"If you're going to think like that, then how about you associate the spell with itself?"
Ai-nee asked, pointing her index finger upwards.
"Eh?"
"You said that this time, you used associations of the spell, not incantation. So, why don't you associate the spell with itself? If my theory is correct, then all you have to do is perform a spell you've already done before."
I slowly thought I understood.
"So, I associate the spell 'Flare,' with itself. As in think of an actual flare, and I say 'Flare' then it should appear?"
The woman shook her head.
"You don't associate Flare with a real flare, but the spell itself. The great flame that you saw is what you're associating with the spell. You associate it with itself."
I mean, if we're talking about association then anything is possible. As long as the caster's mind believes it. I think that's what Ai-nee is getting at.
"Associate it with itself..."
I repeated to myself covertly.
I nodded.
"Okay. Let me try it out."
Raising my hand out, I closed my eyes and sealed myself within my thoughts.
Flare... Great flame... Flare... Flare... Flare...
"Flare."
A sizzling noise filled my ears as I felt lukewarm heat. Opening my eyes, a flame, around the same size as my sister's, floated against my hand.
"Huh."
I cancelled the spell.
"It's weaker than last time."
"Yeah, I know, I don't know why though."
I replied, staring at my hand.
Ai-nee smiled.
"That should be good though. It's strong enough to use in battle."
"Not strong enough for me..."
I nonchalantly whispered.
As I snapped out of it, I noticed Ai-nee's frown. I smiled at her nervously.
"Remember, for now, I'm only teaching you self-defence. Don't get ahead of yourself."
"I already know that. It's just something I accidentally said aloud."
She blankly stared at me. After 5 seconds or so, she went back on normally. I sighed in relief.
For now, Ai-nee is teaching me how to defend myself but what I need to do is enhance my spell's power somehow. Maybe there's something I'm missing here.
I could pour more mana into my Prayerless (incantation-less) spells, but that's dumb since I don't know the limit to my mana and my mana control is shit. Or so I think.
So, if I just input too much mana into spells continuously, who knows, I could be on the floor the next second.
"Now, I guess now, you just need a variety of spells. I'll teach some to you."
"Oh, cool. Hurry it up then."
"Don't rush your sister!"
--
Ai-nee continued teaching me spells and how to do them for the next hour. She then concluded the 'self-defence' session.
We both exited the building and walked together through Altria.
"It's been a while since it's been the two of us walking together."
She said, bumming her cigarette against the bin. Ai-nee seemed to hesitate.
"Since..."
"Our mother's death."
My sister swiftly turned to me; she looked confounded. I didn't want to tell her that I remembered what happened since I'm not sure if she has.
"What do you..."
"I mean, whenever we've gone out, Dad was always with us. Of course, on family nights, Yuki, Kei and Miya-san came with us too."
She put on an awkward smile.
"Y-yeah."
She's hiding something but I'll let it slide.
Suddenly, I thought about myself and Ai-nee. We were both Streia, superhumans with magic, but I doubt it's just us. Being a Streia seems to involve something in one's DNA and that would mean that either Mom or Dad was/is a Streia. Or, even better, both of them were.
Judging from my memory, it was only Dad. I want to know more about it. I'll ask Ai-nee.
"Ai-nee."
She turned to me.
"Is Dad also a Streia?"
We crossed at the zebra crossing when the light was green.
"Well, yeah. That's how we're both Streia."
"How comes he's never told me?"
"He's kind of kept you secret until now."
"What?"
What does she mean by keeping me a secret?
"You see, Dad's a major figure in this world. He has more authority than the prime minister. If his enemies knew that he had a powerless son, they'd target him."
I don't understand that first part.
I mean, MY Dad has more authority than the prime minister. He's a joker. He never takes anything seriously.
"Was it the same for you when you attended this school?"
I asked.
"No. Since I attended this school a year after Mom died."
I remember that he was a part of the SSB at that time. But I don't that he had too much power at that time.
Suddenly, my stepsisters and stepmother came to mind.
"Wait... What about..."
"Miya-chan? Yeah, her and her daughters, our stepsisters, are also Streia."
I started kneeling and looked up to the sky.
"God... Why do you hate me?"
I think I can see why Kei hates me now. I was the only different one in the family and I didn't notice it until now.
Well, it can't be helped.
I got back on my feet and continued walking with Ai-nee.
"When I get back, I'm going to be the best big brother to Kei."
My sister chuckled.
"Go on and try. She'll be surprised."
--
On the Pacific Ocean, ships were heading toward Japan. Yumeko Sasaki was admiring the sea on the deck of the ship.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
A voice said.
She turned around to Aden-Lada, Gluttony. Yumeko turned back to the sea.
"It's been eleven years since I've been to Japan. Of course, I'm going to look at the sea around it."
"Surprised you didn't get rusty in speaking?"
Aden-Lada teased.
"No. I'm just looking forward to seeing my brother."
"Yume-chan, have you ever thought that your brother doesn't want to-."
"He does. I know it."
Yumeko interrupted Aden-Lada. The Mortal Sin shrugged.
"As long as it doesn't interrupt with the invasion."
"Speaking of which, will you be involved with trying to kill Hunter?"
Gluttony stayed silent for a few seconds.
"As much as he's a nuisance and that I fucking hate him to the bottom of my guts, I'm going to find the Black Emperor. With this reincarnation, he should be somewhere in Asia and I have a feeling he's on Altria..."
The girl glanced at her.
"Suit yourself."