Chapter 295
Chapter 295
Chapter 295
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 295: Huperion Does Not Fear Hardship
In the northwest of the Protos Empire lay the Kingdom of Aetherthalan.At its northern capital, Ghedalia, the setting sun filtered through dense treetops, mingling with cooking smoke rising into the air, casting a soft glow over the forest city’s dusk. As the stars began to appear in the sky, the city-state prepared to welcome the night.
At the heart of the city, beside a crystal-clear lake encircled by forest, stood a grand temple.
Deep within the temple, inside a great hall of pure white jade and dark gray stone columns, the Ice Witch Yaya sat quietly on a sofa. She gently lifted a delicate porcelain cup, the faint green tea leaves slowly unfurling in the steaming water, releasing a soothing fragrance.
She closed her eyes, savoring this moment of calm.
But the peace did not last long.
In an unseen corner of the air, hidden by invisibility, Huperion watched with firm, cold eyes—ready, waiting.
If she could touch the Ice Witch, the trial would be considered passed.
Her breathing was soundless, erased, her figure like a shadow slipping forward without a trace, rapidly closing in on the Ice Witch.
Yet the Ice Witch sat perfectly still, as if unaware of Huperion’s approach.
Just as Huperion’s dagger was about to reach her target’s back, a sudden chill gripped her feet.
A formless frost spread swiftly from the floor to her ankles, freezing her in place.
She struggled hard, but the cold was overwhelming, crawling up to her hands until her dagger froze in midair—just a hair’s breadth from striking.
“You still haven’t eliminated the intent to attack,” the Ice Witch finally opened her eyes and spoke calmly.
“I’m sorry, Teacher Almis.”
Huperion lowered her head, disappointment flashing in her eyes.
But the Ice Witch’s gaze was deep, suffused with gentle warmth.
“It’s fine. You’re close to grasping the essence. You have a unique talent for erasing your presence—but it seems to awaken only in life-or-death moments.”
She lifted a finger, and the frost melted away. Healing magic flowed with it, leaving no trace of frostbite on Huperion’s body.
“…”
Huperion carefully stepped back, her cheeks flushed, her heart filled with respect.
She could indeed sense that, in moments of crisis, she could erase not just her magic or aura, but even her very presence.
But she dared not admit whether this was her own gift—or something shaped in her by another.
“Huperion, continue,” said the Ice Witch softly. With a flick of her hand, frost pushed Huperion back to the edge of the hall.
Thus, within this temple hall belonging to the Ice Witch, the cycle of calm and frost repeated over and over.
Until the last rays of dusk faded, leaving only lamplight shining upon Huperion’s young but resolute face. Her shadow stretched across the cold stone floor, still just short of reaching the Ice Witch.
“That’s enough for today. Don’t rush—you’re almost there.”
The Ice Witch healed Huperion’s minor frostbite again.
Next month, she would send Huperion to the Protos Empire. For now, she trained her in stealth and escape—because survival was the most important skill.
Although three priests familiar to Huperion would be sent to meet her in the Empire’s northwest province, once in the Imperial Capital Helrom, the mission would depend entirely on her.
“The Royal Academy of Magic you’ll enter next month is a very unfriendly place to ordinary students. Coming from the southern continent, you’ll find it hard to adapt. Your first challenge will be to earn enough credits before the planned prison raid day. Only then can you qualify for and receive the prison internship assignment.”
The Ice Witch gestured for her to sit, continuing:
“If you’re strong enough, you could break into the third-year Top Ten. Even just the tenth seat comes with considerable privileges… But with only one month, it’s almost impossible. And as a commoner, without a seat, you’ll face brutal injustice whenever you try to earn credits. You may suffer some grievances.”
“It’s fine. I’m very good at enduring, Teacher Almis,” Huperion nodded.
She was never the domineering type.
“…”
The Ice Witch fell briefly silent, a trace of confusion rising in her heart.
In this past month, she had realized Huperion was a good child—and not pretending.
Elegant, trustworthy, pure as falling snow, gentle yet fearless.
So different from her mother, Ifatia.
If one mistook Ifatia for a fragile angel, the consequences were dire.
Both Ifatia and her sister Talia were vastly different in temperament, but in one thing they were alike: when they sought revenge, they became terrifyingly mad.
By contrast, Huperion seemed utterly unlike either her mother or her aunt.
“By the way, Teacher Almis—any recent news from the Protos Empire?” Huperion asked.
The Ice Witch shook her head.
The northern border was increasingly sealed, even communication between northern provinces and others had been cut. Only certain classified channels in the capital Helrom had access to news.
“Still worried about him?” the Ice Witch asked.
Of course she knew why.
That young man, Lan Qi Wilfort. Since parting from Huperion, he must have drifted into the Empire.
“I only hope Cat Boss listens to me and keeps him in line,” Huperion admitted, though her concern for Lan Qi was layered and hard to explain.
“Don’t worry. I trust Loren’s character. Any student of his must be disciplined and upright. For such a youth, you can be at complete ease,” said the Ice Witch with certainty as she sipped her tea again.
“…”
Huperion said nothing.
She would never speak ill of Lan Qi—so now she had nothing to say.
Perhaps she was simply worrying too much.
Lan Qi had promised her: once he finished his assignments, he would travel leisurely through the Empire, then return.
Whatever he had done in the Shadow World, in the real world he was steady, trustworthy, dependable.
He should be fine.
She herself must also keep striving.
To prepare.
Until they met again in the Imperial Capital.