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Chapter 7 - Training and Realmheart?

"But why can't I seem to control aether. They just shook when I tried to control it." I said in a dejected tone.

"Now, you can't expect to be able to use everything without working for it, do you? And you can't control aether because it cannot be controlled. It works in a way which is fundamentally different from mana."

"Different?"

"Yes. You see, mana is a liquid in a cup, changing to fit whatever shape, always moving and flexible. And the cup itself is aether. Which cannot be moulded according to one's will. Dragons and...now extinct Djinns could manipulate aether in ways other races couldn't. The djinns were especially good at it, the reason why my father decided to commit a genocide. Out of fear and jealousy." mother's voice turned grim.

"Now, forget that. It's time we start your training. Seems like my little son here is a genius who can control all elements. Not to mention you learned mana rotation by instinct which only pure asuran babies do. I'd like to see how much you grow!" mother returned to her usual cheerful tone.

Caera and Seris were surprised by my abilities on being able to utilize ambient mana. But I feel Caera's nervousness was not only due to that. Having seen the high sovereign must have taken a lot out of her. But soon she'll get used to it...I hope.

'This is going to be fun...'

Three Years Later

I dodged and parried the deadly attacks that were thrown on me. While I did think of training Caera in swordsmanship, I never expected her growth to be monstrous. She seems to absorb all my teachings perfectly and quickly, not needing more than five demonstrations of any technique.

Her face was scrunched in concentration as her sword blunted by mana was missing my body by a few millimeters with each swing. To catch her off guard, I swung my own sword towards her extended arm to disarm her, but before my sword was halfway through, I was kicked in the gut by a mana infused leg.

"Owwww...that hurt Caera!" I said as I got on a knee holding my stomach in pain. "How are you improving so fast!?"

"Cause I'm a genius Grey! And I have a..." I looked up to see Caera smiling at me "..reliable teacher." she said as she extended her arm towards me helping me up.

Her gratitude and presence are one of the few things I've grown to cherish over these three years. She makes me feel like a kid again.

We have grown close and have hung out with Nico and Cecilia. We said we didn't want to intrude on their 'dates' but for some reason they insisted. She has become comfortable being around mother and does not freeze upon seeing Agrona now.

Sylvie has become more playful and naughty and likes to pull pranks on me along with Caera. She likes to spend more time around Caera than me which only helps in them formulating plans to mess with me. Be it drawing funny things on my face or waking me up after training, headbutting me in the stomach, Sylvie is always there looking at me with a wide grin. Is she entering her rebellious phase?

My training has paid off tremendously. I can control all elements properly now, but have a little difficulty with earth. Managing to unlock two deviances- lightning and ice. My core has progressed from dark yellow to initial silver. Active purification of my core over it naturally purifying itself helps a lot. I still couldn't figure out those incomplete runes on my back. Mother told me she sensed that one of the runes were about to form when she was telling Caera's circumstances back then but stopped midway. I wonder if it is linked to my emotions.

Lost in my thoughts, I hadn't realised Caera had reached where mother, Seris and Sylvie were seated. She waved her hands trying to call me over. I didn't know how much Seris has reported of my training to Agrona but with how he acted, he wasn't out of the loop. He used to call Sylvie sometimes along with mother which made me worried, but as mother seemed oddly happy, I didn't give it much thought.