The throne room of Cristal de Frost was never silent.
Even in peace, the walls breathed power. Ancient frost-veins ran through the marble pillars like frozen lightning, pulsing softly with aura that had protected the kingdom for generations. The banners of fallen wars hung unmoving, heavy with history, as if the air itself refused to disturb them.
That morning, however, the room felt… tense.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Just tight, like the moment before ice cracks.
The king sat upon the Frost Throne, hands resting calmly on the armrests carved from ancient glacial stone. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp—focused on the entrance.
The court was full.
Priests. Strategists. High knights. War officials.
And at the center of the room stood three figures who bent the air simply by existing.
The Top Three.
Lex Cage stood on the left—tall, broad-shouldered, arms crossed. His aura was compressed, controlled, like a blade kept in its sheath. A man who didn't need to show power to prove it.
Frostbite (Michael Steven) stood beside him, posture relaxed, one hand in his coat pocket. The temperature around him dropped subtly, frost forming along the floor where he stood. His eyes were calm, observant—dangerously intelligent.
And Hunamo Cold, the oldest of the three, stood silently with his eyes closed. His aura was different. Heavy. Oppressive. Like a mountain that didn't care if you tried to move it.
These three were not legends.
They were proof.
The doors creaked open.
Every head turned.
Yowai Sato stepped inside.
Bandages wrapped his torso beneath his general's uniform. Dried blood stained the edge of his collar. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried something new—something sharpened by survival.
Behind him walked Lord Fuga.
No disguise.
No restraint.
Tall. Broad. Cloaked in dark robes that seemed to drink in light. His crimson eyes scanned the room lazily, amused, as if this entire gathering was a mild curiosity.
The temperature shifted—not cold, not hot—but wrong.
The Top Three felt it instantly.
Lex's eyes narrowed.
Frostbite's relaxed posture stiffened just slightly.
Hunamo's eyes opened.
For the first time in years.
The court murmured.
"That's him…" "No way…" "Is that—?"
The king raised his hand, silencing the room.
"Yowai Sato," the king said. "Step forward."
Yowai did.
Each step echoed.
Lord Fuga stopped behind him, arms folded, aura fully visible—unmasked.
Hunamo spoke first, his voice deep and steady.
"…That presence behind you," he said. "Explain it."
Yowai didn't turn.
"He's my partner," Yowai replied. "My strength advisor. Lord Fuga."
Frostbite exhaled slowly.
"Advisor?" he repeated. "That thing doesn't feel like an advisor."
Lord Fuga smiled.
"Good," he said casually. "Your senses still work."
The room froze.
Several knights instinctively reached for weapons—then stopped, unable to move under the pressure of his aura.
Lex stepped forward one pace.
"You're bold," Lex said. "Standing in the Frost Throne Room like you own it."
Lord Fuga tilted his head.
"I don't," he said. "But I could."
The aura spiked—just for a fraction of a second.
The marble floor cracked.
Hunamo lifted one hand.
"Enough," he said.
The pressure eased.
Hunamo turned his gaze to Yowai.
"You defeated a legendary monster," he said. "Prince Flare."
Yowai nodded once.
"Yes."
"With no holy knight," Frostbite added. "No army. No artifact."
"Yes."
Lex's eyes burned.
"Then prove it wasn't luck."
The king finally spoke.
"This is not an execution," he said. "This is a judgment."
The room shifted as the Top Three stepped forward together.
Their combined aura flooded the hall like a tidal wave.
Knees buckled.
Strategists collapsed.
Even elite knights struggled to breathe.
Yowai stood still.
Lord Fuga did not move.
Hunamo raised his hand.
"Test one," he said. "Pressure."
The aura intensified.
Yowai's breath hitched. His muscles screamed. His wounds burned. His vision blurred.
But he did not kneel.
Lord Fuga leaned close, his voice entering Yowai's mind.
"Stand. This is nothing."
Yowai clenched his fists.
Memories flashed—
Vechi's smile.
Flare's flames.
Children in cages.
He took one step forward.
The floor cracked beneath his foot.
Frostbite's eyes widened slightly.
"…Interesting."
Lex growled.
"Test two," he said. "Intent."
Killing intent surged.
Pure. Focused. Not wild.
Yowai's heart slammed against his ribs.
For a split second—fear surfaced.
Lord Fuga's voice returned, quieter now.
"Fear is allowed. Running is not."
Yowai lifted his head.
His aura exploded outward—not uncontrolled, not monstrous—refined.
The killing intent shattered like glass.
Hunamo smiled.
"Final test," he said.
He stepped forward alone.
"Resolve."
Hunamo raised his fist.
Not to strike.
But to see.
Yowai met his gaze.
"I won't die here," Yowai said. "Not today. Not ever."
Hunamo stopped.
The room went silent.
Then—
Lex and Hunamo lunged at the same time.
Their fists collided with Yowai's—
—and stopped.
Dust filled the hall.
When it settled—
Yowai stood between them.
Holding both fists.
No sweat.
No fear.
Behind him, Lord Fuga leaned against the doorway, smiling like something ancient that had just woken up.
The king stood slowly.
"…It's decided."
The Top Three stepped back.
Hunamo bowed his head.
"Welcome," he said, "to the true battlefield."
Lord Fuga's smile widened.
And somewhere deep beneath the kingdom—
something old noticed.
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Sorry but I'll be busy with school work and will not upload anything for a month,but don't worry I'll come back stronger then ever.and thanks to those who came with me till this chapter I know some of my chapters were too long and others unclear but thanks for holding in, can't wait to post ✌️.
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