Two Hundred And Thirty-Eight

Two Hundred And Thirty-Eight

“Looooook at mistress Eri first, Hyacinth can wait.” The adorable boggart said, her head lying on my extended arm as we stretched out on the grass under the Rhyming tree. Eri, on my other side, smiled prettily.

“Fine. I have to admit, I’m curious. I want to know what changed.”

“All right.” I agreed, my Eye shining a brilliant amber, and Eri giggled.

“It’s a bit hard to see, but when you look closely at your eye, it’s like a sea of stars, little flecks of amber in the grey. It’s unique, but I like it.”

“I’m starting to think you have an eye fetish.” I said, relaxed, and she giggled a second time, her good humour after our lovemaking radiating from her.

“No, I have a you fetish.” She said softly, and Hyacinth chimed in as well, agreeing.

“All right then. Enough banter. Here we go, prepare to be shocked, as I am. I don’t get it myself...”

“I don’t get it. Fae-Bonded doesn’t make sense as a class. What Noble Fae did Eri make a compact with?” I complained, though the boosts to her stats were significant and welcome. Still, the description of the class was slightly different to when I had obtained it, not even counting the lack of question marks.

By agreeing a Covenant with a Noble Fae who has become your lover, you will gradually take on more of the aspects of the Fae, who are renowned for their great Fortune and Charm. Aether will increase and your elemental abilities increase more rapidly. There is a chance you can obtain abilities your Covenant-bearer possesses that are mediated by the Lunar Chakra.

So, the difference is she’s become my lover instead of my servant, but even so... Shaeula is hardly my servant now, I expect if I examined her class again it would have changed.

“What dooo you mean, Akio?” Hyacinth asked, puzzled. “Are you nooot a Noble Fae yourself?”

“No, I’m pretty sure I’m a human.” I disagreed, but Hyacinth would not be dissuaded.

“Nooo, you are wrong, Akio. You are very much a Fae nooow too, just as I am both boggart and brownie, Seelie and Unseelie. It was hard fooor me to accept this, but...” she paused, embarrassed, and Eri finished for her.

“But now it doesn’t matter. That’s just a part of you. A part Akio loves.”

“Exactly.” Hyacinth shook her head furiously in assent, happy. “And Akiooo is the same. Human and Fae too. Besides, you are marrying the princess, Duchess of the Spring ooof Clear Reflections. That makes you Noble, no? Your elements are many toooo.”

“I see, well, your other class reminds me very much of Shaeula’s Pledged One, but...”

Spirit Pledged is a token of the unbreakable bond freely given by a Fae and gratefully received by the recipient. It is a mingling of souls, a deep bond, facilitated by the sharing of powerful spiritual energies. Strength flows between those so bound, and skills known by either partner are easier for both to grow, as knowledge is shared on a spiritual level, and impurities will gradually be expelled from the Pledgers’ body, as more spirit water is absorbed during the act of sharing essence and lunar chakras. As this class grows, a small amount of Adherence will be generated slowly for the recipient of this pledged bond.

“I don’t get it. If people in love could get classes that easily, everyone would have them.”

“I don’t get it either.” Eri admitted. “Now I’m a Fae?”

“Yes, Eri, yooou are. After all, Hyacinth believes you could nooot share your lunar chakras were you not, at least in part.”

“I see. Well, I’m glad.” She accepted it easily, giggling. “Now I’m closer to you. I’m not particularly attached to being human. Does it matter? Shaeula, Hyacinth... they are all people to me.”

Hyacinth was touched, and started sniffling, while I leaned over and kissed Eri on the cheek. “Good girl. That’s exactly right. So it seems that it is the astral subtle body and lunar chakra that defines a Fae. So we are able mass-produce Fae it seems. I’m not sure if that’s problematic or not...”

“Well, who doesn’t want to be a long-lived, beautiful Faerie?” Eri giggled. “Besides, if I’m more charming, you’ll like me more, right?”

“Impossible, my love for you is already maxed out.” I grinned, kissing her again, and Hyacinth pouted.

“Akiooo, Eri, stop flirting! Hyacinth wants to know how I have improooved!”

“Sorry.” Eri smiled gently. “My bad. I’m curious too.”

“All right then... round two.” I said, reading out how Hyacinth had changed, to her shocked gasps.

“Hearing your stats and skills makes me understand how Aiko feels.” Eri sighed. “Even so, I’m happy for you.”

“Thank yooou Eri. You are kind tooo me.” Hyacinth sniffled, and Eri looked away, embarrassed. Still, this was Hyacinth’s moment, so we waited, as Hyacinth gathered her thoughts.

“Grey Fae? Noble? I dooo not understand that. Hyacinth is no noble.”

“Well, neither am I, right?” I smiled as I recalled our conversation mere moments ago. “But if I can be a Noble Fae by virtue of marriage and power, surely the same applies to you? After all...” I kissed her on the cheek now. “Wasn’t this our engagement vows?”

Hyacinth flushed, but nodded weakly, her mind racing, so I continued. “And as for Grey Fae... I like it better. And I think your new class explains it.”

Fae of Light or Fae of Darkness, all are the same under the light of the moon, the Fae lands eternally in Twilight. A Dweller in Twilight is neither of light nor darkness, but claims both. Oaths, Pledges, Weal and Woe, all are the same to such a Fae, who eschews concepts such as light and dark, doing as their will dictates. The abilities of both Fae and Dark Fae can be utilised, and Woe can be paid in ways other than pain and suffering. Charm and Majesty increase, as does League. Affinity to both darkness and light elements increases.

“I see.” Hyacinth muttered. “Sooo Hyacinth is no boggart nor brownie. I was right.”

“You were.” I grinned. “You are your own self, a self we love. So I can’t fix the past, but I can make sure your future is bright. After all, even twilight is light, right?” I kissed her cheek again, and she giggled.

“Akiooo is a bad man, seducing his servant like this.”

“He sure is.” Eri agreed. “Which is why I need you to balance Shaeula, as we agreed.”

“I will dooo it! Hyacinth does nooot want this happiness to ever go away!”

“Yeah, enough of your scheming. We still have a little to look at. Pledged One, we know what that does. And your lunar chakra is working again, which has strengthened your elemental abilities a lot. But Weal and Woe...”

Weal and Woe is an art of twisting Fate. Great blessings, the Weal, can be granted, the nature of these blessings depending on the nature of the wielder, and then the Woe must be paid, an equal or greater amount of suffering and harm. This is often paid by another. Should the Woe not be paid, Fate will backlash, snapping back into a proper course, inflicting three times the Woe upon the wielder, so the ability must be used with great care.

“But if you can pay the Woe other ways... that’s either going to be useless or great, right?” Eri asked, thinking.

“That’s right!” He agreed, falling into my trap.

“So, to that end, keep the mirror for now. It’ll be your training to have it filled up.” If I borrow the dagger of light, we can all use it to make light element for him to play with. For a mutated element, no amount of trouble is too much...

Eri gave me a look, knowing how valuable the mirror was, but my smile told her not to worry, so she merely leaned her head on my shoulder, as Ren-san looked at her and blushed. “Well, I’m a man, I can do it!” he said stoutly, and Eri rewarded him with a smile. Wicked woman, a Dark Temptress indeed. Still, as soon as we turned away towards Kana, I knew Eri had forgotten Ren-san already.

“So, how’s it going?” I asked Kana as she was surrounded by a halo of ruby energies.

“Not bad. Still, there’s a ways to go.” She snorted at Eri sourly. “So, how’s it feel, knowing you were last, Mori-senpai?”

“You can call me Eri. I think we understand each other better now.” Eri said. “And well, don’t the British say they save the best until last? I’ve heard auntie Emily say that plenty of times.” She was unruffled, secure in her happiness. “Well, I’ve grown stronger, which is all I wanted. And I have a new sister.”

“Really?” Kana was surprised.

“Yes, Hyacinth. She’s accepted Akio. She was so happy, it moved me. Normally I’d be upset and jealous, but... well, maybe I’m growing up.” She winked at me, and she was so beautiful at that moment we had to kiss.

“Doing that in front of me...” Kana muttered, red-faced.

“Why not? We are all friends here, right?” Eri smirked, touching her damp lips as we pulled apart. “You should have seen it, Kana-chan. The Fae way of making love is magical. I can’t wait to try it again.”

Okay, this is quite a strange conversation for Eri. It sounds like she’s taunting Kana, but... I don’t think it’s that.

“You do you.” Kana said. “I don’t think I need to hear about your love life.”

“Fine. Just remember... you don’t have forever, do you? Now, don’t you have school tomorrow?” Eri said cryptically, and Kana nodded.

“Yes, I wanted to master this first, but I guess there’s no rush.” Kana stood from her meditative pose, brushing off her shrine maiden hakama, before following us out, Ren-san joining us. We all gathered at the centre, where Ulfuric did his drills, and I thanked everyone for their hard work.

“From now on, there’ll be others joining us. You’ll have to guide them. I’ll do what I can, but I have many demands on my time.” I told everyone. “Still, I’ll at least give everyone personalised plans to work on, and if you get truly stuck, I’ll do my best to help.”

“I wish we could stay longer.” Motoko said. “But we have noble dignity to uphold. We cannot stay out all night and seem tired at school. As it is, we may struggle a little.”

“Miyu will cover for us.” Hinata laughed. “But we need to go. A kiss first though?” she grinned, face red, and I kissed her. She skipped away, letting Motoko and Natsumi have their turn.

“I’ll give that a miss.” Kazumi-san laughed. “But thanks. This has been fascinating, and seeing Hinata like this is something special.”

“I’ll pass too.” Kana said, and this time it was Eri that laughed, causing Kana to flush as red as Hinata had. “I’ll see you tomorrow, all right?”

Ren-san also said his goodbyes, returning to the Material in relief, and that just left Eri and Aiko from the human side. “You aren’t quitting yet, are you bro?” Aiko asked. “In that case, we might as well keep going. It’s not every day we get to blow school off with our parents’ permission , right Eri?”

“Yes. I’m tired, but I can go on.” Eri declared stoutly.

“Fine. You have come a long way. Be sure to thank Hinata for that later, right?”

“Of course we will bro. We have manners you know.” Aiko pouted. “So, what’s the plan now?”

“Well... for you, my dear sister. Aether Manipulation, Ether Healing and learning how to use aether in combat. You also need to study up on the wind element, as Ulfuric gave me some good advice on that.”

“Two elements huh? That’s hard, right?” Aiko asked, and Shaeula nodded.

“It is indeed quite-quite difficult. But I believe in you, Aiko, and we shall aid you where we can.” Shaeula promised, and Aiko sighed in relief.

“As for you, Eri. Uh... it might be worth taking you out to grind a few levels now your cap is decently higher. And since you are doing well with darkness at the moment, pushing through with that. And... learning Ether Healing too.”

“Bad luck, Eri. That sucks.” Aiko winced.

“Oh, I’ll be fine. If I have to be injured...” she looked at me, face pink, licking her lips. “... I can think of some ways it can even be fun.”

“Wow, lewd!” Aiko chortled, and everyone joined in on the laughter...

********

“So you do this all the time?” My sis asked, and I nodded.

“Yeah, well, obviously we have downtime. It’s not healthy otherwise, but when we train, we train hard. Still, you’ve impressed me sis. You’ve really tried your hardest.” I rubbed her head, and she stretched like a cat.

“Well of course. How can I not, when I see you and Eri putting in all that effort? I’m a team player, it’s like volleyball. I won’t be the lazy one to screw the team over.”

“That’s cute, Aiko.” Eri said, lowering her axe. She had been sparring against several weaselkin, and had actually won, despite her inferior weapon skills, due to her significantly higher stats. “But I believe in you. You can do it.”

Before Aiko could answer, Velna came rushing in, bowing to us. “Master, prince Shaeraggo has-has returned!”

Eri pulled a face at that, remembering, but Shaeula perked up, smiling. “So, has my useless brother managed to find-find what Akio requires?”

I extended my senses to my Territory, which now extended south to the bay, and out several hundred metres into the water, where... yes, that's water element. Good job Shaeraggo, I guess wanting to impress your sister is the best way to motivate you to be useful.

I was cut off from my answer just like Aiko was by Shaeraggo swaggering in proudly, his embarrassed wife Selensha behind him, looking apologetic. Yeah, she’s got it hard...

On seeing Shaeula, he smiled. “Sister, I have returned in triumph. This Territory now extends to the sea, and there is plentiful water element! I...” he paused them, green eyes going wide as he looked at my sister, who was idly playing with her bow.

“That... that was my bow. So you are the one it was for-for.” He muttered, and my sis shrugged.

“Yeah, so what? I have to say, it’s a nice bow, so... thanks, I guess?”

Thanks, I guess? That’s my little sis sapphire, as flippant as ever...