Dungeon of Niflheim

Blanche's attempt at comfort only made Khione feel even more frustrated, time, time, time every single person said the same bloody thing. She was too eager for quick gains, rushing headlong into the chasm, repeatedly trying to force enlightenment only to end up in defeat. Alas her confidence was never shaken, her determination only burning with more fury after each and every failure.

Unfortunately at her current rate she was destined to never achieve success, she needed to change her outlook, approach the problem from a different angle and with a different mindset.

Her elders could only hint patience, restraint and diversification anything more clear would in fact jeopardize her path, forcing her down a route that was not her own.

To Khione however this advice was grating on the ears and gnawing to the heart but thankfully after many repeated attempts it was finally starting to sink in. Though she was still lacking patience, eager to ascend at an age that was younger than her mother she had come to realise that perhaps staying within her sheltered world, where she was protected and doted upon was counterproductive to her advancement.

Instead of lashing out at Blanche's words like usual she glanced to the side taking in the form of the young man relaxing next to her in his own ice bath.

Frost ignoring his handsome appearance, his devilish charm and strikingly similar personality was somewhat of a wake up call for her. His potential surpassed her own, his will as strong as unbending steel, his desire for power uncompromising and despite being even younger than herself he had already experienced far more of this world than she had and because of that he had knowledge and a mindset perhaps even firmer than her own.

Although his current strength was pitiful in comparison to her own she genuinely felt that when the time came for him to scale the divide between A and S-rank Frost wouldn't encounter nearly as many setbacks as she did. He knew himself better than she did, knew what he wanted and wasn't phased by possible obstacles. If someone could teach him a skill or grant him knowledge that he did not already know he had no shame in learning from them. He was confident and dutiful but not arrogant nor consumed with pride.

Seeing the beautiful features of his face and the concentration betrayed by his scrunched up brow Khione found herself naturally smiling. Her all-consuming goal to rank up and surpass her mother feeling slightly less important as her mind conjured up the past interactions she had with the young man.

'Maybe a little break wouldn't hurt after all' The notion of leaving home with him gained more and more traction in her heart.

Blanche who was watching this via her S-rank senses couldn't help but smile as she saw the special glint growing in Khione's eyes. The Raging Valkyrie was finally loosening her grip on her obsession and taking the time to look around her….she was maturing.

The ice baths lasted for approximately 60 minutes and by the end Frost was blue in face, his muscles in a constant shiver and a gnawing pain radiated throughout his entire body, the areas with the least amount of resistance bearing most of the brunt. Such an outcome was somewhat expected but not quite to this degree. Obviously Blanche went a little harder than necessary during the experience.

"Vadda here will take you back to the changing rooms, there's a warming cubicle there that will help alleviate your chill, but I advise that you refrain from taking part in any strenuous activity for the next 30 minutes to an hour lest you wish to cause lasting damage." Blanche appeared with a slightly guilty expression on her face as she called for the male attendant from earlier to escort Frost back to the changing rooms.

"G…Got ittt..." Frost responded with a stutter; the rampant chill continuing to swirl and bite his internal organs despite leaving the silverly waters.

With skilled experience Vadda escorted Frost out of the bathhouse, making sure not use too much force against his tender skin.

"Blanche what the hell!" Once Frost was away Khione snapped at the serpent eyed woman. Clearly Frost was suffering from a chill that his body couldn't handle despite having Blanche personally at the helm.

"Sorry I couldn't help it; his determination and competitive spirit is no less than yours plus that body….who the fuck is he Khione?" As Frost got used to the frigid waters and unusual training method and upon hearing Khione's teasing words he constantly requested that the waters be made colder so as to appear brave and strong in front the daring muscle goddess he was starting to court. A perfectly legitimate and understandable request that Blanche was not unaccustomed to hearing and even supporting alas Frost's body was like an endless blackhole. He was never satisfied with the usual increment, adapting perfectly within a couple minutes sometimes even in a few tens of seconds.

As she repeatedly had to increase the level of danger within his ice bath her curiosity and intrigue grew and grew. She wanted to know his true limits, to experiment with his affinity and unfortunately allowed her whims to get the better of her resulting in his current state.

After working in the ice baths for many years she had seen all manner of individuals, strong, weak, unique and many that were filled with great potential. Khione and her siblings being a perfect example. Those blessed with royal blood tended to have an immense affinity for the ice element putting even many of Niflheim's strongest soldiers to shame. Frost however surpassed even them.

Though his strength was still weak his growth potential was monstrous, even Khione wasn't as terrifying as him thus Blanche was keen to know of his origins.

Who could possibly surpass the vast majority of the Niflheim royal family, individuals that bore the blood of the Primordial Ice king where the ice element originated.

Hearing the shock and admiration in Blanche's voice Khione strangely felt proud she subconsciously thrusted out her chest causing the massive fleshy orbs to jiggle in a dominating fashion.

"Hehehe he's my friend and that's all I'll say." She didn't know why she refused to answer Blanche's question but doing so filled her with a bubbly satisfaction, a satisfaction that grew even more prominent as she saw the envy and irritation in Blanche's eyes as her massive mounds bounced in her face.

'These things are quite useful after all.'

While Khione and Blanche 'talked' something that actually ended up with Blanche giving the young Princess a piece of heartfelt advice. Whether Khione would take it to heart however only she knew Frost was placed in a sealed chamber, something like a retrofitted steam room that gradually released a special vapour that slowly nullified the invading chill, eventually bringing his body out of danger. He still felt sore throughout but at least he wasn't constantly shivering and looking blue in the face.

"Ah Sir Frost your complexion is looking much better already." Vadda let out a repressed breath, worried that such an incident would lead to problems for the Azure Star inn, thankfully however there wouldn't be any permanent damage.

"Thanks Vadda that steam room worked wonders, a rather pleasant sensation when compared to the ice baths." Unlike the last half of the ice baths which constantly grew in lethality the steam room was gentle and soothing, slowly raising his temperature and nullifying the ice mana in a gradual and soft manner.

"I'm glad to hear that Sir and I do apologise for the experience you had during your stay here. To compensate for our mistake the bathhouse foreman has informed me that we will be providing you with a complete set of ice silk undergarments free of charge and we hope that this little incident doesn't dissuade you from enjoying our facilities in the future." In a very subservient manner full of grace and politeness Vadda bowed his body a full ninety degrees as he apologised before retrieving a set of ice silk undergarments from a storage ring.

"Ah no there's no nee…" Frost felt a little guilty when he saw Vadda bowing his head and offering up an apology gift, he was the one repeatedly asking Blanche to increase the difficulty after all plus in the end there wasn't any real damage to his body so could he really accept such a generous gift.

Vadda however seemed to ignore his torn sentiments, keeping his head lowered as he practically forced the ice silk garments into Frost's hands with a smile.

"….Thanks." Since refusing him was impossible and since deep down he desperately wanted the ice silk garments Frost graciously accepted the apology on behalf of the Azure Star inn and promised to not hold the situation against them in the future.

Despite the pain he endured and the danger he experienced he still looked forward to his next ice bath experience and was keen to learn how to go about setting up something similar back in the Dungeon. His monsters could really benefit from such a practise his 'guests' aside.

After a quick once over by Vadda Frost put on his fashionable suit and returned to the top floor of the inn where Khione was ready and waiting, once again donned in that sexy attire that showed off her ripped 8-pack and drew attention to the large muscular backside that threatened to burst her jeans at the seams whenever she bent over even slightly.

"Mmh very nice though the semi-transparent gown wasn't far behind." Khione was a complete bombshell, a woman right in his strike zone. Every time he saw her now he couldn't help but linger in appreciation. An act you'd think would annoy and rile up the Raging Valkyrie but instead it made her smile and slightly hot under the skin

"I could say the same thing."