Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Adept

The first pale light of dawn spilled over the snow-covered ridges of Frostspire Peak. The cold was still sharp, but the storm had passed, leaving the world in an eerie, crystalline calm.

Noel was already awake.

He sat against a low outcrop of rock, cloak pulled close around him. In his lap, Noir lay curled up, small and warm, her breathing slow and steady.

Across the small camp, Selene still slept, her body half-covered by her cloak. Her hood had slipped back sometime in the night, revealing loose strands of blue hair that framed her face.

Even in the dim light, the faint traces of yesterday’s tears were still visible beneath her closed eyes.

Noel watched in silence.

He made no move to disturb her.

’She looks better now. This is good. I might have to deal with Lady Vaelora later… but this—this is better. Maybe not for the story, but for me. And for Selene too. This way atleast I could see myself in the mirror.’

He let out a quiet breath and reached into his Dimensional Pouch, pulling out a small bottle of water. Twisting the cap open, he took a slow drink.

’Yeah… this feels calmer.’

The cold water eased his throat, the crisp taste grounding him in the moment.

As he lowered the bottle, Noir stirred softly in his lap. The small Shadow Wolf stretched her limbs with a low sound, then looked up at him with bright violet eyes.

Noel smiled faintly and poured a little water into his palm, holding it out.

“You ready to grow stronger, Noir?”

Noir leaned forward, lapping at the water with small, careful movements.

Noel glanced once more toward Selene. She was still asleep, her breathing even.

He said nothing.

And waited.

It was the soft crackle of the dying fire that stirred Selene from sleep.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, the faint chill of the morning air brushing against her skin. For a moment, she stayed still beneath her cloak, the scent of smoke and snow lingering around her.

Then she noticed the plate beside her—set there quietly while she slept.

A small bread roll, lightly warmed, with a slice of cooked meat tucked inside. Simple, but more than enough.

She sat up, brushing strands of blue hair from her face. Her eyes still burned faintly from the tears of the night before, but her chest felt… lighter. Calmer.

There were no words, no demands—just… this.

Selene reached out and picked up the bread, holding it for a moment before taking a slow bite.

Across the clearing, Noel sat near Noir, pouring a little more water into his palm for the small wolf to drink.

Selene watched quietly for a moment, then spoke, her voice soft but steady.

“Good morning.”

Noel glanced her way and offered a small nod.

“Good morning. I didn’t want to wake you.”

He gestured slightly toward her plate. “Eat. When you’re ready, we’ll start climbing.”

Selene gave a faint nod and returned to her meal. Her movements were still quiet, reserved—but the tension that had weighed on her yesterday seemed to have eased.

Noel didn’t press her. He turned back to his pack, checking supplies with quiet efficiency.

When the meal was done and the camp packed away, they began the climb once more.

The path narrowed as they rose higher. Few plants grew here—only sparse patches of hardy brush clinging to the rocks. The trees had long since vanished, replaced by jagged stone and deep snow.

The cold grew sharper with every step, the wind biting through even their thick cloaks.

But they moved steadily forward, the mountain looming ever higher before them.

The trail narrowed sharply as they climbed.

Sheer walls of stone flanked the path now, streaked with ice and patches of frost. Above, the jagged peaks of Frostspire loomed closer, their shadows stretching long across the snow.

Noel led the way, Revenant Fang strapped securely at his side, the blade’s dark form gleaming faintly beneath the folds of his cloak. Noir trotted lightly ahead, ears flicking with each shift in the air.

Selene followed close behind, her wand ready in one gloved hand, blue eyes narrowed against the cold.

The first sound came low and deep—a guttural rumble that vibrated through the ice.

Noel froze, raising a hand. Selene stopped instantly, her breath misting in the air.

From the ridge ahead, a massive shape lumbered into view—then another.

Frosthide Bears.

Three of them.

Their hulking forms moved with deceptive speed, fur gleaming like armor beneath layers of frost. Each step left deep gouges in the snow as they growled and spread out to block the path.

Noel’s eyes narrowed.

“Stay close,” he said. “We’ll handle them.”

Without hesitation, he drew Revenant Fang, the blade humming faintly with cold steel and shadow.

As the first bear lunged, Noel shifted smoothly to the side.

“Fire Arc.”

A sharp line of flame slashed across the creature’s flank, searing the frost-hardened fur. The bear roared in fury but pressed forward.

Selene raised her wand, voice sharp:

“Frost Wall!”

A thick sheet of ice burst from the ground, halting the second bear’s charge. Behind the wall, she flicked her wand again:

“Glacialis.”

Shards of razor-edged ice shot forward, piercing the bear’s exposed underbelly.

Noel met the first bear head-on. Revenant Fang gleamed as he parried a massive claw swipe, twisting beneath the strike. With a sharp step inward, he drove the blade upward through the bear’s throat.

The beast shuddered, breath steaming, before collapsing heavily into the snow.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 96.53% – Mana Core: Novice]

Noel exhaled, spinning toward the second.

Selene’s magic had weakened it, frost coating its limbs.

“Ice Spike!”

A series of jagged spears erupted beneath the bear, pinning one of its legs. It roared in frustration, clawing wildly.

Noel dashed in.

“Ignition Surge.”

A burst of fire wreathed Revenant Fang as he struck, cleaving through the beast’s chest with a single, brutal blow.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 96.63% – Mana Core: Novice]

The last bear charged, enraged.

Noel dropped low, slipping to its flank. He slashed deeply across its hind leg, forcing it to stumble.

“Hold it!” he called.

Selene nodded, voice calm despite the tension.

“Graviton Hold!”

A faint ripple spread through the air as the bear’s movements slowed, limbs dragging against an unseen force.

Noel surged in, blade flashing in the cold light.

“Fireball.”

A burst of flame struck the bear’s exposed side, and as it reared back, he drove Revenant Fang clean through its heart.

The beast let out a final, shuddering groan before falling still.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 96.73% – Mana Core: Novice]

Breathing steady, Noel straightened, lowering the blade.

Selene stepped forward, her breath frosted in the air, wand still glowing faintly.

Noel glanced at her.

“Good work.”

She gave a small nod, chest rising and falling quickly.

But there was no time to linger.

Noel sheathed Revenant Fang, gaze already scanning the path ahead.

“Let’s keep moving.”

The climb grew steeper.

Snow and rock gave way to narrow ledges and jagged paths. The air thinned, each breath colder than the last. Noel and Selene moved steadily, boots crunching through the packed snow.

Ahead, another low growl echoed across the ridge.

Noel’s grip tightened on Revenant Fang.

“They’re close.”

They rounded a sharp bend—and there they were.

Two more Frosthide Bears, larger than the last, blocking the path entirely. Their fur gleamed beneath a thick sheen of frost, eyes burning with primal fury.

Noel didn’t hesitate.

“Ready?” he asked.

Selene nodded, wand raised.

Noel surged forward first, feet light on the snow.

“Fire Arc!”

A sweeping line of flame slashed across the first bear’s chest, forcing it back with a roar.

Behind him, Selene’s voice rang out:

“Graviton Hold!”

The second bear staggered, limbs dragging under the invisible weight.

Noel closed in on the first.

“Ignition Surge.”

Flames burst along Revenant Fang as he struck, cleaving deep into the bear’s shoulder. The beast reared up, claws swinging—Noel ducked beneath the strike and drove the blade into its heart.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 96.83% – Mana Core: Novice]

He turned at once.

The second bear strained against the gravitational pull, snarling.

“Now!” he called.

Selene responded instantly.

“Glacialis.”

Shards of ice tore into the beast’s flanks, staggering it.

Noel moved like a shadow.

“Flare Trap.”

A burst of heat ignited beneath the bear’s feet, searing its underbelly.

With a final surge, Noel leapt in, blade flashing.

One clean strike through the throat ended it.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 96.93% – Mana Core: Novice]

His breath came faster now, heart hammering in his chest.

’Just a little more.’

The path wound higher still.

After a short climb, they encountered another pair near a crumbling ridge.

The battle was faster this time.

Selene opened with a swift Frost Wall, forcing one bear to stumble. Noel met the other head-on.

“Fireball!”

The blast struck its face, blinding it.

Revenant Fang followed—one precise strike to the heart.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 97.03% – Mana Core: Novice]

Selene finished the other with a barrage of Ice Spikes, freezing it mid-step.

Noel’s blade found its mark soon after.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 97.13% – Mana Core: Novice]

The air felt heavier now.

They pressed on, pushing deeper into the thinning trail.

Three more battles followed—harder each time, the bears stronger, faster.

But together, they cut through.

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 97.23% – Mana Core: Novice]

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 97.33% – Mana Core: Novice]

[You have slain Frosthide Bear (Rare – Novice). You received 0.10%.]

[Current Core Progress: 97.43% – Mana Core: Novice]

By the time they reached a narrow plateau beneath a sheer cliff, the sun had begun its slow descent.

Noel checked his progress.

[Current Core Progress: 99.93% – Mana Core: Novice]

He exhaled, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

’One more. Just one more.’

He glanced at Selene, her face calm but alert.

“Stay here with Noir,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.”

She met his gaze, hesitated, then nodded.

Noel turned away, Revenant Fang in hand.

Time to finish this.

The higher he climbed, the colder it became.

Jagged stone jutted from the ice, the path now little more than a narrow ridge. The wind howled louder here, whipping snow across the trail.

Noel pressed forward alone.

Revenant Fang felt heavier in his grip now. His breath came fast, clouds of frost swirling before him. His body ached from the battles below, but his focus remained sharp.

The sound came suddenly—a low growl, almost too deep to hear.

Noel froze, eyes scanning the rocks ahead.

A blur of white and blue shot from the shadows.

Glacier Mauler.

A massive, silent, and deadly predator.

Its claws shattered ice as it lunged, eyes gleaming with cold intelligence.

Noel barely dodged to the side.

The beast struck the ground where he had stood, claws tearing deep gouges in the stone.

Noel rolled to his feet, blade raised.

“Fire Arc!”

A line of flame seared across the Mauler’s flank—but the beast barely flinched. Its thick fur and hide absorbed the worst of the burn.

It came at him again, faster this time.

Noel ducked under the swipe, Revenant Fang lashing out—another strike to the ribs. Blood stained the snow, but the Mauler roared and pressed harder.

Noel grit his teeth.

’This thing is faster than the bears.’

The Mauler lunged again.

“Flare Trap!”

Noel cast the spell mid-step, forcing the beast to stumble as flames burst beneath its paws.

He used the moment to strike—two quick slashes across its chest.

But it didn’t slow.

The next blow caught Noel across the side, sending him sprawling into the snow. The cold bit through his cloak instantly.

He gasped, forcing himself up.

His side burned—bruised, but not broken.

The Mauler charged again.

Noel forced his legs to move.

“Frost Wall!”

Ice burst upward between them, halting the Mauler for a precious second.

Breathing hard, Noel circled wide.

’Now.’

“Ignition Surge!”

Flames wreathed Revenant Fang as he launched forward, driving the blade deep beneath the creature’s shoulder.

The Mauler howled, claws raking blindly. One strike grazed Noel’s arm, tearing through his sleeve.

But he didn’t stop.

With a final cry, Noel twisted the blade upward—piercing the Mauler’s heart.

The beast collapsed, blood steaming in the snow.

Noel stood frozen for a moment, chest heaving.

Then, his strength gave out.

He fell back into the snow, cold seeping through every layer.

Flat on his back, eyes wide, he stared up at the pale sky.

The wind howled above. His breath came ragged, each exhale a soft cloud.

And then—

[You have slain Glacier Mauler (Elite – Novice). You received 0.15%.]

[Current Core Progress: 00.08% – Mana Core: Adept]

[Congratulations!!! You have advanced in rank. A great achievement. Congratulations.]

For a moment, Noel couldn’t move. His whole body thrummed with new strength—his Core burning with a deeper, sharper flow of mana.

A slow, tired smile touched his lips.

’I did it.’

But as the wind stirred the snow around him, a new message appeared.

[New Mission: Treat the disease and save Elyra’s mother. Time remaining: 14 days.]

Noel’s smile faded.

His fists clenched in the snow.

’What the hell is this? Why now? I knew I was racing against time, but this… I thought I had more. Damn it.’

He stared at the sky, cold creeping deeper into his bones.

No time to rest.

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