Chapter 35

Reaching the door, Timothy began to hold out his hand to knock on the door, before he actually hesitated. He was unsure if this girl's mother and father were cultivators and could possibly waste him in retaliation. However, as he thought about this, the door began to open up with the girl's mother looking down at him with a confused, yet sad expression on her face.

"Um, hello. So, I have come to. Um-" trying to explain himself, Timothy just felt as if he was lost for words as the girl's mother just gestured for him to enter their home. Once he sat down, the girl's father exited her room and sat with her mother across from him with heavy expressions on their faces.

Originally, the girl's mother felt that she was not good enough to enter the tournament and wanted her to not attend, but the girl's father had quite a bit of pride since he and his wife were unable to cultivate, yet his daughter was able to reach Elementary level two in such a short amount of time.

"I am unable to go back and fix the damage which I have caused. I can only hope to earn your family's forgiveness for what has been done. Here is a pouch of two hundred gold pieces. I know that gold will not calm the sadness in your hearts which I have caused, but hopefully it will make this slightly more bearable." Timothy told them as he withdrew the pouch and placed it on the table in front of him.

Timothy may have also been considered technically to be in only a commoner family, but since his father now knew almost all of Boulder Village's elders and guards by name, it would be impossible for the girl's family to seek any type of revenge for what had happened. So for Timothy to not be overbearing with his words, and more caring towards them, the girl's parents' faces changed slightly to ones of surprise.

"If there is anything your family may need in the future, please do not hesitate to come and find me. I do not have much now, but one day I hope to have enough to make this up to you both and her." Timothy told them before standing up, trying to leave before anything became too awkward.

"A strong young man like yourself will only continue to become stronger as time goes on. This is more than enough for our families to be even, but I hope that in the future, you will remember these words. What you did to my daughter Lily is inexcusable, but I only have myself to blame for not being strong enough to fix it myself since I am also partly responsible for what had happened." Lily's father told Timothy as him and his wife allowed Timothy to head back.

After having several words with his family, Timothy was told that Martin was in fact making rounds with several other village guards and was actually in a trial period of outright being able to join them because word had gotten around of his travels as a mercenary which many of the guards lacked themselves.

Looking over, Timothy noticed that Jacob and his mother had begun to walk towards him and his family. He was not expecting that they would be doing this before the tournament had ended, but he had no choice but to accept what was about to happen and to travel lightly through the situation.

"Hello, you must be Timothy's parents." Jacob's mother said while holding out her hand to shake theirs. Jacob was standing on the side and slightly behind her, as if he actually had a shy personality while meeting new people. If Timothy had known this, he thought to himself that he would have gone about earlier differently.

"It seems like our two sons have hit it off quite well even though they are competing for the same prize. I was wondering if I could sit over here with you three? My husband would have come, but he has fallen ill recently so I am alone." she told Timothy's parents with a smile on her face.

"Of course, we would love that!" the first to respond was Timothy's mother who actually grabbed her body and gave her a big hug before the two began talking in their seats. Timothy and his father both looked at each other until they both realized that although little Joshua was popular, she herself lacked any actual friends within Boulder Village and only many acquaintances.

Back in Oak Township, Timothy's mother was quite popular among all of the mothers that lived there because everyone had grown up together. Since moving, she received quite a bit of attention, but has not had the time to really get to know others. Therefore, Timothy's mother was really excited since Jacob's mother came across as friendly and could become her friend just as their sons have earlier.

Since there was nothing else to discuss, their parents wished them good luck as both Jacob and Timothy headed down once more to await the next round of the tournament. "Hey so, sorry if that was a little awkward for you. When I showed my mother what you have given to me, she wanted me to return everything and we had a good crying session together. However, I told her that you were now a brother to me and since I do not have any other siblings, her demeanor changed and decided to treat your family like ours." Jacob told Timothy when they sat down together once more outside of the big groups of youths who were waiting and talking to one another.

"Jacob, do you or your mother know what kind of illness your father has?" Timothy asked Jacob because Master Sei wanted to possibly do his part and aid them. If it was just a random cultivator who had some value to his disciple, he most likely would not go out of his way to assist. However, because it looked as if Jacob would be a vital part of Timothy's life moving forward, it was only right for him to intervene and help where he could.