Chapter 26

 

---

 

 

 

Eren and Elliana exchanged uncertain glances, while Yuvina moved her eyes with a worried expression.

 

 

 

“…I’m scared. I want to go home,” Yuvina said.

 

 

 

Rex bent down and patted Yuvina’s shoulder reassuringly, saying, “Yuvina, do you want to give up and go back? It’s your choice.”

 

 

 

Yuvina hesitated, fidgeting with the edge of her skirt. Going back now would undoubtedly result in her parents scolding her.

 

 

 

Watching the situation, Elliana pondered for a moment. 

 

 

 

‘If she fails here, she might never be recognized as a Silver Lion. I have the power of the sun, so I can help her. It’s an investment in the future.’

 

 

 

Besides, finding a round suitable for her level at the moment seemed difficult. Who knows what this child will become in the future. Helping her now might be beneficial when creating rounds later.

 

 

 

‘This is an opportunity for the future,’ Elliana thought with a sly smile, raising her small hand.

 

 

 

“Teacher, we only need to bring back the green flag, right? Will we get the highest score if we come in first?” 

 

 

 

Rex replied, “Getting the highest score doesn’t depend only on coming in first, but if you end up last, you’ll receive the lowest score.”

 

 

 

“Alright.”

 

 

 

With a determined look, Elliana tightly held Yuvina’s hand. “Sister, I’ll pwotect you. Let’s go. If we give up here, we can’t become Silver Lions, right?”

 

 

 

Encouraged by the younger girl’s words, Yuvina nodded. “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

 

 

 

Eren joined them, putting his hand on top of theirs, saying, “I’ll help too. My name is Eren.”

 

 

 

“Brother, nice to meet you. I’m Yuvina.”

 

 

 

“I’m Elliana. Let’s do our best.”

 

 

 

With their secret handshakes complete, the three children set off into the dark and cold ice cave.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Tip, tap.

 

 

 

The deeper they went into the ice cave, the darker and colder it became. Outside, there was still sunlight, and the path seemed quite visible, but as they continued, it gradually became pitch black.

 

 

 

“I’ll go ahead first. You both follow behind me,” Eren said.

 

 

 

“Okay, brother.”

 

 

 

Eren loosened the sword strapped to his back, using it to check the ground for any obstacles or dangerous spots.

 

 

 

“It’s slippery here,” he warned.

 

 

 

Thump!

 

 

 

At that moment, a large icicle fell from the ceiling, nearly hitting Elliana’s head. Reacting quickly, Eren pushed her out of the way, taking the hit himself.

 

 

 

“Ouch.”

 

 

 

Eren winced in pain after being hit by the icicle. Elliana, feeling grateful, grabbed the edge of his clothes and asked, “Eren, thank you. Are you hurt? Does it hurt?”

 

 

 

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Eren said with a slight grimace. However, he was grateful for Elliana’s concern.

 

 

 

Eren tried to keep going through the darkness, but Elliana focused on her heartbeats.

 

 

 

“Just wait. Let me light up the place.”

 

 

 

With that, Elliana concentrated on her slightly trembling heartbeats, and soon, a small sun appeared above her head, emitting warm yellow light that brightened the ice cave.

 

 

 

“Wow, what’s this light?”

 

 

 

“It’s a small sun. It emits sunlight,” Elliana explained.

 

 

 

“Wow, that’s incredible! Elliana, you’re amazing. It’s so pretty, bright, and warm.”

 

 

 

Yuvina exclaimed in awe and hugged Elliana tightly. Eren couldn’t take his eyes off them and asked, “How did you do that? Was it a manifestation of your ability?”

 

 

 

“Just a swimple magic, nothing more,” Elliana brushed it off casually. She thought it would be fine since they were just kids, but Eren persistently questioned her.

 

 

 

“But how did you do it? Who taught you?”

 

 

 

“It’s just, my grandfather, the priest…”

 

 

 

“But we should hurry, we’re running out of time.”

 

 

 

“Right.”

 

 

 

Thankfully, Yuvina’s words eased Eren’s suspicion, and they continued their journey.

 

 

 

With Elliana’s summoned small sun illuminating the cave, they could proceed with ease. The slippery frozen floor and obstacles posed no challenge. Moreover, the small sun kept them warm, ensuring they safely advanced further into the cave.

 

 

 

“There it is!”

 

 

 

After a while, one flag was found in a crevice between ice rocks, and another was on a slippery ice patch. Elliana and Eren each found a flag. Now they had two green flags.

 

 

 

The only one who hadn’t obtained a flag yet was Yuvina. Seeing Yuvina disheartened, Elliana gave her own flag to her.

 

 

 

“Here.”

 

 

 

“Huh? But you found this one, why are you giving it to me?”

 

 

 

“I can find another.”

 

 

 

Elliana casually replied as she swiftly looked for the next flag.

 

 

 

Watching Elliana, with her little sun hovering above her head, running around, Yuvina was deeply moved.

 

 

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

 

Eren, too, stared at Elliana in amazement.

 

 

 

“…What are you doing? Let’s go.”

 

 

 

Elliana, running eagerly, suddenly shouted as she saw an icicle hanging from the ceiling.

 

 

 

“Why is that there?”

 

 

 

The last green flag was pinned to the icicle. That was when it happened.

 

 

 

A dim light emanated from the blue pillar of the ice cave, followed by a chilling gust of wind that carried a roar.

 

 

 

Thump, thump!

 

 

 

“…What’s that sound?”

 

 

 

Eren’s ears perked up as he remained alert.

 

 

 

Then, from among the ice rocks, they faced a golem with an overwhelming presence. Shocked, the three children froze in place.

 

 

 

“Huh… What is that?”

 

 

 

“A, a monster!”

 

 

 

“Why is there a golem in a place like this? We can’t handle this. Let’s use the return stone.”

 

 

 

Eren anxiously suggested.

 

 

 

Though he knew it was the right decision, Elliana’s gaze fell on the green flag in her sight.

 

 

 

Moreover, this was the very first test that all Silver Lions had to undergo. If she couldn’t pass this, there would be no point.

 

 

 

Such thoughts swirled in Elliana’s mind.

 

 

 

The ice golem continued to thump its way toward them, causing the green flag hanging from the icicle to wobble dangerously.

 

 

 

“That’s it! Thewe’s a way!”

 

 

 

Elliana’s eyes glimmered with inspiration.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Meanwhile, outside the ice cave, Rex, who had been watching the children through a video stone, was taken aback.

 

 

 

“…For such a powerful creature to appear in the basic test, it’s too much for these kids. What on earth happened?”

 

 

 

Though numerous children from various clans had taken the test, there had never been such a powerful creature used as an obstacle.

 

 

 

“Something’s definitely not right. I should go and help them.”

 

 

 

As Rex tried to enter the cave, a teleportation portal opened, and Caroline walked out.

 

 

 

“Wait, intervening in the tests of the successors is strictly forbidden. You know that…”

 

 

 

“Senior! But something is off. These kids couldn’t have such power.”

 

 

 

“Once the kids enter the ice cave, their abilities are measured and obstacles are generated in real-time according to their power. So, I guess it’s possible.”

 

 

 

“Could it be that one of these kids has exceptional strength?”

 

 

 

Rex’s eyes met Caroline’s as she smiled meaningfully.

 

 

 

“Yes, among these kids, there may be one with extraordinary power. So, let’s just observe. Earlier, one of the kids summoned a small sun. It might be a manifestation of magical abilities.”

 

 

 

“Ah, you mean the youngest, Elliana…”

 

 

 

It was good news. Rex looked at the video stone with anticipation.

 

 

 

“But I noticed something strange, the record doesn’t state the parents of these kids.”

 

 

 

Excluding direct members of the Crovache family, there were dozens of children born from various noble families.

 

 

 

However, none of them had such young kids.

 

 

 

“Could they be illegitimate children?”

 

 

 

With no way to confirm their birth origins, Carolaine narrowed her eyes.

 

 

 

The teleportation portal behind them opened once again.

 

 

 

Woosh.

 

 

 

A chilling air spread around them. Despite the freezing weather, the chilling aura weighed heavily on everyone present, and there was only one person among the Crovache family who had such an overwhelming icy presence.

 

 

 

The Duke of Crovache.

 

 

 

As his robe moving, the two instructors lowered their heads, overwhelmed by the duke’s intimidating presence.

 

 

 

“Uh… Your Excellency, what brings you here?”

 

 

 

The usually formidable gray beast Caroline was also stifled by the duke’s imposing aura.

 

 

 

“I came to observe the lesson, but it seems something is wrong.”

 

 

 

“Uh, yes? If Your Excellency is referring to young master Ian’s lesson, it’s not being held here.”

 

 

 

The only direct descendant of the Duke in the current Icewood Education Center was Ian.

 

 

 

However, the Duke shook his head.

 

 

 

“No, I came for the first test of the new kids.”

 

 

 

Seeing the image inside the diamond-shaped screen, the duke’s eyes focused on Elliana and the ice golem, causing everyone to tremble in fear.

 

 

 

“…Is that the test?” the Duke asked dryly.

 

 

 

A sense of foreboding filled the instructors as they exchanged anxious glances.

 

 

 

“Y-Yes. Th-That’s right.”

 

 

 

The Duke glared at the display with an attitude that seemed dissatisfied.

 

 

 

Caroline, sensing his discomfort, spoke cautiously, “Th-The ice golem has been implemented as an obstacle, so it’s possible that the children possess powerful ice abilities.”

 

 

 

Having worked hard to train the successors of the powerful Silver Lion clan, Caroline took pride in her work. However, unexpectedly, an air of anger emanated from the Duke.

 

 

 

His perfectly beautiful and composed face twisted into an expression of frustration.

 

 

 

Unbeknownst to herself, Caroline, who was in a daze due to his appearance, snapped back to reality at the Duke’s words.

 

 

 

“…Are you in your right mind?”

 

 

 

“…Pardon?”

 

 

 

“Right away, those kids… No, I’ll take them back myself.”

 

 

 

Until that moment, Caroline couldn’t easily comprehend the Duke’s actions.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Elliana’s small and plump hands gently grabbed the edges of the children’s clothes.

 

 

 

“That thing is about to fall. I’ll distract it. When it does, you guys run ahead and get the flags. Got it?”

 

 

 

Elliana suggested that she would be the decoy. Eren and Yuvina were against the idea.

 

 

 

“What? That’s dangerous!”

 

 

 

“Elliana!”

 

 

 

However, Elliana immediately approached the ice golem without hesitation.

 

 

 

Following Elliana’s plan, the ice golem pounded its fists on the ground, causing the green flag lodged on the icicle to sway back and forth, as if about to fall.

 

 

 

“Here it comes! Look!”

 

 

 

Elliana energetically led the ice golem around in circles, focusing its attention on her thanks to the sun spinning above her head.

 

 

 

Thud, thud, thud.

 

 

 

The massive ice golem approached, and even the brave Elliana began to feel afraid.

 

 

 

‘If I get caught under it, I’ll be crushed. Just a little more, a little more.’

 

 

 

In her haste, Elliana used a bit more of the sun’s power, and it grew bigger and brighter.

 

 

 

Then she discovered something—the ice golem avoided the light of the sun. Elliana grinned.

 

 

 

“Does the sunlight bother it?”

 

 

 

Sure enough, there was a way. On top of its enormous strength and size, the ice golem was incredibly slow.

 

 

 

As Elliana continued to circle around it, blocking its path with the sun, the golem awkwardly tried to catch her, flailing its fists and feet.

 

 

 

Growl!

 

 

 

The noise was deafening. The furious ice golem swung its fists wildly, trying to catch Elliana.

 

 

 

With the golem’s movements being restricted by the sunlight, Eren and Yuvina took advantage of the situation and retrieved the green flag on the ground and among the ice and snow.

 

 

 

“Elliana!”

 

 

 

Eren and Yuvina called out Elliana’s name as the ice golem’s fists got closer and closer to her.

 

 

 

Boom! The golem let out a burst of light, and Elliana, covered in snow and ice, collapsed, unconscious.

 

 

 

Due to the impact of using her power, Elliana had become a puppy once again.

 

 

 

“Woof.”

 

 

 

Appearing out of nowhere, the Duke frowned when he saw her. Obviously, he couldn’t believe the sight before him—such a small puppy defeated a monster..

 

 

 

With a single swing of his sword, he sent the ice golem flying away.

 

 

 

Crash!

 

 

 

Then, he gently picked up the tiny puppy buried in the ice and snow without a word.

 

 

 

Watching them, Eren and Yuvina picked up the remaining two green flags and followed the Duke, coming out slowly.

 

 

 

At the entrance of the ice cave, Rex and Caroline, the two instructors, stared in bewilderment as the Duke emerged holding the puppy. They were shocked and puzzled by what had happened.

 

 

 

The Duke simply uttered a word, “This child is my daughter. Only you all know about it. It’s a secret.”

 

 

 

“Yes, of course,” both instructors replied.

 

 

 

“If this fact becomes known, you will take responsibility for it,” warned the Duke. Although they didn’t know the reason behind his command, everyone was taken aback and remained silent, standing firm.

 

 

 

As the two instructors lowered their heads, the Duke looked back briefly and then turned his attention to the kids who were following him.

 

 

 

“You must also keep this a secret.”

 

 

 

“W-we promise. We won’t tell anyone. Even about the fact that she became a puppy,” Yuvina stammered, and Eren nodded firmly. Eren showed the two green flags to Rex.

 

 

 

“We found all the flags.”

 

 

 

“Yuvina and Eren did a good job finding the flags,” Rex acknowledged.

 

 

 

Rex kneeled down, locking eyes with the two children, and spoke gently, “And Elliana has a flag too, right?”

 

 

 

“Huh?”

 

 

 

“Uh…”

 

 

 

All eyes turned to Elliana’s small mouth, where she held a flag in her tiny animal form. It was as if she was determined not to let anyone take it away from her. As she transformed into a puppy, the flag slipped out of her hand, and instinctively, she tried to bite it. The Duke carefully took the flag from her mouth, and she growled softly, showing signs of vigilance.

 

 

 

“….”

 

 

 

“What determination.”

 

 

 

“Oh my, how cute.”

 

 

 

Rex and Yuvina admired her.

 

 

 

No one could bring themselves to pet Elliana in her insignificant form as a puppy, even though they wanted to. Being in front of the Duke, no one dared to move. However, the warmth in everyone’s eyes was evident.

 

 

 

Rex looked at the children and said, “You found all three flags. How should I give you the scores…? Normally, you should have defeated the ice golem with your powers and come back.”

 

 

 

At Rex’s words, the Duke’s demeanor cooled for a moment.

 

 

 

“But, in my opinion, it doesn’t seem like the monster appeared in their normal state. The test was about who would come first, but you all arrived at the same time…”

 

 

 

“We found them together. All three of us,” Eren spoke up.

 

 

 

In response, Rex nodded and extended three green flags.

 

 

 

“Alright. All of you passed the test. Your courage was remarkable.”

 

 

 

Everyone knew that Elliana, even in her sleeping form as a puppy, had shown the greatest courage of all.

 

 

 

***