[Rita shrugs.] Still better to get it out of the way. It makes me feel better, at least.

Aer is, as far as our science can tell, something in the air that we use as energy to power blastia - basically, magitechnology. Blastia do a lot for us, from lighting our cities at night, to purifying our water... the people I'm traveling with, as well as myself, use it to power artes, including my spells. [During her simplified explanation, she finds a chair and sits down next to Hayate's bed.]

I can do examination and research without aer, but I can't really cast a spell if I find anything; that'd have to wait until I can bring you to my world without attracting a lot of suspicion. [Her eyes narrow slightly as she processes what she just said; without aer, she can't defend herself if something happens. Good thing there's nobody suspicious here.]