something unexpected

'What in the world is going on?!'

'Why is a girl leaning in so close towards me?'

'Why can't I move?!'

'Wait, is that Akansha? What is she doing?!'

With confusion filling his mind, pain and exhaustion all over his paralyzed and burned body, Ashwin laid on the lap of a beautiful girl, who's face was still not clear enough to see, since his vision was blurred.

'What in the world went wrong?!'

'Let's calm down', Ashwin took in a deep breath as his vision cleared. He could see Akansha had her eyes closer tight.

"Not that I don't like the idea, I don't wanna become a target of envy of your fans, Accusing he for stealing your first kiss ", Ashwin said.

Hearing those words, Akansha pulled back, while pushing his head off from her lap.

"Oww! That hurts!", Ash screamed when his head hit the floor.

"You deserve it for being a pervert, hmph", Akansha said coldly. "I was just giving you a CPR"

"You can't call me a pervert. If I were one, I wouldn't have stopped you. Or are you dissapointed I stopped yu- okay, okay I am sorry", Ashwin couldn't finish his former sentence since sharp icy vines threatened his life! Especially now, when his body was completely paralyzed

"You are a pervert", Akansha said. "But how did you pull that off"

"I will tell you if you tell me about your spirit seeds"

"Fine. I have two spirit seeds. Now tell me, how did you run that fast and kill those sea monsters ", Akansha demanded.

"I used lightning. Tell me about the two spirit seeds ", Ash asked back.

Akansha sighed. Probably figured out she couldn't get him to talk unless she did too. "The first one is World End ice, it has the effect, Ice Explosion. The more ice element I provide, the stronger the Explosion "

"Second one is Ice Rose. Effect is Blood Rose. The more ice elemental provided the longer and sharper the thorns get. The thorns drain the blood of the victim, dying the Rose red. It has another effect Budding Rose, that encases the user or target in layers of icy petals, in the form of a bud", Akansha answered honestly. It wasn't far off from what Ashwin predicted.

"Guess it's perfect for your innate talent , huh?", Ashwin spoke.

"You know about my innate talent?", Akansha asked. Ashwin could see she wasn't so comfortable.

"It wasn't hard to guess. The ability to constantly absorb ice element into oneself and one's attacks ", Ashwin said, as he struggled to get up. "I am guessing it helps you with your cultivation speed as well. But there is a price to pay"

"How did you know about Absolute Frost?", Akansha asked, getting a bit hostile.

"I noticed when your ice was able to freeze the crystal after your test ", Ashwin replied, ignoring her hostility.

"And about its defect?"

"Such a strong talent usually have passive effect. And the chances of them being harmful are high. I know from my own experience "

"Is your innate talent similar?"

"In a way", Ashwin replied. His shadow magic was similar. His eyes held the power of a forbidden level shadow magic. He didn't need to cultivate it at all, and just needs to draw out that power. But the problem is that, if he draws out too much, his spirituality would collapse. He would he nothing but a body without mind.

"What is your innate talent?", Akansha asked. "You were able to use different spells"

"I can alter the effect and nature of a spell, using my Elemental Eye. The better my spiritual power, the stronger the effect ", Ashwin admitted as he activated his right eye.

Akansha was taken aback seeing by sudden change in Ashwin's eye, but she understood a bit. "But how did you manage to kill them all? What was that Black Lightning?"

"Black lightning?"

"That last second, your lightning was black and not purple "

'Is that Asi's effect?', Ashwin thought. Asi was a sword that amplified destruction effect. So the Black lightning should be something similar.

"That was probably because of the lightning 'they' produced", Ash answered

" who are 'they'?"

"The Lightning Jellyfish. They are said to inhabit this area. They exist in clusters. Although they are weak individually and not hostile, their combined effect could even kill a warrior rank, if their numbers are too high. They are the reason this area said to a safe haven for sailors since none of the warrior rank usually get close

I just enticed them by matching my lightning with them. It resonated and they fired lightning killing those servant rank. I was able to Amp myself to speed up, most likely causing that Black lightning"

"And that sword that?", Akansha questioned again.

"I am a swordsman and also, I think I answered enough ", Ashwin dismissed the question. Akansha didnot persue.

"You should phrase your words better", Akansha said.

"What do you mean?"

"Earlier you said, 'collect your body', as if you were going to die "

"Oh, that. That's because I knew I would be out of strength in the end"

"And not because you can't swim?", Akansha asked nonchalantly.

"No I wa- Wait, how did you know?!", Ash almost yelled.

"When I got there to get you, only your legs, no boots, were touching the surface, before it ran out of magic. Most likely a magic boot for walking on water.  And since you never dived, I guessed, although I wasn't so sure till now", Akansha answered. Even though her tone was as indifferent as usual, Ash felt a bit of teasing

This girl is shrewd, like really shrewd!

"Then, I dragged you here, inside the cabin"

"But you know, I never expected to have a conversation with you", Ashwin chuckled.

"Feeling's mutual. You usually look down on others, me included ", Akansha replied.

"Hey, you also act as if others don't even exist ", Ashwin protested.

"I would rather cultivate than have pointless conversation "

"Hey, I know about your condition, but you shouldn't burden yourself. Because, when you can't keep up, you will break", Ash said.

As a reply, Akansha tapped on the puddle of water next to her. The water froze in a instant." This is how my body is. If I don't keep up, I will freeze up like this puddle...", she said, staring at the now frozen puddle that was still growing colder, until it finally cracked up, reaching it's limit. Ashwin could feel the sorrow in those words.

"I am a good listener if you want one", Ashwin said.

Akansha looked up. Although she was a bit taken aback, a small smile sprouted on her face, "I appreciate it".

'I guess she really wanted someone to talk to', Ashwin understood. Ashwin understood what she might have felt. Despite her cold attitude, she was probably afraid on the inside. Her power, her family, everything was burdening her. But all she could do was putting up a brave face to mask her true feelings until that mask became her new face before she knew it.

"This talent, is something I was actually afraid of, when I was little. My body would get covered in Frost at light, when I was thirteen. I couldnt control it, since I was not able to enter deep meditation state. That fear loomed within me, changing my Black hair white", Akansha said and Ashwin listened intuitively. 'Her state was even tougher than mine huh?', he thought remembering his isekai moments.

"But then, I met someone who had similar situation as mine, when I was fourteen ", Akansha continued, snapping Ashwin out of his thoughts. "I travelled to China for a meeting with a Clan there".

'Did she just say China?'

"Did you say China?", Ashwin asked for clarifies.

"Yeah"

"By clan in China.."

"Have you heard of the Mu clan as well?", Akansha asked.

"The Mu Clan?", Ashwin's eyes went wide. "Who did you meet from the Mu Clan?"

"Huh? Even if I tell you, how would you know who it is?", Akansha asked back.

"Just tell me"

"Her name was Mu Ning Xue. She had similar situation as mine, but her magic was so strong and beautiful. Her presence was so dignified. It was she who motivated to try my best to become a mage. It's my dream to be able to duel against her once", Akansha said. Her eyes showed deep admiration for her role model.

But Ashwin was lost in thoughts. 'She met Mu Ning Xue. That means I may be able to contact MoFan as well!'

"Are you still in contact with her!", Ashwin held Akansha's shoulder. In the excitement, he didn't notice his face was only an inch away from her.

"Y-you know Mu Ning Xue?", Akansha was nervous suddenly when Ashwin got so close all of a sudden. After all, she was still seventeen.

"It's not her, but someone she know, I am looking for. So, are you still in contact with her?"

"Yeah, sometimes", Akansha replied, wile slowly backing away.

"Next time you talk to her, can you get her to tell me how to contact MoFan?"

"MoFan? Who's that?"

"Someone I really have to find out"