Lionel raised his head, he wasn't quite sure what this man was playing at, but after a moment of thought, he finally answered.
"Aether Code theory as proposed by Rowan Scott, 2056. Aether is the 'Code' by which all things, Natural and Spiritual, exist. Thereby the Aether Code becomes the genetic code for all living things.
"Aether tends to order, and therefore, one must attune themselves with what suits said, individual. One might be able to control them all but before the face of someone with a greater affinity, one would only face despair.
"A man who is attuned to the earth cannot hope to manipulate water to its highest order. This is the standard code, and if one will, the natural code."
"Textbook definition huh? Not bad." Wayne couldn't help but marvel. Not a single word out of place. Why was this family so good at bringing out facts? Did the books betray them making them vow to violate all books in existence?
He remembered how many people cried out due to textbook rules back in the day. All due to that one man.
"Rowan's proposal is flawed." Wayne scratched his head as if he had just broken bad news. It wasn't as if he was being grumpy, it was just that it really was flawed. It proposed that all things tended to one Natural Code but what about those with multiple talents?
One might argue it was a minor flaw but he begged to differ.
"Oh? And do you have anything backing your words Professor?" Lionel rolled his eyes placing emphasis on the word professor. How could one become a professor when they just said whatever they liked so casually?
"In as much as he is correct that one must attune themselves to what they are suited for, one must also remember, this world is that of Aether, anything is possible with the right usage of Aether. Even 'Mimicry' of Aether properties."
Lionel narrowed his eyes. Mimicry? Why did that sound oddly familiar? Of course, he wasn't the only one with the ability, mimicry. As it didn't only appear in the shadow element. But it was curious.
Wayne wasn't bothered by Lionel's way of thinking, it wasn't exactly wrong, but theoretically…
"When one reaches the 5th Lock: Changer of Forms, one will be able to control all the elements around them as they please. Of course, according to one's affinity, one might not be able to control as much as one thinks.
"But that's where the flaws of his theory start to appear. We call this phenomenon, the mutation of affinity.
"Of course, it doesn't appear in everyone, and certain steps must be taken for one to even have a small hope of said mutation." Wayne took a deep breath, he had to break it down for this kid to really understand.
"For instance, an affinity with water or vegetation could easily mutate into an affinity for life. Of course, each mutation would be different. But right now this is not your concern.
"What you need to understand is that you are not normal. That energy… feeling you had earlier are signs of mutation. Now the reason this is strange is that mutation shouldn't happen early on." Wayne seemed to really be unable to stop once he started.
"Your father found a certain library of books that explained a King amidst the Chaos. One would think such a person would be the cause of destruction.
"The books were really strange, rambling on about Chaos and whatnot, I only had a glance through them myself.
"It seemed to be a school of study on Aether, maybe a long-lost civilization that had their Aether code corrupted. There didn't seem to be a single living thing in that world. It mentioned particular requirements.
"What was strange was that you met said requirements as soon as you were born, weird isn't it?
"A child cannot meet any Aether requirements." Lionel looked towards Wayne with caution. This man seemed to constantly spout nonsense. His words could easily get him killed.
The truth is that Aether is as fleeting as it is real. Till one started their meditation, breaking the 1st Lock, no matter how much they tried, they would never be able to influence Aether, and in the same way, Aether could never influence them.
Of course, it was a completely different matter if somebody deliberately used Aether to kill the weak.
Lionel found it hard to believe he met such requirements. He thought he was special but this was simply an iron-clad rule. When he didn't trust you he wouldn't try to hide it. He always made sure he was displaying his true emotions before everyone.
Wayne saw that Lionel didn't believe him, so he gave up explaining, taking a ring out of his pocket.
"Take your ring. I opened the first segment of its inner library. You will meet more people who will help you open the rest but one thing… Never enter the school's library. Do you understand?"
Lionel looked at Wayne, he didn't really understand what the man was talking about. It all seemed elusive. If he was already in perfect harmony with Aether since birth, then what exactly was that 1st Lock he spent over half a decade trying to open?
Lionel stood up and was about to take his leave but he was interrupted, He looked towards Wayne that was now in front of him.
"Take this pendant. It will bring you here and take you out whenever you wish."
With that, he disappeared from view.
Lionel fell into deep thought, inserting his energy into the pendant he appeared back at the exam hall, just as he was planning to move forward, he was met by some senior students who blocked his way.
"What do you mean?"
"Follow us please."
Lionel's eyes narrowed, it seems like this old man had implicated him. He would have to avoid that man in the future.