Chapter 32 Burn of Ice (2)

Inside the barrier, Yuki sat in the lotus position, her mind focused and her breath steady. She could feel the array's power thrumming beneath her, a rhythmic pulse that resonated with her own heartbeat.

The ice around her glowed softly, thousands of colors reflecting off its surface, creating an ethereal, otherworldly light show.

On the other side, deep within Yuki's sea of consciousness, her projection materialized beside her crystal sapling.

The sapling's crystalline surface shimmered with a light blue hue, pulsing with energy, Amongst the snowy field that was her sea of consciousness.

All around many towering ice structures of different shapes and sizes were spread about with the occasional sound of a fire crackling in the distance.

Yuki cast a glance at the sa[ling before feeling an irresistible pull in a particular direction. She followed this call, moving away from the sapling until it disappeared from view, entering a different part of her consciousness.

There, resting on a pedestal, was an icy blue flame that danced with a mesmerizing grace.

As Yuki approached, the flames leaped into the air, expanding and morphing into the form of a massive phoenix.

Its wings spread wide, and it spoke with a voice that echoed like a chorus, making it hard to distinguish a single source. "Yuki, you have finally arrived."

The fact that the phoenix within her consciousness knew her name startled Yuki. She quickly deduced that this phoenix could be one of two things: an embodiment of her lineage or a specter.

Considering that only unique lineage had self-embodiments, she leaned towards the latter—a specter. Specters were rare entities found in individuals with exceptional talent, formed from the key components of one's soul, manifesting as an astral body.

Realizing the significance of this encounter, Yuki's excitement was tempered by the seriousness of the situation. If the specter had taken the form of a phoenix, it held the secrets to her lineage.

"How do I awaken my lineage?" she asked bluntly, knowing there was no time to waste on pleasantries.

"You have already awakened your lineage. But to fully utilize it, you must confront your past and free yourself from the chains that bind it," the phoenix's cacophonous voice echoed with a majestic tone.

"Yeah, yeah, I understand that, but how do you expect me to go about it? Visit her grave and cry or something? News flash, I'm done crying like a damsel," Yuki replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm and frustration.

"Your misunderstanding of the past has caused you to cast aside what you love, showing no empathy towards him. To truly confront your past, you must first face the demons you created to protect the chains wrapped deeply around yourself," the phoenix explained, its tone unwavering.

"So, are you saying I need to fight Jaylen or something?" Yuki asked, her voice edged with incredulity and determination.

"Do what you see fit," the phoenix responded before its form dissolved back into the dancing flame on the pedestal.

Letting out a sigh, Yuki left her sea of consciousness. Shiori and Miss Xirenia, noticing the signs of Yuki's return, deactivated the array and approached her.

Yuki opened her eyes, feeling the cold air of the cavern against her skin. At first glance, she appeared unchanged, but a closer look revealed that her eyes had turned a brilliant light blue, mirroring the flames of her specter.

"Were you successful?" Shiori asked, her voice tinged with anxious anticipation.

"Yes, Master, in a way," Yuki replied, nodding as she stood up, feeling a new sense of clarity and purpose.

"What do you mean?" Shiori asked, tilting her head slightly, her expression both curious and concerned.

"To fully use my lineage, I need to confront my past," Yuki explained, her voice steady but reflective.

"I see. Well then, let's use the rest of the weekend to train and confirm your state," Shiori suggested, her tone becoming more resolute.

"I agree. The amount of phoenix aura you're emitting would overwhelm the rest of the class," Miss Xirenia chimed in, her voice calm but firm.

With that, Yuki spent the remainder of the weekend honing her control over her lineage. She pushed herself to new limits, managing to fly for brief periods using her newly manifested wings.

Her strength grew exponentially, and she even broke through to the third stage of Elemental Attunement surpassing Jaylen or so she thought.

Not aware that Jaylen had also been silently growing stronger by the minute.

When Monday arrived, Yuki returned to class feeling more confident but still unsure how to approach Jaylen about their past.

The memory of their last confrontation made her stomach churn with embarrassment, but a flicker of sadness danced in her eyes as she recalled Jaylen's final words to her and the entire group.

He no longer needed them, but Yuki couldn't accept that, she felt if she did she would lose something very important to who she was.

During the free period, Yuki wandered the school grounds, her mind racing with thoughts of how to confront Jaylen.

She overheard a group of students talking animatedly about some breaking news from the school's news club. Intrigued, she made her way to the bulletin board where the news was usually posted.

As she approached, students who recognized her quickly stepped aside, giving her a clear path to the board.

Yuki scanned the headlines, her eyes narrowing as she read the latest post.

Breaking News from the Academy News Club

"First Transcendent of the First Years Speaks Out!"

In an exclusive interview with the Academy News Club, Jaylen, widely recognized as the First Transcendent of the first years, didn't hold back when discussing his fiancee Yuki Heartfall, one of the academy's most promising talents.

"She doesn't stand a chance," Jaylen was quoted saying with a smug grin. "She's always been weaker than me, even as kids. No matter how much she trains or tries to catch up, she'll never reach my level. It's not arrogance—it's just the truth."

The First Transcendent didn't stop there, adding, "Honestly, it's laughable to think she can challenge me. I've only grown stronger, while she's probably still playing catch-up."

Stay tuned for live coverage of their match. Will Yuki prove him wrong, or will Jaylen cement his claim as the academy's strongest?

Anger bubbled up within Yuki, and without a second thought, she stormed away in search of Jaylen. A trail of Ice and frost followed her every step.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she navigated the hallways, each step fueled by a mix of determination and frustration.

She had to find Jaylen and settle things once and for all, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. The time for avoidance was over; it was time to confront the past and forge a path forward.

{A/N} Sorry for the short chapter, I was a little burnt out when working on this chapter.