Avince stirred, the unfamiliar weight of thick blankets pressing down on him. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he forgot where he was. The ceiling above him wasn’t the one from his room back home. Instead, it was a smooth, pale surface that faintly reflected the dim morning light spilling in through a frosted window.

Sitting up, he noticed the room was surprisingly warm—not what he expected given their location deep within the Everlasting Ice Clan’s frozen territory. It was cozy, with a soft rug covering the wooden floor, a small table in the corner, and shelves lined with books and decorative ice carvings. The fireless warmth emanating from the walls suggested the presence of mana-infused mechanisms.

Must be some kind of insulation enchantment, he thought, running a hand over the bed frame. Despite the frigid temperatures outside, the magic kept the interior at a pleasant temperature.

He stretched and yawned, his muscles still aching from their journey. A glance at the clock told him it was early. Today was the 24th, Christmas Eve—or close enough. The meeting with the matriarch wasn’t until nightfall, which left the entire day to fill.

His thoughts drifted to the previous evening. After unpacking and some conversations, he’d spent hours absorbed in Fundamentals of Fire Magic, testing one of the techniques it outlined. It described using fire mana to improve internal body circulation, a method that enhanced physical endurance and allowed for greater adaptability in extreme environments. The book had explained it in almost scientific terms, detailing how fire mana could accelerate the flow of energy through the body, increasing warmth, blood flow, and overall efficiency.

It wasn’t easy, though. Fire mana was volatile, and controlling it within his own body required precision. The first few attempts had left him lightheaded, and his mother’s warnings about not overexerting himself echoed in his mind. But by the end of the night, he managed a basic level of control. The warmth spreading through his body had been subtle but noticeable.

I guess I’ll see how well it works once I step outside, he mused, swinging his legs off the bed and standing.

He dressed quickly, layering himself against the cold despite his experiment. The house was silent except for the faint crackle of mana-infused warmth humming in the background. Stepping out of his room, he found Amyra and their father seated at the dining table in the cozy living room.

“Good morning,” Erwin greeted, his voice as steady as ever. Amyra gave him a brief nod, her attention divided between her breakfast and a small glowing crystal in her hand.

“Where’s Mom?” Avince asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

“She has some matters to attend to within the clan,” Erwin replied. “Probably catching up with her cousins and siblings. You know how it is—these visits are as much about strengthening family ties as anything else.”

Avince nodded, though the mention of “family ties” reminded him of the matriarch and the impending meeting. He pushed the thought aside and turned his attention back to his father.

“So, what’s the plan for today?”

“Well, since we’ve got time, I thought we might visit the training grounds,” Erwin said, sipping his tea. “It’s a good chance for you and Amyra to stretch your abilities and see how you measure up against the clan’s fighters.”

Amyra raised an eyebrow, finally looking up from her crystal. “You’re planning to fight, Avince? That’s new.”

He shot her a smirk. “You’d be surprised how much I’ve improved.”

Erwin chuckled. “Let’s see if that’s true.”

The training grounds were located at the edge of the village, a sprawling open area surrounded by icy cliffs that reflected the sunlight. Mana-infused barriers shimmered faintly around the perimeter, keeping stray attacks from spilling into the village.

When they arrived, the grounds were already bustling with activity. Fighters of all ages were locked in intense duels, their abilities creating a dazzling display of ice constructs and controlled chaos.

Avince watched as one warrior summoned a massive wall of ice to block an incoming spear of frost, only for another to leap over it with impossible agility, their weapon glowing with mana. The sheer skill on display was both intimidating and inspiring.

Before long, a trainer approached them. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with an easy grin and sharp eyes that seemed to take in everything at once.

“You must be the Thanes,” he said, his voice carrying over the din of the training ground. “Name’s Kael. Welcome to the training grounds. Fancy testing your mettle?”

“We were just here to observe,” Erwin said, but Kael’s grin widened.

“Nonsense. There’s no better way to learn than by doing.” He looked at Avince and Amyra, his gaze appraising. “Let’s see… Early C-rank for you,” he said, nodding at Avince. “And mid-C for the young lady.”

Avince tensed slightly at the assessment. He wasn’t surprised that Amyra ranked higher—she was a prodigy, after all—but the gap in their abilities stung less than it might have a few weeks ago. His path was clearer now, and tamers like his sisters were known for fighting above their ranks.

Kael clapped his hands together. “Let’s start with a duel, shall we? Avince, you’ll face Mark over there.”

Avince turned to see a young man about his age stepping forward. Mark had short, dark hair and a spear slung across his back. Something about him felt familiar, and as he got closer, recognition dawned.

“Mark?” Avince said, tilting his head. “We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Mark grinned. “You’ve got a good memory. We’re cousins—or close enough. Not by blood, though. The clan adopts plenty of people with similar abilities.”

Avince nodded, recalling vague childhood memories of playing with Mark during one of their visits to the clan.

The duel began with Mark lowering into a crouch, his shield and spear shimmering with an icy blue glow. Frost trailed from the spearhead as he twirled it in his hand, and shards of ice formed along the edges of his shield, reinforcing it with a razor-sharp edge. His breath fogged in the cool air surrounding him, a byproduct of his ability.

“Let’s see what you’ve got, Avince,” Mark said with a grin, his voice steady but challenging.

Avince nodded, his heart pounding but his mind focused. He raised his hands, mana surging through him. A fireball sparked to life in his palm, illuminating his determined expression.

Mark didn’t wait. He lunged forward, the tip of his spear aimed straight for Avince’s chest. The icy weapon gleamed as if eager to taste blood.

Avince sidestepped just in time using wind magic to lighten his steps, the spear grazing past him with a sharp whoosh. Without missing a beat, he hurled the fireball at Mark’s exposed flank.

Mark reacted instantly. His shield moved like a blur, intercepting the fireball mid-flight. The flames splashed harmlessly against the icy surface, steam rising where heat met cold.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Avince’s eyes narrowed. His ice shield is stronger than I thought.

Mark pressed the attack, charging forward with his shield raised. Each step left a trail of frost on the ground, his spear darting in and out like a serpent’s fang. Avince ducked, weaving away from the strikes, but Mark was relentless.

"You can't dodge forever!" Mark growled, slamming his shield into the ground. A wave of frost rippled outward, the sudden chill biting at Avince's skin and slowing his movements.

He's trying to box me in. Avince gritted his teeth, his breath coming out in visible puffs. He raised both hands and conjured twin fireballs, their heat pushing back the encroaching frost. With a swift motion, he launched them toward Mark, aiming for his shield arm.

Mark twisted his body, using his shield to block one fireball while spinning his spear to shatter the other. The ice weapon sliced through the flames with a hiss, sending embers scattering into the air.

But Avince was already moving. He circled around, keeping his distance and firing smaller bursts of flame. Each one forced Mark to adjust his stance, preventing him from closing the gap.

"You’re good at blocking," Avince called out, a smirk tugging at his lips, "but how long can you keep it up?"

Mark didn’t respond. Instead, he planted his spear into the ground, ice rapidly spreading from its base. The frost formed jagged spikes, racing toward Avince like a wave of icy daggers.

Avince’s eyes widened, and he leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the attack. His foot slipped on the frozen ground, but he caught himself with a quick burst of wind, propelling him back to a safer distance.

"Alright," he muttered, flexing his fingers as more fire began to swirl around his hands. "Let’s turn up the heat."

With a roar, Avince unleashed a volley of fireballs, each one larger and hotter than the last. They streaked through the air, forcing Mark to retreat under the relentless assault.

Mark gritted his teeth, his shield absorbing the brunt of the flames, but cracks began to form in the ice. He raised his spear and threw it with a surge of mana, the icy projectile spinning toward Avince like a missile.

Avince ducked at the last second, the spear whizzing past his ear and embedding itself in the ground behind him. He didn’t waste the opportunity. With Mark momentarily disarmed, Avince poured all his mana into a single, massive fireball. The flames swirled together, forming a searing orb that radiated heat waves across the field.

Mark’s eyes widened as he stared at the massive ball of fire. In a last-ditch attempt, a layer of ice surged across his body, forming a full suit of armor just as Avince hurled the fireball with all his might.

The explosion rocked the arena as the fireball collided with Mark’s shield. The icy barrier shattered into a spray of frost and steam, while his armor of ice melted under the intense heat. The sheer force of the impact sent Mark sprawling to the ground. Trainers rushed onto the field, their mana shields flaring to life as they intercepted the lingering flames, preventing any further harm.

Avince staggered, his chest heaving from the exertion. His vision blurred slightly from the mana drain, but a satisfied grin spread across his face.

On the sidelines, Amyra clapped her hands, a teasing smile lighting up her face. "Not bad, big brother. Looks like you’ve finally learned how to hit something."

"Thanks," Avince panted, brushing soot from his sleeve. "Guess all that practice is paying off."

Mark groaned as he pushed himself to his feet with the help of the trainers, rubbing his burned shoulder. “Alright, you win this time,” he muttered, though a grudging smile tugged at his lips. “Next time, I won’t lose.”

Next, it was Amyra’s turn. Her opponent was a girl named Kristine, whose cold, calculating gaze made Avince uneasy. The girl looks about the same age as him, maybe older.

Kristine’s cold, piercing gaze locked onto Amyra as the two faced off in the arena. “So, you’re the genius everyone’s been raving about,” she said, her voice as icy as the frost forming at her fingertips.

Amyra didn’t flinch. She tilted her head slightly, smirking as if amused. “Guess you’ll find out soon enough.” Her tone carried a confident edge that only made Kristine’s frown deepen.

The instructor raised their hand, signaling the start of the duel. “Begin!”

Amyra’s hands glowed with frosty blue light as she summoned her familiars. A massive ice wolf, named Wise, materialized at her side, its crystalline fur glinting under the arena’s lights. Beside it, a sleek winter hawk named Flurr perched on her shoulder for a moment before taking flight, its sharp eyes gleaming as it circled above. The air around them dropped in temperature, visible frost forming on the arena floor as Wise let out a deep, resonant growl and Flurr screeched, their forms pulsing with power.

Kristine smirked, unbothered by the display. She raised her hands, her fingers crackling with icy mana. “Let’s see how well they handle this.” She slammed her palms together, sending a wave of cold rippling outward. Above them, dark clouds formed in the blink of an eye, and shards of hail the size of fists began raining down with terrifying force.

Amyra narrowed her eyes and barked an order. Her wolf, darted forward, bounding through the storm with remarkable agility, while the hawk soared upward, its sharp cry cutting through the howling winds. The wolf weaved through the hail, its glowing eyes locked on Kristine, while the hawk dived at her from above, sharp claws aiming for her exposed back.

Kristine sidestepped with practiced ease, her body shimmering as it faded into the storm. “You’ll have to do better than that,” her voice echoed from somewhere within the blizzard.

Amyra clicked her tongue in frustration. The storm intensified, ice and snow swirling so thickly that it became nearly impossible to see. From the stands, Avince could just make out the faint forms of the wolf and hawk struggling to locate their target. He watched as shards of ice shot out from the storm, slamming into the wolf and hawk from unexpected angles.

“That hailstorm looks hard to maintain,” Avince muttered, impressed. “Just how much mana is she using to keep it going?”

Beside him, Kael crossed his arms, his expression neutral, but his voice tinged with approval. “Kristine’s ability allows her ice magic to be more powerful and requires less mana to maintain, but in return, it reduces her control over it. She sacrifices precision for sheer destructive force. It’s risky, but if she catches you in her rhythm, it’s almost impossible to recover.”

Amyra, however, wasn’t one to back down. “Flurr, blind her!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the storm as she called the name of her winter hawk. It responded instantly, releasing a burst of icy light from its wings that illuminated the arena for a split second.

Kristine reappeared, her form silhouetted in the harsh light as she crouched low, preparing to unleash another spell. That was all the wolf needed. With a ferocious snarl, it lunged through the storm, jaws threatening to shut around her leg.

Kristine grimaced, her free hand already moving. A sharp spike of ice erupted from the ground, slamming into the wolf and sending it flying. It hit the ground with a whimper, struggling to stand as cracks formed along its crystalline body.

Amyra gritted her teeth, summoning a wall of ice to shield her wolf from another attack. She reached out, her hand glowing as she reinforced her summons with a surge of mana. “I’m not done yet!”

Kristine chuckled, her mana swirling around her as she prepared her next move. “Neither am I.” She thrust her arms upward, and the storm seemed to respond to her will. The hailstones grew larger, their descent faster, each impact shaking the arena floor.

The wolf howled as it took another hit, its form dissolving into shards of ice that scattered across the ground as her ability unconsciously retrieved any summons that had taken too much damage. The hawk fared no better, clipped by a shard of hail that sent it spiraling. It vanished in a burst of mist before crashing to the ground.

Amyra stood alone now, her summons gone. She glared at Kristine, determination blazing in her eyes. “If that’s how you want to play it…” She clasped her hands together, her breath visible in the freezing air. A layer of shimmering ice encased her body, forming a protective cocoon that pulsed with mana.

Kristine didn’t hesitate. She raised her hand, and the storm converged, the hail swirling into a massive spike of ice above her. “Let’s see how long you can last in there.” She brought her hand down, and the spike hurtled toward Amyra like a falling comet.

The impact was deafening. The ice cocoon cracked under the force, fractures spreading like spiderwebs. Amyra winced, her face pale from the strain of holding it together. But before she could recover, another spike followed, then another, each one hitting harder than the last.

Avince leaned forward in his seat, his hands clenched into fists. “Come on, Amyra,” he whispered under his breath.

The final spike shattered the cocoon completely, sending shards of ice flying in all directions. Amyra stumbled forward, her knees buckling as she struggled to remain standing. Kristine stepped closer, a triumphant smirk on her face as she prepared to end the duel.

Before she could, the instructors intervened, their mana shields flaring to life as they stepped between the two combatants. “That’s enough!” one of them barked.

Kristine lowered her hands, the storm dissipating as quickly as it had come. She looked down at Amyra, her smirk softening into something resembling respect. “Not bad,” she said quietly before turning and walking off the field.

Amyra straightened, brushing the frost from her shoulders. She ignored the trainers’ worried glances and walked back to the stands, her head held high despite her exhaustion.

Amyra gave him a tired smile, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have let her set up her skills. She turned the whole arena into her battlefield before I even had the chance to counter. That was a bad mistake.”

Before Avince could respond, Erwin approached from behind, his usual calm demeanor tinged with pride and warmth. “Amyra,” he called gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

She turned to face him, her frustration evident. “I messed up. I let her control the pace from the start. I walked right into her strategy.”