"What is it that you'd like to talk about, Sect Master?" Maria asked as she walked over to a nearby table to sit down.
Aelina sat on the opposite side of Maria and said, "I'm just curious about you, Mira, and that other friend of yours… I think her name is Celaine. From what Sandra told me, you three are the most talented people she's ever seen. She's generally not someone to compliment another like that, so I decided to check you out for myself."
"Ah, I see! Well, Elder Sandra's not wrong. I am a supreme talent! The second most talented person in the Sect!"
For some reason, Aelina had the urge to roll her eyes at Maria's arrogant statement, but she decided not to say anything.
"So, are you saying Mira is the most talented? That's a pretty bold statement for someone who has only been in the Sect for barely two months." Aelina asked.
"Yes, whether it be her hardworking nature, body and qi talent, beauty, or comprehensive abilities, Mira is superior to me. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say that I'm where I'm at today because of Mira. However, there is one aspect Mira loses out to me: luck! She will never be as lucky as me! Hard work? Talent? Hmph! I just need to go on a little journey, and my luck will more than makeup for my lack of talent." Mira raised her head and said righteously.
Fortunately, Mira wasn't here, or else she would definitely be taking a beating right about now.
Even Aelina felt like it might not be so bad to give Maria a nice smack to the head.
They are training warriors here, yet this girl wants to just laze around all day and rely on something unreliable as luck?
However, she was the Sect Master for a reason. If she lost her cool over something like this, she never would've become the leader of the Sect.
"Anyways, I heard you have some amazing healing abilities. Is that something you are looking to specialize in, or can you also fight as well?" Aelina asked neutrally, not trying to look down on Maria as she could tell that she should have been trained in combat.
"Well, I haven't really thought about that too much. I mean, when I first started my cultivation journey, it was basically because there was nothing better to do, and it looked kind of interesting. I've never been one who enjoys fighting and killing. My talent in combat is relatively average. No, I guess in this Sect, it could be considered below average. However, if I want to stand alongside Mira, I don't really have much of a choice other than to learn how to fight and kill. So, while I would love to just focus on learning auxiliary or support abilities and techniques, I'm more than capable enough in a fight." Maria said with a determined look on her face.
Maria knew Mira's path would be littered with corpses, and as her wife, she naturally can't stand on the sidelines and let her do all the hard work! If she's not able to fight and defend herself, then she'll only be a burden to Mira.
Maria knew that should she ever get lazy or become a burden, Mira would still keep moving forward. Regardless of how she felt, Mira would keep moving on and would, at some point, become out of reach for Maria.
"I see… It seems like you understand your path forward. Alright, I won't question you too much on that topic. However, it seems you might need a little extra help, so I'll offer some 'advice'. Alright, based on my understanding of your strength, you should be able to fight someone around the 6th Stage of the Core Formation Realm, right?"
Maria nodded, so Aelina continued, "Then I order you not to take on any missions below that Stage. Meaning, you should only take subjugation missions for Late-Stage Rank 6 beasts or higher. Or, if there's a bounty on someone's head, they can't be under the 6th Stage of the Core Formation Realm. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Maria immediately began cursing in her mind.
'Dammit! Why did I have to run my big mouth?! If I had just said I could fight, this scenario might not have happened! Fortunately, the Sect Master isn't completely insane and didn't order me to only take missions meant for those at the Peak of the Core Formation Realm or maybe even Nascent Soul Realm.'
"......I understand, Sect Master."
"Good! Now, onto my next piece of advice. You should use your Merit Points to buy a certain set of books that should help increase your battle prowess alongside polishing and deepening your foundation. These books are [Foundational Sword Arts] and [Foundational Movement Arts]. These books are pretty much the standard for anyone who wishes to rise in the Sect, especially the [Founational Movement Arts]. I won't bore you with the details. Just know that you should buy them as soon as possible. They will be extremely beneficial to your future as a warrior." Aelina advised.
Maria nodded gratefully as even though the Sect Master didn't really say much, just having this knowledge could possibly save her months, if not years, worth of time.
She knew her talent in combat was fairly limited. Even when she had someone teach her how to properly wield a sword back in the Branch Sect, she was only able to get so far because Mira would beat the shit out of her while constantly throwing her into dangerous scenarios, forcing her to learn.
Maybe with the help of these books, she can make up for her lack of talent with a sturdy foundation, given she works hard enough for it.
"Many thanks for the suggestion, Sect Master!"
Aelina nodded slightly and was about to get up to have Maria demonstrate her healing and combat abilities, but she froze when she heard Maria's next words.
"Oh, also, I'm planning on becoming an alchemist as well! I haven't been able to spend too much time learning how to become one, but I feel like I'd be pretty good at it."
Aelina couldn't find the right words to say this as she was so concerned with Maria's ability to heal and fight that she didn't even consider alchemy!
'This girl wants to be an alchemist?! Why didn't I think of that?! With her intellect and intuition, she could turn out to be a fantastic alchemist. Although she doesn't have fire affinity, a light affinity isn't actually that bad. In fact, with the right techniques and mentor, it might even be better! Perhaps if she sticks with it, we might be seeing another future pillar of the Sect!' Aelina thought to herself as her mind instantly began coming up with ways to make the most use out of Maria's talent and intellect.
In the end, she just said, "Alright, leave this matter to me. I'll find someone who can teach you how to become the best alchemist in the Sect and maybe even the entire Continent! I'm not an alchemist myself, so I'd like to refrain from giving any advice, if possible."
With that being said, Aelina got up from her seat and began walking toward the exit. Just before she left the room, she looked back and said, "What are you sitting around for? I want to take a look at your healing and combat capabilities."
***
Thank you, Nyviria, for the 15,000 coins!
