"That really is difficult…" A bead of sweat ran down Sheira's forehead as the final minute elapsed. She had to repeat the exercise seven times before she was finally able to hold the spell for 15 minutes.
Each failed attempt made it easier, while at the beginning it was nearly impossible to go above a minute, the next made it easier to hold for two, then three, and so on. Azure took four more attempts, but in the end, she was successful.
After all, despite being lesser compared to Sheira, she still was a prodigy. Aqua couldn't have been happier. It was the first time she had the opportunity to teach someone instead of being taught herself. It filled her with pride, which she hid with a soft smile.
"You two are magnificent. I couldn't be happier with your progress. Most would take days to maintain the spell for this duration. You truly are worth teaching." Aqua took a step forward. Azure scratched her cheek shyly, "Thanks…"
"Of course! We have an amazing teacher, who is also my mommy! T'is only natural we pick up the magic quickly!" Sheira grinned with an annoyingly smug expression. An expression that Aqua did not mind, after all, one needed to take pride in their accomplishments.
Despite her smug expression, Sheira was in fact squirming inside. She wished to explode into dance and joy; however, she had to look dignified. If she had started celebrating her first-ever spell, she would have lost all leverage when teasing Azure.
"Lady Aq-" Before words could leave Azure's mouth, she found Aqua's fingers on her lips. "Drop the lady. For you girls, I am Aqua. Just Aqua without any honorifics."
Azure giggled, "Sure, Aqua. Is it possible to teach me any magic to empower my physical abilities? While having spells is useful, I still prefer my blade."
Aqua tilted her head while she hummed, "Yes, I have a couple that won't be too difficult for you. They are quite simple and easy."
Azure's ears shot up in excitement. "Would you teach me? Please!"
Sheira placed her palm on her head. "Aqua said we only had time for one. You will have time to hang out with your heroine when we land."
"Sheira is right, we should be passing into the Elven Kingdom in mere minutes. Once we arrive and settle, I will teach you. I will go to the console and reduce the speed, enjoy the rest of the trip." She waved the elven duo off before she climbed up to the helm.
"Thanks so much, Aqua! I will eagerly await." Yet despite her joy, she had a solemn expression on her face.
Sheira placed her hand over Azure's shoulders, "I know you are worried about the failure, but don't worry! I will make sure they aren't too harsh." She glanced at Aqua, "For their own good."
"Thanks, Sheira, you were always a good friend."
"I know~ Also, I am really unsure if we should tell my father about Aqua's powers. They would definitely try to rope her into their political clown show. She looks like someone who just wishes to live her own life." Sheira frowned.
Azure's eyes wandered to now distant Aqua, her eyes glistered in admiration. "She really does… She truly is amazing. I don't want our rulers to use her for their own good…"
"If she agrees, we could just lie and say she was one of the elves we hired in Red Dawn. That way, I could hire her as my permanent attendant, which means you would be able to spend all the time you want with her!"
"Really?"
"Azure, I might have been useless and powerless until now, but I could always read people. And you…" She booped Azure's nose, "You're an open book. Aqua might be a little thick, but I can tell you REALLY like her."
Sheira placed her hands behind her back as she leaned forward.
"So, as a good friend, I will convince Father she was just my attendant and not a hero who allowed us to return safely. As long as she approves, of course, someone as powerful as her has no reason to pretend to be subservient."
"I know you would rather her be superior to you, considering how much you want her to step on you~" Sheira pointed her two index fingers towards Azure as she winked.
"SHEIRA!" With a giggle, she wrapped her hands around her friend's neck and rubbed her hair roughly.
"I am so glad you are alive…" Sheira's muffled voice escaped her covered mouth.
"You don't even realise how much of a heart attack I went through when I noticed you were missing. If it wasn't for Aqua, I would have literally ended myself before even realising what happened."
Sheira tilted her head as Azure released her from the grip, "You know I wouldn't want that? Well, I guess I have another reason to be thankful to Aqua."
Azure sighed heavily. They would arrive at the capital soon, and if she knew the nobility and royals, they would most certainly try and use Aqua for their own gain.
"Maybe we should hide her power, but I really want her to get credit for saving us… I would feel horrible if she were not appreciated as much as she deserves." Azure's ears slumped.
"You could appreciate her in your roo-" Azure smacked the girl once again. "Stop ruining the moment!" Azure smacked the girl once again.
"Sorry~ I just want to distract you a little." She rubbed her head as a small tear was forced out of her eye.
With a sigh, she answered, "I know, and I am not mad…"
Sheira leaned back and smiled smugly, "Now… how excited would you be to see Aqua in a maid uniform?"
In an instant, Azure's face turned as red as a tomato. "That answers it. I will see if she is willing to do it as a way to avoid being pulled into our politics~"
"I doubt she would even let them think they can do it. But… I want to spare her unnecessary headaches. She did so much for us already, and we are basically useless to her. Mere luggage."
"Azure… you are really blind when it comes to people." Sheira sighed as she placed her hands on her hips; her eyes gazed into the sky. "Do you see how relaxed she becomes when she speaks to us, while she hides it, I can tell she enjoys our presence."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I am a princess, I am good with people even if my powers were much to be desired. She enjoys our presence, and I can tell she enjoys yours even more! She is hard to read, but I can tell that I am right."
"I would be very happy if it were so… I want to get to know her."
"I know~ but be careful, she feels rather fragile, especially when it concerns the old world she mentioned. If I were you, I would avoid mentioning it when you are trying to seduce her."
"Seduce?! Sheira, c'mon!" Azure reeled back.
"Joking, but I liked her too, BUT I abandoned my pursuit because my dearest friend likes her too. So you better not fumble, I will do all in my power to make you end up together."
Azure looked down at the floor, her face was red and ears slumped, "Thanks…"
"No need, I think you two would look great together! Anyway, she already told me I am like her daughter. It would be weird if I tried to get together with her, even if it seems rather interesting to try." She stopped for a moment, she tilted her head and tapped her cheek, "Does that make you my mommy too~"
"SHEIRA!"
"Yes, I am Sheira." She grinned.
After a moment of silence, the ship slowed down drastically. Instead of moving multiple times the speed of sound, they flew at a leisurely pace.
The girls were startled but quickly regained composure as they noticed a certain redhead approaching, "Honestly… this ship is amazing. It took us less than 4 hours to get back to the Kingdom."
Aqua stepped forward and turned to the elven duo, "We are very close. I suggest disembarking and proceeding with a more local mode of transport. I wish to avoid panic." Aqua crossed her arms. "Considering how amazed you two were with Endurance, I would like to refrain from showing it to the curious eyes."
"I agree, we don't want to have the entire military mobilized after Aqua's Airship. There is a village nearby that we can get a carriage from.", Sheira nodded before she clapped her hands together, "I had an idea of how to make the kingdom not attempt to pull you into their stupid political games!"
Aqua tilted her head slightly, "How?"
"Would you be willing to play the role of my attendant? We can hide your power, but still give you credit for getting us out of Red Dawn. I really do not want them to try and rope you into their stupid games, it's the least I can do for you."
What brought this on? Aqua thought for a moment, Is she trying to make me her servant? No, it does not seem like so. Is it truly to spare me all the politics? I would really appreciate that.
Many thoughts played within her head before she finally exhaled. I guess it's fine, I am not really bound to them anyway.
"Sheira, that's very considerate." Aqua hummed. "That plan is prudent, I will act as such; however, if anyone tries to take advantage of me…" Aqua's face gained a frown. "I will turn them into ashes; nobody will ever exploit me again. Even if it's your own family."
Sheira and Azure shrank back as heat threatened to crush them. "I promise, Aqua. I don't expect you to fulfill usual attendant duties or anything. This is just a way to avoid the headache and violence of them trying to take advantage of our heroine." Her lips widened into the usual smug smile.
Aqua nodded, "I don't see an issue as long as they do not attempt anything."
Sheira clapped her hands. "Excellent! Let's disembark. The city should be a 2-hour walk from here! Or shorter if we get a carriage!" Sheira smiled as she made her way toward other passengers.