Snow White

In between the walls of the fortresses and the school building, were gardens filled with various kinds of plants. On each side, a magical item is placed that sets the environmental conditions for the corresponding plants.

Following the stained glass panels, all four sides, each had a garden that would represent the four seasons. Although they could be seen from afar, usually, gaining entry to the gardens wasn't easily permissible for students who weren't in the herbalist or alchemist class.

However, on the day of enrolment for the new batch of students, visitors and applicants are allowed to sightsee the gardens, as a form of enticing students into joining the respective classes.

Classes such as, runecrafting, alchemy and herbalism were elective modules one could select in their first and second years.

Upon gaining admission from their instructor for further studies, they'd be permitted to apply and have it as a core module in their final year.

In the mystifying and snowy-filled environment of a garden, Avel was currently sitting by a bench and enjoying the chilly but somewhat familiar cool environment.

'I like it here.'

'Should I be a herbalist?'

"Aren't you cold?", a delicate voice muttered from behind him.

"Nope."

[I turn around to view the figure who had just spoken out to me. As I grew stronger, my Mana Room had also enlarged respectively, allowing me to have a wider sense of whoever that's within my field of 'room'. Hence, I wasn't surprised that someone had been watching me and, had finally voiced out to me.]

"You must be a new applicant here. Pleased to meet you, I am Atria Snow.", she greeted. The appearance of the lady seemed to be about a year older than Avel, she wore a white blouse, and a blue half-cut robe signifying the emblem of ice on the left. She had snow white hair and azure blue eyes. Dressed with knee high black socks, dark skirt and brown shoes.

"I'm Avel. Shouldn't I be the one asking you, if you're cold?", he gave a look at her skirt then, back to her eyes.

"Oh, my attire is fit for the current weather due to its' design. It's amazing how enchantment works."

'Hmm, runes against enchantments. Why not both?'

Having a double take on Avel, the woman seemed distressed after gazing upon his eyes once more.

"You-.. you're eyes are.. dull."

"Thanks? I guess?"

'Is that a backhanded compliment?'

"Sorry, I've never seen grey eyes like yours. It's as if the abyss is within them..."

"...do you work here?"

"Huh?", bewildered at the question, momentarily later, she'd realise the meaning behind his question.

"I apologise. This is the Eden of Cryo. It was built in regards to the hero, Winter.

The plants and flowers that you see here, were specifically cross-bred to survive in such conditions by the hero, himself."

"Wow.", the flowers were shades of blue and white. There were even fruits that were hanging from certain trees which looked appetising for him pluck one out and feast on but, he refrained from doing so.

"Are you interested in joining the alchemy or herbalist class?"

"Maybe, would I be allowed to come here whenever I want?"

"Hmm, you are only permitted if you are tasked with the catering of the plants that are in this region. Otherwise, the only possible way to access here is, if you were an alchemist and the ingredient of your brew that's required, is in this area."

"I'll think about it, thanks.", he bowed as he left the garden, hoping to explore on the other rooms and spectacles he had yet to visit.

-

The Snow family.

As the name implies, it derives from the Winter family. Although the Winters' were the true descendants of the hero, Winter, the family who currently stands by the throne, backing the kingdom as one of its' main pillars, is the family that is, Snow.

This was due to misfortunes and strategic power plays between opposing families and their greed to rule. As a result, the Winters' would step down from the throne and is now, unknown by many as to their current circumstances and whereabouts.

'As if I'd be interested in the play of 'royals'.'

"My apologies.. the academy will reassign your room and repay you on behalf of our poor management."

"Damn right, you will. How could they place me in the room with a peasant?!"

'Oh, it's the dickhead. Should I ignore him or play with him, a little?'

"Make sure to give me the biggest room, befitting for a noble, like myself."

"Here you are sir, room six, nineteen.

We apologise for the inconvenience earlier,

A pleasure having you with us, Mr Erran Summer."

"Hmpf.", the noble snorted and left to his room. He didn't bother to look back towards the attendant and left his luggage there, expecting that a servant would later, bring it up into his room.

[I ignored the noble and left to view the training hall, where a field of dummies stood and, magicians would attempt to fire their magic spells from afar and damage it, only to see it self-repair.]

'Whoa, so they have enchantments that does that. Must've been expensive.'

On the other end, was an empty wide area, as well as an area where gym equipment could be seen. Though, it seems that the area was completely empty, given how mages would only focus on their mana and, not their physical capabilities.

'A shame that it's not being used. If only they knew the combination of power that both aura and mana, holds. They'd be swimming in the gyms for the use of its' equipment.'

[Upon pitying the empty gym, a loud remark was heard on my right.]

"You! I challenge you to a duel!"

'A duel eh? Guess that'd be common in a school such as this. This'd be fun to watch.'

[I turn towards my right to view the ongoing commotion... only to be disappointed at the result.]

"Are.. you talking to me?"