"Storm? I've never heard of an affinity like that. Being able to wield two distinct affinities through a single one is an impressive advantage." In Susan's case, her Storm affinity not only enhanced her main element, it also allowed her to use lightning as part of her arsenal.

"I've never heard of an affinity that lets you use two simple ones at the same time." They must be extremely rare—you'd need tremendous luck to obtain one.

"It's something similar to your Gravity affinity. These are very special affinities without a clear counterpart. Storm affinity isn't the only one of its kind; there are a few others. You need enormous luck to get one of those prizes, and they're extremely difficult to control." I understood the feeling. Even after years of using Gravity, I still struggled to control it perfectly. I usually wasted more mana than necessary or took longer to activate an ability.

"Fascinating. Can you help me with my electric pseudo-law?" By now, I had finished all of Father's books. Theory was no problem. What I lacked was a deeper grasp of how electricity and mana intertwined. I was just one step away—I only needed a little push.

I looked at my Cube. Nine circles on one of the walls blazed with my abilities, while the other side displayed rectangles engraved with my Laws in green and my pseudo-law in yellow. One rectangle was already forming—this must have been the Electric pseudo-law in progress.

"No problem. You must be close already—I can feel the excitement leaking from your Imra. Close your eyes." I obeyed her command. "You're going to feel small pinches of electricity running through your body. Try to control it. Try to make that electricity your own and understand everything about it once you have it." A current generated by her flooded into me. I tried to seize it—and failed.

Time slipped away as I remained with my eyes shut. I gave my all, trying to grasp the electricity, make it mine, absorb every bit of knowledge. At first I could only capture half—the rest slipped away into nothing.

I improved with every attempt, bit by bit, capturing more of the current. My body adapted to the flow of energy. I felt faster, my reflexes sharper, my mind more agile, as though I were actively channeling electric mana.

Hundreds of tries later, I finally captured every trace of electricity coursing through me. It no longer felt foreign. It was part of me now. My understanding of electricity deepened. Combined with all the knowledge I had absorbed from those thick tomes, I was ready.

I focused on everything at once, and then that robotic female voice returned—the omnipresent voice I hadn't heard in so long.

"You have acquired the Electric Pseudo-law." A wave of knowledge invaded my mind. I looked at my Cube—the words were finally written. I did it! Without Susan's help, it would have taken me until I entered the academy.

"I've got it, Grandma Susan! I obtained my Electric Pseudo-law! Thank you so much!" I shouted with joy. A weight lifted off my shoulders at last.

"Congratulations, Maki. I'm glad I could help." She too looked genuinely happy with my success.

"Just one question—why was it so easy? How could you help me like that?" From what I knew, pseudo-laws were supposed to be difficult to obtain, yet Susan had made it look effortless.

"It wasn't easy. You were already close, and it just so happened I had an affinity similar to yours. It also helped that I had deep understanding of the electric affinity and that I'm Obsidian rank. Not to mention your talent with mana control. Many conditions aligned perfectly in this moment." So it had been a rare convergence of coincidences.

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"All of this has been a huge coincidence. I'm happy I met you, Susan." She had given me multiple lessons in just two days—how to break a Ruby rank prison, how to reimagine the use of my Gravity, and most importantly, she had guided me to obtaining a pseudo-law.

"I'm happy I met you too. I just want to ask a couple small favors." Favors? I should've known. In my past life and in this world, nothing came free.

"Of course. I'll do my best to fulfill them." I was ready to give everything I had.

"Nothing outrageous. Spar with my adopted daughter when you enter my academy, and become my disciple and protégé." Spar with her daughter? That was new—I'd never read about that.

"I understand the first request, but why? And the second… I don't really know what it means to be your protégé." Her smile widened. She pulled out a cup and a bottle of wine from her storage.

"She's in a situation similar to yours. She's always been a limit-breaker, and it's harder and harder to find opponents for her. The difference between Sapphire and Ruby is enormous, yet she keeps closing it. Because of that, she's gotten a little arrogant. Still grounded, but her feet are starting to lift. Show her how someone younger can surpass her talent." I understood—she wanted me to bring her daughter back down to earth. But if she was a limit-breaker and a whole rank above me, it would be tough.

"Understood. I'll give it my all once I'm at the academy." Killing two birds with one stone—I'd gain an incredible training partner too.

"Being my protégé will only benefit you right now. I can provide training, elixirs, even cores to boost your growth. But in the future, when you reach Diamond or Obsidian, I'll expect you to face difficult situations in return." Now I understood. She'd back me fully now, and I'd pay it back later.

"That's all? I'll gladly do it. I would've helped you even without being your protégé, Grandma." She had already earned my trust, and I owed her more than I could count.

"If you put it like that, I'll be tempted to ask more favors." She chuckled. "If something comes up, I'll ask." I nodded firmly. Whatever it was, I'd do it.

"Do we have time to practice one more skill before going back?" I hadn't noticed the time—almost two hours had passed already. Time flew when you were focused.

"Unfortunately no. Urgent matters have come up, and I've already postponed too many meetings and duties by staying out more than a day. It's almost time to return." Reality hit me like a hammer.

"You're leaving already?" Sadness filled me. Not even two full days together, and I'd already grown attached.

"Yes, Maki. I must return soon. I'll say goodbye to Julio and then head back to Skyblue River City." She looked a little sad too, but quickly masked it. "Ah, I almost forgot. You don't need to take the entrance exam anymore. You're my protégé—you already have my authorization. You don't need to go a week early either, but if you want to, you're more than welcome." A soft smile spread across her face.

"Thank you." I bowed deeply at her generosity. "I'll take your advice and go a week early. I want to get used to the city before classes start." It would be better to know the city since I'd likely be busy during the week.

"I'll be waiting. When you arrive, just show this." She tossed me a ring, and I caught it. It resembled the Marquis's, except for the symbol in the center. The marquisate's bore an image resembling Sus, while this one depicted a city with a massive river cutting through it. "My name is engraved on the back, along with my Imra signature. With this, you'll have no problems anywhere in the city." She stared at me with eyes impossible to read.

I studied the perfectly crafted symbol. It was exquisite workmanship. "Thank you, Susan. So… it's time to say goodbye, isn't it?"

"Yes, time to go. Promise me you'll take care of yourself until you enter the academy, and that you'll contact me if you ever need help." Her voice was more serious now, emphasizing the last part.

"I promise. I'll stay healthy so we can meet again. And you must stay healthy too." She must've been around the same age as my grandmother. Even if people lived longer in this world, good health was still important.

"Don't worry. Longevity can't touch me, and even if I look older, I'm still strong." She flexed her thin arms in a show of strength, and we both laughed.

"See you in two months, Maki. If my daughter doesn't make you stronger, she'll beat you down." That was true—she was a limit-breaker like me, and a rank above.

"See you, Susan. I'll make sure to knock her ego down a peg. Don't complain if she loses." I grinned with all the confidence I had, which earned a fit of laughter.

"Don't get cocky. She may not share my blood, but she's still my daughter. Goodbye, Maki." She raised her hand in farewell and vanished in an instant along with the barrier.

"Goodbye, Susan." My voice came out softer than expected—she was already gone. "See you in two months." My last words never reached her.

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