I regressed and became the Sword Ice King

"Because he's not dead."

For a moment, the girls seemed to have shut down externally, while their brains kicked in for a reboot.

Their eyes flared open in surprise, and their chest tightened.

Immediately, they glanced at each other, and the people around them before closing in on Elsie with hushed voices.

"Wha– What did you say?"

"Don't say things where others would hear you!"

Both curious and worried about the same thing.

If someone else were to hear what Elsie said, they would take it for a joke, a sorry attempt at a hope too far-fetched.

But smart people knew the truth.

The Beastkin weren't a clan of savages when it came to romance.

The wolf race especially had their mates. Partners that they would follow for life. Through good and bad times.

It was ironic really.

The Beastkin, who were called uncivilised compared to humans, knew how to keep their vows compared to the same humans.

They were loyal. Forever smitten by their Mate.

'Even if they don't get a choice, they all believe that whoever that mate is would truly be worth it, in the end.'

So if Elsie were to say something like that…

"Don't worry about the others," Elsie said with a sigh, while she glanced around.

By now, the King had taken action.

Most students were now being transported home through large, transportational Carriages.

The Imperial Knights personally handled the matter.

They lined them up. Tallied their names and their families and arranged them in order of Town proximity.

Wounded and badly injured people like Carl Dunham were patched up and immediately taken to the closest Health centres. Centres led by Mages focused entirely on diseases and injuries. Medic Mages.

They would get better treatment once taken there.

It was from here that Rita had came from. After having a short conversation with her Deputy Class Prefect.

These were factors that ensured a safe journey for their journey back to their homes and families, who were yet to hear of the news.

They took notes of the lost lives, as well.

All in an organised and controlled manner.

The carriages used were of Bronze and silk. One of the few transports currently worked on for larger commercial purposes.

It was as large as a bus, with three bulking and tamed Manticores at the front.

Their strength was far superior to the majority of the land beasts, and their dexterity was unchallenged.

They stood as tall as the buses, with muscular limbs that pulsed with strength and energy.

A ring was locked on their nostrils as they groaned ferociously under the sunlight.

With a black silky pelt, and long horns protruding from the sides of their heads, they showcased elegance and power brutally.

Controlling these creatures were the Imperial Guard.

A version of the Imperial Cult that guarded the Castle and carried out mundane tasks for the King and the Royal family.

Their armour was different from the Army's.

It was less sophisticated, tough and malleable, but nonetheless breathtaking.

Under the different colours of their rankings, they walked about in preparation for their departure.

Elsie took the sight in with an unamused smile.

'The king came prepared…too prepared.'

Her gaze drifted to the man in question.

The king who seemed to be in a conversation with Thalia, Rebecca, Kira and Ciara Merlin.

Phestus was seen lingering about, as his presence meant nothing before the Regal Throne.

"Elsie?"

With Rita's voice, she was snapped back to the present.

"Hah…" She muttered as she turned to them. "You asked how sure I was?"

Rita nodded while Meadow narrowed her gaze and folded her arms as they waited for a reply.

"Hmm…" she hummed quietly for a moment, when her gaze flicked to the sight of the Jun sisters once more.

The King seemed to be done with his conversation and was now walking back to his Carriage.

She flinched for a moment.

"Just a gut feeling."

And without waiting for a response, she quickly walked her way towards the sisters.

Her heart thumping and her body tensing.

She needed to tell them more than anyone.

'They should know.'

Leaving Rita and Meadow with more questions than answers, they both stared at her as she departed.

A lukewarm silence hung between them, until—

"You think she's telling the truth?" Rita broke it first, while Meadow only observed.

The silence stretched for a moment longer before she blinked and turned to Rita.

A small smile formed on her face.

"I have no idea, but I will take her word for it."

Then, without waiting for any more small talk, she walked away as well.

Her destination?

Well, amongst the boys being sent to the carriages was one in particular she had set her eyes on.

Her next Knight. Her guard. Ban Xen.

Rita watched her walk away, lips parted in silence. She'd wanted to say more– but what was the point?

'Hah, geez…what am I doing? Conversing with people was never my thing.'

Without another thought, she had already begun to find her way to one of the lines.

This one wasn't for those who needed to board the carriage, but a row for all students to write their names before leaving.

Rita didn't need their help in getting home. She would do as such, like every other Great Family and Noble.

Simply find a travelling port and board her way to her domain.

And for her, the Vinci Household, she would need to go far to the East.

Close to the borders of the Elves.

With a sigh, she joined the line and resumed her once stoic expression.

'Hah…it's time to finally leave this place.'

She said with a peaceful smile. Imagining all the paintings and artworks she would design with her elder brother.

****

Thalia and Rebecca had been hit with one truckload of emotions within a short period.

The loss of more than just the Academy but something…someone more.

It was a situation they neither asked for nor called for. But alas, fate had decided to play coy with them… and it had begun with their brother.

"I guess, this is goodbye, girls."

Her voice. That woman's voice. Kira Merlin snapped them from the cloud of thoughts riddled in their minds.

Thalia, especially, who had been so lost that she had missed the King's conversation entirely.

Even now, she remained stuck in the same place. Eyes dead, and expression… vividly still.

Rebecca, though, had remained composed.

At least, outwardly.

"Yes, Kira. Thank you for your help in the end…"

She replied as they shook each other.

One held a genuinely sad smile while the latter simply stared. Blankly, into the air.

Ciara had watched this from behind.

Arms folded with a calm gaze.

From the surface, it seemed like she had cut herself off from the series of events that seemed to have unfolded.

But inside, the cogs were spinning.

'This woman…' She began, her gaze landing on her mother's back. '....had injuries everywhere except her vital parts.'

Was it possible to escape a life-or-death battle with injuries that completely missed your vitals?

A condition she only observed after healing her directly.

Her teeth bit down on her lips slightly.

'She's hiding something again. Something bad…drastic…'

She loosened the grip in her mouth and let it settle into a curved smile.

'What a Mink. I must find out what she did this time.'

"I apologise for my inability to save your brother…" Kira's voice rose in the air only to cause more pain for the sisters.

Rebecca sealed it shut, but Thalia flinched. Her eyes widened slightly.

Quickly, firmly, but softly, Rebecca held her sister's shoulder once more.

"You tried your best…that man…was the real problem."

She replied. Her tone dripped with sadness, but she didn't waver.

Like a statue. She refused to break.

Kira sighed, glanced at the sisters once more and backed away.

A portal exploded to life beside her, and she walked into it in silence.

Ciara had lingered for a few seconds and observed longer before she turned to leave.

At that moment, Elsie came into view, and time seemed to have slowed as they walked past each other.

It resumed, and Ciara neared the portal. Her expression was grim as her thoughts drifted.

'Elsie's fine?'

Just before walking into the Portal before it disappeared.

Meanwhile, Elsie finally got to the sisters. Thalia and Rebecca, who had slowly turned to walk away with Rebecca leading the former.

She stopped them in their tracks.

"Thalia…Rebecca…" Her voice drifted for a moment, and caught their attention as they turned to her.

"Oh…Elsie, was it?" Rebecca said with an arched brow.

Her expression wavering by just a bit. "I heard about your relationship with my brother. The news must be as sad to you as it is for us."

Or so they thought, but Elsie's expression. Her calm, unwavering gaze that looked like there was no sadness but simply confusion.

Rebecca observed it the moment their eyes met, and her expression raised into suspicion.

'She…Isn't she too calm?'

"Yes..about that…"

Elsie's words caused Rebecca to trial away from her thoughts as she paid attention to the Beastkin.

"…I don't think the Witch's words…"

Her voice dropped to a hushed whisper and Rebecca arched a brow. Her suspicion rising.

At that moment, Phestus seemed to have joined them from the corner.

"I don't think her words should be trusted."

Rebecca's expression grew serious as she held the Beastkin's words for a moment while Phestus slowed to a halt.

He had heard her, and he had suspected it as well.

But…this was Elsie, the supposed girlfriend of the white haired boy. If anything, wouldn't the words of a Beastkin whose mate was supposedly dead hold more weight?

"What makes you think so?" Rebecca asked. Her tone cautious and plain. Not an ounce of the hope that had blossomed in her chest.

"Well…" Elsie sighed but continued, nonetheless. "There's something we Beastkins have that humans don't…a connection…a deep connection with our mates.

Once its been formed…we can hear it. Hear each others…"

She lowered her head placed a hand over her chest, feeling the faint but steady rhythm beneath.

Her ears straightened from the throbbing that echoed from within.

She couldn't have mistaken it— It was impossible to.

That beat meant everything.

With the broken explanation she gave, Thalia had begun to regain the color in her eyes.

"...we hear each other's heartbeats…and Raph's…wherever he is… small or not…is right here."

Thalia's world once again hummed to life as a beam of light was thrown at the fog of uncertainty that encased her.

________________

Hey dear readers,

With exams fast approaching, I'll be extending the work on Volume 1 – The Jun by an extra month to ensure the quality stays strong.

Regular updates will continue, and weekend bonus chapters will be released unless stated otherwise.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding!