Shadow licked his cheek. Slowly, a ticklish feeling spread, and he opened his eyes.
"Morning, Enatur," greeted Shadow.
"Good morning, Master," Rein followed.
"Morning... Where are we?" he asked curiously. His gaze swept across the entire area, realizing they were in a world covered in ice.
Under the gray sky that dropped silent snowflakes, stretched a frozen kingdom wrapped in stillness. The wind whispered, as if telling stories that had long frozen in time.
Floating ice mountains stood tall like cathedrals sailing through a frozen sea. Glaciers towered high, like the backs of giants sleeping in eternity. Auroras danced, veils of ethereal light revealing the whispers of the universe.
From behind him came the sound of graceful footsteps, carving serenity upon the frozen floor. A woman with long blue hair appeared, flowing softly like a gentle river, and her eyes shimmered as deep as the ocean.
She was the Goddess of Ice and Water, his third sister—Marina.
"You're awake? Welcome to my Ice Realm," she said with a warm smile.
Rein floated forward, his voice filled with awe. "Amazing! I've never seen anything like this before. An eternal world of ice!"
Marina grinned proudly. "Fufufu! Rein truly appreciates the beauty of ice!"
Enatur narrowed his eyes, staring at Marina sharply. "Was it you, Sis Marina, who kidnapped me?"
Marina froze, her face turning pale as cold sweat dripped down her neck.
"I-I didn't kidnap you! I just wanted to teach you the second stage!"
Enatur and Shadow exchanged flat expressions, suspicious. "Heeehh!"
"Don't heh at me!" Marina snapped, puffing her cheeks.
She took a deep breath and softened her tone. "I saw you yesterday in the hall... your face looked gloomy, so sad."
Enatur fell silent, slightly startled by her words.
Marina raised one finger. "That's why I want to give you a power that doesn't require spiritual energy."
Enatur's eyes widened. "A power that doesn't need spiritual energy?"
She nodded proudly. "Its name is Icy-Water Flow."
"I thought spiritual energy was the source for divine power," Enatur said in confusion.
Marina placed her hands on her hips. "Your sisters don't use it at all, you know. Even our Mom doesn't."
Enatur looked shocked. "But why...?"
"Spiritual energy is only used temporarily," Marina explained, her gaze steady. "Only during the earliest stages of cultivation training."
Enatur's eyes trembled. "So... all this time, I misunderstood?"
A vein pulsed on Marina's cheek. "Enough talking. Sit down and start meditating!" Her voice was so loud it almost shattered their ears.
"Y-Yes, Commander!" Enatur and Shadow answered unison.
Her tone softened again. "Icy-Water Flow is the core energy of water and ice, especially for you, Enatur."
Shadow switched to his Weredog mode, while both Shadow and Enatur sat cross-legged on the icy ground.
"The core energy of water and ice?" Shadow asked curiously.
Marina's lips curled mischievously. "That's Icy-Water Flow. In short... something like that... maybe."
Enatur and Shadow shouted together, "We don't believe you at all!"
They could sense something suspicious.
Marina turned and yelled, "The theory doesn't matter as long as you can use it!"
Enatur tilted his head.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this...?"
Marina waved her hand irritably. "Just focus and start meditating!"
She gathered her power, channeling the Icy-Water Flow, clear white water intertwined with pale-blue spiritual ice between her palms. The two elements condensed together under her full concentration.
Enatur and Shadow watched, unable to look away.
The energy cores began to form, radiating immense waves of spiritual fluctuation.
Two crystal spheres appeared one transparent, one light blue, each glowing faintly like misted diamonds. One was for Enatur, and the other for Shadow.
"Focus, both of you," Marina said firmly. "I'm going to implant these energy cores into your bodies."
Enatur and Shadow followed her instructions. The two cores floated forward and entered their bodies. A cold aura burst from them.
"For some reason... I can feel the ice energy surging inside me,"
Enatur muttered.
Their body temperatures dropped to zero degrees. Their skin paled, lips turned blue, and Enatur's hair shifted to a faint icy hue.
Inside Enatur's body, the crystal core of water and ice began to freeze everything within.
Frost crept along his meridian pathway, sealing them completely.
Just like veins that carry blood, meridian pathway were meant to channel spiritual energy throughout the body. Now, they froze solid.
Enatur clenched his teeth, his voice trembling.
"What is this? It feels like something's eating me from the inside!"
His meridian pathway froze entirely. The ice particles began to completely destroy the meridian pathway, as if they were no longer needed.
The crystal core spun faster and faster, scattering icy particles throughout his body. Both Enatur and Shadow emitted a blue aura of water and ice, their bodies wrapped in freezing mist.
Marina watched them through her inner sight.
"Just listen to me," she said. "I'll grant you the Gift of Water and Ice."
"I will also provide knowledge about advanced Freezing Techniques, Absolute Zero, and Shape-Shifting Techniques."
She pressed two fingers to her forehead. A radiant light glowed there, carrying all the knowledge of the two techniques.
The light flowed like a river through the air, entering the foreheads of Enatur and Shadow.
The light entering Enatur shone much brighter.
"I feel a subtle vibration spreading through my body... cold, but soothing... like being wrapped in morning mist."
"The method is complicated, but Shadow and I can handle it."
he murmured.
The crystal cores gradually slowed their spin, floating quietly inside their bodies.
"Eh? This feels... different from what you said before, Sis Marina!"
Energy waves surged outward from the cores, radiating through their skin. Then the cores stopped spinning, the energy settling peacefully.
Frosty breath escaped their lips as their internal balance stabilized. Their body temperatures and hair colors returned to normal. Both exhaled deeply.
"Congratulations, both of you. You've completely succeeded," Marina said proudly.
Enatur and Shadow high-fived, grinning with relief.
"Enatur," Marina continued softly. "You don't have to feel frustrated or hopeless anymore."
"With these cores, you can sharpen your abilities... and finally stand beside Carl and Marissa."
Shadow jumped happily onto Enatur, licking his cheek.
"Hahaha! Shadow, that tickles... Gahahaha!"
Shadow wagged his tail excitedly.
"Fufufu... Shadow's affinity with ice is far greater than with water," Marina said teasingly.
"Don't let him outdo you, Enatur."
Enatur raised an eyebrow. "That's only natural. He's from the Fury Dog race, from the Eternal Snowlands of Sibber—one of the most reclusive Fury Beast tribes."
Marina chuckled. "Exactly. That's his nature."
Shadow tilted his head. "Lady Marina, you mentioned a Gift of Water and Ice earlier. What kind of gift is that?"
Marina placed her hands on her hips. "It's a gift that makes you immune to all water and ice effects. If you dive several kilometers underwater, you won't feel pressure, and you can breathe freely. Even in extreme cold, your body will be completely unaffected."
She nodded proudly. "One more thing," she added. "The energy cores of water and ice are not spiritual power. They are pure energy drawn directly from nature, unlimited energy."
"But it still depends on your physical stamina and vitality," she warned.
Enatur and Shadow exchanged bright smiles and embraced each other.
"We did it, Shadow!"
"Yeah! We're stronger now!"
Marina smiled bitterly, though a hint of warmth lingered on her lips.
But deep inside, her heart churned with unease.
When transferring her knowledge, she had accidentally given Enatur something far more dangerous. That was why his light shone brighter than Shadow's.
"Oh no... I accidentally included the knowledge of Mega Disaster."
She whispered nervously.
"But it should be fine. As long as Enatur never uses it, Mom won't find out. My situation is... still safe."
For a brief moment, the warmth of family eased her exhaustion, as if time itself had paused.
Then, a dimensional portal opened behind them.
That peaceful moment shattered when Yunia stepped out from it, smiling with closed eyes... but the smile was terrifying.
Marina stiffened like a frightened cat.
"Marina-chan," Yunia said sweetly, "I was worried about why they disappeared. Turns out you kidnapped them and brought them here!"
Earth crossed her arms, pouting.
"Because of your little kidnapping, we didn't get to enjoy his coffee!"
Yunia pulled Marina's cheeks outward like rubber.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It was Earth's fault! Blame her!" Marina cried out, tears streaming down her face.
Her ridiculous expression made even Yunia suppress a laugh.
In the end, Marina cried like a child, her swollen cheeks trembling.
Yunia's gaze shifted to Enatur and Shadow. "How was your training?"
"Smooth so far," said Shadow.
Enatur grinned. "Just like Shadow said. But Sis Marina also told me I don't need to use spiritual energy anymore."
He rubbed his forehead, puzzled. "I still don't understand what that means."
Earth facepalmed loudly, startling everyone.
"What's wrong, Earth?" Yunia asked.
"Ah, nothing," she replied with a nervous smile.
Enatur stepped forward, eyes fixed on the aurora dancing across the sky. He clenched his fists, gazing up at the endless heavens.
"Mom..." Yunia and the others turned to him.
"I want to become stronger," he said firmly. "This time, my power is finally growing. I want to make up for the seven years I've lost."
Everyone smiled at his words, their warmth fueling his resolve.
Yunia hugged him from behind. "Yes... You can surpass your limits. No—make those limits kneel before you, Enatur."
Marina patted his shoulder proudly. "Of course. Water and ice are far superior to earth, after all... hohoho!"
Earth crossed her arms. "Tch! So proud, even with only two elements."
A vein popped on Marina's forehead. "What did you say, you dried-up leaf?!"
Earth smirked. "Are you sure you want to talk like that, slime brain?"
Yunia placed a hand on Marina's shoulder, her smile sweet but ominous.
"Marina-chan." Marina froze in terror. "Get ready for a long lecture from me," Yunia said.
Marina burst into tears, flailing her arms. "Wait! I can explain, Mom!"
"Let's go home," Yunia said calmly, though her tone carried a hint of anger.
She opened a dimensional portal and dragged Marina, who was still crying, inside. The others followed behind.
This is only the beginning... I will keep moving forward, to reclaim the seven years I lost. I will continue to gather strength... and never stop.