Chapter 117: My Days of Training on the Snow Mountain

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: My Days of Training on the Snow Mountain

"In this world, those who can absorb and control Magic Power are called ’Wizards’."

"Some awaken their talent for Magic Power in their youth, others not until they are adults or even old... Of course, there are also those who awaken through study later in life, using a Meditation Technique as their medium."

"But most budding Wizards lack proper training methods and walk the wrong path, leading to a backlash from their Magic Power, which then drains their physical energy to sustain itself."

"That’s why in the eyes of the world, whether they are Warlocks or Witches, their bodies are generally incredibly frail... A Demon Swordsman like you, who cultivates both magic and martial arts, is rare indeed."

In the Ice Crystal Hall, Isabella stood with her hands at her sides, speaking calmly.

Wang Xi sat cross-legged on the floor, listening intently.

Just then, he raised his hand like an elementary school student.

"Teacher, may I ask what the difference is between a ’Warlock’ and a ’Wizard’? I remember the royal family of the Stag Kingdom once had a Royal Warlock Corps, but it’s gone now."

"..."

Isabella stared at him for two seconds.

A flicker of exasperation flashed in her eyes.

’Weren’t you the one who personally got rid of that Royal Warlock Corps?’

"A ’Warlock’s’ awakened talent for Magic Power comes from some kind of Magic Creature; they rely on the power of their bloodline... They are often unable to practice Multi-element Magic, specializing in a single path instead. This gives them a higher starting point."

"At the same time, the upper limit of their talent is determined by their bloodline, creating a hard limit. ’Wizards,’ however, are different. Although their starting point is lower, they have limitless potential."

"I see."

Wang Xi nodded thoughtfully.

’No wonder I drew the [Sub-Grade Flame Demon Bloodline] from Bertrand’s Card Pool. This explains it.’

The Ice and Snow Queen continued her lecture:

"A Wizard’s cultivation generally has four stages: Sowing, Sprouting, Flowering, and Fruiting."

"This is the process of Magic Power growing within the body, and also the process of a Wizard becoming stronger... And you are currently in the first stage, ’Sowing’."

"Through meditation and looking within, you should be able to see a ’Seed of Magic Power’ nestled in your ’Magic Soil’."

"From now on, you just need to meditate tirelessly, continuously absorbing ambient Magic Power and Ice Elements from the world, and it will gradually grow stronger."

"This is the foundation of being a Wizard."

"I understand, Teacher."

Wang Xi nodded and said respectfully.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Then, if I may be so bold, what stage are you currently in?"

In his line of sight, a glittering golden information box was appearing above the Ice and Snow Queen’s head:

"[Ice and Snow Queen · Isabella (Friendly/Skull/Legend)]"

After an update from Wang Xi, Kaos had already added an ’Upper Rank’ Five-Star Level to its evaluation system, but it still couldn’t see Isabella’s true strength.

She was still that Skull Legend, beyond evaluation!

From this, it was clear that she and the Fire Witch, Lillian, were most likely the strongest fighters in the Stag Kingdom.

All other powerful individuals were merely foils in comparison.

"My Magic Power has already surpassed these four stages, reaching a realm that even I cannot fully comprehend."

The Ice and Snow Queen didn’t hide it, speaking softly.

Hearing this, Wang Xi was inwardly stunned.

’Teacher Isabella’s value just keeps going up. Her power is far greater than Old Guild Master Wei Xuan’s from the Main World.’

"Teacher, you have clearly surpassed the mundane framework of cultivation, yet you are still willing to enlighten your student. This dedication to exploring the essence of Magic is truly admirable."

Wang Xi stood up and bowed to Isabella.

His expression was incredibly sincere, his eyes clear and respectful.

"Perhaps it is precisely because you have always maintained such a state of mind that you were able to reach a realm that astonishes even yourself—like the pure joy of children building a snowman for the first time, regardless of its appearance or sturdiness, but simply for the sake of witnessing a miracle born from ice and snow."

"In my eyes, you have not only created a miracle, but you have become a miracle yourself."

"..."

Isabella quietly watched the young man.

Her expression barely changed, but Wang Xi’s perception was very sharp, and he keenly caught the faint hint of a smile on her face.

’No matter how aloof the Ice and Snow Queen is, she can’t resist sincere praise—especially when it’s heartfelt praise from a genius who shares her gifted constitution.’

Wang Xi seized the opportunity to ask another question:

"Teacher, I have another question. After my first meditation, I felt an unparalleled pleasure... Is this an effect of all Meditation Techniques, or is it a characteristic of the [Frost Winter Meditation Technique]?"

"..."

Hearing this, a flicker of an unnatural expression crossed Isabella’s face, but it vanished quickly.

"It has nothing to do with the Meditation Technique," she said flatly. "That is because of the Ice Heart Curse... After absorbing a large amount of Magic Power at once, both the soul and body will feel immense satisfaction."

"Only Ice Heart People can experience this kind of pleasure from meditation. For an ordinary Caster, meditation is an extremely tedious and painful affair."

"?!"

Wang Xi was stunned.

’So that’s how it is!’

’No wonder the Woodland Fairy, Betina, once said that many of the world’s strongest are Ice Heart People... If cultivation isn’t painful at all, but instead feels amazing, how could you not become strong?’

’I’m so screwed!’

’I’m addicted to meditation, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to quit!’

...

...

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Wang Xi didn’t go anywhere, staying on the snowy mountain to learn Magic from Isabella.

He listened to lectures during the day and meditated at night.

Although the days of study were simple, they were fulfilling.

During this time, Wang Xi didn’t use his Experience Library even once, relying entirely on his own effort and sweat to train hard.

Although Isabella was aloof and taciturn, she would patiently answer Wang Xi’s questions every time.

Under her guidance, Wang Xi found that the Star Promotion progress for his [Frost Winter Meditation Technique] and [Snow King] Cards was increasing incredibly fast.

In just ten days, the experience bar for [Frost Winter Meditation Technique] was already over halfway, at "280/500," while [Snow King] was at "365/400."

For the first time, Wang Xi experienced the unparalleled joy of training under the double buff of being a genius with a master teacher.

If he could, he would have loved to stay on the snowy mountain forever, grinding in this Fairy Tale Otherworld until he was ridiculously overpowered before coming down.

Unfortunately.

After ten days, the Ice and Snow Queen stopped teaching him.

...

...

"I have led you into the Magic Domain and taught you what I can... The rest of the path is yours to walk, to explore and measure for yourself."

In the Ice Crystal Hall, Isabella said coolly.

As she spoke, she waved her hand.

A crystal-clear, fingertip-sized droplet of ice flew into Wang Xi’s hand.

"Teacher, this is...?"

"My Ice Magic," Isabella said. "You can’t master it yet. Only after you’ve entered the next stage will you be qualified to learn and cast it. It will protect you."

Wang Xi looked down.

"[You have discovered a Magic Rune Secret Technique!]"

"[Do you wish to accept ’Isabella’s’ teaching and capture this ability?]"

’Yes.’

The small ice droplet shone with a blue light, coalescing into a ball of light and flying into the space between Wang Xi’s eyebrows.

’A Blue Card!’

’Another gift from my treasure of a teacher!’

"I will never forget your kindness, Teacher."

Wang Xi carefully put away the ice droplet and bowed.

This wasn’t acting; it was pure emotion.

He expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

Isabella nodded slightly. She hesitated, about to say something, but suddenly looked outside the castle and said calmly:

"Your friends... are here again."

With that, she waved her hand, turned, and ascended the Ice Crystal stairs, leaving without another word.

Wang Xi remained in his bowing posture, his head slightly lowered.

Only after the Ice and Snow Queen’s figure completely disappeared up the stairs did he straighten up.

’Friends?’

’It must be Pinocchio.’

Wang Xi thought to himself as he walked quickly out of the castle.

About a hundred meters away, two figures were being blocked by a small, localized blizzard, unable to take even half a step forward.

Wang Xi looked closely and saw it was Pinocchio and Goddalir. Both were covered in snow and frost, looking quite disheveled.

The blizzard only stopped when he drew closer.

"Gai!"

The girl in the gray dress and the black-haired boy shouted in unison. They looked delighted and emotional.

"This is the fourth time Goddalir and I have come to the snowy mountain to find you, but we always have bad luck and get blocked by a sudden blizzard... We finally get to see you today!"

Pinocchio seemed completely unaffected by the bitter cold. His exquisite, porcelain doll-like face was still fair, and he wore a radiant smile.

Goddalir, standing to the side with red-rimmed eyes, could no longer hold back her feelings and threw herself into Wang Xi’s arms, hugging him tightly.

"Gai, are you okay? I haven’t heard anything about you for over half a year, I thought..."

Listening to the girl’s choked sobs, Wang Xi felt a warm, damp patch spread across his black silk shirt. Her body was trembling, and he couldn’t tell if it was from emotion or from the cold due to her frail constitution.

He could clearly feel Goddalir’s feverish body heat, as well as her heart full of worry and joy—that complex yet sincere emotion moved him.

’The snowy mountain isn’t easy to climb.’

’Even I had to expend a great deal of effort to get up the mountain, exhausting a lot of stamina and ending up completely worn out... let alone a fledgling Witch like Goddalir.’

’Without Pinocchio accompanying her, she might have fainted halfway up, or even frozen to death.’

"Don’t worry, I’m fine now."

Wang Xi comforted her, patting her on the back.

"It’s all thanks to Her Majesty Isabella for saving me. For the past six months, I’ve been fighting the Ice Heart Curse, but I’ve completely overcome it now. You don’t have to worry about it anymore..."

"Really, Gai?!" Goddalir lifted her head from his embrace, her face, dotted with snowflakes and red from the cold, full of pleasant surprise. "You’re not just saying that to comfort me, are you..."

"Gai isn’t lying, you know."

Pinocchio put his hands behind his back, tilted his head up, and sniffed the air.

"I can smell the scent of sincerity."

"That’s wonderful!"

Goddalir was overjoyed.

Wang Xi raised his hand and used a Card to conjure the [Wind Breath Cloak], draping it over the girl’s shoulders.

He then raised his hand again to gently brush the snowflakes from her cheeks and hair, smiling as he said:

"Thank you for trekking all this way through the mountains to find me."

"It’s nothing, Gai..."

Goddalir’s heart warmed. She clutched the black Cloak with her small hands and smiled sweetly.

"As long as I can see you, it’s all worth it."

"Mmm-hmm."

Pinocchio circled the two, his nostrils flaring slightly, and spoke with great solemnity:

"Goddalir isn’t lying either. I smell the scent of sincerity again... It’s like Miss Bev’s candy, a little cloyingly sweet."

"..."

Instantly, Goddalir’s already flushed face turned so red it looked like it was about to bleed.