“Is there anything you need, young man?”
In front of the gate, a man in a black robe greeted Ivo kindly. Although his eyes looked red, he stood straight while speaking in a friendly voice.
This scenario was very similar to what he often went through when visiting this place. Ivo looked at him with a friendly gaze as if meeting someone identical to him.
“Ah, nice to meet you. I guess it is fate that I can meet the shaman of the Court of The Death. May death greet us all at the end of this life.”
The man seemed surprised when he heard Ivo’s words. He blinked his eyes a few times but immediately bowed.
“May death greet us all at the end of this life.”
“My friend, I did not know that you were someone who followed our teachings. I apologize for not being able to recognize someone from the same teachings.”
“Please raise your head. I am not someone who deserves to be bowed to. I am a follower of the teachings of death who was born in the kingdom and this is my first time visiting the city of Ernest. So it is natural that you do not recognize me.”
“Ah, so it is like that.” The Shaman raised his head and put a smile on his face. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
Ivo saw the sincere smile of the Shaman in front of him and nodded slowly. The person in front of him, if he remembered correctly, was the Shaman assigned to guard the cemetery in Ernest City.
Veibel Ernest. One of the descendants of the founder of Ernest City. After his older sister took over the government inherited by the founder of Ernest City, he never appeared in public and always spent his time in the cemetery.
He was the Shaman of the Court of The Dead and was one of the people who could be said to be quite fanatical about this. He would not force his beliefs on others, but he would go crazy if someone defiled the cemetery he guarded.
“I came here to take the entrance test for White Snow Academy. But I’m not sure about my chances of entering White Snow Academy.”
“White Snow Academy? Ah, that place. I’ve heard of it but I didn’t really care.” Veibel thought for a while as he remembered about White Snow Academy.
“Isn’t that a place where young and talented people would gather? Are you sure you can join there?” Veibel looked at Ivo and his eyes showed a slight uncertainty. “I don’t mean to be rude, but with your current abilities, I’m not sure you can get in there my friend.”
“You’re right, Shaman. I’m very weak and I know it. But I can’t give up. I’ve been living alone for years and entering White Snow Academy is the only way. Even though this life will come to an end someday, I hope that I can make my deceased parents happy.” Ivo said in a low tone. Her expression showed sadness and the Shaman couldn’t help but feel a little pity.
Ivo sat on a bench with the Shaman beside her. It was still daytime but the sunlight was covered by gray clouds. This atmosphere was very fitting for the cemetery filled with the cries and sadness of the grave visitors.
“That is a noble aspiration. Following the words of one’s parents and carrying the burden to continue living is something that even I must appreciate. Not many of our followers can bear the burden of continuing to live despite hardships.”
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“But entering White Snow Academy… it will be very difficult. The three tests they give are very difficult and they will only accept 100 students. I have tried to enter the academy and take the test.”
“If I could summarize how the test is, it can only be said that it is impossible. Especially the last test. Do you know this?”
Ivo knew this, but he shook his head.
“The White Snow Academy’s test is divided into three. The first is the Aptitude test where they will place someone who has studied for 3 years in the academy to observe and give their assessment to the applicants. The second is a written test where you will get basic points that you will use for the final test.”
“And the last test they always do is a survival test. With the points you get, the elimination stage will begin where you will have to fight with the geniuses gathered. The 100 people with the highest points will be accepted as students of White Snow Academy.”
“Are you sure you can do it?”
“I…” Ivo was silent for a few seconds before answering. His tone was filled with confidence in this. “I can. No, I definitely can.”
“Hmm… I don’t know where you get your confidence from, but I’ll just hope that you succeed.” Veibel said kindly.
“It may not be much, but as someone who follows the teachings of the Court of The Dead, I can give you some help. Tell me, what do you want.”
Ivo who heard that slowly raised his head. His mouth slowly uttered the words that he had prepared even before he came here.
“I want to inherit the last wishes of the dead Magicians from the Court of The Death.”
Veibel who heard that immediately frowned. Veibel’s gaze was so intense towards Ivo.
The atmosphere suddenly became very silent.
***
At the same time, a girl with cold eyes stared at the magic dome in front of her. When she touched it, flames shot out at the girl but she showed no expression of surprise or fear.
The flames melted most of the ice statues around. The room that was previously so cold that it could freeze a body if someone entered it turned into a roasting place for those inside.
The girl remained standing without changing her expression. Her cold and expressionless face. Blue eyes that looked like snow crystals, flowing white hair in harmony with her beautiful body. Her skin was like snow falling slowly, beautiful to look at and bringing pleasure to those who saw it.
If Ivo had seen her, he would have known this girl very well.
Veronica Ashburn.
She didn't say a word and only raised the Staff in her hand. The enormous magic power flowed perfectly and formed another magic.
When the magic was released, the energy fell so quickly and ice filled the room for the second time. Even so, the magic dome didn't seem to care about what Veronica did. The dome remained silent and did not emit fire like before.
“Haah… It seems that what he said wasn’t entirely wrong.” Veronica let out a soft sigh. From her mouth, ice mist formed and came out together with the air.
“Attacking by force is useless. Raven said that you only have to wait for 3 days to get the inheritance inside the dome.”
“…”
Veronica ignored the voice of the woman beside her. She focused her gaze on the dome in front of her. The eyes that looked like blue crystals observed the dome. She raised the staff in her hand and released a very concentrated magical energy towards the dome.
The attack only lasted for a few moments before the energy disappeared.
The dome did not budge at all. Instead, the flames that had previously burned the room erupted again with great ferocity. The room was once again filled with fire and exhausted the surrounding ice.
The remaining ice statues melted and destroyed all the creatures and monsters inside.
The woman beside Veronica was silent when she saw her refreezing the room. Veronica was very different from herself. She wanted to wonder why Raven wanted to approach Veronica so much in the past compared to her.
Veronica was so beautiful that she was perfect in a light blue dress without any excessive accessories and a black skirt. The white robe with gold snowflake embroidery could be carved so magnificently. Although her clothes were quite simple, it matched the atmosphere she gave off.
“Compared to me…” The girl looked at Veronica with an envious gaze. Even so, she held this feeling in her heart and focused on observing the dome in front of her.
The painful feeling of the cold ice that filled this room, or the flames that always burst out and turned the condition of this room upside down, she didn’t really mind it. Raven had given her a magic tool that was quite useful for this problem.
Moreover… she was an Alchemist. The girl drank a potion that she had concocted herself and developed with Raven.
“Focus Rachel… Focus. You can’t disappoint Raven.” Rachel muttered as she patted her cheek.
3 days… she only had to wait for 3 days and she could get the item inside. After all this is over…
I'm going on a trip with Raven!