Joren was currently meditating in his room, sitting in the lotus position on his bed, or above his bed actually. Over the past month, he delved deeper into the mysteries of mana trying to uncover many of its properties without turning it into magic.
Gramps had told him that people see magic in a linear way, "do this to achieve that". He told him to think outside the box and not blindly read or listen to something or someone telling you that there is a certain way to do things. Everything has multiple paths to arrive at a single point, nothing is absolute.
Using this understanding, Joren attempted to create a type of "Magic" that would aid him in the long run. He didn't try to create something extreme or flashy, he needed something simple and efficient. Something that would always come in handy. And so, he decided on what he would attempt to create, telekinesis, or at least a mimicry of it.
Telekinesis is the ability to move objects with your mind. Telekinesis does exist in this world, but it's limited to people who are in the 5th circle or above. Gramps had told Joren that many types of magic could be performed in a lower circle if your understanding of mana is profoundly high.
What Joren is doing isn't moving objects with his mind, he's moving invisible, intangible mana and making it act as either a footstool or a hand. He can make a footstool anywhere but he can only grab things in the limit of his range. This is why it's a mimicry of telekinesis because as long as something is in your line of sight, telekinesis can grab onto anything. He's grabbing mana with his mana basically. He called this ability Mana Force.
It doesn't stop there though. He can use the mana to form a bubble around him acting like a force field. It's not as strong as a barrier, but it would be able to block attacks from anyone as strong as him or weaker. He tested this with his mother and she knocked him out cold.
"Phew, that's enough for today. Trying to stay in the air takes a lot more concentration than I expected. I'll stick to making a footstool here or there to change my midair trajectory, not full-on flight." He slowly descended onto his bed, bouncing when he made contact with it. He wiped the sweat off his head and went up to go downstairs.
"Mmmmm, something smells good, I'm salivating. I wonder what Mom is preparing." When he reached the bottom, Lauren was in the kitchen with his mother preparing whatever dish they were cooking. It smelled good so he was looking forward to it.
Since Glenn had left, Lauren had been coming over every day keeping the two of them company. Joren didn't mind it because he would have a more fun time with his busty Milf Aunt. One night, Glenda and Lauren were talking about Joren when Glenda brought up the topic of his sigil.
Lauren felt jealous and asked to get it as well. Although hesitant at first, he gave in and put it on her. Worst mistake of his life. He spent the next two days having sex with Lauren which then led to his mother not wanting to be left out. He was milked beyond oblivion.
"Whatever you're cooking smells amazing. When is It gonna be done?" He sat down at the table, wiping the saliva from his chin.
Glenda turned around smiling. "It'll be done soon, sweetie. We wanted to make you a farewell meal before you part on your journey. It's all your favorites."
'Oh yeah, Uncle Glenn should be here soon. It's already been a month huh? Time sure passes by fast. I can't wait to travel and see the world. At first, I was hesitant, but now I can't help but be excited."
10 minutes later, his meal was done. A bowl of rice with chopped vegetables and chicken, mashed potatoes, a salad, fruit, a loaf of bread, and the best drink to ever roam the world Orange Juice. A simple meal, but one that he loves dearly.
The three of them continued to eat and have fun, hanging out with each other until it was late afternoon, the time Glenn would be back.
Hearing a knock on the door, Joren went to get it. Since his mana control became a lot better over the past month, he's now able to sense the mana signature of people and he recognized Glenn's mana behind the door. He also noticed that the mana around Glenn was orange but he didn't think too much on that.
"Hey, Uncle Glenn!" he greeted him, opening the door.
"Hey Joren, I hope everything was well while I was away?"
"Yeah, everything was fine. I spent most of the time training anyway. I'm prepared to leave whenever you're ready!"
"Really? Well, let's go now." Glenn turned around to leave when suddenly, he was stopped by Lauren.
"What? You're not even going to say goodbye to your wife even though you'll be gone for a few years?" She pouted and turned away.
"Ahh, umm, sorry Honey, come here, give me a hug."
'Ha! A hug, they act more like roommates than husband and wife nowadays.' Joren noticed that after he and Lauren started a physical relationship, Glenn wouldn't touch her at all, sexually that is. They would still hug, but no kissing, no sex, no cuddling, no form of affection at all other than the fact that they say they love each other. He didn't care though. Lauren was his girl now, he even marked her.
"Bye Mommy, I'll always think about you when I'm sleeping." He reached up and kissed her on the lips
"Haha, why only when you're sleeping?"
"Because a brave, strong warrior like me can't get distracted by a beautiful woman like you. So I'll think of you when I sleep." He explained
"Hey! What about me?" Lauren chimed in.
"Don't worry Auntie Lauren, I'll think about you as well." He smiled at her
"You better! Or I'll kiss you to death!" She grabbed Joren and started kissing all over his neck and face.
"Okay, it's time to go. See you guys in a few years. Take care." With their final goodbyes said Joren and Glenn made their way to the village gates.
When they arrived, Joren noticed a horse caravan parked outside the village gates with familiar people around it. It looked as if they were checking everything to see if they had everything they needed for traveling.
"Hmm? Hey, it's your mercenary crew!" Joren ran over to greet them
"JORENNNNNN!!!!!!!" Pantera ran over and gave him the biggest hug he ever had. She held onto him tightly making him feel like his ribs were going to break. She wore white robes that had slits on the side of her leggings. A white hat that pointed upwards sat on her head partially covering her blonde hair.
"ACK M-MISS PANTERA, M-MY RIBS! MY RIBS!!"
"Why didn't you come and visit me?! I missed you y'know? I kept waiting and waiting but you never came. Do you not like me? I thought we bonded after I healed you." She kept rambling on not noticing that Joren's airflow was blocked, causing him to slowly lose consciousness.
Derry walked over and tapped Pantera on the shoulder. She had a soft and quiet voice with a blank expression. "Pantera, you're squeezing him too hard."
"Huh?" She looked at the half-dead Joren in her arms and dropped him out of shock.
"Oof! Haha, I miss you too Miss Pantera. Sorry for not visiting, I was couped up in training and to be honest, I didn't know you lived here." He scratched the back of his head
"Drop the 'Miss' You can just call me Big Sis" She puffed out her chest and smiled smugly
"Aren't you like 30? Why do you want him to call you big sis? Shouldn't it be grandma?" Lenny walked over, his hands behind his head in a laid-back manner. He had black hair that stood up and a slit scar over one of his black eyes. There were two straps on his chest that made an X shape holding two swords sheathed on his back. His shoulders, knees, and chest had armored plates while he had leather gauntlets and boots.
"Hehhhh?! The fuck you say?! Come here you little shit!" Pantera ran at him extending her hands as vines sprouted from the ground wrapping around his arms and legs.
"Wait! Noo! I'm sorry! It was a joke! OUCH! Please noo! It hurts!" Lenny screamed
Joren watched on smiling as Derry walked over to him, bending down and staring right into his eyes. She had light blue eyes with light blue hair that reached the middle of her back. Her body was petite but still had curves in the right places. Her small stature gave her a special appeal that would make any man infatuated with her.
Her clothes were blue but it was covered by a black robe she wore which had small shoulder pads. A wooden staff was on her back that forked out at the tip, grabbing what looked like a dark blue orb.
"Hey, Miss Derry." Joren greeted her. But she shook her head.
"Derry. Just call me that."
"Okay! Hey Derry."
She smiled at him, patting his head.
"Everything is ready to go Glenn. We can leave at any moment." Arnold walked over holding a box in his hands. He was a huge man 6'6 and had muscles like a body builder. His brown skin and eyes glistened in the sunlight making his bald head reflect light like a mirror. His deep voice startled Joren.
"Hello, Joren. How are you? I hope everything is well." He set the box down next to him.
"Yup, everything is good Mr Arnold."
"You don't need to use formalities around us. We are brothers and sisters here, just call us by our names."
He nodded "What's the box for?"
"It's for you." Glenn chimed in. "Open it."
Joren opened the box and looked at its contents. His eyes widened as saw what was inside. Inside were leather boots and gauntlets, a leather chest plate, what looked to be a cape and a sword.
"It's for you. You don't have any gear and I can't have you running around without any proper protection so I bought that for you on the way back here. Go ahead, try it on." Glenn gestured at the box.
With a bit of help, Joren managed to put his new gear on making him look like a true mercenary. He thought the cape was a bit much but he didn't complain since it made him look cool.
"Woah! I look like a badass now! Thanks, Uncle!"
Glenn smiled and patted Joren on the back. "Okay, let's go, everyone, can't keep our client waiting too long." They all jumped inside the caravan and headed to Baker's Town.