Getting skilled in using element! Practical training begins!

"I do remember storing some food before leaving my clan."

It took a moment for the group to let his words sink in. When they finally registered what Oliver said, their expressions lit up.

Alphonso sprang from his chair, excitement written all over his face. "You have food with you!? Why didn't you say so earlier!?"

Amber's composure shattered. "Right! Oliver, we've been starving here!"

"Hey Oliver, man we…" Alphonso looked at him expectant.

"Of course, I can share some with all of you, but…" Oliver paused, glancing at the pack of hungry wolves before him. He continued, "…you need to pay."

He rubbed his hands while eyeing them as potential customers.

"Pay? Pay what?" Evelyn could not help but ask.

"Well, it could be anything… you all must have brought some treasures and resources, right? How about sharing some of it?"

"What…?" Amber's mouth dropped open. She looked at him in shock. Trading simple food for treasures? It was outrageous! This was daylight robbery!

He wanted to trade simple food with treasures! How ridiculous was that? This was literal robbery!

She didn't think anyone would agree to this idea at all.

She expected everyone to balk at the idea, but reality surprised her.

Alphonso was the first to speak, his eyes carried a determined expression as he said, "Indeed, you are right. I, the heir of Fallen Heart Clan, am not shameless enough to just take your supplies without any payment."

He looked at Oliver and added, "How about one vitality-strengthening potion? Is that enough for one day's worth of food?"

Oliver hadn't expected him to agree so quickly. He was ready for resistance and would have given them the food anyway, but their willingness to trade stunned him. 'As expected of rich clan heirs,' he thought, eyes shining with newfound insight.

Indeed these people were the children of richest exorcists, they did not lack resources.

They were great customers!

"Of course!"

"Then, here you go." Alphonso produced a glass bottle containing a blue liquid and handed it over to Oliver.

"Pleasure doing business!" Oliver said, passing some food in return.

"The pleasure is all mine. Then pardon me…"

Alphonso went back to his chair and started eating the food elegantly.

Looking at him eating and hearing the sounds of eating, the sound of him chewing the food made them gulp subconsciously.

"I will give you one vitality strengthening pill." Evelyn approached him and gave him a shiny crystal green pill.

Oliver exchanged the supplies, and she joined Alphonso at the table, eating quietly.

Nadia came up to him and stared into his eyes. He looked back, her eyes were serious.

"You can have it for free—" he started, but she cut him off, producing a scroll.

She gave it to him and looked at him with a sharp look.

"Umm… here." he did not open the scroll but first gave her food.

He was intending to give it to her for free anyways so it did not matter what she wanted to trade it with.

He stored the scroll away for later inspection.

Only Amber was left, her expression a mix of difficulty and unwillingness. Oliver shrugged. He wasn't going to give her special privileges; if everyone else paid, she must too. Anyway, his supplies were limited, and it was better for him if she didn't take any.

'Well, the food supplies will run out eventually, I should start arranging ingredients to cook in the future.'

He took out something to eat for himself too—it was a simple plain sandwich.

Crunch!

Hearing the crispiness of the sandwich Oliver was eating, Amber's mouth watered despite her efforts to control herself. Gritting her teeth, in the end, she also offered him a potion and filled her stomach with his food supplies.

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Days flowed by in a steady rhythm, each one filled with the hum of intense training. Oliver stood by the lake, his brow furrowed in concentration. He extended his hand over the water, feeling the cool, fluid energy beneath his fingers. Gradually, a thin stream of water rose, shimmering in the sunlight as it obeyed his will, twisting and turning in the air.

With a determined expression, he focused, his movements becoming more fluid as he manipulated the water to fill a nearby cup. The liquid obeyed, splashing gently into the vessel until it was brimming. A small smile tugged at Oliver's lips—he was getting the hang of it.

He was becoming adept at using the water element, controlling it with increasing ease. He was able to successfully fill the cup by manipulating the water from the lake as well.

Occasionally, the solitude of the water chamber was broken by the arrival of his friends. Daniel would burst in, his eyes sparking with energy, eager to share his latest triumph with thunder. "Check this out, Oliver! I can summon lightning with just a snap now!" he'd exclaim, demonstrating with a crackling burst of electricity.

Alphonso, ever composed, would stroll in, exchanging quiet advice and solutions. "Try visualizing the water as an extension of yourself," he suggested one afternoon, watching as Oliver practiced. "It's all about the connection. I am starting to realize it with my wind element too slowly, it's a wonderful feeling. "

Over the days, their bonds also strengthened, the group was slowly knitting together one way or other, either by sharing their experience or thinking ways to avoid Alison's cooking.

In the evenings, they would gathered in the dormitory after a long day of training, their laughter echoing through the halls had become a common occurrence.

Time flew by...

He was tasked with various things day after day, One day, he was tasked with forming a straight water blade, given that its edge should be sharp. He stood by the lake, his hand outstretched, eyes narrowed in concentration. The blade wavered at first, but then it solidified, glistening with a faint blue glow.

Another day, he plunged into the depths of the lake, staying submerged for as long as possible, the water enveloping him in a serene, silent embrace. He focused on his breathing, feeling the water flow through his lungs naturally, as if he belonged there.

Having water element, breathing underwater was quite simple and natural to him. He was shocked the first time he tried it.

One of the toughest challenges came when Alison tasked him to meditate beneath a roaring waterfall. The force constantly pounded against his shoulders, but he sat with eyes closed, legs crossed, balancing his mind amid the chaos.

She had told him that it was necessary to nurture a calm mind and develop an extraordinary temperament as one should expect from a heir of a major clan.

Water was often related to calm, so an individual with water attributed espera must be calm when using it. At least that was what she believed and taught.

At first, his muscles screamed in protest, but gradually, he grew accustomed to the pressure, his body and mind becoming one with the torrent.

He found a certain peace in the water, a sense of belonging that grew stronger with each passing day. The water chamber slowly turned into his sanctuary where he would push himself to limits everyday and discover the true depth of his abilities.

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"It's been 2 months now, you kids have made significant progress in this time span. I am impressed by you and your potential."

Alison was standing before the group of children seated in front of her.

Except for Bella.

When they questioned where she was, all they got as a reply was that she was training somewhere else due to her element's uniqueness and situation.

"Now then, it's been a long while since you lot have been training your elements continuously, so from now on, we will be moving on to a practical course of training." she stated.

"Practical course?"

"That's correct, it's time you put your elements to use and not just keep on training, it's better for you kids to start gaining experience and learn about real combat. The earlier it is, the better!" Alison said.

The group listened to her intently.

"Teacher, how are we going to do that?"

Alison looked at Amber who had asked and said in a light tone, "For this, elder Sigfor will be going to help you all."

'That geezer?' Daniel frowned. He had unpleasant memories with that old man.

"Mhm. Elder Sigfor, you see has a special element. It's called illusion, the element of illusion. And he is the one who will be helping you with it."

"Well then, he will fetch you guys soon, I have something to do so I will probably see you all later. Ah, right, Bella will be joining your practical training soon."

She said while leaving the bewildered group of children.

"I don't want that old bastard to be the the one teaching us. I fucking hate that two-faced snake." Daniel groaned.

"He's very crude and ill-mannered." Alphonso also commented lightly.

"Whatever, it's not like you guys can do anything about it." Amber scoffed.

"Do what?"

Suddenly, an old and hoarse voice sounded behind them, making everyone flinch in shock.