“Oh? The so-called Lich is dead?”

“Yes, madam…”

I, Enforcer, kneeled toward one of the esteemed Pillars: Artoic. The inhabitants residing outside of Aglona hold a distorted perception of the Pillars, perceiving them as an invasive species that poses a threat to the people of Athiens, leading them towards destruction. The method by which they reached that conclusion was beyond my understanding. That nonsensical view was far from the Pillars. They are merely close-minded buffoons who have yet to see the splendor of the Pillars!

“Hmm…”

Artoic was seated cross-legged on a throne made of ice, and the sound of their glass clinking was the only audible noise in the chamber as they leisurely savored their red wine. Our location was the throne room found in the Palace of Ice and Frost. The room was empty, with only a throne, an ice table, and a perpetual chandelier. Behind the throne, there was a vast view that overlooked the surrounding region.

Artoic’s vision of an eternal winter was encapsulated in a small realm of freezing temperatures and an endless blanket of snow. A canvas of frozen forests- void of life, and unthawed lakes. The possession of a personal pocket dimension is a characteristic of every Pillar, which is a small realm that closely resembles their ideal world. A different dimension that only they can access and freely control. Without their permission, you may never leave or enter.

The Pillar set her glass of wine down on a nearby tray and called out to me. “Enforcer- you know what must be done, correct?”

Her angelic, chilling voice involuntarily made my body convulse in pleasure. “Yes, madam!”

“The undead fiend has already fulfilled its given task. Nothing of importance was lost. It is now time to step into phase two. You may leave now. I am expecting to hear favorable news this time.”

The Pillar dismissed me as if I were nothing but an inconvenience- a position suited for one such as I. Without uttering a single word, I disappeared from the frigid palace.

****

“What? We defeated an incomplete Chimera?” Isaac said.

The blacksmith stroked his bushy beard as he stared at him. “Wasn’t that obvious, boy? You two wouldn’t be able to deal with a complete one at your current strength.”

We were returning to the village after Isaac crushed the skeleton’s head under his foot. Taking the path Isaac and I had used earlier, it was a breeze navigating through the forest route. The caws of birds and the rustle of shrubs accompanied our journey- a bundle of trees flanked our sides as if we were trekking through a tunnel. We trudged on for a mile or so until we reached the edge of the Magmi region.

I turned to the blacksmith as we walked. “Hey, blacksmith.”

“Call me Venny, little girl.”

“Okay, Venny. How did you get captured?”

Venny snorted with disbelief. “It did not capture me. I allowed myself to be taken in. When I went searching for ores near the Wyvern Zone, I spotted it entering that abandoned mineshaft. I was curious about what that undead fiend was concocting behind the scenes, and it turned out to be a fake Chimera.”

Venny then puffed his chest, just daring me to refute his story. A collection of dark boulders ahead served as a makeshift stairway to a ledge. Venny vaulted over them with ease with just one step. For a blacksmith of his size, he was quite nimble! He then reached down and lent us a hand, which we so graciously took.

“Thank you,” I smiled. “I’m curious. What’s your relationship with Morgac? Earlier, you called him a fool and a… youngster? He seems too old to be called a youngster unless you’re significantly olde- Oh… now I get it.”

Solgen mentioned Venny changes his appearance from time to time. Could it be that…

“You’re ashamed of showing your age!” Isaac blurted out.

Come on, man! You should know when to keep things to yourself!

Venny let out a raspy chuckle. “Aren’t you a funny little guy? No, I don’t change my appearance because of shame. Not anymore at least… It’s for my safety since I’m the best craftsman around!”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You’re being targeted? Maybe from the Pillars?”

The man stopped chuckling just as we stopped right in front of the village gate. A nearby lava geyser shot out plumes of fiery death. My skin prickled from the rush of heat, and I felt my eyes watering. Venny whirled around and stared at us, slack jawed. “You know about the Pillars? Who told you about that?”

Before I could reply, a voice suddenly called out and said, “Venny!” We all turned our eyes to the front gate and spotted Morgac shuffling toward the blacksmith, his arms outstretched. They embraced, squeezing each other with an intimacy only found between old friends.

“Morg, I’ve only been gone for a couple of days, and you send people to come after me?” Venny chuckled as he broke away from the embrace. “Kids, in fact!”

“Well, it wasn’t really my choice now… It was all-“

“It was my idea.”

We had no warning when Solgen suddenly appeared behind us, almost as if he had materialized out of thin air. She had her arms crossed defiantly and had cleaned up nicely the last time we saw her. She had replaced her tattered clothes with a freshly pressed white trench coat that grazed her scuffed black combat boots. Wrapped around her waist was a leather belt. Her hair, which used to reach the soles of her feet, had been cut and trimmed to her backside. Solgen now looked like an entirely new person after a good bath and a new wardrobe.

Venny got closer to Solgen while fixing his goggles. “Do my eyes deceive me or is that Solgen herself?”

“Yes, here in the flesh,” Solgen said quickly. I have come here with the intention of using the favor you have granted me.”

Venny squinted at Solgen, eyebrows pinched. “Oh? And what would that favor be…?” He seemed to have a good idea of what she might ask, judging by the way his eyes kept darting between Isaac and me.

“I want you to craft my apprentices the best equipment possible,” Solgen said bluntly. Venny stroked his chin while inspecting us like tools in a workshop. Through his steampunk goggles, he analyzed our abilities and dismantled us piece by piece.

“Mkay- I’ll do it. I’ve seen these two take down that incomplete Chimera with aplomb and I feel like my craftsmanship would not go to waste. It’ll take a while to create them. Give me a month or so and I’ll have ‘em ready.”

Solgen’s shoulders relaxed at his answer. “Thank you, Venny.”

“No need for thanks. With that, we owe each other no favors. Now, if you’ll excuse me, ill be in my workshop.” The man bid us farewell with a wave, leaving us standing in the silence of his departure.

While watching Venny leave, Solgen spoke first. “I will inform him of the specific blades to be made at a later time. First and foremost, I would like to offer you my congratulations for a job well done on your mission.”

Hearing the praise from Solgen herself, Isaac replied with a cocky attitude. “It was no sweat at all since, ya know, we’re strong.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Solgen slowly turned, her cruel smile lingering on her lips. A sense of dread came over me, and the clanging of alarm bells in my head demanded that I get away from this mischievous woman. Isaac had the same thought as he tried to leave first, which was a terrible mistake on his part.

“Yea, um… I’ll be at the mansion now. Ciao!” Isaac nervously laughed. He only managed to take one step until Solgen gripped his shoulder.

“Hold on there, my dear pupil. My business with you all is not yet completed. Today marks the commencement of my personal training. There is a plentiful amount of time available before Venny's completion.” Solgen snickered maniacally while opening one of her small portals. She then shoved me and Isaac into it and followed suit. When we opened our eyes, we found ourselves in an entirely unfamiliar area. We were sitting on a platform that stretched out for what seemed to be the length of a football field. On both ends were stairs that descended. The huge mansion we’d been staying at was standing to our left. On our right side lay a series of hills that led to a distant, inactive volcano.

“What the hell? There was an arena behind the mansion?” Isaac asked in astonishment.

Solgen frowned. “Did you not explore the backside? Enough of that. Let us not waste any further time. I have already prepared a schedule for each of you, and you will follow it exactly. No slacking off.” She handed each of us a piece of paper with our schedule written on it. A slew of numbers and words greeted me.

“Why are the break times so short?” Isaac said. With blazing eyes and clenched fists, he was about to rip the paper in two.

“It should please you I even granted you a break!” Solgen snapped. I was contemplating if you should take a break between sessions. Would it be better to remove it completely?”

“No, ma’am, I’m sorry for questioning you.” Isaac kneeled in prayer, right at the smirking woman.

Noticing something absurd about the schedule, I asked a question. “Um, why is my schedule only filled with sparring/training with mana?”

Solgen turned away from Isaac, who was still kneeling. “Oh, that? It’s because you will fight me with only your mana.”

“…Excuse you?”

“No more questions! It’s time to start!”

****

From the platform, Solgen’s eyes were sharp and hungry, watching us intently. “Now, Laila, your magic. I demand that you limit your fighting to the usage of those mana blades. Using any other weapon is strictly forbidden. Breaking this rule may result in the loss of one's legs.”

Hearing that threat made me almost piss myself out of fear. I didn’t want to know what the punishment was, and I never wanted to find out. Glancing around, Isaac was at the far end of the arena in a meditative pose. When Solgen shouted for him to begin, he gave her a thumbs up and started his training. His job was to build up his mana reservoir by casting spells and increasing the power until he succumbed to exhaustion. Poor him.

Solgen motioned to me and said, “Laila, it is your turn.”

With a nod, I imagined myself holding the all-so-familiar katana in my right hand. In an instant, it materialized. “Alright I’m rea-“

“No, that is not what I want you to train with. I want you to create a thin, light blade.”

Something thin? For what purpose? If she wants something small, then how about a rapier?

It took longer than usual since it was my first time forging one with my mana. After about thirty seconds, it manifested. Solgen gave me an approving nod. “Perfect. I implore you to make use of that as your principal weapon from this point forward. If any alterations are made without authorization, consequences will follow. Understood?”

“I understand.”

“I urge you to exert all your strength and attack me. Do not hold back.”

No need to tell me twice! Knowing how strong you are, I shouldn’t charge in blindly. Watch her every move and counterattack once she strikes…

I cautiously moved forward, the mana rapier in my hand held up high. With a look of doubt etched on her face, Solgen tilted her head sideways. Are you attempting to err on the side of caution? While having such a mindset is commendable, it is not always the case.” She vanished from my sight instantly and reappeared at my side, slapping me on the back of the head. I massaged my throbbing head while glaring at Solgen.

“OW! What was that for?”

“Had I been your foe, you would not have been alive at present. You will need to work on improving your battle instincts. Now, again!” She backed away a few meters and beckoned me forward. Feeling slightly annoyed at the gesture, I dashed toward her and started thrusting. She was easily dodging the rapid-fire attacks with ease while talking in a condescending tone.

“Is that the sum total of your abilities? You have done approximately twenty-three strikes and have not landed a scratch on me.” At my last attack, she simply sidestepped and pulled her leg out, tripping me. I toppled over and landed face-first on the hard ground, my nose stinging. Solgen stepped over, and I felt the weight of her body as she settled onto my back.

“While your speed may be adequate as of now, your fighting experience is lacking. This sparring session is intended for your and Isaac's benefit. Speaking of your brother… Isaac! Come over here.” He was on the opposite end of the arena, testing out his magic, and heard his name being called out. As soon as I saw his face, I knew he was on the verge of collapsing. His eyes were droopy, and he was caked with sweat. It took him a couple of minutes to reach us.

“Oh god… what now? I’m feeling light-headed, ya know?”

Solgen nodded approvingly. “Good. Fight through the exhaustion. I want you two to battle me at the same time. Use teamwork to your advantage.”

Isaac scowled at the woman. “You want me to fight in this condition? Fine…”

Solgen finally rose from her fleshy chair, creating some distance between us. “Afterward, you are to take a short break and continue your magical training on your own until you feel completely fatigued. Should you decide to surrender prior to the completion of the designated time... It goes without saying what happens next.”

Isaac leaned over and whispered. “Laila, does she know how to teach students properly? I feel like this is her first ti-“ Isaac’s sentence was disrupted when Solgen unexpectedly appeared in his view.

“Why are you taking your gaze away from your foe?” she taunted. It looked like she was about to go for another smack, but I expected she would do that. In a split second, I pushed Isaac and aimed straight for Solgen’s head. I thought I had her in my grasp, yet she maneuvered away and launch a forceful strike to my stomach, which rendered me off balance.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Isaac launched a surprise attack while Solgen was recovering. He released a wide slash at Solgen’s shoulder, but the woman calmly stopped the attack by grabbing Isaac’s weapon with her bare hands. When she had intercepted Isaac’s attack, I was already running at her with my mana rapier. I went for a thrust attack at her backside, but just like before, she stopped it with her hand.

“Good effort, but you’ll need to be faster than that,” Solgen smirked. Yet again, she tossed us aside like a bunch of rag dolls. “Once more, you two!” The sun was slowly sinking, casting its rosy hue over the sky, and the hours had passed in a dizzying blur. The grueling spar left me exhausted, but she still made me construct as many mana blades as possible. I was now rendered incapacitated, willing my legs to move.

“W-water…” Isaac croaked by my side. He sounded like a dry fish out of the sea. Not to mention his eyes were rolled up in his eye sockets. If he continued mana training any further, he might’ve started catching glimpses of the pearly gates. We were both lying flat on our backs, barely able to breathe and not able to move our legs. Solgen’s pale face was twisted into a maddening smirk as she stood over us.

“Let me extend my congratulations to you for surviving your first day. Please give yourself a pat on the back- once you can move, that is. Up you go.” Solgen effortlessly carried me and Isaac in both arms while walking toward the mansion. “If it is solace you desire, I underwent a training as an Apithien that was three times more severe than your current one. At present, I am being lenient with you two. However, as time goes on, the difficulty level will increase. I must teach you as much as I can in this one month.”

As she talked, Solgen flung the back door of the mansion. The way she worded herself sounded like she was pressed for time, and I didn’t like it. I couldn’t voice my thoughts as it was taking all my mental strength to not pass out from exhaustion. Solgen gently placed us down on the hardwood floor of the mansion, near the lounge, and exited through the front door, leaving us behind. I thought she might’ve left something and went to retrieve it real quick, but when it passed the thirty-minute mark, I figured that was not the case.

“She really dipped out on us,” Isaac mumbled.

“Yep…”

By the time Solgen returned, it was already morning.

****

While waiting patiently in front of the smithery, I discerned the sound of metal tinkling behind the door in front of me. A constant emission of black smoke from the chimney filled the air with the stench of soot and ashes.

“Who is it?” The deep voice bellowed from behind the metal door.

“It’s Solgen.”

A moment of silence was followed by an invitation in the form of a grunt. I accepted the invitation and opened the door with a gentle push. An impressive heat of hot metal and coal poured over me. Stepping into the black smithery, I noticed the warmth of the fire, as well as an array of tools and weapons, hanging from the walls and racks. A man with goggles and an apron was working furiously on an anvil, the forge blazing in the background.

“Venny, I came here to inform you about the weapons those two will use,” I said at the front of the doorway. Venny, not pausing his metalworking, grunted in response. I took that as his way of saying go on. “I would prefer the girl to employ a long and slender weapon to maximize the use of her abilities, particularly her agile movements. Initially, the idea of daggers crossed my mind, but that would necessitate the use of both hands, which is a drawback, given her magical abilities. The boy-”

“You want me to create a weapon using Torqinite, is that it?” Venny finished. “No problem at all.”

My eyes lit up at the joyful news. “Would it be feasible to complete it within a month? It takes a lot more time to craft weapons using Torqi-“

“Just who do you think I am?” Venny said. He continued hammering away at the anvil. Having glimpsed at the product, my observation fell upon Venny's meticulous steel hammering, which led to the creation of a longsword shape. “I’ll start on them right away, but I would like to ask you a question about those two…”

After he finished the hammering process, he wiped away a bead of sweat on his brow and turned to face me. “How much have you told them about the Pillars...?”