I stood up from the frost-carved majestic throne, the last threads of icy mist curling off the armrests like farewell whispers.
The system's upgrade buzz still echoed faintly in the back of my mind. Multi-world rewards? The possibilities were endless. But now wasn't the time to dream of power from other realms—not when someone was waiting.
I turned my eyes from the horizon to the path winding down the hillside.
Mira.
She had looked at me strangely before. Not with fear—but with something like… wonder? Maybe confusion.Either way, I knew I owed her an explanation—or at least my presence.
The frost beneath my feet began to melt slowly as I walked, each step warming the earth again, leaving behind only a faint shimmer like dew kissed by moonlight.
My thoughts drifted as I descended.
I had power. Enough to shape ice from air, to silence a Foundation Realm cultivator with nothing but intent. But what did I want to do with that power?
I didn't just want to dominate. I wanted to be free.
Free to protect. Free to live. Free to choose.
And maybe… free to form real bonds this time.
The wind picked up as I approached the edge of the hill. Below, the path split—one toward the training grounds near the academy walls, the other leading to the eastern garden.
She would be there.
I adjusted my cloak, letting the breeze carry away the last remnants of my hesitation.
At the Garden
The sun had climbed higher now, bathing the stone path in soft amber light. Mira stood by the tall frostblossom tree.
She turned before I could speak. "Took you long enough."
There was no anger in her voice. Just that usual dry sarcasm that made her more real than anything else in this strange world.
I smiled slightly. "I got… distracted. The sky was too pretty."
She raised an eyebrow. "And the throne of ice behind you didn't help?"
"You're seemed to be changed, Kai.
well I was thinking about my future.
Ohhhhhh,
so what do you thought about your future, said mira clearly she was not expecting him to say that.
As she smirks and said from your ice power you comes from rin family. am I correct young master she said humorously.
Yes I come from rin clan said kai.
So your family is the top Elite one and you don't lack anything do you so what kind of things you take your time to think about future.
Well your kind of right I am from a very cheble and powerful family but I am not thinking about the future I am going to become but what I am going to do in the future it's not that I want to be the strongest person nor that I want to dominate the world I am not looking for happiness or the other things what I am thinking is how to live the life with every moment life can offer to me not just passing the life.
I said with a gliming look in my face as I looking at the moon which colour seem to be appearing light orange and white with casting sun.
It gives me a feeling as i looking at the moon and speaking out my thoughts.
As if something in my mind seems to clear up like some chain that blocked my thoughts seems to break giving me a refreshing feeling.
It's as my body becaming lighter and my soul seems to avalate to another level.
It's giving me feeling that can't express in words as this feeling coming from death of my heart.
Wow; Some solid Words coming from your age I think said mira as she looking at my side face that was glowing with moon shine.
it's as if she was looking at the most perfect man in the world that not only have power but also have vision to the future.
Not some barbarian who only thinks of fighting and power of glory.
She then shook her head to clear away those thoughts and said,
"The academy trials start in two months. Are You ready for it."
I grinned.
"No, even though I am powerful i knowy limits."
But i will surely dominate that trail though i said.
As mira and I are talking we comes down from the hill, we are talking some light topic when i suddenly heard rumble comes from her stomach.
I looked at her face which was beat red from embarrassment and i said someone seems to be hungry the moment she heard my words redness at her face increased even more and her light blue eyes seems like a gem making her even more pretty than before.
And not what to embarrass her even more i take her to a resturant that i tried earlier that taste very good and as we both entered the restaurant the guard at the entrance bowed to us and respectively open the door.
I sat at the table and order food that I think it was good.
Mira sat across from me, still slightly flushed, her fingers idly tracing the rim of the crystal-clear water glass. The restaurant was quiet, elegant—lit with soft golden lanterns hanging like gentle stars suspended from a wooden-beamed ceiling. The aroma of grilled spices and savory broth drifted through the air.
"You didn't have to bring me here," she mumbled, eyes flicking to the side.
I leaned back in my chair, resting one arm on the table with a faint smile. "Well, you didn't have to glare at me for hearing your stomach growl either."
She scoffed, but a small laugh slipped out. "Tchh. That was not a glare. That was… a defensive reflex."
"Ah, of course. The famous Mira's Death Glare. World-renowned."
A chuckle passed between us,
It's seems like she was easing and getting comfortable in my presence as she talk some light topic about her everyday life.
As we are talking;
The server returned with steaming plates. Roasted beast ribs, seasoned root vegetables, and a spicy blueflower soup known to enhance focus and inner qi flow. I picked up my utensils and looked across the table.
"have a nice meal" I said quietly, raising my cup.
Mira blinked, then mirrored the gesture. "same to you."
We clinked cups.
For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of clinking glasses and the quiet hum of life around us. The academy, the future trials, the pressures of bloodline and power—all of it faded into nothingness as i enjoy this moment.
We were just two people sharing a meal under cool shade of moon light.
"So," she said between bites, "if you're not chasing glory or happiness… what are you chasing, exactly?"
I paused. Looking at her she gave me with a gaze that was curious.
"…Meaning," I said finally. "A life where every action feels like mine. Not something decided by a clan name, or a prophecy."
And i said in my mind not even the system.
She studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "That's… not a bad dream, Kai."
I smiled. "It's not a dream. It's a choice i made."
Mira leaned back, letting out a breath. "Well, if you ever need someone to remind you of that choice… I'll be around."
There was a brief silence, but it's comfortable.
I looked outside. The moon had risen higher, casting long shadows along the stone street beyond the window. The night was young, and the winds were calm.
But tonight… tonight I had peace.
i got my meaning of life.
As I look at the reflection of moon from the widow,
i decided,' I will reach that height not for strength but to do what I love.