Chapter 190: Easy going

Staring straight into the Elementals' eyes, whom he thought to be the Elus-merchant, Shane's eyes widened in shock, when he remembered certain informations about the Elus-race.

'White, Black, Silver and Golden-colored Elementals are always Greater Elementals and are considered as nobles and prodigies!'

After remembering this, Shane slapped his forehead, cursing himself to be dumb before he finally connected the dots in a matter of seconds.

"Elementals' Empress?" He mumbled before he held one hand on his mouth in shock.

'I messed up!' It was the only thing he could think of when he bowed to the Elementals Empress greeting her politely, in the hope that he could clear the mess he had created. 

"I was unable to recognize the honorable Elementals' Empress, please accept my apology!"

Fortunately, the Elementals Empress didn't mind his mistake and she just chuckled lightly before asking,

"The Elus race might be an empire with a monarchical system, but we don't really have any strict formalities that one has to abide by. At least, it doesn't apply to the guests belonging to other races. How would you know that I'm the Empress if I didn't tell you? The only thing you could have guessed is that I can't be the Elus merchant based on my non-physical body's color!

However, let's go back to my question, is everyone in your race like you? Probably not, right?" 

Shane sighed in relief when he heard that the Elus-race was not strict with formalities. But, he was still unable to control his trembling hands even after his passive skill [Hunter's mind] supported his mind, trying to calm him down.

'I made a huge mistake there..I should pay more attention to details like that in the future!' He told himself before he was finally able to overcome his nervousness as he answered the Empress's question.

"Honorable Empress, I'm afraid, I would consider myself a 'singular exception' of my race. We, humans, are considered to be a young race, but we work hard to become stronger and expand our territories. There are a few strong powerhouses in our race, but not many young prodigies with certain unique features. It's even rare to come across someone like me with a temporarily increased mana absorption!"

When the Elementals Empress heard Shane calling her 'Honorable Empress' he felt the tension around them intensify which caused him to flinch for a moment before he finished his short explanation.

However, this tension eased only a moment later when the Elementals Empress sighed. Or at least, that was what Shane thought the Empress was doing because it was extremely difficult to figure out her facial expressions.  The Empress's non-corporeal body was flickering like a candle flame making it hard for him to notice the finer details

"I know its proper etiquette for most races to speak informalities, but I don't like that! Most ambassadors that visited us earlier seemed shallow and superficial with their mannerisms. They only behaved as they were taught to by their own Leaders. Are you just like them, a marionette? I don't think so, otherwise, your race wouldn't have allowed you to travel to an unknown foreign race with your talent or unique circumstances.

My name is Idral, just call me that!

If you don't like calling me Idral, call me Empress Idral…"

Getting to know that the Elus race was more of an easy-going race, Shane smiled lightly, before he nodded his head.

"Okay, Empress Idral!" 

Nevertheless, calling the Elementals Empress just by her first name felt wrong and made Shane uncomfortable to even think about.

As such, he chose the second option of calling her Empress Idral, which was 'frowned' upon by the Elementals Empress, yet still accepted.

Shane still couldn't fathom how the Empress could be so easygoing, but it was probably for the better.

Etiquette and formalities had never been his best traits but what was he supposed to do, except be formal, if he wanted to build ties with the Elus race that he wasn't well acquainted with.

"Empress Idral, is everyone so...relaxed and easy going with the formalities?" This was a question Shane couldn't suppress because it was important for him to know how to behave in front of others, such as the Emperor.

If the Elementals Emperor were to be a strict Elemental who wanted his guests to be formal and respectful to him, Shane would make a huge mistake, if he were to act as easy-going and casual as with the Empress.

"I am probably a rather unique case because I was not always a Superior Elementals. It was a hard journey and most Elementals revere me for my accomplishment, but I still don't like formalities, while others seem to find them important. The Emperor is similar and thinks that formalities are important, even if it's only to a small degree."

While answering, the Elementals Empress turned around and began moving further, as Shane fell in steps behind her. She could sense the huge amount of mana being absorbed by Shane, as her incorporeal form drifted through the dense forest soundlessly. 

'His mana fluctuations are weak and according to the information he provided, his mission has to be in the Basic-Dimensions. To have a mana absorption comparable to someone at the Ruler, if not at the Lord stage at such a young age….For what purpose does his body need so much mana? Not even my foresight ability could show it to me.'

While the cultivation rank for intelligent races inside the basic dimension consisted of the Mortal, Apprentice, and Expert stage; the Intermediate Dimension could inhabit all the previously mentioned stages in addition to the Master, Squire and Ruler stage.

After the Ruler stage, one would ascend into the Advanced-Dimensions by reaching the Lord stage.

This was however only the beginning for stronger races that could easily break into the Exalted stage after they reached the Lord stage.

There were a few more ranks, but the biggest issue most basic races would have to face in the future were the Dimensions called 'Main-Dimension'. Some races also labeled them 'Origin-Dimension' or 'True Primordial Dimensions.'

Shane was unaware of the Empress's thoughts and silently followed her while continuing to exert the mana gathering technique so that his pores could remain open. 

The mana particles that floated around him released a sensation that felt similar to joy. Shane couldn't help but feel that it was weird for mana particles to act like this. 

Meanwhile, the Elementals Empress was dragged out of her thoughts when she felt the mana particles release 'joy' which caused her to turn around and halt in her tracks. 

Shane was confused as to why the Empress had stopped again but before he could ask, she enquired,

"Do you have a strong natural  affinity to mana particles?" 

Now, Shane understood why she had stopped moving. 

It was considered a rare racial trait, ability, or even body constitution which made mana particles feel good around certain individuals or races. 

The Elus-race was such a race, only that their natural amity with mana particles varied a lot according to an individual's talent, strength of affinity, and also an individual's sub-category within the race. 

Elementals were naturally separated into Lesser, Common, Greater, and Superior Elementals. 

With these grades, one could easily determine who had strong amity with mana particles and who didn't. 

However, since the Elus-race had been able to enter the Primordial Dimensions, they had also found ways to enhance their mana core, in order to evolve into a Common Elemental from a Lesser Elemental. Due to this, their race had been able to overcome many obstacles and become much stronger than they had been several millennia ago. Now, their main goal was to find ways to increase their population and raise their offsprings as fast as possible.

When the Elementals Empress asked him if he had amity with mana particles, he couldn't help but smile as he said, 

"Yes, and that's also one reason why I'm unique in my race. It's not something everyone in our race has."

While smiling, he suddenly saw something gigantic, floating through the air, reflecting and intensifying the sun rays which shone through his mask, dazzling him as he exclaimed in shock.

"What the hell is that?!" 

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