Clueless Genius (Chapter 17)

Third POV:

Once he completed the deal with Edward, Itami told him the same story he told his uncle without omitting anything, and after hearing what the boy had to say, he started to laugh heartily. 

"I don't know whether to say you are an incredible genius or a fool. You're telling me you failed at making simple ether skin, so you made a technique that broke the laws of physiques and ether arts instead. That is too incredulous! I have never heard of such a tale." 

After hearing what Edward said, Itami shot him a confused look. Seeing this, the old man decided to explain himself to the boy.

"Although you did not give me much information, I'll keep up my end of the bargain. First, let me tell you what you managed to accomplish.

Congratulations, kid, you have become the first person, to my knowledge, to create a gravity-related astral art.

 Now, the 13 puzzles are 12. What a good day for science." the old man said joyously.

Hearing this, Itami got more confused. ' 13 puzzles? What is he talking about? I guess I did something pretty important.', thought Itami in confusion.

"Don't tell me you don't know. Astral arts are the artificial manipulation of ether.

Its goal is to mimic what spirits can do naturally, so a chevalier can mimic other affinities or boost his own. However, thirteen aether techniques can not be mimicked via astral arts.

  These techniques are Gravity manipulation, absolute Time manipulation, fate, dimensional, teleportation,  space, immortality, existence paradox, infinite absorption, total erasure, universal omniscience, infinite creation, and Forbidden transformation. 

These thirteen powers are called the thirteen puzzles. What you have done, despite being a snot-nosed brat, is achieve something that many Arcanic researchers couldn't."

Hearing this, Itami was astonished.

"Doesn't that make me powerful? Why didn't Uncle tell me?" Itami said in wonder.

"No, it doesn't make you powerful for two reasons. First, having a powerful ability does not make you a powerful wielder. After all, an ant with a legendary sword is still an ant with a legendary sword.

Secondly, you probably won't be able to manipulate gravity any more than helping you move faster."

"Why?" Itami said poutingly.

"Because what you're doing is different than absolutely controlling gravity.

All you are doing is disturbing the gravitational forces around you.

This would be like me moving my hand fast and saying I can control the wind.

It is not the same as controlling it outright."

After, listening to what Edward had to say, Itami's ego deflated, and he came back to earth.

However, realizing that he's going to learn how to use aether, made him feel better.

 "Okay, gramps I understand; how do I learn aether, and how do I use it to attack?"

 Hearing this, Edward looked at the boy strangely.

 "Boy what do you know about the aether.", Edward questioned.

 "It's the energy that comes from the outside world and...

 That's all I know", Itami said

Itami's ignorance deeply stunned the man.

 'I can't believe the first person to break one of the great puzzles does not know the fundamentals of aether?' Edward thought, shaking his head.

 "Listen hear boy. Yes, aether is the world's energy. However, it's also known by a different name, the Spirit of Change. Aether manipulation can be classified under three categories.

They are called, change in power, change in quality, and change in color.

In the first realm, change in power a Chevalier learns how to empower their attacks with aether, this is the realm one steps into as a pawn.

Normally, one enters this realm when they awaken their astral spirit. 

However, in some rare cases, one has awakened their spirit but has to fulfill conditions to use their power, so another way is to see if your attacks are pure blue.

This is because when ether and aether combine, the attacks take on the color of one's aetheric element.

In the second realm, you learn control and gain stamina. By changing the quality of your attacks, you can use more power while spending less ether and aether.

In this realm, one can also recall wasted aether. The levels in this realm are Bishop, Knight, and Rook. 

One knows they have reached this level when white dust cloaks their attacks.

The last realm is the change of color.

This realm is achieved when a chevalier has mastered aether manipulation enough to impart their will into their attacks.

Earlier, I looked at you weirdly because you misunderstood the essence of aether. You were asking when you would learn to attack with pure aether.

This is something only kings can do when they impart their will on the aether.

They change the aether from its natural disposition to have destructive qualities.

Until then, aether is more of a booster to your ether. That helps it change in power, quality, and color."

Hearing this, Itami was astonished.

He didn't realize that aether was that important.

However, hearing this, he got serious again.

'If I don't learn aether never mind, Illucard; when I battle my opponent in 5 months, I'll lose horribly.' Itami thought concerned.

"All right, I understand. Old magus, please train me." Itami said with eyes of passion. 

"Don't worry, boy. That was the deal."

After Itami finished his conversation with Edward, he finished up his daily training routine for the last time; then he went back home.

They decided it was best if Itami changed his training schedule, and lived on his own without disturbances; that way, Itami could make up lost time to catch up with his peers.

Once he got back home, he told his uncle the situation except for the fact that Edward was a magus, and told him he was going to leave the cabin for the rest of the five months for training.

Kage wanted to object, but he knew it was for the best because he could not teach Itami anything.

Itami's and Kage's fighting styles were too different, and anything aether related to any substance was family art.

After talking with Kage, Itami packed up his things and went into the mountains.

Leaving was tough for Itami as he was leaving the home he had spent the last one and half years in, and Kage, who he had recently gotten close to.

However, he knew it was for the best because, above all else, he wanted to live.

He could later see his uncle and mother whenever he wanted.

However, if he is dead, he can only see them from 6 feet under the ground.