Sever and Lily both prepared to begin their training. Each of them was getting ready to practice their newly chosen element.
Lily had mastered wind and healing, while Sever had only mastered water.
Elric turned his gaze toward Lily, clearing his throat with a deep cough that echoed from his throat.
"So, Lily, since you're about to begin mastering your third element, which one did you choose?"
Sever's eyes rolled toward Lily, focusing on the words slipping from her mouth.
Lily would choose...
"Water," she said.
As expected — her thoughts and decisions hadn't changed.
"Since both of you have mastered elements that oppose each other, why don't you help one another train?"
Lily looked at Sever with disinterest.
"Should a child be allowed to help me? No, Uncle Elric."
Sever sighed and raised his right hand toward Lily, pointing at her with his index finger.
"Then why don't we make use of our shared knowledge of the elements we've mastered, Lily? Wouldn't that be reasonable?"
Elric kept staring at Sever, pride melting his heart.
"My son truly is remarkable… He has the mind of a grown man," Elric thought to himself.
Silence filled the space as Sever and Lily stared at each other.
But suddenly, to Sever's surprise, Lily replied coldly:
"Agreed."
Sever blinked in confusion.
"Agreed?"
"Didn't you want that?"
"Yes… I really did."
"Then let's begin. Oh — and I'll give you a tip from your dear cousin."
"What kind of tip?"
"You'd better keep up with me in training — I'm faster than you."
Tch — she's still as arrogant as ever.
"Fine by me. Let's begin."
Elric brought a bucket full of water for Lily to train with. As for me, the atmosphere was more than enough — it was full of moisture.
Thud.
Elric placed the bucket beside Lily. He wiped the sweat from his forehead while looking at the both of us — me and Lily, who stood facing me.
"Since we're starting now, Lily, show me your wind element. And you, Sever, show me your water."
Both of us nodded to Elric in agreement.
Lily stood still, closing her eyes, waving both hands in seemingly odd motions — but it was how she controlled the wind.
The wind around her shifted into a circular motion. Leaves and light dust began swirling around her.
"Now, Lily, give Sever's right foot a gentle push of wind."
Lily did as she was told.
"Wait, what—"
A sudden gust of pressure hit my right foot, completely knocking off my balance. I couldn't counter the wind's push with my weight, despite how light it was.
"Kya—"
I fell flat on my back, head tilted toward the sky. All I could hear were the giggles of Lily and Elric mocking my situation.
Lily walked up to me while I was lying on the ground, sneering.
"My weak little cousin."
I formed a water orb and threw it at Lily without warning.
Splat.
She was soaked.
"What the hell did you just do, you idiot?!" Lily snapped.
"But you started it."
"Yeah — on your father's orders!"
We both looked at each other — a unified idea flashing through our minds.
We nodded at the same time.
"What do you think, Lily?"
"Absolutely, cousin."
I formed a medium-sized water orb, and Lily used the surrounding wind to lift and carry it.
Together, we launched the orb at Elric, who was still laughing.
The force of the combination hit Elric in the stomach, knocking him over and spilling the bucket on top of him.
Elric was soaked.
His fancy clothes were drenched. He should've been furious with us — the two little brats — but for some reason, he wasn't.
He looked at us, stars gleaming in his eyes.
"What's wrong, Uncle?"
"What's wrong? I must be dreaming."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You two combined your elements to form a hybrid element that links both."
How did I forget? Combining water and wind can create steam — or even sharp water blades.
"Since you figured out elemental fusion on your own… and now the sun's setting… it's time to head back to the castle."
"Y-Yeah," I said.
Elric extended his hand toward us with a smile. But there was definitely a hidden scheme behind it, so I stepped back cautiously.
Lily reached for his hand and looked at me.
"Is that how you treat your father, you ungrateful—"
Elric smacked Lily lightly on the head. So, I was the only one left.
I turned to run, but he caught me before I could even move.
He did the same to me — smacked me lightly on the head. But to a child's body, that light smack stung.
"You two think I'm not mad about what you did, huh?" Elric said, tightening his right hand as veins popped from his skin.
Both Lily and I rubbed our heads, bowing from the pain.
After sunset, we returned to the castle. Everyone went to rest in their rooms.
While I was lying down, I heard a knock at the door.
Knock knock.
"Y-Yes? Who's there?"
"Young master Sever, your parents asked me to call you for dinner."
"Thanks, Elina. I'm coming."
I got up, struggling against sleep.
Despite all the training, my mana flow hadn't expanded that much — but I gained a skill that allowed me to assess my level.
"Mana Eye."
If I focus some mana into my eyes and look toward its source under my chest, I can see it.
The mana source had widened a bit since yesterday — good, it's expanding faster.
Still… a long way to go before I reach my previous strength.
Sever lay back on his bed, waving his hand in the air.
"I'll barely grow stronger at this rate."
"Young master Sever, did you say something?"
Sever flinched at Elina's voice from behind the door.
"N-No, Elina — I was just muttering."
"Alright. Your parents are waiting downstairs."
"Okay, I'm coming."
I changed out of my dirty clothes into something proper.
I wonder how Mom would react if I didn't — she'd probably devour me alive.
After changing, Sever went down the stairs toward the dining hall.
He entered, searching for his seat among the many chairs.
As he looked around, his eyes met two people he would've rather not seen.
"Hello, Sever. How are you?"
Sever turned slowly, suppressing his anger.
He would've preferred to leave the hall entirely than to face the person who once caused him pain.
"I'm fine, Uncle. And you?"