"Are you saying they are looking down on static casting?" Eldrian had asked.
"Not just that!" Jade was filled with energy in her reply. "They even looked down on the method of using runes that you shared with that girl."
Jade's words caused Eldrian's eyes to narrow and the atmosphere to drop by a few degrees. Noticing the sudden change, Jade missed a breath.
"Are they targeting her?" Eldrian asked, his voice coated with venom.
"No, not at all!" Jade hurried to explain, wishing to dispel her shivers as soon as possible. "They considered her method of learning to connect with mana as a crutch. Something only the weak would rely on."
'Only the weak? I see, so that is their opinion...' That piece of information was truly useful. 'So, they consider themselves above others... perhaps the descendants of gods? Or do they consider themselves modern gods, an advanced race? Then, how many are there?'
'And to ignore a possible path to success... truly foolish.'
"Um, Eldrian..." Jade avoided looking straight at Eldrian, forcing out her next words. "Can you please stop looking at me like that?"
"Mmm? Sorry." Pulling back his bloodlust and anger, Eldrian forcefully calmed his mind. Calling upon the powers of his other aura, he tried to keep himself rational and objective.
It would not do if he continued to threaten or pressure her. She seemed to be on the edge of a breakdown.
"Did you come here because you wanted to talk about runic casting then?" Eldrian asked.
"Is that what you call it? Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to talk about!" The joy in her voice was contagious, but Eldrian had already moved to keep his emotions controlled.
'Now isn't the best time, but not like I can ask her to leave.' Eldrian sighed, realizing that he would have to go another day without rest.
Of course, he could always sleep in ANW too. But his earthly body needed exercise and maintenance. Else, it would soon rot away.
Eldrian wasn't sure what would happen if that happened, and he certainly didn't want to find out.
"What do you want to know about it?" Eldrian asked.
Jade visibly bubbled with joy. "How do you do it? I know a few runes, but I just can't seem to figure out how to write them in the air, as you and that girl do. What's the trick behind it?'
'I'm pretty sure Constantin should have a theory on it considering I have talked with him regarding mageia... I even came up with the term to better explain things to him. Does this mean he is withholding from Miracle? Or is it... they simply don't care?'
Eldrian truly couldn't understand how things were run in Miracle. He was slowly coming to realize that while they looked like a massive united company, there was actually little unity and even less understanding thanks to all the secrets.
This was likely what GAIA had been referencing.
'Joren and the others were simply trying to understand magic, to prove it could exist on Earth. They were aiming at learning how to feel mana and guide it. Hoping to touch upon magic and prove its existence scientifically... I guess I proved it undoubtably for them.'
Eldrian paused and touched his ears. His appearance wasn't quite normal. His ears were slightly pointed, his hair had turned silver, and his skin was smoother than before. Though that wasn't as clear, thanks to him living in a cave. 'What happened after?'
"That should be something you guys have theorized..." Eldrian said. "I recall that the people working on ANW weren't incompetent."
"That... well... They're too focused on the science."
"Why is that a bad thing?"
"Because it makes no sense!"
Eldrian smirked. He could relate, especially when looking into the equations required to develop spells. But the science was important, and it would only become more important going forward. "Really, like what?"
"Like how it has to do with something called dark something something... That it is everywhere, but so scarce that it basically doesn't exist. Or something like that."
'So, they figured out that the mana on Earth is low in density... but anyone who can use, no who can sense mana, will know this. Guess the higher ups didn't share that with Joren and the rest. Which means -they likely managed to make something similar to Mana Examination. I'm impressed. I wonder if Constantin managed to connect with mana?'
"So, what's the trick?!" Jade pressed.
"Training." Eldrian replied.
"Don't play! I came all this way because I wanted to hear you out, if you are—" Jade stopped right there and tried to play off the threat she was about to throw at Eldrian with a beautiful smile.
His narrowed eyes caused her entire body to shiver. Even though he hadn't thrown any anger her way, only narrowed his eyes. Clearly, she was going to have some trauma from this meeting.
'What's with this guy?!'
"I didn't lie. It really takes training." Eldrian paused and looked at the girl. "Can you even meditate?"
"Meditate? Why on earth would I do something like that?"
'Well, that's a clear no. She's so immature. How old is she?' because of the illusion or charm surrounding her, Eldrian couldn't even venture a guess. But her attitude seemed to belie innocence and inexperience.
"Because..." Eldrian paused to add stress to the because. "It is the best way to grasp the feeling of mana flowing through you and... well, I guess it will be pointless to explain." Eldrian chuckled, realizing what GAIA had constantly been mumbling about.
This conversation felt very similar to his with the AI's. Only, for once, he was the one with the knowledge and talking to someone in the complete dark. Ilmadia at least was able to follow his concepts to a point.
"Hey! No fair, don't hold out on me!" Jade complained, making puppy dog eyes that did not phase Eldrian one bit.
"I'm not. It will just be pointless to explain. You won't be able to follow. Can you even enter the magic abyss? Or form a mental room for spell construction? I guess not..." Eldrian asked, thinking of something brilliant in saying that.
'Hey Two?'
'You still dealing with her?'
'Yeah, just ignore her,' Eldrian replied. Jade was currently throwing a storm at Eldrian about how she would be able to understand. He just needed to explain properly. 'Do you think it might be possible for us to form spell modules in our soul?'
'You're thinking to pull them out like we do with the mana in the solar system?'
'Yeah... do you think it will work?'
'I see no reason why it won't. After all, spell modules formed in the magic abyss are the basis of spell creation. Why though?'
'Ah, because memorizing and mastering the envisioning of Tier 5 spells is going to be a pain. I've been putting it off since I wanted to rely on dynamic casting... Turns out that wasn't the best idea and I thought this would be a simple solution.'
'What about just casting as you did last time?' Two asked, not quite following why Eldrian wanted to do this. Last time he had simply envisioned flaming pillars and spoken the English translation, and yet the spell had been magnificent.
'I just think this will be far more efficient. Yes, dynamic magic is great and near limitless. But I have to envision the outcome clearly, or I need to have practiced until it is like moving a part of my body. If either lacks, the spell will either be lackluster, or it will take too long.'
'I can still force it, but without enough power, it would be pointless.'
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