Chapter 138: A Successor To Entrust (2)
Ray, with some spare time, chatted with Aira about various topics.
As they conversed, the topic of Proxia arose.
When Ray mentioned that their base was in the Grensia Mountains, Aira fell into deep thought.
Grensia
She frowned slightly, as if she held some knowledge about the place.
Her murmuring voice seemed to hint, Why there, of all places?
Ray inquired, Is there something there?
His casual question received a startling reply.
That place is a village governed by another High Elf, not me.
Ray quickly inferred that the village Aira referred to was an Elf village.
He furrowed his brow as he took a sip of his tea.
What could this mean?
He had already begun nurturing Zik due to military issues, and now there was a village under the control of another High Elf!
If this High Elf was as mighty as Aira, the situation wasnt just concerning; it was alarming.
A confrontation might result in other countries being caught in the fallout.
Ray clasped his throbbing head.
Asking more questions seemed futile.
After all, the presence of a High Elf in an Elf village was entirely possible.
Though High Elves are exceedingly rare, they are not unheard of.
Famous mountain ranges and Elf villages often have High Elves in residence.
Aira placed her small hands on Rays head, gently massaging it, and said, Hmm I dont think hes a bad person, though
Though?
Hes definitely not foolish. Nobody would welcome someone arriving at their village with the intent to fight.
Thats problematic.
Well, as long as you dont do anything too conspicuous, you should be fine he usually doesnt get involved.
Rays expression remained grim at her words.
He intended to make a significant move to completely obliterate Proxia.
But if such an act took place in their territory, even a non-interfering High Elf couldnt simply stand by idly.
In the worst case, he might have had to face Proxia, Elves, and even Dwarves together.
Moreover, a forest governed by a High Elf wasnt just about confronting that village.
A High Elf stood above all other elves.
If he attacked such a village, the other Elves nearby wouldnt just sit by idly.
I dont want to make enemies of the Elves especially since Aira is one
Ray asked her, Is that High Elf as strong as you?
All High Elves are exceptionally strong, in a different league compared to other Elves.
Aira replied to Ray without hesitation, looking him straight in the eyes.
Ray was shocked by her next words.
But Im different. I serve as the guardian of these High Elves.
Pfft!
Ray, who was quietly drinking tea, choked on it.
Cough! Cough!
Aira gently patted his back.
Pfft. Is it that surprising?
Cough! Of course, it is!
Ray was surprised to learn that High Elves had a role known as Guardian.
Wasnt guardianship usually undertaken by the elves of the village?
Reading his thoughts, Aira covered her mouth and laughed.
There is a role of guardian among High Elves. Its not a role that involves much work, but when something happens to another High Elf, the guardian must investigate and resolve it.
Hearing this, Ray had to revise his thoughts.
Attacking the Elves was not an option.
If that happened, a battle with the High Elves would be inevitable, and he might even end up fighting Aira if things went wrong.
It would be an extremely cruel situation.
He must annihilate Proxias army without harming the Elves.
The army included a large number of Sword Masters, 6th Circle Magicians, and a presumed 7th Circle Grand Magician.
Even if Ray engaged with all his might, it seemed impossible to avoid harming the Elves.
Deep in thought about what to do next, Aira stood up.
Its time for me to go. Im relieved to see you awake.
Thank you for worrying about me. I appreciate you coming often, even though it must be hard to find the time.
Aira shook her head in response.
Didnt you take care of me the same way? Im the one who should be thankful.
Unlike her sullen arrival, she left with a smile.
Aira waved her hand slightly.
Take care. Ill come again.
With that, she wove a magic circle in the air and disappeared through the gate.
It was always high-level magic.
Left alone in the library, Ray sighed heavily.
Proxias choice of location had been a stroke of genius.
How had they settled in such an optimal place?
In a neutral area of the mountains where no one visited, Dwarves and Elves were too busy fighting each other.
In the midst of this, there was a non-interfering High Elfs forest, which meant as long as there was no harm, they didnt care whether humans or orcs lived there.
It seemed the only way was to hasten Ziks growth and head to the Gronsia Mountains.
On the morning of the exact one-week mark, Zik visited Rays mansion.
Ray appeared outwardly calm but was quite surprised internally.
He had mastered the mana composition of the aura in just one week?
Even for a genius, that was a task that usually took about a month.
Was this why he was the youngest Sword Master?
Unaware of Rays thoughts, Zik bowed his head in embarrassment.
Im ashamed to have come exactly on the one-week mark.
Ray took it a step further.
Its the first time Ive seen someone take a week just for mana mixing. Follow me.
It was true.
There would be no one in the world who could learn that in just one week.
Saying this, he led the way to the training ground, with Zik trailing behind.
Ray drew his wooden sword and nodded at Zik, who then produced an aura blade.
Whooosh-
Mana gathered around Ziks sword, forming a distinct aura blade.
It was incomparably more solid than his previous one.
This is more than sufficient.
Ray smiled as he observed his aura.
Practiced a lot, have you?
A weighty response came back to his light-hearted question.
I have practiced non-stop here since the day you taught me, my lord.
Seen in a good light, he was a hard worker with great loyalty; in a bad light, he was a madman who knew no limits.
Despite being a genius, he never slacked off in his efforts, naturally leading to results.
Hadnt he mastered the mana mixing of the aura blade in just a week?
Ray asked in a startled voice.
You, you, then what about meals?
To leave my place after receiving such profound teachings from you, my lord, would be unthinkable.
Correction.
Zik was a madman.
His mind must be out of order.
Even for a Sword Master, surviving a week without proper meals or a sip of water was no small feat.
Moreover, Zik had been continuously using mana to form the aura blade.
It wouldnt be surprising if he was extremely exhausted.
He was practically a patient!
Ray said urgently.
Im starving! I feel like Im going to collapse from hunger! Zik, order a meal for the two of us right away!
To think the saint has suffered so much, the servants of this mansion must be out of their minds. I will handle it properly.
As he spoke, he drew his sword.
If left unchecked, the servants who merely served meals well for a week might lose their heads.
Ray waved his hand to correct himself.
On second thought, Im not about to collapse! Just order the meal!
Understood.
Zik bowed and left the training ground for where the servants were.
Places like training grounds, where various secret techniques are practiced, are not places outsiders can enter casually.
That applied to the servants as well. Thats why no servants were seen around.
The thought that Ziks sword might have swung at them had they been there sent shivers down Rays spine.
After finishing the meal and instructing Zik to rest for a day, Ray met with him again the following day.
Ray drew his wooden sword.
We learned the mana mixing for the aura blade yesterday, but thats just the basics of releasing aura. What were going to learn now are the real techniques.
Ill listen carefully.
Upon hearing Ziks response, Ray snapped the wooden sword he was holding in half.
As Zik looked on, puzzled at the half-broken sword, Ray began infusing mana into the broken piece.
An aura blade then sprouted forth.
Interestingly, despite the wooden sword being broken, the aura blade maintained its distinct shape as if it were intact.
Ray explained.
Mana control is very important here. You dont need to fill the sword completely with aura; just maintaining the shape is easier. Use the mixing youve practiced for a week to maintain the size of this wooden sword. Ill give you another week for this.
Understood.
Ray handed the half-broken wooden sword to Zik.
Zik, cradling the sword reverently with both hands, stared down at it intently.
Ray watched and smirked.
It probably wont go as well as last time.
Sustaining the aura blade for something formless is extremely difficult.
Even if its half-broken, how many could succeed?
Ray observed Zik attempt to release the aura several times before returning to the mansion.
He considered offering more instructions, but allowing Zik to find his own way seemed more appropriate.
Perhaps that innate ability to break through was the key to his growth.
It was better for him to fully grasp one concept than to learn many superficially.
Too many fail to master anything of significance by spreading themselves too thin.
Watching Zik grow stronger brought Ray a sense of pride.
After all, Zik was his first disciple in a way.
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