*AETHERIUS*
After enjoying a feast with bear meat, we spent the entire afternoon until dusk chatting and training a bit with those who were here.
Atheria gave me advice on how to better use lightning magic and implement it to move more quickly and fluidly without having to recite any spells or anything like that, just letting it flow like blood. So, we put it to the test against the training dummies Fredic had made with his magic.
I started channeling mana between my palms, creating a sphere of electricity similar to the one I made for last night's fireworks. I placed my arms and hands in a firing position, condensing the sphere as small as I could.
Aiming at the dummy Fredic made a few meters away, I fired, and only a small white line was visible when a small, silent explosion occurred.
The dummy exploded and disappeared, leaving only dust where it once stood. Then, Atheria taught me how to make the electricity flow through my body and shoot it.
Drawing electricity from my core, I started moving it through my mana veins. I felt it flowing, then I lifted my right leg slightly while positioning my left arm at chest height, and as if throwing a punch without mana, I let my leg drop and punched the air, causing a lightning bolt to shoot out.
This time there was no sound except for the static, "Wow, you learn quickly," Atheria praised. "Thanks, you teach well," I replied, giving a thumbs up.
Left alone, I continued practicing what Atheria had taught me. Letting the electricity flow through my veins, I made some quick but fluid movements without any abrupt motions. Standing on one leg, I leaned my back horizontally and kicked my left leg forward, while my right arm extended in the opposite direction, sending silent white lightning bolts from both limbs.
Pouring more mana into my body, I repeated the movements I used when I channeled mana into my feet to shoot the electric arc at the bear. It looked like I was dancing with my legs and arms when they took over. As I spun, I stretched and flexed my limbs, making lightning bolts shoot out with every punch or kick.
Otto shouted with joy and amazement, "Wow, that's moving with fluidity," laughing and slapping his knee. "I kept what Atheria taught me, letting it flow through my body, so the spells shot out without any problems."
The truth about the levels of cores is not exact; casting spells without reciting them is difficult but not impossible, as it requires strong mental willpower.
[Mental Will: This skill was discovered less than five years ago and was made public. By establishing its base and balance, it not only saves time by not having to recite a spell out loud but also shortens the time needed to attack and defend.]
Because mental will is not always used, it is truly very useful.
When night fell, we all said our goodbyes and went to our rooms to sleep.
****
On the day we had to depart, we finished packing our things and loaded them into the carriage Atheria brought for us and our luggage.
My mother looked anxious or rather scared. I approached her to see how she was doing: "Mom, are you okay?" I asked with a bit of concern.
"I'm fine, son. It's just that going out like this again brings back memories of what happened," she explained, giving me an apologetic smile.
"It's okay, we have Atheria and the group in case something happens," I reassured her. "That's true," she finally said.
After finishing packing and organizing everything, we headed to Viola and her parents to say goodbye. "Therius, be careful this time and don't do anything dangerous," Dominic told me. "I'll keep that in mind," I replied.
"Take care, okay? And be careful, we'll see you in a few weeks," Sonia said, saying goodbye to my mother while Dominic hugged my father confidently.
I saw Viola looking down at the ground and approached her, "Hey, are you crying?" I teased her, standing next to her. She lifted her head, hitting me on the chin.
I rubbed the hit, and she rubbed hers too. "I'm not crying, it's just that... I won't see you for a while, and well, I won't have anyone else to talk to besides Elowen," she said, wiping a tear.
"Stop crying, it's only a few months. After all, next year you'll take your exam," I said, ruffling her hair, and she hugged me.
"Just take care and don't kill anyone while you're there," she let go and punched my arm, laughing. "Take care, Viola, and keep training so you don't fall behind," I smiled as I got into the carriage.
"Everyone ready? Let's go," Atheria shouted, and we set off for the capital again. As usual, beasts crossed our path on the way to the capital. We defeated them and cleared the road, then resumed our journey.
After two days, we arrived at the capital. Thanks to Atheria, we passed the capital gate inspection. When we were about to get off the carriage, I saw Nora outside the guild. "Hey guys, you finally made it," Nora greeted us as we started to get off the carriage.
We began unloading our things when Nora stopped us, "Leave that there; the guys in the back will unload. Come on in, we already have your rooms ready for you to stay while your son takes his exam and you wait for the elder's graduation," and she guided us to our rooms.
"Thank you for the rooms, Nora," my mother thanked her, and she nodded happily. "Well, settle in, and then let's go eat something." We started arranging our things, and after a few minutes, I went downstairs with Elowen.
Arriving on the first floor, we went to the dining area where our parents were setting the food. "Good, you're here, so eat something and then we'll go for a walk," my mother said as we sat down. "Thanks for the food," Elowen and I said, then started eating.
An hour later, we finished eating. "Nora, let the others know we're going for a walk, okay?" my father said as we left, and Nora gave a thumbs-up since she was busy with other adventurers at the reception.
Once outside, we headed to the shopping area. "Oh, look over there, how about a haircut since we're here?" my father suggested. "Great idea, dear, I was thinking the same thing," my mother replied, looking at her hair she grabbed with her hand.
"Is it necessary?" I asked. "Of course, brother, I'm a lady and need to keep my hair short and tidy," my sister said, striking princess poses.
I rolled my eyes and agreed, so we went in. "Oh, new customers, come in and have a seat, I'll be with you shortly," a lady said as she was cutting another woman's hair.
"Take your time," my mother replied, grabbing a hairstyle catalog. After about 20 minutes, it was our turn. "So, miss, what cut did you choose?" the hairdresser asked my mother, who pointed to her selected style.
My mother had hair down to her waist and asked for a medium cut just past her shoulders.
Next was my father's turn. He chose a cut that suited him, with faded sides and a spiked top to style neatly.
"Very well, dear, it's your turn. How would you like it?" the lady asked Elowen. "Give me a layered cut, making the top a bit shorter than the shoulder-length part," Elowen responded.
"How?" I asked Elowen, not understanding her request. "Just be quiet, brother, let the lady do her job, and you'll see the result," she said, closing her eyes, and the lady just laughed and winked at me.
Sorry, Viola, but I'm going to stick with older women, I thought, imagining myself praying.
After a few minutes, she finished with Elowen, and the result was excellent, with some short strands at her cheekbones and long, uneven sides, but in order.
"So, what do you think, brother?" Elowen asked. "Very beautiful," I replied, making her blush.
Then it was my turn. "Very well, young man, now it's your turn. How do you want it?" she asked.
Since I had always let my hair grow, this time I decided on a different cut than just trimming the ends. "I want you to cut the lower middle part of my head, making a slight curve downward at the nape and diagonally trimming a finger's width per small section," I finally said.
I could see the hairdresser understood and imagined how I wanted the cut, and she did it. My parents were watching me, and so was Elowen. After a few minutes, we were done.
"So, what do you think, parents?" the lady asked. "Quite good, though I'm not sure how it will look when styled," my father commented.
I smiled and asked for a tie, tying my hair and letting a lock of my bangs fall. "Because I won't style it, dad, I'll keep it tied," I said as my mother whistled. "Not bad, son, you always said you didn't like tying your hair," she continued. "Well, there's always a first time," I replied with a chuckle.
Elowen was looking at me, inspecting me. "Hmm, it looks good on you." Since we had spent almost the entire afternoon outside, it was night by the time we realized it.
"Alright, let's pay and then go shower," my mother said. When Dad finished paying, we went back to the guild and took a bath. When I finished, I didn't tie my hair, letting it dry naturally, and headed to the dining area to meet my parents and Elowen.
"Well, now that we're here, what's next?" I asked my mother. "There are just a few weeks left until Trevor's graduation and one more week until your exam, so you need to keep training," she replied as Nora and Sara brought dinner.
Otto and Fredic joined us. "Oh, Altea, you look beautiful with that haircut," Valentina said, complimenting Mom. "Thanks, Vale," Mom replied.
Then Nora looked at Elowen. "You look good too, little one," she praised while pinching her cheeks. "Thanks, Sister Nora," Elowen responded, blushing.
Then Sara spoke. "And you, Dorian, you look just as good," she complimented, and Dad exaggeratedly ran his hand through his hair, styling it. "I know, no need to praise me," he said, smiling.
"And you look just as good, Therius," Otto said, speaking to me. Mimicking my dad's pose, I touched my hair and tossed it. "I know, Otto, no need to say more," I said, laughing when Fredic looked at me.
"Alright, let's eat," Atheria's voice surprised me. "Yeah, let's eat," everyone shouted, and we began eating.
After three hours of talking and waiting for the food to settle, we said our goodbyes and headed to our rooms.
"Good night, kids, sleep well," my parents said, bidding us goodnight. "Good night, Mom and Dad, you too," Elowen replied, and I waved to say goodbye.
And so, our first day in the capital ended, and we all went to sleep.