Arthur's Point of View

Over the Middle Ocean

Lucia smiled up at me brightly before I turned my attention to Alwin. "You want to come over and learn something?" I asked with a smirk. "Could even teach you a thing or two if you're interested, Ziah."

The Zugal needed no further prompting before stepping closer to Lucia and me, with Alwin following at a slower pace. Lucia was excited as she waited for further instruction. However, seeing as how Ziah could not cast spells, I focused on teaching her a few combat techniques first and helping her understand how to use her own magic further.

Gesturing to her wings, I spoke. "Much like Elves use their hands for their magic, you, in turn, have your wings. Magic, much like most expect, is stored in everyone. How you utilize it is different." My explanation was simple, but she nodded, nonetheless. "Some of the fastest Zugal I've encountered have the habit of subconsciously moving more magic through their body to their wings."

Ziah looked back at her wings. "So, I could become as fast as the Captain or General Kheri?"

I shrugged. "It's possible, but you need to learn how to utilize your magic in your wings more efficiently if you want to fly as fast as them." Then I gestured to Typhon. "The best users of natural magic that I've seen is the Dragon Clans. They are phenomenal with using the magic inside them to breath fire, harden their scales, fly, change forms, and more."

"Do you think I could do that?" Typhon inquired.

"Maybe someday?" I offered. "You're still young, so I couldn't say for sure, but you do have a rather large amount of magic for your age." My eyes darted to Lucia before returning to Typhon. "You almost have the same amount as the honorary Priestess here." I said with a thumb pointing at the High Elf.

Typhon moved closer as he listened. "Do you know how we transform?"

A frown came to my lips at that. "I've met a few dragons in their transformed state, but I don't know how they do anything. They're a rather secretive group and not huge on sharing about themselves." Then I gestured to him. "However, the same magic they use to breath fire, is the same magic they use to do everything else. Maybe you just need greater control over your magic like Lucia and Ziah."

Stolen story; please report.

"How do you know all this!?" Alwin shouted suddenly. "No one has had any interactions with Dragons in centuries since they never leave the Dragonlands! Nor is there anything about visualizing your magic to make it stronger!"

"Does it matter?" I asked back before gesturing to Lucia. "If it works, it works."

"Says the man who claims he is without magic!" That made me roll my eyes, and Lucia went over to Alwin to calm him down. "Knowledge is power, but such skills cannot come without certain risks."

I quirked a brow at that. "So, you think visualizing a spell to be stronger is somehow dangerous? Why? Because you never thought to do it?"

Lucia put her hands on Alwin's chest as the Elf glared at me. "Calm down! Sir Arthur is only trying to help!"

Alwin gestured to me in anger. "He is teaching you a way to do magic that no one else can verify! There is no way to know if it is safe!" The Elf claimed. "There is a reason why spells have been passed down the way they have. Because magic is dangerous!"

"What's dangerous is using your magic inaptly. Having someone to guide you is the only way to grow or to experiment yourself. You clearly have no intention of doing so, and Lucia asked me to teach her." Crossing my arms, I continued. "This isn't something I've forced upon her, but if you don't want to learn; that's fine with me."

"There is nothing to learn from you."

I scoffed at that. "Clearly. Lucia improving in a matter of minutes is an abomination and not any sort of example to follow." My mocking didn't seem to help things.

Alwin stepped around Lucia to confront me. "Powerful magic comes with experience and patience. It is something that should never be forced."

Holding up a finger in his face, I replied. "First, never step up to me in that manner again, or I'm going to slap you across that pretty face." He opened his mouth to respond, but I continued. "I don't care that you're another General or if the kids watch. Your ass will be on the deck of this ship so fast if you do that shit again."

Lucia moved between us and pushed Alwin back away from me. "Second, I have more experience than everyone on this airship combined, pretty boy. Third, patience doesn't always mean results. It's important to be patient while training, but clearly, there are exceptions in terms of growth." I said while gesturing to Lucia.

"Just because you have experience does not mean you know how magic is performed correctly." Alwin's jaw was clenched as he seethed.

"And experience has always helped you?" My question made him quiver in rage. "Clearly. After all, you were there and prevented me from killing that slaver at my Knighting Ceremony. You also stopped me from killing that other Noble who attacked me." I continued in the most sarcastic tone I could. "Actually, he was stopped before he attacked me. That's right. You were there, and you stopped him from assaulting a commanding officer."

"Arthur-" Ziah began, but I ignored her.

"Did you stop Rudnurth? Of course, you did! Your experience made it possible, and let's not forget that legendary patience you have!" Then I gestured to Alwin and Lucia. "However, we can't forget the time you two were caught in The Slums, and your experience is what allowed you to fight back all those Succubae. Well done, General Alwin." I began to slow clap. "Thank god, Alwin Farro was present in all those situations."

Lucia finally turned to me sharply and glared as well. "Stop this! Both of you are two of the three highest-ranking members in the Lestranian military! Is this how our leaders act?"

Alwin looked down slightly in shame while I just nodded. "Yeah. Pretty much." I confirmed.