Chapter 16: What Aether Is

Alec quickly closed his mouth when he noticed the others nod along like they were already perfectly aware.

’I guess that’s the drawback of superpowers in this world.’

It was like always. His brother didn’t write power systems that were overpowered without some kind of catch. In this world, it was the fact that Aether condensation methods put a strain on the heart.

’But if it’s just that, there has to be a way around it.’ Alec sank into a thoughtful frown.

He could understand magic circles around the heart straining it. But why not spread out the magic circles to other places around the body? Why did it have to be the heart?

There also had to be supernatural ways to strengthen the heart.

Alec’s eyes narrowed.

’What if this isn’t the real drawback. It’s the drawback for those who don’t have the solution.’

It was just an idea inspired by a bunch of conspiracy theories and awareness of how those in power monopolized knowledge that kept them in power. What if there was a way to reduce the burden on the heart, which would let Mages and Warriors condense more magic circles without needing to worry about their hearts breaking down?

It was just an idea, and it came from the fact that Alec didn’t know how difficult it was to do something about the problem that had plagued Mages and Warriors since the dawn of the Aether condensation methods.

But whether it was already solved or not, Alec would have to solve it if he wanted to save the world.

He still didn’t know what the world-ending danger was, but he had two clues: monsters and war. It was what Sarah had told him about earlier.

Those were the two reasons that nobles were held in such high regard that a scion could ban a commoner from the Academy’s cafeteria. The nobles kept the kingdom safe from those two threats.

Alec had only had time for a cursory glance, but both monsters and war were things that could cut his life short before he managed to fulfill his purpose in Miteria. So, if he wanted to survive, he needed the strength to defend himself from things that could jeapordize entire kingdoms.

That meant surpassing the known system of power.

It meant doing something about the limit that walled off Mages and Warriors from the realm beyond seven magic circles or stars.

But that was still a matter for the far future.

The first hurdle he had to overcome was sensing Aether. If he couldn’t even do that, he could forget about becoming a mage.

“After you condense your first magic circle, it can take some time for it to stabilize. I recommend waiting for that before you try to start casting spells. Unfortunately, it may take some time before all of you sense Aether and condense your first circles, so I will be teaching you magic and spells before you’re ready. But it will be fine as long as you listen to me and don’t do anything reckless.”

Alec glanced around and saw that no one was raising their hand to ask questions, so he stayed silent.

’But what happens if you don’t wait?’

“For now, though, I will tell you all about the various theories regarding Aether in excruciating detail. Due to the nature of Aether, it is difficult even for mages to grasp its fundamental existence and the laws that rule it.

“A couple of the things we can say for certain about Aether is that it exists everywhere all around us, and that it is not affected by minor sources of physical force. If I wave my hand like this,” Wilcox said as he swept his hand through the air back and forth.

“The Aether doesn’t react at all. However, if a building crumbles to the ground or a tree falls, the Aether moves similarly to the air.

“Some areas have denser Aether than others for no discernible reason. Those areas tend

to be places full of nature, like deep into the hills and valleys, the center of old forests, rivers, and generally places that fill you with wonder at the beauty of the world.

“But it’s not a rule. The capital is famous for its Aether density. There is also a five-meter square behind the Academy where the Aether is noticeably denser. One of our lessons, once you all have learned how to sense Aether, will be held there so that you can feel it for yourselves.

“Aether exists in everything, even you, although in such small amounts that it can’t compare to the air around you.

“That’s it for the facts.

“One theory is that Aether is the breath of the world. A strand of that theory is that this world itself is a living being. Not like humans or animals, obviously. But that the mass and age of the world has given birth to a subconscious sentience. Aether is the proof of that. Us breathing in and using the Aether is us trying to take the world’s power. That is why Mages and Warriors suffer from heart failure. It’s because we use a power that is not ours—that isn’t compatible with our bodies.

“I will…refrain from commenting on the theories since I want you to form your own opinions. So, take a moment. What do you think of this theory?”

Alec frowned. It sounded a little ridiculous. But he had been pulled into an alternate reality of one of his brother’s books, and he had a System in his head that had granted him supernatural abilities.

Besides, life was strange. There were things like tardigrades. There were also things like corals, which were like living rocks. Maybe this world was one big supernatural coral?

“I think it’s scary. What if the world gets angry at us for using its Aether and…does something about it?” Paul Rivermore said while looking around nervously.

“That…probably won’t happen.” Wilcox gave Paul a funny look. He wasn’t the only one.

However, Wilcox had said ’probably.’ Paul’s nerves didn’t calm down.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” Victoria said.

“Is there a need to make out Aether to be something special? If Aether is the world’s breath, does that make all the plants its hair, the ground its skin, the oceans its blood, and the land beneath its flesh?

“Sure, Aether does something that nothing else in this world does. It grants us the abilities to do things humans usually aren’t able to. The fact that not everyone can sense Aether, no matter how hard they try, is proof that it’s special, I guess.

“But allergies mean specific types of food aren’t for everyone. Different types of food have varying effects on our bodies. Air is the only thing we can breathe without dying. If you look at it like that, Aether is just another part of nature, one that we can take advantage of to bestow ourselves a level of strength others don’t possess. But training our muscles has the same effect.”

Victoria stared at Wilcox with her hands on her desk for a moment before realizing that she had gone on a slight rant. She cleared her throat and sat down again with a calm expression.

’She makes a good point.’ Alec nodded in agreement with her point of view. He liked that way of thinking.

There was no need to glorify Aether, not when it was a part of their daily lives.

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