A Cold Welcome Afterstory Three Part 2

Corrin shows how to really pet a cat wife. And also fights.

Isaac pisses off Arkyn once again.

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Grant West was a local Amphitheater with a great magic dome over it to allow guests to see the stars and auroras of Blacktorch while keeping out the snow. Founded 123 years ago by Traffal West, it has been kept in his family ever since. Available for public shows, sports games, and private training. Right now was one of those cases. The Amphitheater that could fit 1000 humans, or several hundred larger-bodied citizens currently only held several people in it. Built with Makyr and Dwarven technology, heated water pipes and magma swirled underneath to keep the Dwarven engines running constantly. At the will of the Owner or one permitted by the Owner, the entire ground of the Arena could shift. Allowing for various simulated environments to fight in.

Isaac, Arkyn, Euwen, the current Owner Lady Rein West, and the Elder Makyr Grimjaw were the only guests today in the stands, watching Lady Corrin of the Irrvasts train against Weapon Master Malgath Veert and his wife Koyo Veert.

Arkyn was sipping on coffee as Ghostblades flew overhead, slaughtering spectral targets a dozen a second as Corrin sprinted through the grounds below. Euwen looked back at his Master and made sure the coffee didn’t need refilling before glancing at Isaac who was kicking his legs watching his little sister fight.

“She needs another adjustment on her armor. Look at it, Stepping Stone! She’s off on her left side! This is unfair! Why is she even training in normal armor when her gear is all enchanted!” Isaac whined as Arkyn finished sipping.

“Shut up.” Arkyn replied before sipping some more as Isaac glared at him and Euwen smiled for Arkyn, not wanting the brothers to argue in the stands and distract Corrin.

“I'm going to signal Grimjaw again. This is unacceptable. So what if our darling baby sister grew again! It’s his job to ensure her equipment fits perfectly!” Isaac glared as he stood up before Arkyn grabbed his coat and yanked him back down. Easily overpowering his younger brother as Isaac glared daggers at him.

“If you’re going to be annoying. Wait till she’s done fighting first.” Arkyn spoke calmly as Isaac wanted to kick his coffee into his face and see that calmness disappear in an instant… even if he would get his ass kicked by his older brother. Isaac grumbled about Arkyn being an oaf and ruining his gorgeous purple and green coat as he adjusted himself and sat back down. Still kicking his legs as Corrin dashed with sword in hand before stopping at the final target.

“[Ice Shot]!” Corrin shouted as an Arcane circle formed in front of her hand before a huge chunk of ice more fit to be called [Ice Lance] shot out and pierced her spectral opponent. Shattering the decoy instantly as Koyo purred atop her husband’s shoulders and Malgath opened his eyes.

“Annnd 33 seconds on the dot! Excellent, Corrin!” Weapon Master Malgath shouted as the arena cleared itself and Corrin stopped in her tracks, the deadly princess’ expression returned to normal as she stood in the center of the arena once again… actually… it was turning into a pout.

“I’m done! I’ve had enough!” Corrin’s tinkling voice filled the Amphitheater due to sound-boosting magic. Corrin dropped her sword on the ground as her Ghostblades faded away, she removed her helmet and dropped it on the ground too. Swishing her gorgeous snowy hair free as she began stomping towards the exit. Everyone’s eyes went wide as Malgath and Koyo spoke up.

“L-Lady Corrin wait! What is wrong? You are supposed to keep training until Lady Kaguya arrives!” Master Malgath spoke up as he leapt from his spot above the arena, holding onto his wife as they landed and he took off after Corrin. While normally he was much stricter… with Corrin and her temper he knew the kind and caring approach was far safer… especially if Kaguya was coming soon… Malgath still had nightmares about the last instructor who scolded Corrin and how her arm went flying… and that was a warning!

“Darling, are you tired? Please relax, a servant can fetch you something to drink for a moment.” Koyo spoke atop her husband’s shoulders, both out of care for Corrin, and to save her husband’s hide!

Malgath and Koyo were an odd duo, but then, most people in Blacktorch were odd in some way. A High Elf who married a Varkin, and a Varkin who preferred her Mysa form, otherwise known as Small Beast or House form in other parts of the world. Malgath was wearing thick clothes for the weather, as he did not grow up in Blacktorch and moved here 200 years ago, and still hadn’t grown used to the chilling weather. With two piercings in his right ear and a liking for weaponry, he was always a weirdo in Sylvhelm and decided to leave and travel the world. Falling in love with Blacktorch… after getting stranded there for two decades, and eventually finding love… only to get dumped by her and devote all his time to becoming a trainer. After another hundred years of earning himself the title of Weapon Master, he met Koyo and fell in love once again, only this time it stuck fast like an ice pick stabbed into a foothold.

“Corrin sweetie, talk to me. Why are you upset?” Koyo purred as she jumped off her husband’s shoulders. The large silver feline with sparkling eyes and lengthy lashes wore tiny boots and a fluffy black and pink vest with a little tail hole. Koyo was just as odd as her husband in her own way as Varkin usually preferred their Duida form, their normal Demihuman form,  unless they were born in another form. Koyo for some reason just preferred life on all fours, and her husband enjoyed it quite a bit too as Koyo turned at her husband and swished her tail, normally a flirtatious thing, but now it was a “Get your butt in gear, Mister!” tail swish as Malgath rushed Corrin and stopped in front of the storming princess.

“Uuuugh get out of my way!” Corrin snapped as Malgath stood in front of her. Malgath was on the taller end of High Elves, both his ears and height were quite up there as he stood just a tab below seven feet tall. Though like most High Elves, he was as skinny as a branch as Corrin looked like she was about to walk right through him until Koyo took the initiative and leapt onto Corrin’s shoulder. Corrin stopped and huffed as Malgath feared his wife would be sent flying! But luckily, Corrin seemed to relax a tiny bit as she held her left arm out so Koyo could crawl across it and perch better on top of her.

“Corrin, please sweetie, tell us what is wrong. Are you tired? Hungry? We can allow a short break, but your mother will be cross with us if you leave so soon.” Koyo spoke as Corrin finally looked at her, Koyo’s soft paws and fuzzy blue booties resting on her armor as Corrin’s cheeks turned a bit blue.

“It’s just stupid! I don’t want to anymore! I know how to fight just fine and now Mommy wants me to use an Arcane spell during the fights and my time went up so much! I just don’t know what to do!” Corrin whined as they both now understood. Corrin’s current record was 30 seconds to clear the entire Arena of 60 [Spectral Decoys] with her Ghostblades, an absolutely monstrous feet, and yet her Mother had tasked Malgath with making sure she cast one Arcane spell into each attempt. Corrin’s time shot up from 30 seconds to 42, then 39, then 37, back to 38, before her last attempt was back down to 33 seconds. Corrin was having trouble weaving an Arcane spell into her flow. Not that she couldn’t cast any. The problem was all in her head.

When she was told to just kill everything in front of her, Corrin could do it in a split second. But when she was forced to think for herself, forced to slow down… When she needed to act like a Leader instead of a Blade wielded at the enemy, her mind froze up and cost her valuable seconds.

Corrin’s indecisiveness was killing her times… just as it cost her soldiers on the battlefield…

“Corrin, your time has improved significantly. You are getting better at this every time you step back into the ring! Please, just a few more tries.” Malgath spoke up, still a bit nervous his wife was about to go flying into the ceiling if he upset Corrin. Corrin looked at him before looking back at Koyo.

“I want snacks… and to pet you…” Corrin whispered, though her whisper was accidentally broadcast to the entire Arena… Grimjaw looked on in confusion as Arkyn wanted to smack his face and Euwen couldn’t help but smile at Corrin’s childishness.

“To pet me? Will that calm you, my dear?” Koyo purred as she looked into Corrin’s eyes, that black void of Sclera with her shining blue Irises. Even Koyo, as sultry as she was at times, felt she might drown in the little princess’ eyes. Malgath looked at his wife in horror, she may physically look like a cat, but he didn’t like anybody else petting her! Koyo managed to tear her eyes away from Corrin’s and give her husband a short little glare to get him to behave as he sighed.

“I… no… maybe…” Corrin mumbled as her shyness began to grow. Koyo wondered where this was coming from as Corrin had trained with them many times before and she had never asked to pet the Weapon Master’s Wife. That question would be answered quite quickly, however.

“Corrin’s frustrated and wants to pet something soft because we couldn’t find Lord Fluffles last night. I stayed up three hours to-MGHG.” Everyone turned to see Arkyn spill his little sister’s embarrassing secret from the stands until Isaac leaped up and grabbed Arkyn’s face trying to shut him up. Corrin’s face turned azure in seconds as she froze at being betrayed by her Elder brother. As Arkyn began to lift Isaac into the air with one hand in the stands and Euwen prevented the brothers from fist-fighting with witnesses, Koyo and Malgath turned their attention back to Corrin.

Corrin began to sniffle a little as she muttered “Big brother… betrayed me… I didn’t…” and Koyo knew Corrin was going to start crying soon if she didn’t act. Koyo flicked her tail and crawled up Corrin’s shoulder, careful not to fall off from Corrin’s armor with her booties on, then Koyo nuzzled her whiskers into Corrin’s chin as she gasped. Grabbing Koyo out of instinct before blushing and going to put her down again.

“Nyaaa~ Sweetie. If you want to pet me, how about a deal? Malgath will ring up an employee to bring you some snacks and water, and if you do another round and beat 33 seconds, you can pet me for… Fiiiive minutes~” Koyo purred as Corrin looked at her suspiciously… but her fluffy tail and soft body…

(Hmmph! I’m not bribed that easily!) Corrin thought… until she realized her hands were already petting Koyo’s soft head as Koyo purred and Corrin almost squealed as she realized she was petting a woman older than her like… a pet! And she felt so sooooffffttt…

“Mmmrrrrr~ Ah ah, Dear, you need to agree first. But I take it we have a deal, Sweetie?” Koyo leapt out of Corrin’s grasp onto the ground, swishing her tail as she walked over to her Husband who picked her up as Corrin’s hands stayed grabbing the empty air. Corrin’s cheeks blazed blue before she nodded… Lady Koyo’s softness had won her over instantly and she wanted to keep petting her.

“Dearest, summon an employee, and let’s get ready for another round,” Koyo said, nudging her round hips against her husband’s chest as Malgath’s face reddened at the brazen act of public indecency.. Malgath nodded and turned around, hastily motioning towards Lady Rein who cast a [Message] to alert her employees to check what foods were safe for Lady Corrin to eat out of what they had available, then bring her a plate of snacks.

A few minutes later, Corrin was de-armored and sitting on the floor with a plate of snacks and water as Grimjaw stood behind her. Checking her armor and her Constriction Suit to see where the calibration was off so Isaac would stop nagging his work. Meanwhile, Isaac was sitting in the stands, rubbing his shoulder and struggling to keep tears from his eyes as he’d done exactly what he shouldn’t have and kicked Arkyn’s coffee and spilled it all over Arkyn’s legs. Arkyn, immediately furious at his little brother, stopped lifting him by the collar and instead sent one heavy punch into Isaac’s left arm. Now with Euwen sitting between the brothers to prevent any more fighting, Isaac was muttering that Arkyn had broken his arm, or at least dislocated his shoulder…

“Geh. The little brat was right. One sec little missy. It’ll feel tight for a moment.” Grimjaw spoke up. The Elder Makyr had a full head of white hair, but his beard was silver-blue like Cobalt, dyed with magic and embroidered with golden rings. His beard was nearly as tall as he was. “I told you’s that just enchanting equipment on the spot ain’t shit. Even I-“

“Will make a mistake?” Malgath spoke up with a smirk in his eyes. After all, he provided the sword and armor Corrin was using now, per Kaguya’s words. “Corrin needs to learn how to fight at a disadvantage, and to think on her feet. You will provide her a Constriction suit, armor, a sword, and she will use an Arcane Spell of her choice every round. Train her until I arrive. I have… Errands to run.” Kaguya had spoken with a terrifying smile on her face that Malgath dared not ask about. Malgath was sure that while they were nothing like Corrin’s specially made and enchanted gear, they were quite-

“Might miss some details working on the shitty equipment that the Elf gave ya, Missy.” Grimjaw spoke, glaring at Malgath as Grimjaw shut his hands together and pulled them apart. Malgath’s jaw set as he glared back at Grimjaw for insulting his choice of gear! Grimjaw ignored him as his fingertips and his palms now glowed with Dwarven Runes. “You ready, Missy?” Grimjaw asked as Corrin nodded with a blush… she always hated this part.

Grimjaw clapped his hands onto Corrin’s Constriction Suit as the Runes transferred from his fingers into the suit. A second later the suit glowed white before swelling massively as Corrin suddenly grew to her full size, rising a few inches into the air on her thick bubble butt as her breasts swelled from nearly flat to several inches larger than her head each. Each wobbling breast was as big as a Yoru fruit as they wobbled for a moment before the suit glowed purple and - *ZIP* - Corrin gave a quiet gasp as the suit reactivated and suddenly her chest was almost completely flat and her bubble butt and thunder thighs disappeared. Corrin huffed and breathed out as she pouted.

“Nggh… it’s too tight now…” She whined as Grimjaw stepped backward.

“It fits perfectly now! No more bouncing around in there. And just like that. That shoddy gear is good as yours!” Grimjaw spoke proudly as Malgath sighed and Koyo purred. Despite Malgath and Grimjaw’s glaring at each other, the two were actually old friends who’d battled side by side many a time.

“Thank you, Grimjaw. You can head back to your seat now.” Koyo purred as Grimjaw nodded, being polite to the lady before he stuck his tongue out at Malgath and walked away. Corrin giggled at the childish gesture as Malgath scoffed. Corrin went back to eating her snacks as Malgath and Koyo talked.

(Mmff… it’s too tight… and what if I grow? No. Mommy milked me just a few hours ago so my boobies are empty for now. I just need to focus on that stupid spell and then I can pet her for as long as I want!) Corrin thought as she cut the dried meat and cheese and placed it onto her crackers, making miniature sandwiches as she chewed each one down before popping a few sliced fruits into her mouth and drinking water. While it was hastily prepared and not meant to look like a charcuterie board, with Corrin eating it, it looked more like a child’s lunch tray than a meal for a warrior… And Koyo was struggling not to break into snickers as she watched Corrin eat.

“Remember Corrin, you need to cast one Arcane spell this round. What do you think you will use?” Malgath asked, being as polite as possible to her as Corrin stopped with a piled-up cracker halfway to her lips. Corrin’s eyebrows furrowed as she thought, her left knee hitting the ground over and over as Koyo flicked her tail at her Husband’s head for upsetting Corrin again.

“Mmhhmmmm…” Corrin groaned as she tried to think of what Arcane spell she could cast. Dropping the loaded cracker back onto her board as her face began to turn into a gorgeous icy scowl. “Mmmhhhmmm… I don’t know!” Corrin snapped.

Koyo flicked her husband in the back of the head again as Malgath forced a smile and hastily looked back at Corrin. “It’s okay Corrin! What would you like? You can keep using [Ice Shot] if you prefer.” Malgath spoke as Corrin huffed and nodded.

“Mm.” Corrin went back to eating her snacks as Malgath almost wanted to wipe the sweat off his brow. Unlike Lady Ingal who no one had seen since yesterday, he still had no idea how to handle Corrin’s temper which only led to her behavior getting worse and worse with him and Koyo the older she got. It was like Corrin was their rebellious daughter! Though that thought made Malgath genuinely smile as he imagined his wife with child. Would she stay in her Mysa form for the pregnancy? A rotund kitty swollen with his child? Or would she transform back to her Duida form? Malgath was almost lost in his fantasy before a much heavier THWAP hit him in the back of the head as he quickly turned his head and saw Koyo glaring at him before she looked down a moment and back at him. Malgath realized he was almost pulling a boner in front of his trainee!

Malgath quickly coughed and adjusted his stance as Corrin finished her snacks and stretched, none the wiser for the Weapon Master’s moment of perversion. “Now then! Corrin, are you ready to-“

“Corrin! Come here, please. We have a word for you.” Arkyn’s powerful voice travelled from the stands. Corrin nodded, already forgetting Arkyn spilling her secret earlier as she stood and obeyed her eldest brother.

“Coming!” Corrin spoke up as she took a few steps and built-up speed.

“Ah, Corrin wait-“Malgath spoke up as Koyo gently hit him with her tail once again.

“Let her, Dear. She listens to her brothers more than you anyways~” Koyo purred as Malgath sighed defeated as Koyo giggled at her Husband. So powerful and respected normally, and yet a laughingstock whenever he was forced to train “royal brats” like Corrin, Magnus, Ari, Astrid, and Tellia. At least Magnus’ Father was usually there to discipline him whenever Malgath was summoned to train his son. The Weapon Master just needed Lady Kaguya to come over already so he could get his respect back!

Corrin quickly walked over to the edge of the Arena, a twenty-foot wall separating the Arena from the stands with a magic barrier above that to stop anything but people from exiting the Arena. Corrin looked up at the wall and kept walking, before bending her legs into a short squat and leaping into the air. Soaring nearly thirty feet straight up, Corrin phased through the magical barrier and landed on the stands gently as she walked up to the three men.

“Yes, brother?” Corrin said, her voice much more gentle and obedient as she talked to Arkyn. Arkyn just sighed and leaned back; his pants dried thanks to Euwen but still reeking of Coffee.

“Squirt wants you.” Arkyn grumbled as Corrin nodded and looked at Isaac before her nose wrinkled.

“Is that-“

“Yes. Don’t mention it.” Arkyn said. Corrin knew her brother was in a bad mood and hurriedly obeyed. Euwen smiled as Isaac put on a brave face, his shoulder still aching and most definitely going to bruise since Arkyn had adamantly stated “Heal it and I give you another one…”  

“Helloooo Baby- Nng- Hello Baby Sister! Arkyn and I came up with a- oof. A plan for you!” Isaac spoke up between the pain of rubbing his shoulder, for once calling his brother by his name to not anger him anymore… Corrin nodded with a big smile as her brothers were going to help her!

“Yaaay! What is it? Can I stop using the stupid spells?” Corrin asked as Arkyn spoke up.

“Mother said you have to. So you still have to.” Arkyn spoke up bluntly as Corrin’s smile faded a bit but she was still eager to listen to her brothers. Corrin finally put two and two together as Isaac winced again rubbing his arm. Isaac’s arm hurt, Euwen was between her brothers, Arkyn’s pants smelled of Coffee… (Ohhhhhh.Why hasn’t he healed himself? I can heal you, brother!) Corrin thought as Isaac had pissed off their older brother once again and now, like a good little sister, she would help her big brother!

A green Arcane Symbol swirled in front of Corrin’s right hand as Arkyn’s expression remained stone cold before Corrin cast [Lesser Heal] on Isaac. Cassinder and Kaguya made sure that each of their children could cast at least one healing spell. Most of Corrin’s attuned Arcane spells were offensive and rather low on the tiers compared to her brothers, especially her healing spell she’d chosen as she relied on her natural Regeneration and Natural Magic during battle. However, her immense reserves of Mana and power meant that just like with her [Ice Shot], the Tier One healing spell healed as much as the Tier Two Spell [Heal Wound]. Isaac’s shoulder glowed green for a moment as the spell activated on him, and in a second the pain faded entirely as Corrin beamed for helping her brother.

“There!” Corrin proudly smiled, closing her eyes and giggling like a perfect baby sister as Isaac’s smile wobbled in fear before he smiled back.

“Thank you so much Baby Sister! Truly, how could a big brother like me ever deserve someone as beautiful and amazing as you!” Isaac spoke proudly as Corrin giggled again. (I’m dead. I’m so dead. Sirin! Mother! Old Maaaan! Save meeee! Arkyn’s gonna kill me nowwww!) Isaac cried internally.

Isaac looked back at Arkyn past Euwen’s shoulders and Arkyn’s glare said it all to Isaac. We aren’t through. Isaac hoped he could sprint home after this and stay far away from his brother until he calmed down. (Why am I so stupid! I know how angry he gets when he’s tired and I kicked his coffee onto his clothes! Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!)

With his brother scowling at him and his sister beaming at him. Isaac summoned his courage and spoke up. “Sister. What are your strongest AoE spells? Can you tell them to me?” Isaac asked as Corrin nodded before trying to think, her head tilting at an adorable angle as she thought outloud.

“Well, I have [Lightning Orb], [Force Shot], [Ice Burst], [Frost Wave]. [Snow-“

“Wait, wait baby sister. You don’t need Ice Arcane spells. You can freely cast Ice Magic. What about… Aha!” Isaac’s fear of Arkyn faded as he had a genius idea. Corrin could cast [Stoneglass Wall] a Tier 3 Arcane spell that summoned a large wall of glass that was, as it said, hard as stone. However, the user could determine the size and hardness of the Stoneglass, and advanced users could even change the kind of glass to make Stained Stoneglass or colored glass. It was often considered inferior to similar spells like [Stone Wall], [Tower of Mud], [Barricade] and was said to only be cast by those who were vain yet pure, desiring to be seen by everyone and yet without malice. Of course, Isaac didn’t believe that. His baby sister was far too cute and sweet and cried too much to be vain!

And so Isaac concocted a strategy, a machination, a way for Corrin to beat every record at once.

“Corrin. When the fight starts, cast [Stoneglass].” Isaac said in revelation. Arkyn’s eyes widened, still angry, but impressed by his brother as Arkyn immediately understood what weird thought Isaac had. Corrin however only tilted her head even more, an adorable pose that would have made any young man swoon, and would have made Sigrun’s hearts race a mile a minute.

“But brother that’s not a damage spell…” Corrin spoke up. Feeling ashamed she didn’t know what Isaac was thinking. Isaac pat her head as he spoke up again. Euwen still not understanding either but he knew Master Isaac was onto something.

“Weapon Master Malgath’s spell, [Phantasmal Battalion] requires a spell or attack to actually inflict a point of damage to break each Phantasm he summons. So just standing in a blizzard as decoys would take a while to break them, right? But even a weak punch can shatter one. So what about shattered glass?” Isaac explained as Corrin still looked a bit confused. Though now she was starting to understand as Euwen grinned. Proud of Isaac and his ability to come up with new ways of using spells on the fly.

“Dearest baby sister. What you will do. Is summon your [Stoneglass Wall] at the start of the fight, and then kick or punch it as hard as you can. Sending out splintered glass across the Arena. Depending on the configuration Master Malgath and Lady Koyo chose, it should take out several Phantasms at once!” Isaac beamed as Corrin finally understood. Cutely going “Ohhh!”

“Isaac that’s amazing! Thank you, Brother. Now she’ll have to let me pet her!” Corrin beamed as Isaac nodded. That wasn’t the original reason why Corrin was training but if it made his sister happy then oh well!

“Corrin. Use your right leg to knee the glass. The Poleyn will help you shatter the glass with less strength.” Arkyn said matter-of-factly. Corrin nodded. Excited and already imagining petting Koyo for an hour now! There was no way they wouldn’t be proud of her after her brothers helped her!

“Ehee! Thank you, Arkyn! Those pets will be mine! Is that all, brothers?” Corrin asked excitedly as the two nodded. Corrin beamed before jumping down the wall and landing effortlessly despite the impressive height.

“She forgot the entire reason she’s here…” Arkyn sighed as Euwen smiled and Isaac wanted to tell Arkyn not to tease their sister, but didn’t want to risk his wrath again.

“Well. It is great to see her so excited. She seemed in quite the mood this morning.” Euwen added as Arkyn nodded. Still missing his coffee, but happy to see his sister smiling as well.

“Though I must admit, I can never get used to how she changes once she finally has a goal. She shares that with you, Master. Only Corrin’s feels more like Lady Kaguya’s… a… how do I word it…” Euwen did not know quite how to say it. He loved Lady Corrin and wasn’t trying to insult her, rather aptly describing her “Battle mode” as the others called it. Though he much preferred calling it “Snow Stalker” off the giant ice spiders that lived and hunted in Zarahi’s Wrath.

“Beautiful hunting mode.” Isaac said with a proud smile.

“Scary hunting mode.” Arkyn said as he leaned back.

Euwen smiled. Despite how much they bickered, the two brothers had their moments. And despite how mature Arkyn acted for his age, deep down he was still childish at times.

Down in the Arena. Malgath and Grimjaw helped Corrin get back into her armor as the Arena’s floor glowed before all around them it transformed. Spires, blockades, caves, very steep peaks, and more formed from the rumbling ground outside the center where they stood. Once Corrin was fully armored in the standard training gear again. She grabbed the training sword she’d thrown earlier in her tantrum…

And changed.

Corrin’s stance, her air, everything turned silent as she gripped her sword so it wouldn’t move. Spreading her stance wider and lowering her right foot forwards as everyone evacuated the grounds. Grimjaw got back in his seat, excited to see the little missy fight again. There was just something special about the crazy powerful people and how they battled that he could watch for hours and never get bored. And with Corrin, it was even more special. How did a little brat like her become so scary the second she stepped into the arena?

“All right Corrin. Five… Four…” Malgath’s voice projected across the entire Arena as he held his hands out. Magic swirling around his fingers as he channeled his Talent and Arcane Spell at the same time. Malgath was one of those rare people born with a Talent, just like how some were natural musicians and athletes, Talents applied even to magic. The High Elf’s Talent that made him such a marvelous instructor was known as [Petit Legion]. It allowed the user to add multiples of any spell, though the mana and damage in the spells were adjusted automatically. He could summon 30 [Fireball]s at once for the price of only five or so, but it would be far, far weaker than a strong Mage who did the same. But that was absolutely perfect for [Phantasmal Battalion]. A fifth-tier illusion spell that summoned an army of ghostly decoys. A trained user like Malgath could make these Decoys glow or not, though they could not do any damage, it was more than enough of a scare tactic for the untrained.

“Three… two… ONE!” Malgath shouted as he cast [Phantasmal Battalion] and suddenly the entire arena was full of glowing decoy soldiers. Malgath grinned wryly. He’d summoned even more decoys than he usually did. The arena must have had over seventy of them, with several hidden in the caves or behind walls.

Corrin moved.

One Second.

The second the Soldiers appeared Corrin leaped forwards, summoning her arsenal of [Ghostblades] and Verglas Wraith as they fanned out like a blooming flower of white death. Isaac watched in awe as not only did she summon her Signature Ghostblade, but twenty-one others!

Corrin lunged forward twenty feet in a second as her voice whispered as emotionless as a frozen river waiting to claim a victim. “[Stoneglass Wall]”. In front of Corrin, a nearly twenty-foot shimmering glass wall burst forth from an Arcane circle on the ground. Right in the way of Corrin as she took her third step.

Two Seconds.

Corrin’s right knee connected to the [Stoneglass Wall] and shattered it with a thunderous crack. Sending millions of splinters forward in a sparkling blast wave as Corrin flew straight through it on her momentum. The glittering wave of shards rose over the peak, some even hitting the ceiling as they sliced through twelve of the decoys in the open at once. As the glittering wave travelled, Verglas Wraith sought it’s closest prey, a decoy hidden in a long tunnel. Verglas Wraith did not waste time. It sliced through the tunnel of dwarven metal and magic ground like it was little more than air, cleaving the Decoy into two and freezing the tunnel as Verglas Wraith rose back up. The fan of blades began carving through decoys left and right.

Five seconds.

Corrin’s foot hit the ground and she pivoted, grabbing her trainer sword and coating it in a layer of ice to extend its range. She swung her sword through the decoy and the pillar it was behind at the same time. Corrin then pivoted again, as her swords slaughtered the decoys with dazzling flashes left and right. Corrin cut another, then another, running straight at one of her swords as it turned at the last moment, flying past her to impale another Phantasm as Corrin leapt onto the thirty foot tall spire, grabbed the top and jumped into the sky. Her glowing eyes shining like beacons behind her helmet as she looked at the arena, sensing the slight Mana of each Decoy and looking to see if there were Mana-less ones hidden. Corrin saw a few her swords missed.

Ten Seconds.

On instinct. Corrin’s body channeled a monstrous amount of mana into her left hand as Corrin held the sword in her right. Before gravity could take her, she had brute-forced the technique she had done with Sigrun yesterday. Her mana condensed into water and ice, turning more and more pressurized and powerful before Corrin twisted her core in mid-air and threw the ball like a javelin as she fell. Only the ball didn’t move, instead. A beam of hyperfigid water shot out of the pressurized ball and hit all three decoys at once as the ball shrank. Before the entire thing flash froze and became a nearly eighteen-foot eruption of ice and spikes.

Everyone’s eyes went wide. Lady Rein covered her gasp with a well-opened fan. Koyo purred in excitement. Malgath and Grimjaw’s eyes shined with curiosity and wonder. Isaac and Arkyn both leaned forward in sync as Euwen gasped. When did Corrin learn a move like that?

Fifteen seconds.

Corrin landed on the ground and rolled forward before lunging back into a full sprint, grabbing her sword with both hands as she slashed through a decoy, climbed, and stabbed another, while her Ghostblades hunted. The Phantasmal Battalion was being decimated. Even with Malgath having summoned over double the normal amount. She was slaughtering them even quicker.

Corrin was in her element now. Following her brothers’ advice and her instincts alone. All she needed to do was kill everything around her. She was both a ballerina and a frenzied warrior as her feet spun heel over heel again and again, practically making craters in the ground as she leapt from target to target. Focusing on all the Decoys that were ‘invisible’ to her swords as her blades slashed around her.

Twenty Seconds.

Verglas Wraith flew over Corrin’s head and sliced into a hill, having detected mana within the hill. It was hollow, a trick. The hill froze over as Corrin stomped on it. Shattering the frozen hill instantly as Verglas Wraith sliced two decoys and she sliced a third.

The room was a blur of swords that could cut anyone to shreds. A blender didn’t even describe it aptly. It was a tornado of blades… a blizzard. Where every piece of falling snow had a lethal edge.

Twenty-Two seconds.

Corrin’s blades stopped, no longer sensing Mana. But there she saw it. A tiny flicker of dust and ice not hitting where it should have. There was an invisible decoy. Malgath hadn’t told her there would be those. But nothing mattered to Corrin at that moment. She was the Tailless Wolf, the Living Armory, the Ghostblade Hound, daughter of the Mad Duo. Corrin spun and threw her trainer sword at the flicker, using her momentum to kick the head off of the last decoy. The sword sailed straight through the air as if it were a Ghostblade. With no arc. Only a whistle as it sailed straight through the decoy before it hit the wall. The training sword’s tip and foible embedded into the wall up to the barrier, while cracks rang out on the fuller before the sword broke in half.

Twenty-Four Seconds.

“TIME!” Malgath shouted. In complete awe as Corrin stood up straight. Her assassin-like trance faded as she squealed. Eighty [Phantasmal Battalion] decoys dead in just twenty-four seconds. Even one invisible. A dozen without mana. And a dozen hidden in tunnels and caves…  Corrin was a true Monster.

“I did it I did it I did it! Brotherssss your plan worked! Yaaaay I get pets now! I want my pets nowww!” Corrin’s quiet voice rang through as Lady Rein couldn’t help but giggle and Isaac beamed. Arkyn groaned as his little sister jumped like a kid at a festival as Lady Koyo laughed. Grimjaw was in disbelief that she’d sliced straight through pillars and caves… those were made with Makyr tech! If you cut a chunk off and turned it into a shield the person would come home from battle scratch less unless he froze to death or got poisoned! And to impale half a sword into the wall!?

“Wonderful work, Darling! We will be right down and you can have me for five minutes.” Koyo smiled as Malgath began walking down.

“Huuuh? But I even beat my old record! I want more than five! Come on! Gimme um… a minute for every second faster I did! So I want… five plus… at least eleven minutes!” Corrin’s beautiful voice demanded as Koyo giggled. Corrin was so spoiled, but she did do absolutely marvelous. Such a monstrous feat and she was still so young. How powerful would Corrin be in just twenty years? 100? There would be two queens of Blacktorch in the far future.

As the arena put itself back together with help from a disgruntled Grimjaw. Both proud and crying about the treatment of the arena and the sword. Corrin was de-armored with Koyo purring on her lap. Corrin petting her over and over and beaming as Arkyn, Isaac, Euwen, and Malgath had joined her down in the grounds.

“That was excellent! No, stupendous baby sister! Outrageously spectacular!” Isaac beamed as Corrin almost thought he called her stupid for a second before she just beamed.

“Corrin please go easy on petting Lady Koyo. She’s a Varkin not a cat…” Arkyn reminded her as Corrin nodded with a small “Kayyy…” ,though Lady Koyo definitely didn’t mind.

“NNyyyaaa ooooh~! But Corrin scratches my ears so goooood~. Mmmfff Honey, you could learn a thing or nnn-twoooo!” Koyo purred as Corrin scratched her ears and fluffed her and pet her. Her demeanor was so different from during the fight one would think they hallucinated it. Or that this perfect young woman was as gentle as could be and never had temper tantrums that almost killed a dozen servants.

As Isaac serenaded his little sister and Grimjaw grumbled comforting words to the broken sword. Malgath cried out as his wife was his student’s plaything! All while Corrin giggled, pet, and very gently hugged Koyo over and over in replace of Lord Fluffles.

And as Corrin burned through her minutes, a quartet finally arrived.

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