With tension between them resolved, Kyle and Selene talked about less dramatic matters.
For example, Kyle really wanted to know why Selene was willing to join his team when she had so many different powerful teams to choose from.
“Because of what you said,” Selene said. “I asked you why you wanted me in your team. When you answered, you didn’t mention anything about my family. Even more importantly, you didn’t say it was because we were friends.”
“You just said I would be a perfect fit and that you wanted me for my capabilities.”
“You treated me like a random but capable person, and that’s what I was looking for.”
“In any other organization, I would be treated like a treasure, but that’s not what I want. My goal is to become a Transcendent, and I can’t become a Transcendent by being protected by everyone around me.”
“I need danger and experience.”
Selene chuckled a bit. “Of course, all of that is nice, but that isn’t enough to make me join your team in the long term. However, it was enough for me to give you a chance to convince me.”
“Originally, I was planning on giving you a month to convince me to stay, but you’ve already done so,” Selene said.
“Huh,” Kyle said. “I was expecting that you might leave due to your background. Glad to hear that we managed to convince you.”
Selene nodded. “The team is very powerful. I can’t see any kind of enemy that would counter us. On top of that, every single member is outstanding in their own way.”
“Even Falk?” Kyle asked with a smile.
“Even Falk,” Selene repeated with a laugh. “Falk had some issues in the beginning, but he has managed to become an integral part of the team within just a couple of weeks.”
“Team Sandstorm has a good chance of becoming the new Ace Team.”
Kyle nodded.
He asked a couple more questions that interested him.
For example, what was Selene’s Affinity? In the past, she seemed to have a Fire Affinity, but now, she had a Sand Affinity.
“I was born with a Fire Affinity, and I can still make use of it,” Selene said. “But since I’m also a Beast Tamer, I can make use of my Primary Beast’s Affinity.”
“One of the reasons why I wanted to get the Colossus was to give me access to the sand techniques. King Skysand’s techniques are the most powerful in the kingdom, and he uses Skysand during battles. Because of that, his sand techniques are more powerful than other techniques.”
“Wait,” Kyle said. “You can gain a new Affinity by getting a beast? “
“It’s not technically a new Affinity,” Selene explained. “I’m just borrowing it. Essentially, I channel my Ether into my beast, which converts it into Elemental Ether.”
“Boss,” Kyle said, “why didn’t you tell me about that?”
“You already have three Affinities, imbecile. What use is a fourth?” Theodor said with annoyance.
Naturally, he still wasn’t happy that Kyle was trusting Selene this much.
“Makes sense, I guess,” Kyle said.
“What did he say?” Selene asked.
“I already have three Affinities. That’s enough, according to him,” Kyle said.
Selene nodded. “Every Affinity needs training and work to become usable. Three is already more than most people would want. Most Fighters or Knights would refuse a third Affinity, even if it came with no downsides.”
“Weird,” Kyle commented. “I don’t see the downside.”
“Because you have an Aristocrat’s Body,” Selene said. “The reason why most people would turn a third Affinity down is the efficiency of elemental conversion. The closer you are to your Element, the less Ether you need to create the respective Elemental Ether.”
“Fighters already have limited Ether. Knights have access to the Core Tome, but getting an additional Affinity means splitting the Elemental Ether even more.”
“In general, people want to have two Affinities. One for offense and one for support. Fire and Wind are a good combination. Metal and Earth is also a good one. Lightning and Water. Wind and Sand. Gravity and Metal.”
“In your case, Metal and Fire fulfill the same role. They are both used offensively, and having both of them only gives you little advantage.”
Kyle scratched the side of his head.
“I can see that, but I still feel having both of them is a good thing.”
Selene nodded. “In your case, yes, but that’s because you have an improved mind and Center. Elemental conversion is not a big deal for you.”
“Then, what about Sorcerers?” Kyle asked.
“Technically, having more Affinities would not be bad for a Sorcerer,” Selene said. “It’s just that learning Spells is extremely difficult and time-consuming. Even if a Sorcerer had three Affinities, chances are that they won’t be able to make effective use of all of them.”
“Sorcerers are special. Due to the complex process of Injection and Shaping, they are harvesting levels of power that someone of that level shouldn’t be able to reach. Technically, they are learning techniques that are beyond their level, and that’s not easy.”
“Speaking of,” Kyle said. “I saw you casting a Spell earlier.”
Selene nodded. “Fire Needle,” she said. “It’s the most powerful Spell I know. I have it as a last resort in case anybody manages to come close to me.”
“Scary,” Kyle said. “I’ve recently started learning how to cast Spells, but I’m still in the process of getting the Miz amounts down.”
“That’s not easy,” Selene said. “Even more, the stronger you get, the harder it is to release small amounts of Ether. Just out of curiosity, what Spells are you planning on learning?”
“Metal’s Tempering, Fire’s Power, Wind’s Speed,” Kyle answered.
Selene’s brows rose.
“Quite ambitious,” she said.
“Why?” Kyle asked.
“Those Spells are not easy. In fact, they are for Mid Sorcerers. My Fire Needle is intended for Initial Sorcerers.”
“Boss?” Kyle asked.
“What?” Theodor asked.
“Why am I learning those Spells? You know I’m not a book guy,” Kyle said.
“You think I don’t know that?” Theodor asked with a snort.
“I mean, yeah, you probably know, but then-“
“Then, just shut up and listen to my orders. I have never told you to learn something that you weren’t capable of learning,” Theodor said.
Kyle blinked a couple of times.
“I guess…”
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