Azure produced various degrees of grumbling noises, her steps carrying her briskly outside the headmaster's office. While she had expected to get chewed out again, it did not happen.
Instead, both the headmaster and Professor Mia were merely worried about what had happened with Ilya. "I hoped never to meet that woman."
She briskly made her way through the mostly empty courtyard and into her room, before retrieving her sword and making her way toward the academy courtyard.
How are Ilya and Hikari both blessed children? She wanted to laugh, yet she held it in.
The stark difference between Ilya's arrogance and Hikari's seemingly kind nature was that of night and day.
"Night and day… fitting."
Her fingers dragged over her throat, which had just recently been threatened with a sharp blade.
Nothing compared to Aqua's weapons, of course.
However, despite the fact that even if Ilya had killed her, she would have resurrected, and Aqua would have made the woman regret her decisions, yet it did not sit well with her that there were people so much stronger than her just walking around.
Her training needed to be redoubled.
Fang's technique got slapped away as if it were child's play. She grumbled. It took her weeks to get to the level she could comfortably use it, yet it was nothing when compared to Ilya's mastery.
She had tapped into Aether and the Shadow techniques, there was one more power she had not used.
The acid, given to her by Laleyn.
She had avoided using it due to Aqua; however, she could not let herself be a burden to her fiancé.
While taking the full blessing was out of the question, just using the acidic element to augment her already existing power was something she would allow herself to do.
If Ilya can create her own shadow techniques, then so can I!
While by no means could she be compared to her Aqua, she was the martial champion who had a firm grasp on the basics of melee combat.
She grinned. "If I can use Mortal's Hope with both Shadows and Argussian Acid."
She quickly made her way toward the area where the physical portion of the entrance exams was held. It was now empty, which was perfect for her.
However, she had not come to an empty field merely to swing her sword. If she truly wished to master her acid, then she would need the help of her patron, despite the possibility of her beloved's protests.
She got onto her knees and clasped her hands together.
Hikari did say that for a greater blessed child, communing with their patron is a second nature.
She closed her eyes, and her mind plunged into darkness.
Lady Laleyn, it is me, Azure. I have come seeking your assistance.
Her words disappeared into the void, and no response came.
Do I need to say a prayer? Her tongue clicked.
Aqua would be mad at her if she had done so, yet an internal conflict boiled within her. Her fiancé being mad at her was something she did not wish to ever experience and on the other this was one of the few ways for her to get stronger.
However, it did not take long for her vision to change and for her to find herself in the middle of the midnight lake she had visited before.
Her eyes scanned her surroundings.
"Where is Laleyn?" She asked herself.
A moment passed, and she failed to see her goddess, however, soon she was toppled from behind her, and the weight of the goddess pressed on her.
"My Azure! You came to me on your own! Finally!" Laleyn squealed, rubbing her face into Azure's back.
She wanted to resist, yet it would have been unnecessary. It was good to allow someone to indulge in their affections.
After a moment of divine affection, Laleyn teleported some distance away and gazed at Azure.
Laleyn suppressed her smile and coughed into her hand. "I cannot tell you how happy I am that you decided to visit me. My Chosen. Tell me, what is it that you wish to ask your goddess?" She spoke chiperly.
The goddess spread her arms, and a faint divine glow emanated from her form.
Why does she look kind of cute when trying to look majestic?
Azure let out a chuckle, "I have come here to ask for help. I am far too weak and I wish to master the argussian acid."
In the blink of an eye, Laleyn appeared in front of Azure, her fingers pinching her chin. "So you finally wish to embrace the beauty of Argus, and to throw away your elven form?" A grin formed on her face.
"No, I wish to remain an elf," She replied.
"Is that so…" Laleyn sighed. "You will never truly master the Divine Acid if you cling to your flawed form."
"Maybe, but I only need to be strong enough not to easily lose against other Blessed Children, my lady."
Laleyn circled around her, each step making the lake ripple. After a moment she stopped and grabbed Azure's hand, her eyes glued to the ring.
"Gift from the devourer?"
Azure pulled her hand back. "That is a gift from Aqua, we are engaged now!" She exclaimed proudly.
Laleyn tilted her head. "I see… but it is suppressing your blessing and divinity. It is weakening you."
Wait. She lifted her ring in front of her eyes. "What do you mean?"
The goddess grit her teeth. "That artifact suppressed your divinity, your blessing won't grow as long as you wear it," She said with a shaky voice.
So Aqua made sure the blessing doesn't overgrow while she is away, so functional!
"I do not like that you are happy about not letting my blessing grow… but that is fine, your happiness is important to me, and it seems it is indeed making you happy."
Azure nodded. Aqua had made her the happiest woman in the world, even if she could not get the full benefit of being a more blessed child, then it was a worthy sacrifice.
The goddess pouted. "Fine, Fine. You really don't want to use your beautiful Argussian form," She said, turning her back toward Azu, "Despite me making sure it's the apex of all Arguses."
The scene before her was surreal, a goddess of unfathomable power was sulking like a child. If Aqua sees her like this, there is no way she could hate her.
Azure smiled and rushed to hug the goddess.
"Azu?"
"I am really happy that you offered your blessing to me, when my darkest hour was approaching, you were the first to grant me the power, in your own way at least. I appreciate it, even if I do not want to use that form."
Her Lady's fingers dug into her forearm. "Thank you, Azu. You are my favoured child, it means a lot to me that you accepted me when most would be afraid."
"Despite what the world says, you are a kind goddess. Even I was terrified, but now that I know you, it is completely different. You are adorable! I am proud to be your blessed child."
Laleyn's eyes widened.
The moment the words left her mouth, she felt the divinity surge within her, despite the ring's suppression, the amount of power she had been granted gave her an orgasmic sensation.
"My Lady?"
The goddess teleported away from her grip and hid her face between her knees. "Just accept it, if that ring is suppressing you to a level where someone might think you are not my favourite, then I will grant you power that will make it clear, even while dampened. You are my favorite." She said, her face turning red.
Azure looked at her palms. She felt much lighter and stronger, a similar sensation to when she had first been granted the blessing.
"Thank you, Lady Laleyn."
"Do not mention it," She said, rising to her feet and turning to Azure. "I will teach you how to use that acid even without the Argus form. I won't allow anyone else to defeat you easily."
Azure crossed her arms and stared at Laleyn, who still refused to make eye contact with her. "You are cute."
"Stop," The 'terrifying' goddess spoke meekly.
Azure grinned, "What, I am just telling you the truth."
Seems Sheira is rubbing off on me. She chuckled.
"Do not forget, the techniques I teach you will always be stronger in the Argus form. I won't force it upon you, but if you ever need it, you know what to do."
Azure nodded. "Does that mean my skin won't turn into Argus hide anymore?"
"It won't. I wanted you to slowly get acclimated to being an Argus, but the Devourer made it impossible. However, I have modified it so that you can remain flawed and switch into Argus at will," Laleyn said with a smile on her face. "It's wrong to call you flawed, actually. Even if you aren't one of my monsters, you are still my beloved, blessed daughter."
Azure rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mom. I understand."
A chuckle escaped Laleyn's lips as she approached. She placed her finger on Azure's forehead. "Open your mind to me, I will teach you all the techniques of the Argus, and even some of my own as a bonus~."
Azure closed her eyes, her mind empty of all distractions.