Mayin stopped when he noticed that both Akana and Vis exchanged confused glances. He grimaced and finally released a deep sigh.

"What do you learn in school? Our world is massive. The majority are merely things we utter about in legends but there are countries beyond the nine kingdoms. Everything from the untamed lands in the north to the forgotten continent over the sea in the west. "

"We have the mountains of Walang Livi east of Auone. The Silent Mountains. If you go over them, you come to Kaharian. The continent in the centre of the world. We know that there are continents beyond Kaharian, but we have never travelled so far, "explained Mayin and Akana felt increasingly interested.

“The southern part that touches Auone is Masu Lin,” Akana eagerly interrupted Mayin.

“Masu Lin? It means burning fields in the languages of the Auons. It's a little different as we say Masur Lin but it's close enough-” Mayin interrupted Akana and continued his sentence.

“To be related. I also noticed that. They also have two lakes Daglaya which means freedom in the languages of the auons and furthest to the east where the desert Masu Lin ends, we have Salamin Dagat, the mirror lake, also the language of the Auons.”

"It's not the only proof. The people of southern Kaharian have black skin and white hair just like the Auons and they speak your language. They are also nomads. It's too much of a coincidence for me. The desert nomads of Kaharian are probably related to the Auons," Mayin said.

“I should send this information to the merchant princes of Auone,” Akana exclaimed eagerly, and would just rise from the chair, he had sat on during the conversation, when Mayin pushed him down on the chair again like he was a child.

Akana was astonished at Mayin's physical strength. It did not feel human.

“I have more information. But I have to say, I'm surprised at your… Eager attitude. It is unusual for an Auon. Is it a reaction to your unusual abilities?” Mayin examined Akana who felt ashamed.

He had forgotten himself in his zeal and had been rude. He was just about to apologize when Mayin continued his explanation.

“The desert nomads did not consider themselves nonmagical as the auons do, although I could never figure out what kind of magic they possessed. I never sensed any mana from them. They said they possessed an element they called Baatil. I had a hard time translating this word, but in the language of the auons it means void.”

This caught Vis attention who had previously ignored their conversation.

“Void? Did they say this was their element?” He asked, and Mayin turned to the now wild-eyed Vis.

“They called it Am Gabar which I translated into elements,” Mayin said.

“Am Gabar means life force. That's what gives us energy. Like food, sunlight, and sleep. For us auons anyway, but it could be used as a word for element or mana in a magical context,” Akana pondered.

“I've never heard of an element called void. They are probably talking about darkness,” Vis spluttered thoughtfully.

“I do not think so. When I asked them to explain, they didn't talk about a dark room but as an area without content. Something that can be filled with any element,” Mayin explained and Akana felt something moving in his head. Sen agreed with Mayin.

“Like the ability to rob others mana to fill the void,” Akana said thoughtfully and Mayin nodded in agreement.

“This is just a theory, but I think that with your element you can temporarily replicate the element which your ... victim has. For example, if you were to absorb your husband's mana, you would temporarily get an ice element. Should you absorb mine, you would get a thunder element and should you absorb Vis mana, you would temporarily become drunk,” Mayin said and Akana tried to hold back a laugher but it only sounded like a snort instead.

Vis muttered something while Mayin winked at Akana.

"My powers do not sound as frightening now that you have explained what they are, but given that there are three boys without magic, maybe I shouldn’t be so relieved," sighed Akana and Mayin sat down opposite Akana.

“I am not as convinced as you are that they are permanent without magic. I have heard that you can bind mana so that it cannot be used for magic but never that a person has gotten rid of their ability to use magic. I would think they have just been exhausted on mana and that their source of mana take longer to recover because they don't have a large amount of mana,” Mayin said in attempt to comfort Akana.

“I planned to inspect them after I had spoken with you to make sure this is the case.”

“If they have lost their ability to produce mana, they would have been a tad more ... Dead,” Mayin said and Akana widened his eyes.

“He's right ... In this case. Many forget that mana gives life. Even those who are said to be unable to use magic, like auons, still have a certain ability to produce mana. Otherwise, they would be dead. Why do you think Huzhidi look upon auons as demons? They believe that auons must be undead because they have no mana,” Vis explained.

The Mayin snorted, “demons are one of the most powerful magical creatures we have encountered. They are even stronger than dragons. If the auons hardly had any mana then they are so far from demons as they can just be.”

“But pure-blooded humans-” Akana began, but Mayin interrupted him.

“All creatures that live produce mana but if they can use mana to produce magic and how much they produce is another thing. Pure-blooded humans, who are rare in The Nine Kingdoms, only produce mana to live. They can't use it for anything but breathing.”

"I'm surprised you know so much about Auons. Why have you not shared your knowledge with my people?" asked Akana and Mayin gave him a disconsolate sigh.

“I tried but the Auons have very little interest in their origin or anything magical. When I came to Haara, they were more interested in showing off their mechanical wonders than they were about hearing about their magical abilities. They showed me the Dragonstone though. Very interesting.”

Akana could see the Auons in front of him. It would be customary for them to be proud of their mechanical works rather than to show interest in a lost magical ability which they would see no use for.

“I guess they were more interested in impressing me, so I would give their candidate my support for the title of Curare,” Mayin said and shrugged.

“How is that of any concern of yours?”

Akana couldn't help but ask and Mayin laughed at his curiosity.

"Each title has different ways on how to be selected for it, but with the title Curare, each country presents, who wants to compete for the title, a candidate who demonstrates his expertise. The Council of the Nine Kingdoms then elects the candidate, who should replace the former Curare. They strove for my vote."

“Sounds sensible. How is Mayin selected? I guess it hasn't been a selection for the title in centuries but still,” Akana asked out of curiousity.

“There is a selection every ten years,” Vis spluttered and Akana frowned.

“What?”

“Our, way too drunk, friend here is right. Mayin is the title of the strongest mage in the Nine Kingdoms. This is something that needs to be proven. Every ten years I have to defend my title in the Trine Tournament,” Mayin explained casually, but Akana couldn't help but stare. This means that for seven hundred years he has defended his title ...

“So, anyone can join the tournament. Would Sidastir be able to join?” Akana asked thoughtfully and was met by Mayin's devilish grin.

“Are you thinking of getting your spouse elected as Mayin, Rial Caraid?”

Akana started blushing and the situation didn't turn to the better when he almost flew out of the chair when Sidastir kicked the door open.

“Vis! The Mayin is here.”

Sidastir silenced and examined his surroundings. He stared at Vis who grunted an answer and rolled his eyes. Then his gaze fell on Akana and it became placid before turning suspiciously to the person he didn't recognize.

One. Two. Three.

Sidastir's eyes widened when he realized who was sitting opposite of Akana. Another three seconds went by and he collected himself.

“Mayin is here apparently. I had appreciated if I had been notified about your arrival. After all, it's my Rial Caraid you have business with,” Sidastir said in an attempt to sound dignified.

“Ah, Rial of Eitir. We just talked about you. Your Rial Caraid wondered about who of us is more worthy of the Mayin title,” Sidastir stumbled but grasped the back of Akana’s chair and managed to stay on his feet.

Akana has always assumed Sidastir was one of the most powerful mages in the Nine Kingdoms, but judging from Sidastir's panic-struck facial expressions, it was miles between Sidastir and the current Mayin.

Vis responded with a grunt from his desk which he now leaned on for support.

“You would never be able to beat. Sid ... a ... Stirrrrrrrr in battle magic,” he spluttered Sidastir's name with difficulty.

“From the mouth of the drunkard. However, he is not wrong. Battle magic is not my forte and the Rial of Eitir has fought in a war since childhood,” Mayin said with a laugher but there was something else under his voice. It was obvious Mayin had no interest in losing his title.

Mayin got up and bowed to Sidastir, who did the same.

“I should go and examine the three fools who chose to bring their fists to a magic duel. You should tell your spouse what you have just learned. Vis will not be of any use in this state. I hope we have time to talk again Akana den Rifabeinn,” Mayin said and executed a deep bow to Akana without withdrawing his gaze from him before he turned his heel and went out while Sidastir stared angrily at his back.