The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 110 - One ’Innocuous’ Interaction, Two ’Difficult’ Dilemmas

Chapter 110: Chapter 110 - One ’Innocuous’ Interaction, Two ’Difficult’ Dilemmas

The teenage boy scratched the back of his head. He was perfectly used to the girl’s behavior when she thought he was tossing some kind of accusation at her. Seven out of eight times, he was merely curious and making an observation... like just then.

Fusand took a breath before turning his gaze back to the Goltbred. Pointing out when Nohre blew up at him unnecessarily also made it worse seven out of seven! There also wasn’t much else to say, but summarizing their time with the respected couple couldn’t hurt.

"Overall, they seemed kind and honest in their interactions with us. There was a slight feeling of being guarded... but not as if they were hiding something terrible. It felt... protective, almost."

The young spiritualist wasn’t sure if - in the eyes of the Talcres - the behavior was for themselves, the young adults they were escorting, or both. He felt like the lean was toward a reluctance to fully engage with young people... which made enough sense considering the tragedies that struck them. In any case, he didn’t think he could figure anything out that his master could not.

’She probably even left something out to see if we could tell on our own.’

Elua nodded at him with one of her ’sweet’ smiles to portray her appreciation, even as the boy squinted at her for a moment.

"Thank you both. The diligence in your observations is quite valuable. I’m impressed by your ability to take on this task, even if the ones you were up against were rather blatant with their feelings."

Her mint eyes turned to the one that provided a new direction for the discussion to go. For a few quiet moments, the reincarnator thought to herself.

"Nohre, about that sensation you mentioned... can you describe it to me again in more detail?"

The girl with braided hair fidgeted, as she tried to remember.

"It was... strange. Like my spirit wanted to reach out and... fix something? But I didn’t know what needed fixing or how to do it. I’m not sure how either Aspect works, master."

Their teacher’s expression remained rather neutral. She looked back up the cliff while her mind calculated all possibilities. Mend was a Physique that could use physical energy to heal. The Astralism her disciple had gained as a spiritual Enchanter was known as Synergy... and allowed for harmonization with the spiritual energy of others.

’Useful for certain rituals and, with the right training, getting around spiritual defenses. But I’ve never encountered the combination of these two - and the way Aspects interact can be different between cultivators in the first place. A frustrating science.’

Instead of a pure lecturing tone, her voice took on scholarly curiosity as she mused out loud for their benefit.

"It seems your Aspects might be working together to tell you something. The ’tugging’ as you so called it was very likely your Synergy suggesting that a harmonization was needed for some reason."

Turning her face back to the two listening to her with rapt attention, she couldn’t help but feel like she was making things up as she went. It was not as if there was an utter lack of confidence in her analysis, yet it was true that this time it was not just a situation the ancient soul had ’seen before’.

"I would guess by all your explanation that the reason is... that the individual you were drawn to was suffering from something which your Mend could affect. It’s a very interesting outcome. Have you felt this sensation around anyone else?"

"No, Master. Just with Dame Zyris."

Even as Nohre shook her head before speaking, the heiress started to tap her chin thoughtfully. She didn’t want to reveal too much about Zyris’s ’condition’, as there might be a chance the woman herself was unaware, but she could still use this as a teaching moment.

"Hmm. It’s possible your Aspects are responding to some form of *specific* spiritual or physical distress in others. This could be quite a rare and valuable talent to investigate."

Elua turned to Fusand, hoping to include him in the discussion. He would be the one spending more time with the girl in the first place. Without directly ordering him - right now, at least - she could make him pay attention out of his own desire to study things.

"Both of you should be aware that interactions between a cultivator’s Aspects, while not guaranteed to occur, can sometimes manifest in unexpected ways. You should always take note when you notice something like this."

The reincarnator carefully considered her next words. Partially... because she was starting to wonder if such an unusual interaction might be the source of her ’urge’ problem! There was no sense dwelling on it until she found a record of her exact Physique...

’Should it even exist somewhere I can find it.’

A soft sigh escaped the brunette.

"Consider this, disciples. If Nohre is indeed developing a ’sense’ that can detect a problem and then potentially cure others of it, this might have far-reaching implications. This ’cure’ might change some political landscapes, if for instance... it fixes a certain person’s essence cultivation issue."

She could feel the two startle at the possibility, before... surprisingly, Fusand grew wary first. While the girl remained contemplative, the sandy haired boy stepped forward. The illusionist was amused at his way of placing himself in front when his ’friend’ was distracted.

"Is that why you wanted us to meet with them?"

Elua chuckled at him... a longer, creepier one than was truly necessary.

"I truly had no way of expecting what she just told me. However... if it was part of it? Do you object to me guiding either of you towards opportunities, if it risks danger?"

Her look and voice grew duller as she spoke. The boy started to take a step back, but stood firm. He didn’t consider himself the best with people, but he did feel like he could at least tell when someone was angry.

"You are perfectly welcome to do as you please. Do not forget that I stated as much. I am also going to do as I like. Currently, that is guiding both you, and her... so that you do not regret later learning of your capabilities far too late for them to make a difference."

The older teenage girl moved to stand beside Fusand and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"...What sort of difference?"