Alistair's heart ached for his son.
The second time in as many days.
Seeing Alden so fragile, so vulnerable as he cried in his arms, it shook the Guildmaster to the core. He was a little irked at Morrigan for making his child go through something so awful.
However, he also knew that as the Keeper's successor, Alden could not be coddled. In fact, he would have to experience more suffering and hardship than most - not just to forge him into a resilient person, but also to give him the qualifications necessary to lead the Sanctuary in the future.
Alistair sighed internally.
His son currently sat cross-legged in the centre of the garden, meditating. Snow slowly blanketed his figure, one small flake at a time. The Guildmaster kept a watchful eye over Alden. He was afraid something would disturb the tenuous peace his son had just achieved.
Alistair turned his thoughts to their brief spar. Not only was Alden's technique excellent, but the application of his Skills was also very prudent. It was about time he upgraded the latter, though.
Now that he was an [Adept] mage, he was capable of facing stronger beings, which also required a stronger and more robust skill arsenal, too. Perhaps, he could even create his own skill, or at least build a solid foundation for one - it wasn't unheard of for people in Alden's rank to do just that.
He had something similar, after all.
Nonetheless, the key fact was that ranks were merely a measure of one's proficiency over their skills and mana control. Nothing more, nothing less. They were just a baseline. Occasionally, an outlier appeared that could overcome the gulf between them. Individual combat prowess and application were most important there.
However, that pertained more to the earlier Ranks - once someone entered the higher ranks, things began to get a little messy. For example, Alistair himself would not be able to take down a Master on his own - the gap was just too wide. Not to mention Masters had more trump cards at their disposal, or at least a more refined version of these advantages.
Magic Classes also played a role.
Although, that was more up to chance than anything.
Cutting his thoughts short, the Guildmaster spared Alden another look.
'What do I do with him?'
He wanted nothing more than to mend the cracks in Alden's relationship with Celeste. Alistair understood that he couldn't butt in, though. As the adult, he just had to let the kids be. It was up to Alden and Celeste to work things out between themselves.
…That didn't mean he would let them make stupid mistakes, however.
'Maybe if I have another chat with him once he's had enough time to reflect…'
Even though Alistair could see where Alden was coming from, he fundamentally disagreed with his son. It was through hardship and struggle that one's relationship truly took form, and conversely, it was also how it was deepened. Denying Celeste that opportunity was like denying their relationship a chance to blossom.
Overall, the Guildmaster thought it was a very foolish choice.
But humans were complicated.
…Relationships were complicated, too.
One could only do their best.
In this cruel, cold world…
Love was perhaps the most ruthless of them all.
Alden listened with rapt attention.
His legs were crossed, and his posture was straight. Snow covered every inch of grass. However, here and there, certain footprints broke the pristine white. Alistair circled his figure, imparting crucial wisdom and counsel.
"...You are now an Adept mage. It is as the name suggests. You have become more adept at wielding your power. However, you are no expert. So, there are still imperfections that exist…. That is where I come in, though."
"I will show you how to become an Expert mage, or at least guide you on the correct path towards achieving that. I would not be doing my job as your father, otherwise."
The Guildmaster continued to pace around the young man in a circle, his movements slow, precise, methodical. Alden leaned forward slightly, itching to hear what he had to say.
"There are three steps. Each one has a direct impact on the other."
Alistair paused briefly, gathering his thoughts.
"The first step is to 'condense' or 'refine' your core. You need to remove the impurities from your Mana Core, and that can only be done through slow, tireless progress. The second step is achieved as a result of the first. Mana Purification. Your mana will not only be purer, but will also possess higher quality as well. And that is important for the final step."
A tiny rock suddenly appeared in his father's hand.
The older man tossed it at him, and Alden hurriedly caught it.
"Throw it at me. As hard as you can."
Seeing him hesitate, Alistair sighed.
"Do you really think a small stone is capable of harming me?"
Alden displayed a sheepish smile in response.
He inhaled a lungful of cold air, drew his arm back, augmented it with mana, and then let loose.
The rock shot through the air with great speed.
However, his father remained completely unfazed.
All he did was merely snap a finger…
And the rock came to an instant halt.
Then, he blinked some more.
His eyes shone like a kid who had found their favourite toy.
Alden saw his father's lips curl into a faint smile at that.
He internally chuckled.
A few moments later, he shook off his excitement and focused.
"The ability to instantaneously use a Skill can only be achieved through smoother mana flow, which arises when one has completely purified their mana. It is the third hallmark of an Expert, and signifies that they possess the necessary expertise to shift their attention towards higher level Skills. Most Experts start by being able to instantly use low-level skills, such as [Shield] or [Haste]. Slowly, over time, they can then branch out."
"Can you instantly cast more complex Skills, Dad?"
"But they're only limited to medium-level skills. High-level skills are too far out of my league.'
Alden continued to listen to his father's advice.
By the end of their session, he knew what to do.
…He also knew where to go.