Alm

It's been three months since the tea party incident. I've been doing nothing but training and studying. Every day I'm becoming exponentially stronger, but my studying is going as poorly as ever. I really don't have a knack for it. Strictly speaking, I blame Cera for always distracting me, but I can't tell her that because then she'll stop hugging me when we study. It's for the greater good. Yup. Studying comes second.

As I was lying to myself, I was watching Cera begin her training with Chloe. She had finally recovered enough to start proper training with Chloe instead of only studying.

"Okay, listen up. I already told this to Lady Zara a few times and I'm sure she mentioned it to you. But I'll tell you again because she probably explained it incorrectly." Chloe was dissing me as she was giving lessons.

"I can hear you." I said it loudly enough so she could hear me, but she ignored me. I was sitting on a rock that I had Noire put it because I wanted a place to sit and train when I was outside.

"Alm is split up into five different categories, close range, long range, curses, blessings, and hybrid, which is a combination of two of any of the first four categories. Hybrids tend to be more powerful and are the vanguards of most battles, wars, you name it. However, because being born a hybrid user is extremely rare, you don't really need to worry about ever fighting one unless you're at war. Lady Zara is one of those people. She's able to use long-range attacks and close-range attacks. Most people usually only use one or the other. You're the long-range type, since your attribute is wind. Elements are usually determined by your parents, but there can always be a mutation and it can evolve into something more than its original element. There are also people born with strange, and unique abilities. They tend to be weaker than most simply because it can't be used in battle. If you ever meet one with a strong, mutated element, it's better to run away than to fight them." As I listened to Chloe's explanation for the 10th time, I realized that I really didn't explain it well to Cera. Of course, I'll never admit it to Chloe.

"There are also two more types of Alm users. One that can read Alm and prophesize the future or certain events that have a possibly of happening, and healers. These two are never sent into battle, but you should know about them. Every type of Alm user is placed into their respective position, and since fights are mainly done in a group environment, they assigned names to these positions. For close-range, conductors, for long range, conduits, for blessings, invocators, for curses, consecrators, augers for those that can read Alm, and lastly, healers. Hybrids like Lady Zara will be placed in the conductor position because she can wreak havoc in the front lines with long-range attacks while being able to defend herself with close-range attacks. I fall under the conduit position and attack from afar while helping and providing backup for the conductor. Invocators and desecrators are a little more special because they need to be protected in battle. However, because of the nature of their skills, most people frown upon desecrators because of their drawback. Even though curses can provide better support and Alm enhancements, the drawback of being unable to fully utilize Alm reinforcement on the body leaves the body more vulnerable. It makes you a glass cannon. Compared to invocators, who provide a smaller enhancement with no drawback." I noticed that whenever Chloe is explaining something, there's always a smile on her face. I wonder if she just likes to listen to herself talk.

"Do you need me to repeat anything?" Chloe asked Cera with a stern smile.

"No, I remember it." Cera looked like she already knew all of this.

"Very well. Next is the way Alm is used and how to use it. Luckily, you already know your Alm quality. It usually takes a lot of training before being able to manifest your internal Alm. You're not as freakish as Lady Zara, but you're also extremely talented." Why does she keep dissing me? Is she trying to pick a fight with me?

"You need to learn both the quality you use, which in your case is wind, and the type of Alm that fits you, internal or external. Wind Alm controllers are almost always external, which seems to be your case as well. You'll be placed in the conduit position when you go out into battle. There are standardized ways to use wind, but its better if you come up with your own battle techniques. More so because 'self-created' techniques are usually passed down from your parents. Both of your cases are peculiar, so you girls are forced to come up with your own fighting style and need to learn how to adapt it in battle." As far as I know, Cera has a unique type of Alm wind control. She asked me to keep it a secret, so she'll probably just use something else in front of Chloe.

"Then let's get started." Chloe began demonstrating her power and showing Cera how she could use hers. I came out here to make sure Chloe didn't hurt Cera in any way. I'm sure she's aware that I'm here to keep an eye on her, but if she so much as sends an attack at Cera, I'll try to kill her.

In the last three months, I've learned how to utilize my ice. Before I was only using it as long-range attacks, but I finally learned how to fight up close. It's a bit dangerous to use because of how powerful my attacks are and the aftermath it leaves behind. Leaving a massive iceberg like the one that appeared when I killed Maddy, is a nuisance. Maybe in a battlefield, but not here. I also realized that my second element is a mutated version of fire. It's an explosion type to be specific. The reason my ice is always so large, is because I blow up my Ice Alm and expanded it with my explosive element, making it bigger and more destructive the closer I am to my target. The reason I put the rock in the garden, is because I need somewhere to visualize a smaller more concentrated explosion of ice to learn how to use it better. Well, there's that and the fact that I wanted to watch Cera practice from now on.

On the bright side, I think I can probably kill Chloe in exchange for a limb or two. I'm still far from being able to protect Cera, but this is a good start. I need to become strong enough to hunt dragons and witches as well. I think it'll be a while even at the rate that I am learning. The demon's presence is becoming more and more prominent every day though. That hatred filled Alm that I sometimes feel is extremely disturbing. The most important rule of great Alm control is emotional stability, but the more I exert myself, the stronger my Alm becomes. I suspect it's the demon at play, however, I cannot say for sure as I haven't been in a fight where I've had to risk my life. I should ask Cera what she feels next time I feel the demon's power acting up, her Alm detection ability is amazing.

I noticed Cera was creating wind blades, spears, swords, all sorts of weapons, trying to find something that suits her. My wife is great. I knew this from the start, but it's still amazing to see her learn and becoming stronger at an unbelievable rate. She already took charge of the house and she left absolutely nothing for me to do or help with. Well, I'm happy about it because I have more time to train and she lets me do what I want, whenever I want. I still get in trouble with Noire from time to time and then she goes and snitches. I don't dislike Cera's punishments, rather, I really enjoy them. But Noire shouldn't be snitching on me! That traitorous little maid is a thorn I can't seem to remove. Cera seems to use her a lot and likes her quite a bit, I was also the one that made her Cera's personal maid, so I can't fire her. I also like her because she's competent, but I just wish she wasn't such a tattletale.

Chloe said it was best to stop after an hour as Cera's body might still need some time to adjust. She motioned for me to come over and I got off my pet rock.

"Lady Cera, Lady Zara, her highness told me to inform you that there will be a tea party tomorrow and that she wishes to introduce her daughter to you. She will also officially give you both the title of marquees at the tea party, I suggest you both wear similar colors, so the other girls won't cause any trouble. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time, Lady Zara." Chloe looked at me like it was my fault that those girls attacked me.

"I told you it wasn't my fault. Celest also said it was okay." I tried to aggravate her by saying the queen's name.

"Please don't kill anyone this time around. The other girls were already warned to not cause any trouble because of what happened last time, but since all of them are proud, they will probably ignore the warning. I am thankful that you protected her highness even amongst the chaos last time, I hope you will do the same if something happens in the future." Chloe bowed deeply to show her gratitude as a personal guard of the queen.

"Don't worry, she's like a big sister to us, I won't let anyone hurt her." I smiled and dismissed her respectful bow. Even though it's a bit hard to admit, Celest really is like a big sister that has been helping us even though we are in a business relationship. She's always sending us sweets, clothes, and has taken care of a lot of troublesome political issues for us. Even though I plan to break off from her eventually, I will at least repay my debt to her before then, even if it's just by protecting her from dust and blood.

"Thank you very much. I will get going now. Please enjoy the tea party tomorrow." Chloe left knowing full well that the tea party tomorrow is not something that you just casually enjoy.

I grabbed Cera's hand and pressed myself against her arm.

"Stop that, I'm sweaty." She tried to push me away, but I clung even harder.

"That's okay! Let's go shower, I bought a lot of different dresses for you to try on!" I pulled her back into our bedroom and I told Noire to get all the dresses I ordered ready.

We've been showering together every day since we met, that I don't feel at ease if I don't wash her hair myself. I need to make sure she always feels clean, that she's always warm, well rested, and that she eats only the best food. I've enforced a few extremely annoying rules on her, but she goes along with my selfish requests and it makes my heart tremble with happiness every time.

I was drying her hair with a towel when Noire came in with a rack full of dresses.

"We're staying in tonight, no studying today. We're going to try all of these dresses." I placed the towel on the floor and started to pick out the first dress.