Chapter 87: Unexpected Insights
The cold winds of Asgard's winter had settled into a rhythmic pulse, the sky a crisp silver that reflected the harshness of the environment.
The sun was a distant memory, a fleeting shadow on the horizon, and the training grounds had taken on a quieter, more intense atmosphere. The other students had long since retreated to their chambers, but Rossweisse remained, the soft glow of magical energy surrounding her as she stood in the middle of the field.
For weeks, her training had been plagued by the same issue. The Siez-style magic, an intricate and demanding school of magic favored by her homeland, simply wasn't working for her.
No matter how hard she tried, she could never connect with it as the others did. It had been the source of much frustration, especially with her family's expectations weighing heavily on her.
But tonight—tonight something was different.
Rossweisse's breath formed a thin mist in the frigid air as she held her staff, fingers trembling but determined. The usual clumsy flow of energy had turned smoother, more controlled.
Her mind, normally chaotic in its pursuit of the perfect spell, had found a quiet stillness. As she focused, the energy around her pulsed with purpose, the flickers of Siez-style magic bending to her will for the first time.
The magic spiraled outward, not with the intense, explosive force typical of the Siez style, but in a focused, controlled arc that seemed to hum with potential.
It wasn't perfect, far from it, but it was something. A breakthrough. The flow of energy had never felt so natural, so alive.
Volundr, hidden in the shadows of the observation tower, watched in silence. His expression remained unreadable, but his mind was already calculating the significance of Rossweisse's success.
It wasn't a flawless performance, not by any means, but it was the first time he had seen her connect with the Siez-style magic in a meaningful way.
He could feel it—there was something in her that had shifted, something that signaled the start of a deeper understanding. It was only a small step, but it was a crucial one in her growth.
Rossweisse, still breathing heavily from the effort, looked down at her hands, the glowing magic slowly fading from her fingertips.
There was a moment of silence, and then, as if struck by a sudden realization, she let out a soft laugh—more to herself than to anyone else.
"I did it… just a little bit…"
Her voice was quiet but filled with awe. She hadn't fully grasped what had happened, but she knew that something had changed. Something had clicked in her mind.
Volundr nodded to himself, pleased but not surprised. He had known all along that Rossweisse's power wasn't limited to one form of magic.
Her potential, still unrefined, would one day surpass the limitations of the Siez style. She was meant for more than this rigid structure, and he had no intention of forcing her into a mold that didn't fit.
As the magical glow around her faded, he stepped out from his concealed position, making his way toward her. Rossweisse was still staring at her hands, lost in thought, when she noticed his approach.
"Volundr…" she said, her voice a little unsure, a little too quiet. "Did you see that?"
"I did," he replied, his tone calm.
"A small step, but one that will lead to many more."
Rossweisse hesitated, unsure whether she should be proud or frustrated with herself.
"It wasn't perfect. I don't even know what I did…"
"That's what growth looks like," Volundr said, his eyes gleaming with quiet approval.
"You've taken the first step. What you've just done is something unique to you—your own form of magic. It's not the Siez-style magic you've been trying to force. It's something else."
Her eyes widened at his words, a small spark of realization lighting up her face.
"You mean… I didn't fail?"
"Far from it," Volundr said with a small smile.
"What you've discovered is an insight into your true potential. It's not about mastering someone else's magic. It's about learning to wield your own."
Rossweisse looked at him, her expression a mixture of disbelief and wonder. She had spent so much time doubting herself, thinking she wasn't good enough, thinking that there was something wrong with her magic. But now, hearing Volundr's words, it felt like the weight on her shoulders had lifted, just a little.
"I've been trying so hard to be like everyone else," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's like I'm not built that way."
"Exactly," Volundr said, his tone soft but firm. "You're not meant to be like everyone else. You're meant to be something more."
Rossweisse swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. There was a strange feeling inside her, a sensation that had been absent for so long: hope. Hope that maybe she wasn't destined to be second-rate, that her struggles hadn't been in vain.
"I'm not sure what to do next," she said, still uncertain. "How do I figure out where to go from here?"
Volundr studied her for a moment, his gaze assessing. "For now, keep honing what you've discovered. Don't force it. Let it grow naturally. Your magic will find its own path, and so will you. When the time comes, you'll know exactly where to go."
Rossweisse nodded slowly, still processing his words. She looked down at her staff, now feeling its weight in a new light—as though it was more than just a tool, but a connection to something deeper within her.
"You'll get there," Volundr said softly. "One step at a time."
As he turned to leave, Volundr cast one last glance over his shoulder at Rossweisse, who was standing tall despite the exhaustion creeping into her bones. The quiet shift in her was something he had seen only a few times before, and it filled him with quiet satisfaction. The first breakthrough was always the hardest, and now, she was beginning to walk her own path.
There was no doubt in Volundr's mind that she would one day be a key piece in his peerage, an invaluable Rook with the strength and versatility to match any challenge. But for now, her journey was just beginning.
He would let her find her way.