side. Anastasia (14)

"Dance of the Ice Swords!"

I unleashed the most powerful anti-personnel spell I could manage indoors, riddling Leonard with wounds.

"Allen! Allen, stay with me!"

"Ugh... Ana... I’m sorry..."

"Don't you dare apologize! Just focus!"

"Ana... the blood... it’ll get on your clothes..."

Even at a time like this, he's worrying about me.

"I don't care about the blood! Don't you die! Not here! Not like this! Allen! Look at me!"

After he went through all that trouble to come and rescue me! I thought we were finally, finally going to be together!

This can't be happening. This can't be happening! Oh, God, please!

I could see the light gradually fading from Allen’s eyes.

No! Don't go! Don't leave me behind!

My face was surely a pathetic mess of tears and snot by now.

"Allen! Don't go! Don't leave me all alone! Allen! Allen!!"

Then, the last of the strength suddenly drained from Allen’s body.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!"

Anyone! Someone, please! Save Allen! I don't care what happens to me! Just save him!

『O seeker of guidance. I acknowledge the strength of your plea. I shall grant you power.』

"Eh...?"

In the next instant, a brilliant, vivid light enveloped my entire body.

"Ah... what is... this...?"

The moment the light subsided, a sudden sense of absolute certainty washed over me. I reached down, pulled the shards of the shattered chair out of Allen’s body, and began to chant.

"The seed of growth lies buried beneath the frost. Meltwater is the grace that summons life. Sacred ice, by the name of Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett, I command you. Mend my Allen’s wounds. Holy Ice Healing!"

I didn't know how I knew the words. I didn't even understand how Ice Magic could possibly perform healing. Yet, I was certain that this was the only way to save him.

Under the influence of my magic, ice began to crawl over Allen’s skin. Within seconds, his entire body was perfectly preserved, encased within a solid block of ice.

"My Lady! Lord Allen!"

"W-what in the world...?"

"Explanations later!" I barked at the knights who had just burst in. "Those people escaped. Catch them immediately! I don't care if you have to kill them!"

"Y-Yes, Ma'am!"

As the soldiers scrambled to pursue the fleeing Crown Prince and his conspirators, my father and his retinue arrived. Together, we moved the frozen Allen back to my private chambers.

"How could you have allowed such a meeting to take place?! What were the guards doing?!"

"T-that is... I cannot explain it myself, my Lord. But when that woman spoke to me, for some reason, everything she said just felt... right."

My father was currently interrogating the soldier who had been on guard duty, but the man’s excuses were nonsensical.

"At first, I laughed when she claimed to be a Saint," the guard continued, "but the more she spoke, the more I began to believe her... I thought it was only natural that His Royal Highness—the royalty of the Sentlaren Kingdom—should be allowed to speak with his own academy classmate..."

"And so you just let them in?"

"Y-Yes!"

Father massaged his temples and dismissed the soldier with a sharp wave of his hand.

"What is happening here? That man wasn't a fool; he was a capable soldier. That’s why I put him in charge of the prisoners. And yet..."

"Father, Allen referred to that woman as a 'witch,'" I interjected. "He was using a Magic Stone from a Blizzard Phoenix. I believe he was using Appraisal on her."

"A witch, you say...?"

Father took a long breath to steady himself before changing the subject.

"And what about this, Ana? Why is Allen encased in ice?"

"I... I heard a voice coming from the staff that woman was carrying. Then I was wrapped in light. I can't explain the logic, but I just knew—I was certain—that this was the only way to save him."

I turned my gaze to the block of ice sealing Allen away.

"The wounds certainly seem to be closing," Father noted, stepping closer.

He was right. The horrific gashes had almost entirely knit themselves back together. Even the splinters of wood that had been lodged deep inside his chest seemed to have been pushed out of his body by the ice.

"I have never heard of ice-based healing magic. And what about that staff?"

"The woman claimed it was the proof of a Saint. She said that anyone recognized by the staff would become the Saint."

"But Allen’s Appraisal identified her as a witch."

"Yes. Most likely..."

Father fell silent for a moment, deep in thought, before making a suggestion.

"Ana, let’s check your status. Something has clearly changed."

"Yes, Father."

We sent for an Appraisal crystal. While they are incredibly expensive magic items, most high-ranking noble houses keep one on hand. Using the crystal allows one to check their Divine Protection and Skills without needing an adventurer's Guild Card. While a trip to the Guild would yield the same results, nobles generally despise the idea of the Guild holding a monopoly on their personal information. We prefer to keep such things private.

I placed my hand upon the crystal, and a shocking set of results flickered into view.

Name: Anastasia Kleiner von Ramslett Age: 17 Divine Protection: 【Sky Knight】【Ice Saint】 Skill: 【Holy Ice Magic】 Residence: Wiechen Level: 24 Stamina: G Magic: B

"Um... Father? What is this?"

"What?! How is this possible? Saint? Holy Ice Magic? And you have the protection of the Sky Knight as well?!"

"Oh..."

The realization hit me all at once.

"The staff... It must have granted me this power because I wished so desperately to save Allen."

"That staff... Could it be a cursed artifact that creates 'witches'?"

"Perhaps. But in this moment, I can't think of any other explanation."

Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the room. A fissure appeared on the surface of the ice encasing Allen. A moment later, the entire block shattered with a thunderous roar.

"Allen!"

My body was still stiff and heavy, but I forced myself to move, rushing to his side. His skin was cold to the touch, but I could clearly hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat. As I pulled him into a tight embrace, I felt a warmth—a spark of life—gradually begin to glow within him.