Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 92: Book 2: Chapter 9: Farewells

Read chapter 92 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 2: Chapter 9: Farewells Book 2: Chapter 9: Farewells The apothecary shop still smelled like steel and stories. Incense hung in the rafters, soft and lazy, curling like forgotten thoughts. The grind of a pestle and mortar filled in the background, slow, methodical, as Celeste finished the last of her preparation work for some kind of concoction that Alex did not understand in the least. Alex stood near the table, arms crossed, watching her work. He wasn’t in a rush to break the quiet. Not yet. “You’re stalling,” Celeste said without looking up. “Maybe,” he admitted. She plopped the mortar’s contents on to the table with a Splat! . A handful of dust from a glass container was thrown on to the substance. Steam hissed up from the combination, turning her hair to a silver blur in the low light. “You’ve got everything packed. Weapons balanced. Armor fitted. Ingredients and supplies all purchased. So why are you still here?” Alex exhaled. “Because it’s not just me anymore. I’ve got people relying on me. They’ve all got potential and I figure it’s my job to help them unlock it. But I don’t know this Heavenly System and I don’t even have a mage core like they do anymore. I don’t know how to help them, but you do and I need advice.” Celeste didn’t respond right away. She scraped her sludge from the table and into a jar where she added various herbs and a liquid which looked like, and smelled suspiciously close to, urine. Only then did she turn to face him, arms folded, herb paste still smeared across her jawline. “You keep pouring into everyone else’s cup,” she said quietly, “you’re gonna run out of water, Alex.” He met her gaze. “I know.” “Do you?” “I’m not trying to carry them. Just guide them a bit. If they’re stronger, we all survive, together.” Celeste studied him a moment longer, then gave a low grunt that could have meant agreement… or resignation. It was rather hard to tell with her. “Everyone does things their own way,” she said finally. “Just don’t forget your path while you’re building theirs.” Alex gave a small nod. “I won’t.” Outside, the others were finishing up their prep. Lance was oiling a blade. Peter examined a small, folded up piece of parchment that gave off a small glow of light-scribed runes. Henry sat cross-legged near the garden, in apparent meditation to harmonize with the nature around him, even his breath synced with the sway of the tall grass behind his back. Alex exited the shop first, Celeste joined them a few moments after as she wiped her hands on a stained cloth. “You three,” she called. “Come here.” They did so without question. She pointed at Lance. “You’re earth-touched. Earth is an element that is resilient, heavy and patient. You need to train with weight, I mean real weight. Carry your armor everywhere. Sleep in it if you must. Practice your footwork on unsteady ground. Learn to be immovable without planting your feet frimly.” Lance nodded slowly. “I can do that.” “Peter,” she continued. “Your light affinity’s naive, but smart. If seen your buffs, and your spellwork’s too clever for most rune arrays, you’ll be stuck in a rut if you overthink patterns and aether formulas for your spells. Start using mental patterns like Alex does. Learn to cast with simple means instead of using written symbols and item focuses. Also, you’re going to find that helping others will increase your potential faster.” Peter’s eyes lit up. “I do have two buff spells, so I should be casting it on my team and not myself? I can be a buff supporter.” Celeste shrugged. “Call it whatever you want. Just do it. And don't buff Garret's head, it's already too large.” He grinned. “No promises.” Her gaze turned to Henry last. “You… are a pain in the ass.” Henry raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got water affinity. But not the kind used just for damage and combat. Its also healing and nurture you're working with. You’ve got growth, roots, strength and conviction. Your power wants to nurture as a natural urge, so feed that for now. Learn