The door closed softly behind them. Leon was startled. Although from the outside the room appeared small, the interior was vast—a space stretching out like a palace hall, with a ceiling too high to see. Yet, what was more surprising was the temperature.
"Brrr... It's freezing!" Leon exclaimed, his breath immediately condensing into white mist. He tightened his coat, but the freezing air seemed to penetrate his bones.
"The temperature in this room has been adjusted to an extreme level to train Raina's development," Arthur explained as he walked ahead. "Follow me."
They walked across a floor of glittering ice, surrounded by naturally formed ice pillars. After walking for a while, they arrived at a transparent barrier like glass, but made of extremely dense ice. On the other side, sitting calmly atop a lotus-shaped ice formation, was Raina.
The little fox girl sat cross-legged, her eyes closed in deep concentration. Her normally soft white hair now shimmered with fine ice crystals. More striking were her arms and shoulders—her skin seemed frozen, forming patterns like natural ice crystals fused with her body. Yet, her expression was calm, as if this were something normal.
"Raina..." Leon whispered, worried.
"Don't worry, Leon. She is trying to control her power," Arthur said in a low voice. "She is training her body to withstand and regulate this extreme temperature. This is the way to make her body a strong enough vessel to contain the pure ice power she inherited."
Leon observed carefully. Despite appearing frozen, Raina's breathing remained steady, and there was even a faint, pulsing pale blue aura around her. "Is there a way to help her control it better?"
"There is," Arthur replied, turning to Leon.
"She needs to consume two types of rare plants processed into stabilizing pills."
"What plants? Where can we get them?" Leon asked immediately.
Arthur held up two fingers. "First, Solaris Ignis." He began describing it in detail. "This flower does not have ordinary petals, but hard, shimmering protective leaves like heated gold, arranged in a cone shape. In the center, there is a cluster of glowing stamens, radiating light and warmth like miniature embers. It blooms only under direct, blazing sunlight, and its scent is like warm wood and sun-baked stone."
"Where does it grow?"
"At the summit of an active volcano. Its roots penetrate very deep, aggressively absorbing sunlight and storing heat to protect itself from the extreme cold at high altitudes."
"And the second?"
"Luna Glacies," Arthur continued. "This flower has thin, transparent petals like ice crystals, reflecting light like a prism. Its center is a deep indigo blue. This flower does not bloom, but crystallizes perfectly on the coldest nights. Its scent is like mint and the air after snowfall. A touch that is too warm will cause it to wilt and shatter."
"And this grows on..."
"High mountain slopes perpetually covered in freezing mist. It absorbs moonlight and moisture from the frigid air. The layer of ice surrounding it is part of its body."
Leon nodded, digesting the information. "They sound extremely rare. How are they harvested? It must not be simple."
"Exactly," Arthur affirmed, his face serious.
"Harvesting them requires someone who has mastered high-level fire and ice magic,who can solidify their mana and completely coat their body with those elements. Without this, a person touching Solaris Ignis could burn to ash, while one touching Luna Glacies would freeze into an ice statue in an instant."
Leon fell silent, his mind working quickly. "Someone who has mastered high-level fire and ice... That's not a common combination. Even among powerful races, it's very rare."
Arthur seemed to read the confusion on Leon's face. "I know where you can find such a person."
"Where?" Leon asked, hopeful.
"There is a human," Arthur answered, "born with the rare ability to naturally master both of those elements.They live in one of the cities. However, finding them will be difficult. They are a reclusive person, shunned by their community because their ability is considered a curse."
Leon was shocked. "A curse? How could such a powerful ability be considered a curse? Isn't it an extremely rare talent?"
"For you and some races, yes. But for many humans and even some orthodox sacred races, possessing more than one element is considered a deviation, an attempt to mimic the gods who possess many powers. Those like that are often seen as strange, bringers of calamity, and... should be eradicated."
"Another absurd rule created by the gods!" Leon snarled, clenching his fist.
"Alright.I will find them. I will bring that person to help get those plants."
Arthur smiled, seeing the determination in Leon's eyes. "Let's go outside."
After leaving the ice room, Leon bid Arthur farewell to rest in his room. Before parting, Arthur said, "Tomorrow, meet me in the training room. I want to see how far your progress has come."
"Alright," Leon replied, waving.
---
The next day, after preparing, Leon hurried to the spacious training room. Upon arrival, he heard the sounds of impact and training shouts. It turned out Sylphine and Veylin were sparring against Zephyr. Sylphine was nimbly dodging while launching attacks, while Veylin used her sight to predict Zephyr's movements. The atmosphere seemed serious yet full of spirit.
Leon smiled watching them, then picked up a practice sword. He swung it a few times, feeling its balance and weight. His eyes scanned the area, looking for Arthur, who hadn't appeared yet.
A few minutes later, Arthur finally arrived, with Kazan by his side.
"Sorry I'm late," Arthur said. "I had a brief discussion with Kazan."
"It's fine," Leon replied. "So, how do you want to see my progress?"
"A spar," Arthur stated simply.
Leon was surprised. "A fight? Against you? Arthur, that's impossible. Our strength levels are far apart."
Arthur smiled. "Relax. I'll hold back." Before Leon could object, Arthur raised his hand. Whoosh! A layer of bluish protective energy suddenly enveloped Leon's body from head to toe, feeling like an invisible suit of armor.
"This will limit the damage and help you sense the flow of my energy," Arthur explained. "Now, how about you use your new sword? To make it more interesting."
Leon nodded. He manifested his sword in his hand.
The two of them took their positions, facing each other in the center of the training room. Sylphine, Veylin, and Zephyr, noticing this, immediately stopped their own training and observed from the sidelines.
Leon took his stance, his sword pointed forward. However, he noticed something. Arthur was simply standing upright, his empty hands raised at his sides. He wasn't holding any weapon.
"Arthur," Leon called out, confused. "Where is your weapon?"
Arthur only smiled wider, his eyes gleaming with challenge.
"Let's begin."
=== CHAPTER 50 END ===