The crunch of snow-covered rocks noised when a heavy boot took a step backwards. The cold winds turned fierce and chilling. Snowy gusts swirled around the area, acknowledging the beginning of a fight.

A smooth delicate palm opened. A flash of light occurred within Moulin's grasp as the youth slowly advance towards his brother. He called forth his sacred weapon, the mystic bow of ice. His fingers curled around the body of the bow and Moulin's eyes calmly eyed his brother.

Emlen's eyes flashed. He breathes out when he recognized his little brother's sacred weapon. It was beautiful and fearsome just like Moulin...

His lips curled into a smirk. "Eager now are we?"

He gripped his weapon and abruptly threw his sword towards his brother. The blade wooshed through the cold air. Its sharp tip aiming flawlessly towards the approaching youth.

Moulin hardened his feet and swiftly pulled the bowstring of his weapon and rapidly shot an arrow towards the sword's path. The sound of breaking glass noises in the air and icy shards fell to the ground. The glowing arrow whizzed past Emlen's cheek making the young man freeze in his place.

Boom!

The arrow pierced a tree and encased it with a coffin of merciless ice.

Turning his head, Emlen glanced behind him. "Ha... How terrifying..."

Moulin tilted his head with a smile, "Afraid brother?"

"Your sacred weapon is indeed fearsome..." Emlen chuckled as he faced Moulin. "But I wouldn't retreat from a challenge..."

Moulin slightly furrows his brows. "My brother is indeed... admirable..."

Gray eyes narrowed. Emlen grinned as spears of ice materialized around him. Their sharp blades glistened with sharpness and the spear levitated around him. Taking one long spear in his hand, Emlen lunged towards Moulin along with his spears of solid ice.

Moulin calmly stepped back as he pulled his bowstring and sent dozens of three arrows into the sky above his head before he spun his ice bow, transforming it into a long white spear. He had withdrawn his sacred weapon. His heartbeat quickened as he met his elder brother's gaze.

The arrows shot into the sky, dispersed, and swirled rapidly, turning into a tornado of sharp ice and snow. It swallowed all the levitating spears, shattering them in its walls. The tornado of ice then expanded and enclosed the two people within the area, deriving Emlen from escape.

A sharp sound was expelled when Moulin blocked Emlen's thrust. The blade slid across the long body of Moulin's spear before the youth threw of Emlen's weapon. Moulin was strong but he failed to shape his physique into something suitable for strength-involved combat. However, it was his internal power that kept him steady and strong to receive the blows of his opponent.

However, for some reason, Moulin felt there was something hidden within those determined gray eyes. The force of his attacks was great. Emlen was clearly venting.

Emlen retreated when Moulin threw him off. He glanced at the devilish tornado that could shred human flesh into tiny bits. He gave Moulin an admirable look. "Impressive... "

"Thank you, brother..." Moulin smiled before he advanced. He raised his spear and with a flash of light, it transformed into a dazzling long sword. Its white blade glinted frightfully. "I had some training..."

His braided hair swayed as he lunged and swing his blade toward's his brother's stomach. Emlen clashed the body of his spear to the blade of the sword. With determined eyes, he turned around and rained a torrent of thrusts to his slender opponent. He clenched his jaw, "Tell me if you yield."

Moulin chuckled playfully as he kept on deflecting the spear's blade. His feet began to retreat towards the tornado's walls as he avoided the attacks.

Emlen slightly furrowed his brows. "Moulin..."

Something flashed in the youth's silver eyes. Moulin gathered his strength, steeled his feet, and then charged to thrust his sword to an opening within the spears attacks. Emlen widened his eyes and he twisted his body to evade the blade. He accidentally clashed his spear against the sword's body and it broke into two.

Moulin smiled as Emlen leaped back and sighed at his broken weapon.

"How heartless..."

"It's a fight, brother..." Moulin grinned with a chuckle.

Emlen raised a brow, "I meant to spar with you..."

"I'm afraid you said 'challenge', elder brother." Moulin tilted his head as he spun his sword skillfully. With a tap of his foot, the tornado that trapped them dispersed into a flurry of gentle snowflakes.

Emlen silence himself, tasting the lingering cold in the air. Snowflakes fluttered around him like falling flower petals. It landed on his hair and his shoulders.

The man frowned slightly as he gazed at his brother. "How charming..."

Moulin pursed his lips. "It's not charming..."

A teasing laugh escaped Emlen's mouth. He placed his hand on the sides of his waist as he spoke. "Of course it is. I admire your fierceness, Moulin. It makes me want to have a bet with you..."

The youth's slender brows were raised. Silver eyes brightened with interest. "Intriguing. Okay, What is the bet?"

"If I disarm you, you will answer me one question..."

Moulin pierced the tip of his sword on the snow-covered ground and tilted his head thoughtfully. "Is that all?"

Emlen's eyes slightly narrowed as he smiled. "Yes. Simple isn't it?"

"Hm... Alright." Moulin nodded. "And if I defeat you... then you will tell me what troubles you have in your heart." His lips curled into a faint smile.

Emlen paused.

His fisted clenched although he was smiling. Should I? Would you not deny me if I would? Will you renounce your relationship with that damn archnoble if I tell you?

With your determination and the great significance you put on your loyalty, perhaps, you won't...

Emlen chuckled, "Alright..."

"Good. Then pardon me, brother..." Moulin said before he took his sword and launched himself backwards off the ground. The sword in his grasp transformed into fluttering snowflakes before he once again summoned his sacred weapon. With one swift move, he pulled his bowstring and shot three arrows towards his brother.

Seeing the arrows rapidly approaching, Emlen smiled. A flash of light glowed from his hand and he twisted his body to hit all three arrows.

The arrows shattered into little shards.

Moulin landed on the ground with a surprised expression. The majestic bow within his grasp dazzled with the rich mana within it.

Emlen straightened his posture and revealed the long ice scythe he held in his hand. The curved blade was large and terrifyingly long. It glinted with dreadful sharpness. It was entirely made of pure solid ice. A glow of bluish color was emitted from its frigid body.

Moulin knew very well what this weapon was. Emlen rarely used it in battle and never even summoned it when he trained.

Emlen's sacred weapon.

"Why do you look so surprised?"

Emlen chuckled as he gripped his sacred weapon, letting the heavy blade pierce the ground. He eyed his brother with a smile.

Moulin furrowed his eyebrows. This time he knew he wasn't mistaken. Emlen was bothered by something. He wouldn't summon his sacred weapon for nothing.

He opened his mouth hesitantly, "Brother..."

"Focus..." Emlen said as he lifted his weapon and swung it with great force. A slash of frigid energy was expelled. His feet stayed planted on the ground, not moving an inch.

Moulin widened his eyes and leaped from the ground to avoid the slash. The slash missed him and proceeded to hit the trees behind him. With a loud explosion, the trees were sliced in half. A frozen sheet of light blue spreading from the severed parts.

Moulin's heart thundered. What the hell?

"Don't be distracted, brother" Emlen charged forward while he raised his scythe.

Moulin clenched his jaw and his silver eyes glowed vibrantly as he evades Emlen's attacks. However, he could barely avoid them. He almost had his arm severed at the next second.

"Brother!" Moulin called out as he leaped a few yards back. His heels forcefully skid on the snowy ground. What the hell was Emlen up to? Nothing about this was normal anymore. Was he trying to kill him?

"I said focus!" Emlen snapped. He stabbed the ground and then used the handle of his scythe to elevate himself to leap closer to Moulin. With narrowed eyes, Emlen once again swung his blade with great force sending out a slash of dreadful freezing energy.

"Ugh." Moulin frowned and then held his bow as he stood before the path of slash.

Emlen then abruptly came back to himself when he realized Moulin was directly facing the attack. "Moulin! Avoid it!"

Expressionlessly, Moulin raised his bow and prepared to receive the energy slash head-on. He held his bow in front of him when-

"...!"

The blue ribbon on his hair suddenly loosened. The forceful wind effortlessly carried it away. Moulin felt panicked and flustered. The world around him went silent.

Quickly, he shifted his attention to reach for the fluttering ribbon in the air. Fortunately, his fingers manage to catch the lace in time before it could fly away.

However, at the same time, the powerful slash collided with his sacred weapon. Moulin who was distracted was pushed backwards. His heels dug into the dirt, creating a deep trail as he was shoved backwards.

A vigorous stream of collided mana rapidly spreads outwards at the abrupt contact.

"Moulin!!"

Moulin was blasted out from his place with a loud explosion. Smoke filled the entire area. The noise was so loud it reached every part of the estate. Every single person including the rest of the Fraunces family was startled.

"Moulin! Moulin!" Emlen yelled. Fear clouded his mind. Insufferable regret overflowed from his soul. His voice trembled and his pupils quivered as he dreaded the outcome of the event that had happened.

He bolted towards the smoke-filled area while shouting Moulin's name over and over.

...

Fear crept into his heart, seizing his soul.

"Moulin?..."

...

He couldn't see anything. There was no response. Dread filled his mind and his breaths turned rapid.

"Honestly..."

Emlen froze.

He turned his head and saw a frail figure behind him.

The youth was frowning while he patted away the snow and dust from his clothes. Dirt stained on his clothes and his fair face.

Emlen held his breath. His feet gradually hastened their steps as he ran towards Moulin.

He's alright... He's alright...

However, Moulin wasn't in the mood to face his brother. He was about to send a couple of icicles so Emlen would trip as he approached him when Moulin paused in contemplation.

Emlen's steps slowed down until he halted before Moulin. The man pulled Moulin into his embrace. His trembling arms wrapped tightly around his younger brother's body. "What were you thinking? Why did you waver?!"

Moulin was silent. He refused to answer.

Slowly, he turned his head, lifted his hand, and examined the delicate blue ribbon on his palm.

His silver eyes softened and he sighed in relief when he realized the ribbon wasn't damaged. "Thank goodness..."

Emlen pause when he witnessed this scene. He slowly pulled away and glanced at his little brother's palm.

A ribbon?

For a mere ribbon? Moulin actually risked his life to save this worthless thing?!

But what shocked him, even more, was the soft look on Moulin's face as he gently stared at the ribbon on his hand.

...

Emlen's chest tightened.