Ep. 412 Back in the Tower Part 2 (Patreon)

As soon as I crawl into the space made, they snuggle up and pin me in place. Luckily, the bed's enchantments make sure I get a good night's sleep. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have slept well since I was being smothered the entire night.

When I wake up in the morning I am still in the exact same position, they haven't moved. It's the first time they have ever slept through the night without moving. Even though I am awake, I can't currently do anything about it.

Kechara is laying on one of my arms and Asuna is laying on the other and they are heavy enough I can't move. Well, I could move them but it would take considerable effort. Since I can't move I decide to enter into my meditation and see how they are doing.

Kechara is still progressing on her own just fine, but Asuna's core has stopped progressing. When I take a look I find that she has reached the maximum advancement that she can as a normal mana beast. If left alone she probably won't ever progress any further on her own.

Out of curiosity I open a window and take a look, sure enough Asuna now has two tails. I am guessing the rest will grow with age rather than as her core upgrades. At least that would be the case if I didn't interfere, but of course I plan to interfere.

Remembering how Kechara's core sucked in all of my power all at once I prepare to be drained. So I gather up all of my sacred power into a ball and then extend a tendril of it to her core. I don't want to force it, instead I will let her core pull it in at its own rate.

As soon as the tendril of power touches her core it starts draining the ball of energy. Through the window I can see Asuna's body surrounded by a golden glow. After all my sacred power has been absorbed I end my meditation and open my eyes.

Asuna is awake and staring at herself in surprise, her fur has shifted from white to silver. The new fur color makes her look regal and majestic, yet she is still adorable at the same time. Then she shakes her body as if to get rid of a weird feeling and suddenly it is snowing.

Kechara wakes up in surprise as it starts snowing on the bed and even Asuna looks surprised. I was expecting Asuna to develop more ice powers, but to make it snow just by shaking is a little surprising. The snow quickly starts piling up on the bed, which quickly leads to the three of us playing in it.

Yui says "What, exactly, is going on here?"

"Um, Asuna has developed a new power, and we got a little carried away."

Yui says "Well, if you are done getting carried away, I will send in the sprites to clean up."

"Ah, yeah, sorry!"

We quickly vacate the bedroom and head to breakfast where we find Bones and Nived waiting. Not long after we arrive breakfast is served and we all dig in. Once we are all done eating we again move to the living room to continue our discussions.

"Yui, what can you tell me about the commander's test?"

Yui says "Now that you have passed the captain's test I can tell you about it. From the records of previous commanders I can tell you it is similar to the captain's test. Although, it's much more difficult."

"Difficult how?"

Yui says "From what I know it is much more involved. You start as a youngster and to succeed must build a force."

"Build a force? Is that why the captain's test gave me the leadership stat?"

Yui says "While I can't say for sure, it is possible. To pass the test you must show the ability to build and lead a force."

"Sounds like the test would take a long time."

Yui says "I have a record of seven commanders passing the test. The quickest of them was gone for four months, and said he experienced an entire lifetime."

"While I would like to take the test, I simply don't have that kind of time right now."

Yui says "I wouldn't suggest it even if you had the time. Previous captains took years to be ready to try the commander's test."

"Okay, what about the remaining mage tests?"

Yui says "The second mage test is similar to the first only with more challenging enemies. The third is a lot like the captain's test you just took, except it has problems that can only be solved by magic."

"I'm guessing you mean more than just defeating enemies?"

Yui says "Correct. The remaining tests are the same, each one getting progressively harder."

"Alright, for now I am done with the tests. I may return later to attempt them, but I need to do other things first."

Yui says "That is fine, you can return anytime."

"Speaking of returning, is there an easier way than climbing the mountain?"

Yui says "Actually, there is. The mages built two way gate systems. Unfortunately, they are quite bulky and require a lot of mana to activate."

"How many sets do you have?"

Yui says "Over twenty, why?"

"Can I have two sets then?"

Yui says "Sure, I don't mind."

"With your permission I will keep one for my people and give the other to the Illium mages guild."

Yui says "Do you think the mages guild will have qualified prospects?"

"They should have some, and the ability to look for more. Especially if I give them the testing stone."

Yui says "Well, I would like to have students again. If you trust the mages guild in Illium then so will I."

"Before that, you might have a student right here."

I take out the testing stone from my pouch and aim it at Nived. It cycles through the colors and finally stops on silver and glows brightly. I was hoping to see gold, but silver isn't bad.

Nived says "What's that thing? And why is it glowing at me like that?"

Yui says "It is a tool that measures a person's magical potential."

Nived says "Okay, so is silver good?"

Yui says "Yes, very good."

"Nived, I know you want to follow me, but would you be willing to stay here and study?"

Nived says "Yeah, I miss my magic. Besides, I know I will be more useful to you once I am a mage again."

"There you go, Yui, you have your first student."