Flowers began to bud and young saplings emerged out of the thawed soil, marking the beginning of spring. The people of Elsyrium, the capital city of the Coronamars Empire, busied themselves with their daily activities. The economy was booming thanks to resource harvesting and flourishing trade.
"As we welcome the spring, we also welcome a new batch of students to the prestigious Nobilitas Academy!" An old man with a powerful voice addressed the crowd of eleven- and twelve-year-old students. Despite being in his sixties, the principal of the academy still boasted a strong body, honed through decades of martial arts training. "Here, where knowledge congregates, you will have the opportunity to further refine your skills! Whether in academics, the trades, or martial arts, our teachers and abundant resources will help you succeed! However, if you choose to waste your time here, then you are more than welcome to leave!"
The students' faces hardened with determination and resolve. Those present in the hall were the sons and daughters of noble houses who had proven themselves capable enough to pass the brutal entrance examinations. However, all of that meant nothing to the academy staff, for if they proved incompetent during their time in the academy, they could be expelled.
"Hmph! It seems that all of you have shown your mettle! Once again, we welcome you to Nobilitas Academy!" As the speech concluded, the principal stepped down from the platform and allowed the staff to take over.
The new students were led to their assigned classes according to their chosen curricula. Despite it being the first day, the lessons began in earnest.
"Teacher, I have reviewed the paper written by the First Duke of Alraafa from the southern region." Alfina approached her lecturer and handed over a scroll. "I have written my thoughts and opinions on it, so please take some time to assess my work. Incidentally, I also have a question."
"Lady Alfina, as expected of the heir of the Sultier Earl House. You are truly head and shoulders above your peers." The teacher, a third-born son of a Marquis family who had passed the brutal ministerial exams and became a member of Parliament at the age of twenty-eight, was duly impressed. "You have a question regarding the research on magic conducted by the First Duke Alraafa? Please, go ahead."
"After the region of Kemet came under the rule of the Cor Kingdom, the progenitor of the Empire, the study of magic slowed down due to the emphasis on military technology, especially metallurgy. However, Duke Alraafa focused his efforts on magic research, categorising it into five groups: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind and Healing."
"Indeed, while most invested in weapons, armour and warhorses, he alone had the great vision to focus on magic. I do not blame the others, though, since magicians were extremely rare, and even fewer were capable of performing offensive spells. The chants were long, and the results were inconsistent."
"That is, until the First Duke of Alraafa gave structure to it."
"Hmm. By categorising them into the five types, he provided magicians with a proper template for chanting, allowing for better visualisation."
"The template that we still use today: the element first followed by the individual's descriptive image and finally, the name of the spell." Looking at her own palm, Alfina paced away from the teacher. "However, magicians are limited by their affinity and mana capacity. The First Duke never considered that. Additionally, the system has confined the way magic is performed, as anything beyond the five elements is not recognised as magic."
"Magicians with affinities beyond the original five were practically nonexistent, so one cannot blame him for that. In fact, someone like lady Rosa, who can use lightning magic, is still rare in this day and age."
"Perhaps, because people associate lightning as something divine, but there is no excuse for ice magic."
"A subset of water magic. There is nothing more to explain, is there?"
"... What if it is a combination instead? Fire is destructive, wind increases mobility, earth strengthens defense while water can do all, albeit with less efficacy. This way of thinking has been ingrained in the minds of many for centuries, but no one tried combining them?"
The lecturer leaned back on his wooden chair. "That is because no one has succeeded."
"Aria did it." Alfina turned towards the lecturer, pacing slowly with measured steps. "She combined fire and air to create lightning, and air and water to make ice. If Aria has already proven otherwise, should we continue to bind ourselves to a system established over a thousand years ago?"
"Miss Aria is the Chosen One, the Blessed One. There is no way a mere mortal can compare to her."
"What if I succeed?"
"You bear the Mark of Angelos. It will only reinforce my point." Standing up, the lecturer poured water from a jug into a porcelain cup and strode towards Alfina. "Look, I know you are trying to prove yourself, trying not to be outdone by your 'blessed' sister, but you need to face the reality that you are not the one Lord Flare has chosen. It is unfortunate that the truly gifted one was driven away, because history might have been different had Miss Aria stayed with House Sultier. Ah, I do not mean to diminish your talent, for I consider you exceptionally gifted."
Watching the cup of water being handed to her, Alfina balled up her fists and glared at the lecturer as he looked down at her. "... We are done here."
"Jealousy is quite unbecoming of a noble." The lecturer quietly drank from the cup as he watched Alfina stalk out of the classroom before returning to his book.
The day was coming to a close as the sun touched the horizon. Alfina returned to her carriage and headed back to the Sultier estate. She had borrowed piles of books and scrolls from the library and was diligently absorbing the contents despite her lingering frustration.
"Welcome back... From your expression, it seems that something has happened in the academy." Aria handed a cup of water to Alfina. Alfina stared at the cup briefly before accepting it and draining it in one long gulp.
"I thought, because he is younger than the other lecturers, he would be able to see my point. That was naive of me. I am clearly wasting my time in that academy."
"I think you are probably the only one who would say that. Your mother's strict education seems to be paying off here, and on top of it, you are level five in both fire and water magic."
"Yet, it means nothing in front of you, the Blessed One. All the power and knowledge bestowed upon you is worth more than a hundred of mine." Alfina saw her maids carrying the stacks of books and scrolls into the mansion and instructed them to place the items in the study room. "I have brought some study materials that might be useful."
"Thanks, I will be sure to study them earnestly."
"You had better be. It was a pain to sort through the thousands of books and scrolls in the academy library." Alfina hesitated for a moment. "If you do not mind, I can help you catch up on all of it."
"... I will be in your care, sister." Feeling a little fuzzy, Aria inadvertently smiled.
"Pardon the intrusion!" Stepping into the mansion with elegance, Lilium greeted both Alfina and Aria with a gentle smile while the servants were surprised by the sudden arrival of the imperial princess. "All of you, please, be at ease. I am here as a friend of both sisters, not as a princess."
"Your Highness, what brought you here? Please come inside, and pardon the mess as I have brought in a large amount of study materials."
"I do not mind at all. I presume these are for your sister? That is really sweet of you." Lilium beamed with a gentle gaze that made Alfina blush.
"Now then, I do have some things that I would like to discuss with the two of you, so let us-"
"Pardon the intrusion! I am not late this time!" Marion burst in with a lot of energy. "Ah, Your Highness, you are the first. Well, I guess it is natural since it is for your junior's birthday party, but this big sister is also here for her beloved compa-"
"My birthday is tomorrow." Alfina cut her off.
"-nion, huh?"
"Marion, are you alright? Did you read the date incorrectly?" Aria approached the frozen and embarrassed Marion.
"Urgh, both Scarlet and lady Rosa have been drilling a lot of things into my head. They were ruthless and on top of that, my father made me join him in another drinking session before he returned to the Savion Marquisate... My head is a mess..." Marion dropped to her knees and hands, shedding painful tears.
Aria, Alfina, Lilium and the servants of the Sultier mansion watched Marion with a blank and hopeless expression.
***
"Going to the South?" Elegantly sipping on her cup of tea, Marion wore a puzzled face. "Are the otherworldly monsters wreaking havoc in the region of Kemet?"
"Quite so. The Hunter's Guild has received some information about the sudden shift in animal behaviours in the South. Perhaps these unknown monsters are the cause."
"Hmmm, the region of Kemet is known for its history." Alfina flipped open a thick leather book. "It is also the largest region of the empire amongst the five and has access to the Lacrim sea, which connected the region to the Southern continent where the Holy Land is located. Countless civilisations had emerged and perished over millennia even before the unification of the Cor conglomerate."
"A region so ancient and brimming with history that many called it a place as old as time. The sand that blanketed vast stretches of land made it difficult to traverse and develop, but humanity has managed to overcome it. Mysterious is it not?"
"Woah, your highness, that is quite philosophical." Marion leaned back on her seat and pondered for a while before smiling. "I have never been there before, so I am rather excited to visit this ancient land."
"... We are planning to bring both Scarlet and lady Rosa as well." At Lilium's statement, Marion's face turned pale, beads of sweat forming as she maintained her smile. "Anyway, there will be a lot of preparations needed before we set out on the expedition in order to establish the Hunter's Guild branch in Kemet."
"Indeed... We would need to prepare enough weapons and armour variety for any potential monsters that we may encounter." While scratching her head, Aria made a difficult face. "As of right now, we do not really have the best elemental or status weapons to deal with most of the monsters we may run into."
"If we are talking about monsters thriving in sandy region, ice- or water-element would be the natural answer, was it not? In that case, we can hunt more Blangos or that mermaid monster for their weapons."
"Marion, that mermaid is called Somnacanth, and its element is sleep, not water. Also, we would have to travel all the way north to hunt the Blangos." Opening a book that Aria had written about monsters, Alfina turned the pages in rapid succession. "Just looking at this almanac, there are monsters resistant to ice or water that could potentially live in the Kemet region. Hermitaur here is weak against thunder and fire; Barroth is weak to fire, although we would need water to wash away its mud armour... There are more examples, did you even read through this?"
"Urgh... I was negligent."
"There is no need to worry too much. I believe that Lord Flare has a way for us. Besides, the Hunter's Guild, in collaboration with the Adventurer's and Merchant's Guilds, are expanding our information network. Incidentally, a new type of monster was discovered near the lake where we hunted that Somnacanth."
"A new monster, Your Highness? Is it causing trouble?"
"Yes, Aria. The guild has issued the quest to hunt them and Catherine has agreed to hunt them." With a small chuckle, Lilium faced the ceiling. "This must be God's work as well, since these monsters would provide the needed water elemental equipment."
"With that sort of habitat and water element... Is it the Ceanataur?"
"Correct, Aria. There is a high chance that the alpha, the Shogun Ceanataur, will be there as well, so I would like to ask you for assistance with your thunder dual blades: Pulsar Hatchets."
"That is a given, but both lady Rosa and Alfina have a thunder-element weapons made from Khezu materials as well. Are they invited to the hunt as well?"
"Well, the hunt will be scheduled for tomorrow morning and Alfina has class in the academy, so do I. Lady Rosa would likely join in the hunt, but she does not have the mark of Angelos and I am somewhat concerned."
"I will be skipping those classes." At Alfina's statement, everybody turned their heads bewildered. "That hunt will be the present for my birthday."
***
"Hmm, these creatures are ugly."
"Lady Rosa, please do not judge them based on vanity. If you are not careful, their sharp sickles could cleave you in half." Alfina slashed several times at the Ceanataurs surrounding her before vaulting out of the encirclement. "Now then, from the increasing intensity of the vibrations, it seems a big one is about to surface."
As soon as Alfina landed, a pair of giant sickles erupted from the ground and dragged its remaining body out. Its bluish carapace blended well against the watery backdrop and its knife-shaped head screamed danger towards its attackers. A large and sturdy snail-shaped shell was propped against its back, protecting its vulnerable body.
"So this guy's the alpha: Shogun Ceanataur, the Final Flash." Catherine loosed several arrows from her Pulsar Bow.
"Beware of its claws! Break it if you can, but know that being struck by it can cause severe bleeding!" While in Demon Mode, which drained stamina in exchange for higher damage, Aria zoomed around the arena, taking down as many Ceanataurs as she could. "Be careful of its water attack as well!"
The Shogun Ceanataur leapt forward and swung its claws, targeting Alfina who was nearby. Its destructive power dug deep into the rocky surface, leaving it immobilised for a while and Alfina, seeing the opening, unleashed a barrage of strong slashes and downward thrusts on its many legs. The sparks generated from her insect glaive, Bolt Chamber, dealt heavy damage on the beast.
"Lightning! Heed my call and strike those who violate the order! Almighty Bolt!" The crackling of lightning intensified around the monster and as Rosa swung down her fist, a bolt struck the beast with a brilliant flash. The injured beast shrugged off the attack and hurried towards Rosa, trying to swipe her with its claws. "This fellow is quick, despite its thin legs."
Shogun Ceanataur raised its claws and unfolded its sharp blades; rubbing them against each other, the high pitch metallic sound echoed across the battlefield, akin to a butcher sharpening its knife. It leapt and slid along the watery ground, brandishing its sickles that unfortunately struck both Rosa and Alfina, who were caught off-guard by the creature's speed.
Catherine charged her Dragon Piercer and released her arrow, drilling into the monster's leg and buckling it down from the damage. "Both of you, get out while it is down!"
Alfina and Rosa rushed out of the monster's range, leaving drops of blood along their path.
"You two are bleeding, retreat for now!" Aria swooped in to gain the Carapaceon's hostility by performing demon flurry rush that unleashed rapid slashes while also shortening her distance to the beast. Without missing a beat, Aria continued putting pressure on Shogun Ceanataur.
"Ugh, I am losing my strength with every step." Rosa clutched her bleeding arm while on the run.
"We are far enough, crouch down and apply pressure on the wound. Use the bandage as well." Taking out a roll of cloth, Alfina wrapped her wounded thigh and drank a vial of potion. Slowly, the bleeding stopped, and the wound began to heal from the potion. "It would be nice if we had something that accelerate natural healing and replenish lost blood."
Catherine continued pelting the alpha with arrows, but the presence of the smaller Ceanataurs disrupted her flow as she had to occasionally deal with them. In one of those instances, as she left her sight of the Shogun Ceanataur to its smaller counterparts, she was hit by a powerful water jet; the intense pressure that the Shogun Ceanataur had built within was released and proved devastating for it parted the shallow water and sent chunks of rocks flying into the air.
"Catherine!" Alfina, who had recovered, entered the scuffle with a downward thrust while her kinsect gathered extracts. "Down a vial or two and retreat!"
Still enraged, Shogun Ceanataur swiped its sickles around, which Aria perfectly avoided before performing a series of spiral slashes mid-air. However, as she touched the ground, another attack struck her in the stomach, launching her back. The relentless beast continued attacking Aria with a leap, digging its blades into the ground where Aria was before she rolled away.
"Guh!" Aria ran from her pursuer, clutching her bleeding abdomen.
Alfina's kinsect spread powder around the beast, which ignited upon contact and briefly halted the monster's movement. Having gathered all three extracts, Alfina felt the surge of power and began wailing upon the bladed Carapaceon while staying airborne for as long as possible.
Rosa entered the scuffle a little later, brandishing her Khezu Daggers as she danced elegantly around the surprised monster.
Catherine, who had healed herself, returned and charged her shot, but missed due to her target escaping by burrowing. "Curses! I was too slow! Being in the state of waterblight is really bad..."
With Shogun Ceanataur out of their sight, the hunters raised their other senses, trying to pick up any vibrations through their feet. However, the Ceanataurs began attacking them, breaking their concentration.
Aria, who had dealt with her bleeding status, hurried back to the arena and noticed the flooded ground underneath Catherine turned cloudy from the disturbed sand and gravels. "Catherine, below you!"
"Huh!?" A pair of giant sickles launched out below Catherine, cutting her back as she failed to dodge in time. Blood started to pool around the fallen Catherine who tried to stand up, but got hit with another attack from the beast; the sharp blade stabbed her leg, making her wail in pain.
Aria, Rosa and Alfina came in for the rescue as they unleashed their attacks in rapid succession towards the Ceanataurs and their alpha.
"Aria, take care of her! We will deal with this guy!" Alfina sent out her kinsect, sprinkling the explosive powder around the Shogun Ceanataur. It ignited upon contact with the beast, blasting the monster. "Tch, because of the flooded battlefield, the explosion's damage is reduced by a lot."
"Catherine, stay with me!" Aria carried Catherine on her shoulder, avoiding the Ceanataurs that were brandishing their sickles. Hiding behind a rocky pillar, Aria shoved a vial of potion into Catherine's mouth. Catherine coughed out some blood, but forced herself to empty the bottle. "Light! Grant her body the energy to replicate her cells! Healing Boost!"
As Catherine finished her potion, Aria had also completed her spell. Colour returned to Catherine's face, but the blood loss left her too weak to exert enough strength.
"The bleeding status is nastier than I expected..."
Catherine reached into her pouch and took out her ration that her mother packed. She tore the parchment and consumed the spiced jerky, hoping that it would recover her strength.
"This jerky..."
"Have one as well." Catherine handed Aria another parchment-wrapped jerky. "Mother used to make it for Father before he went to battle."
"Astrea Jerky! How could I forget!?" Aria had embarrassingly overlooked the item from her game knowledge, which was used to cure the bleeding status. "They even share the same name..."
"Huh?"
"How many more of these do you have?!"
"Eh, three. Why?"
"This can cure bleeding and boost natural recovery!"
"Huh!? Wait now that you mention it, I'm feeling so much better, and my strength is returning." Catherine slowly got back on her feet and turned her head towards Alfina and Rosa, who were struggling against the monster. She gripped her Pulsar Bow tightly, ready to return to the fight. "Oh Mum, I am really thankful to be your daughter."
Alfina and Rosa were dodging most of the attacks from Shogun Ceanataur, but were occasionally caught off guard by its smaller counterparts. Even so, they slowly chipped away at the beast.
"Fuh... focus..." Alfina raised her concentration to the maximum and repeatedly struck at the right claw of the beast. Just as the duration of the extracts was about to expire, she managed to open a wound on the right claw and send out her kinsect. Following her command, the kinsect made a beeline for the wound and drilled into it, breaking the right claw while gathering all three extracts for Alfina. The renewed extracts extended the duration of her powered-up state.
"Nice, sis!" Aria and Catherine entered the fray and attacked the monster that flinched from having its right claw broken. "Fire! Burn the particles in the air! Air! Coalesce your energy to strike your enemy in a flash! Lightning Hammer!"
The heated air condensed into a whirling cloud before unleashing a thunderous bolt upon Shogun Ceanataur. The monster's sturdy shell, after enduring repeated strikes, finally showed signs of breaking. Sensing the danger, the beast wildly slashed at its surroundings, chasing its attackers away and jumping out of the encirclement. Froth bubbled from its mouth as it stood facing the four hunters.
"If we break that shell, its vulnerable part will be exposed. In addition, since we have broken one of its claws, it will become very aggressive."
"Hah, that will just add more ugliness to its already ugly look. Fear not, Miss Aria, for we shall be victorious." Rosa charged towards the monster, dodging its water beam and slid along its side whilst performing spinning slashes. The other three followed up with Aria taking on the other flank while Alfina took to the air. Catherine remained at a distance, releasing arrow after arrow on the monster's head.
"Alfina, Lady Rosa! Here, take one each! If you are bleeding, consume that jerky, it will stop your bleeding!"
"Huh, this jerky!?" Rosa caught the parchment-wrapped jerky while sliding away from the monster's claw swipe.
"Trust me for now!"
"Fine! But you owe us an explanation afterwards!"
The battle intensified and the alpha began to move erratically, making the hunters more cautious of its sharp sickles and less able to deal damage. However, with Alfina's strong descending thrust and rising spiral slash, the large shell finally broke.
"Aim for its back!" At Aria's statement, all hunters focused on the weak spot of the flinched beast.
Noticing its predicament, Shogun Ceanataur shoveled the ground, trying to run away. However, a well-placed shot of Catherine's Dragon Piercer broke its head carapace, canceling its burrowing due to pain.
Knowing that it could not easily escape, the monster began wailing around with its sickles. Its speed had increased due to the loss of its heavy shell, landing blows onto each hunter, including Catherine who did not dodge in time from the beast's sudden burst of speed. Luckily, with the consumption of Astrea jerky, they mitigated their bleeding status and continued the fight.
"Fire! Bless me with your glory to bathe my enemies in fire! Rivière Infernale!" As soon as Alfina finished her chant, Shogun Ceanataur started to burrow, but the brilliant blue flame struck the water around it, creating a large steam explosion that hurled it into the air. As the beast regained its stance, Alfina vaulted towards it. "I appreciate you, for being my present."
Alfina displayed her elegance with a strong descending thrust followed by rising spiral slash. At the moment she touched the ground, the beast fell as well, finally defeated.
"Beautifully done, Miss Alfina!" Rosa took down the last of the smaller Ceanataur, removing the last remaining threat. "You have earned the honour to signal the guild of our success."
Alfina took out a green ball from her pouch and launched it into the air, bursting into a brilliant green flower pattern. "I will be taking the finest materials to forge the finest equipment out of this monster."
"Haha, that is quite ambitious, but that is the kind of ambition I can get behind." Sheathing her blades, Rosa silently watched over the interactions between Alfina and Aria, smiling inadvertently.
***
"Happy birthday, Alfina!" Lilium gave Alfina a hug when she entered the Sultier mansion. "And well done on the hunt. I heard you struck the final blow."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am merely doing my best."
"Just call me Lili; I am here as your friend. Also, here, I have brought you some delicious pastries from the famous bakery in the inner domain. My mother frequently visited it for their jam and cheese toast."
"Thank you so much. Please, come inside. A lavish spread of dishes has been served."
Alfina's birthday celebration continued well into the night with various sweets and honey mead being served.
"Hmm, for some reason, I am not happy that I am the only one not drunk." Marion's face twisted with slight irritation over seeing Alfred, Scarlet and Lilium passing out after just a few mugs of mead. On her right, she could see both Aria and Alfina arguing over something trivial while their faces were flushing red. Rosa and Alfonse could be spotted laughing at the passed out Alfred and Scarlet. "What a mess..."
As the sun rose beyond the horizon, the hungover Lilium spotted Alfina getting ready to leave the mansion. "Urgh, I am surprised you are not suffering from a hangover... Where are you going?"
"I am going to the academy for... negotiation." Alfina poured a cup of water for Lilium. "I am planning to go to Kemet for the expedition, so I am negotiating with the principal to grant me an early graduation."
"Huh, that would require you to complete a series of brutal examinations. You could simply ask for a year's leave of absence."
"That would be my backup plan, but I am rather confident that I will be able to pass the tests." Walking towards the door, Alfina tilted her head back towards Lilium. "After all, I am a genius, and the South shall be blessed with my arrival."