Star Body True Body (IV)

"Go. From this day forward, you're free."

Reilo stroked the Thunder Phoenix and spoke calmly.

"Do you mean that?"

The Thunder Phoenix spread its wings more than thirty feet wide and looked down at Reilo, seeking confirmation.

Though it was intelligent, it wasn't hypocritical like humans. It wouldn't grow attached or reluctant to leave just because it had served as Reilo's mount for decades.

"Yes."

Reilo stroked the Thunder Phoenix's soft feathers and drew the insulating force from its body.

It was a colorless, odorless, transparent energy that even a scholar's energy sense couldn't detect. Though there was very little of it, Reilo had developed a rather unusual use for it: by coating the surface of a Magical Beast's Energy Crystal with it, he could control the beast.

"Go. Find some weaker countries and stay away from the temples and Scholar Towers."

The Thunder Phoenix gently brushed its huge beak against Reilo's cheek, expressing nothing more than gratitude. With a piercing cry, it flew toward the distant sky without looking back.

Watching the Thunder Phoenix disappear into the distance, Biang remarked, "That mount was far too conspicuous. If we'd ridden it, I doubt we would've made it out of Grand."

A black veil covered Reilo's face, leaving only his eyes visible. He looked at Biang. "Let's go, too!"

Two months later.

Reilo and Biang passed through a small duchy called Zambila.

The duchy's territory was at most one-twentieth the size of the Grand Duchy, and its tax revenue was less than one percent of Grand's. Yet even this tiny duchy had begun trying to build an Academy of Natural Sciences, funded by the royal family, in response to the popularity of Radiation Weapons.

Of course, this Academy of Natural Sciences couldn't compare even to a decent elementary school in