"Killing, torture, having fun, teasing-stuff like that, right?" I interrupted smoothly, raising a hand to my chin as I listed each example like they were items on a shopping list.
Kayda blinked in surprise, then chuckled faintly. "Yes. Exactly like that."
I let out a low, awkward laugh and rubbed the back of my neck. "Huh, so it's like I push back my urges... and it changes me. Sounds like I don't have just one personality, huh?"
Kayda's smile faded slightly. "I wouldn't say it's like that..."
"Don't worry. I was mostly talking to myself," I said, waving a hand dismissively and stepping closer to her, letting the topic fade. "More importantly-this morning, you said I don't have complete control over my ice magic. Why did you say that?"
Kayda's face lit up a little at the shift to magic talk. "Oh, that." She crossed her arms, already slipping into explanation mode. "When you created your dungeon, you focused too much on toughness. Your ice lost its coldness. Like earlier-when you froze those guys behind me-you knew my scales were hot, so your ice should've been colder to counteract that. It didn't melt easily, but the temperature variance shows you're compensating instead of refining."
Magic always gets her talking, I thought, a smile tugging at my lips. Even when the topic's heavy, bring up spells, and it's like flipping a switch.
"Yeah, I get that. But magic works with imagination, so it makes sense it reacts that way," I replied, scratching my cheek.
"That's true," she said, nodding. "But you need to reach a point where your ice always functions properly-cold, durable, versatile-without you needing to think about adjusting it. Only then will you have full control."
I hummed, absorbing her words. "But that's..."
"Hard, right?" she finished for me, smirking. "All you need is to improve your mana control. Then everything else will start clicking into place. Anyway, I'm late for your sisters' lesson." With that, she turned on her heel and began walking off.
"Thanks for the advice," I called after her, watching her retreat with a thoughtful look before I turned back to the tied-up party members still slumped nearby.
'Still so much work left to do...' I thought, letting my hand rise slowly. Ice chains slithered up from the ground, each ending in a wicked blade. With a sharp whistle of air, the blades embedded themselves into each captive's head. A second later, their bodies froze solid. Then-shattering into glimmering ice particles-their forms vanished, leaving only sparkling motes drifting lazily in the morning light.
"No matter how many times I see it... it's always beautiful," I murmured, turning on my heel and heading toward the training grounds.
As I walked, a notification popped up.
[Level Up! > Level 31]
"Hm. Oh, nice. I'm level 31 now."
The training grounds buzzed faintly with life as I arrived. Catrina stood in the center of the field, gripping a large broadsword in both hands. Across from her stood Chinada, calm and unreadable, twin daggers already out.
"Why a broadsword?" I muttered under my breath.
"Aah, Mom! You came!" Apricot shouted from the far end of the field, waving energetically.
"Tsk. Damn doggie has no shame," I muttered, hiding the faint heat rising to my face.
"She really called her Mom..." Catrina whispered under her breath, just loud enough for Chinada and me to hear.
"The amount of disrespect that dog is showing toward my queen..." Chinada growled, her grip tightening on her blades.
As I approached, the rest of my squad turned to look at me. Brenda stepped forward.
"Kitsuna, why are we testing this girl again?" she asked, her voice genuinely curious.
"It's a long story," I said, stopping next to them. "Ask her after. The short version is-she doesn't have a class yet. I want her to try close combat. But since she's more attuned to magic, we're basically training her from scratch."
"So... she's got no experience, and she picked a broadsword?" Brenda frowned, raising an eyebrow as she eyed Catrina's slim frame.
"If you think about it, it's not that strange," I said with a shrug. "Coming from an earl's house, she's probably seen plenty of guards using broadswords. Most knights at higher ranks prefer broadswords or greatswords. It's what she knows."
"That's fair," Brenda admitted. "Though daggers and katanas aren't that uncommon either."
"Is that so?" I said absently, turning my eyes back to the match as Catrina rushed toward Chinada.
Chinada didn't move, only watching with that same blank expression. Catrina swung the sword-clumsily but with intent.
"Seems like she knows a bit about wielding it," Brenda commented as the second swing came.
"Maybe," I said, narrowing my eyes. "But she doesn't have the strength or stamina to keep that up. And she's not even using her magic to support herself."
Mother's years of beating me into the dirt honed my ability to spot flaws easily. Every misstep, every inefficient movement, was evident. Watching Catrina was like observing my younger self struggle, with no one available to explain the reasons behind her actions.
"Aren't we testing her to see what weapon fits best?" Sirone asked, glancing over.
"...That's true," I muttered, facepalming. "Kind of forgot that."
We kept watching. After a few more wild swings, Catrina tripped over her feet and landed in a heap on the ground.
"Sigh. Okay, that's enough for now. Come here, Catrina," I called.
She scrambled up, slightly flushed and panting, jogging toward me with sword still in hand. "Yes, Nova?"
"You can call me Kitsuna. That's my real name. Nova is just my alias when I'm outside in public," I explained. "Now then-for your crappy performance. Why a broadsword?"
Her cheeks reddened further. "I've seen many guards use them..."
"Yeah, figures." I summoned two swords-one a long nodachi, the other a shorter tachi, both made of my ice magic. "Well, it doesn't suit you. Try these."
Catrina took a cautious step forward, eyeing the blades. "Why is this one so short?" she asked, pointing at the tachi.
"Because it's like a short sword. It's lighter and faster. I prefer it," I said, spinning them once before holding them out to her. "Now take these, hold them like this, and fight Chinada again."
"But... I don't even know how to use one sword. How will using two help?" she asked, eyeing me nervously.
I smiled sweetly, tilting my head. "Are you saying I don't know what I'm doing?"
"N-no! Of course not!" she said quickly, waving her hands. She took the swords and ran back to face Chinada.
"Oh yeah-use your magic this time!" I raised my voice so that she could hear me clearly.
A sudden weight landed on my back, two tiny arms draping over my shoulders.
"Can she even infuse her mana into your ice swords?" Nekro asked, her bunny ears twitching as she settled herself like a backpack.
"Oh, hey Nekro. Didn't know you were here," I said, glancing over my shoulder.
"Of course you didn't," she muttered in annoyance.
"To answer your question-no, she can't infuse mana into my swords. But she can coat them," I explained.
"What's the difference?" Nekro asked, frowning.
"Coating uses more mana but needs less control. Infusing uses less mana, but it's more efficient and stronger. For example, if you use fire mana, an infused sword would burn hotter and cut deeper.
"Exactly," Brenda chimed in. "Infusing takes more skill, but the payoff is better."
'Yeah... I was surprised too when I found out there was a difference. Back then, I thought I was infusing-but I was just coating. It felt the same. Even when I fought Steve years ago, I was still just coating them, and they still shattered. The first time I actually learned how to infuse was when I met Kayda... Damn, Mother never explained it properly.'
"But why can't you infuse your mana into Kitsuna's ice?" Nekro asked again.
"Because it's not regular metal-it's solidified mana. My own. It rejects other mana on an internal level," I said, then paused. "Though... maybe I can adjust that. Maybe I can change the structure to accept external mana..."
I trailed off, falling into thought.
"She's doing better now," Sirone observed, drawing me back to the present.
"Yeah... but she's also wrecking the training grounds," Brenda pointed out.
Everyone turned to stare at her.
"Umm... Don't we all destroy it daily?" I asked, chuckling.
"Yes, but she's doing it alone! Why can't I join in?" Brenda pouted, collapsing to her knees dramatically.
"I wonder if Catrina will actually fit in," I murmured, watching the absurd scene unfold.
If she could survive this madness... maybe she really would.
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Chapter 87: Mind tricks
It had been over three hours since Catrina's initial test began, and the sun now hung low in the sky, casting golden light across the cratered training grounds. The air was thick with dust and the lingering tingle of mana. Despite the exhaustion, a sense of clarity had settled over the group. We'd finally decided on the weapon combo that suited her best: a greatsword for her dominant right hand and a tachi for her left. Unusual, yes-but it worked.
She was now slouched slightly, sitting cross-legged in our informal circle, her face smeared with dirt and sweat, her cheeks still flushed from exertion.
"So... you guys don't mind me joining?" Catrina asked cautiously, her voice tinged with nerves as her gaze flitted between the members of the squad.
The others nodded without hesitation. Chinada even gave a subtle thumbs-up.
"Hm, no," I said casually, arms resting over my knees. "All you need to do is make sure you get a rare or exotic class. That shouldn't be too hard with the people you'll be training with." I gestured toward Chinada and Brenda, both of whom radiated a calm sort of menace even while relaxed. "However, just a warning-if you don't, then I can't help you."
"I'll do my best," Catrina said with an eager nod, her voice brimming with youthful optimism.
Just then, an all-too-familiar voice rang out from the mansion, cutting through the warm afternoon like a blade.
"Sister! Come to the mansion! We have a problem!"
Amari's shout was sharp with urgency. I sighed, pushing myself to my feet with a lazy stretch. A problem. Of course.
"I'll come back later. There seems to be something I need to take care of," I said to the group, waving over my shoulder.
"See you tonight, Mom!" Apricot called after me, voice light and playful.
I twitched. "Tonight?" Catrina asked, clearly confused.
"Whatever," I muttered, brushing it off as I Flash Stepped toward the mansion balcony.
I appeared a few feet in front of Amari, who stood overlooking the garden with crossed arms and a slight scowl.
"Told you she would hear me," Amari said smugly, glancing at Zagan, who stood a few paces behind her with an unreadable expression.
"So, why did you call?" I asked, cocking my head.
Amari rolled her eyes and then turned to go inside the building. "Earl Everstern and his wife arrived about thirty minutes ago. They're demanding compensation-and an apology."
I followed her into the hallway, my boots clicking lightly on the marble floor. "Did they mention Catrina?" I asked.
"Yeah, and you as well. Apparently, it's your fault. Everything," she said, clearly unimpressed.
I blinked. "I guess it is technically my fault for their betrayal... but demanding compensation from a marquis house? How highly do they think of themselves?"
"Are they in the drawing room?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yep. Dad's with them. Mom left early this morning-some kind of border issue again."
"Cool." I cracked my neck and walked faster. "Let's go see what these idiots actually want."
We were just approaching the door to the drawing room when a shrill voice exploded from inside.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
I paused, raising an eyebrow. "Interesting," I muttered, then reached for the handle and pushed the door open.
Inside, a blonde elf woman stood stiffly behind one of the couches, her arms rigid and eyes burning with indignation. Her husband, a black-haired man with a pinched expression, was seated nearby. Across from them, Dean reclined on the opposite couch with a neutral look that screamed long-suffering patience.
"Aah, you finally arrived," Dean said calmly when he noticed me.
The woman whipped around, stomping toward me with heavy, deliberate steps.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Don't shout like that in someone's face, Lady Everstern," I said coolly, brushing past her without breaking stride. I dropped onto the couch beside Dean with an exaggerated sigh, Amari and Zagan flanking us like silent sentinels.
"Now that my daughter is here, we can start talking like civil people," Dean said, his tone bordering on diplomatic-though there was a subtle steel underneath.
"So you're the disgraceful being that led Mary and her party to their downfall," Lady Everstern hissed, venom dripping from every word.
Dean raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Honey, calm down," Sir Everstern murmured, placing a hand on his wife's leg in a weak attempt to rein her in.
Dean leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. "Now, might you tell us why you're here? I've heard about the incident from my daughter, but I fail to see why it concerns you."
"Ahem." Lady Everstern sat down stiffly. "We're here to get an explanation for what happened during today's extermination quest-the one Catrina joined with her party."
Sir Everstern took over, his voice steadier. "When she first joined the guild a year ago, we offered to make her a party, but she declined. She said she wanted to meet new people. So we let her... and she met Mary's party. They were kind and respectful. We even welcomed them into our home."
He sounded so sincere it was almost pathetic.
'Nice people?' I thought, biting back a scoff. 'They were clearly after her money. There's no way a group like that stays loyal for a full year just out of friendship.'
"In the end," Sir Everstern continued, "we're here to request that you release Mary and the others-and issue a formal apology for the slander. The rumors about them trying to kill you."
At that, I couldn't help myself. I chuckled. Not a polite laugh, but a sharp bark that made the couple flinch.
"Rumors?" I said, leaning forward. "Do you take me for a joke? People try to kill me every other day. What would I gain by inventing a story about some random party? I don't have time for petty drama."
I raised my hand and conjured a swirl of snow, placing it gently on the table between us.
"Here. This is the closest thing you'll get to the remains of that party."
