The only thing that had ever made Adam feel a flicker of warmth was the bond he shared with his brothers. But even that connection could never fill the gaping void left by his father's distant indifference.
Now, with Arthur, things felt... different.
The gentle humor, the subtle gestures, the warm scolding—it wasn't just mentorship; it felt like paternal care. For the first time, Adam sensed what it meant to be looked after, not judged. The laughter that had just passed between them lingered in the air like a summer breeze, but the moment soon gave way to more serious matters.
"Although I can walk among the living for brief moments, the time I can maintain a physical form is extremely short," Arthur explained, his voice calm but firm. "Most of the time, I'll be in a soul state, like before. In that state, only you can see or hear me."
Adam nodded solemnly, absorbing the weight of those words.
Arthur gestured to the environment around them. "This space, however, is special. Here, I can use magic freely, even in soul form. I will train you here, away from prying eyes."
Adam glanced around, noticing again how the space had transformed. What was once a plain room had evolved into a frozen sanctuary—a land of shimmering ice mountains, frost-draped trees, and snowy hills. The space was vast, far larger than before, and carried a wild, otherworldly beauty.
More than just a stunning environment, this place was resilient. No matter how much damage it sustained during training, it would recover on its own.
"Understood," Adam replied with a respectful bow.
Arthur smiled, pleased by the boy's earnest attitude.
Without further delay, Arthur called upon the system. Begin first training sequence for disciple Adam, he commanded silently.
A mechanical voice echoed in his mind, smooth and emotionless. "Current disciple level: Junior Wizard. You may proceed with training along the original path, or choose a new direction."
Levels of wizards are mainly divided into:
Apprentice Wizards: Those who have just awakened their magic source and are unfamiliar with how to properly use magic.
Junior Wizards: Novices who have started training and have limited but usable magical power.
Senior Wizards: Experienced practitioners with more control and depth in magic.
Elite Wizards: Highly skilled and knowledgeable wizards with advanced command of their magic.
Top or Peak Wizards: The elite tier, reaching the pinnacle of standard magical strength.
Title Wizards: A rank above Peak Wizards—these are the famous, legendary magic users whose names are known across continents. Their power is immense, often beyond measure. For now, we will not delve into their world.
Arthur didn't hesitate. "Original path."
Adam's potential lay squarely in the power of the Absolute Zero Ice Source. Diverting him now would only hinder growth.
Before him, a translucent light curtain appeared, displaying several options:
Strengthen Physical Ability
Enhance Icefrost Source
Awaken Absolute Zero Magic Source
"Awaken Absolute Zero Magic Source," Arthur declared.
This, after all, was a promise he had made.
The curtain vanished, replaced by the mechanical voice once again. "Selection confirmed. Awakening process will commence once the disciple reaches the next stage."
At that exact moment, Adam's body shivered.
"Eh? What was that?" he muttered, bewildered.
A current of icy energy surged through him and vanished just as quickly.
Arthur chuckled softly. "Check your magic power."
Adam blinked and focused. In his palm, a cluster of magic condensed—but this time, it shimmered with a haunting cold, dropping the room's temperature by several degrees.
A sharp, endless chill radiated from it.
"Is this..." Adam's eyes widened with amazement.
Arthur grinned. "You really thought I was bluffing before you agreed to be my disciple?"
Adam gave a sheepish smile, though the joy was clear in his eyes. The cold aura, so intense and pure, was unmistakable. This wasn't just any magic—this was the unmistakable sign of the Absolute Zero Ice Source.
In the long and ancient history of the Frost-Heart Family, very few had ever awakened it. The family's bloodline leaned toward the Frost Heart Source—a powerful affinity, but not the legendary mutation that was Absolute Zero.
Only in rare cases, through a magical mutation in one's source, could the Absolute Zero Ice Source emerge. Despite this, countless Frost-Hearts had spent their lives chasing a dream they did not understand.
Adam bowed deeply. "Thank you, Teacher."
Though the power had just been awakened, he already felt its resonance within him. He would protect his people with it, and more than that—he would pursue the dream that had taken root in his heart: to create a safe haven in the treacherous world of magic.
Arthur simply nodded. He knew Adam would have awakened this power eventually. All he had done was shave years off the timeline.
"Power like this," Adam said softly, almost to himself, "can't be earned through cultivation alone."
The sorrow of the ancestors who had spent their lives chasing this unattainable power now made sense. Without the magical mutation, it would always be out of reach.
Arthur clapped his hands, snapping Adam out of his thoughts. "No more dazing off. Someone's looking for you."
He flicked a finger, and a light screen appeared in the air. It showed the outside world.
A knock echoed through the Frost-Heart estate.
"Teacher, then I shall take my leave."
With a bow, Adam exited the space.
...
Back in his room, Adam blinked. Less than an hour had passed, yet his life had changed completely.
He had taken a teacher, awakened a legendary power, and gained hope for the future.
Knock, knock.
He composed himself and opened the door.
There stood Max Frost-Heart, his expression excited. But behind him loomed a far more serious presence.
Luke Frost-Heart.
Adam instinctively straightened his posture.
His father—the head of the Frost-Heart Family—was a man of unyielding discipline. Emotion rarely touched his face, and his words were few but heavy.
His presence carried the weight of centuries of tradition.
Adam swallowed.
The warmth he had felt in Arthur's company suddenly felt like a distant memory in the presence of this cold figure.