Shiomi was well acquainted with the legend of the giant wolf Fenrir.
Ragnarök, that pivotal event in Scandinavian mythology, was also a crucial part of the decline of the Age of Gods from the surface world, serving as the very symbol of the Scandinavian pantheon's waning. However, unlike the myths circulating among ordinary people, within the world of Magi, it was widely believed that Odin and most of the Scandinavian gods did not perish in Ragnarök. Yet they remained powerless to halt the inevitable decline of the Age of Gods.
According to the magi's worldview, after Ragnarök, the Scandinavian gods—like deities from other mythologies—retreated to the outer edges of the world, relinquishing the 'fabric' of this planet called the World to humanity. But that was the state of affairs in Proper Human History. In this Lostbelt, Shiomi didn't know the details of Ragnarök, which was precisely why he wanted to ask Skadi.
"Rest assured, that isn't the true form," Skadi said. "The real Fenrir was consumed long ago during Ragnarök. What appears here is a replicated concept, existing solely within the Valhalla Trials, an infinite approximation of the original."
"I knew that without you saying it."
As they reached the summit, the mountain mist grew thicker. A relentless gale swept in from the opposite side of the range, and within the heavy snowstorm, Fenrir's eerie form gradually came into view.
While its form resembled a wolf, it wasn't merely a colossal beast. Its massive body seemed to be composed of the very concept of 'frost'. Its entire being radiated a faint blue glow, channeling immense Mana that even Shiomi dared not underestimate. After all, this was one of the offspring born to Loki, the god of trickery, and the giantess Angrboda.
"It's coming," Shiomi murmured.
The trial had begun. Fenrir's enormous eyes fixed upon Shiomi and Skadi atop the mountain peak. Bitingly cold blizzards, whipped by fierce winds, swiftly engulfed the rugged, barren mountains.
Instantly casting Runes Magecraft for protection, Shiomi still couldn't halt the chill seeping into their bodies. This was the wind from Niflheim, the realm of mist—the absolute zero blizzard poured forth from the world of frost and ice that Fenrir had once devoured.
Body temperature plummeted further, the skin's surface grew icy cold, and the fingers gripping the sword stiffened.
As the embodiment of destruction in Ragnarök, Fenrir would freeze the entire world in ice and snow, just as the fire giant Surtr would consume it in flames. Thus, as a child of the gods, this innate power stood as a Mystery, transcending the bounds of humanity.
"Don't push yourself! Focus on your own defense! Only by surviving this blizzard will you have the right to consider counterattacking!" Skadi sternly warned Shiomi.
Having witnessed Ragnarök, Skadi exerted maximum effort from the start, concentrating on shielding herself with Runes. Mana formed a barrier around her, isolating the goddess from the storm.
But Shiomi's defenses, compromised by miscalculation, were swallowed by absolute zero ice. Leaning on his sword, he instantly froze into an ice sculpture before Skadi's eyes.
Only the faint pulse of life indicated Shiomi still clung to existence. Skadi gritted her teeth, edging closer to revive him and temporarily withdraw from this place.
The trials of Valhalla were not insurmountable, but this was an absolute barrier. One must either break through or remain forever obstructed—or become part of this world's ice and snow.
Just as her hand was about to touch Shiomi, the solid ice encasing his body began to crack. The hand gripping his sword slowly rose, striking down toward the vast, swirling blizzard ahead.
Niflheim's winds were cleaved apart in an instant. Even Skadi, shielded by Runes' protection, sensed the onslaught of the blizzard being temporarily severed.
He raised his hand, shaking the long sword in his grasp. The frozen ice on his body flaked off like plaster, revealing eyes of unyielding resolve.
"So that's it—it's a divine power," Shiomi analyzed with understanding. "No wonder. After all, he's Loki's child. Possessing such an ability isn't surprising."
"You... you're actually unharmed?" Skadi gasped in shock.
Even she wouldn't dare claim to withstand Fenrir's power unprotected, yet Shiomi appeared completely unscathed.
"Overall, it's nothing. I focused solely on Fenrir's Mana and overlooked its true nature." Shiomi gripped the Holy Sword horizontally before her. "I'll draw its attention. Whether you choose to watch or lend a hand is up to you. I'll decide my next move based on your actions."
The earth and mountains began to tremble. Fenrir lifted its limbs and advanced toward their position, its four-legged stride accelerating from a walk into a full gallop. In an instant, it closed the distance. Amid the blizzard, Fenrir raised its right foreleg, its vicious claws slashing toward Shiomi.
Like a mountain crushing down, Shiomi lowered his stance, sensing the aura of the Holy Sword.
"Roar, Holy Sword of the Planet!"
He stepped forward half a pace, his eyes blazing with fierce light. The blade of the Holy Sword condensed magic, rapidly expanding and extending before striking Fenrir's outstretched paw. The giant wolf's body was incredibly hard. Though Shiomi's strike failed to pierce the foreleg, it temporarily knocked the beast off balance. It swayed sideways, struggling to maintain its stance.
Even as a phantom created by Valhalla, it was, as Scáthach had said, infinitely close to the real thing.
Therefore, it was only natural for it to underestimate such a small enemy.
Without exerting full force, Fenrir's strike was deflected by the Holy Sword. By the time it regained its footing, both Shiomi and Skadi had vanished from their original positions.
Fenrir immediately scanned the area for Shiomi's location, but suddenly sensed an expanding surge of Mana directly below him.
"One more strike!"
The light of the Holy Sword struck Fenrir's body from directly below. Still unable to pierce through, but this time Shiomi attacked on a larger scale. The Holy Sword finally pierced Fenrir's abdomen in his grasp, causing the giant wolf to let out an enraged roar. That massive jaw, capable of swallowing the Concept Sun, opened to its fullest extent in that instant.
Arctic Mana surged forth, crashing directly onto the ground like a torrent devouring the earth and radiating outward from Fenrir's center.
Rather than pursuing a small target, Fenrir chose a broader counterattack.
The earth continued to tremble with Fenrir's movements, yet it sensed a shaking not originating from itself.
The solid ice covering the plains and mountains was shattered from below. Countless twisted trees burst forth like thorns, growing wildly along Fenrir's body.
Perched atop one such tree, Shiomi held the Holy Sword, its blade pointed directly at Fenrir's eye.
"The battle has only just begun. Let our powers converse properly."