Chapter 8 Magus, The First Step II

"I see… that's reassuring, I need to learn ways to increase my strength faster" he sighed in resignation, she approached and kissed his cheek lovingly.

"Don't worry, there are many ways around~ I can't wait to see what kind of champion you will become" there was a thrill in her voice, perhaps she couldn't wait to boast her champion to the community goddesses.

"I love that you're so enthusiastic about me." so far he didn't know anything about magic, even if she asserted that he has high potential.

"I believe you, perhaps you will become a higher god without me even noticing, and leave me aside… or you will find your wives and forget me." She pouted and crossed her arms beneath her supple chest, he smirked.

"That's not going to happen, even if I became a higher god or whatever, then… the roles would have reversed." With a swift motion, he pulled her in his arms and took a hold of that fleshy globe once again, moistened still with the slim fabric of her translucent dress.

"Hmn~" She moaned and rested her entire weight on him, blushing profusely, her body had yet to get used to this feeling.

"Perhaps by then… you will have to do whatever I say." He asserted with confidence and a little dominance in his voice, as far as he is concerned, this little goddess is already his, they just need some more time together.

'I need more time to come to terms with this new life.' there were several things, his wives, his children and grandchildren that he would not see again, his empire... everything changed too suddenly, thankfully, there was an Aurelianne here, waiting for him and making everything easier.

"Ahn~ I-I can do whatever you say now." She smiled and said submissively, much to his surprise, that she had no intention whatsoever of taking away control.

"If that's the case-" His innards ragged, but she pressed a finger against his lips coquettishly.

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"But let's leave that conversation for later and focus, alright?~ I want you to be a magus soon just so I know you will be okay once you leave." It would give her all the reassurance she needed.

"You're making it hard for me to resist, just by being here."

"I'm glad you're infatuated with me, the feeling is mutual~"

The two of them separated reluctantly, increasing the tension yet again at the stake of training.

"How can I begin training with water? and what does the ether word mean… in regards to my core, a classification?" He sat cross-legged while sitting regally, waving her hand and having the day in the realm turn even brighter.

"The ether means that you have one of the most powerful types of cores, one focused mainly on output, the strength with which spells are thrown, it is a quite difficult core to restrain and having four… hehe~, here sit… it is better to explain with actions" she leads him to sit beside her on the ledge of the river.

He followed her instructions and both felt once again the water coursing through their legs.

"You know how a river flows, right?" She asked.

"Yes, through the cause from the higher terrain, to the sea." It was simple and she nodded in return.

"Such is magic as well, it flows from the highest point of your body, your mind... towards your chest and then outwards through your conducts... out to the world, it is a medium an instrument to alter reality and bend it to your will, force it to submission." Her hand moved and the water started to flow around them, drawing the picture of a floating river with water fish and creatures floating around them, it was beautiful and she controlled it so regally as if it wasn't difficult at all.

"The first step is to make it happen on your mind, as naturally as thinking of tasting the muffin I prepared for you~" She gave a simple example that slanted a chuckle out of him, her creativity is simply too much.

"Think…" He closed his eyes, it was a simple exercise.

For several seconds he imagined until her voice flowed once again.

"The next step is to feel the magic in your core, touch his part of your chest" She signalled her sternum between her two lumps, and the other went to her head.

"Inside this bone, the core extends through the conducts and reaches the brain… using your mind is the most effective way to draw the magic out of your core." She explained, but her words rendered him to frown and regard her with a gaze that made her question what thoughts were coursing through.

She could have never expected them, but such are the thoughts of the ones that have lurked through the darkest shadows.

"You say that the rates of people having a magic core aren't big... can this core be transplanted from one individual to another, by surgery or any other method?"

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"T-That..." She never expected him to ask this question, and the coldness with which he asked it... they rendered her speechless, it is not some sort of taboo, obviously someone has already tested this before, but... for him to be introduced to this concept and think about this straight away.

It spoke stories about his mind.

"Sorry if I sounded too blunt..." He noticed her discomfort, obviously this wasn't a nice topic to touch upon.

"N-No... it is okay... yes, it can be done but only under special methods, usually, a core is only compatible with a unique brain and even the conducts... hence in order to pull this out, the entire brain and magic system would usually need to be transplanted; a very taxing process that is often not as fruitful, it also would then render questions about identity and the sort... it is not a good practice, sometimes performed by witches and demons... the dirtiest of humans and the dirtiest of existence..."

She spoke with utter disgust and he could agree with her tonality; sometimes it would be done to save lives... some other times... to plunder what belongs to the other.

"Sorry, it wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable, I only desired to know, for future reference..." He smiled and caressed her hand.

"Let's continue" He began his practice yet again, but for some time she only looked at him with a sad expression before continuing her lecture.

"I want you to think of something simple, being able to manipulate the elements doesn't necessarily mean you are already a magus… think about a water drop or two drops, as many as necessary until you form something you can play with, it can't be too small as it will make it difficult and also, not too big, could you do that for me?"

"Of course… just think about it, right?"

She nodded and he went into it.

"To be precise, get a cup of water in your hand and after that, think that it is raising into the air… see with your mind that the water drops you have in them are raising up." The goddess delivered a better explanation than he portrayed within his mind.

After getting a handful of that transparent lukewarm water; he imagined it rising up into the air, something impossible by his standards, nothing happened at first.

"Remember, several water drops at a time, until you find what you can play with... also, have faith that it will raise up~" She added, now in a better mood after feeling the magic coursing through his body.

Once again he nodded and applied what she said, imagine his surprise when three water drops started to raise up.

It was so exhilarating that the image slip off his mind!

'My gods… I did magic.' His hands shivered.

"You did it! As expected of my genius champion!" She threw herself at him and delivered a rain of proud kisses, she expected him to do it quickly, but not in merely the second try.

"You know if you spoil me so much, I'm going to be mediocre." He held her and sighed as they lay on the grass, she rubbed her head against him repeatedly.

"Hehe~ I don't care, I'll spoil you lots~ what you did... most individuals take a week or so to do it even when they have been in contact with magic their entire lives, their faith is greater than yours… but it must be because of your mana cores, the next time you do it… you should brace." They raised up and he tried to do it again according to her instructions; she smirked evilly with expectations.

He did precisely that, wanting to hold the drops floating for longer, but it didn't go as expected!

*SPLASH!*

"Hehe~!"

The water shot like a bullet straight into his face and she giggled slanting a groan from him.

"Remember… Ether cores have a berserk attribute to them… they draw out too much mana but in exchange, explosive output… you have to learn to control it, otherwise, with fire magic… you may burn an entire forest mistakenly... or with earth magic, you might cause an earthquake but then be left out empty."

The Goddess warned, four ether cores is something she has never seen before.

She couldn't begin to imagine what kind of output he'd obtain after practising the greater spells.

Constantine regarded his wet hands in awe, he never thought he'd ever experience being too strong to not be able to control himself; his greater skill aside from flirting, swordsmanship was a polished ability that took him too long to learn, struggle and discipline... this time with magic it seems that it is going to be different.