Ben now aimed to be a S-Class mage as fast as possible. If he was a S-Class mage, he would have access to bigger jobs. S-Class mages will also be allowed to roam the world easier and enter some forbidden and dangerous areas. He was getting excited just thinking about that.
He didn't realize it, but he was becoming more and more like a 12 year old boy. Without any kind of heavy responsibility on his shoulder like when he was a soldier, Ben could enjoy his life more.
Of course he still had the responsibility to protect his guild and all it's members, especially his team. But he knew they will grow stronger, to the point they can protect themselves. He will make sure they grow past that point.
'To be a S-Class mage, I don't just need power, but achievements. In other words, I need a good resume. Well, it's just a normal way for people to be promoted in any organization.' Ben thought while training in the cave.
Ben then calculated what he needed to be promoted faster. He knew that he would reach the minimum power for a S-Class mage within a year, so he needed to make sure he had more experience in a year too.
"One job a week, that means 52 jobs a year. It will be enough if my jobs get harder and harder. But I doubt I will get dangerous jobs with Wendy and the cats. It seems I'll need to take some jobs alone, maybe with Bella because she won't leave my side. It's easier to protect 1 person than 3." Ben said.
Ben decided to take some jobs alone, not with his teammates. He wanted to get more experience, not just for being promoted to S-Class. He also wanted to be challenged and go on adventures. Now he just has to speak with Roubaul to get his approval.
After training, Ben had a private talk with him. He told the old man about his thoughts and what he wanted. Roubaul just listened to him talk until he finished speaking.
"So you want to take more jobs and gain more experience to become a S-Class mage." Roubaul said.
"Yes, I will still take easy jobs with Wendy every week, but I want to take some dangerous jobs alone." Ben responded.
"Do you really want to become a S-Class mage that fast?" Roubaul asked.
"Yeah, and it's not just because I want to see the world. You know me, gramps and you know my growth. I grew fast last year, but it's actually started to get slower later." Ben explained.
He wasn't lying, his growth had started to slow down. Even though he still got stronger, it wasn't as fast as before. Ben looked into it and he knew what the problem was. He lacked difficult battles.
"I need battles to grow strong, training isn't giving me good results anymore. Difficult battles like life and death battles, that's what I need right now, not training." Ben continued explaining.
He was serious and Roubaul stared at him with a serious expression on his face.
"Fine, I will allow it, but I still choose the job. Also, you can only take it two times a month. Rest is also important." Roubaul stated.
"That's good enough. No one wants to keep doing jobs. I need some rest and entertainment." Ben said, agreeing with him.
"Good, I will find a suitable job for you to go on next week. For now, just do the usual routine." Roubaul ordered.
Ben nodded and left the room, returning to his house.
"This kid's growth is terrifying. That has me worried. Maybe it's time for me to tell him the truth about this guild. No, let's just look at the situation first. I can't be hasty. But sooner or later, he will find something's amiss. He is smart, after all. I am too old for this." Roubaul sighed.
Actually, he already felt something off about their guild. He felt it didn't operate like a normal guild and his guild mates didn't go on jobs. It was just him and Wendy. He felt it wasn't a guild, just a village.
Ben put that thought to the side and just focused on training. He was from another world, so this just might be how a guild in this world works. Besides, he trusted Roubaul and also felt comfortable here, so the guild's condition and how it really worked didn't matter to him.
The next day...
Ben helped Wendy practice hand to hand combat. She asked him to train her after she was only able to defeat three normal bandits. He gladly agreed to do so, and they trained without using magic. She needed to learn the basics, so her techniques would not be weak.
They sparred at the end of training. Ben didn't break a sweat during the sparring match. He was a lot stronger than Wendy. But nonetheless, he still patiently trained her, because he wanted her to be strong too.
"How is it, Ben nii-san?" Wendy asked, panting.
"Your technique has improved, but the way you use them in a fight is not good enough. I think we need to spar more to improve it." Ben answered.
"Only sparring?" She questioned.
"No, we'll also improve your magic power and stamina by training in the cave. You can make the schedule, I'll just follow it." He told her.
"Hmm, we take jobs on Monday and Tuesday. Then, training in the cave on Wednesday, and sparring on Thursday. I want to train my spells and other things on Friday. As for Saturday and Sunday, I want to play with Carla." Wendy stated.
"Ooh, you thought of that fast, good girl. Alright, let's go with that." Ben ruffled Wendy's hair.
"He he he." She smiled.
Wendy always liked being praised by Ben and being rubbed or patted on her hair. In fact, Bella and Carla also liked it, although Bella was honest, Carla wasn't. He was their big brother after all, so they liked being praised by him.
"Ben, rub!" Bella yelled.
"Yes, yes." He rubbed Bella and Carla as well.
"W-why me too?" Carla protested. Inside though, she was happy.
"Just to be fair." Ben answered.
With that, they finished training. Then over the next few days, they followed the schedule Wendy made. Ben's schedule also changed following Wendy's schedule. His old schedule was no longer convenient. Just training everyday would no longer make him grow faster like it did last year.
Ben's current priority isn't raising his stats, but increasing his abilities. He realized his shortcoming on the last job when he battled that mage. He lacked spells. What he lacked wasn't a amount, but a spell to be useful in every situation.
Ben's Sun Dragon Slayer magic had more offensive spells than defensive. It also lacked spells that could be used in enclosed spaces. He understood the reason though, it's because the source of his magic was a dragon. Dragons have tough scales and rarely needed to use defensive spells. They are also big creatures, so they don't usually fight in enclosed spaces.
The only option was for Ben to create his own spells. He created some before, so it doesn't matter. What he needed right now were references. He needed a lot of spells from all types. That's why Ben bought all sorts of spells that he could from magic stores.
"The spells that I bought from the magic store aren't enough. Hmm, let's try asking gramps if he also had a collection of spells." He commented.
Ben went to find Roubaul who was drinking while conversing with the others. His booze spilled all over the place.
"Old man, I told you not to talk while drinking. It's disgusting." He reprimanded the guild master.
"It's a habit, so it's hard to change. Ha ha ha." Roubaul laughed.
"Whatever. Hey gramps, how many spells have you collected?" Ben sighed.
"How many? I don't know, maybe ten or a hundred. Why do you ask?" Roubaul questioned.
"Can you let me learn those spells?" He suggested.
"You want to learn them all?" Roubaul raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I lack spells that are useful in certain situations. That's why I want to make my own spells, but I need references. I don't plan to use all those spells, I just want to learn the concept behind them to make my own spells." Ben explained.
"Oh, so that's how it is. Fine then, I'll prepare it, you can take it tomorrow." Roubaul nodded.
"Thanks, gramps." Ben told him.
"Yeah, but can you explain the project to me?" The guild master asked.
"Sure." Ben answered.
He then told Roubaul about his problems and plan. Roubaul heard what he was saying and gave him some ideas. They discussed it until dinner time and Ben got some more ideas from him. With some more ideas, Ben was certain his plan would work.