Carrying a knight to the infirmary Ianna was worried. The man had multiple lacerations and holes in his arms and chest. While he was still breathing he was in critical condition; the amount of blood he had lost was enough to kill someone twice over. The healers walking with Ianna were giving him emergency treatment and blood pills but their faces were wrought with dread.
In the throne room, multiple attendants were walking in and out letters in hand and rage on their faces. Sitting on one of the steps to the throne was El. The security of the palace was increased. Due to this event, he was going to be even more lonely. Until Relz is defeated no one will be allowed to visit the palace or him. That wasn’t what he was thinking about on the stairs, however. The events of yesterday flashed by his mind and he realized something. Even after being touted as a genius, practicing magic with confidence, and being more powerful than others his age. He realized that it isn’t enough. Facing that assassin he felt powerless, more so cause he couldn’t even block one attack, only dodge. It wasn’t enough to be stronger than people his age, he has to transcend that and be stronger than all he fears. Only then will he be safe and be able to keep his friends safe. Although, he wouldn’t be able to meet any of them any more…
However it was late now, training was canceled today and he was tired. He walked back to his room, passing by the maids and servants running past him. As he did so he noticed it was becoming harder and harder to open his eyes. The edges of his vision became dark and the stiffness in his body melted away. His dragging feet and slumped back made it hard to walk. He opened his door and wasn’t even able to reach the bed before passing out.
In the throne room, Requille stood giving orders to his aides. He was without emotion, his voice was monotone and his eyes cold. Whenever his eyes swept over the maids they shuddered. Elena was next to him seething in anger and as if scared the shadows themselves ran throughout the room. This chaotic scene used to be something one could only experience in the demon king’s castle.
“I know you want to go destroy them but we can’t.”
“You could do it yourself! You are a 5th stage! Destroying a kingdom should be easy!”
“They are allied with at least two 5th stages, I can’t make a move yet. Even if I call Alos’s knights right now I don’t have a sure-fire way to defeat them. Not until I finish my test runs, and that will take a few years.”
Ianna now finished taking care of Revale and she went to look for El. She knew he wasn’t taking things too well so she wanted to comfort him. Walking through the halls she arrived in front of his room, the door ajar. Peering in her eyes, one could see them trembling as she saw his body glowing in the middle of the room.
A whisper in his ears drew him to consciousness. Looking around the darkness of the area was almost incomprehensible. The dread and fear he felt as he looked into the darkness was incomprehensible. Slowly as if the abyss was but a lie four torches lit up on large pillars and he looked around to see a wide and unending cavern around him. Pillars exactly 15 feet apart were placed in a grid throughout like a forest of stone. In front of him was an old man leaning over an altar. Flipping through the book small letters floated from its pages glowing eerily.
“How are you today, Ellius Iceborn.”
“Huh?”
With an unchanging face and voice, the man simply pushed the rim of his glasses. The man looked like an old sage. His long grey hair and beard made him look wise. Yet his old eyes and long grey robes made his appearance calming. As if to make sure El wouldn’t cut him off he spoke quickly, “ I know you are confused but please calm down and listen. I am the god of Spells and mages, my name is not for you to know, and today you will go through your first trial.”
“I-i see. Thank you.”
“Why are you saying thanks?”
“Ah, I-”
“I know you haven’t become a fifth circle spell caster yet but I saw that look in your eyes and assumed you were ready. People like you are interesting and a will to reach power is great. Don’t lose that.”
I’m glad a god likes me but why ask a question if you won’t let me answer? With a nervous face, El simply continued listening. Focused, he almost didn’t catch the book the old man threw at him. Walking back towards the altar he waved his hands, a chair blinking into existence.
“Your trial is to make a spell that allows you to control ice.”
“What, that’s it? I’ve seen that spell before. It’s a 3rd stage spell that allows you to move all the ice in an area around you.”
“Ah, you think I give things for free. Of course not, it has to be up to my standards of course.”
With a smug smile, he made a small amount of ice in his hand, and with a few hand signs, it started to float. First, it became a sharp sword, then a small needle, and finally a strong wall. Seamlessly transforming the ice followed his command, fluidly changing shapes. Not only was he controlling the dimensions of the ice but the thickness and creating ice to support it along the way. This was all done with one spell, no more mana was used but to support the one spell he had already made.
“It doesn’t have to be that great but, try your best, and since I like you so much. You don’t have a time limit. Normally you’d have a time limit of four years.”
“FOUR YEARS!”
“Don’t worry, your body is frozen in time, you might go a bit insane but that’s ok.”
“WHAT’S OK ABOUT THAT!”
