How did she know? Elian had the Energy pool of a child or maybe a lethargic teen because his Covenant with the Gods started two weeks ago. He glanced at Lyra’s eyes, noticing a wisp of white that faded—Aethersight. A respectable teacher indeed to have such a seamless Aethersight compared to others whose eyes turn completely white.

“I’m Elian Ward of Gilders.”

“Gilders?” Lyra asked. “That’s beyond Sunder Valley. A long way you have traveled, Elian Ward. What brings you here to ask the Hundred-Armed Magistrate for its Boon?”

“I want to see how far I can push my limits.”

“I’ve heard many propelled by that reason. Though I may disagree with its logic, I respect those who push themselves to the edge and over. Just remember that when you do find your limits, you might also find yourself as a flesh pancake.”

Elian grinned. “Well, I hope I’ll realize to stop before reaching that point.”

“Why Aether Magic, Elian Ward? The Path of Vigor seems most suited to your goal.”

“I know that Aether Magic can make magical armor that moves around. Surviving Tribulations is the goal of all the Paths. But Aether Magic can also give me minions and that’s pretty useful.”

Elian was telling the truth. Manifested Armor summons could cut vegetables and meat that he couldn’t, they could dig howls, carve rocks, even put up tents. And they could fight for him—he should’ve thought of this reason first because it was most important.

The Tribulation could only be called once a day. What would he do if after using it there were still enemies standing? During the tournament, he’d probably save the Tribulation for the last match of the day, presumably his hardest opponent. For all other matches, he’d need something else. Manifested Armor could fight for him while he tanked everything his opponent would throw at him. Coat his summons’ weapons with poison, maybe add astral flames, plenty of options to whittle down the enemy and turn the match into a battle of endurance which he’d certainly win.

Lyra blinked, probably wondering what she’d make of Elian. She then burst out laughing. “I’ll tell you right now, Elian Ward, that the curriculum of this school is focused on you surviving the Tribulation, not on having minions to command. What made you think of making Manifested Armors?”

“I’ve seen the armies of King Idum-Ani,” Elian said. “I was inspired by it.”

“You’ve been to the Sarhat Kingdoms? That’s far southwest from Gilders. You might not look like it, but you’ve traveled far, Elian Ward. The Golden Army is indeed awe-inspiring to behold. I now understand why you aim to push your limits, as King Idum-Ani is an Aether Mage unrivaled in history.”

Elian nodded. He didn’t know much about Aether Magic history, but King Idum-Ani sure was an awesome guy. The aged but muscular king holding back dozens of Giants with his Golden Army during the Siege of Sarhat was quite a sight.

“And with everyone knowing each other’s names,” said Lyra, “we can proceed with our lesson. Jadewell Khaero, pretend that you’ve heard this for the first time or I’ll throw you out.”

“Yes, Teacher Lyra,” Jadewell squeaked.

“Good. Let’s start from the beginning, as things should. As you all know—or may not know if you haven’t cared much about your surroundings—most flora and fauna tinged with magic uses Aether, the building blocks of magic floating around and through all creation. They have organs, parts, be they physical or ethereal, that extract and use Aether. We humans, having come from another world, do not naturally extract Aether and do magic. But we learn from what we see.”

Lyra narrated the history of how humans learned to use magic, starting from domesticating magic beasts, studying their organs, and making various tools with them. Elian knew most of it but Lyra also taught him some new things such as magical beasts that he thought were natural but were actually descended from human-bred livestock that escaped their pens.

“Over a few generations,” Lyra went on, “our bodies adjusted to the world of Fellenyr and we started to sense Aether. Perhaps living close to domesticated magical beasts also had an effect. That was the beginning of Aether Magic and the boom of humanity. We can finally fight on even grounds—well, maybe not yet. At least humanity has magic too.”

Instead of getting bored with the lecture he had heard and read before, Elian listened with interest. He had plenty of teachers and masters over his fifteen years on Fellenyr, teaching him the various magic systems and martial art forms. But he had never been to a magic school.

He was in a fantasy world. It was a requirement to enroll in a magic school. More fun than fleeing the Giant invasion destroying city after city.

Their history lesson then went over the evolution of human magic technology.

“The ruins of many magical civilizations surround us,” said Lyra, stretching her hands out as she swished her robes. “With the knowledge of Aether Magic, it didn’t take long to decipher the seals, glyphs, and runes invented by peoples long past, and how they interacted with magic. The symbols channel and control Aether, substituting our own bodies. And thus rose the professions of wardcrafters, rune carvers, and so on.

“From then, it was only a matter of time until someone discovered the Covenant with the Gods and roped the whole of humanity into it. Energy-based magic was born and became the most dominant magic system of our civilization.”

She discussed the various theories on who could’ve managed to add humans to the Covenant. The how was also an interesting question.

Thorren and Jadewell didn’t appear interested. Thorren looked like he was raring for action; he wanted the actual magic part to start. Jadewell maintained her facial expression of wanting to leave.

“Why tell you about all of this?” Lyra asked. “So that you’ll understand why having three of you here is a surprise while a dozen new students is a normal day at the Temple of the Path of Vigor or the Path of Energy.”

Anything Aether Magic can do; Energy Magic can do better. King Idum-Ani himself told Elian that. Lyra wasn’t expressly saying it, but that was her message.

Thorren raised his hand.

“A question from Mr. Champion Penitent,” said Lyra. “Let’s hear it.”

“Teacher Lyra, there have got to be advantages of Aether Magic over Energy Magic, right? Or else no one will use Aether Magic.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Jadewell Khaero,” Lyra said, pointing at her. “Answer the question of Thorren Wilts.”

“Erm… Aether Magic do-doesn’t use Energy,” Jadewell said, slowly gaining her voice. “If you run out of Energy and don’t have potions, you can still use Aether Magic.”

Thorren nodded and bowed at Jadewell. “Thank you for the explanation. I understand now. Aether Magic also works through Energy binds, when the opponent locks my Energy. I can also find a Curse that turns my Energy to zero and—”

“No, no, no,” Lyra cut in. “The two of you are going in the wrong direction. Elian Ward, tell them the advantage of Aether Magic.”

Elian knew the answer to this but had to pretend he didn’t. “If it doesn’t need our own Energy… then it’s, uh, limitless?”

“Precisely.” Lyra snapped her fingers.

Out of nothing, crystals formed mid-air, and the shards merged to become bigger structures. Breastplates, helmets, gauntlets, swords, shields. Entire suits of armor with their weapons materialized. A dozen of them. Another snap of Lyra’s fingers and another dozen formed even faster. She kept snapping until the entire hall was filled with an army of Manifested Armors.

They weren’t high-tier summons; child’s play at her level. Elian was sure she could’ve filled the room in one breath. She didn’t even need to snap her fingers. All theatrics to prove her point.

Lyra clapped once and all the Manifested Armors disintegrated into nothing.

“That was amazing,” said Thorren, his eyes wide.

Jadewell meekly nodded but her eyes were also full of admiration.

“The Sarhat Kingdoms are unconquerable under King Idum-Ani,” Lyra said. “They have the vast desert on one side, true. But even if it weren’t there, the invaders would be met by inexhaustible armies of golden armor. The Sarhat King is the prime example of the limitless nature of Aether Magic. You remember now, Jadewell Khaero? This is why Aether Magic persists. Back to you, Elian Wards. Why don’t we prioritize Aether Magic if it has limitless potential?

“I… don’t know,” Elian said, feigning hesitation though his discussion with King Idum-Ani replayed in his mind. “Is it because it’s too difficult to push the limit? I’m thinking it’s like the vast seas. Plenty of space to swim, but even the best of swimmers can’t reach very far.”

“Correct, Elian Wards. The frailty and short lifespans of humans are the chains holding us back. For such reason, Aether Magic schools prefer to concentrate their time and resources on training those with proven potential, those gifted with inherent Aethersense. Bet on the best chance to make it.”

Jadewell suddenly flinched and then looked at the floor as her cheeks reddened.

“Unlike those schools,” said Lyra, not minding Jadewell, “we on Immaterial Hill welcome all. We will help you acquire Aethersense.” She beckoned for them to follow her to the vats.

“Are we going inside these containers?” Thorren asked, staring to remove his shirt.

“You’re not required to undress, Thorren Wilts,” said Lyra. “It may look like liquid inside, but it is Aether concentrated to a point it is visible. You won’t get wet. Think of it as very dense and heavy air. Jadewell Khaero, explain what these Eyoneir Maghindr are used for. You should know about them because your family’s school has two.”

“Only one now…” said Jadewell, looking at the floor. She jolted, realizing she still had to explain about the vats. “The Eyoneir Maghindr were created by the Kymonthyr sages to increase one’s proficiency in Aether Magic. Um, they don’t really call it Aether Magic… I’m sorry I can’t recall their name for—”

“Focus on the explanation, Jadewell Khaero.”

“Er, yes. Sorry. Doing things normally, we’ll have to meditate for years in magical places to build Aethersense. I mean, that’s for normal people. Some just have it. The stronger the Aethersense, the stronger the magic. But it takes a lot of time to build it. Inside the vats, Aether density is multiplied a thousand times, or even more, that it feels tangible… like water. I’ll just use, um—” she cautiously nodded at Elian “—your analogy using the sea. The Eyoneir Maghindr is a boat to help us travel farther.”

So that’s the name of the Aether-enhancing vats. Elian could never remember their Kymonthyr name.

King Idum-Ani slept inside one of those, each day since he showed signs of Aethersense as a baby. Add that he was a once-in-a-hundred-generations sort of genius, dedicating his whole life to the pursuit of Aether Magic, and you’d get the Golden Army.

The final days of the Siege of Sarhat would forever be imprinted on Elian’s mind. The walls of the capitals were breached, Giants stomped the houses, and soldiers and civilians fled to nowhere, surrounded on all sides. In a last act of desperation to save his people, King Idum-Ani led the Golden Army to break through the encirclement, ordering hundreds of powerful Manifested Armor to climb inside the Giants through any hole they could find.

Any hole. An utter nightmare for the Giants and an opening for the king’s subjects to escape.

Elian had one last conversation with the Sarhat King before they parted ways, with Elian joining the fleeing people while the king stayed behind to stop the Giants from chasing them.

“I’ve trained my whole life for this,” King Idum-Ani said with a crooked grin.

“Trained for what?” Elian asked. “Controlling your summons to climb inside the asses of Giants?”

“Exactly. Now, go! Protect my people.”

“Elian Ward.” Lyra’s stern voice cracked like a whip, bringing him back to the present. “I was asking if any of you have questions. Why are you smiling there?”

“I’m happy for the opportunity to use this… vat,” Elian said. “I have finally a hope of gaining Aethersense.”

“You certainly do it using the Eyoneir Maghindr. An aptitude for Aethersense is not required. Since we were using water as an analogy, imagine this as throwing a kid into the water so they’d learn how to swim. If a kid can do it, so can you Aethersense.”

Lyra proceeded to instruct them how to meditate inside. It was the standard fare also used by Energy Magic practitioners, so Elian was very familiar with it. She gave each of them a potion to help them meditate.

“If you’ve been drunk before, you’ll feel similar to that at first. And then your concentration will spike as if the world is slowing down.”

This won’t work much on me, Elian said, taking a drink. The Abyssal Eye’s Curse cut the efficacy of potions in half.

Lyra knocked on the vat’s glass with her Aether-made ring. “It shouldn’t take too long. You can even see the Aether now, and we’re supposed to be the Immaterial Path. Fueling the Eyoneir Maghindr requires expensive concentrated fizzle crystals. Each of you has two days’ worth of supplies. You should have awakened your Aethersense by then.”

Three Manifested Armors appeared and helped Thorren enter the first vat. Jadewell was assigned to the next one. She had a huge sense of relief on her face as the glass casing shut tight and the runes on the base glowed.

Wait, Jadewell too? Elian assumed she’d already have Aethersense if she came from a family of Aether mages. They probably sent her here for advanced classes or something. He pieced together what he knew and made a hazy picture of her true backstory.

Jadewell was sort of ‘exiled’ to the Temples of Tribulation because she wasn’t a prodigy. The story about wanting to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps might not even be true. The certain thing was that her family didn’t think she was worth training. Lyra immediately discerned the situation so she didn’t ask Jadewell if she could Aethersense, sparing her humiliation.

A very respectable teacher indeed.

“You, Elian Ward,” Lyra said before the summons closed his vat. “Don’t fret if you can’t Aethersense in two days. You can continue your training even without the Eyoneir Maghindr.”

“I’ll do my best, Teacher Lyra,” Elian replied. She need not worry about his low Energy. He’d be the first to awaken Aethersense among the three of them.

But he wouldn’t tell her that. He’d stay in the vats as long as possible to build Aethersense and construct the strongest Manifested Armors he could.