Chương 26: Vol. 1 - New Frostveil

Three years later, Frostveil had become a marvel the world was not prepared for. The moment travellers crested the final snow-dune, the city rose before them like a shimmering metropolis carved from winter stars—floating spires, glowing bridges, and soft halos of Astralis light drifting in the sky like wandering constellations. At the centre of it all pulsed the Frostveil Astralis Core—ten per cent of a boy's own essence sealed within a crystalline reactor beneath the Frostveil Temple.

Its radiance no longer simply protected the city… It powered it. Frostveil's streets were no longer made of packed snow, but smooth, translucent ice-glass reinforced with astralis circuits. As people walked, the ground responded—glowing softly beneath their footsteps. Above them, magitech skimmers—small, elegant flying vehicles—glided between the higher platforms. Some carried goods. Others carried snowfox families.

And the city had long since moved past the era of cold steel; Frostveil now crafted hot-weapon magitech firearms—sleek pistols, compact short guns, and long-range snipers refined in the city's forges. These weapons did not rely on Astralis at all. They fired using advanced combustion mechanisms and precision-forged components, allowing Frostveil's soldiers and hunters to fight. Durable, efficient, and terrifyingly accurate, these weapons became the pride of Frostveil's new defence force.

Homes had become crystal-tech dwellings, their walls shifting opacity at a touch, adjusting warmth, filtering air, storing energy, even projecting illusion-windows that let one wake to any scenery they wished: sunrise over mountains, drifting auroras, golden forests. And within each district lay one of Frostveil's greatest treasures—onsen and bathhouses heated by the Core itself, their waters infused with frost-lotus essence that soothed the body and invigorated the astralis pathways.

Every home also possessed toilets with cleansing-water bidet enchantments, self-warming seats, and automatic purification glyphs—luxuries unheard of in the outside world. Food, too, had changed. With purified water channels, temperature-controlled farms, and enchanted cold-storage vaults, Frostveil served the richest soups, perfectly roasted meats, starlight-infused pastries, and snowberry wines found nowhere else.

For travellers, stepping into Frostveil felt like entering a culinary paradise untouched by scarcity or winter. The Frostveil Core linked to every part of the city, powering hovering lanterns that drifted through the night like fireflies and automated snow-clearing sentinels shaped like tiny foxes that patrolled the streets. Its energy sustained barrier domes that adjusted their strength to any threat and heating veins beneath the roads that kept the entire city warm even during the fiercest blizzards.

Across every district, voice-activated spell terminals responded to citizens' commands, while teleportation pads whisked people instantly from one sector to another. Industry thrived as well—forges capable of refining rare ores without fuel and water channels that cleaned, flushed, and purified themselves through constant Astralis flow. Even the gardens were magical—glowing frost-lotuses, floating ice-orchids, and luminescent trees that shed shimmering snow-petals at night.

Frostveil no longer looked like something humans could've built at all. It looked like a Celestian capital descended from the heavens: a place where ice, starlight, and ancient magic fused with impossible technology; A sanctuary glowing like a constellation fallen to earth. A city born not from labour… But from pure Astralis genius. ~~~~~~~~~~ Far across the tundra, the bullmen tribes—once the tyrants of these lands—gritted their teeth at the shining jewel their enemies now possessed.

Frostveil's lights could be seen even from the distant hills, a taunt carved into the dark.

"Boss," A bull soldier bowed.

"Speak, Tank," Boss commanded.

"The Snowfoxes are advancing again, rumours say that there's a human boy in the city…" Bang!

"Don't you dare call that stupid old village a city!!!" Boss slammed on the table, eyes seething with rage.

"But times have changed, Boss, they have the best tech in the world right now! It's time we be on good terms with…" Tank's voice shook.

"Ah… it seems those meagre foxes have grown far too proud," a female cheetahman purred as she stepped forward, hips swaying with predatory grace.

"Darling," she murmured, sliding a clawed hand along Boss's shoulder, "I think it's time we remind them of their proper place."

"Ye, dear," Boss soothed.

"Those selfish wretched, even with their advanced 'magitech', they refuse to sell them to the rest of us. They've already become the Briarwood Kingdom. Is it so hard to sell their tech and firearms?! What more do they want?!

"All legions align! We're going to take down that wretch's Kingdom!!" Boss's voice boomed.

"Yes, Boss," Tank bowed again. ~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, back in Frostveil's majestic white-and-gold palace—its halls glowing with celestial radiance—the calm of prosperity lingered, unaware of the envy stirring across the tundra… I was sitting on a comfortable throne of my own, checking a book of my own on the advances of this Kingdom. Through these past three years, we have kept our blueprints to ourselves and have risen to the Kingdom of Briarwood, snatching the Bullmen of their throne.

The Snowfoxes' ruthlessness has truly won over the alliances and respect of various tribes, leading us to become the most prosperous nation that few are allowed to enter. Leo strode in, head held high, with a cheeky grin plastered across his face.

"What is it this time…" I groaned, not bothering to look up from my book.

"Kawa, the bullmen are outside bouncing on the barrier, trying to get in," He chuckled.

"It is such a sight to behold,""Let me handle it this time, Dad," Snow grinned, appearing next to Leo. Snow has grown a lot these past three years. I could see that she had her twin ice daggers— Frost Mirage, strapped to her waist, a magitech short gun in her thigh holster, just below her really short shorts and the ice gauntlets I gave her. Snow had surprisingly awakened last year with the ice compound, very interesting. It was the first time I had seen a person with only a compound up close.

Well, overall, her control with astralis was… let's say not too good. Although she was a Celestian, I made all her weapons to be magic wands, such that she could have better control over her astralis and imbue her astralis into the weapons. With my help and illusion, she has become both a Celestian and a Celesteblade with no spells.

"I could use this opportunity to try out the frost whip Kawa gave me," Snow winked at me.

"Alright, but be careful," I looked up slightly from my book.

"Right, but remember to wear your ear monitors. The last time you didn't wear them, I was so worried, you know? I thought you died! You should listen more to your father…" Leo started fussing over her. Over these three years, I have reached the Master rank for Celesteblade and achieved the High Celestian rank for Celestian. The best part is that I can wield Lightning, Ice, Sound, and Gravity, enhancing my control over astralis.

"Time to remind them why Frostveil isn't just a city," Snow said, cracking her neck. Her grin was deadly and playful at once, eyes glinting with icy determination. With a burst of speed, she sprinted off the balcony, a blur against the glowing palace. The bullmen roared below, massive tusks flashing in the sun as they pounded against the shimmering barrier. Snow moved like wind over snow—faster than the eye could track, her twin daggers flashing in the light.

She landed atop a floating platform, frost whipping from her movements. Her dagger shot skyward.

"O shards of the eternal frost—pierce the ground and bind all who oppose you, 「Glacial Spike」!" Jagged ice spikes erupted violently from the ground, skewering the bullmen's legs and freezing their massive feet to the snow. One brute stumbled, roaring, and another slammed its fists uselessly against the frozen pillars. Snow sprinted along the platform, kicking off a lantern as she leapt: "O storm that dances in the night—strike all before you, 「Frost Gale」!"

A spinning cone of icy wind and shards cut through the first wave. Bullmen staggered, frozen in some places, battered in others, their roars drowned in the storm of her magic. Snow flipped off the edge of the platform, daggers glinting, and stabbed at a massive brute's back.

"O ice that splits the mountain—cut through all, 「Glacial Cutter」!" The ice surged along her blades, slicing through thick hide and armour with lethal precision. Another bullman charged from the side, tusks lowered. Snow spun on a railing, frost whip snapping.

"O serpent of winter's heart—coil and crush all in your path, 「Frost Serpent」!" The whip wrapped around his horns, yanking him off balance and throwing him into a snowdrift. Snow leapt off the spire, rolling through the air, daggers glinting like starlight.

"O shards of heaven's cold rain upon the wicked, 「Icicle Barrage」!" she cried. Thousands of razor-sharp icicles erupted from rooftops and platforms, piercing, pinning, and staggering bullmen across the battlefield. Some slid across the ice, tripping; others were frozen mid-step, utterly unable to advance. Snow vaulted from platform to platform, daggers and whip moving in perfect rhythm.

"O frost wind that splits the night—slice, pierce, and shatter, 「Blizzard Fang」!" she cried, spinning in a whirlwind of icy strikes that sent enemies tumbling in every direction. She landed behind a hulking brute, slashing its legs.

"O winter's fang—freeze and shatter, 「Crystalline Bite 」!" Ice erupted from the ground in jagged shards, slicing through its feet and tripping it face-first into the snow. Another wave of bullmen surged forward, desperate. Snow's eyes narrowed.

"This ends now," she whispered, vaulting high into the air, spinning with daggers outstretched." O blizzard that devours all—swallow every foe, 「Frozen Tempest」!" A rolling wave of snow and ice surged outward, throwing the largest brutes off balance. Snow leapt across floating lanterns and spires, each movement precise, leaving trails of frost in her wake. Every bullman that tried to close in was skewered, knocked down, or frozen solid. Snow landed on a high balcony, whipping her frost whip in a lethal arc.

"O winter's fury—pierce, shatter, and bind, 「Absolute Zero」!" She spun, kicking a charging brute into a wall of ice, shattering the frozen barrier across its chest. Smaller bullmen froze solid where they stood, toppled by the force of her magical onslaught. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Still, some bullmen tried to regroup, staggering forward in a desperate final push. Snow's eyes glinted.

With a sudden sprint, she drew her short gun, firing rounds that hissed and released tiny frost explosions.

"O ice that rends all—pierce the hearts of the wicked, 「Glacial Bullet」!" The bullets exploded in frosty bursts, toppling the remaining bullmen. With a final leap, Snow landed on the palace steps, frost clinging to her hair and clothes, daggers and whip gleaming in the golden light. She exhaled, chest rising and falling, smirking.

"All done, Dad. They'll think twice before coming back." I set my book down and clapped slowly, Leo's jaw slack. Snow had single-handedly annihilated the bullmen's army, demonstrating her growth, precision, and mastery of ice magic. Frostveil itself shimmered in approval, celestial lights above twinkling like stars acknowledging her skill. She was no longer just a pupil. She was a blade of ice, the guardian of Frostveil, and a force no enemy could withstand. Next time, I'll think twice before provoking her.

Renar Hoshino's POV: It's been around four years since I lost my boy. I have a million questions going through my mind. Is he alive? Is he well? Is this all a dream? Maybe someday I'll just wake up with Kawa in my arms. God… I lost another child… my own child. Guilt assailed within me. I remember climbing that cliff just to shout into the sea of trees that buried my son's body, or so I thought. The strange thing was, even after searching through the Briarwoods for several days… I couldn't find his body.

My sweet boy's body. The least I could do was give him a proper burial. Ah, and that Elara of Arthur's, she must feel so broken and guilty.

"Today we're eating his favourite dish— Orvax stew", I thought, stirring my bowl of stew solemnly.

"And yet…he's not here to enjoy it with us.

"Thinking about him again?" Liora asked, concerned.

"Yeah," I murmured.

"I miss him so much, Renar," She began sobbing, her voice breaking. I clench my jaw, deep in thought.

"I miss him too, dear," I whispered, tears silently streaming down my face, not bothering to hide them.

"If only… if only…I could trade my life…" Liora stuttered.

"Papa…mama…no cry," A small voice said. Ah, that's right, I have a daughter, Ella, short for Elena. It's time to let go of the past and think of the future.

"No 'if's", I said, gently wiping her tears.

"You've got a daughter now," I smiled at Ella.

"Mama, Papa, wut happened?"

"Nothing, sweetie," I ruffled her hair. I could see his eyes in her. If his soul were here, I think he would've wanted us to move on. HOSHIKAWA HOSHINO'S POV:"Kaaaawaaaaaa! Hurry up!!!" Oof. A heavyweight slammed into my stomach, knocking the air (and possibly an organ or two) right out of me. Snow tackled me like a missile of enthusiasm, sending me halfway into the mattress of my bed. I felt something warm rise in my throat— pfft— Yep. A neat little spray of blood.

"Snow…" I wheezed, vision shaking as the world tilted.

"I told you… not to do that… anymore…" But the damn fox girl only grinned down at me, tail wagging so fast it could generate electricity.

"Hehe~ You're awake now, right?" she chirped, completely ignoring the fact that she almost killed me.

"Come on, Kawa! Stop sleeping and let's go! You promised to spar with me today!" Leo peeked over the book I asked him to check with a deadpan stare.

"Snow… Kawa's dying."

"No, he's not," she puffed her cheeks. Kawa's too strong to die from that. Right, Kawa?" I spat out one more tiny drop of blood.

"…define 'that.'" Snow tilted her head as if thinking very deeply. Then— She tackled me again. Just because.

"O-OF—!!!! Snow!!!" She laughed, bright and sharp, like bells on ice.

"Give me five more minutes…" I groaned, turning over and hiding under my blanket. That earned me a firm squeeze on my side.

"You should be grateful a pretty lady is waking you up every morning," Snow fluttered her eyelashes, hinting at something. Ugh, where did my sweet, shy Snow, who was too scared to sleep alone and was a huge foodie, go? My sweet, dear Snow, what have I turned you into?

Well, more like I have turned the entire village into peaceful snow foxes sipping cups of green tea from the outside of the barrier, but if so much as one strand of hair touches the barrier, they would turn into horrific creatures with firearms that would tear your soul apart.,"Fine, I'll go wash up now. Just… just leave my room," I muttered.

"Ok…." Snow sulked.

"I'll be down in ten," I called. Once I had made sure they were gone, I took out the white stone ball Yukihime had given me.

"Sffffhmmm", I sniffed. It still has her scent. Four years since I met her, I wonder how she is. Is she dead? Did she die protecting me? I may not be able to answer these questions now, but the least I could do was hold on to my promise and protect this stone. I skipped showering and just changed into a robe before heading down for breakfast, tucking the stone back into my robe.

"Good morning, Kawa," The maids bowed.

"Morning," I replied groggily, my eyes still half open.

"I see that you're awake, Kawa," Leo looked up from his newspaper, his tiny glasses still on.

"Yes…"

"Granny's waiting for you, she said something's wrong with her fan or some sort," Leo chuckled.

"Oh…in that case she'd have to wait till I gobble down my food," I murmured, pouring myself a nice cup of milk we managed to scavenge and purify from the bull lands.

"Hey! I can hear you, you know!" Granny grumbled.

"Ah…sorry, Granny," I mumbled, chewing on a sandwich. This is how my morning looks like everyday. Every morning brings laughter, smiles, and love.

"Oh, and Kawa," Leo said.

"Yes?"

"The Lionmen want to have our magitech; they're willing to pay any price for it."

"You know the rules, Leo, no means no," I reminded him.

"But…"

"No 'buts' unless you want your scary daughter to skin you alive,""Of course not," Leo whimpered at the thought of that.

"Ok, Granny, munch, let's fix your fan," I mumbled with a mouthful of sandwich still in my mouth.

"Of course, darling, here," Granny presented me with her fans.

"My, Granny," Taking one glance, I was flabbergasted.

"These fan blades are so blunt! What have you been doing with them?" Granny looked away, not daring to look into my eyes, "Eh, you know, just a bit of slashing here…and a bit there…it's for the good of this city, you know," She gave me a very guilty look. Not bothering to entertain her any longer, I commanded, " 「Rock」" And a whirl of dust formed into a rock in my hand.

"You know, Granny," I said, sharpening her blades.

"You should learn to sharpen your weapons yourself. I won't be here for much longer."

"Ok…" She pouted.

"But why?"

"It's been three years I've been helping you guys advance this city," I paused my sharpening. She nodded.

"I think it's time for you all to be a little more independent and learn how to advance on your own," I continued.

"Leo already knows how to move on after this, so there's really not much I have left to do here. I think it's time for me to return home. I've worried my family too much,""But how do you plan to go home?" Granny asked.

"I haven't figured out yet," I replied.

"Speaking of which, the Human Kingdom, Lucarion's King, requested some weapons or barriers," Leo spoke, reading from a letter.

"You know the rules, Leo, but it's good to establish good ties with the Human Kingdom, gift them a piano,""Ah, alright," Leo said, nodding to himself.

"Since we're going to gift them the piano through the teleportation portal, perhaps you could use the teleportation portal to return home. However, I must warn you, it is a long journey from Celestara to Starhaven."

"Great suggestion, I'll ponder a bit about it," I said, grabbing my Celestial Astralblade.

"I'd better get going before your daughter throws another tantrum,""Good luck with that," Leo chuckled. I rolled my eyes. Walking down to the courtyard, I checked my Astralblade. It has not been shaped to perfection yet. Right now, it's still a wand, but depending on which element or compound I use, it changes. It can become a long sword when I'm using Celesteblade magic. But for today, I tucked my wand into my item box. I'm going to use my usual revolvers.

"Finally down, aren't you?" Snow grinned, cracking her whip.

"Yes," I smiled.

"No more holding back, Kawa. Give me everything you've got,""I'm sure you won't last if I did that. However, nothing beats a good warmup." My words cut sharper than knives.

"All participants, assume your positions." The referee cut in. Snow shot him a dirty look.

"Let the battle begin!" He announced.

"O roaming winds that race beyond sight—lighten my step, quicken my pulse, and carry me faster than thought itself… 「Gale Step」!" And I was off. ~~~~~~~~~~"How could you beat up such an innocent lady? Have you got no heart?" Snow grumbled, holding an ice pack to her bruised knee.

"You asked me not to hold back," I laughed at the pitiful figure beside me.

"I didn't mean it that way…" She whispered.

"Oh, come on, let's head for dinner first. I can heal your body if you come to my room later," I comforted her.

"Ok!" She danced. That night, dinner was its usual circus, and whatever energy I had left got sucked dry.

"Excuse me, I'm not feeling so good tonight. I'll head upstairs first." I excused myself.

"Ah, sure, after all, you had a tough battle today," Leo waved his hand. Mustering up what little energy I had left, I took off my robe and started heading towards the shower. A faint rustle cut through the quiet of my room. I blinked, lifting my head. Again— shfftt, sharper this time, like something shifting where it shouldn't. My gaze drifted to the bed. … My robe was moving. A soft bulge trembled beneath the folded fabric, and for a second I just stared, confused.

Then, a thin, brittle crack sounded from underneath it. I froze. No… that sound… Slowly, I stepped closer and lifted the robe. The white stone Yukihime gave me lay beneath it—glowing faintly. A thin fracture crawled across its smooth surface.

"…You've gotta be kidding me," I breathed. The stone trembled. Once. Twice. Then— CRRRK. The fissure widened, spilling out a blinding thread of starlight. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"The stone… is—" The light flared violently, swallowing the world. —opening.