Munetsuchi

Ailen according to his own words, was alright with the type of chaotic mess the girl would likely make of her studies. He claimed that he was much the same way. Given that information Anais could assume her wandering thoughts would likely make it easier for them to function together as student and mentor. Ah, but there was more information to be gathered and sorted. According to Ailen, things like food cravings and sexual urges were signs from the soul of what one needed to attain wholeness. Solomon had mentioned in their meeting that she was having a hard time with her instincts and her internal voice, and now Anais was beginning to understand why. If she was to take Ailen's words about her urges as the truth, then she would have to discard what she'd previously been taught about such urges. "Hm I didn't know that... if I am being honest, we were taught the exact opposite of that. To give into urges of impulsive or sexual natures would lead us to hell. In all honesty the teachings each of us who came from Aincrad received previously always dictate that we are whole as is, and trying to gain anything else is merely less virtuous desires seeping into our souls. There are exceptions obviously especially given the skeptical nature of a few of our friends, but any who believed would just assume some sort of perversion was being passed off as natural," she explained of her previous teachings and in the same moment likely explained how very difficult this man would find it to break the habits of those indoctrinated by the cults like those of Aincrad. Well, aside from those who gained the experience first hand and thus came to understand the wrongness of previous teachings through said experiences alone.

"That being said your theories about teaching would be more easily tested in analog learning facilities with standardized testing," she sighed thinking about it. "Though I hate to admit it, those kinds of institutions have the sort of sample size that would make it possible to determine if the hypothesis works. And standardized testing is less about the material itself and more about how people think and is thus a good marker for how someone's mind is expanding... though no one seems to take it that way," the girl offered of her own thoughts. "It'd also come with a pretty decent control group, as most teachers teach to the test, so they wouldn't be taking such a novel approach," she gave the man her understanding of his particular situation with the spin of her original world. If any academy type places existed here based on her previous world, he could likely find the answers he was seeking. "Though I can say I find it easier to learn things I am interested in than things I am not. Music was one of the things I was able to learn well from an early age, simply because I found it amusing..." she explained of how she got to such a conclusion. Regardless, they would move on from this topic and to her lessons for today, as well as an explanation of the 'Spark of Wisdom', as they called it.

Ailen seemed most curious at Anais's thoughts about how she would retain information. And within a moment or two produced the nugget of information that the Spark of Wisdom could be used for such a thing, not just having new ideas. He claimed there were some pre-requisites but that its varied functionality was in part the reason for its name. Her eyes closed once more , if only to completely shut out any external stimuli which could contribute to her outward showings of embarrassment. Of course, it didn't help her skin remain cool colored but that was pretty normal for anyway. 'Why? Why does it work like this? And why if it works like this are we taught not to do it? It doesn't make sense!' Anais was talking to herself in deep contemplation. The boxes in her mind shifting and filling trying to make sense of this lack of continuity. 'I don't really know, but it sounds like you can have your cake and eat it too~' her internal voice was thinking ahead once more. If sexual contact passed along knowledge, and achieving orgasm helped you retain it... then learning this way was a closet hentai student dream the likes of which her previous world could only imagine. Of course there were a few other problems she was dealing with mentally. Like if she jumped straight into it, then the others would likely know. She couldn't well do that lest a certain individual end up in her body thoughts. Yep. That wasn't something she was mentally ready for. 'I know I said take the long way, but don't be a coward. It's supposed to be fun!~' mused her internal voice. So of course, before she made her decision on receiving today's lesson she needed information. "I am open to the next lecture, but before I decide how I want to receive it, what are the prerequisites to advancing the spark?" the girl questioned specifically. Clarity was key as she figured out what kind of sexual things this world had connected to wisdom.

Ailen had managed to learn very little about Anais and Charlemagne's previous experience. What he did know, was that many humans and similar species were being taught very incorrectly. Even the concept of Hell was being inverted, but... Ailen would not take that explanation from someone else. "I'm afraid there is little I can tell you about that. I can say Hell is not the thing you've probably been told it is. Being 'sent to Hell' is not the negative you've been told, in many cases," he explained briefly. That was most of what he could... or rather, what he would say. "To know fully the true meaning of Hell, you should be asking Mugen-sensei. I could tell you, but no one could explain better than him."

Moving on from the misinformation Anais was provided, Ailen was given cause to think about different teaching methods. A few context clues here and there allowed him to easily understand this 'standardized testing' thing she spoke of, though there were many issues he had with the potential study. "That would be very interesting to study as a third party. However, I could not fully immerse myself in it. If the other four were to take apprentices, I would teach them. However, you are my apprentice. I cannot wholeheartedly teach another person for any purpose. My personal study, as such, may only have a sample size of one," he said with certainty. Perhaps that study was one he'd never see to completion? If so, a future generation could have the joy of it.

Upon mentioning the finer details of the Spark of Wisdom, Ailen was met with... something a bit beyond simple curiosity. Anais seemed distressed for a moment. One couldn't be very surprised by that; her and her ilk were so obviously put off by sexual themes due to their upbringing. Only a day prior, she hardly seemed fit to seek the spark they were currently discussing. Ah, but today was a different story. She'd come so far, and would now be heard accepting another lecture while questioning the spark and its advancements. "They are actually quite simple. Let's say I were to use my hand, or you use your own with no applied mana. What you received would be the spark in its most basic state, neither unusable nor revolutionary. Yesterday, I used my tongue. Saliva being an excellent conductor of mana allowed it to function in a superior way, as mana with purpose functions as a sort of fuel to the spark. If you were to take the larger deposit of mana into an orifice and from someone's core, however, the spark would be elevated beyond belief. Mana received can always be put to immediate use, and in fact, it is a way for even humans to evade undesired pregnancies since they cannot otherwise consciously determine whether creation occurs or not. Is that all understandable?"

Anais was given more information or rather a specific amount of it from her mentor. According to Ailen he couldn't tell her much about Hell, but he could tell her it likely wasn't the 'eternal punishment' it'd been touted as in most cases. Alright, that made a reasonable amount of sense but also none. "Sou ka," she murmured seeming to be in thought. Why if it wasn't truly negative was it being taught as if it was something to fear? The more Anais heard of the differences between the truth and how she was raised in this world, the more she wished to question the holy father directly. Not that she would considering she found his voice off-putting. She wondered if he wasn't truly just one of those people who claimed their way was right regardless of evidence to the contrary. Apparently, if she wanted to now the truth of 'Hell' and the like the person she should ask was... Mugen. "Hai, I'll keep track of my questions regarding it and ask him... later," she added that for herself. She felt strangely skittish around that man regardless of everything else and was trying to keep all thoughts related to him in a box as she worked through his potential identity and any feelings she had about him.

Moving on from this, the study of open teaching methods was something that Ailen claimed he'd likely have to study from a third party perspective. According to him, he would teach the other apprentices of the other Myouou if they had them, but Anais was his apprentice. There was a statement made about her being his sample size of one and knowing that he'd not be able to wholeheartedly approach teaching anyone else. Hearing that made her feel strangely, being so important to someone was rather different. 'Shishou!~' her brain felt oddly soft and affectionate. She felt oddly special knowing such information and it was rather motivational aside from doing wonders for her emotional understanding. "Sou ka, well... as long as you don't feel like you're missing out... I'm sure it could be studied indirectly. Especially if you know others who are teaching," she mused. This man was very interesting, she'd really be doing her best.

Soon after this, Anais was forced to confront more of her problematic upbringing. She was given a lot of information surrounding the idea of how the spark could be achieved and with the most effective usage. Apparently, mana from the core of people had the ability to put forth the most reactive qualities. This made sense. Saliva was a good conductor but not the best, at the same time, apparently receiving mana into her body might not pose as many of the problems that she could have foreseen. So, if mana was given a specific purpose or immediate use, pregnancy could be avoided. Stimulation involving bodily fluids was potentially the best for various reasons and while such things could be achieved manually they didn't have the fuel necessary to be spectacular. Eventually she'd speak on her processes, but first her internal voice was pleased, 'See, seems like we're on our way~' she claimed seeming to find it amusing that the girl's fears were assailed before they even took root properly. "Hai, that was all very easy to understand. And it cleared up a couple of questions I hadn't thought to ask yet, which is probably for the best," she claimed seeming to relax quite a bit with the extra information. 'I only mean to avoid going too far too quickly, for the sake of correcting my previous education. I'm aiming for moderation here...' she explained to herself. There was also clarity but she was sure her internal self understood that part by now.

"Do so. Tohsaka-san will undoubtedly be one of your greatest assets in terms of learning. If I had the ability to, I would have become his apprentice long ago," Ailen said in all seriousness. Apart from any reasoning Mugen himself had, Ailen's dedication to the 'rule of two' so to speak had been the only thing keeping him from doing exactly that.

While the discussion continued, Ailen took a moment to wring out his hair into the lake below. He took that same time to lower himself, sinking into the lake while leaning against stones found along its edge. A simple gesture for Anais suggested that she relax as well. If they were going to talk, they needn't be standing around in such an uncomfortable manner. "Sit. These waters will never cause pruning, so you may stay inside for as long as you wish," he assured. As for the inconclusive study they had been talking about, he wasn't worried about missing the opportunity. "It's no bother. Even if I never learn the truth within this life, perhaps you will. That alone would be satisfying enough," said the elf.

It seemed his explanation was easy enough to follow, even to the extent of answering questions not yet asked. Good. He expected Anais to catch on quickly to the meaning, though there were still some nuances not yet addressed. "Ah, good. For the more specific information, know that impact is determined by orifice as well. The spark is felt in one's genitals, which makes it the best area for receiving the boost from mana exchange. It may also be the easiest to use, albeit the hardest to master due to fending off natural inclinations."

Anais was encouraged to seek Mugen for the answers to her question. Her mentor even mentioned his own desire to become the apprentice of Mugen and his lack of ability to do so, letting the lass know he would likely be one of her greatest assets. Anais obviously understood this advice but her wandering mind was prone to a sideways thought or two. 'Sexual flexibility in the pursuit of knowledge...' is the conclusion she came to. 'Or or, Hot-sensei is hot and everyone wants a piece~' The point of her internal monologue wasn't missed. Oddly enough this wouldn't be a thing Anais asked. "Hai hai, I don't doubt his usefulness, I found out a lot of interesting things from him yesterday..." she murmured trying very hard not to think about it. 'Yes, box it. Deep box. No images... look for Mugen when I'm ready for him.' That was what her mind uttered. Actually, the more she thought about it, the more she could potentially be of use to her mentor. Study groups existed for a reason as a way to combine knowledge... she could rather easily share anything she gained from Mugen that her mentor would find useful. Perhaps she'd offer that later, when she was ready to deal with Mugen more regularly.

As their discussion continued it was gestured for her to take a seat as Ailen did within this lake. He claimed that this water wouldn't prune her skin and that she could stay within it as long as she wished. "Hai," she murmured, sinking into the water, she found her skin being given a strange feeling. Actually this water had a strange texture not like sort she was used to, a bit thicker and silkier than normal... ah that was nice though and she found herself relaxing as their conversation continued. "This might be my favorite place. Not just the bath, but this room, in this palace, in this country..." she girl could easily see herself going completely native and leaving only to see her friends and help when needed. Would that be odd? Or maybe she could treat it like college, and spend large bits of time here and go back to her friends for holidays and break times for relaxation or non-educational purposes? While she enjoyed her thoughts, her mentor enjoyed the idea that one day she might be able to find out the things he didn't get to know. He thought it would be satisfying if she knew. "Sou ka, if I find out... I'll let you know. Satisfaction of discovery cannot be understated..." she said a smile crossing her face. Of course she would think about it that way. It was something she could offer freely. She didn't know a future, but she could say that she had no problem helping her mentor sate his curiosities.

More they would discuss on the matters of sex as a method to gain wisdom. According to the man, direct sexual contact in the way of intercourse was one of the best ways, as the orifice itself was responsible for the spark. That it was easy to use but harder to master because of natural inclinations. "Hm, even after just yesterday I can understand how natural inclinations might get in the way a bit..." she said seeming to give it some serious thought. "Admittedly, I am walking an interesting line here. I want to experience everything so I can understand it, but I am also trying to avoid over-correcting for my odd upbringing..." she said. Whether she completely understood what was going on or not, she knew she didn't want to jump any proverbial guns without a certain amount of understanding. Just the same her upbringing was a strange thing to overcome it was a strange issue to try balancing. 'I feel like I just want to know why at this point. If I understood why the lies happened I could probably move past it... ugh,' she thought.

It was wholly understandable that Anais favored the elf's room. Ailen himself preferred it to most places, bar his various workshops of course. For some time, he'd even been trying to work out a method of taking the room with him. "I feel much the same. If I could only find out how Solomon-ou manages with his room, I would access this place from anywhere. Alas, he claimed it couldn't be taught in any way I would find acceptable. Some day, maybe one of us will find a new method," he mused.

Anais was quite the troubled individual after being raised so wrongly in this world. Her struggles, however, were something even Ailen could express sympathy for. Her desire to learn and her desire to avoid going too far in the opposite direction of former teachings, were at war with one another. Ailen imagined it being a very tedious process for Anais even more than those she dealt with, such as himself. "Caution is a tool of the clever. You shouldn't worry about feeling troubled by this. If I were to advise you, I would simply say... live according to your soul's desires. You are not human, so you are not as limited as one could be. I have absolute faith in your ability to determine what is best for you. For general purposes, you needn't abstain nor be promiscuous unless it is your heartfelt desire to be so. Be free as you like, but respect yourself all the same."

With that little speech given, Ailen sank slightly deeper into the lake. He was soon sitting with only his head and shoulders above the surface, his gaze shifting toward Anais. Notably, she'd yet to verbalize a conclusion to his earlier inquiry. "With that in mind, the lesson? I'm curious as to whether you intend to utilize the spark, or one of the other methods you mentioned. Regardless of your decision, I'm sure there will be an interesting surprise from the likes of you. It almost seems intentional by now~"

Ailen agreed with Anais's appraisal of this room. He claimed it was his favorite place too, and often times he wished he could take it with him. He'd wished to understand the space of Solomon's but that man had claimed it wasn't possible to teach. Hm, interesting. "That place is pretty interesting too. I understand why you'd want to take this place with you though..." she mused. "Actually given the way magic bags work it seems like it shouldn't be that far past normal thought, well as long as the opening was the right size. You could probably go full Wizarding World and..." she stopped talking. "No. Not gonna say that... that sounds like it might be a spoiler somewhere. That one is staying in my head..." the girl said seeming to think the better of her own thought processes. Technically given the way magic worked it definitely felt like it could work maybe not exactly this room, but definitely could make a more compact one likely and move it around. That seemed likely.

Moving on, Anais's troubles seemed to fall from her face without much thought on her part. In having this happen though, her mentor seemed apt to give the girl some advice. She of course found herself listening to him because he'd yet to lead her astray. In this case, his words seemed to indicate that she shouldn't allow herself to be too troubled. That being cautious wasn't necessarily a bad thing and she should live according to her soul's desire. abstain or be promiscuous but respect herself, was his advice. Anais's eyes widened, that was... "That is some really great advice. I mean I expect some good advice from you, you haven't said anything I haven't found useful but... that's some seriously great advice. Argiatou gouzaimasu, Shishou..." she said seeming to be relieved. Something about those words set her heart at ease quite a bit. 'Told ya' so!~' her internal voice was feeling rather smug. Ah, well it was allowable at this point.

Having relaxed fully within this bath, the purpose of the start of this conversation came back up. The question she'd left unanswered about how she'd be taking her lessons today. Would she use the spark of wisdom or would she end up using one of her other methods? Well, there were a few things she could try and at this point she could easily try any of them to see what would end up working best. Some cheeky commentary came from the man as well, claiming that he expected something surprising and that such things almost seemed intentional. Anais managed to look a bit wide eyed and sheepish. 'He's on to us!~' her internal voice chimed, making the girl smirk just a tad. "Me? Intentionally surprising? No way~" she said playfully a minor blush on her face. "As for the lesson, quick question, how much information is Druid Studies? I feel like that will influence my answer. I want to give a try to some of the other methods I might have in mind before trying the one which is known to cause the greatest ease. I wouldn't want a standard tainting my understanding of the viability of other methods. I also considered taking the lesson then composing something... even without my preferred instrument I could likely stimulate my own memory like that..." she said that would likely work for her pretty well when sex wouldn't be on the table. That wasn't to say she would be worried about accepting the sex, she'd just do it at the pace she preferred instead of worrying herself about it. That was her overall decision.

Anais nearly spilled information that may or may not have belonged in this world. How interesting. Something about a Wizarding World sounded right up Solomon's alley, so perhaps she'd be saving that for her time with him. Either way, Ailen wouldn't pry since she decided to refrain from telling him something. "Hm? Well, I suppose if I am to know, I will know when the time comes," he said casually.

His advice could hardly be counted as such, in Ailen's own opinion. Anais, however, took it as something incredible. Strange. Ailen quirked a brow once more upon hearing the girl's gratitude, unsure as to how she held his words in such high regard. "That was hardly prolific. You've had ignorance forced into your mind. I have only said what should be standard for correcting the problem. Of course, the hope is that you transcend that ignorance quickly, but it would be shameful if doing so caused you undue stress. Pace yourself if it makes you comfortable," he instructed. Rare was it that Ailen offered anything but raw information, but in the case of his apprentice's wellbeing, he would easily offer something more concrete.

Speaking of things concrete, Anais offered a response that was quite damning. A playful scoff accompanied the narrowing eyes of Ailen. "What an intuitive way of admitting guilt," he teased. Moving on though, Anais required further information yet again. In choosing her method of learning, she wished to know how much information druid teachings entailed. Ailen leaned back, his head lifting in contemplation. "Hmm. Druidic culture is among the oldest in the world. Even with the disappearance in recent eras, growth continues. Even with a full and lengthy transfer, I would say... the whole of my knowledge on the Druidic Way is worth two thousand labs? That is a rough estimation, but you will only need a few labs' worth of knowledge right now."

At the very least, Anais could take a bit of peace from knowing that Ailen wouldn't push the spoiler button on purpose. "Yep, that's a bit of a relief. I am really gonna need that support group. Or rather... I've been way too comfortable with my friends," she mused. She could talk fantasy stuff with a few of her friends pretty easily, but Ivy was never as excited as someone like Anais managed to be about fantasy universes. She figured that woman had been more mature than her in the first place, but that was also fine.

Moving on from this point, it seemed that Ailen didn't see his words as particularly prolific. Maybe they weren't, but that wasn't really the point. Even so, he gave a bit more concrete information to go by. This was something that Anais could technically latch on to, and that she'd already decided. She could move on with that in mind. That didn't make his words less impactful though. "It might be a standard thing to say to correct the misinformation and ignorance but it was still something I needed to hear. The impact I received is still pretty profound, whether it was meant that way or not," she concluded. "Still, I will take everything at my own pace, and try not to worry... like everything else, I'll do my best," she added. She didn't want to stress herself about things either, it was just really difficult not to worry. She was trying to break old habits and get to new ones. It would take a while to become completely comfortable in her new life but she'd work at it.

With the heavier topics being abandoned and the girl feeling quite light as a result, their teasing conversation continued. There was a claim that she'd admitted guilt, the girl played innocent with big eyes and appearing to be aghast by the accusation. "Oh? Am I guilty of something?~" she asked sarcastically like she truly wasn't sure. Such would be the way. When comfortable she was prone to such things anyway. Ah, moving on the size of her supposed information dump was ridiculous. Though he didn't plan to give her too much his own knowledge was rather massive, covering two thousand or more labs. He didn't intend to give her that much but a few was still something. She'd taken one large lab yesterday and it'd taken her quite a bit to get it together. "A handful of labs about the Druidic Way, Waterside Plants, the Rest of the Cycle... and an explanation of how my power felt to you earlier?" she summarized the amount of stuff she'd be taken in. It was a bit massive. She had a much easier time digesting knowledge orally with the man spilling it down her throat. Was she really about to say this? 'Yes!~' her internal voice was happy. "I feel like it'd be easiest to drink that amount of knowledge," she stated. Yes that was her decision and her choice in phrasing. She was about to fellate her teacher, maybe one day she'd figure out a way to phrase it that she liked. This was the use of innuendos of that she was certain.

Perhaps Anais was incredibly comfortable with her friends. Ailen didn't see that as an issue at all; rather, he thought it was more of a boon. He'd once been in the position of looking out unto a foreign land with very different rules and expectations. Having like-minded individuals around would have been an easy way to transition properly. "There is nothing wrong with comfort. If you can't be yourself, you run the risk of losing yourself. That would be a detriment to the world," he said, shaking his head thereafter over the thought of his earlier words being so impactful. If Anais thought as much, she was free to do so. They would just have to see it all from different perspectives, the elf figured.

Ah, the relationship between mentor and apprentice was blooming wonderfully. A bit of light banter was always a good marker for friendly relations, and currently the pair had an interesting back-and-forth going. Was Anais guilty of something? Obviously. Would he properly pin her for it? Well... perhaps. "I could say you are guilty of much. Primarily though, it seems you are at fault for my earlier mishaps. You've caused a few lapses in my memory thus far. What's next? Do you intend to take my judgment as well?" he asked. Frankly, that was a very real possibility at the current rate. Ailen would now have to deal with the same form of lecture again, thus leaving himself open to further... excitement. "Hmm. Maybe that was already lost," he said while rising from the lake, taking a seat on the stones he'd previously been leaning against. Since Anais was to 'drink' her next lecture as she put it, he'd have to make himself available. As such, he sat there with his flaccid tool slung atop one thigh. "What interesting phrasing. Those who view this entirely as an act of sex would call it... innocent, I believe. That is fine. In a way, I would call it charming."