While the team gathered around the dining table, Julian broke the silence, his eyes searching the room. "Has Andre not come to eat today either?" he asked.
Oliver replied with a puzzled tone, "No... I don't know what's wrong with him, but he has been acting strange ever since he returned. I don't know what kind of hell he witnessed there, but I hope he overcomes it."
William chimed in, "You're right. The Ice Lord was searching for him all these past days, intent on punishing him. But when he finally saw him in that state, he let the matter slide and left him be."
The Frozen Rooftop
Meanwhile, the scene shifted to the rooftop of the hut, where Andre sat, indifferent to the biting cold or the accumulating snow. His mind was drowning in a single memory: the words of the Lord of Death when he told him of his utter ignorance of this world, and the image of that masked figure called Fleck. Why did he allow him to leave? And did the Lord of Death truly intend to let him live?
A familiar voice cut through his train of thought. It was the Ice Lord. "So, I see you are sitting here alone, secluded from your team."
Andre replied in a low voice, "I just wanted to be alone... to think."
The Master sat beside him, mockingly asking, "That is interesting. Do you even possess a brain to think with?"
Andre looked at him with annoyance. "Do I seem brainless to you?"
Suddenly, the Ice Lord grabbed Andre's head, squeezing it firmly. "Let us recall your latest actions," he said sternly. "After I ordered you to work as a team, you exposed everyone to death. You attacked alone without a second thought and leaped with Maurice into the unknown! If you had a shred of a brain, would you have done that?"
Andre groaned in pain, "My head... it hurts..."
The Master released him and asked seriously, "What were you thinking about then?"
Andre placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, hesitating. "About... something."
The Master prepared to draw his sword threateningly. "Must I use violence to extract that 'something' from your head?"
Andre recoiled quickly. "No, of course not! I was thinking that I know nothing of this world. Since my days in the orphanage with Uncle Albert and Sister Oult, until the moment that rascal Maurice transported me to that forest."
The Ice Lord furrowed his brows. "Was there something strange about that forest?"
Andre looked at him with a piercing gaze. "Lord of Ice, have you ever faced Death face-to-face before?"
The Weight of a Breath
The Master fell silent for a moment, contemplating Andre's eyes which were drowning in questions. Then he spoke wisely, "Tell me, Andre: which is worse? To know when you will die, or to be ignorant of it?"
Andre was puzzled. "I don't know... they both seem the same."
"Indeed," the Master said. "But they share one thing in common: the breath you take today is precious in both cases. Even if you knew the hour of your death, you would want to live your days to the fullest. Since you are breathing now, you possess a treasure that allows you to fulfill what you lack. If you are thirsty for life, tell me: what is the first thing you want?"
Andre thought for a moment and then spoke honestly, "To be honest, I didn't quite understand the proverb because it was long, but I understood that the time I have now is important. What I want now is strength. I want to stop being a burden to anyone, to never be defeated again, and to learn what I do not know."
The Ice Lord smiled. "It doesn't matter if you understood the proverb or not. What matters is that you have set a goal. And I know exactly where you shall begin."
He pointed toward the horizon. "Beyond those mountains lies a forest teeming with ferocious beasts. There, you shall hone your skills. There is a man there named Lao; he is a friend of mine, and he will teach you about life. But beware... there is someone in the heart of that forest whom everyone fears, even the monsters. If you value your life, do not disturb him."
Andre grew determined and clenched his fist. "If this is my path, I will walk it, even if it is covered in thorns."
The Ice Lord stood up and said, "You may leave whenever you wish, but remember..."
Before he could finish, he kicked Andre forcefully, sending him tumbling off the roof. "...Life is full of obstacles!"
Andre fell onto the snow, fainting—not from the pain, but from his fear of heights. The Master muttered with satisfaction, "He needed this to learn how to follow orders. Now, I am content."
Into the Wild
The next day, Andre bid the team farewell and set off toward the forest. He spent two days fighting monsters fiercely. Deep within the woods, a mysterious figure sat by a flickering fire, a sword resting by his side. The stranger sighed, glancing at the horizon.
"It seems the new guest likes to take prey that isn't his... Heh, why don't I give him a proper welcome