On top of a cold mountain peaks that reach the cryosphere, where most rocks were replaced by spikes of glaciers, I rubbed my hands waiting for someone who might have the ancient knowledge I need.

With the temperature reaching below 0, I could see my black bangs frost with snow and my glasses fog every time I breathe warm air to my numbing hands. My body shook at the emanating cold of the icy mountain.

“I-i-t’s s-s-s-o c-c-colddd!!!”

I had an urge to make fire but decided against it in fear of offending the one I’m waiting for.

It took me 4 days to finally reach the peak. It would’ve been nice to warp here, but I would need to place Nadi’s card first, so with my initial visit, I’ve already turned into a popsicle.

But I can’t believe creativity affect magic greatly. I’ve been using magic via natural phenomena, where my magic is based on the same mechanisms and instead, hastens it by creating all the missing elements and processes.

Hence, my inability to warp or teleport. I only know the incomplete theory of transferring matter from one to place to other without traversing the physical plane in between. Without the proper theory, I can’t supplement my imagination without it, unlike Nadi who uses her creativity.

I’ve probably waited for half a day, exposed to the constant blizzard atop the mountain. So I wasted my time rationalizing what magic truly is.

『Human, how dare you intrude upon thine home!』

A thundering voice, a mixture of a young and old female voice, echoed within the icy spikes and a gushing wind brought forth by its wings blew the frost away.

“Greetings! My name is Lucas Alta. I was wondering if you could help me?”

The owner of the voice landed with a huge thud. It’s towering white body reflected the sun’s rays with a bluish sheen. It’s scales were a roundish diamond shape with irregular sizes, embedded in a leathery gray skin. It’s claws were icy blue with a hint of coldness and it’s wings bellowed with its white membrane.

Then it’s eyes, the one our league is named after, it’s dragon’s eyes had vertical irises and it’s pupils were a cold blue mix with whites that seemed like two liquids repelling each other.

Those cold eyes looked at me with intimidation. I had frosted goosebumps but I wasn’t intimidated in the slightest, because I can see her excited look when she saw me.

『Hmph! Tis rare for this one to meet a human intelligent enough to introduce thyself and stand tall upon this one’s intimidation. Thus, this one will give the honor and introduce this one.』

Saying so, the dragon took a step. It would’ve been more or less 10-20 steps for me, but for her, it was one towering step.

『This one’s name is Nix, owner of the icy mountains of Hrīm. 』

As she said so, she gazed upon the icy peaks in the horizon. Mt. Hrīm is known for the rapid freezing of water vapors, making it one of the most dangerous places on Eorth. It had a total of 6 peaks protruding in the snowy foot of the peaks. And the one and only resident on top of this towering icy mountains, is none other than this ancient dragon.

A book from the magician’s guild says that: dragons have been residents of Eorth since time immemorial. They carried knowledge that have been lost through time and are amenable to those who have manners. They’re said to be the embodiment of the elements itself, making them like the faeries that was born from the elements however, much stronger, almost comparable to the two gods.

That knowledge is the reason why I’m here, to find a way to go back home. For a year, I’ve been postponing this visit because I was scared we might miss and leave Li. But now that we’ve found her, the only thing that will stop me is a dragon’s fickle nature.

“Nice to meet you Lady Nix. I’ll get straight to the point. Do you know anything about world transference?”

I asked without hesitation. She became apprehensive at my question and her already chilly eyes turned cold for a moment.

『Nonsense! Another world does not exist, those are only delusions of mad men!』

She denied fervently, but her face says otherwise. For an ancient being, her poker face is kinda...

“I see. Is it a taboo? Or maybe a bad experience?”

I smiled knowing she was lying. Her face, can I call it a face though? Whatever, her face darkened and an icy wind swirled around her, engulfing me in coldness. Then followed by a sigh, her face bore a gentle expression.

『This one apologize. This one hast met people whom experienced tragedies from another world. Hast thou come from another world? Thou wishes to return?』

Her icy coldness slowly dissipated, absorbed by bluish-purple feather ice that surrounds the cave. Her words made me stop to process them because of how she speaks.

“... ah, yes. I came here with my siblings from another world called, Earth. A huge sinkhole opened where we were and we all fell leading to this world, in Meldrid river to be exact. We fell at the same time, but there was a gap between our arrivals. I thought that ancient being like you would have ways or at least, information about how to travel back.”

I explained, curiously observing the spikes. Seeing my interest to the feather ice, she plucked one, breaking the ice and stones around the caves.

『Here, thou seemed interested. Tis called Nixie. Twas made by the light and dark gods to aid this one’s uncontrollable power and named after this one.』

She gave me a small branch of the bluish-purple ice. The Nixie wasn’t as cold as I expected, it didn’t have any temperature at all, which was odd. Despite my cold surroundings, the feather ice didn’t give any changes in temperature, but was continuously absorbing the cold around it, making my hands less colder.

『This one apologizes! Thou went off topic.』

An elegant cough came from the towering dragon. She guided me inside a cave that fit her. Inside, the cave was filled with the feather ice, Nixie. It took some effort with her thous and thees, but I manage to completely understand what she says after a few more sentences.

She talked about the other worlds. She confessed that she doesn’t like the other worlds because of the deterioration of elements, making the planet sick and slowly die.

She said, that the other worlds weren’t meant to be born, it was only supposed to be only Eorth. I heard the story once from the forest kins that there were worlds for each race, even a world of monsters.

It all started with the birth of Eorth. She claimed that the story of the two gods and the creation of Eorth was known only to dragons. As they were made as guardians of the other elements that the two gods created. There, 4 dragons govern each: Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. But why is there an additional dragon? - I asked.

Lady Nix hesitated, but she said that she was the dragon that governed water. And her current state was a result of the god wars. An accident that made her isolate herself from the world.

She didn’t delve into too much information as she was afraid of angering the gods, so she only said this:

『Transported beings lack the aptitude for magic. Thou however, hast magnificent proficiency in it. Thus, thou must hast a reason to be here.』

An absurd conclusion but, it made sense. I’ve met a lot of people who were transported during my travels and everyone was surprised at my aptitude in magic. Moreover, it would’ve been a coincidence if I had aptitudes in either dark or water, based on my black hair and blue eyes, but instead, I have all the aptitudes except dark.

Wait, what about Li?

I pondered. I noticed Lady Nix’s eyes on me and realized I was silent for a while.

『Tis alright, do not worry. Hmmm... Lucas, is it?』

Hearing my name called by here weird voice made me jump, but I answered her nonetheless.

“Yes?”

『This one do not want to anger the gods but this one can answer some questions and give thou advice. This one hast not spoken to any beings for eons and wishes for a companion thus, may this one trouble thou to visit occasionally? 』

Weirdly enough, a shy expression painted her pale white face, almost giving a reddish hue to her face.

I never realized dragons could be bashful.