Chapter 20: Golems, Ice, and an Epic Duel

Ryo leaned back , watching as Mia adjusted the her golems to create room for ryo to enter. The golem construct stood motionless, like a guardian waiting for orders.

"So…" Mia said softly, "you probably don't remember, do you?"

Ryo blinked. "Remember what?"

Mia sighed, and gave a gentle smile. "Exactly what I thought. You really don't remember why I like you, huh?"

Ryo scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… because I'm incredibly handsome?"

Mia smirked but shook her head. "No, dummy. I've liked you for a long time after you saved me when I was lost in the mosan forrest, but back then, I couldn't accept my feelings because of what the seniors used to say about you."

Ryo tensed. He had a suspicion about what she meant, but he wasn't about to dig up memories he barely recalled. Instead, he desperately searched for a way to change the subject.

His eyes landed on the golem.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing at it like he'd just made a groundbreaking discovery.

Mia turned as she look at the direction ryo pointed, then she smiled and responded. "That's my golem. I'm in the magic golem class."

Ryo's curiosity immediately piqued. "Wait, you guys build these? How do they work?" he inquired.

Mia walked over to her golem and tapped its chest. "It's powered by a magic core. The core is rare and can only be found in the mountains filled with monsters."

Ryo leaned in, inspecting the golem's rocky exterior and glowing red crystal embedded in its chest. "Hmm… so it's enchanted to respond to your magic energy signature?"

"Exactly."

Ryo's mind began racing with ideas. "I bet I could make an automated version of this…" he muttered.

Mia laughed, shaking her head. "Automated golems are way harder than you think to make. Only a fifth-class magician or higher can create one, and even then, the cores for them are stupidly expensive."

Ryo crossed his arms. "So? What if I power it with something else?"

Mia tapped her chin, considering his question. "There are alternative power sources, but magic cores are the most reliable. If you're this interested, why not join the golem class? It could help with your enchantment magic studies and we will get to see each other's more often."

Ryo grinned. "Tempting."

Their conversation drifted into a relaxed, playful back-and-forth, with Mia occasionally teasing Ryo for his cluelessness about their relationship.

Eventually, Ryo stood up. "Alright, I should go. Lyon's waiting for me."

Mia pouted slightly. "Fine, but don't forget about your girlfriend, okay?" with a cute smile.

Ryo tried to hide his blushing face. "Yeah, yeah…"

As he left, he couldn't help but feel like he had some serious catching up to do—both in romance and magic.

---

Ryo arrived at the training grounds to find Lyon waiting impatiently.

"There you are!" Lyon huffed. "Took you long enough. What, did Mia hold you hostage with romance?"

Ryo rolled his eyes. "It wasn't like that— and you should try minding your own business."

Before Lyon could reply, an intense battle caught Ryo's attention.

A warrior with blazing speed was fighting an ice mage, their combat filling the arena with bursts of motion and chilling winds.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" a voice said beside Ryo.

He turned to see a young woman with dark hair, piercing green eyes, and a confident smirk. She wore a sleek combat outfit, her stance relaxed but ready for action.

"And who are they I think I have seen her somewhere…?" Ryo asked.

"Thats lisha ," leon said, she is the princess escort and the other is Oscar he is a commoner who was recruited by the princess

Ryo glanced at the ice mage, Oscar, as he conjured a blade of pure ice, slicing through a Lisa's of attacks.

Lyon whistled. "Damn, that's some impressive magic control."

Lisha smirked. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Ryo and Lyon watched in awe as the duel intensified.

Lisha was lightning-fast, her movements almost impossible to track. She zipped around Oscar, striking from different angles, forcing him to stay on defense.

But Oscar was calm, his icy precision unwavering. He froze the ground beneath him, creating a fortress of jagged ice. With a wave of his hand, massive spears of ice shot from the ground, forcing Lisha to dodge rapidly.

"His defense is insane," Ryo muttered.

Lyon nodded. "That's not just ordinary ice—it's compound carbon ice. It's as hard as diamond."

Ryo's eyes widened. "What if I could recreate that…?"

Lyon shot him a warning glance. "Don't go experimenting with dangerous stuff again.That'advanced ice magic"

Meanwhile, the battle reached its climax.

Lisha dashed in, her speed nearly making her invisible. She aimed for a final strike, but Oscar anticipated it.

With a single, powerful move, he slammed his foot down—a massive wave of ice erupted, freezing the entire area.

Lisha skidded to a stop, barely avoiding being trapped as she was knocked to the ground. She panted heavily, gripping her sword tightly.

Oscar, still composed, extended a hand toward her. "Not bad."

Lisha hesitated for a moment before grudgingly taking it.

Ryo grinned. "That was one hell of a fight."

Lyon nudged him. "Alright, nerd. Enough watching. We've got training to do"