After Rory announced his intention of teaching Amelia about anima, they went deeper into the forest until they came across a river.
“Let’s use this area.”
He sat on a boulder and said.
“First, let me ask. Where are you originally from? You weren’t born in Buchse right?”
“That’s right, but I don’t know where I’m from. The earliest memory I have is of me waking up in the capital city.”
Amelia answered.
“How old were you then?”
“3 years old, apparently.”
“Hm….”
Rory entered deep thought for a bit before speaking.
“I think I know where you’re originally from.”
“Really?!”
Amelia was both shocked and happy to hear this. She had always been curious about her origin, so Rory saying that he had an idea made her really happy.
Rory nodded.
“It’s a place called Sol which means the sun. It’s named after the sunset like hair of the Lodon Tribe, that they got from their ancestor the Smilodon, which was nicknamed the Sun Cat for its bright fur.”
Rory explained.
“Sol is a country where it’s said that most Lodon originates from. It’s a country made and run by them.”
“Where is it?”
Amelia asked.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know.”
Rory replied.
“However, I did hear that something terrible happened there, which caused most of its population to scatter. That was around 16 years ago, which matches the time period with you appearing in Buchse. That’s the reason why I believe you’re from there.”
Amelia clenched her fists when she heard that.
Even if she didn’t know what caused her people to scatter, she now has a destination in mind. She’ll gather information and one-day return to her homeland.
“Oh, why did you ask me where I was from?”
She asked after thinking for a bit.
“Just to get know you better. A person’s anima is dependent on their personality and background. So knowing more about you is equivalent to knowing more about your anima.”
Rory responded.
“But I gotta say, you growing up in that bush country wasted your potential.”
“It’s not a bush country, and I don’t regret growing up there. The royal family was very good to me.”
Amelia retorted.
“Then, how much do you know about anima?”
“……….”
Amelia couldn’t answer because it came obvious to her as of late, that she didn’t know that much regarding anima.
“Okay, let's rephrase the question.”
Rory said after sensing her displeasure.
“Who taught you to use anima for combat?”
“No one. I learned by watching the knights train and taught myself.”
Amelia said.
“I see. Considering that the knights themselves weren’t impressive, you being this strong on your own is a testament to your talents and aptitude for battle.”
Rory said with a nod.
“Very well, let’s start from the basics.”
He said.
“First of all, let me clarify what anima is.”
He stretched his arm out and a small bird landed on it.
“Anima is a power that comes from the soul and is what keeps a person alive. It is used by every living thing, even if they use it subconsciously. Only after training can one learn how to consciously use anima in numerous different ways.”
“Already knew that.”
“I said I was starting with the basics didn’t I?”
Rory replied.
“I won’t go into the everyday uses and stick to the combat uses.”
He picked up a stone and threw it at Amelia, which she easily caught.
“Use that stone and hit this bird on my arm.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry, ill protect it.”
He said.
“…..Alright.”
She took aim at the bird and immediately threw it.
*Bam!*
To her surprise, the stone hit the bird and caused it to fall off Rory’s arm.
“I thought you said you’ll protect it!”
“I did.”
Rory pointed at the ground. It was then that Amelia saw the bird got up like it was nothing. She looked at the stone that she threw and saw that it broke into pieces.
“The bird was just scared and fell on its own. The stone didn’t harm it in the least.”
Rory called the bird back to his arm after saying that.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing much. I just hardened it.”
“Harden?”
Rory nodded.
“I made it tougher than the rock. Oh, just to state, even if you had poured anima into the stone the result would be the same. The difference in our anima is too great after all.”
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Rory used his finger to play with the bird’s head while he spoke.
“This is just one of the many things you can do with anima.”
“I didn’t see any anima surrounding the bird….”
Amelia then remembered what Rory said about anima control.
“I see, so anima really is stronger when it’s compacted and under control, rather than loose and all over the place.”
“That’s right.”
Rory confirmed.
“The only time normal people are supposed to see a person’s anima is when it’s purposely being released in large volumes. Otherwise, seeing their anima every time they use it is just proof that they have poor anima control. A person has poor anima control for three reasons.”
He lifted a finger.
“They have little to no talent in Anima Combat.”
He lifted up another finger.
“They are a novice and still don’t know how to properly use anima.”
He lifted up a third finger.
“Or they’ve lost control of themselves causing their anima to wildly fluctuate.”
He smiled at her.
“I don’t need to tell you which one is you, right?”
Amelia frowned because it looked like Rory was making fun of her.
“Then teach me how to control my anima better then.”
She complained.
“I will, but it isn’t something that can be thought that easily. It will take time.”
“No problem. I’m stuck with you forever anyway.”
Rory laughed when he heard that.
“Well, don’t be so hasty. Anima Control is important, but you need to learn more about anima as a general if you truly wish to become strong.”
“Alright then teach me.”
Amelia said eagerly.
“I’m not really that great of a teacher, so I’ll try to keep it as simple as I can.”
He waved his hand and the bird went away.
“Where should I start?..... I did say the basics.”
He pondered for a bit before nodding.
“Let’s start with the different natures of anima.”
“Natures?”
Rory nodded.
“You didn’t think that all anima was the same right?”
“Actually I did.”
Rory smiled.
“What you know about the world is surprisingly little.”
“Could you stop looking down on him and talk?”
“Ah, sorry. You just look so cute when you’re angry, I couldn’t help it.”
Rory replied.
“Anyway, Anima can come in different natures and forms. The nature of one's Anima is dependent on their mentality, personality, and race. Anima forms also depend on the person’s state of mind, hence traumas and painful experiences can warp a person's anima into something terrifying, while a naturally kind person will possess a warm and gentle anima.”
Rory suddenly thought of something.
“Hey, Elia. Do you know how many races they are in this world besides humans?”
“Do you mean like lodon and Megal you mentioned earlier?”
Rory shook his head.
“No. Lodons and Megals are still humans.”
Rory sighed.
“I guess this is what happens when you live in an isolated place all your life.”
He sighed again, which made Amelia irritated.
“There exist countless races other than humans. For example, fairies, goblins, orcs, vampires, elves, dwarves, etc.”
“Wait. Those races really exist? I thought they were creatures from children stories.”
“Oh, they exist and they can use anima just like any other living thing.”
Rory said.
“The reason why I asked you if you knew them, is because each race has unique anima abilities which tie into their inborn anima nature.”
Amelia was surprised to hear that.
“How many anima natures are there?”
She asked.
“Four. Dark, Sacred, Neutral, and Wild.”
Rory replied.
“And each nature comes with its specialties expect Neutral.”
He pointed at her.
“All humans are born with Neutral Nature anima, which is seen as the weakest type. The default color of this anima is green, which is why your anima is naturally green unless it’s changed by a strong emotion.”
He explained.
“But keep in mind that the only reason Neutral Anima is called the weakest is because it doesn’t carry any inborn abilities. The anima itself doesn’t necessarily lose to the other types, well unless you’re not human.”
“What happens if you’re not human?”
“Nothing really. You’ll just find it hard to use your full power because your body is used to your inborn anima nature and the abilities it carries.”
He replied.
“Now let’s talk about the broadest type of all the Natures, Wild Nature Anima. As the name suggests, this type is the inborn nature of all animals, beasts, and races of a similar nature. For example, elves, fairies, orcs, beastmen, etc.”
“You said that it was the broadest anima nature?”
“Yeah, that’s because even do countless creatures and races are born with this anima nature, each race has a subcategory nature that grants them abilities that’s unique to them.”
“Example?”
“Vampires are able to control blood and perform attacks using it, while fairies can enchant people and objects and turn them into something magical. Stuff like that.”
Rory replied.
“I never knew such stuff was possible with anima…..”
“I told you didn’t I? The amount of things you can do with anima is limitless.”
He said.
“Anyway, Wild Nature Anima doesn’t have a default color, but can be easily identified by its beastly look.”
Amelia didn’t know what a beastly anima would look like and just imagine it in the shape of various beasts.
“What about the other two? Dark and Sacred were it?”
“Ah, those two are the most powerful anima Natures a person could have.”
Rory said with a rare serious look.
“Those two types are complete opposites of each other and belong to two prominent figures in our history.”
He paused before speaking.
“They were the anima types that belonged to the Night and Sacred God respectively.”
“……..”
Amelia also put on a serious face when she heard that.
The Night God was the first true god to be born in this world, before him every other God were just conceptual beings created by the mind. He showed the world just what a real god was like.
The Sacred God was the second true God to be born in this world. He just like the Night God rose to godhood through learning and mastering anima to the highest level possible.
These two gods changed the laws of anima for forever and almost destroyed the world with their fight. It goes without saying that the anima types they possessed were top notched as well.
“Let’s start with Dark Nature Anima. This type of anima is sinister and evil. This type of anima also possesses evil abilities like mind control, corruption, necromancy, pollution, and stirring up negative emotions in others. Its name perfectly describes it.”
Rory said.
“There’s only one race that is born with this type of Anima.”
“Night Kins.”
Amelia interrupted.
“I’m surprised you knew.”
“I heard stories about them, but I thought they were fiction. However, since you said Beings like fairies are real I thought they were too.”
“Good analysis.”
Rory nodded approvingly.
“I heard that Night Kins were evil beings who knew nothing but destruction and slaughter.”
Rory burst out laughing when he heard that. Amelia was confused by this.
“That’s just propaganda spread by the Sacred Kin because Night Kin are the descendants of the Night God and their natural enemies.”
Rory said.
“Well, I admit that Night Kin are indeed a bloodthirsty race who loves to fight, but they aren’t born evil. They are good Night Kin as well as there are evil ones.”
“You sure know a lot about them.”
“Of course.”
Rory smiled and said.
“Can you tell me about them?”
“Sure.”
Rory then began to explain to Amelia just what the Night Kin were.
“Otherwise called Devils, they are one of the superior races and are born with anima of a dark nature. They have superior natural physical abilities and Anima control. They are the most feared race in the world, but look identical to humans with the only difference is that they possess a Night Form that activates when they're pushed past their limits, some can even control this form. The form grants them a large boost in power, strength, and anima. They are believed to be born evil but that isn't the case. They're plenty of kind-hearted Night Kin, it's just that they're naturally aggressive and battle maniacs.”
He explained.
“I see. Then what about Sacred Kin?”
Amelia asked.
“Otherwise called Seraphim. They are one of the superior races born of sacred nature. They are the natural enemies of the Night Kin and have a blood feud with them from ancient times. They are considered the protectors of the world and are worshipped by the other races. Just like the Night Kin they possess superior physical and anima abilities. They also possess a holy form called Sacrament, where they gain a boost in all abilities. They are descendants of the Sacred God and are believed to be born good and righteous, but that isn't the case. They are plenty of evil Sacred Kin, but it doesn't show in their anima because of the nature they're born with.”
“It doesn’t show?”
“Sacred Kin are born with Sacred Nature Anima. This type of anima is pure and gentle. It's the best type for healing, purification, soothing one's heart, and communicating with the world. Because they are born with it, it can’t be tainted no matter how twisted they are.”
Rory explained.
“By the way, the default colors of Dark and Sacred Anima are black and white respectively.”
He added.
“…..Can I learn these anima natures?”
Rory nodded.
“Although there are different anima types for different races anyone can learn any anima as long as their mentality is changed to fit that anima nature. But there are cases where someone's anima nature changes because of their experiences, environment, and state of mind. For example, someone who is bearing deep hatred will gain Dark Nature Anima, or someone who lived in the wild for a long time will gain Wild Anima, or someone who had a change of heart and truly discarded their evil ways will gain Sacred Nature Anima etc.”
He explained.
“Anyway, all this information dump must be hard on your mind so I’ll leave it here for now.”
He suddenly said.
“Let’s resume our travels. I’ll teach you everything you need to know through experience rather than words.”