Chapter 204: New Abilities
The following morning.
The academy training grounds were far quieter than usual.
With summer vacation having officially begun, most of the students had already returned home. Only a handful remained behind, using the academy’s facilities to continue training.
The rhythmic sounds of clashing weapons and exploding spells echoed across the open field.
Noah sat alone on a wooden bench beneath the shade of a large tree, quietly watching the students spar and train.
He came to train this morning and now he was taking some rest.
After everything that had happened, after the battle against the demons, after Mary’s death.
He had finally decided it was time to properly examine the changes to his Status.
He hadn’t looked at it carefully since the examination.
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he muttered inwardly,
’Status.’
A familiar translucent blue screen immediately materialized before him.
It floated silently in the air.
=== STATUS ===
Name: Noah Eldritch
Race: Human
Age: 19 Years
Strength: 327 [+87]
Speed: 330 [+83]
Stamina: 339 [+81]
Endurance: 321 [+86]
Charm: 631
Mana: 3123 [+570]
Core Rank: Awakened (High)
Potential: Mythical Core / Origin Core (???)
Profession: [Combatant Lv.2]
Technique: [Frozen Lotus Blade Art], [Flowing String Archery]
Affinity: Ice
Spells: [Ice Shard], [Frost Bind], [Snow Mist], [Ice Blizzard]
Innate Ability: [Ice Creation]
Passive Ability: [Adaptive Learning], [Heart of absolute Frost]
Active Ability:[Monarch’s Decree]
Bloodline: [Monarch of The Frost]
=================
Noah quietly studied every line.
His gaze lingered on his attributes.
"...My stats increased again."
The increase was far greater than he had expected.
He folded his arms while thinking.
’Was it because of the System?Or because of the Moon Goddess?’
The mysterious encounter after the battle surfaced in his mind.
He still didn’t know whether it had truly happened or if it had merely been a dream.
After remaining silent for a while, another possibility crossed his mind.
’Or perhaps, did my growth speed increase because my Potential changed into Mythical?’
He couldn’t tell about his sudden growth..
There simply wasn’t enough information. Eventually, his attention shifted toward the newly awakened abilities.
His gaze stopped on Heart of Absolute Frost.
"...This passive ability is incredible."
At first glance, it didn’t appear particularly impressive.
However the more he analyzed its description, the more terrifying it became.
First of all he had become immune to cold.
He could still feel low temperatures. But they no longer affected his body.
Whether it was freezing snow, a glacier or even supernatural ice.
His body could endure temperatures that would instantly kill an ordinary person.
He smiled faintly. "If a spell capable of reaching absolute zero actually existed, it probably wouldn’t be able to freeze me."
Noah had read about such spells in many webnovels. But now they won’t affect him.
For someone who possessed the bloodline of the Frost Monarch such an ability was almost perfect.
He glanced toward the clear summer sky. Despite the intense heat of the morning sun.
His body felt pleasantly cool.
"...This is surprisingly comfortable."
He chuckled softly.
"I’ll never have to complain about summer again."
After a few more moments, his gaze shifted downward once more.
This time he focused on his active ability.
Monarch’s Decree.
Unlike Heart of the Absolute Frost, this ability wasn’t passive.
It required conscious activation. According to the information that came to him naturally. As if it existed there from the beginning.
It allowed him to release the oppressive aura of the Monarch.
Against opponents weaker than himself, that pressure could instill fear, suppress their movements, and even force simple commands upon them.
For example if he ordered someone to Freeze, their body would become temporarily immobilized.
The duration depended on the opponent’s mental strength and overall power.
The stronger the enemy, the weaker the effect would be.
"...That’s absurdly useful."
He leaned back against the bench.
’I really want to test it...’
His blue eyes slowly swept across the training grounds.
Only a few students remained. Most of them were busy practicing with swords or casting spells.
"...Who here is weaker than me?"
He honestly had no idea.
At that moment a young man with short dark brown hair began walking toward the same bench Noah occupied.
The student wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel hanging around his neck.
He appeared exhausted after training.
Noah had noticed him training several minutes earlier.
Judging from his movements and training, he was clearly weaker than Noah.
’...Perfect.Alright. Let’s give it a try on him. It’s not like my ability would harm him physically.’
Noah slowly exhaled.
Then he activated Monarch’s Decree.
The change happened instantly. An indescribable chill spread throughout his entire body.
It wasn’t ordinary cold.
It resembled the state he entered while performing the Second Petal of the Frozen Lotus Blade Art.
A state in which every emotion disappeared.
However there was one crucial difference.
When using the Second Petal Noah had to deliberately suppress every emotion himself.
He needed complete concentration.
Monarch’s Decree was different.
The emotions simply vanished without effort and without any resistance.
His grief over Mary’s death disappeared. His anxiety about returning home faded away.
His guilt, his anger and even his lingering sadness, everything became distant.
Only absolute calm remained.
Cold, emotionless indifferent was all inside him.
A pale glacier-blue light gradually filled his eyes. His pupils seemed to glow with an ethereal frost.
At that exact moment the approaching student instinctively looked toward Noah.
Their eyes met.
Thump!
The young man’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
Every instinct in his body screamed at him.
He felt danger.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon him without warning.
His breathing became shallow.
His legs instinctively wanted to retreat.
Yet they refused to obey.
Noah looked directly into his eyes. Then, in a calm, indifferent voice, he uttered a single word.
"Freeze."
The moment those words left his mouth. The young man’s body completely stiffened.
He couldn’t move. He couldn’t even move a finger.
His pupils shrank. ’W-What’s happening...?’
Panic spread through his mind. His heart pounded violently inside his chest.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Cold sweat rolled down his forehead. His breathing became uneven.
An indescribable fear slowly crept into every corner of his mind.
It wasn’t merely fear.
It felt as though an existence far above him had spoken. And his body had no choice but to obey.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Footsteps echoed across the training ground.
They grew closer with every approaching step the pressure became heavier.
The young man’s breathing turned increasingly ragged.
His entire body trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to look up. He wanted to run. He wanted to scream.
But none of his muscles responded. The footsteps finally reached him.
Then without stopping they calmly passed by.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The pressure disappeared. His frozen body suddenly regained control.
Thud!
His knees struck the ground. Both hands slammed against the dirt as he desperately caught himself.
"Haah...!"
"Haah...!"
He gasped for air as though he had nearly drowned. His entire body shook uncontrollably.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
Slowly he turned around. Only one figure remained in his sight.
A young man with snow-white hair calmly walked away from the wooden bench, his back facing him.
Without looking back even once Noah quietly left the training grounds.
---
Inside one of the academy’s spacious stone corridors, Noah walked at a leisurely pace while absentmindedly rubbing his forehead.
"Hmm... just as I expected."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"This ability really does put some pressure on my mind."
The headache was mild, little more than a dull ache behind his forehead but it was noticeable.
Fortunately, it wasn’t severe enough to affect his movements or concentration.
"It’s manageable."
He lowered his hand and continued walking through the corridor.
As he walked, the image of the young student he had tested Monarch’s Decree on replayed in his mind.
"The effect was far stronger than I expected."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"He was completely terrified."
The memory of the student’s trembling body, cold sweat, and inability to move confirmed just how frightening the ability truly was.
Their very soul seemed to recognize the overwhelming presence standing before them.
"A useful ability..."
Noah muttered to himself.
"If used properly, it could completely disrupt an enemy before the battle even began."
His thoughts soon drifted elsewhere.
"Once I returned home..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"...I could ask Father and Brother Nathan to put me through few rounds of training."
Noah actually looked forward to training with them. Both of them possessed far more experience than he did.
"It’ll be worth it."
Just then, "Noah!"
A familiar voice called out from behind him.
Noah stopped walking and turned around.
He saw Damien approaching together with the rest of his usual group.
Leonard walked beside him with his carefree grin.
Kaelan followed quietly.
Lyria and Arisha were walking together while Emma trailed slightly behind them.
The six of them soon reached Noah.
Damien looked him over before speaking.
"How are you feeling now? I heard from Lyria that you were discharged yesterday evening."
"I’m doing much better."
A small smile appeared on Noah’s face.
"The healers did an excellent job."
"That’s good to hear."
Arisha smiled gently, relief evident in her emerald eyes.
"We were all worried about you."
Leonard crossed his arms and laughed.
"Honestly, he’s Noah. I knew he’d recover ridiculously fast."
"You’re giving me too much credit."
Noah chuckled softly.
Even Emma, who usually never missed an opportunity to criticize him, cleared her throat awkwardly.
"...I’m glad you’re alright."
She immediately looked away after saying it, clearly embarrassed.
Noah blinked in surprise.
That might have been the first genuinely kind thing she had ever said to him.
A faint smile formed on his face.
"Thank you."
Emma simply folded her arms and muttered something under her breath.
The atmosphere around the group became much lighter.
Noah’s gaze eventually shifted toward Kaelan.
"More importantly...How are you doing?"
Kaelan nodded.
"I’m fine. My injuries have mostly healed."
Noah hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"Did your family or the academy discover why those demons were trying to assassinate you?"
Kaelan’s expression became serious.
He slowly shook his head.
"No. Neither the academy nor my family has found anything yet. They’re still investigating. No one knows why the demons specifically targeted me."
A thoughtful silence followed.
"I hope they find something soon."
"So do I."
Kaelan nodded quietly.
The group continued walking together through the corridor.
The gentle morning breeze drifted in through the enormous open windows, carrying the refreshing scent of flowers from the academy gardens.
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