Colen, Maxi's brother, flicked his finger. The ice sculpture of the boy lying in his frozen bed stirred. Then, its eyes opened.
With a voice as cold as his magic, both physically and emotionally, Colen explained, "This is Prince David."
Maxi observed as the ice boy moved, acting as if it were alive. The ice bed mimicked a real one in every sense—its covers and sheets shifting like fabric. Maxi's mouth parted slightly in awe at Colen's mastery over ice magic.
Colen continued in his emotionless tone, "Prince David follows a strict routine. He wakes up, bathes, gets dressed, has breakfast in his room, then studies under a personal tutor. Afterward, he trains in swordsmanship. Later, he has breakfast with his family before retiring for the night. This is his schedule, every single day."
As he spoke, his magic brought the explanation to life. When he mentioned breakfast, a delicate snowflake floated from the snowflake wall, freezing the air around it. Instantly, an ice tray formed, sculpted with exquisite frozen food. The ice boy mimicked eating, completing the illusion.
When Colen described the personal tutor, another snowflake descended, swirling into a thin man sculpted from ice, dressed in a butler's outfit with an imperial mustache. The frozen tutor gestured as if teaching the ice boy.
The sculpture then dissolved into droplets, refreezing into a new form—a man clad in training clothes, a perfect representation of sword training. The ice boy took a stance, mimicking combat.
When Colen mentioned dinner with family, the tutor shattered into ice shards, which then froze the surrounding air. Some shards transformed into a long table, others into chairs. The remaining shards became people sitting at the table, creating the perfect illusion of a royal feast.
And finally, as Colen stated, "Then, he sleeps," everything except for the ice boy dissolved back into snowflakes, drifting back to the wall. The remaining ones reshaped into furniture, forming a complete bedroom. The ice boy climbed into bed and closed his eyes, the routine completed.
Colen's voice remained impassive. "This was the life of Prince David."
Maxi exhaled slowly, his mind racing.
Colen continued, "But one day, as his tutor was teaching him history, something changed."
Another snowflake drifted from the wall, sculpting an illusion of the past.
"The lesson that day was about the Giants—the superior race to humans."
Maxi's brow furrowed, but he said nothing, letting his brother continue.
"The tutor explained the war between the Giants and the world. The war was orchestrated by the Giant King of Time, Goliath."
The entire wall of snowflakes swirled violently. The air froze at once, creating a towering sculpture of Goliath—a colossal, muscular figure with long hair and battle scars covering his body. His frozen eyes seemed to stare directly at the ice boy, filling the room with an oppressive presence.
Colen's voice carried on, unwavering.
"Goliath nearly conquered the world. If not for his most trusted allies betraying him, he would have succeeded."
The ice sculpture of Prince David looked awestruck.
Colen's tone darkened. "This story resonated with him. In all the wrong ways."
A chill ran down Maxi's spine.
"Prince David didn't see Goliath's defeat as a lesson. He saw it as a failure. The only reason the Giants lost, he believed, was because Goliath lacked enough power to overcome betrayal."
Maxi inhaled sharply, beginning to understand.
"So, he desired that power."
The ice boy's stance shifted, his frozen face reflecting quiet determination.
"From that moment on, Prince David dedicated himself to securing power. He knew brute strength alone wasn't enough. He needed influence, allies, and control."
Colen flicked his wrist, and new sculptures emerged, illustrating Prince David's strategy.
"Whenever he attended royal gatherings—especially those hosted by powerful kingdoms—he ensured he left a lasting impression on three key individuals: the ruling king or queen, their heir, and the youngest royal child closest to his age."
Maxi listened intently.
"If the current ruler liked him, they would speak well of him to his parents, raising his status within his own family."
Maxi nodded. Damn. I wouldn't have even thought of that.
"If he charmed the heir, he secured future alliances. Should discussions arise about a human ruler, they would support him."
Maxi sighed. He should have learned from history, not tried to repeat it.
"And if he befriended the youngest royal child, they would talk about him endlessly to their parents and siblings, further embedding him in the kingdom's favor. It was a flawless chain reaction."
Colen's cold expression never wavered. "But these are just my assumptions. Let's continue with the facts."
Another illusion took form, showing Prince David's next move.
"He went beyond parties. He requested his parents allow him to visit other kingdoms hosting celebrations, claiming he wished to learn from their cultures. They agreed, and he attended every event. And every time, he charmed those around him."
Maxi's grip tightened on his knee as he listened.
"Over time, his voice became intoxicating—like a siren's song. Every kingdom he visited, he left with praise echoing behind him. He would always say one thing before departing:
'Your kingdom is truly wonderful… but what is a wonderful kingdom without a wonderful ruler?'"
Colen's gaze was distant. "With each visit, his reputation grew. His own kingdom adored him. And then, one night, his father asked him, 'What do you desire?'"
Maxi already knew the answer.
"He declared, 'I wish to be the next heir to the throne.'"
Colen's fingers twitched, and the sculptures reflected the moment when the royal family debated. Prince David won the argument. And when he turned eighteen, the final vote came.
"It was a tie between him and his three brothers. The deciding vote was given to the other kingdoms."
Colen's ice eyes met Maxi's.
"And they all voted for him."
The sculptures shifted. Prince David took the throne. His reign began.
"He was efficient. Precise. His first act? He monopolized resources and raised their costs to absurd levels. But then, as a 'gift' to the kingdoms who had shown him kindness, he offered them a 'discount'—a price only 1% higher than the original."
Maxi clenched his jaw. So they thought they were getting a deal… and became dependent on him.
"Over time, he solidified alliances. He convinced other kingdoms to allow his soldiers into their borders to 'help guard against monsters.' Soon, he had wealth, power, and influence beyond measure."
And then, the final shift.
"But something still bothered him."
The sculptures trembled.
"Religion."
Maxi felt a heavy weight settle in his chest.
"Despite all his power, people still worshipped beings greater than him. Gods they deemed stronger. He couldn't accept that."
The room grew colder.
"With one command, his soldiers stormed every church, every temple, every holy site. Not just to kill… but to make a statement."
Maxi's breath hitched.
"Religion was not allowed. No being stronger than him could exist."
Maxi closed his eyes. He already knew what came next.
"This day was known as 'The King of Power's Show of Power.'"
The ice sculptures replayed the horror—priests and worshippers slaughtered, places of worship turned to rubble. The kingdoms did nothing.
They were too afraid.
Colen flicked his finger, and every sculpture shattered into nothingness.
The silence was deafening.
Maxi sat motionless. His mind spiraled, his fists tightening.
Only one thought surfaced.
I wish I could punch Tengen for not teaching me this.