The past six years had forged him into a prodigy. Queen Lysandra, had honed his magic. "The ice is your soul, Aelar," she said, her voice a melodic hum as she shaped intricate frost sculptures.
Elara, now twelve, matched his stride—her silver hair framing wide, kind blue eyes, her petite form agile in a pale blue tunic as they trained in tandem.
The kingdom's peace frayed. Lord Kaelar's treachery—his staged caravan attack tied to the Order of the Shattered Veil—had led to his exile, but rumors of his return lingered like a chill wind.
____________________________________________
The Taming Trial
At twelve, Theron declared Aelar ready for a rite of passage. "A Frostwolf," he said, standing in the throne room, his frostblade gleaming. "Tame one as your companion. It'll grow with you, fight with you."
Aelar's pulse quickened. "I'm ready, Father," he said, gripping his steel sword—its blade etched with frost runes, its hilt wrapped in frostweave for a firm hold.
Sylvara's voice chimed in his mind. "This is your first bond, Host. A Frostwolf's loyalty is unbreakable." The system flared, reflecting years of unseen effort:
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Host: Aelar Frostveil
Race: Ice Elf (Royal Bloodline)
Ascension Tier: Master (Level 1)
Stats:
Strength: 40
Agility: 50
Intelligence: 45
Mana: 70 (
Skills:
Frostborn Legacy (Innate, Level 3): Greatly enhanced affinity for ice magic, immunity to cold, and rapid growth in frost-related skills.
Glacial Chains (Level 5): Conjures multiple enchanted ice chains, flexible yet unbreakable. Bind foes, form barriers, or swing across gaps. Enhanced range and strength. Frost Bite (Level 2): Bite inflicts moderate cold damage (mana cost: 5).
Frost Shroud (Level 2): Envelops self in chilling mist for 15 seconds, obscuring vision (mana cost: 12).
Mana Manipulation (Level 6): Masterful control over mana flow, boosting efficiency.
Ice Crafting (Level 4): Shape ice into intricate, durable forms.
Swordsmanship (Level 4): Expert sword techniques, blending speed and power.
________________________________________
Theron led Aelar and Elara to the Frostveil Wilds, where snowdrifts loomed and the air pulsed with primal energy. A resonant howl split the silence—a Frostwolf, Elder-tier, emerged from a cave. Its snow-white fur shimmered with silver streaks, rippling over a muscular frame built for speed and strength. Its eyes, twin glaciers, locked onto Aelar with regal intensity, and its claws—curved and glinting like obsidian—dug into the ice. Its tail lashed like a whip, and its tall, pointed ears stood proud, marking it as a beast of noble lineage, destined to be a king's mount.
"Sylvara, stats!" Aelar thought.
_____________________________________
Target: Frostwolf (Elder)
Race: Magical Beast
Beast Tier: Elder (Level 5)
Stats:
Strength: 50
Agility: 40
Intelligence: 15
Mana: 30
Skills:
Frost Howl (Level 2): A piercing cry that stuns foes in range.
Blizzard Charge (Level 2): A high-speed attack cloaked in snow.
Ice Armor (Level 1): Coats fur in protective ice.
Sylvara: It's strong. Subdue it without killing—earn its respect.
____________________________________
The wolf charged, its Blizzard Charge unleashing a storm of snow that roared across the tundra. Aelar activated Frost Shroud, a thick, chilling mist cloaking him as he sidestepped, the wolf's claws slashing through the haze with a screech. Elara conjured a frost wall—jagged and glowing—its edges cracking as the wolf slammed into it, slowing its rush. Aelar struck, Glacial Chains erupting from his hands—five shimmering tendrils now, each etched with runes, humming with power. Two chains lashed its front legs, yanking them together with a crack; two more coiled around its neck and torso, pinning it as it roared, its Frost Howl shaking the air. The sound hit like a wave, rattling Aelar's bones, but he braced, his enhanced stats holding firm.
The wolf triggered Ice Armor, frost plating its fur in a crystalline sheen, snapping two chains with a surge of strength. It lunged, jaws wide, but Aelar rolled, his sword slashing its flank—a shallow cut to assert dominance, blood staining the snow. He wove more chains, six now, their icy grip tightening as the wolf thrashed, its Blizzard Charge faltering. Aelar leaped atop it, pinning its shoulders with his knees, meeting its glacial gaze. "Join me," he commanded, voice steady and resonant. The wolf snarled, then stilled, bowing its head in submission, its silver-streaked fur brushing his hands.
The system pinged:
____________________________________________________
Host: Aelar Frostveil
Race: Ice Elf (Royal Bloodline)
Ascension Tier: Master (Level 2)
Stats:
Strength: 45
Agility: 55
Intelligence: 48
Mana: 75
Skills:
Frostborn Legacy (Innate, Level 3): Greatly enhanced affinity for ice magic, immunity to cold, and rapid growth in frost-related skills.
Glacial Chains (Level 6): Conjures multiple enchanted ice chains, flexible yet unbreakable. Enhanced range, strength, and precision.
Frost Bite (Level 2): Bite inflicts moderate cold damage (mana cost: 5).
Frost Shroud (Level 2): Envelops self in chilling mist for 15 seconds, obscuring vision (mana cost: 12).
Mana Manipulation (Level 6): Masterful control over mana flow, boosting efficiency.
Ice Crafting (Level 4): Shape ice into intricate, durable forms.
Swordsmanship (Level 5): Masterful sword techniques, blending speed and power.
Beast Taming (Level 2): Bond and command magical beasts with authority.
Companion:
Frostwolf (Elder)
Name: Kaelith
Loyalty: Bound to Aelar
Skills:
Frost Howl (Level 2),
Blizzard Charge (Level 2),
Ice Armor (Level 1)
__________________________________________________________________
Aelar stroked Kaelith's fur, its warmth pulsing beneath his hand. "Kaelith," he named it, honoring its strength. The wolf nuzzled him, its loyalty sealed, a fierce companion for battle and ride.
Theron grinned, clapping his shoulder. "A king's mount indeed."
Elara hugged him, her voice bright. "He's perfect, Aelar! You're unstoppable now!"
Kaelar's Reckoning
Days later, scouts reported Kaelar's return, leading a band of rogues in the wilds. Theron confronted him, Aelar and Kaelith at his side. Kaelar, gaunt and wild-eyed, his graying hair matted and his robe tattered, sneered. "You'll fall, Theron!" Aelar snapped Glacial Chains around him, six tendrils binding his limbs and neck, while Kaelith's Frost Howl stunned his men. Theron's frostblade flashed, sparing Kaelar's life but banishing him forever. "Next time, you die," the king warned.
That night, a scout arrived, breathless. "A human envoy—marked by the Order—seeks audience." Aelar, atop Kaelith, felt his path sharpen—enemies loomed, and his destiny called