That afternoon, Ryn walked along the same path he had taken three days ago.
His steps were heavy, drained of life.
Around him, the city was still bustling—
people passed by in crowds, voices and laughter echoing through the streets.
But to Ryn…
everything felt silent.
When he reached the mansion, the same young woman came out to greet him.
"Sir Ryn… this way, please."
She asked no further questions, simply leading him along the familiar route—
through the grand hall, past the gazes of the apprentice scholars.
Today, he didn't even register how they were looking at him.
Up the stairs, down the marble corridor, until they stopped before the same door as before.
The young woman bowed slightly, then stepped aside.
"Master Aurelia is waiting inside."
Ryn raised his hand and knocked softly.
"Come in."
Aurelia's voice answered from within—
cold, composed, without hesitation.
Ryn opened the door and stepped inside.
This time, he did not stand there with hope.
He did not stand there with stubborn resolve.
He stood there with acceptance.
He had failed.
"Well? Did you succeed?"
Aurelia asked in a mocking tone.
Ryn remained silent.
He offered no reply.
Instead, he took the block of ice from his cloak and handed it back to her in quiet resignation.
Aurelia let out a soft laugh from her throat.
"Of course. How could someone like you ever manage it?"
"Good for nothing but brute force, intoxicated by the power you possess."
Her eyes looked down on him with contempt.
"Even knowing you had no chance, you still brought it back to try again."
"How pathetic."
Ryn stood still.
He did not argue.
He did not protest.
Aurelia continued, her voice calm but cutting.
"That sword of yours doesn't suit you.
Put it back where it belongs."
Ryn flinched slightly.
He didn't understand the meaning behind her words—
but he did not ask.
After a brief pause, he drew in a breath and spoke slowly.
"My apologies… if I made you think I was overconfident."
His voice was steady, polite, sincere.
"But in truth, I only wanted to try everything I could—
as long as there was still a chance."
Ryn lifted his gaze to meet Aurelia's eyes.
"I know nothing about magic.
I don't understand its principles at all.
So I could only do what was within my ability."
His hand clenched slightly as he continued.
"And even so…
that ice never melted.
Not even a single drop."
Ryn lowered his head slightly.
"But if you would grant me one more chance…
teach me about magic. Teach me how to use it properly."
He raised his head again. His eyes were steady—firm, unwavering.
"I believe that one day, I will be able to leave a mark on that block of ice.
Even if it is only a small crack."
Aurelia stared into his eyes without saying a word.
And in that moment, a familiar feeling returned to her.
The image of Elena, her younger sister, overlapped with the young man standing before her.
She frowned slightly, surprised at herself.
Those were not the eyes of someone intoxicated with his own strength.
Not the eyes of someone blinded by power.
They were the eyes of someone who knew he was not enough—
yet was willing to learn everything he could.
For the first time, the stern library was not filled only with the sound of turning pages.
"Very well,"
Aurelia said, clasping her hands behind her back.
"Tell me every method you thought of to destroy the ice. Then demonstrate it."
Ryn nodded slightly and spoke honestly—
about throwing it into the fire,
leaving it under the sun,
imagining magic,
and finally, admitting that he didn't understand magic at all.
When he finished, Aurelia burst into laughter.
"Did you truly believe those methods could destroy my ice?"
Ryn met her gaze without flinching.
"No. I didn't think they would work.
I only… did what I was capable of."
Aurelia continued laughing, then slowly calmed down.
Her eyes drifted to the sword at Ryn's side.
"From what you've told me, you never once used your sword, did you?"
Ryn stiffened slightly.
Why did she keep mentioning his sword?
"I thought you wanted me to find a way to break the spell with knowledge,"
he answered honestly.
"Not by force. Not with a weapon."
Aurelia let out a quiet sigh.
"And Richard gave you no advice at all?"
"No,"
Ryn replied plainly.
"He told me nothing.
Only to try my best."
Aurelia narrowed her eyes slightly before speaking, her voice slow and deliberate.
"I told you to find a way to destroy it.
I never said you had to use magic—
nor did I forbid you from using anything else."
She fell silent for a moment, then continued,
"Very well. I will give you one more chance.
Use your sword and destroy the ice."
Ryn nodded.
He drew his blade from its scabbard.
The metal reflected the dim light of the library in silent clarity.
He steadied his mind.
No hesitation.
No arrogance.
Only intent.
The sword moved—
simple, precise, without flourish.
Slash.
A single, clean sound.
The block of ice split in two.
The cut was flawless—smooth, perfect, as if shaped by an ideal blade.
Aurelia stood motionless.
She said nothing, but the disdain that once lingered in her eyes slowly faded.
And in that moment, she finally understood.
It wasn't that the boy had chosen the sword for its power,
nor for its appearance,
nor for the illusion of strength.
It was because—
The sword had chosen him.