Avaros leaned back into his seat and whistled. His eyes darted from Aqua to Azure and then finally to Sheira, who sat next to him. "I am rather surprised, your highness."
"Why?" Sheira tilted her head.
"Considering how important you are, it's surprising that you did not bring a sizeable guard host."
The princess smiled awkwardly, "I don't need guards when I have Azure here. And I am not as weak as you might think."
"Of course, I am not doubting you, your esteemed highness." He tapped his foot and crossed his arms.
"I was under the impression that Lady Hallowshield was supposed to be our country's military asset. It's rather strange she'd be allowed to attend the Academy again."
Sheira clicked her tongue. "She is on vacation."
"Vacation?"
"Ah, I suppose the news hasn't reached your house yet?"
"Hm, I suppose not. It's not my place to question you, your highness."
Azure shook her head. "Fortunately, the military is not without trainers; we found a replacement while I attend the academy."
The young man hummed, "I see. I am glad that our glorious homeland finally got its act together and reduced Lady Hallowshield's military responsibilities." His hands crossed. "Frankly, and don't take this as an insult, Lady Hallowshield. Having you solely responsible for our military is asinine."
Azure's eyes widened, and Aqua and Sheira chuckled.
"Let me explain. First and most important, while I do not doubt your loyalty to the kingdom, the military would be more loyal to you than to the kingdom."
"Second, putting their faith in you alone would lead our nation to fracture if anything happened to you. And lastly, you are just a mortal. Your mind will crumble from the weight of the responsibility. I do not envy your position."
Azure nodded. This man was similar age to Sheira, yet he was much wiser than the princess.
His gaze washed over the group of girls. "Well, it doesn't matter right now. We are about to attend the glorious Onost Academy. I had heard many good things about it from my father."
"Oh?" Sheira tilted her head, her eyes slightly squinted. "Anything in particular you would like to share, Sir Avaros?"
"Hmm…" He puffed out a cheek and slowly pushed the air through his closed lips. "The professors are excellent, especially the casting specialized ones. Rumors are that even a southern savage who graduates here would be bound to greatness. Of course, I do not believe in such rumors. Only one's merit has any weight." He leaned back.
"However, my family is not one to ignore a potential good. Thus, they sent me to specialize. I am to learn anything I can in order to properly utilize my power." He opened his fist, and a spark of electricity danced in his palm.
Sheira and Azure widened their eyes. "No catalyst?!"
Avaros shook his head. His silence was heavy, and his eyes stared at his hand for a moment. "My father, about two centuries ago, had theorized that catalysts are mere crutches forced upon us by rigid traditionalism."
"And he was right. As I had just proven, catalysts, runes, and prayer aren't necessary, not even body movement. There is something else in the world, a power that we have yet to tap into." His fist clenched. "My family sacrificed much to learn and study this mysterious power."
Sheira's eyes fluttered. Her gaze slowly panned to Aqua, who observed Avaros with a slight smile on her face.
"Aqua… could they have discovered… Aether?"
Avaros snapped out of his stupor and stared at the princess. "Aether? Does the royal family know something we do not?"
Aqua nodded. Impressive, to discover it and even learn how to utilize it on a basic level is rather extraordinary.
"Sir Avaros…"
"Just Avaros, you have saved me, Lady Brightcrown."
"Just Aqua, in that case." She bowed.
Avaros nodded. "Please, speak your mind."
"The force you are studying is called Aether. It is the lifeblood that is a crucial ingredient of mana."
She opened her palm, and sparks of flame danced upon it. On the other hand, she conjured a globule of water, which spiraled around each other before dispersing into the air.
"How?!" He reeled back. "Not only that, you did two elements so easily?!"
"Hah, do not be surprised, Aqua is very impressive." Sheira, not missing a chance to brag, conjured a small orb of fire, followed by Azure, who conjured an earthen spike.
"Even the champion?! How?!"
After a cough in his hand, he regained his composure, "Issue with these spells is… they are weak. My goal is to bring them to such a power level that even catalyst users would be left in the dust." The lightning streaked around his hand and toward the carriage's roof; however, as it struck the roof, it harmlessly dissipated.
"I see…" Sheira's grin widened.
I should help him. His spells did not escape Aqua's gaze. She had followed how he had used Aether and was left unimpressed.
"Tell me, Avaros." Aqua's face frowned. "Does the term 'World Soul' mean anything to you?"
"World… Soul…." The young noble scratched his cheek. "I heard it before… from my father. Why?"
"Because this is a technique that was taught by the world itself, however, your understanding is incomplete."
The young heir tilted his head. "Incomplete? We had spent a fortune researching the so-called Aether, how can it be incomplete?"
He stood up, his eyes narrow.
"Avaros, calm down. Aqua is the one who taught me and Azure, and trust me, these spells are absolutely more powerful than Catalyst." Sheira crossed her arms and stared daggers at Avaros, who quietly slumped down.
"Forgive me for the outburst, as a man of science, I shouldn't have reacted in such a way. However, would you please elaborate?"
Aqua nodded. For some reason, I trust him even though I just met him.
"Tell me, how do you manifest your spells?"
"Umu, I imagine how it is to gather mana with a catalyst, then I gather the mana that had accumulated within myself, and finally use my hand as a conduit. The inner reservoirs are vast, yet untapped."
Partially correct.
"Do you not know the concept of Soul?"
He shook his head, "Would you be so kind as to enlighten me? I am unfamiliar."
"Hm, if you do not have the knowledge of the soul, it would explain the weakness of your spells. You are using aether in a completely wrong way!" Aqua turned to him and crossed her legs.
"Wrong…way." He stared at his hand, his voice shaking. "Then, do you mind demonstrating what the proper way to use 'Aether' would be? Do not take this as an insult; I am merely curious." He raised his brow. Aqua had demonstrated the knowledge, together with the other two girls.
However, he couldn't take their word for it. A real scientist needed proof.
"Of course." Aqua pushed herself up and approached the window. "I will do a small demonstration."
"Please observe the sky."
The trio turned toward the carriage's skylight.
I guess I should show off a little. [Dominate Weather: Lightning Storm].
In an instant, the clouds churned, and once tranquil skies rumbled with the fury of the heavens.
Avaros' eyes widened, his jaw agape. "T…this is a power of a god!"
"Told ya~" Sheira giggled. "Aqua is incredible."
He nodded. An audible gulp escaped his throat. "I… I can't believe it."
Aqua flicked her wrist and dispelled the storm. "That is what Aether can do. Are you satisfied with the demonstration?"
He remained silent.
"All of the research… and now… wait! Can you all do similar things?! Why are Savages even a problem?!"
"No, that's just Aqua. She had taught us how to use Aether, though it's much stronger than anything we knew of before."
"I see… then… father…" He chuckled. "This is what we had been searching for; you were right to head to the academy. Even nearly dying was worth it!" A mad glint shone in his eyes.
His neck creaked, and his gaze fell on Aqua. "My Lady. If you would be willing to teach me the secret, I… no, my entire family will forever be in your debt. We will support the royal family no matter what."
Unexpected. Aqua stepped back and sat back into her seat. "Knowledge should be shared. I will teach you."
The grin widened on his face. "Thank you, Lady Brightcrown. I shall forever be in your debt!" He instinctively reached into his suit, then sighed. "I do not have any parchment. I need to document your teachings."
"Here." Her hand entered the lightless void of her spatial storage and retrieved a piece of paper and a small pen.
He blinked and accepted the gift without a word. Yet his gaze was full of determination. "I will not let even a single word be undocumented. I swear upon the name of House Lux."
Azure and Sheira looked toward each other and sighed. "Do you mind us listening in, Aqua?"
"Of course not, please go ahead." Aqua waved her hands.