Freyr's frail and young body was gradually reaching its limits, but the old Wizard showed no intention of letting up.
"Do we really have to ride horses?" Freyr finally couldn't hold back anymore. "You're such a powerful Wizard. Can't you just fly to wherever we're going?"
This time, the old Wizard finally answered.
"We are heading to a very special place. Long-distance flying would deplete my magic power. I need to conserve my magic until we reach our destination."
This was the only question the old Wizard answered along their journey.
The most frustrating part for Freyr was that he couldn't even summon Natalie! He knew she was around, but this magical creature had not shown herself at all.
As they headed north day by day, the climate grew colder. The Russell Plains were in the south, where the weather was warm. Freyr had only a thin shirt on, and as the days passed, he could feel the temperature dropping. He was freezing, his hands and feet stiff, and shivering constantly from the wind while riding.
Finally, the old Wizard seemed to show a hint of compassion. He taught Freyr some strange postures, instructing him to perform them every day during their rest breaks.
These postures were somewhat like gymnastics from Freyr's previous life but even stranger. Some postures required very skillful body bending, which were difficult for Freyr to manage. But under the old Wizard's "commands," despite the pain that brought tears to his eyes, his body executed the movements flawlessly!
What puzzled Freyr was the noticeable effect. Each time he completed the full set of movements, he felt warmth spreading from within, driving away the cold.
Performing those strange postures daily, even Freyr himself felt his body becoming much stronger than before!
On the twentieth day, they reached the northern part of the continent, where the climate was several times colder than in the south. The surrounding landscape was blanketed in frost.
The northern winds felt like knives cutting his face, and the roads became increasingly difficult to traverse each day.
They encountered a snowstorm!
The heavy snow blocked the roads, making it impossible for the horses to pass. The snow was knee-deep. Finally, the old Wizard showed some mercy. They found a small town, and in a little tavern, the old Wizard left Freyr alone in a room and then went out.
Freyr couldn't escape because the old Wizard's command to his body was: "Sit still and be silent."
The old Wizard returned at dusk, bringing a large bundle. He unpacked it in front of Freyr, revealing a thick fur coat, leather armor, a sheepskin hat, high boots for walking in the snow, and a long knife.
"Put these on, we're leaving," the old Wizard commanded simply.
"Where are we going?" Freyr asked again.
This time, the old Wizard answered: "White Wood Forest."
What annoyed Freyr was that all the things the old Wizard bought were paid for with Freyr's money. When he was captured, Freyr had a purse with him, containing a few dozen gold coins.
Hurriedly, Freyr put on the fur coat, donned the sheepskin hat, which covered his ears with its thick brim, pulled on the snow boots, and strapped on the waist knife... He now looked somewhat like the adventurers who frequently ventured into White Wood Forest.
Outside the tavern, a small sled was ready, with four strong grey sled dogs lying obediently on the ground.
The sled was small, so Freyr had to squeeze in with the old Wizard. The old Wizard still wore his white robe, seemingly unbothered by the cold. As Freyr sat close to him, he discovered the secret. The old man had cast some spell that made it feel like sitting next to a heater. The old Wizard's body radiated warmth.
"Hmph, so what if you can do magic?" Freyr grumbled.
Curiously, there was no driver for the sled.
The old Wizard seemed to be a jack-of-all-trades, expertly handling the sled. Without any shouting, he simply said, "Go!"
Immediately, the four strong sled dogs took off, running vigorously. The sled left a long trail in the snow as they headed north. The dogs knew when to turn and slow down without any direction from the old Wizard.
Despite wearing the fur coat and hat, Freyr felt the cold wind stinging his face. His eyes could barely stay open. He tried to huddle closer to the warm old Wizard for a bit of warmth.
The northern wind felt like it was made of knives... In both his past life and this one, Freyr had lived in the south and had never ventured north. He had rarely seen such vast, icy landscapes.
All the way, he kept cursing the detestable old Wizard and the dreadful weather!
The sun still hung in the sky, but it provided no warmth. Freyr curled up into a ball. Soon, the snot under his nose froze into icicles. Wiping it off almost tore a chunk of skin, causing Freyr's eyes to water from the pain.
White Wood Forest was located in the northernmost part of the continent, considered the farthest point north on the continent.
It was also the boundary set by the Wallace Empire. Usually, the empire's citizens were not allowed to go any further north.