Chapter 45 - The Truth
When the fire died out, all that was left was the sprawled-out corpse of Mudtwist.
As Rowan turned back to the others, he couldn't help but notice Andre's carelessness earlier.
"Why were you so careless earlier?" Rowan asked.
Andre grinned and admitted, "Sorry and thanks, friend. I was just excited about my new power. I promise to be more careful from now on."
"Carelessness kills, my friend," Rowan replied seriously. "Just one mistake and your life could be lost."
"Alright, I'm sorry," Andre conceded, not wanting to drag out the tension further. He recognized that the earlier mistake was his own and that he had come perilously close to injury or death.
Camille interjected, "Oh, don't forget to grab that beast core. It's two levels higher than us. Elion and Lisandra are hot on our heels."
It was true. Elion had risen to become a Level 20 Elemental Soldier in just ten days, while Lisandra had demonstrated exceptional potential.
Lisandra had, in fact, surprised Elion, advancing from Level 20 to Level 30 as an Elemental Knight, thanks to being healed and absorbing the golden aura. Her Elemental Mastery had reached the perfect level.
With the aid of Camille, Rowan, and Andre at the Elemental General rank, she had obtained numerous beast cores at much higher levels.
This golden aura also enhanced the quality of the Elemental Essence she absorbed, resulting in her rapid ascent to Level 30. Elion was thrilled with the sudden progress of his new team.
"Hahaha! No worries, I'll make sure you guys can't catch up," Andre quipped as he retrieved the beast core from Mudtwist's remains.
He required a few more beast cores before starting cultivation and attempting a breakthrough to the next level. Rowan was in the same boat.
Today, their objective was to locate Elemental Beasts Level 37 and above. If they encountered lower-level beasts, Elion or Lisandra would handle them. All of this was part of their training.
The Rekar Forest was vast and sprawling, and it took about fifteen days to traverse on foot. Previously, the journey had taken longer since they had to reach the nearest town or village to rest every night, as only Elion and Camille could withstand the night.
Thanks to Rowan, Andre, and Lisandra's presence, they could spend the night in the forest by setting up tents or in safe caves.
Lisandra's earth elemental power allowed them to build a more comfortable space, but they preferred to stay in the caves. The area they chose was still inhabited by Elemental Beasts of Level 30 and below.
Lisandra half-teased, "Oh. It's Camille's turn to absorb Elion's golden aura tonight, right?"
Although Lisandra was aware of Elion and Camille's close relationship, there was an awkwardness between them, as if they both harbored feelings for one another.
Camille quickly rejected the suggestion, saying, "Eh? I don't think it's necessary."
Camille already possessed her own inheritance, having Elemental Might of five levels, so she felt the golden aura couldn't have any effect.
"Come on, Camille, why not try it? Just think about how it could boost your Elemental Might and overall strength," Andre said.
Andre couldn't help but wonder what would happen if Camille did try it. She was already exceeding the potential of a genius from the Supreme Families, and it was only a matter of time before her name became famous throughout Solara.
"Elion once healed our companions in the city of Estola. They also have a five-level Elemental Might," Camille responded.
"But their combat power hadn't increased," she added.
"Really? That's surprising," Andre exclaimed.
Elion had considered this many times before. Unfortunately, during their time together, he was only focused on helping them master the Basic Ancient Combat Arts.
Even then, while Wendy seemed slightly stronger than the others, it didn't necessarily mean her Elemental Might was higher. He believed it was something related to Wendy's bloodline.
"I believe it was due to timing and Wendy and Kael's condition when they absorbed the golden aura," Elion explained, his voice tinged with curiosity and certainty.
"What do you mean?" Camille's excitement was palpable, her eyes sparkling with the thirst for knowledge.
Theories and studies had always fueled their long, engaging conversations. The others, too, leaned in closer, their interest piqued. They were all eager to unravel the mystery behind the extraordinary golden aura.
"Wendy and Kael absorbed the golden aura before they had formed affinities with the elements. They also didn't have Elemental Might at that time. However, for Wendy's case, she appeared slightly stronger compared to the others. So, I believe the golden aura awakened something else, maybe her bloodline," Elion continued, his theory sounding more like a revelation.
It's uncertain where Wendy originated from, which adds to the intrigue surrounding her. From what is known, Wendy was raised as an orphan in Cassan.
Her life took a dark turn when she was taken to Estola to be sold as a slave. Fortunately, Laxus happened upon her while she was locked in a cage and rescued her. They then fled to the Waste District.
"Maybe if they absorb it again now, they'll gain additional Elemental Might," Elion added, a hint of speculation in his voice that invited further discussion.
Camille immediately grasped Elion's idea. "So, does this mean that all of us can become stronger, quicker to reach the next elemental level and gain Elemental Might of seven levels?" she queried.
Rowan, who admired strength and power, couldn't resist asking, "Wait, Elemental Might of seven levels? And how many more people are we talking about here?"
"Four," Camille replied calmly, unfazed by the idea. She had been working with Elion and his group for a while now, and nothing seemed unusual.
"Four?! Are you serious?" Andre was clearly taken aback.
Rowan, however, felt a sense of awe mixed with bitterness. Elion, Camille, and their four companions in Estola were simply incredible.
I made the right choice, Rowan thought to himself.
It is rare to discover individuals of exceptional caliber, like Elion and Camille, who possess extraordinary talent and potential and embody humility and a willingness to share their knowledge and abilities.
"In reality, we are all beneficiaries of the heritage left by the Ancient Elementalists. Moreover, others have developed affinities with Mutant Elemental Beasts, which is why they have been endowed with Elemental Might spanning five levels," Elion elucidated.
Elion was keen on ensuring his newfound friends didn't fall into the trap of comparing themselves with others. He recognized that even Rowan, Andre, and Lisandra harbored as much potential and talent as anyone else.
He understood that without the Original Orbs—legacies from the Ancient Elementalists—and their bond with the Mutant Elemental Beasts, he and his companions in Estola would be devoid of their unique powers.
"Mutant Elemental Beasts? The concept of forming affinities with Elemental Beasts is entirely new to me," Rowan expressed.
Rowan's interest piqued by the discussions and research undertaken by Elion and Camille, a sentiment echoed by the rest of the group.
Elion nodded and affirmed Rowan's curiosity, "It exists, Rowan." He opted for transparency with his friends. Despite their recent acquaintance, their characters convinced him of their trustworthiness.
"So, what about your legacy? What gave you the Elemental Might of a rank?" Andre inquired, his confusion evident. His question was rooted in profound intelligence, a product of his upbringing in a family dedicated to research.
"Let me explain. Elion is more special. He...formed an affinity with the Legendary Elemental Beast—the Phoenix," Camille interjected, aiming to shed some light on Elion's unique situation for Andre.
"Elion's golden aura is believed to be the aura of the Phoenix. All the advantages present in this aura may also be due to the status of the Phoenix as a Mythical Elemental Beast. That's why we want to go to the Ancient City of Lumera to find any related information," Camille further elaborated, hoping to clarify the significance of their journey.
As Camille shared Elion's grave secret, the air thickened with tension and awe. The weight of his revelation – his legacy from the Ancient Elementalist, the legacy of the fabled Phoenix, and the immense powers of Elemental Beasts – was a lot for the group to process.
Observing their reactions, Elion felt a mix of apprehension and hope. Initially, he had reservations about divulging such sensitive information, fearing it might endanger them all.
Yet, looking into their faces, he saw the potential for greatness, envisioning them as the future's most formidable Elementalists. This vision made him believe that sharing the secret was worth the risk.
"There's one thing you need to know," Elion declared, his voice heavy with the significance of his following words. The group braced themselves, sensing the gravity of what was to come.
"The Ancient Elementalist who passed his legacy to me is none other than Solandar Solhart, the Greatest Elementalist known to history."