Baker stirred as the first light of dawn filtered into his tent. The pup at his side shifted, nudging him with a small, frosty paw.
He blinked, stretching, and realized the frost-tipped fur glimmering in the morning light. The small creature — no bigger than a fox, with bright, intelligent blue eyes — stared up at him expectantly.
"Well, little one… you're a boy, aren't you?" he murmured, gently lifting the pup. "I think I'll call you… Celsius. Cel for short."
Celsius wagged his tail tentatively, sniffing Baker's hands, then pressed closer in approval.
As he settled at the small cooking area, unpacking ingredients and preparing breakfast for his mother, aunt, Meryl, Selene, and the traveling group, Baker felt something new in his chest.
A strange, subtle pressure, almost like a heartbeat… but not quite. Curious, he focused his senses, feeling the flow of mana within him. There, deep inside, he noticed a tiny marble-like organ forming — barely 2/1000 the size of a grain of sand. Its shape resembled a miniature heart, but it pulsed with mana instead of blood.
"It's… a mana organ?" he whispered. His mind connected the dots — the covenant with Celsius had gifted him this new ability. Ice mana gathered and circulated from this tiny organ, pumping through a newly forming mana circuit that ran like veins throughout his body.
Testing carefully, he flexed his fingers and felt a faint tingle: the ice mana flowed naturally, reinforcing his muscles and cooling areas of strain, regulating body temperature, and subtly numbing minor injuries. Unlike before, it wasn't just borrowed frost from Cel nearby — it was his own internal source of ice mana, integrated seamlessly with his Enduring Body magic.
Baker adjusted slowly, finding the right balance. The tiny organ beat steadily, distributing icy mana efficiently without overcooling his body or slowing his movements. It was as if a hidden, silent partner had been placed inside him, forever tied to the pup who had initiated the covenant.
By the time breakfast was ready, Baker had fully incorporated the ice mana into his Enduring Body magic. Subtle but powerful: injuries numbed faster, fatigue lessened, and his body temperature maintained even in the cold northern air.
He called out cheerfully as he set the plates on the table, "Breakfast is ready! Fresh bread and warm soup for everyone!"
Cel sat nearby, eyes gleaming with curiosity, tail flicking as though in approval. Baker chuckled softly. "Looks like you're going to enjoy the journey as much as I am, little one."
The northern morning began, the warmth of the fire, the cool pulse of his new mana organ, and the steady rhythm of magic and companionship blending into a perfect balance for the day ahead.
The northern wind cut sharply through the trees, but Baker barely noticed. Enduring Body, now infused with frost mana, kept him warm, his muscles nimble and resilient as he moved through precise sparring routines with Selene. Each thrust, parry, and step flowed more naturally than the last. He felt the icy pulse of his new mana organ as he trained, numbing minor strains and keeping fatigue at bay.
Meanwhile, Cel had found a new source of entertainment. Ventis had gently lifted him into her lap, brushing his fur while murmuring soft praises. Clarisse crouched nearby, scratching behind the pup's ears with a quiet laugh, while Meryl tossed a small ball of leftover bread crumbs for Cel to chase.
The little pup yipped and bounded between them, rolling onto his back for belly rubs, curling tightly into Ventis's warmth, and prancing after Meryl's playful tosses. For the first time since the brutal attack by the Ursafeliz, Baker's heart swelled. Watching Cel happy, surrounded by care and laughter, made the bitter memories of the raid fade slightly.
Selene called out from the sparring field, her voice a mix of encouragement and challenge. "Focus, Baker! Remember, control and endurance, not just raw power!"
He nodded, grinning beneath the exertion. The sparring continued — thrusts, counters, and body-reinforced movements — but each strike now carried a lightness to it, an almost playful rhythm. The frost mana pulsed calmly, aiding recovery in real time, allowing him to push just enough without overtaxing his body.
Between sets, he glanced toward the tent and saw Cel tumbling happily in the snow with his family. Ventis had even prepared a tiny snow "den" for him, while Clarisse praised the pup for his bravery in recent days. Baker felt a rare warmth blossom in his chest. This… this was worth protecting.
Finally, Baker lowered his practice weapon, wiping sweat from his brow. "Alright, that's enough for now," he called to Selene. She nodded, smiling, though clearly impressed with his progress.
He walked over to the group, Cel bounding toward him and immediately curling at his feet, exhausted but content. Baker knelt and scratched behind the pup's ears, feeling the small heartbeat of frost mana coursing through the tiny creature.
"You've done well, little one," he murmured. "You've helped me as much as I've helped you."
Ventis laughed softly, brushing her hand through Cel's fur. "He's quite attached to you, Baker. It's good to see both of you safe and happy."
Clarisse added, smirking slightly, "I think he's the happiest I've seen him since that attack. It seems he knows who he can trust now."
Baker nodded, letting himself bask in the simple joy of the moment. Sparring and training were important, but watching family, care, and laughter — and seeing Cel thrive — reminded him of why he fought to survive, and why he would continue to grow stronger.
For once, the pain of the past felt distant. Today, there was happiness, frost magic, and the warmth of home surrounding him.