We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Winter Trial
As the cold increased, the end of the year drew near.
In a few more days, it would be New Year’s Eve.
I slipped out of bed in the pre-dawn darkness to shovel snow and got myself ready.
Even at this hour, Mistral and Ruiseine were already awake before me.
We exchanged morning greetings quietly so as not to wake the others, and I went outside alone. Then, the day began, and the men’s snow-shoveling work commenced.
The snow that piled up day by day had become too much to handle with just manual labor.
Zan and the others, judging that it had gone beyond the realm of training, had the warriors who excelled at fire-based dragon arts melt the snow piled up in the plaza.
After the snow shoveling was done, the women started their morning preparations. And so, the daily life continued, unchanged, even as the year drew to a close.
After we finished breakfast, we headed from the Dragon Mausoleum to the Moss Garden where Old Man Sleigsta awaited.
“Is Lyra on duty today?”
“Yes. That’s why she’s staying behind.”
Ah, right. There had been a slight change. Or rather, it started around the time the commotion had ended.
We went to the Moss Garden almost every day, but Mistral and the others took turns staying behind in the village.
When I asked what they were doing, they’d brush me off, so I didn’t know what they did while staying behind.
When all of us left together, it felt like we were imposing a burden on the villagers who had been so kind to us. Perhaps they stayed behind to work for the village?
I’m not just on the receiving end of their kindness. When I participated in the warriors’ hunt before it started to snow heavily. I returned after taking down one bear and two deer in two days, and everyone praised me.
And so, today, we went to the Moss Garden, leaving Lyra behind.
“Eek, I failed!”
I heard Lyra’s scream, but Ruiseine pushed me forward.
Enveloped in a golden light, I found myself in the Moss Garden.
How convenient.
“Hmm. Be grateful. I am consuming dragon power for you all.”
“Thank you for everyday. And good morning.”
I greeted Old Man Sleigsta and Asher, who for some reason had been lingering for a long time.
“Lingering is rude!”
“Ugh, I slipped up.”
Asher glared at me.
“But aren’t you going home?”
“Father must be worried, nyan.”
“Hmph. Leave that weakling alone. I might stay until spring.”
“Getting caught in a couple’s quarrel, how troublesome.”
Sleigsta muttered, baring his teeth at Asher. But neither Sleigsta nor I were fazed by Asher’s intimidation.
Priscilla-chan, meanwhile, was braiding Asher’s long, beautiful fur into pigtails while cheerfully discussing today’s plans.
“Umm, I want to play tag today!”
“We did that yesterday, nyan. I want to play hide-and-seek, nyan.”
“Can’t we play tag after Fiorina and Rim arrive?”
Lately, Revalia had also started visiting the Moss Garden frequently. Sometimes she’d take us to the cold Dragon Peaks, or leave us with the chicken dragons, but here, she was safe and secure, and she had friends.
Speaking of which, the chicken dragons were delighted when I gave them golden potatoes.
“You can’t call me the ‘potato boy’ anymore. From now on, I’ll call you the ‘Potato Dragon King’.”
I politely declined.
When Asher realized his intimidation wasn’t working, he hmphed and decided to pretend to sleep, curling himself into a ball.
“Priscilla, don’t get in Elnea’s way. Now, you eight can start with meditation.”
Mistral gave the instruction, and I, Ruiseine, and the twin princesses crossed our legs on the soft moss, even in winter.
The morning was spent training. The usual routine was to start with meditation, which also served as mental concentration.
The foundation of dragon arts and sorcery lies in a calm mind, a clear and sharp spirit, and the patience and concentration to withstand the burden of the techniques.
The basics cannot be neglected.
So, as I was about to enter deep meditation, as usual, Old Man Sleigsta stopped me.
“Elnea. Starting today, I will impose a new trial upon you.”
“Eeeh?! So suddenly?!”
The sudden, unannounced trial surprised not just me, but everyone.
“From now on, you shall visit the Spirit Tree alone.”
“What should I do at the place where the Spirit Tree is?”
“That, you must discover.”
“Eeeeh!”
What a vague trial.
I have to find the challenge myself and overcome it?
When I thought about it, wasn’t this an incredibly difficult trial?
“Indeed. You have overcome many trials and experiences. Next, you must find and overcome challenges yourself.”
Hmm. To be given such a difficult trial right before the year-end.
“Be prepared. If you cannot overcome this trial, you cannot return here.”
“Th-that means, I can’t return to Mistral’s village even if it gets dark?”
“Indeed. No matter how many days it takes, you are forbidden to return until you find and overcome the trial yourself.”
“N-no way…”
A sudden trial was difficult enough, but not being able to return until I overcame it? What kind of challenge is this?
Moreover, the year-end is only a few days away. If I’m not careful, I’ll be facing the year-end while undergoing this trial. In other words, I won’t be able to enjoy a happy New Year’s Eve with everyone.
“Well noticed. Precisely. A time limit like New Year’s Eve would be beneficial. If you wish to spend the year-end with everyone, then endeavor.”
What could this possibly mean?
This was a planned act.
To give me such a sudden trial at a time when it would inconvenience me…
“I forgot to mention. Leave your White Sword and Spirit Tree Wooden Sword here. Also, you are not allowed to defile the sacred grounds of the Spirit Tree with blood.”
“Eeeeh?! Then what about food?!”
Don’t defile it with blood. This means hunting and butchering small animals is forbidden. With this sudden challenge and not much water in my canteen, I have no food, so I’m even worried about lunch today.
And I felt a great hesitation to leave behind the White Sword and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword that I had always carried with me.
“Elnea-kun, are you alright?”
“Old Man, isn’t that condition a bit too harsh for Elnea?”
Mistral and Ruiseine, unable to bear it, protested. However, Old Man Sleigsta did not ease the conditions.
“Elnea-kun, I’ll give you this.”
“Elnea-kun, I’ll give you this secretly.”
The twin princesses, as if worrying about me and hugging me, shared some of their snacks.
They were originally Priscilla-chan and the others’ snacks, but I was grateful.
But I thought Old Man Sleigsta must have seen them. I glanced over, and our eyes met. However, he didn’t mention it.
It seems that having some snacks is permitted.
Perhaps this is a grace period, giving me time to figure things out before I consume these snacks.
“Older Brother, are you going for a walk?”
“Training, nyan.”
“Yes. It seems I’ll be training alone from now on.”
“Umm, please come back by dinner, okay?”
Priscilla-chan, mimicking Mistral’s tone from long ago, gave me a heartwarming smile.
“Yes. I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
I patted Priscilla-chan’s head as she worried about me. Then, I removed the White Sword and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword from my waist.
I sometimes take them off when sleeping or bathing, but it’s been a while since I had to part with them in anticipation of an extraordinary situation. Feeling a strange lightness at my waist, I handed the White Sword and the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword to Mistral.
“There are no monsters or beasts where the Spirit Tree grows, so you shouldn’t be in danger, but don’t let your guard down.”
“Elnea-kun, don’t overdo it.”
“If you think it’s impossible, you can come back.”
“If you think it’s impossible, it’s important to give up.”
I nodded, saying, “I’ll be alright,” to their encouragement.
“I’m a little flustered by the suddenness, but I will overcome this trial. So, everyone, please wait with peace of mind. Oh, and please prepare for New Year’s Eve!”
I had decided to spend New Year’s Eve with everyone in Mistral’s village this year. So, I absolutely had to return by then.
With renewed determination, I conveyed my resolve to Old Man Sleigsta. Then, waving goodbye to everyone, I stepped into the depths of the Ancient Tree Forest.
Asher, without a word, remained curled up as if in a deep sleep, observing the situation.
I walked alone through the lush green Ancient Tree Forest, even in winter.
Now, this is a problem.
I told everyone I’d be fine with a smile, but I’m not fine at all.
Let me check what I have. About half a day’s worth of water and a few snacks. If I were to live normally, I’d be parched by early afternoon.
Water shouldn’t be a problem. There were streams and brooks in the Ancient Tree Forest, so I could drink from them. However, the problem is food.
If the trial only lasted a day or two, I could endure the hunger.
But…
I must not misinterpret why Old Man Sleigsta chose this time for the trial.
We had talked about having a fun New Year’s Eve together when winter began. Old Man Sleigsta knew this. And New Year’s Eve is just a few days away.
At first glance, it seems like a deadline: “If you want to spend the year-end with everyone, try harder.”
But no.
This is not such an easy trial.
Reading between the lines, Old Man Sleigsta anticipated from the beginning that this trial would take several days. A trial that takes several days is proof of its high difficulty.
I must not misjudge this point.
I can set the content of the trial myself. But if I’m blinded by immediate pleasures, such as New Year’s festivities, and create a casual trial, it won’t be good enough.
Hmm.
So, what kind of trial should I set?
Speaking of which, I haven’t completed the wind-attuned dragon arts yet. Should I complete that?
Wait, wait. There’s no need to go to the Spirit Tree just to do that.
I walked carefully through the Ancient Tree Forest, avoiding tripping on roots and uneven ground, thinking “this or that” as I went.
“Hmm. This is troubling.”
“It is troubling.”
“Mumu mua.”
“Fufufufu.”
“……Uwah!”
As I was lost in thought, muttering to myself, spirits had appeared around me without me noticing.
Grains of light floated in the air, and a small child walked behind me. Spirits in the form of small beasts, insects, and birds had gathered around me.
“Hello, everyone.”
When I greeted them, the spirits happily returned my smile.
“Play with us?”
“Let’s go for a walk!”
“Hide-and-seek!”
“Let’s explore!”
Oh no! There were children here who were hungry for play, too!
Clutching my head over the daunting trial ahead, I crouched down.
