Ice Girl's Point of View. Part 2.
And the battle day came, bringing shocks even before their duel started. Mu Bai's girl who swept her whole team off the arena like naughty kittens. Mu Bai's reluctance to fight without her showing emotion, readable in his eyes... It all troubled her spirit, tilting her toward his ideology even pre-duel.
But when it began... she realized how truly helpless she was against real power. Not from some elder generation—no! From her childhood playmate in the same sandbox.
Her power, her beloved ice element, the work of her life... refused to obey. Completely. Mu Ning Xue was educated and knew a superior domain suppressed her, preventing ice magic use since Mu Bai had full control over ice particles in the radius—and the whole arena fit.
But even so, losing control of her power—and thus her fate—enraged her. For the first time in ages, she felt such vivid emotion. Her restraint habit flew out, and she straight-up growled at the condescendingly smiling Mu Bai! If this damn show-off thinks she'll surrender after blocking one element, he's dead wrong!
Using his underestimation and condescension, Mu Ning Xue brazenly built a first-tier Mid-level wind element spell "Tornado" to hurl the posing show-off off the arena. Superior strength doesn't mean he can disregard her! She has feelings too, and she hates this attitude!
Mu Bai just kept smiling condescendingly at her efforts and, when a tornado formed under him, spread his arms, signaling no resistance. Mu Ning Xue only got angrier and more fired up. Finally, spell complete, she launched him skyward toward arena exit!
As a faint smile formed on her face from this petty victory, Mu Bai flipped her world again. He just swung his arm toward the exit, creating a strong wind gust that sent him back. Landing smoothly where he stood, with that same irritating smile, her eye twitched.
"Damn show-off, just die already!" she exclaimed emotionally, firing another "Tornado" at him.
Mu Bai didn't dodge, strolling slowly toward it and, reaching it, waved at its center, easily dispersing the Mid-level magic boosted by a Spirit Seed. Like waving away fart in an elevator!
Unwilling to yield, fueled by anger, Mu Ning Xue kept firing "Tornado"s at Mu Bai, but he advanced inexorably, dispelling them with a hand wave. And that damn condescending smile! It never left his face! How it pissed her off!
When Mu Bai was steps away, realizing she'd lose like this, she ignored competition rules and Mu Clan elders' orders, summoning her Deadly Ice Leek. She'd win this duel!
The deadly ice bow with intricate patterns appeared in her delicate palms, glowing faintly blue. Mu Ning Xue's strongest weapon. If even it failed against this monster... her fate would truly be in his hands. And she... felt no negativity about it.
Mu Bai's eyes widened slightly at the weapon, but to her surprise, even sensing its power, he kept the condescending smile. He continued approaching, as if sure she wouldn't shoot!
Well, he asked for it! Thinking so, she drew the string, feeling all remaining ice mana flow into the bow. She knew she was too weak for it and the shot would damage her soul, but... she had to finish this reality check!
As the arrow poised to launch and she squeezed her eyes shut bracing for soul-pain blackout, the duel-start situation repeated.
As if not a mighty Mu Clan artifact but Mu Bai's obedient dog, the bow's energy dispersed around and it crumbled into glowing ice dust, retreating to her Inner World. The bow refused her, like her ice element at the start.
And this time, Mu Ning Xue wasn't angry. No. Another feeling bloomed in her chest. Similar to what she'd felt for her mother once, but subtly different...
Opening her eyes, she saw Mu Bai before her. Still smiling, but not condescending now. He smiled warmly, as if she hadn't just tried to kill him, then reached out, stroking her hair.
"Silly girl, I control all ice particles in my domain—what were you hoping for? Next time, think more about how to strike, not just boosting power," he kept smiling warmly at her.
The strange chest feeling intensified after his words. After years suppressing emotions, she'd forgotten it, but she loved it.
Following impulse, she stepped half forward, pressing her chest to his. Seeing Mu Bai's eyes widen in surprise, mouth agape, Mu Ning Xue smiled involuntarily. Even if she'd lost, she'd wiped that smile off his face! Her little victory today. But it changed nothing; she'd decided.
"You know, you don't look upset about losing," Mu Bai smiled awkwardly, trying to change topic.
Spotting his ear tips redden, she grinned wider. Sure, her unpracticed smile looked odd, but she didn't care. Around Mu Bai, she felt unprecedented lightness, like all problems evaporated and spring came to her soul. She inexplicably wanted to fluster him more.
"Why should I be upset, little brother? We're family," Raising her hand, Mu Ning Xue stroked Mu Bai's cheek.
Mu Bai's eyes widened involuntarily, blush spreading from ears to face. Unsure where to look, he tried stepping back, but she followed, grin widening, savoring his reaction. Teasing her cousin was starting to appeal. She even considered making it routine.
"Yes, we're family," Mu Bai said firmly, gently covering her hand with his. Probably thinking it'd fluster her back, but...
Mu Ning Xue just giggled, tears rolling from her eyes, stunning Mu Bai again. As he fussed wondering what upset her, she pressed closer, hugging his back tightly with both arms and closing her eyes.
This was the best day of her life... first sincere smile since mom's death.