Under the oppressive presence of Frost Iser, not only did Earl Mi emerge from the shadows, but the usually lazy Toby also let out a cry, transforming into a massive gryphon, its fiery red eyes fixated on the figure atop the throne.
Even Lobal, who had shrunk himself to less than a meter tall, now reverted to his true form, a towering ten-meter-tall tri-headed lionhound, standing protectively in front of Angel.
On one side stood the cold and captivating Snow Queen upon her icy throne; on the other, surrounded by many guardians, was Angel.
In an instant, the peaceful situation escalated into a tense confrontation.
Amidst such a fraught atmosphere, the elemental sprites hiding far away in the "Four Seasons Theater" began to tremble.
Meanwhile, Frost Iser, responsible for this scene, did not withdraw his oppressive presence. Instead, he let out a cold hum, intensifying his aura. Yet, opposite him, there was no hint of submission.
Furthermore, with a roar from Toby, a wave of scorching force descended from the sky, singlehandedly countering the pressure created by Frost Iser, even blocking out the swirling snowstorm.
It appeared entirely unburdened.
This scene alone was enough for Frost Iser to determine that Toby’s strength was formidable; even if slightly inferior, it wasn’t by much.
However, more than Toby, Frost Iser’s attention was drawn to the ghostly shadow standing guard before Angel. Though it stood silently, making no move and emitting no aura, merely locking eyes with it instilled a sense of threat within Frost Iser.
The strength of this shadow likely rivaled his own.
"Why has Your Highness, Frost, suddenly chosen to test my mettle? Or is this part of a closed loop Mr. Feng has set?"
As Frost Iser sized up Earl Mi and Toby, a soft voice shattered the tense silence.
Frost Iser slowly lifted his gaze, his pure white eyes beneath unruly silver locks fixing on Angel.
In his eyes, Angel seemed just as calm as before, even exuding a hint of leisurely indifference.
Is this nonchalant confidence because he feels secure with so many guardians around him?
As this thought arose, not having time to ponder it further, Frost Iser noticed a peculiar change in Angel’s right eye. Subtle glowing green patterns suddenly emerged...it was this undulating green light that made Frost Iser instinctively avert his gaze from Angel.
It dawned on Frost Iser then—
His subconscious was retreating from locking eyes with Angel.
This was a more visceral warning of danger than the presence of that shadow!
Realizing this, Frost Iser seemed to understand why Angel appeared so unfazed. Perhaps it wasn’t the surrounding guardians giving him confidence, but rather...he himself was the most dazzling presence!
Frost Iser looked deeply at Angel; though the green patterns on his right eye ceased their motion, the sense of threat remained.
"I..." Frost Iser’s voice unconsciously carried emotion when he began to speak. He paused, adjusted his tone, then continued: "I know why you’ve come."
Angel silently gazed at Frost Iser on the throne.
Frost Iser: "This isn’t part of Mr. Feng’s closed loop; it’s simply something I wish to do."
Thinking back to Frost Iser’s inquiry before his maneuver, Angel asked, "To verify if I’m the one he spoke of?"
Frost Iser tilted his head slightly, the floating silver strands seemed to possess a will of their own, gradually converging and pointing toward...Toby in the sky.
"When Troisa told me of its existence, I knew you were the one Mr. Feng awaited," Frost Iser noted, looking at Toby in its gryphon form, inevitably reminded of Kalomchis. He and Kalomchis had spent a delightful time together—Kalomchis was the one fire element he genuinely didn’t dislike. Despite this, Kalomchis ultimately chose to reside in the Region of Fire, which was partly why Frost Iser disliked that realm.
"Then why, Your Highness, did you question me earlier?" Angel casually asked.
Frost Iser emitted a soft snort: "I merely wanted to see if the one awaited by Mr. Feng truly had the qualifications to follow in his footsteps."
Angel: ...Oh, that damnable feeling of familiarity.
So, does every elemental creature in Malaya Ice Mountain fancy themselves as a ’judge’? Otherwise, why are both the water element’s Troisa and the ice element’s Frost Iser so keen on questioning one’s ’qualifications’?
Suppressing his urge to retort, Angel maintained his serene expression: "Then, Your Highness, do you believe I am qualified?"
Observing Angel’s calm demeanor, Frost Iser was tempted to declare "unqualified," but recalling the previously sensed threat, he ultimately couldn’t bear to violate his conscience and candidly stated: "You are qualified."
Angel merely smiled silently, yet internally remarked: That answer truly resonates with the temperament of a judge...or rather, a reviewer.
Once finished, Frost Iser gradually retracted his previously aggressive aura. As the tension diminished, the winds and snow waned, restoring tranquillity to the air.
Angel waved his hand, beckoning Toby back. The enormous flame gryphon executed a roll, returning as a seabird to perch on Angel’s shoulder, ignoring Frost Iser’s gaze to change into a small dress from the Snow Feather.
At the same time, Earl Mi retreated into the shadows once more, vanishing from sight.
This series of gestures indicated Angel choosing to cease fire and lower the flags.
Angel did not comment on the authenticity of the "qualification" Frost Iser mentioned, but he indeed did not sense significant malice within Frost Iser’s aura. Hence, Angel was willing to accept this claim.
Opting for conflict might yield answers; however, it’s only a possibility, not a certainty. Angel preferred resolving matters peacefully and rationally.
The act of summoning Toby back served as a signal for both Speedy and Lobal. They each dismissed their guarded forms—Speedy continued its concealment, while Lobal reduced its size, quietly taking its place beside Angel’s feet.
Frost Iser gave Lobal a sideways glance, then addressed Angel: "Did they choose you due to Hurricane Hubrior’s command?"
Though Frost Iser said nothing previously, seeing Lobal and Speedy poised by Angel’s side, ready to react against him, left Frost Iser quite surprised.
Given Malaya Ice Mountain and Storm Ridge’s historically amicable relationship owing to the mentor-student connection with Hurricane Hubrior, Frost Iser understood if Lobal and Speedy remained neutral; their staunch stance with Angel was unexpected. In Frost Iser’s view, such an alignment could only arise from a direct order from Hurricane Hubrior, instructing them to protect Angel at all costs.
Lobal’s tail head spoke softly: "It’s not an order from His Highness, Hurricane."
"Oh?" Frost Iser was taken aback by this reply, "Then why?"
Lobal lowered its head, not speaking, while Angel replied on its behalf: "They only pledged a small vow with me, not to betray me."
A vow? Frost Iser seemed to grasp something: "Did you take them as elemental slaves?"
The so-called elemental servants are actually a variant of elemental companions, a kind of connection between Wizards and elemental creatures, bound by an oath. This relationship is not common and has a high rate of rebellion.