"Look who is talking. With that affinity of yours, none of my attacks can ever land. You have become all but invincible. I don't think anyone in Sutherland could ever defeat you. One would think that your weakness is close combat and as long as they got in close, they could take you down. But, they would be sorely mistaken, and that is your trump card." Xasha had a bright grin despite being tired.
"Couldn't the same be said about you?" Ari said playfully as she approached Xasha. "Let's take a break. I'm not used to using this much Imperium at a time. I feel like my body is about to shut down."
Xasha walked over and supported her. "You did well. With more practice, you will be the best cultivator this world has ever known."
You are fortunate to have multiple teachers; for Imperium manipulation and vlast techniques, you have me. Combat techniques and martial arts; you have your mother and grandfather. For everything else, you have Xandria. Also, you have me for training your talent, especially for use in combat."
"Don't you mean innate ability?" Ari joked.
"I rather talent better. I wonder if there are talents out there that we have never seen before," Xasha wondered aloud.
"You will have the chance to find out soon enough. We will leave here in three days. Have you decided upon who you will bring with you?"
"More or less, it will be a small team, with a larger force following."
"What do you mean, large force?"
"We'll expand our territory in one fell swooped as well. The small team will move a thousand miles at a time, then stop and set up magic towers and other relevant facilities. The Army trailing behind will clear out any Fantasma and take in species we've never seen before. It will be a full mobilization. Behind the Army will be the construction crew, who will perfect and build out the tower and defense system for our new territory. Your grandfather and granduncle Fitzroy will be the ones in charge."
"So, what will be our job?" Ari asked expectantly.
"Our job is to gather information, scout, and also set up an outpost. Those behind us will build up to that outpost. Once that happens, we will strategize and expand again."
"So we will bring the forcefield with us the entire time?"
"Yes and no, we will install magic towers wherever we go. But the forcefields will activate when needed or if we find a place where we would like to set up a city or a camp."
Ari nodded in understanding. "The primary purpose of the towers is to funnel Imperium back here to Stardust City?"
"Exactly, well, at least that will be our aim at first. We need to get stronger, faster and our only option is higher quality Imperium. We can't take everyone to Estia, but we can take Estia to Sutherland."
"Sutherland, you guys named this place Sutherland? I like it," Ari said with a bright smile.
The two approached the gallery where their teachers were. "Are you all ready?" Xasha asked.
"Ready for what?" Jackle asked suspiciously.
"To see something amazing," Xasha replied confidently.
They all broke out into a grin.
"You are ready, we've taught you all we could in this short time. Everything else will have to be learned later," Xandria said impatiently.
"I have to go. We have one last strategy meeting before we leave." Xasha's body unraveled into the empty air.
"Lady, you are smiling so brightly. What have you seen?" Xandria eyed Ari suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing," she replied innocently. "I just have a feeling this is going to be a pleasant journey."
Xandria smiled. "While we wait, how about a bit of training?"
"Training? Have we not been training all month? I've finally completed all 100 assessments, and I sparred with dad all day. Plus, we ship out to war in a few days. I need rest more than I need training," Ari complained.
"You will like this training. You can visit a distant time and relive it as if it was the present."
"Oh?" Ari's eyes lit up.
"Don't get too excited. With your strength, you might go back five minutes."
"Oh," Ari said in disappointment.
"This is a useful skill, but more for espionage and information gathering than it is for combat. It is also a good tool for training. You can look back on your fights from a bird's-eye view and observe your flaws or study your opponent for when you meet again. Right now you will do something even more fun."
"And that is?"
"Spying on your father," Xandria exclaimed dramatically.
"How?"
"I'll teach you the method right away," Xandria began telling Ari exactly what to do, and she followed her instructions. After a few minutes, Ari sat down and closed her eyes but she was seeing a vision in her mind."
It was an assembly hall, a much smaller one with a map of the entirety of Lithuania on the floor. Xasha stood in the middle as Fitzroy was addressing him.
"Boy, you plan to sideline me?" He was annoyed.
"Granduncle, it's not about being sidelined. Father will come with me and you will oversee the expansion of the Territory. This is a much bigger and more complex operation than an excursion mission could compare to. I can't take you and leave father because he knows nothing of the management of a large province. You are the only person I trust to do this and my first choice. I hope you will grant me this favor. Rest assured, you will not be hungry for battles over the next few years. You will wish for it to end so you can rest in no time."
Fitzroy chuckled. "My old bones may be rusty, but they are far from feeble. I will do as you say and see with my own eyes who can bring too much war to a warmonger like me."
Xasha smiled brightly as he turned to the council. "We are going to war. Are you all ready?"
"We're ready," they shouted in unison.
"Xasha chuckled confidently. "Good."