The 4th day of the endurance trial dawned with a fierce blizzard raging outside the tent. Inside, however, the atmosphere was warm and lively as Mixarnt tried on the winter clothes the five girls had made for him. Using their extra winter gear and tailoring skills, they had adjusted the size to fit him perfectly. "Wow, thanks, everyone!" Mixarnt said, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he admired the neatly crafted clothes. Finally, he had proper attire for the harsh conditions of the Glacier Mountains.

"Take care of it, okay? Can’t have you turning into a popsicle again," Kara said with a grin, her tone teasing but kind.

"Yeah, I don’t wanna have to do that embarrassing thing again," Nessa added, her face turning red as she recalled clinging to Mixarnt to share body heat for 2 nights.

Misa giggled, trying to lighten the mood. "Haha... Let’s have breakfast. Jenna and Poppy are done making some stew."

The tent was customized by the girls, adjusting and making it bigger and even creating an improvise heater and lamp, Mixarnt is just dumbfounded, seeing their efficiency.

As the six of them sat inside the tent, enjoying the warm stew, the sound of the blizzard outside grew louder. The wind howled, and the snow battered against the tent walls. "A blizzard?" Mixarnt asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"Yes, the Glacier Mountains are known for their biting cold and brutal weather. Blizzards are frequent here," Poppy explained with a smile, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.

Kara leaned on a log inside the tent, her expression thoughtful as she checked the armlet on her wrist. "Hmmm... But how will we proceed now? According to the armlet, around 237 people have already reached the peak and advanced to the second trial. 1,100 applicants are missing, and 800 have given up."

Jenna sighed, stirring her stew absentmindedly. "It’s not like we can do much in this situation, to be honest."

The mood in the tent grew somber. The girls had entered the Aether Knight Trials with high hopes, wanting to showcase their abilities and catch the attention of nobles or organizations that might hire them. But after Alarac’s attack the previous night, they had been forced to confront their limits. The harsh reality of the trials was weighing heavily on them.

The contract they had signed didn’t allow them to back out easily. The only way to resign were to either pass the first trial and voluntarily withdraw before the next trial starts or wait until the third day ended, effectively being eliminated. However, surviving the third day was no easy feat, especially with the Glacier Mountains’ brutal conditions and the high-level monsters roaming the area.

"So, just wondering," Mixarnt began, breaking the silence, "how were you all able to make these clothes for me so fast? You even customized the tent and create some lamps and a heater." He was genuinely curious, as the winter clothes were neatly tailored and fit him perfectly.

Misa smiled, eager to explain. "Oh, well, you see, our class is called 'House-wife.' It’s a non-combat class that specializes in household tasks like cooking, cleaning, customizing, improvising, and tailoring. While it’s not useful in combat, it has its perks. As for magic, everyone can use general types of magic, but combat classes have an advantage. They can use higher-grade spells and even master-level spells of their highest affinity. Take Alarac, for example. I’m guessing he had a Wind Mage Warrior class, which is why he could use low to master-class wind spells, move quickly, and enhance his attacks. That’s how he broke through Nessa’s barrier so easily."

Mixarnt was dumbfounded. He had no idea that "classes" were a thing. His mind raced as he remembered Arthur, a Fire Mage who could wield a sword, and Mika’s mention of Elyssia, an Ice Mage advancing to an Ice Wizard. It was all starting to make sense.

"But why are all of you here in the Aether Knight Trials if your class doesn’t fit your magic ability?" Mixarnt asked, his curiosity piqued.

Nessa smiled bitterly, her voice tinged with resignation. "We’re all commoners, Mixarnt. We entered the trials hoping to catch the eye of some organization or noble who might hire us, even if we fail. It’s our only chance to escape the life we’ve been stuck in."

The others nodded in agreement, their expressions a mix of determination and sadness. They knew the odds were against them, but they had come too far to give up now.

Mixarnt looked at each of them, his grin returning. "Well, you’ve got me now. Let’s make sure we all get through this together. Who knows? Maybe we’ll surprise everyone."

The girls smiled, their spirits lifted by Mixarnt’s optimism. As the blizzard raged outside, the six of them huddled together, finding warmth not just in the tent but in their growing bond. The trials were far from over, but with Mixarnt by their side, they felt a renewed sense of hope.

As the girls dozed off inside the tent, exhausted from the previous day’s ordeal, Mixarnt sat quietly, his eyes closed as he connected with the ground and nature around him. Mana flowed through his body in a steady cycle, replenishing his reserves and sharpening his senses. Through his connection, he could feel the entire mountain as if it were an extension of himself. Then, something caught his attention—a faint glow of golden mana, unlike anything he had seen before. It was coming from deep within a nearby dungeon. His eyes snapped open, a grin spreading across his face. The Holy Grail.

He quickly shook the girls awake, his excitement palpable. "Hey, everyone. I have a plan—a sure way for us to pass the exam," Mixarnt announced, activating the map function on his armlet and sharing it with the others. He marked the location of the dungeon on the map. "This is where we need to go. It’s a dungeon, and inside it is the Holy Grail. If we acquire it, we’ll instantly pass the exam. What’s more, it’ll boost your reputations, and you might even get invites from nobles or organizations. You can resign in the second trial if you want."

Kara, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, frowned. "Wait, how did you know the location of the grail?"

Mixarnt hesitated for a moment before answering. "Er... I'm connected to nature. But that’s not what’s important right now. Let’s get going. We’ll tie ropes around us, so we don’t get lost in the blizzard."

Nessa’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait! You want us to travel in that blizzard???" she exclaimed, gesturing toward the howling storm outside.

Mixarnt nodded, his expression serious. "It’s not like we have a choice, Nessa. If we want to bolster our reputation and pass the exam, it’s better to follow my lead. The grail won’t wait for us."

Kara crossed her arms, her practical nature taking over. "He’s right. If we delay, someone else might reach it before us. Or worse, we might not have enough time if we wait for the blizzard to stop."

Jenna nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think so too. We’ve come this far. We can’t afford to waste any more time."

Nessa sighed, reluctantly giving in. "Fine. But if I freeze to death, I’m haunting all of you."

The group quickly prepared for the journey, tying ropes around their waists to stay connected in the blinding snow. Mixarnt took the lead, his connection to nature guiding him through the storm. The blizzard was relentless, the wind biting and the snow swirling so thickly that visibility was nearly zero. But Mixarnt moved with confidence, his steps sure and steady.

As they trudged through the snow, Misa couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. "How are you so sure of the way, Mixarnt?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the wind.

Mixarnt glanced back at her, his grin visible even through the snow. "I told you, I’m connected to nature. The mountain tells me where to go."

Poppy, struggling to keep up, muttered, "I hope the mountain also tells you when to take a break."

"We’ve come this far. We can’t give up now." Misa said with determination in her eyes.

After what felt like hours, they finally reached the entrance to the dungeon. The blizzard’s fury lessened slightly as they stepped inside, the stone walls providing some shelter from the storm. The dungeon was dimly lit, the air cold and damp, but it was a welcome respite from the chaos outside.

Mixarnt scanned the area, his senses alert. "Stay close. The grail is deeper inside, but we need to be careful. Even if there aren’t strong monsters, we can’t let our guard down."

The group moved cautiously through the dungeon, their footsteps echoing in the silence. The faint golden glow of the Holy Grail grew brighter as they advanced, guiding them like a beacon. Finally, they reached a large chamber, the grail resting on a pedestal at its center. It was a magnificent sight, its golden surface gleaming even in the dim light.

Kara stepped forward, her eyes wide with awe. "We actually found it..."

Mixarnt grinned, his hands on his hips. "Told you I had a plan."

As they approached the grail, a sense of accomplishment washed over them. They had braved the blizzard, navigated the dungeon, and now stood before the key to passing the exam. But just as Kara reached out to take it, a low growl echoed through the chamber. From the shadows, a frost wolf emerged, its eyes glowing with a menacing light.

Nessa groaned. "Of course there’s a monster. Why wouldn’t there be?"

Mixarnt stepped forward, his wooden sword at the ready. "Leave this to me. You guys get the grail."

The frost wolf lunged, but Mixarnt was faster. With a swift strike, he knocked the creature back, his movements precise and controlled. The battle was short but intense, and soon the frost wolf lay defeated.

With the threat gone, Kara finally took the Holy Grail, holding it up triumphantly. "We did it! We’re going to pass!"

The girls cheered, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Mixarnt watched them with a satisfied smile, knowing they had earned this victory. As they made their way back to the surface, the blizzard still raging outside, they felt a renewed sense of hope. The trials were far from over, but with the Holy Grail in hand, they had taken a crucial step toward achieving their dreams.

However, a man wearing a black armor has already been waiting for them outside. He had a small smile not expecting someone to find the grail.