Fourth Peak

The path to the fourth peak extends from the highest peak on the third through a series of jagged icicles. From here on out, it is a test of will power. 

A steep almost vertical wall-like bridge with a width of three feet connected the highest third peak to the fourth peak. Icicles with sharp points adorned the side of this wall, threatening the climbers every moment that they are just one misstep, one wrong turn away from death. 

From this day onwards, they have to use the climbing equipment. 

It contained an awl, with a mini scythe-like blade on top, and on the bottom, two to three leather belts passing through the handle. They will attach this to the non-dominant hand. A rope with a grappling hook is thrown to the very top of the cliff. Then, they carry nails and carabiners in their fanny packs. As they move up, they will put a stabilizing rope around their waist, making sure they won't fall too far if they slip.

Ise took one look at the steep slope, and put her hand on it. 

Elantra responded immediately. Ripples formed on the wall. Steps formed on the steep wall, resembling an upward cone attached to the wall. It will be very easy to hold these crenels, if they use the grappling hook as the stabilizing rope, they could move up plenty fast as long as they don't become overly reckless. 

This is the first time the children truly faced a trial. 

From here onwards, it's each person on their own. The crenels Elantra formed for climbing helped. Yet, the climbing of the peak depended on the will power and strength of the children. 

Ise climbed slowly, concentrating her all on absorbing the icy mana rippling through the mountain. If she was taking in by the mouthfuls yesterday, today, she is taking in by bucketfuls. She expected her spiritseed's rise to plateau once she reached the 'student' stage. But, it did not. As her mana absorption rose sharply, her spirit seed upgraded, from 'student' to 'apprentice'. Even after, it kept rising sharply. 

' Ahhhhhhhhhh.. ' A child screamed as he fell from the vertical wall. 

The fliers zipped to catch him, but failed when the strong winds pushed them aside. 

Ise took each step surely, and steadily. 

Her first goal is to reach the one foot wide stand which was at twenty meter height. Yes, a mere twenty meters took an entire day. 

Rocks fell down from above as she progressed. 

Ise held on when a fist size rock fell, almost breaking the bones of her right hand. She bit through the pain, held onto the next crenel. The surrounding children, who had seen the scene, gritted their teeth, and held on. 

Thus began one of the most populated climbs of the fourth peak in Reotonarch's history. 

Ise held the right, while Elantra held the left. Whenever the cold mana rushed in, they absorbed the most, giving a small respite to the children climbing in the middle. 

There were no supplies or camp to be had on the fourth peak. 

Ise climbed in after almost all the children reached their designated spots. Tonight, they will be sleeping in their harnesses, with their sleeping bags hanging from their nails. If the hooks come loose, there's nothing to be done. 

She has reached the seventh level apprentice stage. By tomorrow, her spirit seed will be a junior. Even she was shocked at the speed of her spirit seed's growth. Ise put the meal biscuit in her mouth, set up her harness, and sat down in meditation posture. 

She let go and concentrated all of her being on taking in the frost mana. Her absorption was so high, even the oscillating winds of the fourth peak only swirled clockwise for the night, due to the low pressure field created by Ise. 

None of the children slept well, some due to fright, some due to hunger yet others because of the cold. 

When these children saw Ise setting up to absorb mana, they had an epiphany. Since they can't sleep anyhow, they will follow the princess and absorb mana. 

Fortunately, they have been tempered by the last few nights on Reotonarch. Despite the cold, most reached the meditating state, and started absorbing the spirit energy crazily. 

▬ ●◘● ▬

Karzi Powler was a knight who was barely a step up from the farmer. They lived near the water kingdom. However, their family descended from the snow mountains, their spirit seed type was hoarfrost, which needed high quality frost mana to grow. 

They live by trade, by selling ice to the water kingdom. Thus, it's very important for the heir of his family to absorb mana and grow up on Reotonarch. The family spent half its fortune to get to the capital to give their son Bruno an opportunity to get on to Reotonarch. In Ise's past life, Bruno was one of the children who returned half dead from Reotonarch first peak due to lack of supplies. 

This time around, he reached the fourth peak, a high that even noble children find impressive, before falling down from the fourth peak. 

" You touched the fourth peak ? " Karzi asked jubilantly, his eyes wide with surprise and delight. 

" The fourth peak ! " his wife exclaimed from beside him. 

" Only princes go to the fourth peak. " Karzi said, wide eyed. 

" Brother ! What does the fourth peak look like ? " His sister asked, her eyes full of curious wonder. 

Bruno opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, there was a commotion at the door. 

" Karzi, Karzi ! The lord is here. " his fellows exclaimed, as they rushed in. 

The lord of their land is Beor Lewinsky. He himself did not have children attending this time. He attended with the children of his land. He has the least amount of subjects in the current nobles gathered. Almost all children from their territory returned from the first peak these days. Bruno was the first child to return from a higher peak in a long time. He himself returned from the third, without even taking a look at the fourth peak. 

" Ho there, Powler. Heard your kid went all the way to the fourth peak ! " Beor greeted the man genially. 

" Yes, my lord. " Karzi answered, grinning from cheek to cheek. 

" Congratulations, Young Bruno ! " Beor greeted him, settling on one of the chairs. 

" Thank you, my lord. It is all thanks to princess Ise. " Bruno replied humbly. 

" Oh ! Princess Ise ? " Beor asked curiously. 

Bruno nodded eagerly. 

" That sounds like a good story. Let us all hear it. Gather around, my good men. Mule ! Get some hot cider, and refreshments for my good men here. " Beor shouted at his servant, gesturing wildly. 

Then, he settled down in his seat to listen to the story. 

Bruno told how they were shunned from getting both soup and supplies at the first peak. This is something everyone was used to, including Beor. They did not find it surprising that their children were not given soup. They did not even know these are privileges that were given for free. 

" What ! They are supposed to give it to everyone ? " Beor exclaimed. 

" Aye ! Princess Ise said so, it must be true. " Bruno chimed in. 

Then, he went on to explain how the tents were lacking, and how princess Ise and Lady Elantra created houses for them. 

The next part of the journey sounded nothing less than magical, with Elantra and Ise looking after the children. 

" Ah ! You are very lucky, young Bruno. Without the princess, you would not have reached the stage you are at today. You must be loyal and be grateful we are subjects of such a good family. " he mused. 

Bruno nodded in agreement, his heart full of idol worship for Ise. 

▬ ●◘● ▬

On the peak, Ise became a ninth level apprentice when dawn broke. 

With the first rays of sun, they started their climb once more. This time, it is a distance of fifty meters. The winds were stronger than before. The rocks fell down more often. 

More and more children fell down the cliff.

Yet, there are still more than twenty of them toiling upwards. Most of them now are fliers. After all, the fliers, despite falling down, could still get back up and join the race. 

Pollen is teetering, flying close to the cliff, his razor thin ice wings vibrating with a hum. 

Elantra was holding on well, going from one nook to another carefully, making sure to find the surest foot holds. 

Leian, Sekov and even Hail are still here, carefully inching upwards. 

Ise broke through just as she was half way through the journey. For the rest of the journey, she gave up practicing, and focused her all on getting up through the cliff. 

As such, she was the first person to reach the designated foot hold. 

Once again, Ise set up the sleeping bag, and started meditating. The moment she started meditating, there was a significant change in airflow around the fourth peak. 

The oscillating winds calmed completely, flowing only towards Ise. The wind resistance was reduced by half. Under these favorable conditions, the rest of the children completed their climb, and set up their own foot holds. 

With all the students depleting the peak of it's frost energy, finally the fog surrounding the peaks started to show a noticeable decrease in density. 

At this time, these ruby cheeked children did not know the true crux of Reotonarch summit is an entirely different breed.