Chapter 22: The Spring That Broke the Ice
In the blink of an eye, weeks passed. Alvin and I made great progress. Our language skills improved, our magic combat system broadened by the day, and we grew closer.
We still hadn't figured out how to form a circle yet.
Food was no problem anymore, as we built traps in the vicinity to catch small prey.
Our days passed with relative ease. Each day we improved, becoming stronger and more resourceful. We made clothing from all the hides and furs—which protected us from the cold. The climate on the mountain began to shift as well; it grew warmer. The snow didn't disappear, but it lessened.
Alvin told me that we were probably the last humans still on the mountain, as the others had planned to leave from the start and get in touch with the local communities.
---
On one particular night, Korr, the god of strength, appeared in our dreams.
"Warriors, today marks the day everyone has unlocked their Magic Core," Korr said with his thundering voice.
"Your existence was still unknown to the world just a few hours ago. We revealed ourselves to the only Archmage and gave him a revelation. He announced to the world: The gods have summoned heroes into this world to fight the Demon King with us," Korr explained, looking at some of us with a smile.
"Your next goal is to grow stronger. When you all reach the age of fifteen, you shall make your way to the Academia. It is a place that nurtures young talents like yourselves. It is located above the Magic Tower, where the principal, the Archmage, awaits your arrival."
"We recommend that you not worry about forming circles or engraving runes until then, as everything important will be explained there. You could ruin your foundation if you do something wrong so early on."
Korr seemed finished with his explanation, but opened his mouth again, his gaze lingering on some of us:
"Don't slack on your progress—grow stronger."
With that last sentence still echoing in my ear, I woke up.
---
I pulled the blanket aside and equipped my clothes and weapons.
As I opened the door, a fresh breeze greeted me. Winter was over. Spring had arrived.
I took a deep breath and stretched—my body shaking off the weariness.
Looking around, I saw Alvin open his hut's door, too.
We both walked toward each other.
Alvin was the first to speak:
"Good morning, Nestor. You had that dream, too, right?"
I replied, "Good morning, Alvin. Yes, I dreamed of Korr as well."
Alvin grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
Then he added, "We shouldn't worry about forming our circles yet, right?"
I nodded in response.
"That means we can fully focus on awakening Sword Aura now," he said with anticipation.
I smiled at him, muttering while resting my chin on my hand:
"That's right. Any clues on how to unlock Sword Aura?"
"Not yet—except what Eris told us," he answered.
"Then we'll have to figure it out ourselves," Alvin quickly added.
---
We then separated and began our daily routine. Alvin trained his body, endurance, and stamina, while I practiced throwing daggers and enhancing my own stamina.
In the evening, we ate together like always. I couldn't contain my curiosity anymore and finally asked him:
"What does your Magic Core look like?"
Alvin almost choked on his meat. He seemed caught off guard—he clearly hadn't expected that question.
He hesitated for a bit before answering:
"It's mainly icy blue and dark blue, but it also contains some big dots of red, green, and brown. How about yours?"
I looked him in the eyes as I described mine:
"Its primary color is gray. Small brown, green, and red dots are scattered far apart, but there are no blue dots. The whole core emits an azure-like glow."
Alvin seemed lost in thought and asked:
"Does that mean you can't cast water, ice, or snow magic?"
I nodded.
Alvin looked like he wanted to ask more questions. His mouth opened and closed a few times.
"What is it, Alvin?"
He fiddled with his hands and looked at the tree I had felled last night.
"What is that gray element of yours?" he asked, clearly impressed by the destruction my spell had caused.
"I don't know its real name, but I'd personally call it lunar—like the moon," I explained.
Alvin stared into the fire.
"Unfair. It's not fair. Why don't I have an affinity with such a cool element…" he muttered, clenching his fists. Jealousy was evident in his voice.
I frowned. My jaw tensed as I asked:
"What are you angry at?"
Alvin looked up, meeting my gaze. Anger flickered in his eyes.
"I do my best to grow stronger, I really do, but it feels like my efforts are wasted. Others with more talent or blessings just soar through the sky while I can't even take off. It's unfair… why is fate so cruel?"
To me, it seemed like Alvin faced his first real predicament. A young dragon, failing his first takeoff—and eating dirt in return.
I closed my eyes. My body relaxed as my solemn voice spoke:
"Fate is indeed cruel. Some people are born with abilities others would need decades to acquire."
Alvin looked at the fire again. His eyes dimmed as he said, fists trembling:
"Then why should I even try?"
"So you're saying that because others reach success faster, you should just quit?" I asked. Before he could answer, I added, fury lighting my eyes:
"Nonsensical talk of the weak. You think you're the only one who ever struggled? Power doesn't come by easy. You can't blame fate alone for your failures. You must learn to accept the fact that others will pass you by. What really matters is: will you let that destroy you or will you use it to fuel your resolve?"
Alvin's shrill voice full of frustration cut me off. He stood up, eyes teary and red. "How could you possibly understand? You're one of those 'chosen ones'. One of those blessed geniuses! While I've been struggling to even take a single step forward, you've already been racing ahead. Getting stronger. Ahead of me. And now you even have that... that lunar affinity. So I ask you again—how the hell could you understand how I feel?"
My body lost its vitality. His words hit harder than I expected.
My tired eyes pierced through Alvin. Alvin's pain wasn't just in his words. It was the way his body tensed, the way his fists clenched, aa his shoulders shaked with the weight of it all. I didn't know how to answer at first, but then I quietly spoke up. My voice, weary and cracked, said:
"I… already died a coward once."
I stopped for a moment and met his eyes.
"I had abandoned… my ambitions. I told myself it was for duty… but in the end, I only died full of regret. I then drifted for an eternity in a void, questioning every single choice I had made— despairing. So how could I not understand how you feel? You're frustrated, thinking you're weak. Powerless. But feeling that way—blaming others—will only cause you to wither."
Alvin froze, his angry expression tensed. His eyes flickered with something softer. For the first time, he looked... vulnerable.
I saw his fists unclench slowly, but his face remained full of tension. His voice came out strained, raw with emotion.
"But why do they get to soar so high while I'm still stuck in the dirt? It's not fair…"
I stared at him, my voice lowering, while drifting into thought.
"That's the point. Life isn't remotely fair. But it was never about fairness—it's about choice. You can let the unfairness destroy you whole, or you can use it as fuel to push yourself further. Stopping yourself for others is stupid."
"Only by living with your best effort will you avoid dying with a heart full of regret."
---
I heard soft sobs from across the fire. Alvin's face was soaked with tears that sizzled as they touched the flames. Sniffling, he mumbled:
"I... I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Nestor. I've just... I don't know what to do anymore."
It was silent for a while. I then spoke again. My voice was softer now.
"The only thing you can do is keep going. And don't let regret be the only thing you take with you from today. Keep fighting, Alvin. For yourself and your ambitions."
He wiped his face with his sleeve, cheeks flushed red.
But in his eyes, I saw it again—that same resolve and perseverance I had seen the first time we met.
"You'll never catch me lamenting this unfair world again," Alvin said with determination.
My eyes glowed softly. I nodded at his words.
We didn't speak for the rest of the night. We simply sat in silence, looking up at the moon.
"I... I am such an... idiot! So...sorry, Nestor." He wiped his remaining tears away with his sleeve, his face was slightly red.
His eyes finally showed the same resolution and persevernce as the First time I saw him.
"You will never get to me lamenting this unfair world again." Alvin said in resolution.
My eyes glowed softly as I nodded at his statement.
Nobody of us said anything for the rest of the night again as we just looked up towards the moon.