Extra's Path: The Eternal Frost Monarch

He inhaled slowly, then exhaled. His eyes closed for a brief second. "...circulate mana in a slow, even current..."

Noah focused inward. He could feel his mana. Resting within him, deep inside his core.

His mana was calm inside, with some coldness to it. He didn’t try to force it. Didn’t push it toward the bow.

"Try to guide it slowly and naturally. Just like how water flows in one direction inside a river. Without anything to force it. Let it move."

Through his body, from his core, through his chest, down his arm. The sensation was faint.

But it was there.

His eyes opened. He raised the bow again.

Then he drew. The string stretched back. The resistance pressed against his muscles. But this time, his focus wasn’t on strength.

It was on flow. The mana moved down his arm into the arrow.

It was just flowing.

His breathing slowed. Keeping his body still and calm. His gaze locked onto the target.

Not the whole target.

But on a point. A single ring and a single spot.

"...wait until it settles."

He held the arrow. He let the mana cover the arrow like water filling an empty cup. He just showed his will, and mana naturally listened to him without resistance. Without any force from him.

Seconds passed. The world around him faded. The faint sounds of other students.

The air shifted. Even the ache in his shoulder—all of it dulled.

There was only him, his bow and arrow, and his target.

Finally, he released the arrow. The string snapped forward. The arrow flew as a clean sound cut through the air. A straight blue line formed in the air in the direction of the target.

It didn’t waver because of the air. It cut through in the same line, same direction. It cut through the deviation.

Thud.

But closer to the center than before.

Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"...I felt it."

It was different. The shot felt a lot more stable.

It felt as if the arrow moved as he wanted. It was controlled. Yet he didn’t force it.

The tip of the arrow had torn into the target more than half of it.

A smile came to his face.

"One more time."

He nocked another arrow. He didn’t rush. He repeated everything.

He repeated everything again and again. Sweat dripped down his forehead. But he didn’t stop. It was the last class, so he didn’t need to worry.

Time passed. Minutes turned into an hour. Then more.

At first, his mana control kept breaking.

Sometimes it wouldn’t flow at all. Sometimes it scattered halfway through the draw. Sometimes his concentration broke just before release.

He tried again.

His arms grew heavier. His shoulders burned more than before. Not just from drawing, but from holding. His breathing grew rough at times. His grip slipped once or twice. His fingers trembled.

He continued.

"...Don’t force it..."

"...let it flow..."

He repeated those words in his mind. Over and over. Like a rhythm. Like a guide.

Slowly, and very slowly, something began to change.

The mana flow became smoother. Less resistance. Less interruption.

The draw felt... cleaner. The release became sharper and more natural.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

His arrows began grouping tighter. Closer to the center.

Not perfect, but no longer scattered.

Another hour passed.

Finally, Noah lowered the bow. His arm dropped slightly.

A tired breath escaped his lips.

"Haaah... dammit! I overdid it."

His fingers loosened around the string. His shoulders slumped just a little. Sweat dripped down the side of his face.

His chest rose and fell steadily. He stood there for a moment.

Looking at the target.

A small cluster of arrows. Not dead center.

They were not at the center, but for the first time, it was a lot better.

He exhaled slowly.

"...Yeah."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"It’s working."

It was working.

He turned and walked back toward the bench again. His steps were slower this time.

He sat down. Leaning back slightly.

There was a quiet sense of progress.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"...Just the first form..."

"Status."

---

===STATUS===

Name: Noah Eldritch

Race: Human

Age: 19 years

Strength: 90

Speed: 76

Stamina: 93

Endurance: 73

Charm: 510

Mana: 834

Core Rank: Dormant (High)

Potential: Refined Core (High)

Profession: [Combatant Lvl.1]

Technique: [Frozen Lotus Blade Art]>, [Flowing String Archery]>

Affinity: Ice

Spells: [Ice Shard], [Frost Bind]

Innate Ability: Ice Creation

---

He clicked on the technique. As it showed his progression.

---

===

[Frozen Lotus Blade Art]>

[First Petal: Dewdrop Stance] >>> (Proficiency: 6%)

[Flowing String Archery]>

[First Form - Still Calm Strike] >>> (Proficiency: 9%)

===

---

"Only 6% for blade... well, it’s hard and a five-star weapon art, and 9% for archery—it’s good considering I barely started..."

A small breath left his lips.

At this rate, he needed to train a lot of hours daily if he wanted to progress.

---

While Noah was practicing till the evening.

In one corner of academy few students were having some important discussion.

In a on quite place behind the dormitory building.

Five men were having discussion about upcoming VR match.

The battles which were postponed would be taken after two weeks. On Saturday of third week after current one.

Amon the five people three were Edward, Testu and Richard

The idiot trio who fought against Noah.

With them were other two men. A young man with six feet hight. Curly black hair. Slightly tan skin. Amber eyes.

The young man spoke to another man beside him. "Michael what’s your thought on incoming battle."

Michael who was nearly six feet. Having dark green hair with emerald eyes replied. "Travis. For me it was just practice match...but man they turned it into unit test. Now it’s important. We have to win for getting good marks."

"But we got some problems. Don’t you think?" Travis asked with raised brow.

Edward spoke this time. "Of course. Our opponent is class A-1. The class who have both rank 1 and rank 2 students of first year."

"So what? Our class also have Travis. Just because he is third rank doesn’t mean they are better than him." Testu used his index finger to pushed them like a smart guy.

"But it’s clear...they are too strong. Our chances of winning is low. Damn it’s not like they put all strong students in one class. We have rank 3 and 6...and more...but it’s still feels insignificant." Michael said while rubbing his chin.

Travis was silent. Thinking about something very deeply. "Edward, any scum student you know from A-1? Who can be bought and betray their class."

His expression turned serious. "I cannot let go this chance I need to get more points. So I can achieve first rank this semester."