Friend V

"But it didn't include that your power was split. Gramps told me about that."

A leisurely stroll that should be relaxing is now getting a bit tense. Ruvian bit his lips. Chance of covering his identity is thinning thanks to whoever decided to publish his teacher's journal.

He sighed in disappointment. "What else the book said?"

Adelle saw his face frowned in clarity. "What's so upsetting about it?" She grinned.

"Felt like my privacy got intruded."

"Oh, come on, it's the footstep of an Elementalist after all. Surely everyone is curious about how it feels like, hehe. Including me."

What's done is done. Ruvian then took a deep breath. 'If just only they also knew the responsibility for it.'

"Then what else Gramps told you about the power split? Did he mention Evan?"

"Yes, he did. Evan had the power to control all Aspects. But ...."

"Why stop?" Both of them also stopped walking.

Adelle put her hand on her chin. "I kinda forgot the details. Gramps said it has something to do with communicating with the Primordial Crystals. Evan was unable to do that."

For a moment, Ruvian didn't utter a word. That piece of information was crucial to him about his diminishing power. Yet, it was far from a complete mystery. He then just continued his walk.

"Now if you think about it, it made sense why I only perceived four Aspects from you during the scan last time," Adelle added while following along.

"Ugh, yeah. Feeling weak is embarrassing. Had it not been for my power, I'd be long dead."

"Uhm, okay." His words kinda cut into her, too. Being a six Vis-cored to feel weak, then what about Adelle who is still in development of their fifth Vis core? Since it kinda hurt her weirdly, Adelle thus decided to stop talking. Not to mention about Ruvian's last tone.

However, Ruvian was late to realize his words, judging from Adelle's expression. But a brief moment of silence to think was what he needed now.

'Never expected that Lefazio posed bigger threats than I thought. He knew too many things about me. If he decided to blow up my return. Everything wouldn't be easy.'

Ruvian's goal to reach Amenoa started shifting. From seeking distance to seeking help.

'Too many questions, yet so few answers. Staying away from Lefazio, my diminishing powers and the Divine Vision. If Evan was unable to receive that Vision, then it's on me. I wonder how that brother-in-arms of mine is doing now?'

"Adelle?"

"Hmn?"

"Do you know what happened to Evan after the war?"

She did know about that person, but Adelle didn't bother to answer. She hummed high-pitched and walked faster.

"What the ...."

Such a disrespectful act surely would anger him. Ruvian had every chance to force her to speak. But he just let out a long sigh. He had to keep his own word about treating her nicely. Not to mention the one who saved and tended him beside Lefazio.

'Even though I had almost abandoned her in the woods last day, but in the end, I wouldn't have the heart to do so.'

"Alright, alright. I apologize for saying something about being weak. I didn't mean it to you."

"Oh, really? But the message was as clear as the sky."

Ruvian couldn't help it but rub his temple. As he was unable to see the sky. 'Unbelievable! Even Lika didn't behave like that.'

"Fine, being weak is a burden. Let's keep that in mind. But there's always room for improvement for those who want to improve."

He continued, "I could teach you something about Venevisum control and help you develop another Vis Core. That should be mutually beneficial for both of us."

Aware of Ruvian's Sensus Vision, Adelle smirked inside while keeping her face expressionless. Her little victim playing netted her something good. 'Training together could make us much closer.'

"Hehe, alright. Then when do we start, Master Ruvian?" teased her.

Being called 'Master' rang a bell in Ruvian's mind. Something about covering up his identity. "Now you mention it. I must ask you to not call me by my real name. Surely it would draw lots of unwanted attention, or even possibly a dangerous one. So, call me anything but that."

"Okay. Ervian it is, Ervy. Would that be okay, Mr. Errigan?"

"Heh," he chuckled. "Seems fine. Then, how about you answer my question about Evan?"

Adelle almost forgot about that due to how ecstatic she is about him. "That's, the published version of Alesta's journal never had anything mentioned Evan."

"Hmm, I see." Ruvian had suspected something about this published version of his teacher's journal.

'Some hidden details huh, surely someone is trying to veil something.'

"But Gramps had mentioned that Evan took the role of the Elementalist now after your death. From my three years with Gramps, I only knew that Evan resided in the City of Ulno. Yet, I never see him for myself. Besides that, I don't know."

"Ulno?"

"Yep, the scholar town with an enormous tower of Sapphirius. I've been there before with Gramps."

"Would be surprising if he didn't."

Suddenly Ruvian—the now so-called Ervian by Adelle—stopped walking. He didn't waste a second to clench his hand to accumulate Vis, which begged for Adelle questions.

But Ervian just hushed her. His accumulated Vis of Inanis then formed into a sword shape and welded, summoning the real item. The newly summoned weapon was then coated in Praecantatio and then Ervian sent it flying away through the trees.

Adelle, who watched this scene, obeyed him and didn't dare to make a single sound. She thought there was an enemy nearby.

"Gotcha!" Ervian announced. Not long after, an animal screech was heard. He saw the bamboozled Adelle and faced her. "Well, I hope you're hungry."

She was still confused, but at least it wasn't anything dangerous. The sword, which was still coated in telekinetic Vis, then came back and brought an already limp wild hare with it, freshly killed.

Adelle pursed her lips to one side, feeling useless after being on high alert moments before.

"Can't start your training without proper sustenance. Get the fire ready."