"A troll named Pabbie?" Henry's ears perked up at the familiar mention of a name.
Master Elias sagely nodded his head and continued, "It was 10 years ago when I received an invitation to his humble…let's say—rocky home."
Master Elias then proceeded to narrate the tale of how the Princess was born with powers to harness the ice. According to him, the nature of her powers wasn't born out of magic.
But something that is as old as time. As ancient as the universe itself.
Unfortunately, despite his wisdom and years of knowledge, Master Elias failed to comprehend the true nature of the princess's icy powers.
"Her name is Elsa Agnarrsdottir, the daughter of Arendelle's former King, King Agnarr."
At the mention of the name, surprise still coloured Henry's face, mainly because the film didn't mention their last names.
'So it's quite a bit similar to Norse. Since she's the daughter of King Agnarr, her last name would naturally translate to Agnarrsdottir.'
Master Elias turned his head to look directly into his eyes and advised, "If I were you, boy. If you truly want to visit Arendelle, just make sure to avoid making contact with her. Last I've heard, she cannot control her powers and only a certain few know about it, not even her younger sister, Anna—who had her memory wiped after getting into an accident involving Elsa's ice powers."
Henry nodded his head. At this point, he already knows the rest of how Elsa's story goes. Although he's not sure when her coronation will begin, he refrained from asking his teacher too much lest the wizard might start to suspect things.
"Enough about that. Let's head down now and assess your magical affinities."
———
The process of affinity assessment consists of having his Magic Hymn react to different kinds of magic. If he felt a similar thumping inside his chest when exposed to a specific magic, that means he has an affinity for that said magic—the stronger the feeling in his chest, the more talented he is in that field of magic.
The first test was Fire Affinity. Master Elias tapped the butt of his staff on the ground and a ring of fire was formed around them. As soon as the small spark of magical fire was lit, Henry felt a loud and repeated thumping on his chest. He looked up to his master and nodded his head, confirming that he had the affinity.
The second was Water Affinity. Master Elias simply formed a torrent of water that doused the ring of fire around them. Once again, he felt a similar feeling and gave the nod of confirmation.
Next is the Wind Affinity that came in the form of a gust of wind that blew his hair back. A nod of confirmation also followed.
After that is the Earth Affinity, to which Master Elias showed off by causing a precisely controlled earthquake on the ground after tapping his staff once again. He nodded his head in confirmation.
"It seems like you have an affinity for all of the basic elements. That's a good sign of an above-average wizard. We'll postpone the testing of more advanced affinities. For now, we'll focus on what you have and until you master them, the advanced affinities will be off limits."
"I'll write a message to your father. You'll be staying with me until the day of your voyage."
———
For the next three days, Henry studied under Master Elias's tutelage. And the first thing he learned? Meditation.
"I'm not sure if this inner peace you're talking about is going to work, Master." Henry curtly said, instead of learning fancy magic spells or using magical energy to do wonders—Master Elias subjected him to a cruel torture of mastering the art of meditation every day.
Master Elias ignored him, minding his own meditation as they both sat on the grassy ground while facing each other. His eyes were closed and his breathing seemed to be matching the wind current.
If Henry's going to be honest, he was quite a bit disappointed. He was expecting his talent to instantly turn him into a genius but it seems like the gap between learning physical things is entirely different from magical ones.
Not to mention, he thought meditation was supposed to be reserved for martial artists and Chinese cultivators. He didn't expect it to also apply when practicing magic.
"You're already halfway there, boy. You just need to find your inner self. And once you do, you'll be ready." Just as Master Elias finally gave him a clue, he went back into silence, neither responding nor reacting to Henry's questions.
'Great. Instead of spending most of my time preparing for the voyage and honing my swordsmanship. I'm stuck sitting on the ground.'
With a sigh of defeat, Henry shifted his focus back to his meditation. As he closed his eyes, his mind couldn't help but wander about the upcoming voyage. From what he knows, his father is already preparing him for everything, supplies, knights as escort, and of course, himself.
He then thought of Arendelle, how he'll finally be exploring a place that he only used to watch as a film. But now he's about to head there and explore it in person. Maybe even meet the two sisters if given the chance.
Ever since arriving in this world, he has always been fond of adventures and discovering new things. It doesn't matter if it poses a risk and danger to his life, considering how he already died once, he seemed to have grown nonchalant about death.
'I wonder if mom and dad can see me here. I've never truly fulfilled their last wish of granting them a grandchild, huh?' Henry gained a melancholy look on his face.
In his past life, he was too busy accomplishing his goals and dreams, becoming successful just so he could show his parents how they raised him right. To the point that he ignored other things he deemed miscellaneous such as love life.
Initially, he was planning on it after his retirement. Considering how he has already accumulated enough wealth and even built a small business that would provide him with passive income but before he could proceed with it. Death took him.
'Maybe it's time I move on and stop thinking about my regrets in my past life…I should focus on where I am and what I have right now. As for love, I'll make sure to chase that sweet nectar this time.'
Unknowingly, Henry's mind suddenly wandered to Elsa at the thought of it.
Only for his thought process to get interrupted by a familiar voice, "Congratulations. It seems like you finally found your inner peace."
Startled, he opened his eyes and found Master Elias staring down proudly on him.
He then continued in the same sagely manner, "You still have two days until your voyage. We don't want you getting in danger out there, do we?"
———
Two days. It only took two days for Henry to learn his first two magic spells. And they're not as flashy as one might think.
Nevertheless, flashy or not, Henry is still determined to master them to their full potential.
The first magic spell is a wind-based defensive spell, centered around using his magic energy to form a barrier made of wind around him, blocking and deflecting attacks.
It's quite useful, especially for crucial situations where it can serve as a surprise element that could turn the tables in the middle of a fight.
Although Henry just learned it and is quite far from mastering such as increasing its range, raw defensive capabilities, and duration—applying it in battles is probable.
As for the last one, it's a water-based defensive spell and a unique one at that because it's one of the rare few that requires no chants. Since he's going on a voyage, Master Elias deemed the spell necessary for his safety.
Casting this spell would create a minor bubble around his head, useful in situations under the water as it makes him able to breathe under the water. This can also be cast on himself or someone else but he can't maintain two bubbles at the same time.
Like always, Master Elias barely praised his magical talent, rating it as 'above-average' as usual.
At this point, Henry noticed that the old wizard seemed to be holding himself back from fully praising him, preferring to humble him in some way.
Not that Henry minded it. Whatever his reason is, it's not his problem. His only guess is that it must be related to his previous students.
One day, Henry asked about his fellow students and the look on Master Elias's face turned slightly grim. He only described them as an unruly and rebellious bunch of brats.
So perhaps, they have gone down the so-called dark path, as Henry concluded after hearing the description. It's not like it's rare. He has heard of dark wizards feared across the continent, people who seek chaos and let their selfishness dominate their nature. Coming up with that conclusion made Henry abandon the idea of meeting his fellow disciples.
"Are you ready boy?" Master Elias arrived in his room and asked, still wearing the same attire and the same staff in his hand. Which made Henry wonder if there's a magic spell that could automatically clean someone. If so, it would definitely be the second spell on his list.
He replied with a nod of his head, "Yes, Master."
Soon after, they arrived at the top of the wizard tower, in the same room where they first arrived.
Another feeling of suction overwhelmed him, followed by the scene of darkness in his vision along with the inability to breathe. Thankfully, he was prepared this time and in just a few seconds, they arrived back at the familiar study of the Court Magician.
———
With his things prepared, he arrived at the harbor where a mid-sized ship was already docked. Nothing as large or fancy as the ship that Master Elias arrived with but it's enough for Henry.
On the pier, his father and mother stood side by side, along with his little sister Lily, being carried on his mother's arms.
"Father. Mother." Henry nodded his head and hugged them. With Maximus, it was just a simple hug with no questions asked.
As for his mother.
"Are you sure, you'll be alright? Don't forget to write me letters, every day, alright?"
"Did you pack an extra food? I can head back to the kitchen and give you some."
Eventually, Henry had to interrupt her before she could prolong them, "Mother. I'll be fine, don't worry. I'm sure Father already prepared everything."
Hearing his words, albeit startled, Maximus stepped forward and touched his wife's shoulder, comforting her, "He's right. With the supplies on the ship, it would be enough to last them half a year in the middle of the sea."
What he did not expect however, was Olivia's reaction, "Good. If something happens to our son, then I'll blame no one but you."
Maximus's face turned pale in an instant, as if all the blood in his head had been drained.
His face took a serious turn towards his son, "Henry. Be careful out there."
Holding back his laugh, he nodded his head and turned to his little sister, "B-Be careful, Henny."
He noticed how Lily was trying her best to hold back the tears in her eyes. He couldn't help but see his sister from his past life overlap with Lily's. With a smile, he gently patted her head before boarding the ship.
At the deck, he was met with familiar faces such as Sir Liam and his retinue.
Liam approached him and asked, "Shall we go, Prince Henry?"
Once he nodded his head, Liam turned and shouted at the captain, "Set sail!"
As the pair of husband and wife along with Lily waved their hands goodbye. Back in the castle, three figures stood in front of a wide open window, staring at the departing ship.
"Are you sure this'll work, Tim?" Alexander asked, his dark blonde hair gleaming under the sunlight.
Timothy nodded his head, a complex look plastered on his face, "We can only pray. If it doesn't, then we can kiss ourselves goodbye from the competition."
Behind them was Samantha, munching on some chocolate chips she stole from the kitchen, "It'd be better for me then." She snorted.
"Shut up, Samantha!" The pair of brothers yelled at her in unison.
"Humph!" Samantha glared at the two and stomped out of the room, leaving the two to brood by themselves.
———
—{Unknown PoV}—
I stare at myself in the broken mirror while playing with the silver item that I have in my collection—Scuttle called it dinglehopper, he says that humans use it to comb their hair.
I couldn't help but sigh in defeat. Once again, I failed to meet any humans. Every time I do, either I lose courage and freeze on the spot or the vastness of the sea makes it hard for them to spot me, I'm not sure about the latter though.
Humans are just so…interesting and entertaining. I've heard stories of the surface, about the heroes of their Kingdoms who are said to have slain dragons and scary creatures, or the romantic stories that the sailors would always sing in the night.
It first started when I was a child. When my mother would always tell me stories about humans. How they're experts in love and everything.
But father on the other hand, would always describe them as vicious and barbarians—sharks in a dolphin's hide. I'm not sure what he meant by that but sharks are nice—sometimes.
I wonder what made my father hate humans so much. They're so jolly and full of mysteries such as how they have what they call feet instead of tails.
How do they even swim using them?
Oh right, I almost forgot about Sebastian's concert rehearsals. Should I attend it? But it's too boring and too time wasting. Instead of being stuck mastering vocals with him to which I've already mastered long ago, I should just go and grab Flounder again and explore more sunken ships, maybe I'll find another worthwhile human stuff to add to my collection again!
But doing so would make Father angry at me again. He's going to pester me again about humans being evil and barbarians for an entire grueling hour.
Doesn't matter. Next week, I'll just try going to the surface again and this time, I'll make sure to see one of them, ask them all of my questions, and maybe, just maybe join them and finally see what the surface world truly looks like!