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Chapter 49: 16: Encased in Ice
Shadow Swamp, blizzard.
"Where did that wizard come from?! Why is he attacking us?!"
"Where’s the mentor? Where is the mentor?!"
"Get out of here! We’re going to die here!"
Panic-stricken screams echoed constantly within the Wizard Tower, as apprentices clad in black cloaks scattered like leaves in the wind. Once arrogant and untouchable, their faces now were overtaken by sheer terror, resembling a herd of frightened lambs.
The source of this fear was rooted in the sky.
In the heights above, a witch dressed in an ice-blue gown stood in the void, her figure flickering amidst the raging snowstorm, her long hair whipped wildly by the wind.
A long magic wand circled her side as she softly chanted ancient spells.
Suddenly, the storm intensified!
The already fierce winds turned into a whirlwind of fury, as though the wrath of the world manifested at this very moment. Snowflakes ceased to gently fall, transforming instead into razor-sharp blades of ice, while the gales roared like an enraged beast, carrying boundless cold and destruction in all directions.
Wherever the storm rampaged, all was mercilessly decimated and frozen. Terrifying undead guards, mighty Transformed Knights, and steadfast Magic Statue Guards—all fell victim.
These once-powerful magical lives that could fend off armies or even destroy kingdoms were rendered pitifully fragile in the face of the storm, frozen into deathly ice sculptures before rapidly disintegrating into shards amidst the tempest.
At last, the storm passed, and sunlight once again bathed the earth.
Gone was the once-dreaded swamp that ruled the kingdom; in its place lay only a frozen world blanketed in thick snow and ice.
Shortly thereafter, Shadow Swamp, Wizard Tower.
Sirena descended silently onto the plaza in front of the Wizard Tower, her slender and graceful figure devoid of any semblance of strength; from her appearance alone, no one could have fathomed she was the architect of this snowy devastation.
"My Lady!"
At that moment, Harak, the captain of the black-robed Law Enforcement Team, stepped forward, furrowing his brow as he reported, "We still haven’t found traces of the Black Wizard. He seems to have escaped."
Confusion flickered across Harak’s expression as he spoke; after all, before the battle, they had set up barriers around the swamp ahead of time. Yet, so far, they’d sensed no indication that the Black Wizard left the vicinity.
Not found in the swamp, no signs of escape from the barrier—could it be that he was never here to begin with?
"Understood," Sirena responded coldly, her expression indifferent. To her, her mission was simply to destroy this place—everything else was irrelevant.
Harak shook off his stray thoughts and continued his report: "Additionally, we found some apprentices inside the Wizard Tower. What should we do with them?"
According to convention, these apprentices would typically be taken back for judgment: those found guilty would face punishment, while those with lighter offenses would have their Spiritual Seas destroyed and be sent back to the mortal world. If talented and valuable, they might be absorbed into the Tower.
But Sirena’s approach was much simpler.
Her gaze shifted to a nearby Death Spirit Ice Sculpture, a hint of disdain flashing in her icy eyes.
"Kill them all."
She dropped the two words without a hint of compromise, then transformed into an icy gale and disappeared.
...
Shadow Tower, Star Language Manor.
The banquet venue was Star Language Manor, a magical manor located on the eastern side of the Shadow Land, designated for apprentice activities. Whenever indoor events or banquets were held, it was usually chosen.
"Hurry up, Kane, I don’t want to be late for my first appearance as an Inner Ring Apprentice." Jessica jumped off the carriage and urged Kane, who was still stuck inside, dragging his feet.
"Ugh, you’re such a nagging old witch."
"What did you say?!"
"Uh, nothing... I said, let’s go inside quickly so we don’t keep everyone waiting."
Kane muttered something under his breath but was immediately caught by the sharp-eared Jessica. Before her arched brows could rise in anger, he swiftly changed the subject and sprinted towards the manor ahead.
"Hey, stop right there and explain yourself!" The assertive Jessica wasn’t about to let him off the hook and quickly chased after him.
The two soon disappeared into the distance, leaving Lynch trailing at the back.
He walked forward slowly, taking in his surroundings. Star Language Manor was considered high-end in the Shadow Land; the rental fee for a single evening in its banquet hall cost hundreds to thousands of Magic Stones. This was Lynch’s first time here.
The first thing that caught his eye was a path paved with shimmering Starlight Stones. On either side of the path flourished vibrant Magic Plants: flowers emitting a faint glow that illuminated the road; fruit imbued with magical brilliance, exuding a soothing fragrance.
At the end of the path stood an intricate Magic Fountain, where water-element figures joyfully played hand in hand amidst the streams. n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
Close to the fountain was a white palace-like building with a gothic structure. Its roof, covered in a magical silver-white sheen, was made of weatherproof tiles that ensured a comfortable indoor climate year-round, regardless of outside weather conditions.
Gentle music drifted from the building, and solidified elements of sound, like tangible notes, danced in the air like cheerful little elves.
"Formal wear? But we didn’t prepare suits! Weren’t we told it was a welcoming event? We thought cloaks would be enough."
"It’s too late to go back for a change now."
Jessica and Kane were blocked at the manor’s entrance, seemingly caught in some predicament. Lynch quickly stepped forward and asked, "What’s the problem?"
Kane turned his head, motioning to the front. "That rabbit isn’t letting us in, saying we need formal wear. Ridiculous! No one told us this beforehand!"
At the direction Kane pointed stood a man-sized rabbit dressed in a black tailcoat, wearing a monocle, topped with a tall gentleman’s hat—a sharp and proper but unusual appearance.
Is this... the Hapi Clan?
Lynch eyed the rabbit that seemed like it had walked out of a fairy tale. This creature belonged to the Hapi Clan, part of the Forest Inhabitants—a race without extraordinary abilities or talents yet envied by many for their human-like intelligence.
"What are we supposed to do now? It’s too late to go back! Do you know how much effort we put into preparing for this banquet?" Jessica planted her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest as she fiercely argued with the rabbit.
"Can you all let me finish speaking? Interrupting others is rude and might make you miss something crucial." The rabbit spoke slowly, gesturing toward something nearby.
A circular stone slab inscribed with runes rested on the grass nearby, roughly a meter in diameter—just large enough for one person to stand atop.
Lynch raised an eyebrow: so that’s the solution.
Jessica continued squabbling with the rabbit. "I see it—a slab. What’s your point? Are you trying to say we should learn to be smooth and adaptable like the slab? I don’t want a lecture—I want a solution! Solve the problem!"
By then, Lynch had already stepped onto the slab. The runes etched on its surface glowed brightly, illuminating his garments, which twisted and warped rapidly.
The light faded, leaving Lynch’s cloak nowhere in sight. Instead, he now wore a formal outfit.
An ornate white-collared shirt under a long maroon coat, fitted black trousers below, polished black boots on his feet, and a tall gentleman’s hat completing the ensemble—a dignified image of a nobleman.
Lynch turned to Jessica and Kane, explaining, "It’s a Changing Slab. Stand on it, and visualize the attire you want—it’ll switch for you."
He’d come across this detail in the apprentice manual during his last visit to Netta.
"You should’ve said so earlier!"
Jessica cast an annoyed glance at the rabbit and marched over with her small boots clicking loudly against the ground.
The rabbit simply sighed, silently lamenting: did I even have the chance to speak?
On the slab, Jessica spun her cloak in a circle. A radiant burst of light engulfed her, and when it cleared, she now wore a pink, puffy gown adorned with a ruby necklace on her chest, her hair elegantly swept up—graceful and regal.
"Now this is more like it."
Jessica nodded approvingly, then walked up to Lynch with a playful smile. "Well, noble gentleman, do you require a lady’s accompaniment for tonight’s banquet?"
Lynch straightened his posture and extended his right arm politely, revealing a crook of his elbow. "It would be my honor."
"Ahaha!"
Laughter like melodious music spilled from Jessica as she slipped her hand through Lynch’s arm, the two strolling together toward the banquet hall.
"Hey, wait for me..."
As they stepped into the banquet hall, its dazzling light caused Lynch to squint momentarily, his vision gradually adapting to the brightness.
Before him unfolded a fantastical banquet shimmering with magic...
