Going back in time a little, while Gracier was lost in thoughts, Alex continued to mow down ant after ant, yet it seemed that they were no end to them. After killing one another one would show up filling the gap left by the previous one.
Finally, Alex finished his twenty-second Soldier Ants, there were no more Soldier Ants in front of him, only numerous Soldier Ant's corpses lay in front of him.
Panting Alex tried to catch his breath, his arms felt a little bit sore.
''That's sure was fun,'' Alex said while inhaling a bout of fresh air.
〖Tch! You enjoyed yourself forgetting about this lady.〗Silveria said, her voice filled with discontent.
''Sorry, about that. I just want to fight for a while only using my knives. Let's check my current level. It seems that I have gained two levels after my kills.'' Alex said apologetically before thinking about his status, immediately his status window appears right before his eyes.
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The one who can't use Magic] [The one whose fingers are faster than Flash] [Goblin Slayer] 』
''Not bad, if kill two more Ants I'll level and step into Rank 2, who knows maybe I'll become Level 14 or 15 before going back depending on the number of Ants that may appear,'' Alex muttered while observing his status.
〖Do you plan to hog all monsters XP for yourself? Aren't you forgetting someone?〗amused Silveria asked.
''Ops! That's true.'' Alex said while thinking about Gracier who was still lost in her world.
Alex did a quick calculation and knew that one Soldier Ant gave him the same amount of XP as a normal Goblin. He gained 3300 XP after killing twenty-two Soldier Ants, adding this XP on his already possessed 130 XP, he leveled up twice and was left with 1130 XP, if he kills two more Ants he will step into the Rank 2, meaning becoming Level 13.
After solely fighting with his knife, he gained a New Skill: Knife Art, he was surprised by the level being 2, though. 'Why?' Alex asked himself.
〖It is Level 2 because of your proficiency in wielding your knife. I'm astonished that you didn't gain the skill sooner. Well, you acquired it now, no need to think about why you haven't acquired it.〗Silveria explained clearing away Alex's confusion.
''I see. Let's add my 40 BP on my MP-''
〖That won't be possible because we got some company. Oh? It seems she back.〗Silveria cut Alex off and announced.
Immediately from the bushes, four Soldier Ants come out while at the same Alex sensed a powerful aura coming from behind him, and without looking back he knew that it was coming from Gracier's body.
'She has overcome her fear it seems' Alex thought before looking at his back to see Gracier's body radiating powerful heat, her heterochromia eyes stared straight into his green eyes, Alex could feel her determination through her eyes, so unconsciously he said,
''Welcome little sister.''
Alex was surprised by the words he uttered until now he never called her little sister directly. It seems he was slowly acknowledging her as his little sister.
''I'm back Big brother,'' Gracier replied with a smile.
Alex stopped looking at Gracier in the eyes because the pressure coming from her left eye was becoming unbearable. However, he still decided to check Gracier's status therefore he quickly used his Appraisal skill on her, what he saw shocked him.
Titles: [Avenger] [Child of Fire] [The Awakened] (New Title)』
Alex smiled bitterly after seeing Gracier's stats had increased yet again.
''Sometimes seeing how talented some peoples are you can't help but feel jealous. Her Status was better than mine when I was at Level 1. She is not even an otherworlder, what a cheat, her starting point is too high.''
〖Well, even though we have awakened her Gift there was still something missing. Now that she has overcome her fear her talent is ready to blossom. Don't be jealous, your Gift is one the strongest that exist in the universe.〗Silveria said comforting Alex.
''Boastful''
Naturally, Alex did not believe Silveria's claim one bit. For him, she was just boasting herself while also trying to comfort him. Unknown to him, she was not lying, Alex will learn this truth in a near future.
Suddenly, Gracier muttered ''Let's roast some ant shall we?"
Alex felt a chill down his spine when he heard her words. Somehow, he had the feeling that Gracier was about to go wild. Her previous innocent Self seems to have disappeared, replaced by a wild one.
Before the previous Soldier Ants who were frozen in place because they were feeling threatened by the red-haired girl could move they received a fire baptism.
Extending her finger in the direction of the Soldier Ants, Ignia's Bracelet appeared on her wrist, Gracier chanted.
「Flames hear my call, gather and become the sword that mows down my enemies: Fireballs」
Immediately after chanting, three fireballs the sizes of Basketball appeared, the temperature rise. With the flick of her fingers, the three fireballs were hurled towards the frozen Soldier Ants.
Everything happened so fast, from the chant to the attack only three seconds passed. Gracier casting speed was too fast, Alex believes that even though he never faced a magician before.
〖Not bad, not bad at all.〗Silveria praised.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The four Soldier Ants were blasted into smitterness by the three fireballs, strangely they left behind their magic stones and the proofs of subjugation.
Alex's mouth was wide open, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
〖Nice control as well. As expected of the Child of Fire. She has perfect control over her flame.〗Silveria praised Gracier again.
Finally, it registered in Alex's mind why everything hadn't disappeared in the flame, it was because of the perfect control Gracier had over her fireballs.
''Too cool. Magic is great. Too bad I couldn't use it.'' Eyes shining Alex offered an honest opinion before becoming dejected because he couldn't use magic.
From where she was, Silveria rolled her eyes when she heard her master's words.
After killing the four Soldier Ants with her fireballs, Gracier seemed indifferent as if she had not killed a living thing, nor it was the first time she killed. She was grinning as she created another four fireballs who stayed hovering in the air in front of her and when another bunch of Soldier Ants came out from the bushes they shared the same fate as the previous one, strangely her flame did not burn the bushes.
In just two attacks Gracier had killed ten Soldier Ants, the six Soldier Ants that come out became frozen because of Gracier left eye, her dragon eye, using this chance she finished them with the four fireballs. It was a clever move.
After waiting for a while no other Soldier Ants came out. Alex and Gracier collected the proofs of subjugation after Gracier covered her left eye with a new bandana, the previous one burst in flash after her awakening.
While collecting the proofs of subjugation Alex appraised Gracier.
Titles: [Avenger] [Child of Fire] [The Awakened] (New Title)』
After killing ten Soldier Ants (150 ×10= 1500 XP) Gracier went straight to Level 5.
Alex heaved a sigh before suggesting ''Let's proceed forward.''
''Um! Big brother let's go.'' Gracier reply with a toothy grin, her eyes were filled in anticipation of the incoming fight.
Looking at Gracier who seemed impatient Alex thought to myself 'In the next fight I must show her how awesome am I.'
Unconsciously Alex became infected as well as a grin formed on his face as the two proceeds forward. Silveria who was observing the two from her dimension smiled.
....
A/N: For those who may be surprised by the 20 points added on Gracier's stats, please don't be. Mysthia's native gain 5 pts per Level and 10 BP per Level, therefore because she leveled up four times it becomes 20 Pts added to her stats while she got 40 BP. I hope it clear some of your confusion. Please check the information chapter in the Auxiliary volume.