The air was cold.
Not naturally cold—
But cold because of us.
Faint traces of frost spread across the cracked ground as ten children stood in an open clearing, each trying to control the unfamiliar power flowing within their bodies.
Breath turned into mist.
Tiny flakes of ice formed and melted.
Unstable.
Unrefined.
"…Too rough."
I watched them silently.
After Master awakened our martial spirits, something inside us had changed.
No—
Something had awakened.
A power buried deep within our bloodline.
I stepped forward.
"Everyone, stop for a moment."
They immediately obeyed.
"…Good."
Even now, they listened to me without hesitation.
But I knew—
"They are not listening to me…"
"They are listening because I stand closest to Master."
That thought stirred something uncomfortable inside my chest.
"…Then I just have to stay the closest."
I straightened my posture.
"Min."
My brother stepped beside me.
We didn't need words.
We understood.
I turned to the others.
"Listen carefully."
"Our martial spirit is not ordinary."
A faint blue light flickered behind me.
A phantom silhouette appeared—
A bird.
Elegant.
Majestic.
Cold.
"The Ice Luan Bird."
The children stared in awe.
I continued slowly, making sure every word settled into their minds.
"The Ice Luan Bird is a high-grade elemental beast-type martial spirit."
"It is born from ancient bloodlines that carry the essence of ice, water, and wind."
"Among these—"
"Ice is dominant."
A thin layer of frost spread under my feet.
"Water strengthens our endurance and recovery."
"Wind increases our speed and control."
Min stepped forward and added calmly,
"This combination makes our martial spirit balanced…"
"…but deadly."
I nodded slightly.
"Our strongest trait is not just power."
"It is control."
"If trained properly—"
"We can freeze, bind, cut, and suppress our enemies."
Their eyes lit up again.
"…They're imagining it."
"…Good."
I raised my hand slightly.
"At Level 30…"
"Our bloodline awakens an innate ability."
A faint chill gathered at my throat as I spoke.
"An Ice Beam."
"No soul ring required."
Gasps.
"REALLY?!"
"That's like cheating!"
"…Childish."
But I didn't correct them.
Min spoke instead,
"Yes… but only if you survive until then."
Silence fell.
"…Reality."
"…Good."
They needed that.
I stepped forward.
"Listen carefully."
My voice lowered.
"You are alive because of Master."
Their expressions changed instantly.
Serious.
Focused.
"If Master didn't appear—"
"You already know what would have happened."
I didn't need to say more.
Their hands clenched.
"…Hatred is still there."
"…It hasn't faded."
Good.
I continued softly—
"Never betray Master."
"Never question Master."
"Never leave Master."
A pause.
My chest tightened.
"…Never let anyone take Master away."
The thought slipped out—
Not in words.
But inside.
Deep.
Dark.
I smiled gently.
"If anyone does…"
"I will deal with them personally."
My tone was soft.
Too soft.
They nodded immediately.
"Yes, Sister Yin!"
"We will protect Master!"
"…Protect?"
I lowered my gaze slightly.
"…No."
"…That's not enough."
"…Master doesn't need protection."
"…Master belongs above everything."
"…And I will stand closest to her."
I took a step back.
"Now, form groups."
"Practice control."
"No injuries."
They quickly split into groups.
Ice began to form again—
Clumsy.
Unstable.
But improving.
I watched them.
But my mind…
Drifted again.
To her.
Master.
That moment—
When she stood at the village entrance.
Black and green dress.
Silver hair flowing.
Purple eyes—
Cold.
Yet warm.
"…Contradictory."
"…Impossible."
Yet real.
When she appeared—
The world changed.
The Fallen…
Kneeling.
The pressure…
Absolute.
"…Like a god."
No—
"…More beautiful than a god."
My breathing slowed.
"…Why…"
"…Why does my heart feel like this?"
It wasn't fear.
It wasn't just respect.
It was—
"…Something else."
Something deeper.
Something I couldn't name.
"…But I want more of it."
My fingers curled slightly.
"I want her to look at me."
"…Only me."
I froze.
"…That thought again."
Slowly—
A faint smile formed.
"…What's wrong with that?"
"…She saved me."
"…She gave me everything."
"…So she should belong to me."
My eyes darkened slightly.
"…Right?"
I looked around quickly.
No one noticed.
Good.
I calmed myself.
Breathed in.
Breathed out.
"…Act normal."
"…Don't let them see."
Then—
Another thought surfaced.
"…I don't even know Master's name."
I blinked.
"…Unacceptable."
A small frown appeared.
"…Master is careless."
"…Or maybe…"
"…She didn't think we were worth telling."
My chest tightened again.
"…No."
"…I'll make her tell me."
"…When I'm stronger."
A slow, quiet thought followed—
"…When I'm strong enough…"
"…I won't let her leave."
"…I'll keep her."
"…Right beside me."
"…Forever."
My smile deepened slightly.
Soft.
Innocent.
Wrong.
"…Maybe I'll even lock her somewhere safe…"
"…So no one else can see her."
"…Only me."
I paused.
Then blinked.
"…That sounds strange."
A moment.
"…But I like it."
Behind me—
Children laughed.
Fell.
Tried again.
Life continued.
Normal.
Peaceful.
In front of me—
Something else was growing.
Quiet.
Obsessive.
Unstoppable.
I turned back to them.
"Focus."
"Again."
And they obeyed.
Like it was natural.
Like it was inevitable.
As if—
This small group of broken children…
Was already becoming something far more dangerous.