The next morning, the mountain greeted them with an icy breath.
Snowflakes drifted thicker now, swirling in the cold wind as they pressed higher toward the peak.
Kael tightened his cloak and looked up. The path was rougher, the air thinner—and the chill bit deeper.
They moved steadily, cautious but determined.
Rank 1 beasts appeared frequently, their faint mana a dull glow in the swirling white. But this time, Kael noticed something strange: no system notifications popped up. No missions assigned.
He shrugged, deciding to rely on his own growing skill.
When a snarling Frostmane or a clawed mountain wolf charged, Kael met them head-on, his mana flowing smoother, stronger. His Moon Blade cuts were sharper, his reflexes quicker—his efficiency rising with every clash.
Selene moved like a shadow at his side, stepping in when a beast showed signs of danger beyond his control, her spells precise and deadly.
They worked in silent sync—Kael's raw power tempered by Selene's calm magic.
No sign of rank 2 beasts yet, just the steady rhythm of battle and survival.
And as the snow thickened, so did the bond between them.
Suddenly, the soft crunch of approaching footsteps broke through the quiet snowfall.
Kael and Selene froze, exchanging a sharp glance. The mountain had been silent until now—too silent.
Selene narrowed her eyes. "That's not a beast."
Kael nodded slowly. "Other climbers?"
"Maybe… people seeking the inheritance," she muttered, eyes scanning the ridge.
And then, just ahead, a group emerged from the snow: cloaked figures, young, alert—each wearing the silver insignia of the Magic Academy.
Selene's expression shifted in an instant.
She hissed, ducked behind Kael, and tugged her hood low.
"Shit. That's my class."
Kael blinked. "Wait. Your class?"
Selene groaned softly. "Yeah… elite division."
"But why would the Magic Academy send elites here?" Kael asked, narrowing his eyes. "Must be for the inheritance, right?"
She shook her head. "No. That kind of thing doesn't usually interest the elite division. They chase after grand libraries, sealed dungeons, ancient spell nexuses. This place? It's small stuff—unless…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
But Kael didn't need her to.
His gaze darkened, the gears in his mind clicking into place.
'This isn't some dusty inheritance or forgotten relic. It's something bigger.'
Something worth sending one of the academy's top mages.
His lips curled into a slow, almost demonic smile.
'If there really is a treasure here…'
'Then only one person is leaving this mountain with it.'
'Me.'
He paused, then glanced at Selene beside him—fidgeting, worried, hood pulled low.
'…Maybe two,' he corrected in his mind.
Suddenly, a voice cut through Kael's thoughts like sleet down the spine.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Traitor herself."
Kael turned his head slowly. The speaker stood with arms folded, face twisted in a smug grin.
Adam.
The name drifted forward from Kaelion's memories—son of the Duke of the Northern Province, born with more mana than manners. Loud, spoiled, a political climber in training.
Kael raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Adam's grin widened. "And wait—who's that beside her? No way. Is that the magicless heir?"
He let out a short, theatrical laugh. "What was the name again? Kaelion, right? The shame of House Drenlor?"
Kael didn't flinch. He merely stared, calmly.
'This type of people die first', he thought darkly.
Before he could answer, another voice rang out—cool, firm, and commanding.
"Adam. That's enough."
The group of students shifted as a woman stepped forward, parting the snow with the grace of royalty.
Elara.
She was striking. Regal. Golden hair braided beneath a silver circlet, her mana coiled beneath her skin like sleeping lightning.
A princess of Velmora, no doubt.
She didn't even look at Adam as she spoke again.
"We are not here to entertain pettiness."
Adam's mouth snapped shut, teeth grinding.
Suddenly, a cold, mocking voice cut through the tension.
"Don't waste your breath fighting Adam—especially not with the daughter of traitors."
Selene elbowed Kael sharply, whispering,
"He's their instructor. We call him Master—rank 3 magician. Don't act stupid."
Selene stepped forward, voice steady but tinged with frustration.
"Guys, what exactly are you doing here?"
Adam sneered, folding his arms.
"We could ask the same about this magicless boy—why is he even here?"
Kael felt his temper bubbling beneath the surface, dark thoughts flashing through his mind.
'Adam's going to die very brutally if he keeps this up', he mused grimly.
Sensing the rising tension, Selene quickly interjected, trying to keep the peace.
"We're just here for the inheritance. Nothing more."
The Master took a slow breath, his gaze cold but measured.
"We're here for the inheritance as well."
The air thickened, the unspoken weight of their motives hanging between them like frost on the trees.
Elara's voice cut through the silence, calm but with an edge of authority.
"Why don't you come with us?"
Both Master and Adam turned sharply to look at her, surprise flickering in their eyes.
She didn't wait for a response. "Selene is a top magician. If she's with us, our chances of surviving up there only increase."
Adam sneered but said nothing.
Master simply nodded, the faintest trace of approval in his eyes.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the offer.
They're here for something more, he thought. And they probably know more about this place than we do.
He exhaled slowly, weighing the risk. Sometimes, it wasn't about trust—it was about survival.
Better to watch their backs than fight them on a mountain like this.
Kael finally nodded, his voice steady but low.
"Okay. We're in."
Selene let out a quiet breath of relief beside him.
The uneasy alliance was sealed—now, the real challenge began.