<"That doesn't look so bad already. Wonderful. That should be enough for today, you can leave and eat. If you have nothing better to do in your free time anyway, practice your mana control a bit">, Sefra sternly announced, causing the mages in front of her to shout a slightly annoyed yes in response.

<"She is merciless">, whispered a voice next to Cale as the group walked back to the center.

<"Probably true, but Sir Heriog isn't supposed to be much different. I was told that the soldiers trained so long that their hands became bloody yesterday">, the man addressed replied.

<"I don't know which of the two I would rather have as a teacher">, a third person interfered.

In the last few months, the number of people in Frignez had increased by a good fifty fold, so that the three tribes living separately now formed a large city that dug its way underground through the eternal ice. The worst seemed to be over, as refugees rarely appeared, so the people worked effectively on livelihood and defense.

<"I really hope this all finally calms down. Does anyone know anything from Altona yet?">

<"Nothing did come to my attention, but I've heard they've tried to make contact via ship routes.">

<"It's pretty scary to live so far away from civilization, don't you think?">

<"Maybe we should have fled to Sylve after all">, one of the three mages interjected, prompting the woman in the group to bang him on the head.

<"How insane are you to say such a thing? Be glad you're still alive!">

<"Yesssss.">

Cale distanced himself from the crowd and stayed a good distance away from the crowds as he aimed for the small hill where he met with William and Ben every night. They had combat classes further west, so they often didn't see each other all day. While the other mages climbed underground and clogged the hallways, Cale remained standing in the open, reaching out to carefully let mana leak from his palms.

<"At least someone is taking the things I say to heart">, Sefra's voice rang out a few feet behind him, causing Cale to turn to her. Sometimes, when he waited for his friends, she stayed outside as well. She waited for Miguel Heriog to exchange information about their progress.

<"High-Magician Risztus.">

<"Please, I told you not to call me that.">

<"Pardon me.">

Sefra sighed at the statement and stood right next to Cale as she watched with wide eyes as Cale directed the mana.

<"You're a rather quick learner">, she remarked impressed, causing Cale to grin.

<"I'm honored to hear that from your mouths. Mother Nicolette used to say that to me too, usually before I would get scolded">, Cale explained, laughing softly. His childhood in the orphanage seemed so distant that it seemed strange to think about it. Sometimes Cale wondered if it even stood after all these years.

<"I mean it like this. At first, I even thought you were a beginner because you knew almost nothing.">

<"I'm a beginner, I never learned magic.">

<"Don't lie. I know for a fact that you knew magic before I taught you, you were just a little rusty.">

<"I'm really not lying, I've never really had any lessons">, Cale declared indignantly, turning to the High-Magician with her hands outstretched, who fell silent for a moment.

<"You... haven't had any classes? You never went to the Magistrat?">

<"To the Magistrat? Me? In my entire life, I've never set foot in that building.">

<"I could have sworn you were a student at the Magistrat. Then what were you doing before that?">

<"I worked in Sylve for a while, and later made my living as an Anuxer. Nothing spectacular.">

<"By the Elder's beard, you never knew you had the potential to be a mage?">, the 4th seat asked, visibly surprised, so Cale gave up trying to focus on other things during the conversation.

<"I think you might be overestimating me a bit too much. I already knew I had quite a bit of mana, but simply chose the easy alternative to get money.">

<"Quite a lot of mana he says"> Sefra repeated softly, shaking her head before adding. <"You never got tested?">

<"Why? Even if I have a little more mana than other people, it wouldn't have made a difference.">

<"That's a pretty big difference you're talking about here. Are you aware that you, after me, have the most mana in all of Frignez?">

<"Eh?">, Cale only returned in surprise. <"How much are we talking about?">

<"You should have somewhere between 35 and 40RM, which is double what most of the other mages here can boast. Quite a lot of mana he says, I can't believe it.">

Wordlessly, Cale stared at his teacher as snow accumulated on her shoulder. She didn't let it bother her and returned the gaze as if hoping for an interesting reaction.

<"That's funny, I never realized that">, Cale countered dryly, causing Sefra to laugh out loud until tears came to her eyes.

<"That's all you have to say about that? Don't you resent having never come to Exarion? I would have had you working in the Magistrat for sure, with your potential.">

<"What an honor. Well, I can't change what happened now either. Besides, I have just as much chance of becoming a real mage now, don't I?">, Cale stated matter-of-factly, noticing how Sefra fell silent and became serious.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

<"Yes, you certainly have, but new mages learn for five years, if not longer. I doubt we have that much time left.">

<"A moment ago you said I was a quick learner">, Cale replied with a satisfied smile on his face before burying his hands in his pockets and turning his eyes to the swordsmen who appeared behind the white curtain. <"I will try my best to reach the stand swiftly in five years. Then you will have one less burden.">

Seamless, Cale tied his next memory to this conversation and found himself in the twin mountains of Frignez. Like thousands of other people had, he found himself on the battlefield while desperately trying to fight off the creatures. He was thrown to the ground, causing him to groan softly and reach out his hand before squeezing a small amount of water flat and in the next moment separating the head of a large creature from its body. Panting, he straightened up and held his arm in front of his mouth to avoid breathing in too much cold air. William emerged beside him, covered in blood as he blocked an attack, performing an elegant spin and killing his opponent.

<"Are you alright?">, the black-haired swordsman, whose hair had grown comparatively long in recent years, interjected.

<"Yeah, I'm fine. Have you seen the others?">

<"No, I lost sight of them too.">

<"Damn it">, Cale grumbled softly, sensing a small group of creatures rapidly approaching his location. Instantly he made a two-meter high wall appear, which is why in the next second a few soldiers and mages joined behind it to avoid being overrun by the enemies. But instead of crashing against them the thick wall, they jumped over the mage's protection and continued their attack without any consideration.

<"What in the name of the gods are those creatures?">, a strange voice spoke up, but William and Cale instantly ran after them. It was obvious that the creatures were trying to reach the city.

As if someone had read their minds, large black shapes suddenly appeared from the ground, moving like snakes above the snow and piercing the creature with pinpoint accuracy. Cale was not distracted by the sight for long and lifted William as well as himself into the air with the wind to launch a joint attack. Sword ahead, the swordsman aimed at the creatures below, propped to the ground and pierced its head. Cale, on the other hand, rained down tiny drops of water like single arrows, taking out several creatures he had never seen before in one fell swoop.

With a thud, he landed on the ground next to William as he spotted Ben in the corner of his eye, who was tearing off the head of a creature with his bare hands.

A loud bang sounded, instantly revealing to all present where Miguel Heriog was currently on the battlefield. With his flashes, he drew all the attention to himself, only to have the ice surface melt in the next few seconds. Like insects, the creatures were attracted to his light.

<"This is driving me crazy, how many more are coming?">, William spoke up as Cale and Ben stepped up beside him and they formed a circle as a group, each defending one side.

<"The defense line has completely collapsed, it's only a matter of time before we are pushed back!">, the broad swordsman spoke up and killed the creature in front of him, while Cale saved the life of an unknown soldier with his attack. At the same moment, an arrow shot past them, causing Cale to turn around, startled. Philippa was standing on the ledge in front of them, also trying to do something. Automatically, his eyes turned to the snowy mountain behind her, while William rejoined.

<"Where did all the people go? There were so many of us just a little while ago.">

<"Hey, I've got an idea!">, Cale yelled between them, flinging his friends without warning toward Philippa, who looked just as surprised as the men. <"Let's start an avalanche!">

<"An avalanche?">, Ben and William gave voice in unison, following Cale's finger. They, too, spotted the rocky mountain range, which had neatly increased in fullness due to the massive snowstorm of the past few weeks.

<"This is insane. How are we supposed to do this?">, Philippa, who was originally responsible for her sector as a scout, interfered. But with all the chaos and casualties, people have spread out so much that there was no point in passing on information anymore.

On each side, people are fighting to the death.

<"I don't know, but we won't survive the night like this!">

Cale ran ahead and after a short hesitation the others followed him. Practiced, he slipped mana into his legs and climbed up the steep slope as the creatures continued to fight their way through the defensive line. In a matter of minutes, the four had covered a tremendous distance as the snow grew deeper.

Finally, Cale came to a stop and turned around as he exhaled in a long breath and looked over the battle zone.

<"By the three gods">, Ben muttered as he too could see the dimensions. They could no longer see their original post at all, so far had the creatures advanced. A few kilometers away, the ground was littered with huge holes, which must have come from the attacks of the 3rd Chiefs Clensen. Miguel was visible in the sky and on the other side of the battle Sefra could be clearly seen. With her Igrikum, she stood out completely from the white mass.

<"Now what?">, William interjected, who was quite out of breath. He held onto the rock wall with one hand as he bent forward slightly to get some air.

<"We have to make the slope shake somehow.">

<"Earth magic?">, Ben interjected.

<"I don't know if I can cause a quake like that by myself. It's a pretty big area.">

<"What if we just attack the slope directly, that is, with our bare hands?">

<"That will take way too long, we need some well-aimed area attacks to...">, Cale raised as he turned his gaze to the opponents and fell silent. Memory from his childhood and the attack from Groka suddenly appeared before his mind's eyes as he recognized the spikes of a large creature.

<"That's...">, he muttered, pointing his finger at the creature, of which he had only fragments in his memory. <"Philippa, can you attack that fat creature with the black spikes?">.

<"What is that supposed to be?">

<"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure he can fire those spikes like arrows. If we can get his attention, then...">

<"... it could trigger the avalanche for us">, Philippa completed the train of thought and instantly drew her bow.

<"Are you sure? Aren't we putting ourselves in danger?">, Ben spoke up.

<"Yes, we are">, Cale replied, causing a large amount of water to appear, which he formed into a pointed spear and aimed at the creature as well. <"But we don't really have another option.">

<"On three">, Philippa spoke up seconds later, which is why the two swordsmen immediately started moving to build distance. <"One, two, three.">

Philippa and Cale released their attacks and seconds later hit the Novaren, but it did not respond.

<"Again">, Cale gave voice and simultaneously with his words, the archer fired her weapon. This time the creature started moving and twisted a bit before suddenly digging into the ground. In the next instant, 6 spikes shot in its direction, so Cale immediately grabbed Philippa by the arm and climbed up.

A loud bang sounded and only a few meters behind them the spikes bored into the rock. Silently, the four Anuxers exchanged glances until suddenly the top layer of snow cracked, digging hundreds of feet to the left and right before the top layer began to slide.

<"Avalanche!">, Cale yelled as loud as he could before his voice was drowned out by the masses of snow. He laboriously climbed up the snowy peak as the shaking ground brought him to his knees and Philippa yelled out in surprise behind him. That's when all the ground began to give way and Cale was swept away by the avalanche he himself had triggered.

He didn't know what happened to him. From one moment to the next, he was hurled down the slope and buried while he desperately tried to fight his way out. But the snow was too thick, so he put his arms protectively in front of his head, hoping he wouldn't be thrown against some rock. His heart raced and he closed his eyes until he completely lost his bearings.

After about 30 seconds of the noise, his body finally came to a stop, but he couldn't move. The snow was pressed so tightly against his body that it felt like he was encased in ice. Panicked, he began to breathe and searched for the surface, but it was pitch black.

Cale had been buried nearly six feet and his breathing was consuming what little oxygen he had. Instinctively, he tried to dig himself out with fire magic, but the resulting smoke deprived him of all oxygen, so he couldn't breathe. Fear overcame him as he tried to remember Sefra's lessons and an idea came to him that saved his life that day.