Showing Off

[So, you guys have been preparing that ambush?]

"Yes, teacher! X2"

[All this time? For what reason by the way?]

"Yes! We figured it might be good training while waiting for you!"

Let me guess it was the tiger's idea. Then when he told the bear he'd have to burry underground he probably boarded this pirate ship gleefully.

I'm never sure with these guys if they are just playing around or onto something. Then again, I'll probably never know. At least they aren't getting bored when left to their own devices.

Sometimes I envy them. They seem to have found their path in life. I actually think they have a lot of potential. One-track-minded people are the ones that end up the most successful.

We all know that one businessman always thinking about profit. Or that sly salesman that will say anything to close a deal. Or that scientist that dedicates his life to research. Or that one author that lives in front of his pc. Or that …. there are many examples.

Once you embrace something completely you can truly improve the fastest. They say still water gets left behind or something. While you sleep, they are working hard. While you eat, they are still working hard. While you shit, they …. you get it.

Then before you even realize it there is an abyss between you both. Both in terms of drive and experience. At least this time I did train too!

Thanks to the odd Bean, I am now able to use nature magic to a certain degree. Mostly to make plants grow and command their actions. And I actually have some results to show for it!

[While you guys have been training so did I!]

"I want to see teacher!"

"Same!"

I take a stance.

[Behold my mighty power!]

Then a lone root extends from the ground and wiggles around under my command. I make it twist on itself in what I hope is a mesmerizing dance. Then again, it's just a root so the effect probably isn't that great.

"This is so cool!"

"This bear is impressed!"

I make it coil upon itself in a way that it forms the picture of a tiger in mid-air. He is watching it happen completely stupefied. I'm glad I managed to impress him. It is something extremely simple, but it looks cool.

Wait…. there is something wrong…. He is looking intently at it. And …is he perhaps…crying?!

"This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!"

The bear is behind him patting his back. What?! What's with that overreaction?!

[Calm down I did that on a whim!]

"You trained hard just to manage something so awesome! This tiger is touched! Thank you, teacher!"

"As long as you understand how lucky you are! Teacher is the best!"

[No seriously you guys you don't have to be that grateful I just…]

"It's fine, teacher. I know just how hard drawing is. The bear took so long to learn how to make a few single runes."

"I only learned the ones for the hiding spells too!"

[Yes, but I'm doing this with magic. It's way easier actually.]

They both nod. I get the feeling they are thinking that it makes it even more impressive somehow. I see the bear looking over enviously. The tiger is still emotional.

I concentrate to make grow another root. I carefully manipulate it to sneak being them. Then I shape this one into a bear. Then I silently point toward their backs. They turn around…

"Oh my god! This is you!!!"

"Oh my god! This is me!!"

This is surprisingly a wholesome moment. I feel like they would go crazy if I could get them a camera. Add the internet into the mix and it would make for some funny posts.

I could totally imagine the bear sending pictures of all kinds of landscapes with the caption: I'm in there somewhere. The tiger would likely spam pictures of everything he comes across writing: potential enemy?

I swear if I could somehow get this technology in this world it would be so fun. They keep turning around glancing at both pieces of art one after the other. Then looking at each other some more.

"I understand!"

"Me too!"

What is it now? Was there a lesson to be found there? I'm the one that did it and I'm pretty sure there was not. I could be mistaken but chances are low.

"Thank you, teacher! x2"

They are bowing gratefully. Ah, fuck it. Why dispel the misunderstanding! Right now, I'm kinda getting curious about what this is about. I take a deep and solemn voice.

[What did you both understand?]

"By showing us this magic, you showed us that it is possible to bend anything to one's will with enough work."

"Exactly, magic can serve all kinds of purposes. We should make sure to learn properly until we can use some basic spells for all kinds of purposes."

[And?]

"You also enlightened us on how to better trap our opponents."

"Baiting, but also what to do in case of emergency. To have a plan B with a dummy treasure to occupy the enemy while we flee."

[And?]

"While teaching us this you also thought us how to be more flexible in our thinking."

"Yes, that too! For both the magic and the strategy. However, this should be applied to other spheres of our life too!"

[And?]

"Oh, I know! Teacher showed us how to enact the perfect ambush! First, you attracted my attention from the front, and then while I was occupied you…"

"Oh my god! You are right! That was the perfect example of an ambush! We never heard a thing until it was too late!"

What too late? It was just a harmless drawing. What ambush? I just wanted to surprise him. What lesson? I was just showing off! I can't believe they can overthink that much! Actually…. this is kinda fun in its own way.

[And?]

They both open their eyes wide in stupefaction. Then I can feel them being extremely impressed.

"Sorry teacher but this tiger lacks foresight!"

"This bear is the same, sorry teacher!

Oh well.

[Don't worry about it, you guys. You understood enough. I am very proud already!]

The shiniest eyes and the most radiant smiles appear before me.

This was fun, but enough playtime.

There is something I want to do.

Something vital if I want to live in this world.