Thirst

Nobles were known to possess greater natural talent compared to those beneath them in status. How that had come to be was uncertain, but there was no doubt about it. The upper echelon of society not only had superior knowledge and resources, but it was also simply better in certain areas from birth.

And whenever a peasant showed great promise, where would they end up? Lured into a noble family, a great clan, or in service of the crown- Indeed, those in power were unshakeable...

Jania, however, was a notch above the average noble. The ability to cultivate multiple techniques in parallel was something the great clans and alike highly valued, especially those like the Xing or Zhenniao, who possessed a Sutra composed of several techniques.

Having the ability to cultivate multiple techniques at the same time was a requirement for them. Even then, six techniques at once was a rarity, and it might not even be Jania’s limit. But frankly, past a certain point, it did not improve someone’s value by much, as a single person could only regularly cultivate so many techniques before it would become drastically inefficient.

Six was just about the best number. And the fact that the techniques she trained in seemed to share similarities helped too.

The six manuals created by and passed down the Oie family intrigued Anoteros. Ever since he saw Tylia cast that spell, he had been curious about what else the ruling family of the city had to offer.

Jania shifted uncomfortably, nervous that she wouldn’t manage to do things properly with Edrick watching. His gaze was just too intense... Or was she just imagining things? The noble girl had never felt like this before, and she couldn’t help but readjust her hair and dress every few minutes.

“This is the one Tylia showed last time. It’s a spell cultivation technique called ‘First-Growth Feathers’. The spells this technique can cast after learning it to a sufficient degree are all about feathers” she explained. Suddenly, six feathers of the same size as last time appeared around her, three on each side, hovering in place above her shoulders.

“Tylia fired them out immediately. But the main aspect of this spell, in my opinion, is that you can cast it and not have to pay attention to it afterwards. As long as you don’t give the command, they will stay right where they are, I… I think this should be a pretty good way to make an opponent wary… I never got into a fight, but I imagine that it would be quite intimidating!”

Edrick nodded to her remark. Indeed, if someone manifested something out of thin air like this, anyone would be worried about that thing.

Especially the feathers. They were visibly sharp, and with their shape, they looked almost like knives pointing forward. Anyone who wasn't incredibly dull would know at a glance that these things were an offensive spell and could be fired out at any time.

“Oh… Also, with a good mastery of the spell, you can make it so that the feathers will fire out automatically when you direct them toward an enemy, or based on how much time passes… You can switch things up about it” she cleared her throat, and the spell was dispelled.

She then demonstrated the other spells available in the technique.

They were simpler and less flexible in usage, including a hail of pinky-finger-sized feathers, one large feather far larger than even Edrick, and even a confusion spell that sent feathers floating everywhere.

The repertoire for that single technique was rather good, as spell cultivation techniques that went around on the market typically only had one, very straightforward spell... Two if you were lucky.

“Then, there are two techniques that can’t be demonstrated, those being ‘Tri-Brained Goose Of Wisdom’ and ‘Supreme Lord Of Oie’. They are rather uncommon types of techniques, centered around elevating one's intelligence and management skills, respectively. They improve the mind along with certain capabilities... Cultivating them ensures that I will be capable of leading the city”

Anoteros nodded, rubbing his chin.

He had long known that there were techniques for everything and nothing, but ‘management’ still surprised him. Truly, by looking hard enough, one could find ways to enhance anything about themselves.

Edrick asked some simple questions, and the more casual conversations helped Jania relax a bit before she went over the rest.

“I quite like this one…” as she said this, something manifested in the clearing.

It was a goose... A giant goose, to be precise.

That thing was simply huge, much taller than Edrick, and absolutely wider as well.

The large animal looked at him as though it recognised Edrick as an enemy, hissing at him like it knew exactly what he was planning.

‘Don’t worry, big guy, she’ll love it…’

“Sorry, the big geese are quite aggressive- But anyway, this is a summoning cultivation technique! I can call upon five of them right now, and they are actually super strong, can fly, and are also very cute!”

The big goose lowered its head to let Jania scratch the top of its skull, though it still hissed when Edrick tried to do the same,

This was indeed a very good technique. That beast seemed to be able to see right through him, something not many people could do... Or perhaps the bird just didn’t like the way Anoteros looked... In any case, the noble scion was already quite fond of these giant geese.

“Is it straining to summon many at once?”

“Mmh… At the same time, yes, since it consumes some of my inner mana to do it. I have quite a lot, though, so as long as I don’t use too much at once, summoning five of them and casting spells is nothing much as long as I play things correctly” she casually replied.

“That’s impressive, your combat capability is quite high then” he praised her, making Jania chuckle a bit.

“It- It’s nothing much, I barely know how to fight…”

“No need to underestimate yourself”

“A-Alright, thank you…”

The eldest daughter shook her head. Why did it seem like Edrick’s voice was getting more seductive? Was he really, truly, flirting with her? She didn’t want to get her hopes up. After all, he was a descendant of the Elt family... The great clan was much more powerful and influential than the Oie family, so if anything, she should be the one trying to seduce him, not the opposite!

But she couldn’t help but hope. After all, this would be the first time a man did that with her, and indeed, Edrick would be a great first suitor! She could only guess at the rippling muscle he must have… Or wonder how those big, rough-looking hands of his felt to the touch…

‘Oh gods, I need to get my head out of the gutter… I am not a young girl anymore, why am I fantasising this much?!’

“Aherm… Then, there is a bit of a weird one. It’s literally a geese cultivation technique called ‘Member Of The Gaggle’. It allows me to communicate with geese and be considered their ally, even if I am meeting them for the first time. Also, it can help nurture geese and geese-like creatures, but apart from the regular animal sort, we don’t have any other type of geese around to nurture… But I think it would be of tremendous help to train and strengthen a beast or monster…”

“A geese cultivation technique? I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting such a precise technique... But I suppose that they must be quite common amongst tamers”

“Ahah, of course!”

‘Why the hell am I laughing?! He didn’t make any jokes! I hope he doesn’t think that I am crazy…’

“And… Huh… There is a sixth technique… But… Well… It’s a bit…”

“Perhaps I should demonstrate my own techniques?”

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“I would love to see them!” thanking him silently for offering a way out, she stepped back and let him take the center stage in the clearing.

‘Can’t believe I almost blurted out about the dual cultivation technique! I almost made myself look like some easy, lascivious woman in front of him…’

‘Hold on a second…’

‘Why is he taking his shirt off- Oh… Oh gods… I hope he doesn’t put it back on…’