NEVERA DAYLIGHT

Morning had finally come and it was time to explore this place. I heard Aether was already done exploring and was doing something else now.

"Man… it's difficult to believe that he's a special grade huh?", Arthur said letting out a sigh.

"Yeah, I don't know how but it's true, well I guess we should be happy to have him as our friend."

"Both of your turn it down, we aren't alone here and the attendants will be here any minute, keep Aether's FV a secret for now."

They nodded silently in response, I could already tell that this would be a thoroughly exhausting day.

"I wonder how my attendant looks, is she tall or short, her hair colour? oh and the size of her bo-", I smacked Arthur on the head.

"We aren't here for women you idiot!"

"Yeah, sorry Lord Neveraaa….", he said with a downcast look. Venti, on the other hand, seemed to be caught up in his own thinking.

(I wonder what is running through that head of his).

"Esteemed guests, let's get going.", the voice was coming fro-

"NOOO! What happened to getting female attendants, like the one Aether has, aaaaugh hey let me-", Arthur couldn't hide his disappointment and thus received a slap.

The monks let out a little laugh and then they showed us around. They were wearing white dresses, probably ceremonial. It made them look very diginified.

"This is the Mystis Temple, where all of us monks do our daily duties"

"But what duties do old geezers have anyw-", I knocked Arthur unconscious and carried him on my back.

The monks flashed a smile and said, "It's fine, we don't take any offense from his words."

"Please, you are too kind, I am sorry on his behalf.", I said while bowing slightly. They returned my bow with their own.

We then headed over to the training grounds.

"This is where we monks train to channel our 'Ki' and perfect our breathing".

I saw over a 100 monks training in the grounds ahead of me, their voices in perfect union as they did their exercises while chanting the form names

"NEXT! FORM 9 -FROSTFLAKE HERON!", I heard a man shout while others followed suit.

Noticing my gaze, one of the monks said, "That is Guru Yagi Atsushi, he has over 2 centuries of experience in teaching, he is 5th eldest here."

"2 centuries!? How is that possible?"

"Our ways of living are completely different from yours, unlike you non mystisans who keep progressing without mastering the basics, we mystisans first perfect breathing and concentration, we then focus on honing our movement abilities and then we devote our selves to our goals, moving ahead without mastering all that lies before can help in the short term, but it creates a limit which becomes very difficult to surpass in the long run."

(Do I have a limit too?)

My thoughts were trying to collect themselves.

"You too have a limit, but for you, it should be easier to break through."

I was surprised by who said those words, it was the Guru Yagi Atsushi.

I bowed to show my respect, and he bowed in return.

"You possess great innate talent, why don't you train with me during your stay here, these 5 months will definitely make you stronger. I will teach you the Lapis art myself."

Lapis arts. The arts that were created by the ancestors of the Lapis clan.

(I can't believe he is offering to teach me those arts!)

"Well?", he continued to persuade me.

I knew this old man saw something in me which even I myself couldn't, if he could make me stronger then I had no reason to refuse.

If I could somehow combine the Phantom fist arts with the Lapis arts, the result would be incredible!

"Thank you Guru Yagi, please teach me the way of the Lapis arts!"

AETHER NIGHTBLADE

"Where are we going, your highness?"

"To discuss your next course of action with my father and like I said drop the 'highness' call me by my name, use honorifics like those only if you ever end up in the courts of this place."

"Viviane…then."

"You can maintain the respect though?"

"Shall I continue with the 'highness'?"

"No thanks, this is fine."

The chamber was now in sight, "But do use honorifics for my father."

We reached her father's chambers', I knocked on the door, "May we come in?"

"Yes, please do."

"Greetings your highness."

"Well met young lad.", he stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.

"Your highness?"

"Ah come now, there is no need for formalities here"

"Bu-"

"It is fine, it really is Aether."

If the man wished it to be that way, I had no reason to refuse.

"I see, thank you."

"So then, what do you plan to do from here on Aether?"

"I was thinking if we could stay here a bit longer and exchange knowledge and help each other out. I know things that you don't and you know things that we don't."

"Haha! I like it! Suggesting an exchange with the ruler of these mountains requires some confidence. I like the sound of your idea."

He continued.

"I too thought of persuading you for the same but I suppose it is as the saying goes 'Great minds think alike' hahahahahaha!"

He laughed with great energy.

"I am humbled by your kindness."

"But tell me Aether, why should I shelter you?"

The atmosphere of the room changed, the air was now thick and heavy. My breathing turned rough and the pressure chilled my lungs.

The man was looking at me like how a god would look at an insect. But I wasn't an insect, I raised my pressure and tried to match his own. But the difference wasn't something I could overcome immediately.

"Haha, very interesting", he laughed and continued.

"Aether Nightblade you have certainly piqued my interest and so I will shelter you and your friends, tell me how long do you wish to stay?"

"I think 3 months would suffice."

"Oh, I have just the idea, why don't you stay for 5 months and attend my daughter's wedding and then go?", he said in a very suggestive manner.

"Wedding sir?"

"Oh yes, although the betrothal hasn't been made public yet, she has fallen in love with Prince Albaine of Rainier"

"Wait that human prince…", I continued.

"I am sorry if this sounds rude but isn't the Prince of Rainier a pervert? There have been many cases of him raping women of the Earthcarver clan and impregnating the commoners."

"I don't understand how a princess as dignified as Viviane could fall in love with a lowly scoundrel like him."

At the instant I said those words, Viviane looked into my eyes with gratitude and thankfulness.

(Looks like I said something she couldn't huh.)

"The rumours are all false meant to make people lose faith in him, he is a very powerful warrior too, though he has some impure blood mixed in him, my elder son will keep this bloodline pure, free of demonic blood. Albaine is also said to be able to wield force, it seems that his bloodline was polluted by his mother. A User who married his father."

"How much was his force value?"

"2500."

(Nevera is stronger than this 'prince')

"Viviane will be sent off to Rainier?"

"Exactly young lad."

I looked at the young girl, she was only 15, she was saddened by this fate but she couldn't refuse what her father said so she remained in silence.

"If the decisions have been made and we have nothing else to discuss, I shall take my leave."

"Wait young lad."

I stopped

"Show me your rumoured blade before you go"

"My sword?"

"Yes, your sword."

Without another word, I increased my force output and called out.

"Vajra"

The long black sword appeared in my hand, solidifying out of thin air. Its long black blade shined with faint glimmers of purple and the golden runes in it shined for a moment or so before disappearing.

They didn't say anything but I knew they were shocked, they were unable to say a word in the presence of my blade. The old man nearly laughed in disbelief at the sight of it and Viviane was looking at me with an impressed look.

The old man then gulped hard and said.

"So, it is true, you are the wielder of his blade – Vajra"

I took back my pressure and called back the sword.

"Now that it is true that you have his weapon, the second the Central Dominion realizes that this blade has disappeared from the petrified weapons list, they will come after you to get that blade,"

"You see, it had a very famous owner in the past."