Vapour, Mist And Fog

Another year passed by and Raegar was training hard with Commander Rodric and his father while studying in the library in his free time. He also found out that he can pull in small amounts of Aether, which excited him.

It was a hot summer's day, and he was sitting at the back of the garden while meditating after he was finished reading. He was now fourteen and only had a few months until he could finally take the Aether test.

'I can wait to find out what element I'll get and how big my pool will be,' he mused while coming out of his meditation when hearing a noise coming from nearby.

Raegar opened his eyes to find Yuki standing before him, her expression serious yet graceful. At twenty-four, she had blossomed into her full beauty, her long pink hair tied back in a ponytail, and her glowing blue eyes sparkling in the morning sunlight.

''Why do you look so serious, Yuki? Can't you smile once in a while?'' he teased while standing up.

The cat woman turned in his direction with a beautiful one, which caught him off guard, causing her to giggle. ''It seems the young master loves this maid's smile.''

Raegar chuckled, ''You're right, but that doesn't mean you can stand there like one of father's guards. They're like statues when on duty.''

When the young woman heard this she shook her head, ''Young master, they do not want to fight you anymore. The master and Sir Rodric shouldn't have trained you, because half of them plead for me to talk to you out of it,'' she said with an amused smile.

He looked at the pink-haired maid with narrowed red eyes before quickly denying her allegations. ''I do not hurt them, Yuki. Now you're acting like my mother.''

She started laughing. ''It's true though, young master. You beat them up too much even though you're half their age. No wonder Master Vaelthorne wants you to come to his estate.''

''The journey west? I forgot about that,'' he replied with a sigh.

Yuki shook her head before revealing, ''I've packed plenty of books and the Aether Chronicles. It will help you learn more about magic and Aether control.''

When Raegar heard this, his smile grew wide as he suddenly hugged the cat woman, causing her cheeks to turn red. Following that, they returned to the manor's entrance, where they were met by Victoria and Saki, who smiled as the two entered.

The women started gossiping, causing Yuki's cheeks to grow redder. He ignored this before greeting them, ''Hey mother, Saki. When do we leave for grandfathers?''

''Soon, we are just waiting for Isabella to join us,'' his mother answered with a sweet smile. ''She should be here anytime now.''

Raegar nodded to himself, his curiosity piqued. He reached for a book among his things and sat down, flipping it open. The cover caught his eye. ''High Level Spells and Aether Collection Methods.''

His lips curved into a small smile as he muttered. ''This must be the new one Father brought back from the city.''

He began skimming the pages, intrigued by the techniques within. His hand reached for another book, drawn by the title ''Basics for Learning How to Master Dual Wielding.''

Raegar raised an eyebrow, his enthusiasm shifting to something that interested him as well as magic. 'Now this...' he thought with a grin. 'This could be just what I need.'

With that, he began studying sword techniques, determined to expand on the lessons his father had taught him when he was eight. Raegar immersed himself in the material, eventually turning to the first book.

He opened the book and began reading so quickly that it left his mother, Saki, and Yuki in surprise, though the younger maid couldn't help but giggle. Victoria cast a glance at the pink-haired girl and asked, ''Why is he always buried in books? Doesn't he sneak out to meet the girls in the city?''

Yuki shook her head. ''No, my lady. But, I must admit, I have noticed him watching me from time to time, and now he's started to flirt with me.''

When the white-haired countess heard this, she got excited. ''So he likes older women than? Should I take him to noble meetings? It may help him learn how to interact with people.

''That is a good idea my lady,'' Saki commented with a warm smile. ''He will go to one of the magic academies like you and the master did at sixteen when he finally turns into a man.''

Victoria smiled before turning to Yuki, who was busy looking at Raegar with a knowing expression, ''And it seems a certain cat maid likes a handsome younger man.''

Raegar was busy with reading, oblivious to the conversation unfolding between the three women. Had he been paying attention, he would have certainly listened in, but a spell named Fractured Pulse caught his attention.

Eagerly, he read through the description and gulped. [The Mage channels raw Aether through their body, causing their veins to glow with energy. This surge enhances their muscles, tendons, and bones, granting them extraordinary speed, strength, and endurance. The Mage can land rapid strikes and deliver powerful blows, though the toll on their body is considerable]

'Oh wow, this spell is so cool!' he internally celebrated.

Raegar absorbed the knowledge and saved it for when he unlocked his Aether Pool. Not long after that, his mother appeared with a smile, ''Time to go darling, grandfather is waiting for us.''

He looked up from the text, giving a quiet nod before rising to follow the group out of the manor now that his sister arrived. As they made their way to his father's carriage, Raegar noticed a dozen soldiers standing at attention.

These soldiers would be protecting them on their journey on the Kings Way, a road that stretched across the empire and toward the lands of the Vaelthorne Family. Raegar stepped into the carriage and sat next to Yuki while he continued to read.

They pulled out of the manor as his mother spoke. ''If weather permits it, we will reach Father's manor in eight hours.''

''Why does grandfather want to see me? I'm needed in the capital, so I'll head there after,'' Isabella questioned in an icy tone.

He looked up just as Victoria answered, ''I don't know sweetheart, he just asked to see you and Raegar. There will be a carriage there to take you back to the academy.''

''Thank you, Mother,'' the white-haired young woman replied before she noticed he was looking at her.

''Bel, do you know the spell Fractured Pulse?'' Raegar suddenly asked his older sister with excitement as he read more about it.

Isabella looked at him with narrowed eyes before answering in an annoyed tone. ''Don't call me that. But yes, I've heard of it. It's an Enhancement spell that boosts your power at the cost of being fatigued afterward. Only Journeyman Mages who are at the Fog level. The Aether consumption will damage a weaker person like yourself.''

''Is it because of the smaller and more unstable Aether Pools? I know the Mage Ranks equate to a mage's overall power just like yours and fathers, which is massive compared to big brother Jasper?'' he asked while ignoring her obvious annoyance.

The young woman bristled, but she answered in a firm voice when their mother gave her a pointed look. ''Yes, you're correct. If someone weak tried to use that spell, it could permanently damage their magic pools, causing them to become unstable.''

She paused, glancing briefly at the others before adding, ''It's not a spell to be taken lightly.''

Raegar nodded in response, then fell silent as he sensed the shift in his sister's demeanor. Her annoyance was obvious. He didn't fully understand the cause of it; he decided not to press the matter.

Instead, he turned his attention back to the book in his hands, his focus shifting to the Aether Ranks section. He memorized the details, knowing that understanding the different levels of Aether would be invaluable to him in the future.

Raegar sat back in the carriage, the rhythmic sound of the wheels turning against the road lulling him into a thoughtful state. As he flicked through the pages of his book, his mind focused on the four main Aether Tiers that would shape his journey in the coming years: Tier one to Tier four.

'These are crucial,' he mused, 'Determining not only someone's power but also the size of their Aether Pool.'

His fingers paused as he reached a section detailing the levels an Aether Mage must pass through before getting to the next tier. 'If I remember correctly,' he thought, 'They are Vapour, Mist, and Fog.'

Raegar frowned slightly as the carriage jolted over a bump as he continued to ponder, 'Each of these stages is a milestone... Vapour for beginners, Mist for those with some control, and Fog for those that are close to reaching the next tier.'

He closed the book and started looking out the window, only to see farms and other dwellings that belong in a fantasy world.

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