Although she was shocked, Thalia was still determined to learn this skill. Unfortunately, it was impossible to copy this skill book, for several reasons. First, a skill book didn't only contain simple writings, but the mage who wrote it had also infused his understanding of the skill into his writing, which was indispensable to learn the skill.
The only way for some to write a skill book was to perfectly master the skill, and have great experience using it. That's why, she only had to learn it.
So she searched for something that would entice Adam. He didn't care about women, obviously, she had seen how he looked at her when he first saw her appearance, and although he had obviously liked her beauty that did not change his view of her in the slightest.
If her beauty wasn't enough to sway this man then it was more than probable than he would never be interested in only a woman's looks. So buying the book with women was impossible. He also told her he didn't care about her gold.
Thalia shook her head as they continued walking through the village. She had to analyze his personality to learn what he wanted, or even better, what he needed.
From the days they had spent together, she had learned a few things about him. If she had to describe him in a sentence, then it's would be a prideful but careful warrior.
Many in history had fallen because they were prideful, and had it been anyone else, Thalia was sure she could have bought them using that. However, this man wasn't like the others. While he was prideful, he didn't care much about fame, certainly because he already had it.
Another approach one might think of would be threatening, but it would be a very dumb thing to do. Not to talk about Adam, threatening someone to get something out of them would always end bad.
But against Adam it wouldn't just end bad, he would simply end you. If she were to try to threaten him, not only would he not be afraid, he would kill her on the spot. As for her family? As powerful as they were they weren't stronger than the Dragon Clan, but this was man would soon provoke their entire clan.
After a moment, her eyes lit up as she said "I have something that could interest you." Adam looked at her nonchalantly, actually it wouldn't cost him much to lend it to her, it would even be beneficial to him.
As he saw it, although this skill would do good to Louisa, she didn't absolutely need it, and if he was able to only lend it then he would even be able to get it back.
More importantly, this skill seemed to be very precious to the Imperial Family of Aldeneid, and other than the reward he was promised, Thalia would be under his debt. Not because of the item itself, but because of the contribution it would bring.
She was currently fighting for the throne, and bringing back a book that would strengthen her whole family, while it might not directly win her the throne, it would at least boost her chances by a lot. So helping her was potentially helping the future Empress of Aldeneid. Anyone would be ready to exchange a B Rank skill for a favor from the future Empress, not to talk about just lending it.
But since he could earn something else, then he might as well let her propose. Who knows, she might really find something he wanted.
So when she said she had something that would interest him he looked at her and waited for her to talk.
"I can give you a part of my family's research on the water element. Not only would it help mages create their skills, but it would also help warriors. You might not know this, but even for warriors, they have to start understanding their elements."
Adam asked "What do you mean?" Thalia looked a little cheered up as she explained "As you might have discovered by yourself, to master and create skills, you only have to understand which meridians to use."
Adam nodded, so she continued "However, this is only the case for skills going from Rank E and Rank D. If you try to master a C Rank or higher skill, you will also need to understand how an element works to master a skill."
Adam tilted his head, and stopped next to a tree in the middle of the village. He turned toward a nearby villager and asked "Is this tree important?"
The villager looked at Adam weirdly and said "It's just a tree…" Adam nodded and he activated [Ice Statue]. In an instant, the tree turned into a cold statue of ice. From the roots to the leaves, the whole tree had turned into a big piece of ice.
When he used his skill, Adam had been inspecting his own body, and indeed, the way he was moving his Aura did not change from when he was failing to use the skill. Then, what he had been studying under the lake, wasn't really the way the fish was using it's aura, but rather the way water behaved?
He turned toward Thalia and said "I didn't even notice, but that is indeed the case." Thalia looked at him gobsmacked and asked "What rank is this skill?" Adam shrugged and told her "B Rank."
Thalia said "You are telling me you learned a B Rank skill without even noticing you started understanding the concept of ice?"
Adam replied "Well, it was the concept of water, not ice… but yeah, I guess." Thalia let out a sigh as she said "Sovereigns really are weirdos… My point was, if you want to master C Rank or higher skills, you will have to start understanding the concept of the element you use. For example, here you understood a part of the concept of water, and somehow used it to power your ice concept."
Adam nodded and asked "Then what are you proposing?" Thalia replied "I am willing to exchange my family's research on the element of water in exchange of borrowing this book. Our research is so advanced that it will help you understand the concept of water in it's entirety, and even take a step into understanding it's essence."
Adam asked "What's it's essence?" Thalia replied "Let me put it like that… if even the most average Bronze Rank were to understand even 1% of the Essence of let's say fire, then no one under the Gold rank would be his match. Hell, even most Gold rank would be wiped out by him."
After a moment, Adam nodded and gave her the skill book and said "I accept the deal. I let you borrow the book and you give me your research on the water element…"
Thalia let out a squeal as she grabbed the book "You won't regret this! Haha, I knew coming with you was the right decision!"
Adam rolled his eyes and said "I'm curious, how can I know how much of the concept I have understood?" Thalia replied casually "Just open your status, a new line should have appeared."
Adam did as he was told and opened his status.
Name: Valiant Heart
Level: 38
Title: Strith's Champion
Race: Northman
Class: Aqua Sovereign
Rank: Bronze
HP: 68680/68680
Aura: 73620/73620
Strength (+30 per level): 3440 (7930)
Agility (+10 per level): 2300 (5970)
Endurance (+10 per level): 2300 (5820)
Will: 2680 (6573)
Free AP: 0
Rules: -Sovereign Concept of Water (0.1%)
Skills: -Mighty Strike (E, Perfectly Mastered)
-Aqua Slash (D, Perfectly Mastered)
-Charge (D, Perfectly Mastered)
-Wind Blade (D, Level 10/10)
-Parry (D, Level 10/10)
-Lunar Smite (C, Level 10/10)
-Crushing Blow (C, Level 10/10)
-Ice Statue (B, Perfectly Mastered)
-Whirlwind Slash (C, Level 7/10)
-Totemic Rage (B, Level 1/10)
-Barbarous Roar (B, Perfectly Mastered)
-Misty Escape (B, Level 3/10)
-Great Ice Breath (B, Level 4/10)
Adam felt a little stunned seeing how little he had understood, but that made sense, he didn't feel like he knew all that much. Though he was curious as to why it was said to be a Sovereign Concept.