"Is it you?" A voice echoed from nowhere, cutting through the howling wind.

  I froze, glancing behind me and to my sides, but there was no one in sight. The snow swirled violently, blurring the already limited visibility.

  "Who are you?" I demanded, trying to move, but my body was sluggish from exhaustion and the biting cold.

  Before I could react, a blade was already at my neck—sharp, precise, and impossibly fast. I hadn't seen or even sensed her approach.

  The figure finally revealed herself, stepping into view. Wait... a girl?

  She was wrapped in a thick black cloak, lined with silver patterns that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Long, dark hair fell over her shoulders, and her piercing violet eyes burned with suspicion. Despite the harsh wind whipping around us, she stood still—unmoved and unshaken.

  "Wait! Wait!" I blurted out, raising my hands—or, well, my right arm, instinctively. "It’s me!"

  Her expression didn’t soften. If anything, her grip on the blade tightened. Whoever she was, she clearly wasn’t the type to take chances.

  "What's your name then?" she asked, her tone sharp and unyielding. The blade at my neck didn’t waver.

  "It's Kelvin!" I blurted out, hoping that would be enough to ease the tension. It wasn’t.

  "Any proof?" she said, her eyes narrowing as if daring me to lie.

  Proof? What did she expect, a business card? My mind raced, searching for something—anything—that could convince her I wasn’t some random mountain trespasser.

  I sighed and tilted my head slightly, careful not to press against the blade. "Look, do random guys in the middle of a snowstorm usually wear an Oni mask?" I gestured weakly to my face. "This thing isn’t exactly standard winter gear."

  Her lips twitched—was that a smirk? No, probably my imagination.

  Then she suddenly burst out laughing. "HAHAHA! Calm down, I was just testing you. Lia told me about you." She withdrew her sword with a smooth motion, resting it casually against her shoulder.

  "Haha…" I muttered weakly, still feeling the phantom pressure of the blade against my neck. My heart was pounding—was this her idea of a joke?

  She tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "You should’ve seen your face. Thought you were about to pass out."

  "Yeah… hilarious," I grumbled, finally lowering my arm. "So, who are you supposed to be?"

  She sheathed her sword with a smooth motion, brushing a bit of snow off her shoulder. "Name’s Seria," she said, as if she hadn’t just held a blade to my throat. "I’m your guide—or, I guess, your babysitter. Lia figured you’d get lost or freeze out here."

  I let out a slow breath, trying to shake off the lingering tension. "Babysitter, huh? And you always greet people by threatening to decapitate them?"

  She grinned, sharp and unbothered. "Only the interesting ones."

  Great. Another lunatic.

  I glanced her over—she didn’t look like much. If anything, she seemed out of place up here. She had long silver hair that barely swayed in the biting wind, and her face… well, she didn’t look older than seventeen. Definitely not the kind of person you’d expect to survive in a place like this.

  "You live up here?" I asked, still skeptical.

  Seria shrugged, turning to walk ahead like the cold didn’t bother her. "Been here a while. The mountains are peaceful—when idiots aren’t crashing through them."

  I trudged after her, every step sinking into the snow. "So, what’s your deal? You work for Lia?"

  Her laughter rang out, light and effortless. "Work for her? Nah. I’m more of… a mentor. I trained her once upon a time."

  I nearly tripped. "You trained her?"

  Seria glanced back at me, her face unreadable. "What, surprised? You think Grand Magnus just pop out of nowhere?"

  I narrowed my eyes. "You don’t look like you’re old enough to mentor anyone."

  "Aw, thanks," she said, flashing a bright smile. "I take care of myself."

  I didn’t buy it—not for a second. There was something off about her. No one who looked that young should be living alone in these mountains, let alone claiming to have trained someone like Lia.

  "So, what are you?" I pressed. "Another overpowered mage?"

  She tilted her head, considering my words. "Something like that," she said, her voice vague. "Not that it matters to you. All you need to know is that I’m here to make sure you don’t die before you get where you’re going."

  "Right," I muttered. "And where exactly am I going?"

  She pointed toward the distant peaks, where a faint structure clung to the side of a mountain. "Aurewyn Grand Academy. Lia’s little project. She wants you there."

  I sighed, adjusting the bag on my back. "Great. And what do you get out of this?"

  Seria smirked. "Entertainment."

  Of course. Another lunatic.

  She follows up, "But don't worry. Before you go there, I'll train you. I'll make you a different person."

  I raise an eyebrow. "A different person? What kind of training are we talking about?"

  Seria smirks, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "The kind that either makes you stronger—or breaks you trying."

  I swallow hard. That doesn't sound promising.

  "And don’t worry about getting stuck on schoolwork," she continues casually, as if she didn’t just threaten my well-being. "If you win the tournament, you’ll instantly pass every subject."

  "A tournament?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

  She waves a hand dismissively. "Details later. You should be more concerned about surviving my training first."

  Without another word, a small portal flickers open beside her. She reaches in with a graceful motion and pulls out an axe—its blade gleaming in the faint sunlight. Without hesitation, she thrusts it toward me.

  "Here," she says. "Now, get to chopping."

  I stare at the axe, dumbfounded. "Sorry? Chopping?"

  "Yes. Chopping." She crosses her arms, her expression unreadable.

  I glance around, confused. "You’re serious?"

  "As serious as I was when I almost cut your head off," she replies smoothly. "Now get to it. We've got a long way to go, and you're weaker than I expected."

  Grumbling under my breath, I take the axe. Somehow, I already know this is going to be a nightmare.

  "Can I at least eat first? Or maybe put down my stuff?" I ask, hoping for a little mercy. My body still aches from the climb, and the weight of the bag isn’t helping.

  "No," she says, shaking her head without an ounce of hesitation.

  I let out a tired sigh. "Why not?"

  "It's extra training!" she adds, as if that somehow makes it better.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stay calm. "At least heal me or something. I’m still half-dead over here."

  She shakes her head again, more firmly this time. "No. Now get started before the sun goes down."

  I stare at her, waiting for some sign that she’s joking—but her expression remains cold and serious. There’s no arguing with her.

  Without another word, I grip the axe tighter and walk toward the nearest tree. My muscles burn with every step, but I ignore it. I don’t have time to complain—not if I want to survive.

  I raise the axe and swing down hard. The blade bites into the wood with a dull thunk. It's not pretty, but it works.

  I don’t speak to her again. I just keep chopping.

  I won’t let myself be powerless ever again.

  Tree after tree, I kept chopping them down. My hands grew numb from the cold, and each swing of the axe sent a jolt of pain through my exhausted muscles. The weight of my body still felt off—my missing left arm didn’t help with balance—but I pushed through it.

  The sound of the axe hitting wood echoed through the mountains, the rhythm almost hypnotic. Chop. Thunk. Chop. Thunk.

  Seria stood nearby, watching me with an unreadable expression. She didn’t offer any words of encouragement—or any help, for that matter. Every now and then, I caught her yawning as if this was the most boring thing in the world.

  “How long… do I keep doing this?” I asked between breaths, wiping sweat from my brow with my shoulder.

  “Until I say stop,” she replied casually, leaning against a boulder. “Or until you collapse. Whichever comes first.”

  I clenched my jaw and swung harder. There was no point in arguing. If this was part of the training she mentioned, then I’d see it through. I had to.

  The sun crawled across the sky as hours passed, the temperature dropping fast. My breath came out in white puffs, and the once-light axe now felt like it weighed a ton. But I didn’t stop.

  I couldn’t stop.

  Each tree I felled was another reminder—another promise—that I would never be helpless again.

  "Hmm..." she muttered, tilting her head slightly.

  I glanced back at her—but what I saw wasn’t her. It was a massive bear.

  My legs gave out, and I fell straight to the ground. I didn’t even think about it—I just dropped. The bear stood half as tall as the trees I’d been chopping, its thick fur glistening in the cold air, steam rising from its mouth with every breath.

  "What the hell!" I blurted out, scrambling back on the snow.

  "Hey, why did you stop?" Seria’s voice called out—but it wasn’t from the ground. My eyes traveled up to see her perched comfortably on the bear’s back, legs crossed like she was sitting on a couch. She grinned down at me. "Did he scare you?"

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Of course he did!" I shouted, pointing at the massive beast. "Why is there a bear?!"

  She patted the bear’s head like it was a harmless puppy. "Oh, relax. He's my pet. I was wondering how long you’d keep going before you noticed."

  "You have a pet bear?" I asked, still trying to process the situation.

  "Yep," she said, popping the 'p'. "His name’s Kuma. He’s a sweetheart—unless I tell him not to be."

  Kuma let out a low, rumbling growl that shook the ground beneath me. Sweetheart, my ass.

  "Also, he's not a bear per se," Seria shouts, her voice cutting through the crisp mountain air.

  I blink at her, still sitting in the snow. "Then what is he?" I ask, not really sure I want the answer.

  Seria leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees while still perched on the massive creature—not-bear? "He's a Guardian Beast. You know, ancient, mystical, super strong—the usual stuff. I found him after he mauled some idiot who tried to climb this mountain. We hit it off."

  "A Guardian Beast?!" I repeat, my voice rising in disbelief. "You found one? And he just... lets you ride him?"

  "Kuma and I have a special bond," she says, her tone smug. "Besides, he likes me."

  As if to emphasize her point, Kuma lets out a heavy huff of breath, the warm mist curling in the freezing air. His eyes—intelligent and far too calculating for a normal animal—narrow slightly as he stares at me.

  I push myself back onto my feet, still gripping the axe. "And what’s the point of showing him off? Trying to scare me?"

  Seria laughs, loud and carefree. "Oh, no. If I wanted to scare you, I’d let him chase you. This?" She gestures to the towering beast beneath her. "This is motivation. If you can't even chop a few trees, how do you expect to survive out there?"

  I swallow hard, my pride stinging. "Alright… fine." I roll my shoulders, ignoring the ache in my muscles. "I’ll chop every damn tree if that’s what it takes."

  "Good answer!" Seria grins, clapping her hands. "Kuma, be nice to him. For now."

  The beast lets out another low growl but steps back, allowing me room.

  I exhale sharply, gripping the axe tighter. Guardian Beast or not, I’m not stopping.

  Seria suddenly jumps off Kuma, landing gracefully in the snow. "I know you just lost your arm, but why are you swinging it so wrong?"

  "Wrong?" I mutter under my breath. I didn’t even realize it until now—ever since I was reincarnated, I’ve never actually wielded anything I had to swing. Shouldn’t I have gotten some kind of weapon mastery prompt from the UI by now?

  Before I can say anything else, she snatches the axe from my grip. With a single, fluid motion, she swings—and the tree I had been hacking at for what felt like forever comes crashing down.

  "See?" She tosses the axe back toward me like it weighs nothing.

  I catch it awkwardly, still processing what I just saw. "Okay... how the hell did you do that?"

  She smirks, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Efficiency. You’re wasting too much energy. It's not about strength—it's about technique."

  I glance at the fallen tree, then back at her. "Easy for you to say. You just dropped that thing like it was nothing."

  "Because it is nothing." She crosses her arms. "But hey, no pressure. If you want to spend all day flailing like an idiot, be my guest. Or... you could listen and learn."

  I grip the axe tighter, my pride stinging. "Fine. Teach me."

  Seria’s grin widens. "Good. First, stop holding it like you’re trying to wrestle it—your grip’s too tense. Relax. Let the axe do the work."

  I adjust my hold, mimicking the way she did it.

  "Better," she says, stepping back. "Now, try again—but this time, swing with your whole body, not just your arms."

  I inhale sharply, reset my stance, and swing. The axe bites deeper into the wood than before. Not perfect—but better.

  "See?" She flashes a knowing smile. "Told you—listen to me, and you might just survive this mountain."

  I roll my eyes, but for the first time since I got here, I feel a spark of confidence. If I’m going to get stronger, this is where it starts.

  ...

  "Only fifteen trees?" Seria mutters, shaking her head like she’s disappointed. "Now, pull them all into the temple."

  I blink at her, thinking—Surely, I misheard that. "What?" My voice comes out flat.

  "You heard me," she says, her tone far too casual for the insanity she just dropped on me.

  "WHAT?!" I scream, throwing my arms up. "The sun is literally setting! You could lift these with magic, right? Or better yet—" I point at Kuma, who’s lounging nearby like the world’s most terrifying oversized pet. "—you have that big-ass bear! Just make him do it!"

  She waves me off like I’m nothing more than a whiny child. "Training."

  I let out a deep breath, biting back the urge to curse. Right… of course, it’s training. Why did I even bother complaining?

  Without another word, I stomp toward the nearest tree trunk, grab it by the end, and start dragging it through the snow. My muscles burn almost immediately, and the cold stings my fingers, but there’s no point arguing. I already know she’s not going to cut me any slack.

  From behind, I hear her snicker. "Better hurry up. If you finish before sunrise, I might let you eat."

  I swear under my breath but keep pulling. If this is what it takes to get stronger, then so be it.

  ...

  The last log crashes to the ground with a dull thud. My right hand stings, warm blood trickling down my palm and staining the snow beneath me.

  "There…" I mutter, barely able to keep myself upright. My legs tremble, and the world around me spins. The cold bites deeper now, seeping through my clothes and into my bones.

  My vision blurs.

  Damn it… don’t pass out…

  But my body doesn’t listen. My knees buckle, and before I can even think to catch myself, everything fades to black.

  ...

  My consciousness slowly returns, a dull ache spreading through my limbs.

  "Good morning!" Seria’s voice rings out, far too cheerful for the situation.

  Why is she upside down? Am I… floating?

  As my senses sharpen, I realize the truth—I’m hanging upside down, tied securely to a tree. A cold breeze brushes against my skin, and it’s only then that I become aware of another, far more concerning detail.

  I’m stripped down to my underwear.

  "Umm… Why am I tied to a tree?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm. "And—" I glance down at my nearly bare body, "—why am I half-naked?"

  Seria, still as smug as ever, twirls a twig between her fingers. "Oh, that? It’s part of your training," she says matter-of-factly, as if binding someone to a tree in their underwear is a perfectly normal teaching method.

  I blink at her in disbelief. "What kind of training requires me to freeze my ass off like this?"

  "Endurance training, obviously," she replies, leaning against Kuma, who’s lounging at the base of the tree like this is all perfectly reasonable. "If you can’t handle a little cold, how do you expect to survive real danger? Besides—" her lips curl into a teasing smile, "—you passed out. That’s pretty weak if you ask me."

  I sigh, frustration bubbling beneath my skin. "Couldn't you have, I don't know, let me rest in a warm bed? Or used magic to heal me?"

  She waves a dismissive hand. "Where’s the fun in that? And anyway, tough love works best. Plus," her grin widens, "you look kinda funny dangling there."

  I groan, tugging against the ropes, but they barely budge. "So… how long do I have to stay like this?"

  Seria shrugs. "Until I’m satisfied. Or until you figure out how to free yourself. Whichever comes first."

  Of course.

  ...

  It’s been weeks since I was first strung up in this damn tree. Kuma hasn’t left my side once—his watchful gaze feels more like a silent warning than comfort. At some point, my body stopped trembling from the cold. Either I adapted… or the UI decided I wasn’t dying fast enough and threw me a bone.

  [WINTER'S RESOLVE]

  – After prolonged exposure to frigid conditions, this passive skill activates, granting heightened resistance to the cold and increased endurance. Adaptation to the harsh environment empowers the bearer, turning the icy chill into a source of fortitude.

  Funny. It’s like the UI feels bad for me. I guess if you suffer long enough, you get rewarded.

  But I didn’t just hang here doing nothing. Seria thought she was breaking me, but I used the time to push myself further. By focusing on my surroundings—on the wind brushing against my skin, the faint crunch of snow beneath Kuma’s paws—I started sharpening my awareness. Eventually, something clicked, and a new skill branched off from [Enhanced Reflexes].

  [ENHANCED SENSE]

  – Within a 2-meter radius, you can detect irregularities, hidden presences, or unusual movements. By focusing, you can also actively search for specific objects or beings.

  It’s not flashy, but in a place like this—where anything could be lurking—it’s a lifesaver.

  As useful as these new skills are, they don’t exactly fill my stomach. Seria hasn’t fed me in a week. Not a single bite. The only mercy she’s shown is tossing a flask of water my way now and then.

  Gee, thanks.

  "Hah…" I let out a dry laugh, feeling the ache in my ribs. "I’m basically becoming an icicle, and she’s up there probably enjoying a hot meal."

  I glance toward the temple entrance, where Seria usually disappears after giving me one of her sadistic tasks. The wind howls through the mountain peaks, but inside that temple? I bet it’s warm. Cozy. Maybe there’s even a fireplace.

  I tug against the ropes again—not because I expect to break free, but because I need to keep moving. Keep testing. My arm might still be regenerating, but the rest of me is stronger than it was when I first got here. I’m not the same weakling she strung up weeks ago.

  And when I get out of this? Seria’s gonna pay.

  The wind howls louder, cutting against my bare skin, but it barely stings anymore. [Winter’s Resolve] is doing its job, and honestly, if it wasn’t, I’d probably be frozen solid by now. I flex my fingers, feeling the stiffness in my joints as blood sluggishly moves through my limbs.

  Kuma huffs from below, watching me like always. His massive frame is partially buried in the snow, but he doesn’t seem bothered by the cold. Lucky bastard.

  I tilt my head as far as the ropes will allow, scanning the area with [Enhanced Sense]. Every tiny shift in the environment filters through—snow falling from a branch, the distant rumble of an avalanche far off in the mountains—but nothing useful. No sign of Seria.

  "Figures," I mutter under my breath. "The moment I figure out how to untie myself, she’ll probably pop out of thin air and tie me up again."

  My stomach growls—loudly. I almost laugh. Who knew starving on a mountain could be so boring?

  I exhale through my nose, focusing again. [Enhanced Sense] is still new, and using it constantly feels like flexing a muscle I didn’t know I had. But I’m learning. Slowly. I extend my awareness through the ground, searching for anything—food, maybe, or a weak point in the ropes.

  Then, I feel it. Something small and warm, darting beneath the snow.

  A rabbit.

  My mouth waters instinctively. If I wasn’t dangling like a broken marionette, I could probably catch it. The thought makes my fingers twitch against the bindings.

  “Still alive, huh?” Seria’s voice cuts through the wind. I stiffen, craning my neck as she saunters out of the temple. Her silver hair flows behind her like she’s walking down a runway, not checking on a half-starved idiot she strung to a tree. "Impressive. Most people crack after the first week."

  "Most people aren’t me," I snap, my voice dry and rough.

  She grins like I’ve just complimented her. "Good. I’d hate to waste my time." Without breaking her stride, she gestures toward the ropes with a flick of her fingers. A thin pulse of magic hums through the air, and suddenly, the bindings fall away.

  I hit the snow hard, my knees buckling as I try to stand. My muscles scream in protest, but I force myself up, biting back any sound of pain.

  Seria claps her hands mockingly. "Awww, look at you—still standing. I almost feel proud."

  "You should feel terrified," I say through gritted teeth, flexing my sore limbs.

  She tilts her head, her expression playful but cold. "Talk big all you want, but you’re still weak. So, here’s the deal—I’m giving you a reward for surviving this long."

  I narrow my eyes. "A reward?"

  With a flourish, she pulls something from the same shimmering portal she always uses. This time, it’s a long, black-bladed dagger. Sleek, deadly, and faintly glowing with a red aura.

  "This is Bloodfang," she says, twirling it between her fingers. "A little gift. It’s enchanted to drain a bit of life from whatever it cuts—useful when you’re starving, huh?" She tosses it at me without warning.

  I catch it—barely—my hand trembling from exhaustion.

  "What’s the catch?" I ask, staring at the blade.

  Seria smirks. "The catch? You survive the next phase of training. No food. No rest. Just you, Kuma, and whatever else the mountain throws at you."

  I grip Bloodfang tighter, its eerie warmth sinking into my palm. My body aches, my stomach twists with hunger—but my mind?

  My mind is sharper than ever.

  "Bring it on," I say.

  I continue practicing the movement Seria showed me, focusing on the subtle shifts in my weight and the pressure beneath my feet. Each step is a delicate balance—too heavy, and I sink into the snow; too light, and I lose control. It’s frustrating, but I push through. My breath comes out in short, misty puffs as the cold gnaws at my exposed skin.

  At the same time, I extend my senses, activating [Enhanced Sense] to scan the area. It’s like stretching an invisible web around me—every sound, every twitch of movement, every pulse of warmth registers in my mind. I search desperately for something—anything—to hunt. My stomach twists painfully in hunger, and the longer I go without food, the weaker I’ll become.

  Killing something with Bloodfang should fix that, I think, clenching my right hand. Its crimson edge shimmers faintly when I summon it, the familiar weight of the dagger grounding me. Bloodfang's ability to absorb life force has saved me before, and right now, it might be my only chance to keep going.

  A faint rustle to my left. I freeze, sharpening my focus.

  A rabbit? No. Too heavy.

  I pivot silently, my steps now smoother as I apply Seria’s technique, barely disturbing the snow beneath me. The movement grows clearer—a creature, low to the ground, stalking. My heart speeds up. This isn’t prey.

  It’s a predator.

  Slowly, I lower myself into a crouch, letting [Enhanced Sense] guide me. The creature is close—about five meters ahead, lurking behind a snow-covered bush. Its heartbeat is steady, controlled. Whatever it is, it knows I’m here.

  Without a sound, I creep closer. My legs ache from the hours of training, but I ignore the pain. This isn’t just about hunger anymore—it’s survival.

  A flash of silver fur catches my eye. It steps into the moonlight—a snowfang wolf. Sleek and muscular, its icy-blue eyes gleam with intelligence. It’s smaller than Kuma, but still dangerous, especially in my current state.

  I can take it, I tell myself. I have to.

  I grip Bloodfang tighter, letting its cold hunger pulse through me. I wait, patient and still, as the wolf begins to circle. It’s testing me. Good. Let it.

  The moment it lunges, I react. [Enhanced Reflexes] kicks in, the world slowing to a crawl. My body moves on instinct—I sidestep the pounce, snow scattering beneath my boots. Bloodfang flashes in the moonlight as I slash across the wolf’s flank.

  A sharp yelp. Blood splatters against the white ground. The beast skids to a stop, baring its fangs.

  I don’t give it a second chance.

  I close the distance, my footwork smoother now—each step barely touching the ground. The wolf tries to twist away, but I’m already there. Bloodfang pierces its throat, and I drive the blade deep.

  Warmth rushes through me as Bloodfang’s magic activates. My hunger eases, the searing pain in my muscles dulling as the wolf’s life force flows into me. My vision sharpens, my strength surging back.

  [Bloodfang – Life Absorption Activated]

  Minor injuries healed. Physical fatigue reduced.

  I exhale slowly, watching the wolf’s body slump into the snow. For a moment, everything is quiet—just the sound of my heartbeat thudding in my ears.

  One down.

  I clean the blade on the wolf’s fur before standing. My legs feel stronger. My steps lighter. It’s not much, but it’s enough to keep going.

  I glance back toward the distant temple, its silhouette barely visible in the fading light.

  "I’m not coming back weak," I mutter under my breath, turning back toward the dark forest. "Not ever again."

  And with that, I press forward—toward more prey, more strength, and whatever else this mountain throws at me.