Chapter 11: Beneath the Frost
A few minutes passed before Meera could muster the courage to speak again.
Her voice trembled as she finally whispered—just loud enough for the silver-haired girl beside her to hear,
"W-what… what do you mean by that?"
The girl tilted her head slightly. Her cold stare softened, just a little. Then she blinked—almost confused—and gave a small, almost playful smile.
"I meant… you're new in Noctmere," she said simply. "I saw you today. Right now."
Meera blinked, stunned. Only now did she realize she hadn't taken a breath since hearing that first chilling sentence.
She exhaled slowly, calming the thudding in her chest.
"Oh. Right. Yes, you're right. I… I just arrived today," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I don't know much about this place. Could you maybe… tell me more about Noctmere?"
The girl nodded easily.
"Yeah, sure. I can tell you whatever you want to know."
"Thank you. Um… actually, could you tell me where the Adventurer's Guild is?"
At that, the girl gave her a long look—eyes narrowing slightly, calculating.
"You're asking about the guild?" she asked quietly. "So… you're really new here, huh?"
Meera saw the suspicion in her gaze and understood exactly what she was thinking. Without another word, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the silver token she'd received earlier.
The girl's expression shifted.
She leaned forward slightly to examine the guild emblem etched into the token. After a beat, a faint, genuine smile spread across her face.
"So, you're an adventurer too?"
Meera nodded politely. "Yes."
"Wait… seriously? You really are one?" the girl asked again, sounding more amused than surprised.
"Yes." Meera smiled back, this time with quiet confidence.
"Well then," the girl shrugged, "come with me. I'll show you the way."
Meera nodded, grateful for the help.
"Oh—right," the girl added, almost as an afterthought. "I didn't introduce myself earlier. I'm Lyra Frostveil."
She turned, starting down the road.
Meera followed silently, but her mind was already spinning.
Can I trust her? Should I use the Heaven Library on her?
It doesn't feel right… spying on someone's past like that.
But this world—Oblivar—it's too dangerous to be naive. What if she betrays me later? What if I let my guard down?
The questions churned in her mind like storm clouds.
Her gaze shifted toward Lyra's back as they walked side by side.
Just one look… just to be sure.
She muttered under her breath:
"WEAKNESS."
A sharp twinge surged through her temple. Her vision shimmered—and then her lips instinctively moved again.
"Open Heaven Library."
✨ Heaven Library – Unknown Sector
The world vanished.
She stood once again amid glowing aisles, floating tomes stretching endlessly in every direction.
But this time, something was different.
One book hovered nearby, glowing with soft, frosted light—its cover etched with pale blue sigils.
Meera stepped forward, heart quickening.
The moment her fingers brushed the surface, a chill wind swept across the space, and a wave of mixed emotions surged through her—excitement, fear, sadness, awe.
She looked down at the title.
Her breath caught.
Lyra Frostveil – Fragmented Records
Her heart pounded like a war drum.
Hands trembling, Meera slowly opened the book.
📖 [Heaven Library: Lyra Frostveil – Fragmented Records]
Name: Lyra Frostveil
Race: Human
Age: 17
Element Affinity: ❄️ Ice (High – Rare)
Profession: Blade Disciple – Intermediate Tier
🔥 Power Ranking – Oblivar Standard
Current Rank: Flame-Class – Stage 2 of 6
Capable of channeling elemental aura through twin sabers laced with frost runes.
Known Techniques: Frost Arc Slash, Cold Step, Aura Chill Guard
"Skilled user. Elemental aura begins."
💠 Mana Core Classification
Core Type: Flame Core
Hue: Pale yellow with icy-white veins
Purity: 42%
Sync: 86% – High control for her age
Strengths: Excellent focus, fast casting under pressure
Weaknesses: Minor numbness after extended ice-channeling
🧭 Guild and Status Records
Village: Noctmere
Adventurer Rank: Bronze Tier – Elite Candidate
Promotion Eligibility: Reviewed for Silver Tier within 14 days
Residence: Edge training house (lives alone)
Reputation Tag: "Frostblade Ghost" — Respected. Distant. Unmatched among peers
⚠️ Heaven Note – Detected Weaknesses
Emotional Detachment – Difficulty forming bonds
Overtraining Syndrome – Frequent internal stress injuries
Trust Barrier – Avoids opening up even under safe conditions
🌀 System Comment
Subject stable. High potential detected.
Projected advancement: Inferno-Class within 1–2 years.
Compatibility with Subject: 71% – potential ally if trust established.
Caution: Will test others before lowering guard.
The last page faded, leaving behind only cold light and the faint echo of wind.
The book gently closed itself and hovered back to the shelf.
Meera stood still.
The chill lingered in her fingertips… and in her heart.
So that's who she really is… not dangerous, but guarded. Fierce. Alone.
She inhaled deeply.
I won't judge her for hiding things. I'm hiding things too.
Her hand clenched softly at her side.
"Close Heaven Library."
The shelves vanished.
Meera was back in Noctmere, fog curling at her feet.
Lyra still walked just ahead, unaware.
Should I tell her what I saw?
No… not yet.
The truth could wait.
But Oblivar never did.
A few more turns later, they arrived at a towering structure—its walls black and reinforced, its façade marked with silver-etched letters:
[ADVENTURER'S GUILD – NOCTMERE BRANCH]
Lyra turned slightly, her silver hair catching the light.
"Here's your destination."
Before Meera could reply, Lyra pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
🛡️ Inside the Guild…
The quiet chill of Noctmere vanished—replaced by the heat of torches, clamor of voices, and clashing of weapons.
The Adventurer's Guild pulsed with life.
Men and women of all races and elements gathered. Some argued by the mission boards. Others trained in a sparring pit. Magical glyphs flickered across runic barriers, casting colored light on the wooden walls.
Meera hesitated in the doorway.
So many people. So much movement.
They're real. Strong. Alive.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
Don't show fear.
Lyra gave her a moment, then nudged her arm gently.
"Come on. I'll introduce you."
They walked to a carved reception desk. Behind it sat a sharp-eyed woman in her thirties, her chestnut braid falling over a well-fitted uniform marked with the Guild's sigil.
"Miss Isabella," Lyra said, "this is Meera. She's new in town—and our newest guild member."
The woman smiled warmly.
"Welcome, Meera. We're glad to have you with us. Every blade counts in Oblivar."
"Thank you, Miss," Meera replied with a slight bow.
For the next hour, she was guided through formal registration, guild points, regional missions, and ranking tiers. Lyra stayed beside her, filling in gaps when terms became confusing.
By the time she stepped out again, stars had begun blinking into the twilight sky above Noctmere.
Later, in her quiet inn room, Meera lay on her straw bed staring up at the cracked timber ceiling.
Her guild token rested beside a flickering lamp.
Lyra Frostveil. The guild. This whole world…
It's starting to feel too real.
Then one thought rose above the rest:
Do I also… have a system interface?
She sat up slowly.
Her lips parted as she whispered:
"Open… system interface."
The air around her shimmered.
A pulse of light passed over her eyes.
[SYSTEM INTERFACE INITIALIZING…]
⚙️ End of Chapter 11
📢 Author Notes from SoulRifter:
Thank you for reading Chapter 11: Beneath the Frost!
This chapter marks a major turning point in Meera's journey. Not only did she meet Lyra Frostveil, her first true peer in Oblivar—but she also used the WEAKNESS function for the very first time. What she saw inside the Heaven Library may change how she views others forever.
Lyra is powerful, distant, and burdened by her own shadows. Meera knows she shouldn't pry—but in Oblivar, hesitation can mean death. Would you have done the same?
As Meera steps deeper into this strange world, the system she once dreamed of might finally become real… but with it comes responsibility, danger, and the first steps toward shaping her fate.
If you're enjoying the story, please add it to your library, vote, and share your thoughts in the comments. Every bit of your support gives Meera the strength to keep going—and helps me continue building this world, one chapter at a time. 🖤
🗳️ Reader Poll:
What do you think Lyra Frostveil will become to Meera?
💎 A loyal companion and future sister-in-arms
❄️ A distant rival who walks her own path
⚔️ A hidden threat waiting to strike
🌘 A reflection of what Meera could become if she loses herself
Cast your vote in the comments—Meera's choices may echo your voice!
💬 Comment Prompt:
If you had access to the Heaven Library, whose weakness would you read first—and why?