Chapter 21

As early as the morning sun, Owly was trying his best to wake Naell up as it was time for them to eat and explore the vast capital of Autumn, but the owl failed to tempt the unwavering laziness of the noble Baron's son.

Seeing the immovable Naell, Lieutenant Estra decided to accompany the almost tearful owl that happily accepted the concession.

Butler Lebrut knew it was his duty to wake the young master up, but for some reason, he chose not to as he thought,

'It is true that the young master is in need of training for the upcoming examination." But he also remembered how haggard Naell was upon returning to the inn. Even so, the young master was smiling with satisfaction as he told them of his passing in the guild.

'I guess a little day off wouldn't hurt the young master.' Said the smiling butler as he performed his duties as best as he could.

It was already afternoon when Naell decided to move from the bed. He felt energized and quickly prepared himself for the remaining hours of the day.

Naell was greeted by his butler who was already on the first floor of the inn making friends with the locals.

"Thank you for this wonderful meal Sire." Naell said while enjoying the food. He was served a large portion which consisted of butter roasted chicken and newly baked bread, complemented with a warm and creamy bowl of soup.

But what Naell liked the most was the incredible cup of fresh mint tea. The flavor was soothing his body, and together with the delightful aroma it gave, he felt that the whole lunch was perfect.

The inn owner was touched hearing one of the many praises the young master had given them in his stay at the inn.

"No, thank you for accepting our humble meal young master."

The inn was not shabby but compared to the vacation home of most nobles, it was lacking. At first, when the young master of Beryldot entered the inn, the owner and his employees were quite anxious. It was rare for them to house nobles, yet they were well-acquainted with nobles that were needy and arrogant in their stay.

It so happens they also knew of Naell's past as one of their employees came from Beryldot. In an instant, all of their expectations were changed as the young master was actually kind.

After the meal, Naell went with all of them to train. Owly was of course already with him. The owl was at first, throwing a mild temper tantrum for his laziness a while ago, but was easily diffused by several sweet and frosted pleas of forgiveness.

"Are you sure it is safe, young master?" Said Lieutenant Estra, who was asked to be Naell's sparring partner.

They were currently outside and decided to train away from Taglagas. The lieutenant was currently emitting his aura from his sword as he faced the young master.

Butler Lebrut and the rest of the envoy were present and on a picnic nearby. They were enjoying the calmingly windy place that added a feel of elegance to the food and drinks they brought.

Naell's white mana was producing faint magic that was ready to be launched. He then said to the worrying lieutenant,

"Yes, but please use less than half of your aura."

Upon nodding, Estra with the upward swing of his sword launched a clear aura that headed for the young mage.

All martial artists that haven't reached their limit have a clear aura. It was far from the silver, red, and black auras the awakened martial artists could produce, still, his aura and demeanor were strong and befitting a lieutenant.

Estra was worried as Naell wasn't coating himself with a mana shield, but his concern immediately changed into amazement. All of them saw the crystalized snow symbol that clashed with the aura slash. Upon impact, both vanished and repelled some wind from the force strong enough to add to the pleasing breeze.

Estra was familiar with that magic as he remembered how the young master saved his sister, Sestra with it. For him, it was still surprising seeing the complex magic, and more so for the others who saw it for the first time. Even Owly's interest was piqued, but only for a second as he continued gobbling the food.

"Hmmm, not enough..."

Estra didn't quite hear Naell's mumbling. They then continued training like that until they noticed that the snow crystal blocking the aura filled slash was getting stronger.

"Is the young master using more mana?" Questioned the soldier who was seated with the others. It was Owly who answered him.

"No, neither of their strength has changed since the beginning, but LOOK he’s casting more spells HOOT."

The slash that Estra was doing was actually getting sharper as his instincts were getting into it. Yet he was now unable to bring down the snow crystal magic Naell had created. The lieutenant and the rest were amazed at the exchange until it was over.

Estra and Naell went over to sit with them as they ate what was left of Owly's devastating appetite. The lieutenant could not wait, so he asked,

"Young master how did you do it?" As a lieutenant, he was experienced and powerful enough to know that the young master was using the same amount of strength as he did.

Naell then replied looking troubled as he could not find the right words to explain it.

"Well, what I used was actually... different from the first one."

Naell then summoned two magical snow crystals to his left and right. He then added on,

"The right one was from the first spell I used. The second one, if you look closely, is actually three forms of the same magic stacked together."

When they looked closely, the right one was simply thick crystallized snow, while the magic to his left consisted of three of the same figure. Naell then further explained,

"I divided my magic by percentage. 10% at the front, 5% in the middle, and 15% as the last defense. When your aura clashed into my first magic which was 10%, your slash destroyed my magic but in the process, your aura got weaker. Factors such as the resistance it got, the distance of your slash, and the environment's mana and aura, contributed to your aura losing out to my magic. So... what are your thoughts about it?"

“...”

“Uh…The snow in the back is thick, the middle is the thinnest, and the front is not as thin? And your magic got weaker as it passed through… each layer?”

In theory, all of them knew it was smartly done, but the practicality of his 2nd magic was not efficient. Still, they were surprised as the young master was so knowledgeable about theories and practice, neither of which were things any of them truly knew of.

Battling in their real-world would never result in canceling each other's aura or magic. It was often a fast-paced battle with your life on the line. One good example would be during the chaotic troll subjugation; Naell had used almost all his mana to stop the chaotic ax from severing Sestra. Canceling both magic was only possible if both parties knew the amount they would be using.

As the one with the most experience, Estra was the one who spoke as to remind the young master of their companions' seemingly same thoughts.

"Pardon me for saying this, it was a good idea young master but in real combat, it would be useless..."

Naell nodded as he agreed with their thoughts, but deep inside, he knew, there were things he could still attempt before saying it was an utter failure.

Traveling back to Taglagas was as smooth as the night's ambiance was soothing. The carriage's sounds were like music, serenading the buzzing of the evening's sound of nature.

They were greeted by the inn owner who was genuinely happy to see them. The dinner that was served to them consisted of steamed fish served with condiments, rice topped with eggs, onions, and other vegetables, and lastly, hot chocolate that effectively warmed their evening.

The inn was filled with the lively chatter of customers full of vigor. The music was synchronized even with the different instruments being played. People were dancing and singing to the tunes.

"The trees that bore the golden fruits were not special trees.

Moreso, the time they'd lose their fruits, normal the trees would be."

"Such marvel..."

Naell could not help but admire the people of Taglagas, whilst recalling his family in Beryldot; His composed father, his warm mother, his caring teacher, his witty sister, and all those he had met from that world. Little by little, his anxious heart was beginning to unravel in the unknown world of Arts and Magic.