A Beaten Path

by Krosrodes

Never did he thought that a world seen through a screen would be so terrifying when experienced first-hand. But heroes arise from their lowest points to conquer the highest peaks, being from simple survival, emperors making the world bend to their will or themselves. Will our hero emerge victorious with a defining howl, claiming his prize? Or will he succumb to the road ahead? (SI)

4. Chapter 4 - Into the Wolf's den

Well, last night was certainly something. I outdrank both Sully and Vaike, found out the Shepherds were looking for me because I killed those four bandits, while also finding out the ice I conjured was unbreakable and didn't melt unless I broke it myself with magic.

You would think that would be it, but no. On top of that, I was invited to the Shepherds, but I declined the offer. Not only I wasn't ready, but Frederick wouldn't approve of me joining the Shepherds out of the blue. I didn't know how Robin got a free pass, but I was pretty sure Frederick would remedy that.

I didn't expect all of that to happen.

Also, just several hours ago when I was still in Ylisstol, I scared the living daylights out of Robin, by saying something while having no idea how she would react. I was one giant asshole with that last one, I was going to apologize to her when I have the chance if I ever get one.

I could see that my attitude wasn't doing Robin any favors either. If I am going to continue like this being all vague and all, it will leave me with more enemies to deal with, and having her of all people as an enemy won't help my chances.

Oh well, the conversation we had in the tavern left on a much better note, even if I got myself into a drinking contest with Vaike and Sully. They probably will want revenge when we meet again.

As for my travels, it's the first day of many while I was on my way towards Ferox. And what better place to steel yourself than a place filled with warriors. I didn't know for how long this journey would take, but after some information gathering I was able to conduct, it normally takes two weeks to reach the border on foot from Ylisstol.

Boy, did I have a long road ahead of me.

At least I had more books with me this time to keep me entertained, but as much as I wanted to praise my bag for being efficient, I had to buy another one.

The amount of money I spent in that market was insane, two gold pieces to be exact. Not only it won't last me the whole two weeks, but taking detours will be a necessity, meaning it could take me more than that to just get to the border.

And when I thought I had everything planned out, the one thing that kept everything from continuing smoothly was travel time.

Nightfall was coming soon, and I was able to pick a decent spot for camping and afford a small tent, meaning rain or snowfall won't be a problem in the future. The process was the same as always; gather enough firewood for the night, check my surroundings before lighting up the fire with magical sparks and either read, do some training with my sword, or work on my magic muscles.

It was as rudimentary as it got, but there are several things I was able to learn about when I was reading the other book I bought back in Southtown and from Robin as well. For someone who had amnesia, she knew quite a lot about magic.

Now that I mentioned her amnesia, I didn't know if she had it or not. I haven't met any Risen or 'Marth' yet, meaning I could be in the doomed timeline. God, I hope that wasn't the case. Having to live with that you will die no matter what in the future was not something I needed right now. Killing those bandits back near the village was enough for me now, even if Chrom did ease the guilt a little.

Reading my book in near silence, with the wood crackling and the breeze lightly picking up in strength, brushing itself against the campfire, making many sparks fly across the wind, made me calm and relaxed. Honestly, if I wasn't going to Ferox to get stronger then I would just be camping inside the woods as much as I could.

Having a proper resting place allowed me to enjoy this more since I was getting tired of sleeping without something over my head.

I started to hear footsteps, echoing in the woods. I immediately perked up and scanned my surroundings but found no one around, probably because the campfire emitting light was reducing my vision range.

I heard them again, from my left side more clearly, probably getting closer, but not close enough for me to see them. I picked up my tome from my holster and brushed my hand against the text for the flame and launched the fireball in the general direction where I heard the footsteps. My blood ran cold from what the fireball revealed, two literal corpses walking among the living, Risen.

"Shit." I knew I was going to battle these things eventually, but never did I think I would encounter them on my first day. The Risen were turned around to see where the fireball was going and soon turned back to me with their glowing red eyes.

That probably wasn't the best choice, but I needed to see them. I pulled out Hielobjerg and went to my defensive stance, I didn't know how resilient they were, so I had to be careful. I summoned a small fire to fly around me to give myself some form of light because the campfire wasn't enough. I pocketed my tome back to its holster and waited for them to act.

One of them slowly stumbled to me, like it was trying to learn how to walk. It got closer and then let out a piercing inhuman roar while black smoke escaped from its mouth. It suddenly started sprinting, almost as fast as an athlete, and aimed at me with an overhead slash with a greatsword of all weapons.

Its strike was faster than I expected, but I was able to dodge away and when I checked where the great sword hit the ground, there was a small crater created from the impact.

"Better not get hit by that," I muttered. Seeing the Risen being able to use such a big weapon with this amount of speed was frightening, but it was slow enough for me to react to.

The second Risen, wielding a much smaller sword, interrupted my thoughts with a quick lunge, forcing me to block the strike, forcing me to a deadlock. Sparks were forming from the power struggle and I thought from how this Risen looked lean they wouldn't be that strong, but it proved me otherwise.

Our deadlock lasted long enough for the other, much bulkier Risen, to ready itself for another overhead strike.

I quickly positioned my sword to let the Risen's sword slide against it, but I miscalculated the reach of his weapon and it nicked my shoulder. Thankfully it only cut into the fabric of my coat forcing the Risen sword fighter to stumble forwards and right into my trap.

Risen's great sword came down just in time for me to disengage from the deadlock. The Risen was baffled by my movement, trying to find out what happened, but didn't get time for it. It looked at its buddy that was letting the great sword fall on him with a curious expression.

With disgusting squishing sounds of flesh and bones, the sword bludgeoned him. The head of the Risen cracked like a pinata full of candy, but instead, it was a mess of black blood and purple smoke, making one of the Risen disappear.

"Looks like they aren't intelligent at all." I thought I would be able to take the opportunity to behead the second Risen, but the death of his buddy didn't even phase him, and immediately lunged at me again with his giant sword.

I didn't even think about blocking that thing, that would leave me with broken bones at best. He again swung his sword with another overhead strike like he didn't know anything else.

I dodged the attack with a sidestep, leaving the Risen wide open for a slash at his torso and I took it. Hielobjerg sang as it cut into the rotten flesh of the Risen, ending the monster.

Or so I thought.

Seeing as the Risen didn't disappear after the slash that would kill or at least incapacitate a human being, I quickly realize that the Risen were undead and won't die unless it's a kill. From the blade being on the ground, he then cleaved around his person, his arm dislocating to cover himself entirely.

I tried to back off, but I wasn't fast enough, and the blade hit my side. The impact felt like a jolt through my entire body and cracking a few ribs as well. It launched me to a tree trunk, landing on my back, forcing air out of my lungs.

"Gah, so this… is what feels like to be in pain…." I wheezed out through the pain, that was like a million needles poking my side on the outside and inside. I knew I never was a resilient one.

My vision began to tunnel and when I tried to look up to see the Risen, I could only see a large shadow approaching me with two glowing red dots.

Looks like it was going to finish the job, but I was not going to let it. I still haven't used the fire I have floating around me. I was surprised it wasn't snuffed out yet, but I will try to use it well.

With the last ounces of strength I had left, I picked up my tome and tried to find the page where the fire spell was, but I couldn't find it even if it sounded like an easy task. The last of my strength had left me, as well as the flame being snuffed out, my lifeline fading away.

"Damn it, is this it? Dying to some runaway Risen? Damn, I really am pathetic…" When I looked back at the sword and the tome Alexander gave me, all I felt was anger and resentment towards him, but it quickly faded away towards acceptance.

Maybe going out wouldn't be so bad. I wouldn't have to worry about the present or the future. Nobody would remember me anyway; I would be just another casualty in the masses.

…

"You do that friend, you will be welcomed to the Shepherds when the time comes. As for when it comes, be ready by then." Chrom's words echoed in my head. Why, why these specific words? I won't be able to keep my promise anyway.

…

No, as much as I wanted to lay down and let it all go, I won't. That wasn't me. When I said that no matter the obstacle, I will be able to overcome it, I meant it. Even if I was at death's door, I will push forward.

"Unlike my father, I will push FORWARD!"

Even with my newly founded second wind, I still am unable to move from my spot, but that didn't stop me from picking up my tome again and I tried to find the page where the flames are, but I couldn't find it, because of my tunnel vision. However, I was able to spot something else in the tome.

They were some sort of purple lines forming on an empty page, but what was I supposed to do with them?

Wait...

The ley lines! They were forming into something resembling a script to a spell!

"From what I know, you don't have to use ink and a quill to follow the ley lines. You just need to trace them with your finger wrapped in some mana and the pages will remember what you traced there. It even looks like ink, but there is a caveat to it. If you messed it up, not only the spell won't work, but it is permanent as well, and you could waste a page in your personal tome." This time it was Robin's words echoed in my mind. Well, never did I think that those two conversations would be my lifelines.

Life had a strange way of sending messages.

I started to wrap my mana around my right index finger and started to trace the ley lines inside the book. I winced in pain again from my side and I could see that the figure was still looming over me, ready to finish the deed.

"Come on, don't lose the rest of the focus I could muster!"

Seconds become minutes, minutes become eternity and the monster's shadow increased in height, probably readying its great sword to strike me down. I finished the last ley line and both of my hands slumped down from exhaustion, but surprisingly the book stayed afloat like it was ready to let the new spell loose.

The Risen shadow was lowering with every moment, the sword coming down with it. I couldn't make contact with the tome physically, but mentally I could. I created a link to it by sending a signal and the tome started to suck all of my mana and I let it build as much as I could before disconnecting from the tome and shouting words that came to me after tracing the spell.

"Remorseless Winter!" And the effect was instantaneous. Instead of a small snowstorm forming around my hand when I cast the ice shards, it formed around my entire body and made shield-like protection.

The sword didn't connect and instead of bouncing off of my newly formed protection, the Risen froze in place, like a morbid statue, but I wasn't able to inspect it for long. Casting the spell took a huge toll on me and I began to fall asleep on the spot, but before I did so I used the very last of my strength to uncork one vulnerary and drink some of it before the darkness took over my eyes and I hoped that there will be a tomorrow for me to wake up to.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

Yet again, I was met with darkness, floating in it like if gravity didn't exist. It was calm and peaceful; nothing was trespassing into this place to disturb me. That was until I started to feel my body weight, being slumped against a tree and the feeling of being alive overtook me again.

"Holy shit, I am alive!" I didn't know for how long I fell asleep, but that wasn't important right now. At least I could be proud of myself that I survived that.

When I tried to open my eyes, I was immediately assaulted by the harsh sunlight, but somehow, I felt the sunlight was everywhere like it was reflecting from something.

I tried to stand up with decent results although my right side still ached from the fight and this time, I put my left hand to cover my eyes and block the worst of the sunlight before I slowly made out my surroundings.

I wasn't ready to see what I found around me.

"What the hell?" I muttered weakly. A parched throat was something I hated, but right now I was mesmerized by the sight.

The area around me was frozen, literally.

When I stepped on the grass it broke like glass, the tree where I was slumped, had leaves that would break just as easily and its trunk had a glossy layer of frost, I could even spot a few glaciers as big as a small child. The ice was making small sounds like that of a jingle bell, like I was in some sort of cave.

When I scanned for the Risen that tried to end my life, I could only find a broken statue on the ground, hollow of its contents. This was solid ten meters in diameter of frozen ground around me.

Did… Did I do all of this?

I just hope I will be able to turn it back to normal, I didn't need rumors spreading around, talking about a man being able to do all of this, they would give me a weird nickname too.

I was pleasantly surprised that my things were still inside the tent that I have set up. I thought that someone would steal something because me being asleep, but I guess I got lucky yet again.

I went back to the place where I used my new spell, and I had no idea how to get rid of this mess. When it's just the ice arrow, I can break it using magic, but I didn't think I will be able to do that now, since it's on a much larger scale.

I tried to make it shatter by trying methods like thinking of the ice shattering, saying it inside my head or out loud, but nothing seemed to happen. Maybe there is a way to reverse the spell?

I checked my tome where the new script for the spell is, but it was pretty much the same mess as the other spells, so a person couldn't understand it, or at least I couldn't. Let's try to melt the ice with fire magic.

I conjured myself a fireball and was ready to launch it, but then I realized that I was inside the forest and fire with a forest made together a forest fire. Damn, I really couldn't think far ahead.

I guessed finding a way to melt the ice efficiently was my next goal, because this irked me in many ways; I was leaving a trail for anyone to follow. That and the rumors that could spread. Now I was not someone who would shy away from intention, but a spot, where a forest was frozen during this heat attracts the wrong kind of one.

With great reluctance, I left this place behind making my way towards the closest town. I checked the sun, and it was just barely morning, meaning I either slept a whole day or didn't need that much sleep.

God, I hoped it was the latter.

Getting to the town was hard, not only having to haul these two bags, but my side still hurt from that fight. Luckily, I wasn't bleeding, the coat took the blow and the sword didn't even cut through it, but that couldn't be said about my ribs. They were almost shouting in protest and a vulnerary wouldn't help, meaning I had to hope that there would be a healer. Staff was a thing, right? I have seen Lissa in the tavern, and she looked like she would use a staff herself.

Thankfully, the town was close by and it looked big enough that they would have some sort of infirmary. I passed by some guards, they did the whole process of checking my inventory and let me inside the town and I started to ask around to find out the location of the said infirmary and I was thankful that there was one here and made my way to it.

It was in the church of this town, which didn't surprise me, but I have no idea about what the religion was like in Ylisse. All I knew was that they worship Naga, that was it.

Even though I run the risk of doing something sinful in a holy place, I wanted my ribs to be healed. If I would continue with my journey with my injuries, then I would be signing a prolonged death sentence.

I entered the church through a big set of doors, and I was greeted by a lot of white marble, almost a blinding amount. However, it looked like your typical church. Benches, few arches, pillars, colorful mosaics, and a lot of symbols were portrayed everywhere. I even spotted the Brand of the Exalt among them.

Everything was overseen by a giant statue of a woman with wings holding a gem in her hands at the other end of the church. I was quite mesmerized by the sight; I was expecting less honestly. This place looked extravagant in comparison to the town.

What I didn't notice however was a nun next to me.

When she asked me, what was I doing here, it scared me senseless, but I was able to withhold my scream. I turned around to see the nun in question and voiced my purpose.

"Hello, I was looking for the infirmary, I was injured during my travels and I need a check-up."

"Very well then, follow me." She curtly said and then led the way towards a room in the church. The infirmary was empty, nobody was laying on any of the six beds that were laid out in the room.

"Please, remove your clothes over there, put them inside this box, and lay down on one of the beds. I will call a cleric for you." She commanded me in a tone that brought no arguments, so I begrudgingly went behind a set of curtains, stripped myself of my clothes except for the pants, and put them where she told me to.

At least I knew where I was hurt, and it showed as well, there was a giant bruise on my right side, and I will be happy if it gets fixed. I laid down on the soft mattress and patiently waited for the cleric to come.

I wasn't expecting anything special to happen, somebody would come to inspect me, heal me, and be done with it, but all that luck just had to come back to bite me. When I heard another door opening leading inside the room, the cleric who would inspect me came in, and lo and behold, it was the pompous noble lady, Maribelle.

At first, no words were exchanged between us. She was just doing her job and asked me questions like "What happened?" and "Does this hurt?" when she poked me into specific spots around my ribcage.

After her assessment, she wrote down something on some parchment paper and then took out her staff and a vibrant green light started to envelop me. I was mesmerized by it before I felt my bones mend themselves together and it was not pleasant, like the staff was accelerating the process of human regeneration to an insane degree. It left me slightly tired as well.

She then wrapped my side with bandages to make sure I wouldn't move too much and when I voiced my question as to why I was tired she replied in a tone when a teacher tried to explain anything to their class.

"That is because of the side effect a staff produces. It uses the human body as a catalyst and accelerates regeneration. That is why it cannot cure illnesses, only physical injuries the body would normally be able to handle in time. Now, if you don't have any more questions, I suggest you stay here for at least a few hours to let your body rest, it wouldn't bode well for you if you didn't. Plus, all of my hard work would go to waste."

Even if I did have any, I wouldn't ask them anyway. Even without her parasol, she looked intimidating, but in a way when a noble would look down upon you, like you have to follow everything they tell you to do.

I want my body to recover so I had no choice in the matter. At least I bought myself new books, but most of them are just for me to pass the time when I didn't feel like training, or right now when I had nothing better to do.

I was reading the 'Elements of the World' again, because I got interrupted twice when reading it, once in the inn in Ylisstol and second in the forest where I got attacked by those Risen and I was finally able to finish it during my recovery.

Basically, there are three elements mages use: fire, thunder, and wind. These are the building blocks to all spells anyone can cast, are the easiest to control, and can be easily taught to other mages.

When it comes to teaching a certain element to any new mage, their affinity to any of those three elements was checked to see which ones they are most compatible with.

Wind and fire are the most common candidates, while thunder was rarer. Then there are sub-elements to each basic element and there can be mages who have an affinity to them as well, although it was extremely rare.

Plasma is a sub-element of fire. Fire burns people, duh, however since it is magic-based, you can counter it by a high amount of resistance. Plasma however behaves more like a thunder spell instead, normally thunder magic targets the nervous system of a human body by conducting many volts of electricity to overload the brain and at best paralyzes the target and needs to be treated immediately. At worst you die on the spot of course.

Plasma arced the same way as a thunder spell, but instead of volts of electricity going through the body to paralyze them, it outright burns them to ashes. Mages had a hard time categorizing if it was a thunder spell or a fire spell, they went with fire in the end.

Another was ice magic, which is the sub-element of wind. Wind works like a gale of small knives that cut into your opponent and the bigger the gale the more damage it can deal. However, if you were born with an affinity to ice, instead of a gale of blades, they form cold wind current, prohibiting the caster from conjuring wind magic.

It freezes everything around it except for the caster and could be formed into any shape they need. Ice made this way is special, because it cannot melt through normal means, nor can it be smashed to pieces by a normal weapon and it contains its coldness for a long time. Only fire magic can melt it and that is only if the mage using said magic has enough power behind it.

However, ice magic was so obscure that only a few mage families had an affinity to ice. Which begs the question as to how I could use ice magic? I did feel some connection to it when casting it instead of a fire spell, but unless I would meet someone who can help me reveal my affinity, I had no clue otherwise.

However, this book never stated that people who didn't have an affinity to other elements didn't automatically mean they couldn't conjure them, except for mages with an ice affinity. It would take a lot more effort to use any of the sub-elements.

I could try to find out my affinity with deduction, but right now a quick nap could do me some good. Since I am on a mattress, I want to savor the moment.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

Man, I never would have believed that a power nap like this could help me so much. I always thought that naps were overrated and couldn't measure up to normal sleep, but I guess I had to take that back now. After my quick nap, I was met by the same nun that scared me back when I entered the church.

"You have been sufficiently healed and rejuvenated. I would ask you to leave the infirmary." She said in a polite, but a commanding tone and I had no reason to stay here, so I put on my clothes, took my things, and left the place behind.

I was met with the church's main hall again before being assaulted with the same blinding light of the white marble, but I left the church before it was a bother. What surprised me was the person who stood right in front of me after I left the church, Maribelle, again.

"You took your time getting here, I waited for a lot longer than I would have liked. Honestly, at first glance, I have no idea what Chrom could see in you." Maribelle said with a frown. How long was she waiting for me and for what reason?

"Can I know the reason why the cleric that healed me is waiting for me?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, I have no clue as to why she would need me for something unless they want someone to keep an eye on me. That… would make a lot of sense, who knew how the Shepherds saw me.

"We have a lot to talk about over tea, and you have no room to not accept this invitation." She said with a matter-of-fact tone. Funny, I wouldn't even think about not accepting, tea was a luxury in Ylisse. One pot of tea could cost almost a whole gold coin, and sadly, that wasn't something I could currently afford.

"I would accept the invitation even if you hadn't forced me to. Tea is something I haven't enjoyed in a while and the company would surely be appreciated as well," I said in a pompous tone. I could easily act like a noble, it came so naturally to me that I made fun of myself a lot in high school.

But back to Maribelle, she looked a little surprised at my answer, probably thinking I would be harder to persuade, but then her lips curved upward and then said "Good answer, follow me.".

When we passed by the church, she led me to a secluded place, into a garden specifically. There was a laid-out table with two chairs, a pot with tea, and some pastries to go along with the tea. Of course, I moved ahead of Maribelle and prompted her to sit on one of the chairs and she obliged and sat down, then I followed suit as well on the other chair and put my things down.

Now I could have a better look at Maribelle. She has blond hair with many curls and two white ribbons strapped to her hair, with pink clothing, knee-high boots, a cravat, and her signature parasol, she completes the look of a noble's daughter through and through. She was also a lot shorter than I imagined.

"From what I heard from Chrom, you are quite the drinker of alcohol, I was expecting you to have no manners at all, but you pleasantly surprised me." She said in a more relaxed tone though the pompousness didn't leave her, and it won't leave me either. I could already tell talking to her will be fun.

"I will admit, that was an irrational decision from me, I should have declined the offer immediately from Sully and Vaike, but somebody had to put them in their place. Now, while I would enjoy this talk further, I still don't know the name of my host." I said to Maribelle and she was even more impressed with my manner of speech, looks like I caught her completely off guard.

"O-Of course, how irresponsible of me. My name is Maribelle, daughter of duke Themis. May I know the name of my guest as well?" She asked, but probably knew the answer to that already. She just did it from necessity.

"My name is Radko. It is a pleasure to meet you, Maribelle. Now, can I know the reason as to why you invited me? It isn't common to invite random people you haven't met yet to tea, although I am happy that you did." I answered and I tried the tea she brewed for us. Hm, bergamot, and cherry, with sugar as well. Not my preferred tea, but it tasted good, although it was a little too sweet for me.

"My reason was simple, I need to assess you, a future Shepherd, to see if you are any threat to my dear Lissa. What you showed in that tavern four days ago was barbaric, to say the least." She said and I almost choked on the tea I was drinking, but thankfully I was able to remain composed.

I slept for three days!? Ok, I must be careful with that spell because, if it caused me to be in a three-day coma, then optimizing the usage of the spell will be a necessity. Maybe that was why I was feeling hungry when I woke up and those pastries looked appetizing.

"As I said, that wasn't my best first impression. I just wasn't expecting to meet the Shepherds of all people." I tried to make an excuse, but I knew it wasn't good enough. When I was leaving the inn, I found out that it had a name, and it was directly named after the Shepherds.

I picked a croissant-looking thing and took a small bite. Hmm, this was good, it has been some time since I had any pastries, and this croissant didn't disappoint.

Our conversation went on for a while and we enjoyed it both. She asked some other questions like where I was going, why did I refuse the invitation to the Shepherds and my background and I was able to successfully answer all of them, but vaguely.

I didn't say the country's name nor the name of my hometown, but I did describe it to her without all of the technology of course. Then we came back to the topic of my first impression in the tavern again.

"I guess looks can be deceiving, but you should have been more careful. I was thinking that Chrom tried to recruit another barbarian who thinks with his gut instead of his brain. I am happy that you proved me otherwise." That comment hurt me a little since I did enjoy the night, and I voiced my discomfort to her with a question that I hoped she would answer truthfully while also dropping the act of a noble.

"Maribelle, have you ever needed to put on a mask to appease other people around you?"

She picked up upon my now gone noble tone and she thought for a moment to consider her answer, she then replied in a slightly slumped tone as well "Of course, it is paramount that us of a noble lineage must act the part, otherwise people would look down upon us.".

"Yes, but what if no matter what you do to please them, they still won't appreciate you? To be honest with you, I sometimes feel like there are two of me. One wants to act like a noble, just like right now, but the other wants to go to a pub and drink senseless, but no matter how much I lean on one side the other never leaves me." I said, putting down the pastry on a plate.

"When I tried to act like an idiot with a mug in hand, people would laugh with me, but when I try to be serious they won't take me so and start to think that I would be dead weight, or worse." I didn't expect myself to vent like that in front of Maribelle of all people. It looked like I struck a chord and when she looked back at me, I could sense some form of kinship.

"You are not the only one who feels like that. I too have childish desires to satisfy, but sadly that is something I cannot relish. It would only break my image and the only time I can do something uncharacteristic of me is when I am with Lissa. That is why I treasure her." She ended her explanation and silence filled the air. It took a minute for everything to settle down and then Maribelle stood up from her chair and I did so as well. We were at it for quite some time, because the sun was almost setting.

"I think we can leave the last part of our conversation behind us. Radko, I thank you for your time, it was a pleasant conversation." Maribelle then curtsied and I answered back with a bow "The feeling is mutual Maribelle. Thank you for the tea and company, we shall meet again someday."

"Indeed, we shall, farewell." She bid me farewell and I did as well, I took my things and left Maribelle before leaving the town as well while remedying my three-day nap with a few extra hours of walking.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

Two weeks, two goddamn weeks of walking, reading, training, and sometimes fighting pairs of runaway Risen later, I was finally able to reach the border of Regna Ferox. It was cold here, but thankfully I bought a lot of furs to help me tackle the cold weather and it had been working like a charm thus far.

I also like cold weather, so that was a small plus too.

As for what happened during those two weeks, nothing in particular. I trained my magic muscles and sword fighting while also getting better at fighting against Risen. Once I found a way to defeat those monsters efficiently, it almost became a chore and not a threat until I will face something like a Deadlord. Hopefully, that won't come any time soon.

The spell I used back two weeks ago to save myself and abruptly put me in a three-day coma, was now safe for me to use. It was a literal lifeline and it worked like a shield that protects me excellently and freezes everything around me.

The only problem with that spell was its cost. Now I could only use it in short bursts and roughly only two times without some rest in between. I could also use it as a mini-nuke, but that would need all of my mana, rendering me to using my sword after that. It had results when I tried it.

The only problem was that I still haven't found an efficient way to get rid of the ice and using a fireball I had in my tome was inefficient, so I would use it only as a last resort.

As to how the border looked, just seeing the Longfort spanned to both sides without me being able to see both ends of it was intimidating. It is made from stone, just like a lot of other walls, but it was distinctively darker than in Ylisse. With one massive gate blocking the entrance and many posts to check for intruders. I could safely say you have to pass the guards and hope they will let you in.

A small lump in my stomach formed from anxiety. If they won't let me in, then I would have to find a different way to the Shepherds. Chrom already invited me once, meaning it won't be hard getting there a second time, but it won't feel like I did anything to impress them and would like to do so.

First impressions were always key, and winning something like a tournament would help me immensely.

Once again there were side entrances next to the giant gate for singular people to enter the nation and instead of soldiers guarding it, huge burly men with lined furs and tan skin guarded it. They towered over me even though I was considered tall and when I came closer to the entrance, they blocked it off.

Just… great.

"State your business, brat." Said one of the guards in a curt tone and I did some research on the Feroxi traditions when it came to the tournament that appoints the new leading khan of Regna Ferox.

It was held every four years, but that didn't mean no other tournaments were held in between. Fighters from around the world compete in one-on-one combat to persuade the khans and then were chosen to champion the khans in the upcoming 'Tournament of Power'. If any pleased them, with each khan having their tournament. Not the most creative name, but it did fit. As for Flavia's tournament…

"I am here to participate in the Tournament of the Gathering Storm," I replied to the guards. They were taken back by my reason for coming. They got closer to inspect me from top to bottom, probably assessing my fighting abilities.

"You ain't looking like a fighter to me, kid. Now scram! We don't need spies from other countries inside our borders." Said the first guard, dismissing me immediately, and went back to his post with his buddy. Looks like they were the ones who judge a book by its cover, well if they even know what a book was.

I got better at using magic, because of my training and I started to feel my mana whenever it fluctuates. Most of the time when I get expressive with my emotions, my magic veins reciprocate to that emotion.

Anger in particular can get slightly out of control, but right now I felt annoyed rather than angered. I opened my tome and with my shield spell at the ready and moved towards the entrance to the nation. The guards saw me and again told me to scram, but I still moved forward.

"I see you have a death wish, brat. So be it." One of the guards picked up his ax and walked up to me, but I feigned ignorance and still moved on towards the entrance. He was slightly baffled that I wasn't doing anything to protect myself from his attack, little did he know.

He readied his ax to strike me down while shouting "Die!".

My barrier activated and just like before it created a snowstorm around me that then enveloped the guard as well. I could see how the wind froze his entire person, the ice forming a layer after layer and making a sort of an ice shell before he was able to strike me with his ax.

I let the spell dissipate, revealing the frozen guard to his friend and cracking a small hole with the pommel of Hielobjerg for the guard to be able to breathe in his confinement. Surprisingly Hielobjerg was one of the few weapons that could break my ice which was convenient in many situations back during my two weeks of travel.

"I suggest getting a fire mage to melt this ice, you have roughly ten minutes before he dies from hypothermia. I hope this proof suffices that I am worthy of participating in the tournament." I said in a manner of fact tone to his friend who looked shocked and eyed me with my sword in hand, then he relented and let me go inside and immediately tried to find a fire mage to help his friend.

I didn't like using my magic like this, but it was either him or me. If he just let me pass, everything could have been avoided. I hope stubbornness didn't run in all Feroxi, some of them should be slightly reasonable, like the second guard, right?

I left the border behind me and to my surprise, it was only a two-day journey to get to the next town, but it wasn't anything special, it didn't even have walls to protect itself.

I got inside a pub in the town to gather some much-needed information about the location of the tournament and the capital. Sadly, it will take another week before I will get there, and from what I have heard the tournament will begin five days from now on, meaning there is a chance I won't even be able to participate at all.

"Damn it, I guess I need to find a convoy to take me there," I muttered and went to the main town square to search for merchants or mercenary companies that are on their way towards my location. I found a few, but most of them rejected me for reasons I had no idea about, even if I offered payment, they still rejected me.

Now that I think about it, back in the pub people were purposely avoiding me and here it wasn't any different, as if I was a nobody that wasn't worth their time. I slumped on one of the benches that were covered with snow, but the cold never bothered me. I brushed away the snow and sat on the bench and looked around to spot any people that would help me with my problem, but when I looked at anyone, they just scurried away from me.

I put my hands on my face and sighed, it looked like I was going to have to pull a few all nights of walking to get there in time. I stood up from the bench and left the town, that ignored my pleads, but after I left it, I spotted a cart with a horse not too far from the town that wasn't moving. There was a problem with the cart itself.

Huh, an opportunity. I got closer to the caravan and I spotted many boxes with products outside and the probable owner. A red-haired lady with a ponytail, heavy clothes, and a cloak to help her against the cold.

She looked like one of the Annas and she was working on the wheel of the caravan that was broken and looked like she didn't have a replacement either.

"Great, it has to break now of all times when there is profit on the line in the capital." She muttered, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

She heard my footsteps and turned to face me while posing her iconic index finger on her chin pose and a trademark smile.

"Why hello there handsome, what can I do for you? Unfortunately, the shop is currently closed." She said in a slightly honeyed tone.

"Hello Anna, is there something I can help you with?" I asked her and she was slightly surprised by me calling out her name but recomposed herself quickly.

"I can see I am getting popular by the second. As you can see, I got a busted wheel and I have no way to repair it and I don't think you have an extra wheel on hand."

"Shouldn't you have a reserve wheel just in case this would happen?" I asked another question with a raised eyebrow and that irritated her.

"Oh shush you, the terrain in Ferox is harsh and I have already used my spare wheel. If you came here just to make fun of me then I am going to charge you five silver for each jab or joke you make."

"I don't think I have money for that, but I can help you with the wheel if you help me in return." I offered to her and she perked up, waiting for my offer with a gleam in her eyes.

"I am listening." She prompted me to continue.

"I will repair your wheel and you will take me to the arena where the Tournament of the Gathering Storm is being held regardless of your current destination," I stated my offer and her smile turned into a grin.

"Oh, that is just great, because that is also my destination, but if you don't have the means to repair the wheel, then both of us are stuck here. However, if you do then hop to it then, from the looks of it you want to participate, and I want to sell my wares there. We don't have all week now do we?" She then extended her hand for a shake to seal the deal and I took it before inspecting the caravan's wheel.

Yep, it was completely busted, meaning it needed a replacement. Luckily, I have just the solution. I opened my tome and put my hand on the text for the ice shards, but I let it build up for a few moments longer and a snowstorm formed in my hand and I touched the ground.

After a few seconds of silence, I imagined the ice forming in a wheel similar to the one we needed, and the ice started to rise from the ground forming itself into the shape I wanted.

It took a minute for the ice to form and a wheel was produced from ice while sticking out of an ice pillar and I unsheathed Hielobjerg and cut the wheel off from the formed icicle. Anna looked at me, bewildered by the fact that they will use a wheel made of ice.

"Ice magic? You know, I used a lot of other materials for replacement but never used ice. That thing will break no matter what." She stated and was a little disappointed, but I reassured her by picking up the wheel and smashed it against the ground, leaving a small hole on the ground where I threw it.

"You think it won't last?" I asked in bemusement and she just sighed.

"Fine, I take it back then. Let's attach it to the cart and let's be on our way, I won't even charge you the place you find for sleeping." I was starting to regret my choice, but it wasn't like I had a say in that matter, I should be happy this Anna was so willing to help me. I helped her attach our newly made wheel and after a few moments of tinkering and putting all of her wares back inside her convoy we made our way towards the arena.

Honestly, it was a refresher to have some company again, although I would have liked it if I had more space, I guess Anna didn't expect to have any company coming with her. It was the third day of our travel, and we were approaching the arena with an extra day to spare, and Anna and I had a camp going on and I was minding my own business and she minded hers.

There weren't a lot of words exchanged between us, because there was nothing to talk about, the only things Anna asked was my name and where I got my sword and tome to which I replied that I always had them with me when I came here, but of course not talking about Alexander nor the fact I was from a different world entirely.

I could ask Anna in the future about the Outrealm gate, but right now it wasn't important. I felt like if I left now, I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't see this story through. There was also a chance that the gate didn't exist altogether, but that was a thought I pushed aside.

"So, what is your reason to participate in a tournament, where you risk your life for glory? You don't look like someone who would enjoy it." Anna asked me out of the blue, which surprised me slightly because I was in the middle of reading a storybook. I contemplated her question, and my reasoning wasn't the brightest but…

"I want to prove myself if I am worthy," I said vaguely and she scoffed slightly but then it formed into a bemused smile.

"You need to prove yourself? Well, people from the tavern would beg to differ." Anna remarked and I perked up, but in a way when a teacher calls you for a task that you have no idea how to solve.

"Excuse me, what?" I asked, bewildered that I was already making waves. Wow, it didn't even take me a full month and I have already started to gain the wrong kind of attention.

"What? You didn't hear the rumors about you when we visited the last town?" She asked, also slightly bewildered.

"Most of the people avoided me when I was there. What, do they see me as a murderer of some sort?" I asked with a hiss, but that didn't discourage Anna from answering.

"No, from what I heard from the tavern; you froze a guard at the border just because he didn't let you in. One of them even said he saw you and was all like 'That boy is more dangerous than he lets on. Whenever you see a weird blue coat wearin' boy with brown and white hair, don't talk to him. You will thank yerself later.'" She said while personifying a drunken patron.

I didn't know how to react to that. I didn't think that freezing that guard would make it so the Feroxi wouldn't like me. I started to laugh from the sheer absurdity that was my current situation. Well, I could have handled it a little better but I wanted immediate results.

"Well, how do you see me then?" I asked Anna with a smile on my face after hearing what Anna heard in the tavern.

"Honestly, exaggerated is the word I would describe any rumors, but these take the cake. However, I have to say you make the perfect bodyguard for my goods. You discouraged everyone from even looking at them and I didn't even need to pay you." She answered with a bemused tone. Of course, she would be able to use me in some way without my consent, but it didn't hurt me in the end, so I just returned the smile.

"I am sure y-." I was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from the forest. I looked in the general direction where the sound came from and I spotted several shadows with torches, looming closer to our encampment.

"I was thinking this was going too well. With the rumors about you, I hope you know how to fight." Anna remarked and readied her daggers for the upcoming fight, and I readied my sword as well.

"It would be sad if I couldn't back up some of these rumors flowing around."

The shadows came ever so closer to us and they revealed themselves as bandits.

Yay.

They were all lined with furs that covered a good part of their bodies, but some of them still showed some skin. How they could survive this cold while exposing any skin was beyond me. I did like the cold, but that didn't mean I couldn't feel it.

"Heh, looks like we found somethin' interestin'. Hey boss, we got ourselves a merchant and her bodyguard!" Shouted one of the bandits and then an even larger man appeared behind them with quite the menacing ax. Damn, if he was seven half as competent with that thing then this fight won't be easy, even if Anna was here to help me.

"Hah, looks like we hit gold with this one. Boys, show them the hospitality of Victor's Victors." Said their leader. Wow, creativity really didn't flow through the Feroxi.

"I am sorry boys, but the shop is closed. If you won't leave us now, I will show you prices aren't the only things I can cut in half." Anna threatened while taking a stance with her daggers, but the threat went over bandits' heads.

"We have a feisty one this time, this could get fun. Boys, kill the bodyguard but leave the chick alive. We will have fun with her after this is over." He then licked his lips and the display disgusted me so much I didn't wait for them to engage.

While holding my sword I opened my tome and created a link to it and summoned three ice blades around me. I was able to increase my capacity and power and now instead of small pens, I can have icicles the size of short swords and were even sharper than before.

I launched them at the bandits, and surprisingly they were fast enough to react to my assault and two of my icicles missed, while one was able to pierce a bandit that thankfully wasn't as quick on his feet as others, killing him instantly.

I clicked my tongue from wasting my mana so carelessly. Although I was able to increase my power, I still lacked capacity. The leader looked at his dead underling and his smile turned into a sneer.

"So, you want to fight back? You look more like a brat from a mansion than a fighter. Killing you will probably be the most entertaining thing I will do this week! Get 'em, boys!" Shouted the leader and all of the remaining five bandits charged us, while still being some distance away. Three were with axes, one with a sword, and the last one had a bow.

The last time I fought bandits, I was able to get rid of the archer at the start, but right now I don't see any opening for me to take and kill him with anything. That was until I laid my eyes on Anna. She looked nimble enough to pass all of them without any issues, so I leaned closer to her while having my weapons at the ready.

"You think you can deal with that archer back there?" I asked her with an impatient tone, indicating I wanted an answer fast.

"Yes, but can you hold yourself against four people at once?" She asked me back without any hint of concern, only smugness.

"I'll manage, somehow," I said with not a whole lot of emotion behind my reply. I still haven't gotten through the 'getting used to killing people' thing.

Without a reply, Anna tugged her hood over her head and almost vanished with how fast she was. The four bandits stopped their charge, while the archer lowered his bow and was bewildered by Anna's action until they started to laugh at my predicament.

"Ha! Looks like your girl already ditched you! This was way easier than I thought! Time to loot!" Bellowed one of them and the rest snickered while looking like hungry hyenas ready to sink their fangs into some leftover prey left by a lion.

"Not if I have a say in it," I said with a monotone voice, still not able to get passed by my trauma, but I meant every word.

"Oh, and what are you going to do? Try to stab us with your overpriced stick? Hah!" Said one of the bandits, the swordfighter to be specific.

"Please, look at him shivering like a scared child. Can't even hold a weapon right!"

"'Mommy! Mommy! I need you!'" Imitated one of them as their laughter echoed in the forest.

I didn't take anything to heart, even if it did hurt me slightly. But this was fine with me, I just let them mock me while Anna hopefully would be able to take care of the archer in the back. I could engage them right now and always have someone in between the archer and me, but I would have to be extremely lucky with the positioning of the bandits and that was a risk I won't take, and I wasn't confident enough to deal with four bandits at once, plus an archer.

"Alright, boys let's get this over with. Let's put the poor lad out of his misery." Said the leader, trying to silence the bickering oafs and walked towards me through them. He was more than a head taller than me and had an imposing figure, the large ax leaning on his shoulder didn't help either.

"Hey kid, if you want to, we will let you run away with your life if you give us all yer stuff you currently own." He offered with a sickeningly sweet tone that didn't match his looks.

Did he already forget that I killed one of his bandit buddies? No, he probably didn't. He was probably trying to humiliate me, so I stayed silent and waited for Anna to do anything. The wait was agonizing, and I saw the leader readying his massive ax, while I was holding my stance, unmoving from my spot.

"No? Well then, good night." The leader was about to drop the ax on me, only for all of us to hear a quick scream from the back of the group that was quickly silenced, followed by a loud thump. The bandit leader switched his attention away from me to inspect what happened and I took that as my cue. I didn't hesitate, these people only deserve one thing for what they have probably done so far.

I lunged at the leader unannounced, with the tip of my blade aiming at his heart, but the leader was faster than expected and dodged in the nick of time while backing off. I was only able to injure his side that started to bleed. He hissed in pain and once he looked around, he spotted Anna close to the corpse of their archer and he started to shout orders.

"You four deal with that bitch! I got a bug to squash!"

He turned back to me and the frown he had on his face was palpable and filled with anger. He uncorked a vulnerary and downed it in one go, throwing the bottle away, while I summoned my shield spell.

It was invisible to the naked eye and instead of blocking attacks like normally a barrier would, it instead pushes them away and almost always left me an opportunity to attack. Let's hope it won't be any different this time.

"I will make you scream!" He roared and charged at me like a bull while grabbing his ax with two hands and started with an overhead swing, like a lumberjack ready to cut down a log. The predictably slow attack was easily telegraphed, almost pathetic looking in comparison to one of the Risen that I fought back in Ylisse.

I then started my assault with quick thrusts and slashes, but never was able to find a decent opening for the kill. For having such a large ax, you would think he would be easy to kill, but he was sturdy, and I probably shouldn't have let him drink that vulnerary.

Once he tried out a cleaving attack to get some space to use another vulnerary that I saw strapped to one of his belts, I ducked under the attack, leaving him wide open for another thrust. I tried to take advantage of it, but I didn't notice the swordfighter that snuck behind me and used the opportunity to attack me.

Little did he know…

"Die!" Shouted the swordfighter, while bringing his weapon down at me.

The sword that was supposed to bite into my shoulder was pushed back by a sudden cold wind current, completely surprising the swordfighter and throwing him off balance. The same horrified look I remembered back when I killed the first four bandits was present. Yet again, I didn't hesitate and ended the life of the swordfighter with two gashes at his torso, leaving him bleeding out on the ground.

I turned back to face the leader of these ruffians, only to see him down the second vulnerary he had, healing almost all of the cuts he sustained. I frowned, not only was all of my effort of weakening him for naught, but I was getting tired and my mana pool was non-existent, and I didn't have a vulnerary at hand to give me a much-needed energy boost.

No words were exchanged, the leader only roared with rage and started another assault with his great ax. It was getting faster with each dodge I made and to make matters worse, some of the attacks were able to nick me, cutting into the fabric of my coat and skin.

But Anna yet again intervened. With a throw of her dagger, it embedded itself into the leader's shoulder with precision. He howled in pain and turned back to spot his other attacker, only for me to take that opportunity and stab him through his chest, missing the heart. He was no longer screaming in pain; he only spoke his last words as he bled out.

"How… did you… We are… Victor's…" He couldn't finish as his body gave out as I pulled Hielobjerg out of him, blood pooling out of the fatal wound. Once I looked at Anna, she was already done with her opponents and pocketed her daggers when she pulled the second one out of the leader's body and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, that's the end of that. Honestly, I thought for a second you were going to break from how they insulted you, but you have held on quite well." She said in a tone that didn't show any specific emotions. I let the mask fall and I started to tear up slightly. I used my hand to get rid of the tears and replied to her "Still can't get used to killing other people.".

"Green to the fighting? I must say, I am impressed. However, do you think throwing yourself into the arena is a good idea? It could break you or kill you or both if you are lucky." Anna tried to deflate the situation and I thought that it would do me good if I didn't dwell on it too much for now.

"It could, but right now, I think I would rather have something to eat than to dwell on my oncoming demise," I said and went back to our camp. I always used to cook myself a meal whenever I felt down or just needed to do something to get my mind from things.

I cleaned myself up a little from the sweat and downed a vulnerary for good measure to heal the cuts I sustained before readying a pot that I found in Anna's convoy over the fire to start cooking a stew, with everything being provided by yours truly.

At least there was one hobby I can continue, since my untimely departure.

I cut up some meat from a Feroxi elk and put it inside the pot to brown and render the fat, it tastes like beef but has a deeper flavor and more game.

After rendering the fat and letting the meat get some much-needed color, I chopped up some onions and threw them inside the pot to sweat them inside the elk fat and after a quick minute of chopping other ingredients that functioned as carrots and potatoes, the onions were done. I threw the potatoes and carrots inside and filled it up with water from my waterskin and I covered the pot with a thin log to let it stew.

Sadly, I didn't have a salt substitute, that stuff was ridiculously expensive and hard to come by and I didn't have any flour so the stew will be a little bland, but that was the price to pay if you wanted to survive.

"And now you start cooking all things. I thought you couldn't surprise me anymore, but I take that back. You better hope you are making a pot for two since it is my pot." Anna said in a slightly annoyed tone since I took her pot without asking.

"Don't worry, I bought enough ingredients for both of us in the town we visited," I said as I sat away from the campfire and leaned on one of many trees around us.

"Ok then, but I am not paying you for making this stew." Anna definitely proclaimed and I just sighed, not keen on haggling with Anna right now.

"Whatever." That was all I said and focused on the pot instead.

After an hour of waiting my stew was ready and I poured Anna a bowl. Even though it didn't have any salt; it was way better than any of the preserved stuff. Coincidentally, Anna didn't have an extra bowl with her, meaning that I needed to eat the stew from the pot, and I didn't have a spoon with me.

Never did I thought that I would have to use my ice magic to create a fucking spoon, but here we were anyway. Thankfully, the spoon didn't melt from the stew and it didn't frostbite me either.

I have to say that being able to create anything with ice was mighty convenient, but since I had almost no mana after that fight, I was running on fumes and it left me tired. After eating the rest of the stew, I opted to rest for tonight since tomorrow we will reach the arena.

I just hoped I knew what I was doing.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

Grand would be the word I would describe this place, and this was just the east khan's personal arena. It looked like a typical round Roman colosseum made from stone with many entrances and standing at an amazing height. Now I wondered how big the other arena would be if I survived this one.

Wow, that was a morbid thought.

From what I have heard the fights that take place here were either when someone yielded or to the death, but the rules stated that you have to give your opponent a chance to surrender when they were beaten. If they did, they were taken to the infirmary to heal up, but if they didn't, the victor had free will to kill them.

No pressure.

I left Anna some time ago and I walked to the coliseum to find any way of entry and it took me almost ten minutes just to walk around the damn thing, but it proved fruitful and found a makeshift counter at one of the entrances with a Feroxi woman with slightly tan skin and a blond long hair. I walked up to her and she perked up when she saw me approach her.

"Hello, I would like to know where I can enter the Tournament of the Gathering Storm." The once perked-up woman now eyed me with her green eyes, analyzing me and after a short moment, she rudely dismissed me.

"Sorry kid, but you wouldn't last there long enough for any entertainment. We want warriors, not some stuffy brats."

I clenched my fists in frustration, why did so many people see me as weak? I know I was, but emotionally and I can suppress that to an extent, but I hated doing that. Was I really not cut out for fighting? I didn't like risking my life because of it, but I already had some taste of combat, and the tournament is to a certain extent moderated.

I probably should have joined the Shepherds out right back in Ylisstol. Man, I was short-sighted back in Ylisstol, but I will see this through. In Ferox, actions spoke louder than words and I will use them for my own benefit. I unclenched my fists and calmed myself down while asking the woman "What do I need to do to prove my worth?".

"What you can do is to scurry away from here, because I don't have time for someone like you and there are other people who are better candidates." She said in an annoyed tone.

The frustration I had resurfaced and morphed itself into anger and I was extremely close to punching her to let it out. This animosity against me was just ridiculous, I haven't done anything to the woman, and I tried to be as polite as possible!

"I said, what do I need to prove myself?" Anger filled my voice and she answered in kind with the same tone.

"And I said to you to leave. If you want, I'll have someone to take you away and knock some sense into you."

"Oh, is that supposed to be a threat? I thought the people of Ferox are the ones who prefer actions rather than words, but I can see now that was a lie. Cowards are what you are." I shot back to rile the woman up and it worked like a charm.

"What did you say, you brat!? No one insults our pride and gets away with it!" She furiously replied and whistled and after a few seconds, two guards came with weapons in hand and the woman behind the counter also grabbed a sword "Boys, let's teach this brat a lesson when it comes to insulting our people!".

I could see out of the corner of my eyes that the people that were close by backed away, giving me enough space to retreat to a better position and give myself some much-needed time to assess my situation.

The three fighters started to rush at me at once, but I had enough time to open my tome and use one spell that I was able to trace during the last day with Anna. My spells always had the intent to kill the target but never to apprehend unless I aimed my icicles at appendages or encasing my enemies in thick, and deadly icy husks.

This spell was one of confinement and it will be extremely useful right now. I let the spell build up, but sadly it used most of my mana because the size of it needed to be larger.

I was starting to see a pattern here. Get a new spell, use all of my mana on it, and hope it will do its thing and I was not keen on getting myself beaten up to a pulp.

After the build-up, I put my hand on the ground, and pillars of ice started to rise around the three fighters. First in front of them and then around them, forming an ice prison without the means of escaping.

"What the hell is this!?" Shouted one of the guards, but the spell didn't faze the woman.

"Break the ice with your weapons, we will get to him eventually." She commanded the two, as they started bashing their weapons against the ice in vain. I just stared at them with an amused look.

I did have a sadistic side to me as well.

After a minute of fruitlessly trying to break the ice, they started to tire themselves out. The now imprisoned Feroxi were panting from their exertion, but when they looked at the place they relentlessly assaulted the ice, it wasn't even scratched, retaining its ice blue color.

"Boss, we didn't even dent it!" Shouted one of them, to which she didn't reply and gritted her teeth when she looked at me. I got closer to my created prison and stared back at her, my lips curved upwards. No one around us didn't try to do anything and some of them started to murmur something, but it was out of my ears to reach.

"So, are you done? I have to say it was quite amusing from the beginning, but it got dull quickly. Anyway, I defeated you and I can kill you whenever I want, does this prove my worth to join the tournament?" I said with a shit-eating grin.

I was relishing this way too much than I should.

"I won't allow anyone to enter the tournament that insulted us Feroxi!" She shouted in protest, but I waggled my index finger in front of her and chided her. Stubbornness really did run through most of them.

"That is the wrong answer. You have two lives, including yours as well to worry about and I am giving the means of letting all of that go with just a small favor. I can ki-." I didn't finish my sentence when a booming voice filled with authority interrupted me.

"What the hell is going on here!?"

I turned around to see who it was, and I was surprised, to say the least.

It was another woman with blond hair tied up in a ruffled ponytail and tan skin. Having red armor to cover his limbs, chest, a weird collar thing around her neck, and a greatsword on her shoulder, I was such a troublemaker that I had the east khan of Ferox to clean it up herself. She was just having a stroll without even a guard of some sort. I didn't know if I should be proud of myself or scared of what was going to happen to me after this was over.

"You have quite the nerve to barge in here and imprison my people," Flavia said in a dangerous tone, indicating that one wrong move could mean my imminent death, but I had an edge in this scenario.

"Khan Flavia!" shouted the woman in charge of the group of three "This brat wanted to enter the Tournament of the Gathering Storm but insulted us and-." I interrupted her by pointing Hielobjerg at her through the prison.

"You have no room to speak. I asked for a chance to prove my worth, but I got any and see where it got you? From what I have heard, the Feroxi are prideful and always seek a challenge by providing others a chance to prove themselves. Isn't that right, khan Flavia?" I asked the khan with a hint of anger. There were a few seconds of silence, but not because Flavia was thinking, she was eyeing the prison I made with my spell.

She got closer to me about ten meters away and inspected the woman inside the prison and looked at her with a look of disappointment. Why did her face form that emotion was beyond me and when she looked at me there was no longer a frown on her face, but a one filled with curiosity?

"What's your name, kid?" She asked with no hint of anger or resentment, which surprised me because I had three of her people confined.

"Shouldn't you be worried about your people I have close to a blade's edge?" I asked her, bewildered at her casually asked question.

"And why should I be? You said it yourself as they didn't give you a chance and you punished them, easy as that. Plus, I was looking for people with a little more spunk. Now answer the question, kid." Flavia said with a matter-of-fact tone. I was shocked by her nonchalance, but I gathered my bearings and answered her question with a quick "Radko." after I lowered my sword.

She came closer to inspect me and it was then I realized she was slightly smaller than me by a few centimeters and eyed me from top to bottom. I was slightly disturbed by it and I got why people find the whole inspecting thing creepy. She then started to murmur something that I was able to hear.

"Brown and white hair, weird coat and can use ice magic…" She trailed off. Oh god, the rumors already reached her!? I started to regret freezing the guard back at the border because that was something Flavia probably already knew about.

"You there!" Flavia shouted at the woman in her prison "After this boy frees you from that thing, I want you to sign him to the tournament. I want to see him in action, no buts!".

"But he insulted us! He deserves to be punished!" She shouted back in protest, but Flavia was unimpressed by the woman throwing a tantrum.

"Then rot in that prison he made. I am pretty sure he is currently the only one who can free you and I have other people who can sign him in any way." Flavia shot back. Damn, she had no mercy against people who didn't follow the Feroxi tradition. No wonder she became a khan. The woman in her cell looked back at me and sneered at me, my shit-eating grin came back with a vengeance, almost splitting my face.

"She isn't wrong there. I don't see any fire mages around here. I will free you, but if you or your buddies try anything, I think it is in my right to do anything to you, so be mindful." I remarked with a sadistic voice and she hissed as I brought my tome again. Thankfully this spell had a way to get rid of the ice.

Convenient I know.

The ice prison broke like glass and pieces of ice were littered around the snowy lair. The woman and her guards were baffled how easily the ice broke and shot me one last glare but got back to their posts and the woman signed me to the tournament while still eyeing me like she wanted to kill me for this insult. I just smile back at her.

But before I was able to move on to find lodging for tomorrow, Flavia grabbed me by the shoulder and with an insane amount of strength that shouldn't be possible for a human being and started to drag me somewhere while saying "You are coming with me.".

I couldn't fight her at all and I, after struggling for a solid few seconds, relented and went with her to who knows where and my last thoughts about this entire interaction was I either done well or I fucked up.

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AN: Alright, that is chapter four done and dusted. I kind of feel this is a little weaker than my previous three chapters, but I am still satisfied with it. Hopefully, I am not making Radko too OP, but hard limiting the number of times he can cast anything I think is good enough for now. Plus, so far Radko only battled small skirmishes or duels that he could have relatively under control. Once he will be on a bigger battlefield, well... who knows what will happen.

As always, a 'thank you' to the people at the Fanfiction Treehouse for helping me with my fic.

The link to the server is here: gg/9XG3U7a

As always, thank you for reading this chapter, stay safe and a happy new year!