48 The Ice Wolf Queen (1/2)

Rainer sat with a stack of notes in front of him, as Kara still lay sleeping behind him. Out of everything from Nalmar he only had the tier 5 spells left to commit to memory enough to then recall them in [Sleep Learning].

Picking up a small journal, it soon disappeared in an Arcane-Fire. He had just finished with [Frozen Sun]. Different from the other 8 mage towers, only The Frozen Sun Mage tower had a tier 6 spell, the rest were tier 5.

[Frozen Sun] was not just a mass freezing spell but could be used on a smaller scale. At least, that's what its creators said one could do as they mastered it. And then to not only freeze its target but Magic itself. He wondered then what made [Inferno] a tier 6 spell. The Great Sage was light on explanations.

In fact, most of the Great Sage's notes contained little explanation, Rainer complained to himself.

One by one he burnt away the tomes on the various tier 5 spells. He could always rewrite them, and having them taking up space in his Spatial Ring was of little point. Once he used [Sleep Learning] on what he read, they became permanent memories.

From there, Rainer went through everything from the hidden library one last time before burning them away as well. He was most interested in the various blood magics that didn't use any Runes. It was for the same reason Druidic Magic interested him to such a high degree.

Magic that differed from everything he knew interested him far more than any other.

Seeing Kara still sleeping, Rainer headed out of the room. He gave another command to the [Auer's Moss] to dim further.

As he exited the room, he saw Gunthar and Theodore sitting in meditation.

”Morning, Elru still sleeping?” Rainer asked.

”No, she's been in the scroll room since you went to bed. She muttered something about inconsistencies in the Fae library. Apparently, Furtak's revelation on a Goblin's similarity to a Monster was something she'd never heard of. At least…not in a derogatory way,” Theodore answered.

”I'll head over then.”

Gunthar stood up to follow Rainer, while Theodore remained in front of Kara's room. Rainer wished to speak to Elru about his accomplishments with Body Enchantment and learn more from her. She had brought back the bark that is used as practice material. Rainer had since just kept it in his Spatial Ring.

Walking over, he thought of that exact bark and whether he could recreate it in [Sleep Learning]. He had no issues with wood in general, and now he realized he'd never tried to copy a corpse.

Entering the scroll room, his thoughts returned to Body Enchanting. Elru stood over a table; a scroll laid out in front of her.

”It all makes so much sense now…” She mumbled to herself before noticing Rainer coming into the room.

”Hello, Rainer,” She said. Her mood was more jubilant than not since coming back. Even if she had a deal with Rainer in the past, it was not the same as her sister now received the Fruit.

”What are you reading about?”

”Just some general history of the tribe…the recent revelation of Goblins being of Aura…it alters one of my long-standing theories.”

”Which is?”

”That all sentient races share a common background. And that this common background is a mix of Humans and some unknown ancestor. Though,” She said with a slight laugh, ”Most would have a distaste for such a theory. Ah, nothing personal.”

”It's fine. Humans don't leave the best reputation,” Rainer responded.

”We look too similar, don't you think? Even with our differences. I assumed Fae and Demon were the closest to this ancestor given our magical nature, with Goblins somewhere there as well…but…”

”They are completely different,” Rainer answered. Even with his level 1 in [Goblin Anatomy] he only knew Goblins were different than Humans. It was his assumption from his knowledge that they were partly magical in nature. Something that the Great Sage had believed as well until he raised [Goblin Anatomy] to level 7 during his studies to become Flame-Touched.

”So, what can I help you with? Do you require another demonstration on the Bark, or perhaps…”

”I've already enchanted Kara. I'd like you to take a look and then let me see some of your enchantments again,” Rainer said interrupting her.

”Alright then. I shall clean up and head over,” Elru responded.

Both Gunthar and Rainer were surprised at her lack of a reaction. In fact, Rainer had used [Arcane Sight] to see through her Glamour just for such a thing. He just shrugged his shoulders and headed out of the room.

As Elru put away the scrolls in a place she could find later, her movements gradually slowed. Slowing until the point she froze completely. The scroll fell from her hand as she replayed Rainer's words in her head.

”W-what do you mean, you e-enchanted Kara?” A stuttering question, not fitting the ethereal voice of a Fae, came out from Elru.

”It's just a simple shield enchantment. I did it while you were gone. I have something of an illusionary space to practice. After getting it correct on the Demon, I used my space to practice it on a Wolfkin,” Rainer added. He didn't need any questions brought about why he could use a Demon's body to transfer over Body Enchantments to Kara directly.

Had Gunthar eyes, they would be glaring at Rainer. Seeing the grin on his face, Gunthar knew Rainer intentionally left out the part where Aura fueled the simple enchantment.

But before he could lessen the incoming shock, Elru already rushed out of the room.

”Ah, Kara's asleep, though, so maybe first we…”

”Then we shall wake her,” Elru responded uncharacteristic of her usual self. But, she paused before entering the room, ”Can you check if she's awake?” Elru then asked.

Rainer just chuckled as he opened the door. Kara was already awake sitting in meditation on the bed. As he entered, Kara's eyes opened.

”What was with Elru yelling?”

”I told her about the enchantment. Can she see it? I'd like her to make sure there isn't something wrong in any case.”

”I'd appreciate that,” Kara responded to Elru's delight. Gunthar followed behind but soon realized what checking the enchantment would entail. He closed the door behind himself as he left the room, grumbling how no one even asked him to leave.

Kara was a bit embarrassed unbuttoning her shirt for Elru, but seeing her interest, not too different from Rainer's solely in the Runic lines, she calmed down.

Looking on from a distance, Rainer noticed that were it not for Elru tracing the lines with her finger he wouldn't be able to notice them. The silver lines with a slight violet tint were almost invisible. At night, he didn't notice them at all.

Staring at the two, Rainer became lost in thought over the various enchantments he could perform. But a little Fairy coming out of his pocket poked him in the cheek.

”Rainer should fantasize such things with Luna, not Elru,” She complained, misunderstanding his interested gaze.

But Luna's comment had quite the effect on the bare-chested Kara. As well as Elru, who was too entranced to notice her fingers moving across a more sensitive place.

The shield rune itself was focused on Kara's back, but Elru's primary interest was on the strange Mana Output Rune, that she was unaware in fact dealt with Aura.

Elru coughed lightly before speaking, ”Everything looks alright, but Mana Rune is a little strange…”

”It's an Aura Output Rune,” Rainer said. Following which Kara displayed the Shield ability. A solid spherical shield formed. She then altered it to a small circle in front of her. Kara, of course, unaware of Elru not knowing it was Aura related.

”Aura…”Elru said, before mumbling some random thoughts.

”How is this possible?” She flatly asked. She didn't know where to begin with her questions. So she just asked a completely general one.

Rainer paused for a moment. This type of knowledge might provide a significant increase in strength to the Fae. If they knew the true inner workings of their race's magic, Rainer couldn't imagine the type of advancements they might make.

And with Luna's situation, the Queen may not be her only enemy. Sooner or later, someone would use [Appraisal] on Luna. After seeing Elru return and how she's acted, he imagined her the perfect one to take a chance on.

”It's not related, but you can appraise Luna now.”

Elru furrowed her brows but did appraise Luna. Who, had not even the slightest worry on her face, sitting on Rainer's shoulder.

Elru's eyes opened wide as she went through the various information she received through [Appraisal].

However, the largest shock was not Luna's class. In fact, even the well-studied Elru, who couldn't see the description of the class, didn't think it was anything strange. [Holder of the Faerie Arcane-Fire] was a far too different term to the Sacred Faerie Fire, as Theodore called it, in any case.

The shock was a title.

[Homunculus].

”And?” Elru asked. She didn't know if Rainer was even aware of the title, so she said nothing. Now, she started to understand why the Queen was after Luna. But she had no idea where to direct her displeasure at such a thing. Whether Rainer was the creator or the Queen was the one who had done such a thing.

But seeing Luna in front of her, she hadn't the heart to reveal such a secret to someone who may not know.

”Her class doesn't mean anything to you?” Rainer asked. He was well aware of Luna's origins but not that she had a title about it.

”No…” Elru responded. She thought over the class. Faerie Fire itself wasn't a rare existence. Though, unknown to Elru, this was not something that could be compared to an ordinary Faerie Fire. So, she assumed the Arcane part was a secret.

Remembering Rainer's magic, she now understood that it was Arcane Magic. Few would attribute his magic to being the same as the common training spell, [Arcane Bolt].

Thinking this was somehow his weakness, and that this strange Arcane Magic had then changed Luna, she assumed that was the secret of the class.

Rainer needed confirmation that Luna having a Sacred Faerie Fire wasn't a point of contention. But even with [Mana reading], he sensed nothing strange.

And while Elru displayed an odd reaction, Rainer thought it could be for many things. Such as the combination of Luna's age and yet having a level 25 [Fae Enchanter] subclass.

Lacking the answer he wanted, he lied. Or rather, omitted certain truths.

”It's related to the [Archon] class. I can easily gain skills so long as I make an attempt at them and have a decent enough understanding. Seeing the mechanics of Body Enchanting was enough for me to cross that gap. I can't say I fully understand it, though. But I can create copies as well as alterations,” Rainer said pointing to Kara.

While to Rainer's party, this was no longer a big secret, to Elru it was massive. She did not even question that if it was the whole truth, and just assumed Rainer decided to trust her.

”But how then, did you alter it to use Aura?” Elru asked. This point she was extremely curious of. While Aura talent was as rare among Fae as Mana Talent was among humans, it still existed. [Fae Enchanter]s had in the past tried to get their enchants to work with Aura, but were completely unsuccessful.

”My Aura,” Rainer said, manipulating a small amount in his hand, ”Is a mix of Magic and Aura. I used it while enchanting Kara to bridge the gap. To connect and alter the Rune to draw from her Aura pool.”

Elru moved slowly, walking closer to the small orb of violet Aura. Using both [Aura Detection] and [Magic Detection], she found both detected the strange Aura.

”Incredible…” She whispered, for a moment getting lost in the violet hue.

”Then which shall we start with?” Elru said. She was just as excited to see other enchantments on Kara and perhaps bring back the Aura Rune to her people.

”Ah, do you mind if I copy down the Aura Output Rune? Aura users are rare among the Fae but…” She then asked.

”It might not be of any help, but go ahead.” Rainer doubted anyone could accomplish it without his Arcane Aura, ”Can you leave out the part about me?”

”Of course. I've already come up with an excuse that I read it from an old text,” Elru responded.

Rainer's mind changed again. He knew he might never get another more trustworthy Fae to ask about the Sacred Flame.

”Elru,” Rainer said in a serious tone.

Elru looked over confused.

”What does the Sacred Faerie Fire mean to you?”

Elru froze as she came to a realization. Why he hid Luna's class.

”It was the power of the First Queen, who established the Fae a place in the world. The world now considered the Fae's Realm. Then her class…”

Rainer nodded as he awaited Elru's reaction.

”Then…Yulia, she seeks Luna as a helper for the next trial? To overcome the preparations, we've made to counter her Wind Magic?” Elru asked. She didn't know how this cooperation would have been gained, however.

If their only record of the Faerie Fire is from a beloved legend, then it might make sense they wouldn't know it can be stolen as Yulia does.

Rainer thought.

”That's what I imagine. Luna had escaped on her own, was captured by Goblins, and here we are.”

”But…if the Fae courts knew of this they would protect her. There is no reason to fear Yulia,” Elru said.

”Protect, or use?” Rainer asked. His face slightly darkened at Elru's suggestion. Even if Elru was unaware of Luna's fire being able to be stolen, he wasn't sure anyone else would have the same ignorance.

”I see…your point,” Elru added, ”Then we can consider this another secret amongst us. You have my word to keep it as such,” She then said, taking on a more formal tone.

”Thank you,” Rainer said, ”As for which enchantment I wish to see first, I'd like to see the one with a similar effect to [Gift of Lightning].” This enchantment was of the greatest interest to Rainer. Especially considering that it stacked with a cast version of [Gift of Lightning].

Rainer spent the next few hours taking notes of the enchantment. He had Luna cast the gift version as well and watched with [Arcane Sight] the Runes that formed it. He also listened to the strange chant that accompanying it.

Now assuming the chant was a magical language innate to the Fae. Similar to the [Internal Runic Mana Formation], he thought the Fae didn't have an actual skill for it.

As Rainer poured over his notes, Elru used the time to speak to Kara about her first enchantment.

”Have you gained the skill yet?” Elru asked.

”For?”

”There is a skill for General Body Enchantment use, and then each enchantment is its own skill. Part of our strength is that we can quickly level up [Runic Knight]s. Of course, the weaker enchantment skills stop providing good experience in the later levels, so it isn't omnipotent by any means. But with yours being one that draws off Aura…”

”It may give great experience,” Rainer responded.

”Kara, now that you have level 25 in [Blade Dancer], maybe you should switch it to a subclass and see if you have a similar [Runic Knight] class?” Rainer asked.

”I shall leave the room then,” Elru said, ”I wish to finish the scroll I was reading in any case. Prior to being…distracted by such an amazing achievement,” She added. Choosing one's class was actually a personal affair. Rainer knew not what Gunthar sharing his class description meant.

After Elru left the room, Rainer asked another question as Luna already headed over to Kara, ”Did you get your Class Advancement Quest?”

”No…” Kara answered, ”My second class is level 23. So it seems they are connected.”

”I may as well switch for the time being. If it's as Elru says, who knows how fast I can level it. And with all four of my Aura talents, I may even reach level 25 with the new class before my De-Wolf one.” She stopped herself from saying Demon, just in case.

”Four?” Rainer asked.

”I have [True Aura Affinity], and [Excellent Aura Comprehension], but I have each one twice,” She said a bit proudly.

Rainer's looked on in shock. He knew Kara had likely a high talent for Aura, but he would never have thought her Half-Demon nature would mean she had talents to such a degree. He recalled the recent scene of her easily killing a 2nd Tier Demon.

”What's the True part mean?”

”My mother said it's a step above Excellent.”

Rainer was a bit disappointed at being only excellent. However, he viewed nothing as permanent.

From the notes, Rainer read that the Great Sage's Fire Affinity rose from Strong, to True. And given his regrets, Rainer wasn't sure he would follow the path of becoming Touched by Magic, but at the very least he knew nothing was permanent. Not even one's race.

”So, then you'll be switching classes?” He asked.

”Of course, It would be foolish to attempt my second class trial without as many subclasses as I can train,” Kara added, before awkwardly looking down.

”It was foolish. But I'd take that chance again, no matter who it was that was after us.” He said looking at Kara, ”I'll go back to studying my notes, tell me if you need my opinion. The class won't be much use unless I make more enchantments for you.”

”Ah, before I forget. Are there any other options for your Demon Class?” He asked while using [Soul Detection] to make sure no one was nearby.

Kara shook her head, ”Most of my race, no matter what they do can only select their bloodline Class until they reach the 2nd Tier and unlock the extra primary class slot. It's part of what makes the Class Advancement quite difficult for us. We can't have any subclasses. At-least…normally. But mine should be easier-”

”No, it should be far more difficult. Kara, I've been thinking for a while what is required for a Third Tier Class.”

”You believe such a thing exists?” She asked.

”Perhaps you may not know, but when you get a title that gives too much experience it says-”

”Experience Deferred…So you received Experience Deferred even while having a 2nd Tier Class?” Kara questioned surprised