The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 112 - Clawing Our Way Through Fortune

Chapter 112: Chapter 112 - Clawing Our Way Through Fortune

The group of cultivators settled in to eat while watching the waves. Polite conversations flowed easily under the accustomed prodding of Elua. While making small-talk wasn’t her favorite tactic in the past, she had more than enough experience being ’nice’ in this life to *almost* like the banality of it.

’It helps that it’s not always so time critical with a high chance of being attacked out of nowhere.’

Despite her acknowledgment of this, it didn’t stop her spiritual sense from scanning their surroundings. An unbelievably low chance did not make the risk of being caught unawares by danger acceptable. Sometimes, there is a good reason that old habits die hard!

Eventually, she steered the discussion towards her ’friends’ and their recent beach training. Fusand caught on that their master wanted to vicariously brag and jumped to explain between bites of delicious food. He didn’t know what half of it was, but it was all excellent.

"I’ve still been working on my Projection. There are so many interesting things here to try and duplicate. I really like crabs!"

Hearing him boldly yell that out with a mouthful of crab roe was misleading, but the Goltbred just let it slide. It wasn’t like she wanted to clarify that the boy had a strange obsession born today with making giant representations of crabs. In any case, Zyris smiled at him a bit more than politely.

’Her spirit is filled with both patience and genuine interest. Curious. Are my disciples so likable? It wasn’t just me...?’

"Crabs, you say? What is it about them that draws your interest for Projection practice?"

Realizing that the boy still had a mouthful of food, she filled the gap and continued to talk. Elua carefully observed the interaction, while stuffing her own face with the arthropod eggs. The woman’s regard and understanding of the boy’s motivation was... intriguing.

"I remember when I was first exploring my own spiritual Aspect. It’s important to find subjects that truly captivate you."

While she had told them as much more than once since starting to teach, the illusionist couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t bothered to ask about her disciple’s fascination with crabs herself. It was such a simple question she could have posed, yet potentially revealing of his character.

"Well, their claws are really cool! The way they move and snap shut is just fascinating."

Fusand’s eyes lit up when answering the Dame Talcres... and Nohre covered her face with her hands, in an accustomed way that could only be done when you are used to feeling discredited for your acquaintanceship.

’Ah, of course. He’s a young man, after all. I suppose some things are universal, regardless of time period or cultivation level.’

His admission spurned memories of a contact she once had when accompanying desert caravans. The man was beyond obsessed with scorpions... and the reason was only because their claws and tail were ’cool’. Elua got along with him quickly by admitting that she would rather have the stinger than her Tongue Physique.

Though sometimes he would corner her and talk about the creatures for almost as long as the Shadow Whisker Sorority members would brag about their explorations. She shook her head while patting the girl with braided hair on the shoulder. She caught Elua’s eyes, receiving a subtle nod of acknowledgment... but thought it was urging her to talk next.

"I’m learning to separate only the Water from the sea. It’s much more difficult than manipulating any that came from a river or well."

"You know, it’s refreshing to see young people so dedicated to their craft. Especially those that don’t have nearly as many resources or opportunities."

Meyran expressed his admiration and hinted at something that the schemer caught on to rather quickly. When it came to either supplies or knowledge, she didn’t consider herself inferior to the couple. However, time and availability was a factor she couldn’t ignore... even should she have any desire to monopolize training of the orphans.

’Which I don’t~ I’d much rather they use what I tell them, when I can, to improve themselves... and make use of any others to improve their cultivation at every opportunity. At least as much as someone is willing to help them, anyway.’

After placing their food and utensils onto the canvas, the Talcres pair leaned forward. Zyris allowed her expression to grow more serious than warm. The heiress had a little pride as she felt like this kind of change was something she had trained her disciples to respond to!

"Tell me, what are your plans for the future? Have you considered joining a Guild soon?"

The two teenagers that were spoken to exchanged looks. It was a set of questions they were used to receiving from the orphanage headmaster. Nohre decided to field them,

"We... haven’t really had many options, before."

"She means that I haven’t, with only my Astralism unlocked. All of the organizations want to know your Physique. Representatives have suggested she join their Guild because of hers, in the past."

"...Yes, that’s true."

The girl admitted quietly after Fusand *clarified*. Her mouth pursed and she worried that she might make her master look bad by clamming up. The husband and wife shared a moment of grasping at each other’s hands for support... and Meyran cleared his throat.

"You know, my wife and I have been thinking. We have quite a bit of experience between us... and it seems a shame not to use the free time waiting for the competition to pass it on."

Mint eyes watched it all play out. The adorably nervous conviction in the married couple as they opened themselves up to a set of young cultivators. The surprise and uncertainty, as well as wariness in her disciples. She almost wanted to use her illusions to fade out and make them forget she had ever been here in the first place!

’It’s a shame I’m too important to the cause and effect, here.’

"You see, multiple perspectives can greatly enrich one’s understanding of cultivation. We believe our experiences could provide valuable insights to complement what you’re already learning. I’m sure Young Miss Goltbred here has also been giving valuable advice where she can."

The woman pressed with some sound logic, which was clearly effective due to its similarities to things that the brunette had told them. As she had been addressed, it felt like an appropriate time to insert her opinion... before the orphans did something like directly ask her if it was okay!

"Yes, I have been trying my best to help offset some of their particular shortcomings. They are bright and hard working so my advice is taking shape quickly. However, there’s certainly nothing wrong with having more friends to help you."

The two older cultivators waited patiently for any sort of reaction from the other two teenagers. For them, their master’s tacit approval hung in the air. Yet, as they looked from the kind faces of the Talcres to Elua er Goltbred’s enigmatic smile... a quick decision was impossible to make!

What did this mean for their future training? For their loyalty to the one that had already helped them so much first? Another expansion of the world they knew loomed, already so improved by their luck of meeting the powerful young girl.

’To people who have experienced the very bad luck of losing their family, too much *good* feels like a trap. Well, it usually was in the past~’