Arthur had managed to obtain three Space-element spells: Telekinesis, Gravity Control, and Space Shield.
Telekinesis was fairly self-explanatory. It allowed a person to control objects with their mind. By manipulating the space around an object, the user could indirectly move the object itself.
It was an extremely useful and versatile ability. How powerful it became depended entirely on the user's creativity and mastery over the spell.
Gravity Control allowed Arthur to create a field around himself and increase or decrease the gravity within that area.
The spell was very useful in combat. By increasing the gravity around his enemies, he could make their movements slower and place a greater burden on their bodies. Likewise, reducing gravity could create many unique applications depending on the situation.
The final spell, Space Shield, created a shield-like construct made from spatial energy. The shield could be formed in front of Arthur, around him, or at any location within his range.
It was primarily a defensive spell.
The strength of the shield depended on Arthur's elemental understanding, mana reserves, and mental strength. Although simple in concept, it had considerable potential as he grew stronger.
Arthur immediately began practicing the spells.
He started with Telekinesis and attempted to control random objects around his room. Cups, brushes, books, and plates would occasionally rise into the air before falling back down moments later.
Although his control was still poor, he could feel himself improving little by little.
Gravity Control proved somewhat easier.
Using the spell, Arthur was able to create a gravity field with a radius of roughly ten meters around himself. At his current level, he could increase the gravity within that area to approximately 1.8 times normal gravity.
As for Space Shield, its strength was still lacking.
At the moment, it could barely block weak attacks. Arthur jokingly estimated that it could probably stop someone from throwing a cup of tea at him, but not much more.
Still, it was a start.
Day after day, Arthur continued improving his proficiency with the three spells.
As his mastery increased, so did his understanding of the Space Element itself.
Everything related to magic was still new to him. Unlike the knight pathway, he had no prior experience with elemental control or mana manipulation.
His progress was slow, but steady.
Fortunately, his physical cultivation was progressing much better.
Every day, he continued using the barbarian extract to strengthen his body. The effects were becoming increasingly noticeable.
At this point, Arthur estimated that his physical strength was already comparable to that of a First-Tier Advanced Knight.
The Knight Path followed a completely different cultivation system from the Mage Path.
A mage stored mana primarily within their dantian, whereas a knight circulated mana throughout their entire body.
Because of this, mages generally possessed far larger mana reserves.
Knights, however, used mana to enhance their physical abilities.
Even in the early stages, a knight could concentrate mana into specific parts of their body to increase strength, durability, or speed.
As a result, knights possessed much greater close-combat capabilities than mages.
In the lower stages, the Mage Path was generally considered stronger.
A knight needed to close the distance before they could effectively fight a mage, while a mage could attack from afar.
However, the gap became much smaller at the higher stages.
Powerful knights could use their willpower and mana to influence their surroundings in ways similar to mages. Although mages retained greater destructive power and versatility, knights were no longer limited to simple physical combat.
Both paths had their own advantages and disadvantages.
Arthur understood this better than most because of the knowledge he had inherited from his previous life.
That was why he refused to neglect his physical cultivation despite choosing the Mage Path.
A durable body was useful regardless of one's profession.
Slowly, a month passed.
Throughout that entire month, Arthur focused on both his elemental cultivation and physical training.
Fortunately, nobody came to disturb him.
The incident involving Julius had already been closed, and Arthur had no official duties to perform. Most of his time was spent cultivating inside his room.
During this period, Sabrina and William also maintained a low profile.
Their previous attempts to frame Arthur had failed, and the attempt on his life had not produced the results they wanted.
As a result, they chose to observe him for the time being.
William focused entirely on his cultivation.
With his Violet-grade Fire Affinity, access to numerous fire spells, and guidance from experienced clan elders, his progress was naturally smooth.
Meanwhile, Sabrina continued working toward her long-term goal of making William the next heir of the Ashborn Clan.
Due to the Wornstar Clan's influence and reputation, many elders already supported William's candidacy.
Arthur, on the other hand, had very little support within his own clan.
A few neutral elders opposed allowing the Wornstars too much influence over the Ashborn Clan, but they remained a minority. Even they rarely voiced support for Arthur retaining his position as heir.
Arthur learned about these developments after overhearing several maids discussing the matter.
However, he wasn't particularly concerned.
He already understood the influence wielded by the Wornstar Clan and knew there was a high chance William would eventually replace him as the clan heir.
More importantly, Arthur wasn't interested in the position to begin with.
He knew better than anyone that the Ashborn Clan was slowly being swallowed by the Wornstars.
The primary reason Sabrina Wornstar had married Reynolds Ashborn in the first place was to establish influence over the Ashborn Clan.
After all, the Ashborn Clan was one of the strongest, if not the strongest clan in the Utopian Empire.
All this was planned by Sabrina's brother. The person truly controlling the Wornstar Clan was Sabrina's brother, James Wornstar.
He was the eldest son of the previous clan head and had inherited his father's position as Prime Minister of the Empire.
In many ways, James was the true power behind the Imperial Court.
Politically, he was considered one of the most influential people in the entire empire.
Although the Wornstars were not a military-oriented clan, their political influence was immense.
Many noble families and smaller clans depended on their support.
However, even political power had its limits.
In a world where individual strength could determine the fate of nations, influence alone was never enough.
True authority ultimately came from power and Wornstars know this better than anyone. That is why they are very heavily focusing on the Ashborn clan.