Reincarnated as a step-dad in a fantasy world

Chapter 84: Classic and sovereign route

'It's really a strange sensation' thought Alex as he was... Actually, he didn't know how current state.

He couldn't see nor couldn't hear, he didn't know if he was on solid ground or floating in the air, he had completely lost the track of time, he didn't even know how long he had been here, one minute, one hour or one day ? He didn't know, he felt like he was in a void, but was it truly a void? he didn't know he was never in a void, all he knew was that this feeling was dreadful.

'Fortunately that Lilia warned, or I might have lost my sh*t, even when I died, it wasn't as frightening as this!' Thought Alex.

At least his thought were still with him, those were actually the only thing apart from a strange sensation that he felt that were still him.

The sensation he felt was the same as when he normally used his smoke ability, it was like a third arm that he never had, but subconsciously knew how to use.

This sensation was obviously what connected him to his smoke element, from what Lilia said, it was like a chain that bonded him with his element. The longer this chain, the less affinity you had with your element, which made his current situation all the more problematic as currently his connection with the smoke element actually seemed much longer than before!

'Well, Lilia warned me before, but it's still disturbing to know that the level of control I had over the smoke element wasn't really as I thought' thought Alex, painfully becoming aware of his situation.

From what Lilia had said, it takes one to be in a situation where the only thing you could rely on is your element, to really understand how weak - or good - the level of control you had over your element.

'Well, let's start, but what method should I use?' As he thought this, Alex's mind drifted back to when Lilia explained the method he could use to augment his affinity when in this situation.

***

"You have two methods to go about it: the first one is the classic route which 99.99% of people generally take, or the controller method -also named the sovereign route-, which is less taken" explained Lilia.

"How to achieve each route ?" Asked Alex, even though he was more interested in the sovereign method the moment he heard the name, but he forced himself to ask since he didn't want to rush and take a method that wouldn't suit him. 

"The first method -the classic route - consists of shortening the link by pulling on it, the goal is obviously to shorten the distance between you and your element, this method generally takes more time than the other, but it is the safest route"

"What about the second route ?"

"The second method -The sovereign route - is a forward one, but it's also a dangerous one, if the classic route can be compared to slowly building a relationship like friendship between you and your element, The sovereign route is a path that you take when you want to force your element into subjugation or servitude, like a subordinate or a slave."

"This sovereign route seems more and more alluring. Tell me, what is the difference between the two ?" Asked Alex.

"It's quite obvious I think, the classic route is the safest route, but it offers less level of control over your element, meanwhile the sovereign route is a dangerous one but if you achieve it you may be considered a sovereign as your level of control over your element is absolute." Explained Lilia.

"I understand" said Alex with a contemplative expression.

"You told me how to take the classic route, how about the sovereign route" asked Alex after a moment.

"If you want to take the sovereign route, there are three steps that you need to complete" Lilia expression turned solemn as she added "the first one is to make sure that you already have a good affinity with your element before even trying to enhance it"

"The second step is to break the connection that binds you to your element."

"Huh? Break the connection that binds me with my element, won't I lose my element if I do this ?" Asked Alex, stunned.

"That's why I said that the sovereign route is dangerous, you may lose your ability by taking this route" said Lilia with a solemn tone.

Alex got silent hearing her, suddenly the sovereign route seemed less alluring, but after a moment of thought he remarked something strange.

"You said that breaking your bond with your element is the second step, right? That means there is a third step, so, if breaking your bond with your element isn't the end of the road, that's means that it's not that action that will make one lose his ability"

Lilia nodded and replied:

"You are right, but only in part, severing the chain that connect you to your element may or may not make you lose your element, it all depend on your affinity with your element before attempting the process, if you have a good enough affinity you may retain your ability and pass to the next step, if you don't have a good enough affinity however..."

Lilia looked Alex in the eyes as she uttered seriously:

"... You would completely lose your element and I doubt even the lust artifact may help you regain it"