"Are you blind?! You Bastard that was the mage! Curse you and your family for generations to come!"[Villager] Neidr narrowed his eyes and scanned the area, silently. If this person was to be believed, it was now safe to retreat into the recesses of the jungle. Neidr spat and said,

"A child, a mage? Ridiculous! Send the real one or I'll kill someone every minute!" [Neidr]

"It really was the mage! Damn you! Damn you to hell! I hope you are flayed alive in hell!"[villager] A minute passed and no one came. Neidr sighed,

"If you attack me any further... I will come back and crush you!" Then he said a chant and turned to mist. He did this continuously into the trees. Then, he circled around, hiding in the dense brush, watching the village. If they sent someone after him, he would immediately strike. If they mage made his presence known, he would immediately strike. That vine had almost cost him his life and Neidr wasn't willing to bet on not being followed by a vengeful mage.

The danger that presented him was why he has been so brutal. The moment he rests, he could be strangled to death without recourse. In the water, he cannot chant any spells, he can only rely on his weapons. Fortunately, he bought a multitude of knives. The people of the village rushed to bandage their people. This was a good sign. They weren't taking action against him and seemed not to have a healing spell.

Perking his ears, he could hear their conversations. They were weeping and cursing him. Holding the bodies of the dead while tending the living. However, he did hear something important. Neidr did not know why these people had attacked him to start with. Without this initial engagement much bloodshed could have been avoided.

It turned out that they consider the Shambler a holy beast and the attack of such a creature is blasphemous.

'Damn.' The rest of the time in the swamp, Neidr spent tending to his wounds and accumulating mana. Using the herbs he found in the swamp, he healed his wounds, remembering Arrieta's teachings. He also targeted the creatures scampering on the ground with his ice shards, practicing his aim for a moving target. Every time he did this, though, he would move locations. The mana from spells could be seen with a mana search, even if his usual signal was negligible. It wasn't long before he reappeared on the campus of Rotham. Looking around at the many students happily discussing with one another after their journey, Neidr felt relieved. Looking at Zalar who was in a state of constantly trying not to throw up, Neidr smiled. He felt that he was ready to kill a prince. First, he went straight to Azalea's. At tea, her face was paler than usual, not that she was afraid, more like depressed. Azalea sighed saying,

"You were right. The king no longer treasures our house." She let out a self-mocking laugh saying,

"The second prince has indeed come to seek my hand through battle, though. So, I must thank you for that. I apparently am an enticing prize for fools with no vision."[Azalea] Neidr smiled and said,

"At the very least, when he wins, your position will be secure."[Neidr] At this point, Neidr and Azalea's interests are contrary. She wants the prince to win, he wants him dead. Azalea nodded and said,

"Yes, you have delivered as promised. If the Prince is willing to risk entering, he must be confident in his victory. The king has specified that not even he will be able to save his own neck in the contest."[Azalea] Azalea frowned,

"The king said so in order to get this mmmm Prince to see the light and not covet wantonly, but it only hardened his resolve. All I can say is he is not the second for nothing."[Azalea] Neidr smiled and said,

"You sound unsatisfied."[Neidr] Azalea looked over at him with a fire in her eyes and said,

"I have always sought the best. Knowing that I cannot have the first prince indeed disheartens me."[Azalea]

Neidr left and Azalea drew into isolation. Although she had attained her goal and was happy about the securing of her ducal household, she had some melancholy.

However, it has become quite the spectacle throughout the Academy. All throughout the halls, posters were stuck up and flyers passed around. Many people had already joined under Azalea and had come to calling her the Ice goddess. Neidr smirked, he had even seen art depicting the sister as the two goddesses of the world. Elizabeth was compared to the goddess of life that brought creation, and Azalea was compared to the goddess of jealousy that brought death. Although that was quickly taken down. Using the names of Asla and Alsa so frivolously could get you killed.

The students joyously discussed the event. Many speaking of joining and many more preparing to see the show.

Word had it that Liam too has joined in order to hone his skills. Neidr smiled at this news, perhaps if Liam joined, he could kill the second prince on his own. Just to be sure, though, Neidr signed up for the contest. Neidr had no intention of winning, he would kill the Prince and forfeit somewhere along the line.

Once this was done, he could sit back and relax.