Chapter 9: The Ice Devil’s Awakening

[System Notification]

New Quest: "Leviathan's Training"

• Objective: Begin training under Serafall Leviathan to master Ice Magic.

• Bonus Objective: Develop a unique ice-based technique.

• Rewards: 1,500 XP, Ice Mastery Skill, Special Title Unlock.

Gremory Training Grounds – Early Morning

The cold wind bit at Naruto's skin as he stood in the middle of the Gremory estate's private training field. Despite being in the Underworld—where the climate was usually warm—today's air held a chilling edge.

Naruto rolled his shoulders, stretching as his system notifications continued to flash in the corner of his vision.

"So, I'm learning Leviathan-style magic today, huh?"

Not that he was complaining. If he wanted to dominate the Underworld, he needed more than just raw Destruction Magic. He needed versatility.

And who better to learn from than Serafall Leviathan herself?

As if summoned by his thoughts, a glacial mist formed a few feet away before Serafall materialized, dressed in a black-and-blue battle outfit far removed from her usual magical girl aesthetic.

Her sapphire eyes gleamed with excitement. "Good morning, Naruto-kun~ Ready to get frozen~?"

Naruto smirked. "I don't know, princess. I run kinda hot."

Serafall pouted. "Ohh~ Then I'll just have to cool you down~!"

Before Naruto could reply, she flicked her fingers, and a sudden wave of frost surged toward him, the ground beneath his feet turning to solid ice.

"Shit—!"

He leaped backward, dodging just in time as the ice froze the air itself, forming jagged spikes of death where he had just been standing.

Serafall giggled. "Lesson one~ Ice Magic isn't just about freezing things—it's about control."

Naruto landed smoothly, grinning. "Alright then. Teach me."

Training Begins

Serafall crossed her arms. "Most devils who use Ice Magic just rely on basic elemental freezing. But Leviathan magic? It's different."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"

Serafall smirked. "It's not just about cold—it's about dominating the battlefield. You don't just freeze things… you reshape reality itself."

She snapped her fingers, and the air around her distorted, turning into absolute zero frost, the ground beneath her becoming an ice domain that seemed to devour the warmth around it.

Naruto's system chimed.

[New Skill: Ice Domain Perception]

• Allows the user to detect and manipulate temperature changes in their surroundings.

• Increases reaction speed in cold environments.

• Upgrades with experience.

Naruto grinned. "Now that's what I'm talking about."

Serafall grinned back. "Then let's see how fast you can learn~!"

[Training Sequence Initiated]

• Phase One: Energy Condensation.

• Phase Two: Forming an Ice Construct.

• Phase Three: Mastering an Advanced Spell.

Phase One: Energy Condensation

Serafall raised her hand, summoning a small floating sphere of ice energy, its core swirling with condensed frost power.

"Try to form this," she instructed. "But be careful~ If you mess up, you might freeze your own blood~!"

Naruto rolled his shoulders. "No pressure, huh?"

He extended his hand, focusing on his new affinity for cold energy, channeling his demonic power the same way he had with his Destruction Magic.

At first, nothing happened.

But then—

A soft frost glow appeared in his palm.

Serafall's eyes widened. "Ooooh~ That's fast!"

Naruto's ice sphere began forming, but unlike Serafall's perfect, smooth orb, his was erratic, unstable, small spikes of ice flickering in and out of existence.

Then—

CRACK!

The orb shattered, sending a mini explosion of frost outward.

Naruto gritted his teeth, shaking his hand as the cold burned through his skin.

Serafall giggled. "Looks like you put in too much energy~ Try again~!"

[Skill Progress: Ice Magic (10%)]

Current Proficiency: Beginner.

• Improving control will stabilize energy usage.

Naruto took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's do this."

Phase Two: Ice Construct Formation

After multiple attempts (and a lot of laughing from Serafall), Naruto finally stabilized his Ice Sphere, allowing him to move to the next phase.

"This time," Serafall explained, "you're gonna shape it into a weapon~."

She flicked her hand, and her ice sphere morphed into a bladed fan, shimmering with lethal frost energy.

Naruto grinned. "Now that's cool."

Serafall giggled. "Now try it~"

Naruto focused again, manipulating his cold energy, and slowly, the ice sphere shifted—forming a short blade, similar to a kunai but slightly curved.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

Serafall clapped her hands. "Awww~ Naruto-kun, you're so~ talented!"

Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. What's next?"

[Skill Progress: Ice Magic (40%)]

• Ice Manipulation Unlocked!

• New Ability: Frost Weaponry

Serafall's grin widened. "Now, for the final test~"

Phase Three: The First Spell

Serafall lifted one hand, and the air around her became so cold that the entire field froze instantly, forming a tundra of solid ice.

Naruto shivered.

"Damn. That's on a whole different level."

She pointed at a nearby stone dummy.

"Your goal," she said, "is to freeze that dummy while keeping control over your magic."

Naruto nodded. "Alright. Let's do this."

He took a deep breath, focusing his energy.

Slowly, the frost poured out from his hands, creeping toward the dummy—

But then—

BOOM!

The ice exploded outward, missing its target completely.

Serafall giggled again. "Too much force~ Try again~!"

Naruto groaned but nodded.

"Alright… one more time."

He closed his eyes, feeling the cold, accepting it rather than trying to force it.

Then, with a single exhale—

The frost flowed smoothly, wrapping around the dummy like a creeping mist before solidifying into pure ice.

CRACK!

The dummy was completely frozen, encased in an intricate ice sculpture.

Naruto opened his eyes, smirking. "Got it."

Serafall squealed. "Kyaaa~ Naruto-kun, you're amazing~!"

[Quest Completed!]

• Naruto has learned Advanced Ice Magic!

• New Skill: "Frozen Calamity" Unlocked!

• Bonus: Serafall's Favorability Increased!

Naruto wiped his brow, grinning.

"Ice Magic? Mastered."

Serafall skipped forward, suddenly hugging him.

"Mou~ Naruto-kun~ You're so~ much fun! I can't wait to see what you do next!"

Naruto chuckled. "Guess you'll just have to stick around and find out."

Serafall grinned. "Oh, I plan to~!"

As the training session ended, Naruto's system chimed again.

[New Event Incoming…]

• An unknown enemy has entered the Underworld.

• Target: Naruto Bael.

Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Looks like things are about to get serious."

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter Teasers:

• A mysterious assassin targets Naruto.

• Rias begins realizing her feelings.

• Naruto faces his first true assassination attempt.