10 Chapter 10: Dragonspine

(Authors Note: I make chapters in my free time so when I am busy I cannot make two a day. But as long as there's nothing big going on I would at least update a chapter per day.)

(Alexander POV)

The vast expanse of snow could be seen as I slowly approached my destination. With every step, the surrounding temperature went down and I felt the freezing temperature slowly affecting my mobility.

When I felt the temperature was slowly becoming unbearable I removed my shirt, pants, and shoes as I lay on the snowy ground. I slowly buried myself in the snow while closing my eyes and blanking my thoughts while my body adapted to the freezing temperature.

After some time passed, I stood up and took out the damaged pants that I found myself wearing when I came to this world. Only wearing damaged pants, my bare feet stepped on the snow as cold winds brushed my upper body as I continued my journey towards the freezing mountain covered by a snowstorm.

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My journey towards the mountains was uneventful with only the occasional Cryo Slimes blocking my path. With the way I am currently dressed, it was a good thing that I did not pass through any adventurers or I would be labeled as a crazy man.

From my memories, there should be a small river between Mondstadt and Dragonspine. I am currently looking for said river as it was the first agenda I have.

After about an hour of walking around, I found the frosted river. After inspecting my surroundings for quite a bit, I used my elemental skill and blasted the layer of ice on a somewhat deep part of the river.

I then jumped inside the freezing cold water and held my breath for as long as I could as I swam around the surface. With my eyes wide open, I spent about three minutes before surfacing out to breathe air before I dived a second time. The second dive took about 15 minutes before I resurfaced once again gasping for air. On the third dive, I swam toward the bottom of the river.

The first step of my training arc consists of the following,

Adapting to the cold. I plan to reach total immunity if not possible at least stay resistant to super low temperatures.

Adapting myself underwater to be able to breathe or at least stay submerged for a significant amount of time. 'A day or two would be sufficient' I thought to myself.

Being able to move and fight underwater as if I were moving on land. I don't want to rely on some gadgets or tricks to fight underwater when I inevitably travel to Fontaine.

Adapting to water pressure. The river might be deep but not deep enough to completely feel pressured. Even so, this would at least give my adaptation a slight taste of what water pressure feels like. This would be a great help when I plan to enter Inazuma by traveling underwater.

Being able to see in the dark. While not that deep to find myself in complete darkness the bottom of the river would be good enough to start adapting my eyesight.

As I stay focus on the adaptation grind, I did not notice the sun had already set for a few hours as my eyesight had adapted enough. I can now significantly see in the dark. To describe it further while my eyesight was not 100% clear like it was daylight, I could still see at least a few hundred meters easily but any further than that is misty like there is a fog blocking my sight.

So far I can say that the first step was a success and I can move on to my other agenda.

As I swam toward the surface of the river I used my elemental skill to blast the thick ice blocking my way to the surface.

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(Fatui Cryo Cicin Mage POV)

As I was doing my regular patrol near the river, I heard an explosion from afar. While running towards the direction of the explosion, I did not forget to summon my adorable pets. With a wave of my lantern, three Cryo Cicin's appeared as I made them guard me

*insert image*

While slowly getting closer to the explosion a beastly roar could be heard from behind me. As I turned my head to look at the direction the roar came from to my horror I saw the massive Frostarm Lawachurl crouching as one of its fists touched the ground before lunging at me.

As my three lovely Cicin's are not that far away from me swapping positions with them would prove to be ineffective and I don't have enough time to cast my shield. All I did was grit my teeth as the Frostarm Lawachurl sent me flying towards the nearby tree.

I gasped as the collision took all the air out of my lungs. My head also slammed hard making me a little dizzy. Blood came out of my mouth as I tried to stand up but my feet felt no strength. With sheer willpower, I slowly stood up but before I could I saw the Frostarm Lawachurl in a bending position intending to jump and squish me with its massive body.

With resignation, I closed my eyes.

*boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom* *boom*

With ten consecutive explosions, I open my closed eyes to see the Frostarm Lawachurl staggering backward.

One of its horns was broken, its left arm torn, and its fur disheveled. I could see its eyes filled with fury as it turned towards the location where the attacks came from.

With curiosity, I too turned toward my savior.

He had long wet hair as black as the night, deep blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean, and pale white skin that looked better than mine. He was holding a blood-red spear which was then covered by emerald aura.

I saw a smile on his handsome face as he ran straight toward the enraged Frostarm Lawachurl. The Frostarm Lawachurl tried to react but with the damage it sustained, it staggered for a bit allowing the man to plunge the spear into the wound where the missing arm would have been.

After a brief moment of the man and beast staring at each other the Frostarm Lawachurl turned to ashes.