At this point, Richard grew increasingly aware that the river’s source was truly extraordinary.
He even suspected that many things had already been carried downstream before he ever began fishing there.
If that was the case, those things might have already dissolved into the great river at its lower reaches.
"Wait here," Aldric said.
He entered his hut after saying that.
Only a few seconds passed before he emerged again.
"Take this!" He tossed something toward Richard, landing in his hands before he even had time to see what it was.
Looking down, he saw it was a bottle, seemingly crafted from crystal so clear it was almost invisible.
"What is this?" Richard asked, confused.
He could sense something unusual about the bottle, but with his current strength, it was difficult to discern what it was.
"Aether Bottle," Aldric replied.
"Place it before you when you absorb Aether, and it will absorb the same type as you. It can hold up to a hundred Aether, condensing them into liquid. Once collected, you can drink it, and your body will absorb the Aether. Of course, the liquid Aether can also be sold. Its price is quite high."
"Really?" Richard couldn’t help but marvel at the bottle’s ability.
He examined it more closely.
"Try absorbing Aether now," Aldric urged.
Richard nodded. Sitting down, he placed the bottle before him and began his practice.
For him, absorbing a single Aether currently took more than two hours.
He was used to it by now, so he remained patient even though he wasn’t in his room.
His ancestor didn’t disturb him.
[Aether: 859/1000 ] +1
[Aether Accumulation: 859 ]
Richard quickly opened his eyes when he saw the notification that his Aether had increased.
Then he turned his gaze to the Aether Bottle.
Sure enough, he saw a faint trace of purple liquid inside, so little that it was nearly invisible.
He had to bring the bottle right up to his eyes to see it clearly.
"Grandfather, can I drink it now?" Richard asked.
"Of course you can, but it’s too little," Aldric replied.
"I just want to try it first," Richard said.
He then drank the liquid inside the bottle.
It was barely anything, yet he still tasted it on his tongue.
Because it was so little, he couldn’t even swallow it—it simply slid down along with his saliva.
Moments later, he felt something stir in his body. Then it suddenly burst forth, spreading throughout his limbs.
[Aether: 860/1000 ] +1
[Aether Accumulation: 860 ]
’It really increased...’ Richard was astonished.
At this rate, his training could become twice as fast, even without considering the System’s assistance.
"This is a highly valuable treasure. You must guard it carefully, or you’ll be robbed without even realizing it. When it comes to Magi—even those with kind dispositions—they will not hesitate to rob others if given the chance, since robbery isn’t considered a crime among them," Aldric warned.
Richard fell silent, though he had indeed heard of such things from the Tales of the Dragon Knights.
Among Magi, the standards of crime were not the same as with ordinary humans.
"But grandfather, did this bottle really get carried here by the river’s current?" Richard couldn’t help but press the matter, eager to explore the river’s source.
"Didn’t I already tell you? But boy, be patient. For the record, even though my power is in ruins now and must be rebuilt, I am still far stronger than Magi at the Realm of Aether Will—and yet, I haven’t dared act." Aldric easily guessed Richard’s intent.
"Besides, when would it be your turn to claim such a treasure? Do you think I, your ancestor, wouldn’t desire it myself?"
He was dumbfounded. Though Aldric’s tone sounded joking, Richard sensed he was deadly serious.
If something truly priceless lay at the river’s source, of course his ancestor would want it for himself.
This was nothing like the Aether Bottle, which held no real use for Aldric.
"Grandfather, in that case, it seems we’ll have to compete for it," Richard said.
"What? Boy, you dare compete with your ancestor?" Aldric, who had thought Richard would drop the matter, was left speechless.
"I also want the best things," Richard replied calmly.
"It seems your ambition is greater than I thought, boy," Aldric said.
He wasn’t actually angry—if anything, he grew more intrigued by this descendant of his.
"It isn’t ambition. But one who desires the sky will never surrender to anyone bound to the earth," Richard said, quoting a line he had once read in the Tales of the Dragon Knights.
Aldric was slightly taken aback hearing that.
Then, he burst into laughter.
"I hope you’re not all talk, boy. But I still want it for myself, so don’t think I’ll hand it over to you willingly," he said.
"Hehehe..." Richard laughed as well.
Of course, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to rush to the river’s source now.
After all, even his far stronger ancestor hadn’t dared to act yet—so surely, it must be dangerous.
He picked up his bamboo fishing rod, left on the ground nearby, and walked to the riverbank.
This time, however, he wasn’t planning to fish—he wanted to absorb Aether again.
He chose to do so by the river, hoping something else might still be carried downstream.
Even while absorbing Aether, he occasionally opened his eyes to scan the current.
His ancestor, naturally, didn’t disturb him, continuing instead to work on the expansion of his hut.
By evening, after a full day of absorption, Richard managed to gain two more Aether, in addition to two within the Aether Bottle, which he drank immediately rather than store.
He preferred having Aether within his body rather than in the bottle.
[Aether: 864/1000 ] +4
[Aether Accumulation: 864 ]