Chapter 261: What Have I done!!!!
"As you're aware,
The 1st Form involves the control of the elements,
while The 2nd Form focuses on channelling mana throughout every fibre of your body.
And finally, the 3rd Form is about merging with the elements.
Unlike other forms, achieving the 3rd Form is not as easy as others because it hinges on one's comprehension of the element they aspire to master it.
Remember my analogy: 'We are kidnapping the child (that is Mana) and nurturing it to think we are their parents'
The 3rd Form involves transforming the nurtured mana into a life form. For example..." Aadya lifted her hand.
"Cyclone Arts: 3rd Form"
/"Zephyr"/
A small wind swirling around her palm. After a moment, a peculiar sound echoed.
"Neigh"
With that, a small, horse-like creature with long white feather wings materialized, causing the air in the private arena to tremble.
Eli's eyes widened, and his first thought was, 'Mia would surely love to see it'.
Aadya, looking even more fatigued, after showing it for some time, dispelled the miniature horse and proceeded to explain,
"This is how you convert nurtured mana into a living form.
Importantly, it's not you who gives it shape and form. As I mentioned before, 'Mana itself is living' so the surrounding mana will determine the desired form"
As Aadya glanced at both Rize and Eli for questions.
Eli mused, 'So, Mana decides everything....ah?' recalling Aadya's previous statement about Mana guiding the world.
With no questions forthcoming, Aadya resumed her serious demeanour, stating,
"Once you comprehend the Mana and transform it into a living form.....you'll form a contract with that being".
"A contract?" Eli raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, once the mana takes on a living form, it becomes self-conscious and inevitably and forcibly forms a contract with its owner.
The contract stipulates that if it dies, you will die and vice versa. It's a fundamental aspect of the contract established by every Mana Breathing user" Aadya said seriously.
"Hmm... is that contract formed by Mana or the living form?" Rize inquired with a stern face.
"I presume it's formed by Mana, as there's no clear evidence whether the living form or Mana establishes the contract.....However, I still have some thoughts about it. Since we're essentially 'kidnapping' surrounding mana, it might be plausible that Mana wants us to take responsibility for disrupting the natural order" Aadya pondered with a thoughtful expression.
Rize nodded in understanding.
"Any doubts?" Aadya asked once more. Seeing no inquiries, she continued, "Eli, you've already used the 3rd form, right?"
"Yes"
"Then focus on the element and try to convey your intense feelings. Attempt to communicate with it. It may take some time, but avoid summoning it, as your body isn't prepared to handle a substantial amount of mana"
"Hmmm....I..."
"Yes?"
"Could I also learn Advanced arts?" Eli inquired with a curious gaze. His body wasn't ready for certain aspects, but he wondered if there were other things he could learn in the meantime.
"Well...." Aadya disclosed the details to Eli without sugarcoating the challenges he might face.
Simply put,
Due to his Frost Phoenix bloodline, he could potentially master Advanced arts, specifically the basic Ice flames even if the bloodline wasn't fully awakened.
However,
There was no guarantee that he could fully master Ice Flames beyond the base level, and the possibility of never reaching full mastery loomed.
Eli sighed, realizing that by attempting to learn Advanced arts, he might be stuck to the 1st form forever.
"Then—" Eli was about to voice his thoughts with an enthusiastic smile when Aadya sternly interrupted him.
"I know what you're thinking. However, I won't recommend it.....because mastering the 3rd Form for more than one element is a total disaster. You cannot focus on one thing" Aadya cautioned.
'Tsk' Eli clicked his tongue in frustration, he just thought that mastering the 3rd Form for every element simultaneously might be more beneficial to him.
"Don't 'tsk' You idiot. It's for your own good. Even in the past, only three elements were mastered into the 3rd Form" Aadya rebuked Eli's attitude.
Taken aback by Aadya's words, Eli couldn't help but tease her, "Then Miracle Teach, tell me how many you've mastered?"
Aadya responded with a smug smile, holding up two fingers. "I've mastered two elements and am on the verge of mastering the third one"
"Tsk"
"Hehehe..." Aadya giggled before turning her attention to Rize.
"Rize, from today onwards, focus on the 3rd form of your Blood Art. Attempt to summon the Living form if possible, as your body can now withstand the mana threshold".
Rize nodded and sat down, closing her eyes. Before doing so, she cast a glance at Eli, who was also seated.
"Okay, both of you, breathe calmly. After a few seconds, use your arts to breathe and then channel the mana to every fibre....Slowly enter the blank state and try to communicate with the nurtured mana inside your body..." Aadya instructed, guiding her two students.
After an hour or so,
"sshhsshhhhshshshshshssss"
A hushed sound filled the room, causing both Eli and Aadya to fix their gaze on Rize. A bloodthirsty aura emanated from her, and blood particles swirled around as the unmistakable scent of blood permeated the air.
"sshhhh...."
Then, after a second, it died out as abruptly as if it never happened.
Rize slowly opened her eyes and found Aadya and Eli staring at her with surprised expressions.
"Did I summon it?" Rize asked, scanning the surroundings for any signs of a manifested creature.
"I can't say you summoned it... however, you came incredibly close" Aadya said, a small smile playing on her lips as she observed the effort put forth by her student.
Rize nodded and stood up. She noticed Eli giving her a thumbs-up with a small smile, and she reciprocated the gesture.
Aadya raised her eyebrows, observing Rize and Eli playfully conversing...Her lips twitched, hinting at some unspoken thoughts.
"Anyhow, did you manage to communicate with it?" Aadya inquired sternly.
"No" Rize shook her head.
"Hmm... I see. It seems you might need to inhale more mana... hmm..." Aadya pondered for a moment before advising, "It might be possible that Dark mana is scarce here, so it didn't respond as expected. Let's try it in the Fallen continent...." After offering her guidance, Aadya watched as, within a few minutes, Rize left for her other classes.
"Well, then I am going, Eli" Aadya announced as she prepared to leave. However, Eli had other plans.
"Teach, come here!" Eli called out, patting his lap before settling into a seated position.
"?" Aadya raised her eyebrows, puzzled by Eli's unexpected request.
"What?"
"Just come here, teach" Eli beckoned.
"Hmm?..." Aadya approached slowly, questioning, "What?"
Instead of responding, Eli took her hand and pulled her towards him. Aadya stumbled, caught off guard.
"W-What?" Aadya, with a disoriented glance, looked at Eli, her expression one of bewilderment.
Ignoring her confusion, Eli gently placed her head on his lap and said softly, "I guess you've been working tirelessly" as he began to massage her head.
Feeling the soothing massage, Aadya momentarily lowered her guard. After a second, she protested,
"S-Stop!! I-Ia...."
"It's fine, teach. Close your eyes" Eli sweetly whispered as he continued massaging her temples.
Aadya, initially resistant, finally succumbed to the warmth and relaxation. Her tired eyes closed, and before she knew it...
'zzzzzzzz'
She had fallen asleep.
"She was really tired... ah?" Eli muttered as he observed her sleeping form...she fell asleep within a minute. Slowly, he removed her spectacles.
"I guess being a teacher is a tough job" Eli thought, gently rubbing her nose bridge, under the eyelids, between the eyebrows, and near the ears.
"Hmmm"
His soft and gentle touch caused Aadya to groan in relief, and her body gradually loosened its stiffness.
After some hours,
"~Hmmm~"
Aadya moaned as she twisted her body, her eyes fluttering open.....only to find Eli's sleeping face hovering above her.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and although she initially wanted to move from his lap, seeing his peaceful sleepiness up close made her hesitate.
"Hehe... you look different when you are sleeping" Aadya muttered with a rare, contented smile, something Eli or anyone else had never seen before.
She had been tirelessly working without taking a break for the past few days.....Her head throbbed with pain, and she yearned for some rest after this class. Thanks to Eli's unexpected massage, she slept soundly on his lap, and now her pain and fatigue had significantly diminished.
Though Eli's actions might raise eyebrows, Aadya trusted him. She didn't feel the need to check her body, as she believed he wouldn't stoop to inappropriate behaviour. This trust was rooted in her constant sta--ahem Watching.
She pondered why her father, known as 'Rock,' had chosen him as her partner. Despite being younger than her and a ruthless provocateur. Rock had decided to do anything to secure the marriage. However, Aadya understood that, ultimately, the decision rested with her.
Yes, she was the girl that Rock had been talking about.
Aadya gazed at Eli's peaceful sleeping face.
Initially sceptical of Eli's intentions, thinking he might be another privileged individual, but....she had come to realize that he was different.
He was sometimes naive, and sometimes an idiot, however, he had certain qualities like training relentlessly, showing a commitment to self-improvement, always displaying curiosity, and always.... flirting with women.
Recalling how he casually flirted with every woman without care, Aadya remembered the time she saw Eli kissing Scylla passionately in the bench area. Initially taken aback, she had thought he might be forcing himself on other women. However, spending time with him revealed that it wasn't Eli who was forcing them; rather, other women were the ones seducing him!!!
No matter how much she tried to avoid the truth, she had been drawn to this man whether his strength to control the situation or true to hold his promises.
The way he calls only her teasingly 'Teach' made her stomach flutter, she never saw him calling other female professors 'Teach'....She felt little closeness.
She really wanted to more about him, however, Teacher-Student relationship.....she was a little worried about how society would react because her father was more famous than HeadMaster..... Popular people were the ones being watched by every individual, so she had to make sure to maintain a certain distance from Eli.
If he was not a student she would have already jumped into his arms when he safely came out from the Dungeon.
As she looked at his firm lips, Aadya unconsciously lifted her head.
"~ha~"
Her breath hitched as a faint red hue appeared on her cheeks. She was always a curious child, she never had any childhood crush or any other boyfriend, so the first time her father accepted a man in a single day without investigating his background and when she asked why 'Eli', all he replied was,
/"He is good kid, He is just like me wandering without a soul"/
She didn't understand what he meant however she was sure that compared to before Eli now felt more alive and real....and also a more daring pervert.
Aadya vividly recalled Scylla and Eli's deep and passionate kiss, wondering how it would feel.
Her lips were about to grace against his before swiftly retreating, leaving her with a flushed and panicked expression.
'What Have I done!!!!' She screamed inwardly as she teleported away, leaving Eli alone in the private arena.
"Oh, Oh... OHH!" Eli murmured, his eyes opening with an amused smile, his expression reflecting a mix of surprise and amusement.