It was during the midnight when she snuck on the attic and climb on the roof through the window. She found her favorite spot just in front of the sea.

Linda stared at the countless doting stars. They winked at her from the endless arching void-black beyond the moon. In places where they resided, all glittering divinely. For her, all of them are beacon of hopes for all the lost souls all over the world. It’s a blessing for her to witnessed the magnificent view all for her to enjoy. It seems that the lord above had spared her again from her ruthless past. She thanks if he whoever who ruled above for the blessings she had now.

“You know, you’re going to get suspended and would – probably do chores more than you ever did last time.”

It was Rod who came to see her.

“And what about you? Aren’t you a bit too old to pull---”

“Lady,” Rod intercedes her from finishing the sentence. “I’m 34. I am not that old to hike. And for the insult, you’re going to help the staff to clean.”

“You’re kidding right?”

Rod did not reply. He sat beside her. Both their attention was pulled away by the stars.

For a moment there was a long and perfect silence.

“Rod, can I ask you a question?”

Linda broke the silence.

“Hmm.”

A hummed of wind passed then came back the silence.

“W-what does the adult exactly do?”

She’s hesitant at first. Among the juniors, there’s a rumour about what the adults doing, most of it sensitive, something that not should discuss in the public. They’re completely aware about the adventurers, but not all they knew about them or what they do for the living. Sure, they were told that adventurers travel a lot of places and hunt monsters, but some of the people they knew that left always kept coming back with all dreadful expression. It raised so many questions to their innocent minds as of why most of them are like this.

Rod already saw it coming. He’s prepared.

“What exactly do you mean?”

“You know.”

“There are so many things that adults do. Didn’t the instructors teach you about occupations? You can become a doctor, or an actress in a play, hell you can also become a scientist if you set your mind on it.”

“T-that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Then what is?”

Linda was unsure how to start, but told him anyway.

“There’s a rumor about the glade, about you and the others who came before us.”

It seemed to be unavoidable.

“About killing people. Is that what you’re asking about?”

Linda did not reply.

Rod continued. “Yes. The rumours are right.”

Linda’s eyes widened.

“But we kill only those who are deserving.”

“Deserving?”

“Yes. People that continued to torment other people for their own gains and those who enjoy for no reason at all.”

“So, you’re not going to kill us all?”

“What? No. We brought people like you here to give another chance. The glade is built for one purpose.”

“What is that?”

“A paradise in hell.”

Linda was silent for a while. It’s not that all bad. She understood very well their intentions.

“I decided,” She declared. “I’m gonna be like you guys.”

“What?”

“Plus, I would be able to travel the world.”

“That’s not it.”

“I know what I’m saying.” Linda nodded. “I was raised in the village with no purpose but as a sacrificial lamb, even my father wanted me to die. The only reason I live is because of my mother’s sacrifice, but… I don’t have any reasons what should I do on my life. After hearing you, I thought, maybe I can save people who are broken as me.”

Rod expression clearly wanted to reject her. After he heard her

“Are you sure?”

Linda enthusiastically nodded.

“Linda, this path leads to years of pain and heartaches. I don’t want you to go through this. People like me, we don’t have happy endings. The path of a mercenary will steal your happiness and there is no way to retrieve it.”

Linda retorted. “You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then let it be. Maybe this is the reason why I have this power. Maybe this is the reason why I live.”

“Linda…”

“Every time I remember her, I remember how defenseless I was. I don’t want any other people to feel that.”

“Even if I allow you, you can’t control your power.”

“Then I will train, until I’m qualified enough to join the ranks.”

Rod heaved a sighed. “Stubborn child.”

Just like that, Linda decided what she wanted to be.

She endured years of training to control her abilities. Her main elemental magic, ice magic, she honed it and learned how to control the magic properly until she’s able to use different kind of magics without losing control. Even her training is fruitful, Linda can’t still use her Inquiara Magic. Her Inquiara Magic requires certain conditions before she can use it. These conditions restrain her most of her missions and couldn’t use her arsenal the time when they’re facing Theo. But that they’re alone, she is free from worries…

First, she must only use it when there’s no way to defeat the enemy. Second, make sure that there’s only the two of them. Lastly, go berserk.

Looking back now, Linda’s smiled wiped of her face.

It was at that moment, Karen had leapt. Her dagger is in her hand, prepared to strike Linda.

By the time she got closer, Linda had already laid out her magic. Her body was caved in ice. Afterwards, a white light shoots out from the sky.

Karen was completely thrown out of the away. The force of impact had her back crashed against a boulder.

As the light completely expelled the sky, snow comes along.

Karen is completely astounded as what just happened. Surely, she had noticed that some moments ago the snow began to fall, but this is all out of a sudden. Karen glanced up and saw the wide arched roof in blue and seemed to produced snows.

The bright light had eased and finally recedes its brightness. The ice crackled and the woman herself had emerged.

The chilling smoke trailed away. Karen frowned as a woman stand tall, like her body is honed by the winter nature itself. Claws, blue thick, swayed the smoke away and shuddered the tree while the wind billowed out around her.

Her ice sword followed. Then a crown made in crystalline sat on top of her head. Her magma hair tumbled over her shoulders. Her eyes hinted no emotion.

Shivering. Cold. She’s pouring out chilling temperature as though the winter is part of her. Her great dress in blue suede swayed softly as if it has no mass despite the thick looking shards that completely dominated her dress.

“You are right. We are not the same.”

Her words are chilling in bones. Linda’s body swelled in chilling smoke. She didn’t seem to mind it. Her body is completely accustomed to the freezing temperature.

The biting wind snarled and creeped Karen.

Slowly and surely, the shards dangled hardly and grinded as Linda walked towards her.

The snow danced in the light, a dance that the winter wind choreographed gently and calmly.

“Inquiara Magic, Ice Princess.”

Even her temperature dropped, her lips is still burning in red.

A cold breath left her lungs and puffed in white that vanished in a second before another came. Her cold, chilling eyes stared her silently.