Chapter 47: Magic Lessons

Rin, maintaining his calm and professional demeanor, observed the two consorts seated before him.

"Before we proceed, I need to confirm your elemental affinities." His voice was smooth, composed—giving no indication of the silent battle between him and Akane.

Rei, sitting up straighter, answered first. "I am at mid-tier magic, and my elements are Fire and Earth."

Rin nodded. "A strong combination. Fire for destructive force, Earth for stability and defense. With proper training, you could balance both for an excellent offense-defense strategy."

Rei, slightly flustered at his serious attention, glanced away, hiding the slight redness creeping onto her face.

Akane, calm as ever, spoke next. "I am also at mid-tier. My first element is Light. My second element has yet to awaken."

Rin tilted his head slightly.

"That complicates things, Princess Akane." His tone was matter-of-fact. "Without knowing your second element, training will require a different approach. We'll need to focus on refining your control over Light while also drawing out your second element."

Akane's eye twitched.

Damn it. She had expected Rin to stumble, to find difficulty in teaching someone with an incomplete elemental profile—but he adapted too quickly.

Worse yet, he was taking this seriously.

Rei, meanwhile, was still struggling to keep her composure. The way Rin analyzed her elements with such focus made her feel... exposed.

"Now then," Rin continued, placing down his notes. "Because of this situation, I will need to handle your lessons differently."

His smile was polite, but Akane sensed the trap before he even finished his sentence.

"Princess Rei, your training will focus on elemental synchronization, balancing the aggressive nature of Fire with the stability of Earth."

Rei nodded firmly, ready to take on the task.

Then—

"As for you, Princess Akane, since your situation requires a more delicate approach..." Rin's gaze met hers, his voice steady but undeniably victorious— "I will be personally overseeing your training to ensure that we awaken your second element as soon as possible."

A pause.

Akane's brows twitched violently.

Rei's expression shifted ever so slightly—her posture stiffening, her lips pressing into a thin line.

A beat of silence.

Then—

"Pardon?" Akane's tone remained neutral, but anyone paying close attention would have noticed the subtle edge in her voice.

"A more personal approach is necessary," Rin elaborated, completely ignoring her growing irritation. "Since we don't know your second element, I will need to dedicate extra time to guiding you through various magical exercises tailored to unlocking it."

Rei gripped the edge of her sleeve.

"I see." She forced a polite smile, but the jealousy was unmistakable. "That sounds... quite fortunate for you, Princess Akane."

Akane toeep breath.

ok a slow, dShe wanted to throttle Rin.

This bastard was getting back at her for throwing the decision onto her earlier.

"Truly," she responded smoothly, voice dripping in practiced elegance. "I cannot express how honored I am to receive such personal guidance from Sir Rin."

Rin, smiling ever so slightly, simply nodded.

"Then we'll begin immediately, Princess Akane."

Akane's smile didn't waver, but internally—

She was not letting this slide.

Rin remained composed as he stood before the two consorts, keeping his voice steady and formal.

"Now, Princess Rei, Fire is an element known for its raw power. However, wielding it effectively in combat requires precision, not just aggression."

With a swift motion, Rin conjured a flame in his palm—controlled, steady, yet powerful. He let it flicker gently before compressing it into a thin, concentrated wisp of fire that wrapped around his fingers like a thin veil.

"This is controlled fire manipulation. It allows for more efficient mana usage while also enhancing swordsmanship. Princess Rei, try channeling your flames with this in mind."

Rei, eager to impress, summoned her own flames. She infused them into her blade, watching as the fire wrapped around the steel. Her movements were precise, and as she practiced her swings, she gradually stepped closer to Rin—subtly at first.

"Like this, Instructor Rin?" she asked, her tone sweet, feigning innocence as she inched closer to observe his hand movements.

Rin, ever professional, nodded. "Good, but be mindful of your mana output. Too much and the blade overheats, too little and it loses effect."

Rei, now emboldened, took another small step closer.

"I see... Then should I try adjusting it like this?" She lifted her hand—casually, but intentionally—to mirror Rin's movements, her fingers nearly brushing against his.

Rin remained outwardly calm, but Akane, seated nearby, didn't miss the slight tension in his posture or the faint bead of sweat on his temple.

He was too polite to step away.

Akane sighed internally, watching Rei test her boundaries.

This is getting out of hand.

Rin wasn't going to push Rei away because he had no valid reason to—she was his student, after all. He had to remain professional.

But Akane?

She didn't have to play by those rules.

Before Rei could press further, Akane elegantly rose to her feet and stepped forward, her tone perfectly composed.

"Princess Rei," she called smoothly. "Your flames are becoming unstable. If you overheat the blade, you risk damaging its integrity."

Rei blinked, her focus momentarily shifting. "Ah, I—"

"Perhaps you should step back and let Instructor Rin evaluate the heat distribution properly?" Akane suggested, her words gentle but leaving no room for argument.

Rei hesitated.

Rin, ever the opportunist in moments like this, took the opening Akane provided and took a subtle step away to create a comfortable distance.

"Princess Akane is correct," Rin affirmed smoothly, finally regaining some breathing room. "Too much close-ranged flame infusion can backfire if not properly controlled."

Rei frowned ever so slightly, realizing that she had just been maneuvered away.

Akane, standing beside Rin now, wore a perfectly neutral expression—but she knew exactly what she had done.

Rin exhaled silently in relief, grateful despite everything. He would never admit it outright, but Akane had just saved him.

For now.

Rin glanced at Akane from the corner of his eye, recognizing her intervention for what it was.

Akane, ever the opportunist herself, merely smirked slightly.

"Don't forget your promise, Instructor Rin," she murmured under her breath, just low enough for him to hear.

Rin sighed internally.

He was going to owe her for this one.

Rin, after ensuring Rei was occupied refining her flame control, turned his full attention to Akane. His expression remained calm and professional as he began his explanation.

"Princess Akane, although I do not possess the Light element, the fundamental principle behind it remains the same as any other form of magic—mana control."

Akane crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "And what exactly does that mean for me?"

Rin nodded, already anticipating her skepticism.

"Unlike fire or wind, which are more visibly dynamic, light operates on a different principle. You cannot 'see' the particles of light you control, which makes it difficult to grasp. However, if you visualize it as something tangible—like tiny particles responding to your mana—you can begin to manipulate it with precision."

Akane raised a brow. "Tiny particles? That's not something I've ever heard in magical theory."

"Because it's not from magical theory," Rin admitted without hesitation. "It's from science."

Akane blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

"Science?" Rei, who had been practicing, momentarily glanced over in curiosity.

"Magic and science are more intertwined than most realize. Light exists as waves and particles. Since you cannot 'see' what you are controlling, you must first teach your mana how to recognize it. Try imagining those particles responding to your will."

Akane narrowed her eyes slightly. It sounded ridiculous—but at the same time, something about the way Rin explained it made sense.

"Fine. Let's test your little theory then, Instructor Rin."

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she followed his guidance. Her mana slowly gathered, responding to the visualization she was forming in her mind.

Then—

A sudden flash of blinding light erupted.

Startled, Akane gasped, stepping back in shock. She hadn't expected such a strong reaction.

But before anyone could be blinded, Rin reacted instantly. With a flick of his fingers, dark shadows coiled outward, wrapping around the light and suppressing it before it could overwhelm the room.

A moment of silence passed.

Akane, wide-eyed, looked at her own hands. "That… That wasn't supposed to happen."

Rin let out a small breath before offering a reassuring smile.

"No, but it proves a point. The fact that your magic responded so powerfully means you grasped something fundamental about its nature."

Akane furrowed her brows, still processing what just occurred. "But I wasn't even trying to make it that strong."

"Which is why it's impressive," Rin replied smoothly. "The way you imagined light as particles must have enhanced your natural control over it—by at least four times your usual output."

Akane was momentarily speechless.

She had trained in light magic for years, yet one conversation with Rin had already helped her break past a limitation she hadn't even realized she had.

More than that—Rin shouldn't even have knowledge about the Light element.

And yet, he had taught her something no magic book had ever covered.

Akane narrowed her eyes slightly, studying Rin.

"…This kind of explanation, it doesn't come from magic theory, does it?"

Rin simply gave a knowing smile.

"No. It comes from observation, logic, and a different field of study entirely."

Akane let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head. "You really are something else, Instructor Rin."

Rin simply folded his arms. "I'll take that as a compliment, Princess Akane."

After Akane's success in controlling her light magic more precisely, Rin folded his arms and observed her carefully. There was still one thing left to address—her second element.

"Princess Akane, your second element has yet to fully manifest," Rin stated matter-of-factly. "Normally, it awakens on its own, but if it hasn't yet, it means you need to force it to respond to you."

Akane raised an eyebrow. "Force it? How exactly do you propose we do that?"

Rin remained calm. "Magic responds to one's personality and desires. Princess Rei awakened Fire and Earth because she embodies both grace and strength, a protector with a blazing heart. Your Light element aligns with your nature to shine—to command attention and influence."

Akane smirked. "Flattering me, Instructor Rin?"

"Just stating the truth," Rin countered smoothly. "If your Light element represents power in the form of influence, then your second element will be something that allows you to personally enforce that power."

Akane frowned slightly, mulling over his words. "And how do I find out what it is?"

Rin stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice. This conversation wasn't meant for anyone else's ears.

"Simple. You need to focus on your deepest desire—the force that drives you. Your magic will respond to what you truly want."

Akane fell silent for a moment.

Rin had hit the core of the matter effortlessly. She was someone who craved power, someone who manipulated situations to her advantage, always making sure she stayed on top.

If Light was the power to make others look at her—what else would fit?

Then—something shifted.

A spark ran through her veins as mana surged around her, a deep pulse resonating in her body.

A soft golden aura enveloped her frame—similar to Rin's when he used Enhancement magic.

Rin's eyes flickered slightly. "So, that's what it is."

Akane looked down at her hands, feeling the unfamiliar power coursing through her body. "This… What is this?"

Rin allowed himself a small, knowing smile.

"Enhancement magic."

Akane's eyes widened.

"Enhancement…?"

"It makes perfect sense." Rin nodded. "Light allows you to command attention and influence others. Enhancement? That allows you to push past limitations—both physically and mentally. It gives you the edge in battle, allowing you to act beyond normal human limits. A fitting element for someone who seeks absolute power."

Akane clenched her fists, feeling the magic settle within her. A rush of strength filled her limbs, her mana responding like never before.

She looked up at Rin, an unreadable expression on her face.

"You knew this would happen, didn't you?"

Rin chuckled slightly. "I had a theory. I just needed to prove it."

Akane exhaled, staring at her hands once more. Enhancement magic…

A powerful ability. A perfect addition to her arsenal.

And yet, the fact that Rin was the one to lead her to this discovery…

Well.

She supposed she owed him another favor.

Meanwhile…

On the other side of the room, Princess Rei had been watching this entire exchange with increasing impatience.

She was trying to focus on refining her fire control, but Rin had been so focused on Akane that she couldn't help but feel ignored.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Instructor Rin."

Rin turned his attention toward her, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, Princess Rei?"

She huffed, standing up. "I still need assistance with my mana flow."

Rin blinked before nodding. "Of course. Apologies for the delay."

He then turned back to Akane one last time. "Practice controlling the flow of Enhancement magic for now. We'll continue refining it later."

Akane smirked. "Sure thing, Instructor Rin."

As Rin walked over to assist Rei, Akane couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

It seemed Rei wasn't too happy about the attention Rin had been giving her.