point that their whole house could be mistaken for a dump!

Luckily, in this situation it was limited to Tenryu’s room. This did not make things any better though.

Tenryu’s room was full of junk and who knows what?

Benny couldn’t even see the floor amidst all this stuff!

There where piles of dirty laundry in the corner (and he thought Ace leaving his underwear all piled up was a gross habit!) Several barbells and weights piled up on the side (Tenryu must be the type to work out). There were piles of garbage bags and boxes (didn’t the guy bother to throw them out). The walls were completely covered with some posters (was Tenryu in to anime?) Weird items were scattered all over and some of which included a statue of a head and a tribal mask were poking out of the piles (what were those things doing there Benny would never know.) Even then there were some garbage like empty bottles, cans, papers and even some dirty dishes!

And Tenryu was expecting him to stay the night in here?

Benny couldn’t even find that there was even a bed! That was until he found a hammock tied to a piece of weird items poking out of the debris.

“You haven’t cleaned this place since the last time I was in here!” says Nia, wrinkling her nose.

“Yeah, I did!” Tenryu points to the garbage bags, “I stuff some in those!”

“But you didn’t even throw them away!” snaps Flare.

“I was busy training and off to jobs!” says Tenryu defensively.

“So? Did you actually think I’d throw these out for you while you were causing a mess elsewhere?” Flare pinches her brother’s ear, who flails in pain.

“Ouch! Blast it, the ear again?! Ow!” Tenryu complains.

“Tenryu-iho...” Aunt Magma says in a sudden stern voice. “How many times I told you to clean your room?”

Tenryu darted away his gaze.

“And did you actually expect Benny to stay in here?” says Flare with a hollow laugh. “Look! He’s stunned speechless!”

Benny was still looking at the room, his expression unreadable.

Aunt Magma sighed, “Either way, there’s no way I am letting him is sleeping in this mess. Your friend is obviously disgusted-”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll stay with Tenryu for the time being.” says Benny.

Everyone looked at him completely stunned.

“A-are you serious?” says Flare in disgust.

“I don’t want to be a burden so I’ll stay in this room with Tenryu.”

“See, Benny doesn’t mind!” Tenryu grinned at him appreciatively.

Benny’s glasses flashed. He smiled at him back but it was strangely intimidating.

“Now I didn’t say that now, did I? I do mind this mess a lot!”

Tenryu’s smiled faltered, “W-what do you mean?”

“Because we’re cleaning up this mess...”

“Eh? What?” Tenryu stammered.

“We are cleaning up your room...starting now!”

“Right now?” says Nia and Flare in unison.

“N-Now?” says Tenryu in disbelief.

“Shouldn’t you be resting? You just arrived?” asked Aunt Magma in concern.

However, Benny was all hyped up.

“I’ve had enough rest already! Plus I can’t stand knowing there’s something like this in here!”

Tenryu tried inching away, “Um...I was thinking of training for now! So maybe I’ll pass...”

He tried to edge his way out. That was a mistake as Benny made a quick grab for his ponytail, tugging on it like a leash!

“Oh, no you don’t! This is your room so take responsibility for it!”

Tenryu flailed in pain, “Blistering Blazes! Ow! Ow! Alright I’ll do it! Just let go of my hair!”

“You get in there and start sorting!”

Benny gripped Tenryu by the belt and with surprising strength he tossed him into the room. Several items including that weird statue fell on him as he crashed into junk.

The women stared in complete shock at Benny’s 180.

Tenryu popped out of the debris. “Blast it Benny! What the blitz was that for?!”

“Isn’t obvious? It’s to stop you from escaping!” Benny whipped out his handkerchief and tied it around his mouth. He suddenly looked like a commando going for an ambush mission.

Everyone sweatdropped as they watched Benny march in the room as well.

“I’m starting to think Benjamin and Tenryu might have something else in common after all.” says Nia.

“Perhaps…but if it gets Tenryu to clean after his mess then I’m not complaining.” Flare grinned widely.

Benny then turned to Flare, “Ate Flare...May I borrow some cleaning materials and several garbage bags?”

Flare nodded, “O-Of course, right away!”

She quickly rushed back down hall to probably looking for the broom closet.

“I think I should be going! I have to work on those potions.” says Nia.

“Hey! No fair Nia!” shouts Tenryu in protest.

“Start cleaning!” Benny glares at him.

Tenryu jolts and salutes him like a cadet towards a superior, “Yes, sir!”

He immediately proceeds to pick up the scattered garbage. Benny walks around and also starts gathering all the garbage scattered nearby.

Aunt Magma chuckled. “I guess I leave this in your capable hands.”

“Ah! Magma-tia, please don’t go!”

But she was already gone.

Tenryu slumps, “Blast it... How did it turn out like this?”

“Tenryu...” Benny’s glare causes him to go back to sorting.

They gathered up all the garbage and stuffed them into the garbage bags Flare brought later.

All the boxes and bags were moved out of the room. Benny questioned Tenryu on what were inside of them. As it turns out Tenryu had just stuffed a bunch of stuff in there and had no idea what’s in them anymore. So they decided to set them aside somewhere else to be sorted out for a later date.

Benny had taken down all the posters which were actually wanted posters of the bad guys that Tenryu defeated and captured. The sheer number had completely plastered the walls. It did impressed Benny that Tenryu had single-handedly defeated those scary-looking people. Although, Tenryu admitted that he often “overdoes” things in the process.

He then made Tenryu arrange all his weight equipments (which apparently he hasn’t touched for over a year.) As well as gather up all his dirty laundry. Benny absolutely refused to touch those. (Plus, they smelled kind of funky.) However, he was the one who picked up all the dirty plates and dishes (even though they already moldy from the leftovers). They had just finished doing that when Aunt Magma came to check up on them and bring in lunch. She was kind enough to bring the dishes and the clothes so she can wash them later.

They then sorted out everything from things Tenryu could still use, separating the displayable souvenirs from the just plain junk. That apart took the longest as Tenryu had no idea which was which.

They also had to separate the actual furniture of the room from the rest of the stuff. In the end, they salvaged a desk, a low legged table, several pillows, a chest, a bookshelf and a closet.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

They then had to mop, dust and sweep off the place and deal with pests that had taken up residence in this filth. Benny practically screamed when Tenryu pointed out a scorpion-lizard was crawling up his back. Tenryu “resolved” that issue by blasting it with fire, though it caused Benny’s shirt to burn. Benny had to pour over himself a bucket of mop water to put it out.

It took the rest of the morning and whole afternoon before Benny deemed the room livable.

“I think this good enough!” Benny nods in content.

“We're finally done! I’m all burnt out!” groans Tenryu as he falls back to the floor. Yes, there was finally a floor to fall on.

Benny sinks to the floor as well, “Yeah, me too…”

The room was all sparkly.

The floor boards had been polished to a shine.

The ceilings were cleared of cobwebs.

The walls were freed of their posters, revealing some very exquisite wood paneling.

There windows had been sealed shut from the junk but because that was all cleared they were slid open to their entirety. They were now opened wide and letting fresh air into the room.

The shelf displayed several souvenirs that Tenryu could remember.

Some of the other stuff that couldn’t fit in there, like the stone statue was all propped up in a corner. Tenryu revealed he got it after he smashed a bad guy through some ancient temple. Though Benny had to ask why he would take something like a stone statue as a souvenir.

Everything else was stored away in the storeroom. This included the boxes, sacks and even the weight set.

“Where’s your bed?”

Benny did find it odd that Tenryu didn’t have a bed. When Benny pointed this out, Tenryu told him originally slept on a futon (a type of Japanese style rollout bed which actually fits the theme of the house.) But because of all the junk piled up, Tenryu had to resort into sleeping in a hammock.

Tenryu stares up at the ceiling, “You know... It’s been a while since I actually seen how this room seen to look like.”

“And how long has that been?”

“I can’t remember...I always hated cleaning.”

If Benny were standing he would’ve fallen face first to the floor.

“I knew it... I should’ve expected that kind of answer from you.”

Nevertheless, Benny grinned back at him.

Tenryu chuckled, “But then...I guess it does make me feel kind of happy.”

“Yeah, it feels comfortable in here now that everything else is all clean. Just make sure you have to keep your room in that state.”

“That’s not it. What I meant was being able to do this kind of stuff…with a friend.”

Benny was taken aback a little, “Oh, really?”

The door opened and Aunt Magma and Flare entered the room.

“Sweet smolders! Just look at this place! Tenryu actually cleaned it!” says Flare in amazement.

Aunt Magma clapped her hands in a celebratory gesture, “Well, it seems you can do it if you try, Tenryu-iho!”

Tenryu grumbled incoherently but Benny was able to make out the “Benny forced me into it” part of his sentence.

“I guess we don’t have to punish you anymore for your slip up in your last job.” says Flare.

Tenryu sat bolt upright, his eyes wide in dismay. “You mean you were still thinking that?!”

“I just said we don’t have to anymore, didn’t I? I thought Benny forcing you to clean up your dump of a room must be enough. Or do you still want to have another punishment?” Flare’s eyes glinted with anticipation.

Tenryu shivered in fear (and so did Benny.)

“No blitzing way! I’ve learned my lesson!” Tenryu says franticly.

“For now at least…” Flare rolled her eyes.

Aunt Magma cleared her throat to get their attention.

“Well, anyhow, you boys must be exhausted! Why don’t the two of you take a nice bath to freshen up before dinner? I’ve already prepared the baths.”

Tenryu got to his feet, pulling Benny up with him, “C’mon Benny! I’ll show you the bath! We have an open air one!”

“W-wait a minute, we don’t have to go together!”

“Don’t be such a pile of smoking ashes! We’re both guys anyway and the bath’s big!”

“That’s not what I meant. Ah, never mind! Just don’t yank on my arm!”

Tenryu’s aunt and sister watched them as they walked away.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Tenryu look so happy.” says Flare with a hint of a smile, “He’s never been that accommodating with others before.”

“Indeed. That makes me happy as well.”

“But don’t you think that the kid almost looks like him is albeit unexpected?”

“I wonder...” says Aunt Magma, her voice trailing off to her thoughts.

***

Meanwhile, Tenryu and Benny entered the Fyreroar’s baths. Both of them were wearing towels around their waists and carrying baskets of soaps and shampoos.

“Whoa!” says Benny.

“What did I tell you?” says Tenryu with a satisfied nod.

Still sticking to the theme, the place looked like a Japanese public baths. Benny has never been in one but he has seen many anime shows that depict such locations.

The bath itself was wide enough to allow a few people to relax in while deep enough to allow one to soak completely. It was fed with water being fed from the mouth of a small stone dragon tap. The water was hot as the steam wafted from the water.

On the left side was a wash area. It was an open area so that one could see the night sky.

Benny was still admiring the place when Tenryu led him along.

“C’mon! I’ll scrub your back and you can scrub mine afterwards!”

“Just don’t scrub my skin off.” Benny says uneasily as they sat down on some stools.

Tenryu takes a piece of towel and rubs it with soap. Benny noticed that Tenryu had a set of bandages wrapped around his right arm. The one usually covered by a glove.

“Tenryu, what happened to your arm?”

“Oh, this?” says Tenryu whose voice hardened a little, “A little training accident.”

Tenryu said it tone as though he meant for Benny to drop it and not to ask any more questions about it. Benny obliged, seeing as Tenryu handled a sword with magical flames he most likely burned himself with it. By why did Benny feel that Tenryu was hiding something?

Nevertheless, Benny takes off his glasses then placing them in his basket and allows himself to be scrubbed. Although he was apprehensive as to whether Tenryu would indeed scrub his skin off but as it turns out, Tenryu was a good back scrubber. He actually did it in a way that Benny was able to feel his back muscles relax. Likewise, Benny tried to give his best in return although Tenryu said that Benny was a little rough around the shoulders. Washing himself with soap and warm water, Benny just found out how incredibly grimy he was from all the dirt that washed off him.

“Ugh! Gross! How did I get this dirty?”

“What’s your problem? I didn’t take bath in a week and I’m fine!”

Benny looked at him in disgust. “That’s totally unsanitary!”

But this was saying it to a guy who lived in a room filled with mountains of trash.

After scrubbing all the dirt off his body, Benny decided to try dipping in the hot pool. All at once he felt all his sores and aches being soaked away.

“Ah...It’s been too long since I had a bath!”

“Heads up!” shouts Tenryu, as he cannonballs into the pool!

Benny gets splashed over by a wave of hot water.

Tenryu’s head plops out of the water and grins at him.

“Tenryu, I don’t think you’re supposed to divide into a pool of hot water! You’ll get a bad headache!”

Tenryu chuckles as he wades through the hot water, “Please! I’ve been doing this since I was a kid!”

“Which is probably why your brain cells must’ve have been boiled up.” Benny murmured to himself.

Tenryu leans back to the edge of the pool, sitting right next to Benny.

“You know this is the one kind of water that I like.”

“You don’t like cold water, then? Oh wait, is it because you’re using Fire Magic?”

Tenryu thought for a moment, “You know, I never really thought about it. I guess I just don’t like cold water! So hey, where’re your glasses?”

“You think I’d wear my glasses in a steamy environment? It’ll fog up the lenses!”

“Then you should really get Nia to make you those Vision Restorer Drops. It works for me!”

“Vision Restorer Drops?” repeats Benny intrigued.

There was a medicine than can fix bad eyesight? It did not occur to him that it might be possible in this world. Then again, if there were medicines that can clear up scratches in matter of seconds surely some other medical wonders can also exist.

“Yeah, it’s that medicine that can fix your eyesight and make you see well! Nia makes them for me and Magma-tia!”

What Tenryu said just caused Benny to stare at him in surprise.

“Hang on...you have poor eyesight too?”

“Yeah, I actually have trouble seeing things up-close. I used to wear glasses but they get in the way during the job. Aunt Magma had given me a pair of custom made goggles so I can see better during a job.”

So that’s what those goggles were for?

Benny thought they were a fashion statement of Tenryu’s. He didn’t think they’d actually serve a purpose.

“But then I heard Nia learned to make those Vision Restorer Drops and wasted no time to ask her!”

Benny made a mental note to ask Nia for that as well.

“So what are you going to do now?” asked Tenryu, stretching himself and causing some loud joint cracking sounds.

“Well, I was thinking of shampooing my hair.”

“Not that! I meant what are you going to do from now on?”

“Oh? So it was that question again...”

Benny looked up to the starry sky.

“I guess I’m still in a rut. I guess I have no idea what to do with my life.”

Even though Benny couldn’t see without his glasses he could notice that stars seemed numerous in this world. The night skies where definitely clearer here than from his home world. Just the thought about stars made him remember what Abuela always told him. That everyone has so many possibilities as countless as the stars. And now that he thought about it, many opportunities had just opened up for him here in the world of Magic.

Opportunities any fantasy fan would die for!

“How about it if you become an Adventurer?” Tenryu suggested.

Benny looked at him with wide eyes, “You mean like you?”

“I’m a Swordsmage though, but yeah, that’s still under the general ‘Adventurer.’ Blast it! I’m talking about you anyway!”

“You think I have what it takes to be an Adventurer?”

“Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t suggest it to you! I mean…look at what you did on that Shorty’s so called “invisible” Magic!”

“It’s pronounced “invincible.” And it’s because of that Magic Cane of Mr. Azalea that did all that.”

“Are you an idiot? A Magic Tool is useless without its user. And if you had not intervened and shielded me, I would’ve become a stain on the wall…” Tenryu admitted, looking as though it hurts his pride to say it. “And besides…just wielding a Magic Tool doesn’t mean you’re worthy of being an Adventurer. The fact you were able to wield Magic like that is already the proof you need!”

“W-what do you mean? But I thought all you need is a Magic Item to use Magic?”

“Yeah, it’s true that with any Magical Tool ordinary people can use Magic…but Adventurers are in a different level!”

“How so?” asks Benny, his eyes were practically gleaming that Tenryu felt uneasy.

“You really are a weird and clueless guy. Adventurers train in the use of Magic and Skills. Mind you that not all Classes of Adventurers depend entirely on Magic. Some depend on majorly on the Skills and just a bit of Magic. But basically Adventurers may need the ability to wield Magic more freely and must have a range of Skill set.”

“You mean like Nia being able to manipulate plants into those huge wooden arms or when you use sword techniques in conjunction with your flaming sword?”

“Why am I mentioned last? But yeah, that right! You yourself have proved to be quite a potential Adventurer already!” Tenryu pointed at him.

Benny blinked. “Me?”

“Blistering Blazes, do I have to spell it out for you? You created Magic Barriers that protected us. It was a very powerful one at that. I mean the guy who owned that cane couldn’t handle a barrage of attacks but you can! Plus you were being brave and all! You have what it takes to be an Adventurer in my opinion.”

“Brave? I wouldn’t say that. I’m a natural coward… and I’ve only generated Magic Barriers and I still have no idea how I did that…”

“Why do you keep on downplaying yourself? Even Nia says you’re amazing!”

“Eh? R-Really…?”

“Nia and I both agree you’d make one amazing Adventurer!”

Benny fell silent as he weighed his options. It would seem amazing becoming a Adventurer and use Magic! Not to mention a whole new world had opened up for him! But then there were the dangers. Those bandits proved themselves already to be the least of the dangers he might encounter in this world. But then if he could get learn the ways of this world maybe he could find the way back home!

All that thinking was making his head hurt, which could explain why he felt light headed all of a sudden.

“Don’t have to rush though! Give it some thought.” Tenryu flexed his arms, “Say Benny?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Do you really not remember what happened after I shot Cactus Hun through a wall?”

“No, I don’t…”

“Can you at least try to remember? Nia didn’t want me to press on about this but you sort of did something incredible back there! That another proof you’ve got what it takes!”

“Yeah...I guess...”

“Wait? So you do remember?”

“I guess…” says Benny as his head was swaying from side to side.

Tenryu found this quite a weird way to think.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Then all of a sudden Benny plopped head first into the water!

It took a full three seconds for Tenryu to realized that Benny was not doing this to soak some more.

“Blistering Blazes, Benny!” yells Tenryu, as he fishes Benny out of the water but he already fainted from the heat.

***

While passed out (again), Benny had a flurry of hazy dreams.

He saw a group of people who looked like Adventurers in an anime welcoming someone into their fold. It then shifted to a shop with a bossy man yelling at a girl. It shifted again to what looked like a someone working at a blacksmith’s forge.

But before Benny could figure it out, he woke up.

He found himself lying on a futon mattress in Tenryu’s room. Something cold, an ice pack probably, was on top of his head and Tenryu was sitting beside him, fanning him with a paper fan.

“Ah, you’re up!”

“Tenryu, what-”

“You passed out in the baths. Blistering Blazes, you should’ve told me you couldn’t handle the heat! I had to carry your butt back in here!” Tenryu looked at him in annoyance.

“I’m sorry...”

“And you were the one telling me I’d get a headache from soaking in there!”

It was indeed embarrassing for him. This was the fourth time he passed out. Benny was wondering this was becoming a trend for him.

“Here are your glasses by the way...”

“Thanks...”

Taking off the ice pack, Benny puts his glasses back on. He then tries to sit up but Tenryu pushes him back down.

“Hey, you should lie back down until you’re feeling better!”

“I’m fine now...” Benny looks down, “But what am I wearing?”

Benny found he was wearing a long, dark blue kimono over a plain white shirt and a pair of boxer shorts (which were different from the ones he was wearing.) Coincidently, Tenryu was also wearing a kimono, only it was red and its sleeves were rolled up to his shoulders.

“I lent you some of my house clothes while yours are being washed by Magma-tita. Speaking of which, since you said you’re okay now, it’s time for dinner! We’ve been waiting.”

“…Already? What time is it?”

“Past nine. But that’s okay!” Tenryu quickly added when he saw the shocked expression on Benny’s face, “Don’t worry… we usually eat around that time since we’re busy.”

The both of them got up.

“By the way Tenryu, please tell me… Is this clean underwear?”

“Of course they are!” says Tenryu affronted.

***

Dinner was held in a separate tatami room.

Both Benny and Tenryu entered to find Aunt Magma and Flare had just set dinner ready in a low table, “Ah, you’re finally awake!”

“You had us worried when Tenryu brought you out of the baths all unconscious. I thought Tenryu tried to drown you in the bath.”

Benny blushes in embarrassment while Tenryu retorts angrily. “I wouldn’t do something like that!”

“She was just joking, Tenryu-iho! Now you sit down and have dinner! You as well, Benny-iho!” adds Aunt Magma.

Benny jolted when she called him “Benny-iho.” It was the same way Abuela always called him.

“Is there something wrong, dear?” says Aunt Magma.

“Oh, err...nothing at all!”

Benny had to sit cross-legged again as he ate dinner with the rest of the Fyreroars. He did ask who was managing the bar since all of them were here. This should be around that time where they’d have a peak in customers.

“We closed early today. Besides, we have an important guest!”

“Y-You shouldn’t close up the store on my account.”

“It’s alright. We don’t get many customers anyway.” Flare says matter-of-factly.

Benny thought that didn’t sound as a good thing.

They prepared a large assortment of dishes. Benny made sure to take only the amounts he can eat a time. Tenryu, however, wasn’t that too keen on limiting to what his plate can fill. Something, that caused his sister to chide him several times as they ate.

“What’s this?” Benny asks Tenryu, scooping a green jelly-tofu-mix-like thing from a saucer.

“Oh, that one’s delicious!”

“Well then, I’ll take your word for it!”

Benny puts it into his mouth. It was only then that Flare noticed what he was eating.

“Ah, Benny wait!” she say in alarm, “That’s-”

“HOOOOOT!!!” screamed Benny.

His throat was on fire! He was literally spitting flames!

“-a Wasabi Tofu...” finishes Flare, a little too late.

“Here dear, drink this!” Aunt Magma quickly gave him an ice cold Peachmango juice, which Benny finishes in seconds.

“Tenryouth!!!” says Benny with his tongue and mouth still swollen red.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t it tasty?”

Tenryu plopped the wasabi tofu on his own mouth and he seemed to find it quite delectable.

Flare shook her head, “You have to understand. My idiot brother has a thing for extremely spicy food...”

Now she tells me...But it’s my own fault for not seeing it coming... thought Benny.

“But isn’t this more food than usual?” says Tenryu, taking another bite of a chicken-turkey leg.

“Since we have a family guest staying his first night, I see it necessary to splurge a little.” says Aunt Magma with a small smile towards Benny.

“You don’t have to. I’m just grateful you’ve given me a place to stay...”

Tenryu looks up from his meal, “Really? But I thought we were tight on cash?”

Benny’s ears perked up. Did Tenryu just say they were “tight on cash?” Do they have money troubles?

“For the time being, that won’t be a problem.”

“How come?” asked Tenryu, taking another bite.

“...especially since our spending money came from you, little brother...” Flare grins in the same sneaky grin that Tenryu does when he becomes mischievous.

“Huh, what do you mean-”

“Oh, that Au you were holding behind our backs. The one you earned after you three captured that Cactus bandit guy.”

Tenryu choked on his food.

“How the blitz did you know?!” he spluttered.

“Nia told us.” Flare explained.

Tenryu began grumbling, “Blast it, Nia...”

Benny cleared his throat, “Um, I also have a share of that reward. If it’s any compensation maybe I can give-”

“No.”

It wasn’t just Tenryu. All three Fyreroars said at the same time.

“That’s you’re reward! You keep it!”

“But...”

Aunt Magma had raised her hand to cut him off, “Benny-iho, that’s your share. It would be wrong of us to take it.”

“Tenryu is one thing but you have no obligation to give us any money.” says Flare kindly.

“Why do I feel like I just got a back-handed insult?” says Tenryu.

“But that’s the thing! You’re letting me stay. I have to at least pay that kindness back!”

“Being Tenryu’s friend is enough for us. Just promise me you’ll watch his back for us.” Aunt Magma smiled at him.

Benny blushed again, “I promise I will...”

Tenryu groaned, “Auntie!”

“Plus saving his hide from that bandit and cleaning up that mess of a room of his is a plus. I mean it was brave of you to pick all his dirty laundry!”

“Flare-ate...” Tenryu groaned again.

“Actually, the food scraps were worse. They had molds!” says Benny thoughtfully.

“Ugh, gross!” says Flare in disgust.

Tenryu was turning redder than his kimono and hair, “Hey! You didn’t have to point that out!”

“Err... Then again, maybe the stinky underwear was worse...” Benny smirked at Tenryu.

He had only meant it as a joke but by then Tenryu hit his limit.

Tenryu quickly pounced on him, “You didn’t have to bring that up either!”

But Benny was able to jump out of the way causing Tenryu to skid to the floor. But the Swordsmage got up and was looking like a wild beast. Which sort of scared Benny in more ways than one.

“Come back here!” Tenryu growled.

“I was just kidding!”

Benny ran around the room as Tenryu chased him.

“I’ll give you something to kid around!”

Aunt Magma and Flare watched them in amusement.

“Those two are getting really close. I almost think they’re brothers.” says Flare.

“I’m happy that they are getting along just fine...but I can’t help but wonder...”

“Wonder about what?” asked Flare.

Aunt Magma didn’t reply but continued to gaze at the two boys.

***

Later that evening...

Tenryu was lying on his own futon snoring.

As soon as they returned to his room (which was apparently Benny’s room as well now) he plopped down on his futon completely exhausted.

Tenryu complained that this was from all the running he had from chasing Benny. Although Benny knew that is was actually from all the travelling, fighting and not to mentioned the forced cleaning he imposed on Tenryu. Before completely falling asleep though, Tenryu admitted that it had been a long time since he had been able to just lie down on a comfortable mattress in his own room.

Benny’s own futon was next to his but he didn’t immediately sleep. Maybe from all his fainting spells, Benny was still wide awake late into the night. He was reading some pages in the Spellbook under a small crystal lamp that he had borrowed from Flare.

Many particular spells intrigued him.

There was a spell called Horologium which when invoked can manipulate time at will. Apparently, in order to cast it one needed to draw Magic Seals in the order of the time piece constellation.

“So this Magic had something to do about constellations.” murmured Benny, who was always fascinated with astronomy.

The drawings also showed that it could be done by hand without a Magic Tool. Benny wanted to know how to cast Magic like that.

Benny decided to try it out.

Although he had no idea where to start, Benny held his hand up high and started tracing in the air while muttering the incantation. When he finished…nothing happened.

It’s no use huh? Maybe there’s something I’m missing… Benny thought.

Maybe he had to concentrate on the energy while casting the spell.

Benny focused on the flow of energy in and out of his body. He also pictured in his mind the power and energy of the spell.

In actuality, he was relying in all the light novels and anime stuff as a basis.

And once again, he tried the spell.

Nothing happened.

To say he was albeit disappointed was a little true although he had already expected that result.

He fell back on his futon. Looking up to the ceiling, he thought how hard Magic really was.

“Can I really be an Adventurer?”

Tenryu believed that he can be but he himself wasn’t so sure.

“Just remember, Iho… The greatest miracles come… from believing in yourself...”

Abuela’s last words echoed in his mind.

Benny sat up. “Believe in myself, huh?”

All this time, he always thought of himself subpar in comparison to others.

To his family…to his friends…to basically everyone…he felt he couldn’t compare to others.

“I’ve got to believe in myself!”

Benny raised his hand once more. He focused once more.

Focus on the energy… Picture the spell and its effects…

Benny pointed his finger.

…and believe in myself…

“I can do it!” he mutters to himself.

All of a sudden he felt a strange sense of warmth coursing through his body. An unusual sense power filled him.

Then tip of his finger started to glow.

“Whoa! Seriously?!” yelled Benny.

“Shut up…”

Benny jolted and lost focus. The energy faded and the light at his fingertip vanished.

He looked at Tenryu.

“…I didn’t do it!” Tenryu grumbled as he tossed in his mattress. “No…please not the ice-melon punishment…”

Benny sweatdropped, “He’s talking in sleep.”

Benny took a deep breath and tried it out again. He focused, pictured the spell, and most importantly…believed in himself.

His finger glowed with bright light.

Excitement was flooding him! Or it could be just the energy of Magic.

He started tracing in the air while quietly reciting the incantation. As he did so he left a streak of light with magical runes and symbols in them. He was about to finish the last part of the spell when suddenly…

“Benny...what are-”

“UWAAH!” yelped Benny, just as he traced the last part.

There was a flash of light!

Momentarily dazed, Benny shook his head and looked at Tenryu.

“Ah, sorry did I wake you up…Tenryu?”

Tenryu looked like he was about to sat up but somehow stopped midway like someone had clicked the pause button in film.

“T-Tenryu?” mumbled Benny.

Benny reached out and poked him. Tenryu had been frozen!

Benny realized it was his spell that did this.

His Magic Spell worked!

…though not the way he wanted it to.

“Oh, crud…”

Benny grabbed the Spellbook and scanned for the Counter-spell. Thankfully, it was just written right under the spell. He focused and started reciting Counter-spell while tracing the pattern in reverse.

Benny pointed his finger at Tenryu and there was another flash of light.

Then, Tenryu started moving again.

“-you doing at this hour?” says Tenryu. He continued from what he left off.

He also didn’t seem to realize what had just happened.

“Uh, just a little night reading…”

Benny smiled, while trying to maintain a poker face.

“It’s getting late and we have a lot to do tomorrow...” Tenryu yawned.

During dinner they did make plans for Tenryu to show Benny the whole city tomorrow.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right....” Benny yawned.

Surprisingly, even after he had his little “nap” earlier he found that he was instantly sleepy.

Could it be from using Magic earlier?

Benny closed the book and switched of the lamp. Taking off his glasses, he then pulled up his covers and getting himself ready to sleep. It was comfortable sleeping in a bed. Benny had almost forgotten what it was like.

“Hey, Benny?” says Tenryu, who turned to face him.

“Hmm?” says Benny.

“Thanks for sticking up for me...”

“What do you mean?”

“You know...about earlier...with Flare-ate...”

Benny had to smile.

“It was nothing. You’re my friend and I had to stand by you.”

“Thanks...”

“Besides I think your sister has the tendency to jump to conclusions. I sort of got that impression when she thought I was you and ripped my ear off.”

“Ah, sorry about that...”

“Actually, I want to thank you too...”

Tenryu looked at him in surprise, “Thank me? Why do you want to thank me?”

“What else? Letting me stay with you and your folks...”

“Don’t mention it! What are friends for?”

“I was actually worried they might say no.”

“Aunt Magma and Flare-ate are more than accommodating. They’ve always been like that ever since I was brought here.”

“Brought here?”

“...Um, never mind. Let’s go to sleep! We’ve got a big day tomorrow and I’m really tired. Good night!”

“Good night...”

Tenryu turned on his side and was snoring again a few seconds later.

Although stunned by the sudden end to their conversation, Benny turned on his mattress.

Benny looked at his hand. He had just used Magic.

As amazing it was, Benny felt really exhausted to feel more excited about it. He closed his eyes and with that, Benny drifted off to sleep.