- Professor Tenebris Noir…
- Nah, leave his type to the very end. Don't spoil my mood, master Satis. - only hearing this name frustrated Lilian and caused a newly formed reflex to manifest; to avoid mentioning the name of Tenebris Noir at any cost. Was this an immature reaction? Definitely. Yet, who'd judge a dead woman for her reactions, right?
- Okay... - Satis was eager to quickly finish his explanation and start training with Lilian, so he gave up right away. - "Next ones have lightweight bone structure and are able to withstand extreme air pressure and were blessed with the ability to take a flight. Air element creatures such as the forest fairy we met before in the garden. Furthermore, many human air elementals can even master the art of invisibility."
- Wow! How cool is that? - she exclaimed carelessly, as the swings swayed her in mid-air. - "You can pull up the invisibility and take to the skies with ease! Air creatures are blessed with an unparalleled freedom - that's how I feel."
- You might be right, - an emotionless young boy is tasked with a new responsibility as the adult Lilian exerts her authority. He has no other choice but to conjure up a holographic explanation while pushing her play swings. - "Earth creatures, on the other hand, have heavily built bodies that can bear massive amounts of physical stress. Human earth elementals have the unique capability to turn parts of their body into rock, mud, or steel; a useful defense mechanism in times of danger." - He inhaled a calming breath and proceeded on to the next, - "Fire creatures like Prof…"
- Na-ah. Don't you even consider bringing him into this.
- The fire elementals - Satis Fue, the twelve-year-old, was no longer willing to try and gain Lilian's respect for his admired professor. His focus shifted to completing his homework properly that had been assigned by the same beloved teacher. - "possess a unique ability to endure even the most extreme temperatures. Humans of fire creatures can breathe flame and shapeshift."
- No way! That scoundrel can actually exhale fire along with spewing bullsh...
- Miss Lilian, - Before she could finish her sentence, Satis cuts her on a half-word.
- What? Isn't it now clear, master Satis, where he's acquiring this malicious language from?
- Miss Lilian Whats! – Satis interrupts her again, - Please refrain from making those kinds of comments.
- Please refrain from making those kinds of comments. - She repeats sarcastically, - "When he stops being a genuine jerk to me, then I'll consider it."
- He never meant to be one, but it's his duty as a teacher to make sure that the students understand his lesson. – And yeah, you guessed it right; the boy is still pushing the swings as they speak.
- Yeah, yeah. I can see that I'm not going to win this debate, so let's move on. You had mentioned six types of creatures existing on Silvius, but you have only described four thus far - what about spiritual creatures such as myself?
- The elemental creatures are the endemic population of Silvius, while the other two species have a non-organic origin within this realm. Spiritual creatures lack elements, as they are not even life forms; rather, they exist in a form of familiars for mages alone on Silvius.
- So, you want to say that your little magical assho… - Swiftly reformulating the statement to censor it, - Are you implying that magicians bind spirits to them simply as a demonstration of power and for the approval of their peers? - Lilian might appear to be infuriated but in reality, she is enjoying every second of her swing ride and free-pushing labor with no resistance.
- Aren't you tired of being confined in solitude for eternity anyway? – Satis argued, attempting to persuade her.
- With regret, I have no recollection of my time in the afterlife, which, perhaps, you are aware of already, — her head slumped back as she glided on a swing. - "Nevertheless, what remains clear to me is my last life, and that I died, and am now a ghost; this knowledge constitutes the entirety of my identity at present."
- That being said, it was not a terribly lonely or bad experience for you. Yet, - pointing index finger upward he continues, - "despite that, I don't think one could say you were entirely content there either. The fact that your spirit answered my call implies some kind of unfinished matter driving the decision to join me; in other words, something still needed resolution before moving forward with life anew."
- Look at you! - Lilian stands up on the swing with her bare feet and proudly proclaims, - "After only one day of communicating with me, you know how to speak back. Good job!" - She jumps off the swing and excitedly asks, - "What's the last non-organic creature then?"
- Magical creatures. - Satis disregards Lilian's words, not from arrogance but because, you guessed it right, he is more concerned with advancing his training. - "They are formed by wizards and mages of the Eastern Academy of Dark Matter and Arts as well as Southern Magusward Academy," - he explains. - "These two schools create their own familiars."
- See, couldn't you guys create your own familiars too?
- Magical creatures are quite dangerous familiars, - warned the voice in the woods behind them, - "wizards share a portion of their soul and power to create these beings. If their familiar dies, it would be like a wizard losing its life force. They become as helpless as an ordinary potato." - he spoke as he stepped out from the shadows and emerged into a young man in his early twenties.
- How wonderfully poetic. - Lilian's gaze filled with intrigue as she replied to the stranger.
- It would be a waste to lose out on the talent of a gifted mage due to their familiar. Do not romanticize the bond between a mage and his familiar if it's impractical to keep them together. – he replied. As the man drew nearer, Lilian sensed something strange from his eyes.