Chapter 647 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

The princess of Celsius, perched atop the ice giant, clapped softly in response to my answer. It wasn’t a difficult answer, and she had expected me to get it right. “Correct. This one’s name is Olaf. A tiny snowman left behind by one of my distant ancestors before passing away.” Upon hearing that, I glanced back at the ice giant. It had a disproportionately larger lower body compared to its upper body. Black pebbles were embedded in its body like buttons, and twigs hung from its fingertips like fingernails. The window from which Elzia appeared acted as the giant’s mouth, and above it, jet-black obsidian served as its round eyes. Despite its immense and intimidating appearance, upon closer inspection, it did possess certain features reminiscent of a snowman. "If it were smaller, it would have been much cuter. Now it’s just frightening because of its size." “Oh my, can’t you appreciate Olaf’s cuteness? Well, commoners’ aesthetic sense isn’t quite there yet, I suppose.” It’s not about aesthetic sense; the hulking ice is trying to smash me. “Enough of the chit-chat, here comes the second question.” The ice giant raised its arm again, and I flinched, looking at the fractured ground. Earlier, it missed due to Elzia subtly redirecting its aim at the last moment. “The time limit is before the fist hits the ground. If you get the answer right, Olaf will retract its fist... So that's the rule, right?” Bang. The ice giant’s fist crashed down far from me. The thunderous noise reverberated through the ice, chilling me to the bone. “Correct. Although that wasn’t the question, I'll count it as correct. Now, onto the third question, right?” …Seems this isn’t ending in just a couple of questions. “A mage’s keepsake that is left behind before their death carries part of their unique magical power. What, then, is the power of this one... Olaf?” How should I know? Even though I can read minds, keepsakes are things. I can't read the thoughts of objects! The best I can do is to read human thoughts. Ah, right. Instead of the object, I can read the human’s thoughts, can’t I? As the giant’s fist gradually approached, I hastily shouted. “Rolling snowballs?” Bang. The answer was correct again. This time, the ice giant's fist landed slightly closer. "Correct. Did the hint help?" “Judging by the twigs and buttons, saying it used to be a small snowman isn't a lie, is it? Which means the ice giant must have ‘grown,’ right? Just like how snowballs grow into snowmen. The true power of that keepsake is likely the ability to absorb crystals of the same kind, forming a larger one.” In Celsius’ domain, warm ice is abundant. Even a small snowman can absorb the surrounding snow and ice to become a giant. That ice giant... The way it moves is by maintaining the ‘snowman’ form while repeatedly disassembling and reassembling. “Impressive. Then, next question.” Another question? I wouldn’t mind joining in, but there sure are a lot of them. “Excuse me, may I ask something?” The ice giant’s hand suddenly halted. “What is it? Since you’ve answered well thus far, I’ll grant you the right to ask a question this time.” “I mean, for something to be called a question... it should be something one might not know, shouldn’t it? Right now, isn’t this just small talk? Are your questions really only at this level?” There was a hint of provocation, but it was also sincere. Elzia danced around the core, avoiding direct speech. If that’s what they call noble speech, I don’t have much to say. But my time is precious here. I wondered how this haughty young lady would react to my answer. “Hm. You seem confident. I intended it as a courtesy for you.” Elzia brushed off my provocation with a simple chuckle. “I thought context was important for questions, but since you insist, let’s get to the point. Now, the final question.” She lightly tapped on the window frame. The ice giant slowly clasped its hands together. Fragments of ice and snow floated and enveloped the fist. In an instant, the ice giant’s fist grew to a size comparable to an ice castle. “In this desolate, forsaken land, which even the sun has abandoned, what has established the rules and shared blessings with the ignorant until now?” As the question concluded and the giant’s fist descended, I recalled the times I had looked down on this land from the floating fortress. Neatly sectioned off areas, as though someone had cut them into squares. The magical families at the center of each. And those areas ‘beyond’ the reach of the rules that lay at the square boundaries. And the unique yet clearly defined ‘rules’ of Celsius’ domain. How are these rules maintained? How are human-created rules causing anomalies in this land? The answer is right before my eyes. “The first head of the family, Kelvin Celsius.” Elzia’s smile faded a little, and the descending ice fist didn’t move. That signified an incorrect answer. At least for now. I deliberately mumbled faintly, almost inaudibly. “…is the keepsake.” Boom. An enormous ice block crashed down beside me, enveloping me with a tremendous shock. Mist surged from the shattered ice block. In this world of thick haze where I couldn't see an inch ahead, shadows flickered. The ice giant lowered its arm. Elzia Celsius descended gracefully, stepping lightly on it as if it were stairs. She asked with a furrowed brow. “Unexpected. That’s the correct answer.” “Is it that surprising I got it right?” “Quite the opposite. For someone who inferred so much, why question this structure?” Elzia lightly waved her gloved hand. Celsius and Pascal, generating a simple pressure difference, naturally dispersed the ice mist. As the mist cleared, Elzia Celsius emerged. They said she was the sister, and indeed, she closely resembled the Blue Tower Lord. However, she carried a completely contrasting aura. Elegant and gentle in her gestures, with long and thin hair like threads of crystal, and a feminine one-piece dress, she was an antithesis to the Blue Tower Lord in many ways. “Can you guess what the unique magic of my ancestor was?” There was a hint. Without much thought, I replied. “The rule of this domain. Beyond the melting and freezing points, I presume.” The princess nodded in agreement. "My ancestor, who once roamed this earth, settled here after mastering magic. Their unique magical ability was to freely transition between states, trapping and releasing heat. Thanks to our ancestor’s sacrifice and efforts, warmth found its place in this cold, barren land. The Celsius territory became the most prosperous city in this wilderness." Elzia swept her hand through the drifting ice particles, shaping them into a city—a bustling urban cluster centered around a towering ice castle. This was the Celsius domain. As she observed the snow globe-like city, she gently touched the ice castle with her finger. "However, if our ancestor were to pass away, the meticulously cultivated domain would undeniably revert to a land where humans wander like beasts." The ice castle began to melt, with surrounding villages enshrouded by a raging snowstorm. A city maintained by the magic of a great person is bound to collapse upon their demise. “At the brink of death, concerned for the future, our ancestor made a monumental decision. They proclaimed that even if their body perished, the magic would remain.” “Left behind a keepsake, did they?” The crumbling ice castle rose once more, even more splendid and prosperous than before. A keepsake doesn’t tire or rest. Power amplifies the city’s prosperity. “Unique magic alters the rules of the world itself, but a keepsake only recreates one part of their abilities. Magic power is required to use it. Hence, our Celsius nurtures sorcerers to protect the family and their keepsakes, preserving the rules of this domain.” A genius at the origin of magic and his keepsake. This was why the unique order of magical families and rules came to be. A never-before-seen order was created to survive the cold, harsh northern lands. And that’s what I’ve come to learn so far. “Now, do you understand why the domain cannot accept black magic?” And what I am about to learn further. Elzia chided me with a cold demeanor. “Ceremonial magic? Not bad. It seems suitable for ignorant folks who can only learn through body practice. It might be useful in some backward country.” “…People from such a backward country wouldn’t feel great hearing that.” Hilde, who's been hiding, is considering smacking the back of your head with an annoyed expression. Loose lips sink ships, as they say. “But black magic is an intensely personal power. Its magic power is difficult for anyone but the user to wield. Magic practitioners learning unique sorcery among black magicians are rare. In a way, black magic itself is unique magic.” Each body possesses unique qualities. What is medicine to one may be poison to another, and perception varies based on personal experiences and knowledge. Thus, black magicians, who harness the body, cannot be understood or understood by others. A black shadow was cast upon the model Elzia created. “Black magicians can't contribute to the keepsakes of Celsius. Their magic would erode this domain. If simple folk refuse to even attempt learning white magic, the territory would eventually vanish beneath cold and pain.” The black shadow began to erode the ice castle from its base. Maintained by white magic, the ice castle quickly succumbed to darkness and disappeared. Completing her spell, Elzia reproached my foolishness. “Do you now comprehend how naive and foolish your lofty ideals truly were?” Magic in the Federation of Mages is not merely a group of selfish power holders. If power were so precious, they wouldn’t share opportunities with ignorant folks from peripheral academies. Instead, they would hide and monopolize it. Yet they don’t actively disseminate it. A structure persists where a talented few seize greater power. The reason is due to the keepsakes. Keepsakes must exist to establish rules, white magic is needed to sustain those rules, and those rules are necessary for survival. Hmm. I think I have understood everything now. Having grasped the background, now it's time to consider “One thing, if I may ask.” how things might change. We cannot live like this forever. “Your sister, the Blue Tower Lord, does she share the same opinion?” Elzia's expression shifted. Unlike the regretful gaze when she questioned me earlier, now her face only displayed pure displeasure. “…I will give you the chance to explain why you bring her up here.” “Keepsakes aren’t deities. They eventually wear out and disappear. The end will come. Are you prepared for that day?” A deity's unique magic becomes etched into the world. Thus, a deity’s keepsakes possess everlasting power. But what about mere keepsakes? Keepsakes are still objects. While they contain mysterious power, they lack the ability to defend themselves. Easily damaged or weathered, they often lose functionality over time. I pinpointed this fact. “Hm…. So, that's your stance? I figured you were an idealist, but it seems I was mistaken. I can’t help it, even the most rational and logical minds like mine can’t comprehend a madman’s thoughts.” Giving a scoff, Elzia revealed her animosity towards me. “No problem.” Elzia lightly flicked her hand. The swirling snowstorm that blanketed the area dissipated in an instant. Elzia spun around as she mounted the ice giant. “That’s because there isn’t just one keepsake.” Revealed before me was an ice fortress crowded with countless people. Numerous ice creations gazed at me—an ice giant proclaiming itself as a snowman, a bird with shimmering crystalline wings, a flame glowing inside a transparent lamp. Surrounded by various keepsakes, each possessing different powers, and the ‘Celsius’ who held them.