“You want to what?”

“I want to apply for an early graduation.”

“Yuelei… you do understand that this is your first year out of the six in here, right?” Quentil’s hands were crossed and his eyes furrowed.

“I was told that anyone in the upper ranks of the Cadets can graduate whenever they like, as long as they are of sufficient rank and skill. Of course, I don’t plan on joining any of them, but simply passing the exam.”

“….That is true. But if you do so, I’m afraid it will set a bad example for the others. There are seldom any first-years that would apply early...”

“I care little of what others think. If they have an issue with it, they can bring it up with me in person.” Her dagger-like tone caused Quentil to grin remorsefully.

“I thought that being Headmaster in here would be like being in a garden of lovely flowers, but it seems some of the roses have thorns. Miss Alia, if you were to say… end up in the top tens within the next competition, I don’t think anyone would complain or put up too much of a fight if a first-year applied for graduation. Based on your proficiency with your… ice magic, there are likely many factions and subfactions who would gladly be your patron.”

“I have no interest in joining any factions, merely passing the test. If I display the full might of my primal magic, there will be many trying to… ‘recruit’ me.” Yuelei stood up and made to leave. “As long as you climb high enough in the ranks, the result will be the same.” Quentil shook his head. “As the headmaster, my hands are tied here, Miss Alia. I cannot deny them entry nor keep you off their radar. Some of them may employ… unique measures.”

“Then for their own sake, they should know better then to stay hands off.” Yuelei replied, echoing Liur’s parting remark.

After exiting the Headmaster’s Office, Liur flew down from the roof and perched herself on the usual spot on Yuelei’s shoulders.

That went well.

“So much for laying low. It seems like we will have no choice but to attract attention to ourselves during the tournament. Top ten… should be achievable. We can forfeit the next match once we’ve achieved it.”

The humans will be suspicious.

“More suspicious than ending up as ‘the rank one who is a first-year?’ “

What would you want me to say? The world is quite unfair and the scales of power is quite imbalanced. It is high time that humans remembered their place.

“Don’t forget that I am a human too, and so was your grandmother’s contracted partner.” Yuelei was slightly surprised at Liur’s chilly tone.

Ah… but you are one of us now, my dear sister. We look after our own.

Yuelei did not know how to reply to that, and thus she merely kept quiet.

How has your training been coming along recently? That Palian Satchel of yours has quite the possibilities. Poisoned Ice? That are quite the number of things you can do with that.

“It is only effective as a surprise attack at best.”

One strike. One victory. What more do you need?

“Just like hunting.” Yuelei nodded. “You only need one good strike.”

Just like hunting. Liur echoed in agreement. Like Mother used to say, all techniques are decisive strikes only when they are seen for the first time.

“I supposed that it would be good to see how far my Winter Moons can take me. The tournament would be a good testing ground.”

If you fail, I can always take over. I doubt any of those ‘little’ girls have a chance if I enter the field..

“...If you do interfere, don’t hurt them too much.”

As long as they do not commit an atrocity worthy of my wrath. Liur said pridefully. Although I fear my wrath is but an inkling of Lumnieve’s if something happens to you. If I miss one of my weekly trips, she may mobilize the entire Frost Palace in search of you.

“Isn’t she over-reacting?” Yuelei rolled her eyes.

Yuelei my dear sister. You may not understand this, but every one of Lumnieve’s kind have boasted of a human that wielded their powers. She had watched many of her friend’s scions carve their marks into history while she stood at the side and watched. You are her first.

“Not your grandmother’s partner. Holli?”

Her manifestation was not through her own power, but through the blood of frost dragons that ran in her veins, as well as Drak’s offspring. She did not naturally use frost magic as you can. Like I said, you are the first.

“Should I feel honored or burdened?” Yuelei sighed.

Lumnieve does not seek to bind you, none of them did. However, if something happens to you by of not your choosing, I fear the humans may suffer another ice age if Lin doesn’t stop her.

“Definitely burdened.”

Well, knowing Lumnieve, only the country in which you died in will suffer and be covered in ice. So it’s not like the whole of humanity would be annihilated. There are rules against extinction after all.

“That doesn’t make it any better, and there are rules for extinction?”

Only among those of Lumnieve’s standing and their followers. Which is why when mankind attempted to wipe out the last bastion of the mixed-bloods, there was a reckoning. It was the first time those who rule over the elemental domains banded together instead of fighting among themselves.

“In-fighting?”

Let’s just say that opposite sides don’t always attract. Or in this case, the instant they touch each other you have an explosion of wills trying to dominate the other. But that is a story for another day. Liur flapped her wings and took off as the Justinia mansion came into sight.

In the yard, June and Silfy were sparring in preparation for the upcoming tournament.

“Sweet Goddess! Those arrows are painful.” Silfy shouted loudly as she received another ‘blunt’ arrow on her exposed shoulder while she was trying to cast a Fire Bolt. “June, stand still and fight me like a man!”

“But I’m a woman!” June laughed as she danced out of Silfy’s range again, another arrow already nocked and ready to be released.

“Fine! Have it your way!” Silfy sent a prayer to the goddess, and her shield started to radiate light. Before June could react, she slammed the hilt of her sword against the shield, causing a blinding white flash.

Her vision was taken away from her, June relied on her instincts as she dropped and rolled on the round, barely blocking Silfy’s overhead strike with her bow.

“With the distance closed, what will you do now?” Silfy smiled as she applied more pressure to her weapon, pushing June down. “It’d be bad if your bow breaks, so why don’t you surrender?”

June rolled her eyes and misdirected Silfy’s next strike, using her bow as one may use a short staff. However, none of the strikes bypassed Silfy’s swift blocking moments with her shield.

The next exchange decided the battle, with Silfy thrusting her shield upwards against June’s arm, forcing her to lose grip of her bow.

“I concede.” June grumbled as Silfy’s wooden mace sat on her shoulder. “This ‘no’ magic rule is truly unfair, Silfy.”

“One has to converse their energy during the tournament.” Silfy shrugged as she unequipped her gear. “If you use wind magic to speed yourself up, I can only buckle down and endure, but you can’t use it for long, no?”

“Only for about four or five exchanges.” June nodded.

“Still, that technique… Trail of the Wind, is quite dazzling. I can barely keep my eyes on you. And using Wind Blast to knock me away right after I close the distance was just cheating!”

“According to my father, letting the enemy get close is a lost to a Shepherd.” June shrugged. “It seems that Yuli is back.”

“Ah, our champion has arrived.” Silfy hooked Yuelei’s arm and dragged her over while winking at June. “We walk with a future Divine Being in our midst.”

“The tournament hasn’t even started yet.” Yuelei rolled her eyes. “You overestimate me.”

“If anything, I am underestimating you.” Silfy smirked in response. “What sort of monster can defeat both June and I at the same time?”

“It was merely a fluke.”

“-and somehow Liur didn’t even have to raise a finger- erm. Wing.”

“Like I said, it was a fluke. I doubt either of you would fall for the same tricks again, like walking through poison mist, or accidentally stepping on wet ground.”

“It’s not exactly accidental if you covered the entire yard in water. I mean, who has the energy to cast that many Water Orbs!?.”

“Yuelei has always fought with magic.” June shrugged. “Plus, she’s an alchemist so she probably has an affinity for such things. I have heard of herbs that raises one’s magical potential.”

“I… do not think I have ingested anything of that kind.” Yuelei replied.

“Or certain parts of rare magical beasts. It’s said that dragon hearts can raise one’s strength.”

“Actually that’s not true. Dragon hearts’ effect comes from the magical properties of the pure blood within that contains fire-attributed magical energy. It only raises one’s strength if the consumer is of the same element as that of the dragon, and only after an assimilation period has passed. If it isn’t of the same element, it only raises one’s endurance and tolerance for fire magic.”

“And who was the one that said they preferred to study practically instead of remembering magic theory?”

“That and this are different things.” Yuelei protested. “The effects are practical and observable, but it is foolish to try to sort magic through types and replicate them through magic circles. What’s the point if everyone is using the same standard Fire Bolt and Water Bolt?”

“Because it’s ‘safe’, Yuelei.” Silfy disagreed. “Your magic… what did you call it again?”

“Primal.”

“Your Primal Magic is without a doubt deadly and dangerous, but what is the point if it can hurt the wielder? It’s not exactly suited for team-based tactics either. Friendly fire is a thing, you know.”

“As long as it hurts the opponent more than it hurts me, then all is well. Plus, my aura makes working as a team rather hard.” Yuelei said dismissively.

“Ahh. Miss… Alia was it?” Archaeologist Banyin gestured for Yuelei to have a sit. Yuelei glanced around the room before taking a seat, it resembled an old dusty book-room a scribe may toil in rather than an office for a teacher.

“Apologies for the mess. The Church has been wanting me to write up several documents on some vague and ancient topics, so I had to dig through various old records. Some of the scribes aren’t keen to share knowledge. I miss my home in the Red Slate Republic. What can I do for you?”

“I would like to go into the Umber’s Banquet Hall in the Opalis Mine for training purposes.”

“If there’s enough interest, I’m sure that I can arrange another expedition.” Banyin said thoughtfully. “The inhabitants of this land put more focus on martial prowess over magical. It is good to see an interested student.”

“I will be going alone for solitary training.” Yuelei added curtly.

“For the upcoming tournament I presume.” Banyin frowned. “Entering alone may be a bit of a problem. I highly doubt that the Church would sanction an expedition without reasonable motives for a single individual.”

“Their assistance is not needed. I simply came to ask for advice from a senior explorer.”

“Although I do not recommend it… am I to understand that this is a solo expedition?”

“I will be accompanied by… a guardian you can say.”

“Does your family know about this… trip?”

I suppose. Yuelei thought. Liur was accompanying her after all. “Yes. In fact they are coming with me.”

“I would advise you to let someone else know, in case something happens. The League of Adventurer is a wise choice. Simple exploration and adventurer rules. You are here for a map of sorts?”

“If it isn’t too much of a bother.”

“No… No… of course not. The Church lost interest when I told them it was infused with water energy and not light energy as they had thought. At least someone can put it to use before I leave.” Banyin smiled. “There’s a few dangers in the mines, but as long as you follow the outlined road, the denizens of the caverns will usually leave you alone, especially in a group.”

“These denizens are…?”

“Various magical beasts and some carnivorous plants that make the shadowed burrows depths their home. There is no need to fear the Shadowless as the Opalis veins in the walls keep them away.” Banyin rummaged around an old dusty chest and pulled out a worn out scroll. After coughing a few times from the amount of dust, he handed it over to Yuelei.

“This map should allow you to find your way.”

“My thanks, Archaeologist Banyin.”

“No need. You are the first student to actually come here and ask for assistance since I took up the teaching position here, and quite possibly the last.” Banyin waved Yuelei off as she left. “Be careful, child.”

“I am always careful.” Yuelei left with that parting remark.

….

“Ah! Miss Yuelei, Heading out for training?”

It was middle of the night when Yuelei made to leave, but Galvin, former captain of the Harbinger Crows, met her at the gate. His butler uniform was in pristine condition as usual and the silver trim glowing against the moonlight.

“If you’d like, I would be honored to be your sparring partner tonight as well.” Galvin offered.

“I’m afraid I have other business to attend to.” Yuelei reached around and patted the Palian Satchel on her waist.

“...I see. Will you be gone long?” Galvin noticed the gesture and nodded in response.

“Until the day prior to the tournament.” Yuelei replied.

“Four days then. Is there something you’d like me to tell the girls?”

“The truth. I embarked on a soul-searching journey of training with Liur.”

“Is that so? May you find that which you seek.”

As Galvin watched Yuelei disappear into the darkness, he stared into the skies to see a streak of blue follow her. He shook his head and reentered the Justinia Estate, trying to think of the best ways to break the news to Yuelei’s friends.

…

“So, here we are.” Yuelei stood in front of the entrance to the Opalis Mines. “I hope the information you obtained is true, otherwise this time could be spent a bit more wisely..”

The information came from Lady Lumnieve herself. This will be a beneficial venture for you.

“I hope so.”

What are you so worried about? If it’s the upcoming tournament, I have already said that I alone could bring a gift-wrapped first place position for you.

“It is not your strength or ability of which I am in doubt. You’re not one to hold back, Liur. It would be bad if there were casualties.”

That ‘is’ doubting my ability. I know how to restrain a killing blow, although a few bones and ribs may be broken in the process as well as a lot of scraped skin.

“Come now, Liur. What if you ruined a pretty little girl’s face forever and they hold a grudge?”

Females are usually the more craftier ones. Plus, more than half of the citizens of this land are possessors of holy magic. Surely they have some remedies for a bit of flayed skin.

Yuelei rolled her eyes as she walked into the wide mine entrance, Liur was on her usual spot on her shoulder. As soon as they stepped inside the dark caverns, the conversation instantly died away as both of them were on high alert. Their minds had returned to a more simpler time when they communicated via simple gestures and reading the body language of the other, a time where they were predators.

They moved quietly through the path outlined by the studded Opalis in the walls- tiny pebbles hardly the size of a fingernail that lit up the cave path like a planetarium. The inhabitants of the cave must avoid the trodden main road, for Yuelei and Liur had no encounters as they made their way safely into the water-covered chamber of the ancient chef Umber. It was only after Yuelei closed the ancient stone door and sealing the edges with ice then could she only relax.

“Let’s get give it a try then.” Yuelei sat down on one of the banquet hall’s many stone tables, folding her legs on top of the cold stone. For the cold-attuned Yuelei, the wet and water-chilled stone felt like she was sitting on a blanket of fresh snow, and quite comfortable. She sucked in a breath and slowly, slowly started to let loose her Winter’s Breath aura while channeling her magical energy into it.

Starting from where the fine white mist touched her bare skin, a wave of cold slowly crept upward, covering the stone table in a thin sheet of ice. As the last stone corner was covered, Yuelei opened her eyes, slipped into sandals made from the fur of a Ghost Rabbit, sidled over to the edge of the table, and dipped her feet into the water of the chamber. After a brief moment, the water started to slowly freeze over, with Yuelei being the point of origin.

“As you said, there’s a bit of resistance.” Yuelei nodded to Liur, who had made herself a makeshift perch of ice next to her, like that of a tree in winter.

It seems it will be a long while until the entire room freezes over and we can find the origin of this spring. Liur commented on the dismal rate of expansion of ice. Shall I help?

“No need. This would be a good time to figure out the limit of my magical energy absorption.” Yuelei murmured, light fog covering her legs as the rate of freezing increased.

It is wise to know one’s limits. Liur commented, fixing her gaze at Yuelei’s Aeht, the center of her magical conduit. Based on the max number of Winter Moons you can control at once, you can probably increase your rate to one and a half times more before digging into your own reserves.

Yuelei heeded her advice and increased the rate of absorption, her Winter’s Breath aura condensing enough that even the naked eye could see droplets of water freezing as it passed through.

“Do you have any memories of this place or this ‘Umber’?” Yuelei asked.

I am afraid not. Gourmet food is not high on the list of priorities for my ancestors. They were more worried about dealing with the fire phoenixes.

“It sounds like this feud goes back deep.”

Feud? Is one versus an entire colony considered a feud in human lands?

“...I suppose not.”

If anything, you can call it a long-seated grudge on both sides. After all, phoenixes have long memories and are as ancient as dust if they wished. One day, I fear you will be pulled into this confrontation as well.

“I heard phoenix feathers are extremely useful alchemy ingredients which can be used to brew all sorts of potions...” Yuelei grinned.

Some of it are myths by your kind. In the past, a phoenix sighting was so rare that humans started believing all sorts of things. At one point, there was some foolish rumor that phoenix feathers from the tail could even bring back the dead.

“But some of it is true, right?”

It is true that feathers of a phoenix hold… certain healing properties. In flame the feather can merge with the skin and close wounds, or the leftover ash could be used in a poultice to cleanse poisons.

“Then can you let me-”

No. My feathers are not your plaything. Plus what I said only applies to fire phoenixes. Frost phoenix’s feathers do more harm than good to the human body.

“Then what about the other parts… like tears, heart, organs...”

...Your questions are making me nervous, Yuelei. Maybe letting you become an alchemist was not a wise idea.

“Isn’t it a bit too late now to be saying that?” Yuelei rubbed the soles of her feet against the thickening ice. About half of the water in the room had solidified into ice.

Then did you know that the organs of powerful mages contain magical and alchemical properties? Humans make some interesting ingredients as well, and the memories of my ancestors can vouch for their taste.

“Your ancestors ate humans!?”

Not just my ancestors, but other magical beasts, as well as other groups of humans, such as necromancers. It is said the most delicious cut is-

“Don’t say anymore. I don’t want to know.”

Experience my pain when you were speaking of pulling out phoenix feathers. Liur replied smugly. But humor me, Yuelei. If you had no choice but to consume your own kind to survive, would you do it?

“Of course... I would.” A glint of brutality shone in Yuelei’s cold eyes of white. “A man, a child, the elderly…. None of that matters in the wilds. Even Glimstalkers consume each other.”

Well said. I too would gladly consume the others of my kind. Liur’s neck jerked as the room fully froze over. It seems that our time has come.

Yuelei stood up just as a rumbling resounded in the room. The sound of splitting ice can be heard as a large crack appeared in the center of the room, and in the next moment, a geyser of water sprung forth from the crack.

“It seems that of which we seek is beneath this chamber.”

The stonebed is tempered calcite. There’s no way we will be able to dig down from here.

Yuelei reached into her satchel and pulled out the map given to her.

“...There’s no evidence of a chamber below this one on the map. There’s a path we can take if we backtrack a bit but it puts us to the right of where we want to end up.”

In that case, you can use some magic to do a bit of digging. A couple of those Winter Moons should suffice, no?

“It’s more likely they will cause a cave in. We’ll have to do it the old fashion way.”

Does it look like I have hands to you? Are you expecting me to dig with my claws?

“From here on off, it’s dangerous territory.” Yuelei said in a quiet whisper to Liur as she placed away the map, who nodded in acknowledgment. The passage in front of them was dark, for there were no running veins of Opalis along the walls. To counter the darkness, Yuelei pulled out a vial filled with a white dust- powdered Opalis. She had procured quite a variety of things from the Papalis Marketplace, even items that were normally deemed church property, such as the crushed Opalis in her hands.

Taking out another vial, this one filled with blue luminescent liquid from the sac of a Lunar Firefly- a fist-sized, furred insect that resembled a moth. As their breeding season was during the mid-Months of Fire, it was relatively cheap. Yuelei tipped this green glowing liquid into the vial of powder before encasing the glass in ice. A few moments later, the ice melted and the result was what could be said to be a glow stick. It was rudimentary alchemy, reigniting the properties of existing items in nature. Sticking the glowing tube back into the belt of her satchel like one would attach a lantern, Yuelei and Liur carefully proceeded forward.

It was twenty minutes later when Liur’s feathers stiffen and she swivelled her head to stare off into the darkness. Without warning, she opened her beak and a Ray of Absolute Zero sprang forth, causing Yuelei to jump and instantly pull out her Frost Edge and conjured two Winter Moons that floated and twisted menacingly behind her.

With a flick of her spare hand, Yuelei tossed out a Crystal Flare Bomb, the pillar of flame briefly revealing the dangerous being in front of them. It’s bodied resembled that of a turtle, complete with shell, but the head was like a bird with a long monstrous beak. It stood on two legs, and where the arms should have been where two giant hook-like claws. The entire body was covered in a carapace like a crustaceans, but a hole has been punctured through the creature’s right shoulder and solidified over in ice.

A Hookbrute. Liur cautioned as the beasts pale white eyes turned towards the two of them. They are omnivores that will eat anything and anyone. Watch out for their carapace, it can deflect swords and even magic.

Right as the creature released a screech, Yuelei released the two orbs. They spiralled towards the creature, one exploding against the creature’s chest, and the other against the already injured creature.

However the two strikes only seemed to slightly falter the lumbering creature’s charge, even with the amount of ice embedded in the creature’s carapace. As Yuelei prepared to engage in close combat, Liur opened her beak and let out a single note. The brief sound caused the Hookbrute to stumble, and trip.

Yuelei took the chance and created a Water Orb over the creature, drenching the beast and saturating the cavern floor with water. As the monster struggled to stand, Yuelei wave her sleeve and wet ground in ice quickly turned to ice, binding the creature’s appendages.

As the creature struggled, letting out screeches of anger, six separate Frost Lances found their way into the creature’s shell-like back, causing the cries of anger to turn into cries of pain. The eyes of the Hookbrute turned red as it raged and broke free of its bindings. Yet before it could fully stand, Yuelei’s Primal Frost Edge cleanly lopped its head off, etching a blade-like gouge into the stone wall behind it.

Despite being detached from it’s head, the body continued to move, staggering and swinging at Yuelei’s direction. Caught off guard, she barely managed to block the blow but it slammed her away and into the wall, causing Liur to take off from her shoulder. Yuelei winced both in pain and irritation, as the glow-stick vial attached to her belt on her back shattered and the luminescent liquid dripped onto the cave floor.

The creature’s headless body continued to flail about weakly as Yuelei stood up, holding a hand against her bruised ribs, using a bit of frost magic to dull the pain. Despite the creature being in it’s dying throes, Yuelei angrily shot several Primal Frost Bolts at it until half of the body was studded with icicles. Yuelei was panting lightly as she walked over and make sure the creature was dead by stabbing it with her Frost Edge multiple times..

It is dead Yuelei.

“Better safe than sorry.” Yuelei grumbled. The loss of her source of light bothered her more than the light bruise she had received. In the depths of the dusty mine, even a tiny bruise or wound can become dangerous if not dealt with soon, so Yuelei covered the bruise with a Snakeskin Bandage from her satchel. After she tended to herself, she knelt down by the dead Hookbrute’s body, the spoils of their battle.

“...What am I going to do with this?”

I am not familiar with the alchemical value of the creature, but it is edible if you broil it over a flame.

“That doesn’t help at all.” Yuelei grumbled, but she lopped off the creature’s arms anyway. Yuelei did not pack any kindling, nor was there any available in the mines, so she had to make do with using a bit of Fire Blossom essence. She poured a few drops of the lava-like substance onto the surface of a flat stone, causing parts of the surface to glow red. Yuelei tossed one of the arms, the hook-like claw at least the size of her waist onto the hot stones and let it grill for a while. The smell of burnt chitin wafted in the air, and Yuelei was afraid that it may attract unwanted attention.

It is fine. Nothing can approach without my knowing. I’ll take first watch.

Yuelei cracked open the shell against the rocks and pulled out the white meat. The fishy taste was reminiscent of mussels and crab sticks, but the meat’s texture was similar to that of solidified fish paste. It was a bit surprising, but still quite delectable, and Yuelei found herself cooking and consuming the other claw as well.

Liur on the other hand, covered the legs and body in solid ice, chilling the meat and consuming it raw. Yuelei was curious but she did not want to take the risk of parasites… or an upset stomach. The meal continued in silence, and Yuelei took the first rest after assembling the ingredients for yet another glow-stick.

When it was time for Yuelei’s watch, the dark and silent darkness reminded Yuelei of the days of the Whitefrost. She for one did not possess the keen senses which Liur possessed, but she compensated by sealing the passage forward and behind with an Ice Wall. Despite the unfamiliar territory, it was still more comfortable than back in the Whitefrost Mountains, with the Shadowless clawing at the walls outside. Occasionally the dirt would tremble and a nose from a mole-like creature would surface from the ground, but it would rapidly scurry back into its burrow with a single sniff of the blood-infused air.

Yuelei had nothing better to do, so she decided to experiment with the chitin to keep herself occupied. She carve out a small pieces that fit snugly in her hands and stashed it away in one of the Palian Satchel’s compartments. Perhaps she could mix it into the Crystalflare Bombs as a form of shrapnel, mimicking the way her Winter Moons work by padding the core with condensed Primal Ice Bolts.

It felt like three hours had passed when Liur woke up, but the passage of time was hard to tell in the darkness. She had always been the lighter sleeper of the two, given her ‘nature’, but Yuelei did not mind. She drank the last bits of the Aqua Orb essence from the Four-chambered flask and stood up, ready to continue the journey.

Following Liur’s advice, she took the head of the Hookbrute along with her. Perhaps it was the scent of the fishy blood, or perhaps the diluted red eyes, but it kept the inhabitants away.

But not all of them. As they traveled they encountered a colony of Corpse Spiders, a group of insectoids that acted like dung beetles, centering around a ball of dead flesh and bones. Luckily the colony they encountered was rather small and they were the size of an adult human. Individually the spiders were weak and even those that managed to get past Yuelei and Liur’s combined attacks were frozen instantly by the Winter’s Breath aura, the two of them exuded. After the encounter, Yuelei carefully packed up one of the corpses in a bag and stored it away.

They had come across several aggressive mushroom-fungoid like plants, but they shriveled back as soon as they sensed the cold aura from the two of them, coupled with the Ray of Absolute Zero that Liur shot in the darkness towards them as soon as they made any form of movement.

It took about half a day to reach their objective with the given map, factoring in both rest and meal time. For the two of them, the passage of time felt nonexistent since they were in a heightened state of awareness.

This is the place I presume. Liur arched her neck downwards, her talons digging into the furry Sheive cloak on Yuelei’s shoulders. Any warding properties it had against beasts were useless beneath the ground, where creatures relied more on sight and smell.

“Presumably so.” Yuelei stared at the dead-end passage wall in front of her as she untied the Hookbrute’s head and tossed it a few meters away.

Then I suppose you should start digging. Liur gestured. I’ll keep watch.

“….” Yuelei sighed and brought out her Frost Edge.

The process was less arduous than expected. After using the tip of her weapon to nick at the stone wall and created a deep impression. She would create a Primal Ice Bolt and stick it in the impression with a Crystal Flare Bomb that she altered with extra gunpowder. The result was a controlled explosion which would deepen the indentation, allowing for more Primal Ice Bolts to be inserted and imploded within.

The entire operation took about two hours until the familiar sounding blast of shattering ice from the last Primal Ice Bolt sounded a bit different. Yuelei glanced over to meet Liur’s eyes, and the two of them carefully crawled through the hole that was made against the wall.

After half a minute of traversing the narrow passage with Yuelei padding her knees and shin with ice to keep it from scraping against the debris, the chamber lit up, blue light bouncing off the walls.

When they emerged and dusted off their bodies, (or flapped and hopped in Liur’s case), they surveyed the room. It was too small to be a considered a chamber, yet there was a door in front of them, as if it has expected someone to come out from within the wall. The emblem of a conch shell was engraved upon it, and was the source of the blue light. Below it were hieroglyphics that Yuelei did not recognize.

“It seems that we were expected.”

Not us, but someone. Liur responded.

“Do you have any idea what these words mean?” Yuelei walked forward and brushed her hand against the tall gates, only to find that her fingers were coated with water when she parted with it.

It is a song, although I cannot read it.

“A song?”

According to my memories, the strongest spells of the ancient spirits are channeled not through gestures, thoughts, runes, or scripts, but ‘songs’.

“Songs?” Yuelei thought back to the ceremony of rebirth Lin conducted long ago. She had not understand the words or melody, but even she recognized that it was a song.

They hold great power, Yuelei, enough to crumble mountains and raise oceans, to blanket skies with flame and call forth hurricanes. In more ways than one, they are the very forces of nature itself. Although all of this is hearsay and not from the memories of my ancestors.

“So your memories don’t go that far.” Yuelei paced around the tall stone door, inspecting it all over.

The first of us came into being during what your kind once called the Age of Dragons. By far, our line of frost phoenixes are the youngest out of all who dwelled in the Frost Palace, except now, the youngest is you. Liur replied as she flew towards the ceiling, also inspecting for any irregularities on the door.

“Technically, humans have lived long before then.” Yuelei replied half-hardheartedly as she knelt on the ground and inspected the dirt, which was strangely dry. “Do you have any idea how to open this?”

Ah, you misunderstand. By age I mean the individual’s age. Liur replied as she glided down the sides that were unreachable by Yuelei. Lady Lumnieve only said that we already possess the requirements for entering.

“In any case, doesn’t that still make you the youngest? I remember when you were a cute little chick.” Yuelei grumbled.

Age refers to when you first join Lumnieve’s coven, and obtain the butterfly mark upon your chest. I have borne the same mark ever since I was an egg, twenty years ago. Liur shot back. Did you find anything?

“No.” Yuelei returned to the center, where the emblem of the conch shell and hieroglyphics were. “It would be easy if we could at least read it.”

We must be overlooking something. Lumnieve is hardly wrong. Liur landed back on Yuelei’s shoulder.

“Anyone can be wrong, even the great.” Yuelei replied as she reached forward to touch the emblem. To her surprise her hand simply passed through, and the surface of the stone doors started to steam down water. When Yuelei jerked back, the water stopped.

It seems we have a clue. Did you feel anything when your hand reached through?

“It was like reaching through a pool of cold water. Really cold water.” Yuelei rubbed her hands.

I see. It seems that the countermeasure is cold water. Do you think you can handle it?

“Probably.” Yuelei reached forward again. The cold was comfortable at first thanks to Yuelei’s affinity, but it slowly dropped until Yuelei felt as if she had taken on one of Liur’s Ray of Absolute Zero head on. Finally, just as Yuelei was afraid that she may somehow receive frostbite, the water streaming down the stone door seemed to halt in midair and became tranquil like the surface of a lake. In the next minute ripples emanated out from the emblem as the hieroglyphics glowed briefly and sank into the water. Yuelei’s hand was pushed out gently and a rumbling sound was heard as the stone doors turned a light teal and swung inward.

The room inside was roughly half the size of the grand banquet chamber above. In the center of the room was a tiny pool glowing a pale white color, just enough for one person to fit, from which gravity-defying droplets of water floated upwards and vanished into the ceiling.

“What is this place? And what are we supposed to be doing here?” Yuelei asked.

That water in the pool was leftover from a Spirit’s Spring, the same as the lake that Miss Eir once dwelled in. However, the magic in this one still remains, even if in trace amounts.

“If it is what you say it is… I should gather a few samples of the water. I had taken the magical properties of the water for granted back when we lived with Lin.”

If there is any left after the ceremony, then be my guest.

“...Ceremony?”

To awaken your latent Primal Water abilities. Take off your clothes and sit in the pool and suppress your frost aura until it is basically non existent. If you are compatible, your body will start to draw in the Spirit Spring’s water.

“Are you serious?” Yuelei grumbled. She was already not too keen in having to bathe in the sight of others due to the nature of her body, much less in an underground pool that has been untouched for who knows how long.

There’s no need to be shy.

“I am not being shy.” Yuelei replied threathingly. “Merely cautious of the things that may have accumulated in the pool after centuries of being untouched.”

It is a Spirit’s Spring, Yuelei, a resting place for a spirit of the water elements. It may appear to be water to you, and it may have the same properties as water, but it is pure magical essence and it’s purer than any sort of water you can find even if it’s owner has long since passed away.

“Can spirits even die?” Yuelei undid her cloak and placed it in a bundle by the edge.

I do not know. That is a question you should ask one of Lin’s companions or Lumnieve. Pray that the owner has left, Yuelei, or you entering the spring would be a very offensive insult, enough to warrant an attack we cannot defend against.

“So you are saying that I’m bathing in the sacred domain of a water spirit, which may or may still not be alive, and absorbing the magical energy from it while I’m defenseless.”

You have summed it up quite nicely.

“...For both our sakes I hope that Lumnieve’s information is correct.” Yuelei sighed as she finished undressing. With the Sheive Cloak and layer of fur clothing off, the surroundings grew colder as Yuelei’s Winter’s Breath aura surged out without resistance. Yuelei sucked in her breath, carefully controlling the amount of energy moving through her Aeht, and the frosty cold started to slowly fade away. It was harder then she had thought, restraining herself like this, so she gingerly stepped into the pool after confirming there was no reaction in the surroundings.

How do you feel?

“What am I supposed to feel?” Yuelei grumbled. She played with the liquid in her hands, finding that it was a bit denser and heavier than normal water. Before she could add on another remark, the ripples in the water stopped, and the water droplets that were floating into the air paused as well. In the next moment, a sudden waterfall poured from above, dousing Yuelei as a whirlpool formed at her feet.

Yuelei!? Liur shouted out alarmingly, but Yuelei did not hear it. the water was suffocating her, and try as she might to break out of the pillar of water, the liquid seemed to bind her arms and legs. The sound of shattering ice echoed around the room as Liur shot several Primal Ice Bolts in an attempt to break her bindings, but the water seemed to solidify in retaliation, forming a small dome around the tiny pool. As the projectiles entered the water they were assimilated and vanished entirely. The wall of water grew more and more opaque until Yuelei lost sight of Liur altogether.

And as sudden as it had begun, the whirlpool and waterfall stopped. Yuelei no longer got the sensation of drowning but instead floating on the surface of the water. From her right she could hear the sound of a voice.

“Liur?” Yuelei said hesitatingly, but as it grew in volume, she realized it was not her companion, but something else. A strange energy saturated the air, enough to cause Yuelei’s skin to tingle as the voice started to sing a trailing melody in the language of spirits.

Na nepo dor, sai eldruu

Faltka inha lingui tyna

Colga roon irs sor dor na

Wase wtrihai elbisia

Ar sayue lasye lasye aulla

En lasye iy filaik tisa

Wase tuoka han minl srai yeeel ruul

Qualpe rida warce

Ware briyua palna lasye anw forlinde

En kapa chs fwal, en coall celle

Din naver na pagle srayf ritme

Bryte friyay ley tisa

Fa-tey han guiltay se tday

Nor shi finshe tu shiiki fayyen siha

Was tudun ditowr ka tes

Na nepo dor, sai eldruu

Iter riter fifna sos tirla

Forgandal yerlla wista

As soon as the melody seemed to finish, the Spirit’s Spring radiated pure light, blinding Yuelei’s eyes. For a brief moment, Yuelei thought that she saw the figures of a young boy and girl through the light before she was mentally struck with enough magical pressure to make her pass out.

Ah, the sleeper finally awakens. Liur’s reproachful voice was the first thing Yuelei heard when she came too, and it reverberated through her mind as if she had spent the entirety of the prior day enjoying drinks.

“...Can you please be a bit quieter?” Yuelei grumbled as she winced as daggers of pain tore through her head. “How long was I out?”

Roughly two days, give or take a few hours. What happened inside?

“Two days?” Yuelei shook her head in disbelief and shock. Her little ‘episode’ seemed to her like it was at most a couple of hours. She did a couple of quick calculations in her mind. “We need to hurry back.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt strength leaving her feet as another wave of dizziness struck her. However, Liur had noticed it before she did and had darted around her to support her back.

“...” Yuelei buckled her knees and regained her balance.

You went two and a half days without eating. I had half a mind to pour the bottle of Water Orb Essence down your mouth by tomorrow if you had not woken sooner. What happened in there?

“I heard a song.” Yuelei tried to recall bits and pieces of the lyrics, but like grasping at mist, the words seemed to evade her. “...But I can’t seem to recall the words at all, despite the melody echoing in my mind.”

That is expected. You do not recall the Ceremony of Rebirth either, do you?

“...Now that you talk about it, I don’t.” Yuelei shook her head as she dug through her satchel for the bottle of Water Orb essence. She sighed as she stared at the nearly empty chamber in the Four-Chambered Flask, before sharing the last few drops between her and Liur.

“I’ll have to find something else to fill this chamber now.” Yuelei commented as she put away her things, the nourishing essence slowly permeating through her body, providing a slow and steady surge of energy. Still, Yuelei fished out a few pieces of dried jerky to sate the emptiness of her stomach. When she offered some to Liur, she was turned down.

I am fine. While you were sleeping, I procured some food outside with a First Snow double.

“…What is that?”

You will see in the upcoming tournament if there is someone worthy of it. It is not a skill so easily used and without repercussions. Don’t give me that look. I am fine. I was not going to leave you alone and defenseless. Let us get moving.

Yuelei wanted to protest, but Liur did not give her the chance, taking the lead. Furthermore, they needed to quickly make their way back, lest they miss the tournament. And so, after turning back to stare at the Spirit’s Lake one last time as the last bits of glowing light faded, Yuelei left.

A few minutes later, after the two of them were out of earshot, the doors with the shell emblem closed, never to be open again. Inside the chamber, a melancholic voice echoed in a language no longer understandable by man. Before long, it too, faded away as the Spirit’s Lake vanished.

Their journey back was quite uneventful. With the lack of time, Liur had spared no expense at intimidating any creature that crossed their path. Even Yuelei felt suffocated despite that the hostility was not aimed at her. Even Liur’s Winter’s Breath seemed to draw on Yuelei’s own, fusing together and causing the cavern walls to be coated in a thin layer of ice. Yuelei on the other hand, was a glorified lantern, holding the vial of Powdered Opalis to light the way as they hurried down the caverns. Their return would be considered reckless by any seasoned adventurer, even if they were simply retracing their steps back.

It was early morning when they finally saw the light of day again, with the orange hues of the rising sun barely tinting the clouds in the sky. With rings under her eyes and the hounds of sleep nipping at her ankles, Yuelei arrived at the quiet Justinia estate.

“It seems you have returned.” Galvin greeted Yuelei as she ascended the few stairs leading towards the entrance, pushing aside the door for her. “Was your session fruitful? There is... something different about you.”

“I have not slept for the past days.” Yuelei replied quietly. “I hate to trouble you but-”

“No need to worry about me, but you should save your apologies for the young miss and her friend.” Galvin chuckled as he handed over a small sack. “There is some easy to digest food in there, as well as several Rejuvenation Potions. You should leave now if you wish to make it to the tournament.”

“...Thanks” Yuelei was proud in her independence, but she knew when to accept help when it was given out of goodwill. After bowing her head and saying a quick farewell, she made her way towards the Holy Knight Academy in a rapid pace.

Royal Knight Academy.

Due to publicity of the tournament event, with various sub-factions within each major power of the Church triad attending in hopes of recruiting potential students, the field was packed full of people. The vast training arena had been outfitted with a building similar to a coliseum-come-stadium that several hundred meters, which was entirely conjured through the use of various Earth magic spells such as Manipulate Sand, Stone Pillar, Earth Goddess’s Palm, Draw Clay, Stone Blocks. Despite the fact that construction had started nearly a week prior and there was over a hundred Earth Affinity mages, the project was barely completed before today’s tournament. Once the rank eight mages maintaining the spell were to leave after the tournament, it would slowly sink to the ground and return to being dirt and mud.

“Where the hell is that girl!?” Silfy grumbled as she chomped down a sandwich, the refreshments were provided to the participants free of charge and they had arrived early to check out the competition. She and June were seated in the lowest rows- reserved for participants of the tournament. In the aisle was a dark passage, no doubt leading into the arena below. Along the perimeter of the arena were the school teachers of the Royal Knight Academy acting both as overseers to the students and to the upcoming battles. “The tournament is about to start already! First, she goes off without saying a word, and now she’s going to ditch the tournament that she was looking forward to?!”

“Be patient, Sil.” June reassured, although her anxiety can be seen as she was constantly drummed her bowstring. “As long as she arrives before her name is called she won’t be disqualified. There are also over two hundred participants, so she may have some time.”

“Luck was never that girl’s forte.” Silfy grumbled as she held the wrapper in her gauntlets. A small flame formed in the palm of her hand and incinerated the trash, and Silfy waved her hand to fan away the flames. “Not to mention her personality is just like yours when we first met.”

“…” June did not deny her words. It had taken her some time to adjust to living in the city.

“-And now you’re just like Nieves.” Silfy continued. “You were always a good listener and mediator.”

“I merely learn from the best.” June complimented their deceased friend.

“We will make them proud today.”

“There are many strong opponents. It is still too early to tell.” June was more cautious when it came to declaring victory. “Not to mention the prior competitors have only grown stronger.”

Before Silfy could reply, a voice boomed throughout the stadium, quieting the participants and onlookers alike.

“Welcome, welcome to all that have gathered here today!” Quentil’s magnified voice boomed through the air like a loudspeaker. Behind him stood four men who channeled the wind-affinity amplification spell. “With the Months of Fire about to end, and the Month of Light arriving soon. I’m sure most of our students here will be looking forward for the break from school!”

Loud cheers came out from the assembled students, the Month of Light was the one time students from the Royal Knight Academy had a break, along with the Month of Darkness, except the Month of Light held several festivities in the name of the Goddess Ecclisa.

“However, for officials like me-” Quentil let out a long sigh. “It seems that we have quite a lot of work ahead of us!”

Most of the participants chuckled and nodded at the principal’s self-mocking words. The Months of Light may be full of festivals, but that was precisely the reason the workload piled up. The Holy Land of Ecclisa was not prone to tourists due to the cold conditions, and there were all sorts of accommodations for those that had come to visit that need to be set up. Furthermore, other branches of the Church in other countries would also be making the trek here.

“Now, as much as I love to take the stage and complain, today’s tournament is about the students! In the past, there was a healthy competition between the male and female cadets, and today should be no different! For those of you not aware of the selection process, all of the duelists will be chosen randomly! By the Goddess’s will, those in the Goddess’s grace will be favored with an easy foe, those without will have to face one stronger than them! But fear not, for those with weapons guided by the Goddess will prevail, no matter the enemy!” Quentil rousing speech was more for the visitors of other lands then the actual students, who had heard this spiel several times over.

“Now all that spiel that I had to talk about because of our ‘sponsors’ aside.” Quentil said sarcastically, causing some of the officials to give him a deathly stare. “I would like let our students know that today is but a training exercise. The only loser are those who are too busy gawking and hawing at the fights of others and not trying to learn from them. Those of you that had the courage to participate except being first years, I commend you! Those of you that are in seventh years, this is your chance for glory! Former champions of the years past, today you will be challenged! Without further ado, allow me to announce the start of the Inter-Cadets Duelist Tournament!”

“Now, we will select the first two contestants to kick off the tournament!” Quentil roared as a grand statue of the Goddess in valkyrie armor appeared behind him, towering over him and pointing a stone sword in the air. It was a customary statue that usually sat as the centerpiece in the grand cathedral and it had been personally transferred for the tournament by one of the sisters under the high priestess.

“As is custom, the left will resemble the humans, and the right to resemble the travelers from the heavens!” Two white flames lit each of the wings, Holyflame, a light-based fire that is said to purge all darkness. Two small condensed balls flew off from each wing, and swirled in the air on the left and right of the statue. The white flame on the left spun and started to form letters.

“And now the contestants will be revealed! Our first contestant on the side of the angels, Rank 31st of the Royal Knight Academy’s Male Cadets, Oliver Dala! May the contestant and any accompaniment enter the arena through the passage down the aisle!!”

After a few minutes, an averagely built man in black scalemail made his way down the aisle and into the arena through cheers and salutes. With him he brought a kite shield and thick, flat-sided broadsword made out of black metal- one of the standard gears of those belonging in the Black Knights. He held a finger to his lips and blew, and in the next moment, an osprey with black-tinged feathers flew down on the air and onto his arm. With his free hand, he drew his sword and saluted the Black Knights in the stands.

“And our other contestant...” Quentil gestured towards the white ball of flame as it started to write letters in the air. When the name finally appeared, Quentil frowned and double checked a book of student records before finally continuing. “Is an unaffiliated first year! Yuelei Alia! A hand of applause for our brave soul!”

However, when the noise settled June and Silfy were staring at each other in shock. Before they could comment on the absurdity and lament how bad Yuelei’s luck was, a blue streak shot down from the clouds and settled in cloud of mist that slowly dissipated- revealing a regal Frost Phoenix standing on the arena floor.

Liur’s prideful turquoise eyes glared at those around her, and then at the black-clad man in front of her.

“Liur? But where is Yuelei?” Silfy mumbled to herself as the students around her pointed and commented on the phoenix. Many of them recognized the bird even if they did not know who the owner was. The males, however, had no clue what was going on. Before long, complaints and jeers ran out from the crowd.

“Where is the girl?!”

“Did she send up her pet to do the work!? Or did she just run away!?”

“This isn’t allowed right?! The owner has to be present!”

Yet those impatient enough to start shouting were stunned in the next moment. No... all who were watching were stunned. From the point where Liur was staring into the sky, a figure hidden in a pure white cloak with flapping wings of blue ice slowly descended, traces of snow swirling around her. Without a sound, her bare feet touched the surface of the arena in the silence. With a flourish of an arm, the wings of ice fell off the figure’s back, floating in the air and transforming into a sword of pure ice.

“I have come.” Yuelei announced quietly as she pointed the blade at her opponent.

“This damn girl sure knows how to impress.” Silfy sighed in both relief and amazement. June nodded her head next to her and murmured to herself in a low voice.

“...like in the stories, wings of blue will cover the ground in ice, and the heir to the blizzard with the heart of a phoenix will arrive in the time of darkness.”

“The student seems to take after the master.” Priestess Geisla chuckled to herself. “A grand entrance worthy of even the Goddess herself.”

“...If that girl can manipulate a hybrid or divine element, we must recruit her.” An adviser whispered to Warlin Dala, the current leader of the Black Knights.

“I’m afraid we are already past that point, thanks to our predecessor’s actions. If you wish to go against the High Priestess, deal with it yourself,”

“This is that man’s disciple. Our agents lost track of her when she left in the Justinia estate due to a certain ‘interference’. Make sure you don’t lose track of her again.” A black cloaked man whispered to Utain Estoc, the leader of the Harbinger Crows.

“Hmph! It seems she brought the Palian Satchel with her. If she goes far, we can use this as advertisement.” Piena of the Paspala Marketplace commented to herself, always eager to make a quick buck.

“That’s the girl that concocted the Light’s Temptation.” Lorrin informed her fellow sisters. “Be prepared to interfere if necessary to make sure she does not get injured. Is everyone in place to watch the other factions?”

“...Only their first names are the same. She does not even look similar at all.” A woman with a green hairband murmured to herself in the shadows, as she stared at a watercolor painting. After her eyes moved back and forth a few times between it and Yuelei, she shook her head and ripped the painting to bits. Then she started to dissemble the giant great bow behind her.

“What a waste of time…”

Far away- White Frost Mountains.

It had taken nearly every one of Lumnieve’s coven to convince her that mobilizing the Legion of Winter to escort Yuelei onto the stage in a grand ceremony was not a good idea. As a result Lumnieve had been grumpy for the past few days, until Drak had offered a solution.

“Look! Look! It’s Yuelei! Drak, stand still so the picture stops shaking!” Lumnieve pumped her tiny fists into the ice mirror that showed through Drak’s eyes.. It would be considered cute if each ‘playful’ slam did not leave a crater in the ice that could be considered harder than steel. “And get closer so we can see her!”

How do you expect me to keep still while flying in the air? And do you really want me to reveal myself!? Drak grumbled. If he were to reveal himself above the stadium, a huge panic would break out at the sight of a drake.

“Shut up and just do as I say!”

My lady- Korrbin the Sheive Bear thought of trying to calm her down, but decided against it as the next slam caused the entire Frost Castle to tremble.

“Do you regret not going back to see the tournament?” Eir murmured. Lin’s group had caught news of the tournament from the many travelers going to the capital.

“Our path has diverged long ago. There is no need for me to watch over her, especially when she is being watched by Lumnieve.” Lin replied.

Even Liur, who was manifolds stronger than Yuelei admired her visage upon the ground. A cloak of purest white, with one arm extended perpendicularly with a sword of ice emanating an aura of coldness, a white mist gently swirling around her body, a layer of ice on the ground from which her bare feet touched, a belt full of vials on the belt near her waist, the glint of an ancient ring on her finger.

Today... Today.... Our story begins.