NOVEL WEB Ch44 - Ice Magic Training
Chapter 44: Ice Magic Training
We arrived at the knight training grounds of the Kingdom of Felsnow.
The snow had been neatly cleared away. Despite the cold, the knights were practicing their swordsmanship, radiating heat from their bodies.
“Wow, this is intense!”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Lady Michela! …and the Fenrir Lords?!”
The knight at the entrance hurriedly gave a deep bow.
His initial reaction was clearly surprise at seeing Michela, right? Is she strict? She seems tough. As for the admiration for Fenrir, I’m used to it by now. I get it though.
“Fenrir Lords?!”
Suddenly, the knights halted their training and turned to face us.
“Oh my, aren’t you in the middle of training?”
“We deeply apologize!”
Michela…! With just one word, all the knights straightened up and resumed their training.
Their sword strikes were now faster, and the heavy, sharp sounds of clashing metal echoed loudly.
“Just one word from her has this much influence, that’s amazing…”
“Yes, my sister is truly amazing…”
Ah, the prince agreed with my muttered comment. He nodded deeply, very deeply. His far-off look makes me think he’s been through a lot.
Michela gazed intently at a new knight in training. A crush, perhaps? Nah…
“That’s a good movement,” she said.
“I’m deeply honored!” the knight replied enthusiastically.
So much for that thought. She was just assessing him.
The veteran guiding knight responded with genuine joy. It’s nice to see someone take pride in their junior’s progress. With a mentor like that, even if the training is strict, the new knights will be motivated to work hard.
“We would like to train our magic. May we use a corner of the training grounds?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
Michela led us to a different area. There were targets set up for archery practice.
“May I destroy the two largest targets?”
“Of course!”
Destroy… Oh right…
“Let’s do our best, Lady Elle!”
Michela smiled at me, exuding a powerful aura.
“You wish to master the grand magic used to defeat monsters, correct? Then, let me demonstrate. Watch and grasp the image.”
Starting on hard mode, I see. But I’ll give it my best!
“I’ll set up a barrier,” the prince said.
“My brother can use intermediate magic of all elements. By weaving their powers together, he can create the strongest barrier in the kingdom.”
Yet another incredible instructor. Weaving together magic… I should remember that. Somehow.
A rainbow-colored barrier enveloped the targets.
“Here I go,” Michela announced.
Blue magical energy began to emanate from her body. She placed her fingers together, forming a circle.
“Ice Magic: Ice Maiden!”
A ring of ice appeared, wrapping around the target. Locked on.
Multiple ice spears, Ice Javelins, materialized and pierced the target!
Shattered into pieces!
Ah… so this is how the vacuum monster was defeated…
As I watched the wooden fragments scatter to my feet, I was sure of it.
The air was so cold it stung my skin, yet Michela stood there, unfazed, looking proud. She’s so strong.
“Now, Lady Elle. Place your hands like this.”
“Like this, forming a circle?”
“Perfect.”
As we touched hands, the prince collapsed once.
I left his recovery to Grea. Right, I’ve got the image, so let’s give it a try.
“Elle, hold on a second.”
“Fenrir?”
“If you’re going to use the fairies’ magic, try focusing on the contract mark on the back of your hand. Don’t worry, if you wish it, they’ll lend you their power.”
“Thank you.”
I see, my approach is a bit different from Michela’s. I asked the prince for another barrier.
Here we go!
“Orb, Titt, lend me your magic. Ice Magic: Ice Maiden!”
<
What?! Their voices echoed so loudly in my head. Wait, the magic is coming like a tidal wave!
Too much magic! I need to limit it to only what’s necessary, or the training grounds will be in serious trouble.
“Uuuunnngh!”
I tightly compressed the circular seal with my hands. How’s that?
The condensed ice magic produced a brilliant, opal-hued Ice Javelin, which destroyed the target with a BOOM!
Everyone was stunned, but I couldn’t focus on them.
I was forcefully containing the magic within my body, making me feel both feverish and frozen at the same time. A strange sensation.
I dropped to my knees.
Tears streamed from my eyes, turning into shimmering pearls as they fell. Ah… I feel better now. What a relief.
“Elle?!”
“I’m okay now. Sorry for worrying you, Fenrir.”
“No… Elle, you have nothing to apologize for. The problem lies with the fairy kings, doesn’t it?”
“Uh, well…”
Busted.
Fenrir was really angry. His face was icy, like a frozen sculpture. So scary…
“I prefer your usual kind expression.”
I grabbed Fenrir’s cheek and tugged gently as I pleaded. Half-crying, I watched as he sighed and then smiled kindly.
Phew, crisis averted.
He picked up the pearl and fashioned it into a necklace. The pearl gleamed brightly against my neck. That was the magic I had condensed… I’ll have to be careful not to accidentally trigger it. Yikes.
“Grea.”
“Yes, Lord Fenrir. As you wish: ‘You went too far, reflect on your actions.'”
They’re in perfect sync.
…Somewhere in the distance, I thought I heard Orb and Titt screaming <
Wow… Grea’s telepathy is seriously intense! Almost like a grudge, isn’t it? Oh, sorry, I know you were worried about me.
“I’m really okay now, I promise.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Fenrir hugged me tightly.
It felt different from when he’s in his beast form, but still incredibly warm and comforting. I soaked in his body heat.
I hugged him back, but it’s a bit embarrassing, isn’t it?
“Your control over ice magic was splendid, Lady Elle.”
Michela’s voice made us stand up. And we froze.
All the knights in the training grounds were bowing deeply in our direction.
Whaaaat—?!
“This is so embarrassing…”
“Yeah…”
Even Fenrir’s cheeks were red.
A rare, human expression. So precious.
As I was about to kneel in reverence, Fenrir grabbed my hand.
“Training’s over. You succeeded. Congratulations on mastering ice magic, Elle.”
He smiled warmly.
“It’s already evening. The festival should be starting, right? Shall we head there?”
“Yeah! I can’t wait!”
“I’ll guide you.”
“We’ll take a reindeer sleigh to the center of town. If you plan to visit any shops, you’ll go in human form, right?”
“Yes, that’s the plan. Chris, ensure the townspeople don’t cause a commotion. Our beast ears are sensitive to sound.”
“Understood. I’ll send word immediately.”
The prince whistled, summoning a tamed owl monster. He tied a note to its leg, and it flew off toward the town.
Now, after all our hard work, it’s time to enjoy the town festival!