“How is water pouring from either side of that, what is it? A basket? A wok?”

‘Our ancestor created a formation that draws in ambient mana and use it create water from the laws.’

“You can do that? Isn’t that infinite water?”

‘As long as the formation isn’t damaged it will always collect mana and transform it into water.

Sadly, the ancestor hasn’t been seen a few hundred years.’

“You say that as if he could still be alive. How long do people live exactly?”

‘Many are heralded as immortals.

It is said that once you break the fetters of this world, you will be able to enter another world, filled with all those immortals.

Most believe our ancestor left this world behind.’

“But, I’ve been told that you came from a different world.”

‘We came from a similar, lower dimension.’

“Okay. Is this common knowledge? You seem very nonchalant about something so amazing.”

‘It is hard to believe in the great tales told to us as children.

Even though there are those that would fight me to the death, insisting on these story being gospel.’

‘This is why your father let you take over the grand position of chief advisor, so dull!

You should be more like me, your uncle.

See Tio, life is like a vast river…’

‘Please uncle! I’ve heard it a thousand times.’

‘…And in this river of life, we either silently go with the flow or swim upstream!

We should look to the honorable Skareaarp, a true specimen of freedom!’

‘Uncle please, not while we have guests!’

‘I’m sure young Ji here would be greatly interested in learning of the bravery and wisdom that is the Skareaarp.’

“I’m more interested in these immortals.

Can we assume that most great heroes of their time have all disappeared in some manner?”

‘That is exactly why so many believe in the stories.’

“Any self-respecting hero would seek to better themselves, and when the grass withers and the land becomes barren, they move to greener pastures.”

“What is that analogy?”

‘Alright, Ji. Do you mind waiting here while I get Uncle Ki-oh?’

“Sure, I’ll be practicing.”

‘Uncle Ohoh, are you coming with me, I’m sure uncle Ki-oh will be happy to see you.’

‘No, no. I´ll stay with your friend, make sure he is entertained.’

“A dark glint can be seen in the man’s eye as he vanishes from sight, not giving his dear niece a chance to respond.

She heaves a heavy sigh and gives the absent minded Ji one last look before making her way through the heavily fortified Oh clan’s inner area.

Our hero continuously experiments with various combinations, yet something seems wrong.”

“So strange. It was a lot easier a few minutes ago, now nothing works right.”

“With the abundant water elements in the air, his delicate balance has been thrown out of line, literally drowning out any other element introduced.”

“Oh. That makes sense.

Or does it? It feels like the water element just washes over me anytime I try to draw any element to me.”

“Even whilst focusing solely on the earth, fire or wind, the water element seeps in and causes and unintended balance that ruins the structure of the spell.

This is obviously due to a lack of control.

Mere introductions into the laws are not enough to gain adequate control to separate the abundance of water elements in the air.

And despite our hero’s speculations, he has not gained more insight into the water or wind elements than fire and soil.

In fact, his insight into the laws of soil and earth could be said the most advanced, even when his overall level of comprehension is laughably low.”

“Hey now.

Look, I’ll just play with the water then, okay? So judgmental.”

“Moments pass calmly and only the perpetual sound of running water can be heard.

As our hero manages to create a large unstable and useless sphere of water in front of him, we can hear multiple footsteps nearing from outside.

The doors open slowly as the smirking Ohoh-oh walks into the large room.”

‘My dear friend, I’d like to introduce you to our clan’s talented young maidens.

Come on then girls, come, come!’

“With a blank expression our hero loses control of his large sphere and it splashes into the smooth floor.”

“Uncle…”

‘Hahaha! Look at your face, and they say I can’t read people!’

“Helplessly our hero watches as a stream of over twenty beautiful women and men make their way to form a uniform line.”

“But why all the men?”

‘I wasn’t sure which way you were. We Fluo have no issue either way.’

“And he would mean that in a very literal way, as even the male Fluo can bring the world new life.”

“Ehem. Uncle, this is really unnecessary, I am only here to practice my combat abilities.”

‘Nonsense! If you can’t relax, how are you going to practice the Fluo-oh arts?!’

“Couldn’t we just listen to music or something? This is starting to feel awfully familiar to a certain other clan I’ve encountered.”

‘Tsch.’

“What exactly did Tio-oh tell you?”

‘Nothing, but how could I not notice how she treated you? The grand leader’s daughter treating you so kindly?

Even if the all the clan leaders came for a visit, they wouldn’t get escorted by my little Tio-oh.’

“A heated debate about what to do with the twenty or so beautiful men and women ensues.

The poor young people helplessly and awkwardly watch on as a young man argues back and forth with one of their most respected elders.”

‘Do you know that is?’

‘I have no idea, he has to be important for Elder Oh to treat him like this.’

‘I heard Elder Oh is a bit strange. You must have heard the rumors.’

‘I heard he chases all the women he can find.’

“As the day goes on, the chatting of the group becomes more apparent.

Ji and Ohoh have now started to discuss the art of storytelling, both preferring their tales to be about mysteries and the unknown.

Both found common ground in the more adult themes.”

‘This perverted Elder.’

‘Shush, Oh may not be known for punishments but he is still an Elder.’

‘Look at them, their eyes are practically shining.’

“Silence descends upon the room as a domineering pressure envelopes everyone present.

We, the more adept, would see that this is but a simple probe, a way to investigate an area or people through mana.

The more powerful can of course rebuff this rude gesture, some can even hide their presence completely.

People finally relax once the pressure dissipates, sweat on their brows and backs.”

“What in the world was that.”

‘Hmph. That old man has no manners.’

‘Who are you calling old? I’m not one year older than you!’

“A man with a robust physique and a familiar face walks inside the room, our little lady, Tio, follows behind.”

“Eh? Noway, are you two twins?”

‘Hmph, meet my older brother, Ki-oh.

Be careful he’s a obsessed with martial arts.’

‘So. You are Ji?

Well? Tio-oh? Aren’t you going to introduce me?’

‘Yes Uncle.

Ji. This is the Oh clan’s Chief Martial Instructor, Oheh Ki-oh.‘

“Oheh and Ohoh. Fantastic names!

Domineering!”

“With an enormous grin our hero manages to handle himself, a rare occurrence.”

‘Oh? He’s a sharp one.’

‘Of course he is! He instantly recognized the great Ohoh-oh was the superior name.’

‘What nonsense are you speaking!? Tio-oh, take him to the inner training yard, I’ll test him there.’

‘I’m coming as well!’

‘Don’t you have some hussy to chase?’

“With a nonchalant wave, Oheh Ki-oh disappears, in the distance you can hear a hearty laugh.”

‘Uncle, please don’t.’

‘Don’t get involved in this Tio, something can’t be dealt with in words.’

“Another gust of wind blows through the room as yet another person vanishes from the room.”

“Do they not get along?”

‘Usually? No.

But sometimes, no, I can’t remember the last time they met and they didn’t fight.’

“Can we go watch?”

‘It wouldn’t be safe. Actually this will a few hours.

By the way, why are there so many people in here?’

“As Tio-oh of the oh clan gazes over the twenty men and women they all lower their heads.

It would appear they sensed they are unwelcome.”

‘Mistress, we came at the request of Ohoh Teir-oh.’

‘You are all dismissed.’

‘Yes, mistress.’

‘Yes, mistress.’

‘Yes, mistress.’

‘Yes, mistress.’

…

…

“Where are you taking me?”

‘To my father’s house.’

“Oh? I’m already meeting your dad, aren’t we moving too fast?”

‘Don’t worry, he’s not there.’

“Eh?”

“With an impish smile, the little lady drags our hero through multiple layers of protective formations, each more terrifying than the last.”

“Formation?”

‘Don’t worry about the formations, they won’t touch you with me here.’

“But will I be able to get out of here?”

‘Sure, with me beside you.’

“Our hero appears to have been slightly shaken yet doesn’t hesitate to follow the excited Fluo.

After nearly an hour of walking through small villages and gateways we finally see an end in sight, a majestic building.

The building appears to be rippling and free flowing.

Clearly an illusion created by a relative expert in the water laws.”

“So many formations.”

“Any respectable crafter has a certain accomplishments in creating formations, although they don’t have to be overly complex they do require finesse, due to their small size.”

“Can I learn how to do formations?”

‘Of course, I’ll have some books sent to your room later.’

“My room? I have a room?”

‘Right across from mine!’

“Does it have a lock?”

‘No. Not one that I can’t open.’

“I see. Could I request a room in a different area?”

‘You can, it will go through the proper channels before being denied.’

“Are you trying to confuse me?”

‘Yes.’

“Well done. Do whatever you like.

I prefer to not be chained to a bed, let me rephrase that.

I prefer not being chained or bound in anyway.”

‘Understood.’

“A back and forth continues as we enter the building. What we first see is a giant hall, stairways leading off into five different sections of the house.

The house being placed on a mountain and continues to climb upwards in three sections whilst two others lean to left and right.”

‘Welcome home miss Tio.’

“After being dragged around the enormous house for what we can only describe as an eternity, our hero has the opportunity to sit down and relax by an outside pool.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask, but how long until we go meet your uncle Ki again?”

‘Hmm?

Oh, right. Uncle Ki.

Sometime tomorrow? Maybe.’

“Maybe? What do you mean maybe?”

‘Haven’t you felt the ground shake occasionally?’

“Yes I have.”

‘When it stops, we can go check on them.

One of them will eventually make up an excuse to stop fighting.’

“The two brothers have been at their peak for years and could fight for days on end with no end in sight.”

‘We will just have to wait here, don’t worry. I can teach you some of the basics before you meet uncle.’

“Great! Tomorrow maybe, I'm exhausted.”

“With half open eyes our hero grabs another slice of exotic fruits placed in a bowl on his side.

With expert cunning, the young lady reaches out and lays her hands on our hero’s shoulders.

At some point in time, she managed to signal her maids to leave the room.

A sensual scent permeates the air, some kind of mixture of finely ground flowers and a low level aphrodisiac.”

“Mmmm? What?”

‘Shhh. Want some Fluo wine?’

“Sure.”

“A well-guarded secret of the Fluo, the Fluo wine, alcoholic water, disguising itself as wine.”