"Of course," Arthur nodded with a gentle smile, not noticing the silent exchange of glances between the Adams. "I understand," came the reply, firm and resolute.
Adam suddenly straightened his posture, then bowed deeply to Arthur in accordance with the traditional teacher-acceptance ritual. With clear conviction in his voice, he spoke:
"Teacher, I humbly request your guidance from this day forward. Please take care of your disciple in the days to come!"
Though there was no grand ceremony, Adam's sincere tone left no doubt about the seriousness of his commitment.
Arthur smiled warmly at the sight. "So this is my first disciple," he thought, a sense of pride blooming in his chest.
As if affirming the moment, the system prompt echoed clearly:
"The first disciple, Adam Frost-Heart, has successfully completed the apprenticeship."
"You have obtained the Magic Source: Source of the Universe. This source allows assimilation of all magical elements and grants access to multiple special magics: Heart of Frost, Absolute Zero Ice Source, and Mastery of Absolute Ice Magic. Power of Heaven included."
In the world of wizards, most can only wield magic tied to their original elemental source. If they wish to cast other elemental spells, they must channel them through external veins and flow structures, which significantly weakens their potency. Some wizarding families are born with dual or multi-element sources, but few ever ascend to the upper echelons of the wizarding world. Only a handful of ancient families, such as the Frost-Heart family with their Absolute Zero affinity, hold elemental sources that have reached the pinnacle of magical potential.
"Next step: Multiple Extraction."
A flash of light enveloped both Arthur and Adam, transporting them from their location.
This time, Arthur didn't return to the familiar system space. Instead, he and Adam arrived together in Adam's exclusive magical domain.
What was once a plain room had transformed dramatically, empowered by the intense magical energy radiating from Adam's source. The space had expanded vastly. Towering ice mountains loomed in the distance, crystalline trees of frost shimmered with beauty, and gentle snow blanketed rolling hills in soft white.
Before Arthur, a roulette wheel appeared, its surface etched with numbered segments.
"Please initiate the draw. Your strength will be multiplied according to the number you land on, based on the apprentice's peak potential," the system announced.
Arthur's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
The wheel spun. The numbers ranged from 1 to 1000—the greater the multiple, the lower the probability.
Even five times would be impressive.
"Let's begin."
Arthur's voice was calm but eager.
The pointer began spinning furiously.
"Ten times… that would still be quite good."
As the pointer slowed near the tenfold mark, Arthur felt a small surge of hope.
Then, miraculously, it ticked past ten.
It continued... and landed on one hundred.
"Hundred times?"
Arthur blinked, stunned.
A thrill surged through him. Adam Frost-Heart at his peak was already an overwhelming force—a wizard capable of freezing space itself, preventing even the most skilled teleportation users from escaping. With strength multiplied by a hundred, the potential was staggering.
At that moment, Arthur felt a surge of freezing energy coalesce within him.
It was vast, bottomless. The cold was absolute.
His body began to change, adapting into the physique of an ancient Frost-Heart wizard. Knowledge rushed into his mind—Absolute Zero Ice Source, Power of Heaven, mastery over the most arcane ice spells.
As a hidden teacher, Arthur gained access to his disciple's peak talents. More than that, he could fully master them after minimal practice, as if they were second nature.
"You may now manifest a physical form for one minute per day," the system informed him.
It wasn't much—for now. But as his disciple grew in power, that time would expand.
"Teacher Arthur?"
Adam looked at Arthur, confusion in his eyes. He scratched his head, unsure.
When they'd first entered this space, Adam had been overwhelmed by confusion and panic.
But the influx of system knowledge helped him orient himself. He understood the basic rules—how to enter the space, how to communicate with his teacher.
Still, seeing Arthur standing silently in thought, Adam couldn't help but wonder.
That wonder turned into awe.
He could feel it. Arthur radiated the same cold energy as the Frost-Heart lineage—only stronger.
Arthur returned from his trance, smiling warmly.
"Have you figured things out yet?"
"I have," Adam replied with reverence.
Even with limited knowledge from the system, Adam was impressed. Spatial magic was rare—almost mythical. The fact that Arthur mastered it effortlessly only deepened the mystery surrounding him.
"Adam," Arthur began, "you are now my first and foremost disciple. I do not impose many rules, only three."
"First—respect your teacher, and honor the heavens."
"Second—you may compete with fellow disciples, but you must never harm or kill each other."
He paused.
"…And the third…"
Arthur's expression grew slightly awkward.
Truthfully, he had only thought of the first two rules on the spot, and now found himself scrambling for a third.
After all, he wasn't one to force ideologies or grand ambitions on others. Justice, heroism, revenge—those were for the disciples to choose on their own path.
"…is to be determined," he finally said with a sheepish grin.
Adam chuckled. "Haha."
He had noticed his teacher's moment of hesitation, but it made Arthur feel more human, more approachable.
Arthur rolled his eyes and rapped Adam lightly on the head.
"Cheeky student. Getting bold already."
Adam yelped and covered his head, but he was smiling.
There was warmth in that gesture—a warmth he had never felt from his own father.
Luke Frost-Heart, Adam's father, was an austere man. A traditionalist. Rigid and unyielding. His years as head of an ancient family had hardened him, distancing him from even his son.
But in Arthur, Adam felt something different.
Not just power.
He felt the warmth of a true teacher.