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“Well, I’ll try not to drag out our story too much,” Ida noted. “Because tomorrow I have a long and dangerous journey ahead of me.”
After clearing her throat slightly, Ida began her tale:
In the settlement of warriors lived a simple and modest warrior named Ulrich the Magnificent. He was rightfully considered one of the strongest fighters and the best trainer in the entire settlement.
He was handsome and imposing. Tall, with strong muscles, blue eyes like the sky, thick light hair reaching his shoulders, and a full beard – all this described Ulrich the Magnificent. And after training sessions, his muscles shone so brightly that any oiled fighter simply paled in comparison.
His students may not have been as beautiful as their coach, but they also looked impeccable compared to others. Everyone dreamed of training under Ulrich the Magnificent. But not everyone had the chance.
Fighting monsters from the mountains, pacifying vagrants, magnificent embraces in which he practically every night held his beloved wife. Whatever this glorious man took on, he managed it all!
For a long time, his fellow villagers wondered what he was so good at. Why, even years later, did he still look so young and fresh, just like his students? Why did his pupils achieve results faster? Why wasn’t he afraid of long, grueling workouts or the most difficult battles? Why were all the women around him envious of his wife, who, by the way, was one of the most beautiful in the settlement?
People often asked what his secret was. His answer was always the same: ice water. He started his day by drinking ice water. After finishing a workout, he drank ice water. Before setting out on a journey, he needed ice water with him. After surviving a battle, again – ice water. After spending a passionate night with his wife, definitely ice water. If he wanted to drink ale, he would rather take a sip of cool, refreshing ice water!
He demanded the same from his students. The man always adhered to self-discipline, a strict daily routine, and his diet always included ice water, which he considered essential for life.
Everyone had a question: where did Ulrich get so much ice water? And the answer was very simple.
When he was still weak in his youth, Ulrich visited a settlement of scholars. There, he befriended an alchemist who constantly treated him to ice water. Ulrich always loved this simple drink, so he never refused it. But loving something is one thing; being able to create it is another.
Ulrich the Magnificent turned to the learned man with a request to teach him how to make ice water. However, the alchemist was not eager to share his knowledge. Not because he thought the man unworthy, but because mastering this skill was difficult. It wasn’t enough to just be strong; you also had to be smart and persistent.
But Ulrich the Magnificent didn’t give up and agreed with the alchemist that he would take him on as an apprentice. In return, he agreed to try various potions and hunt monsters to obtain alchemical materials for his teacher. Anything, as long as his friend kept his word.
For an entire year, Ulrich the Magnificent worked under the guidance of the alchemist. He slew hordes of ratlings, needle-spawns, and chthonic creatures for the sake of achieving his goal. And all his efforts were not in vain.
The scholar did not deceive him. He taught the warrior how to make ice water. He also taught him other elixirs. He tried to impart wisdom about preparing the most complex concoctions. He hoped to keep the mighty warrior by his side, promote him among the alchemists, recognize him as equal in intelligence to other scholars. But it was all futile.
Ulrich the Magnificent didn’t need knowledge about preparing love potions. He didn’t want to delve into the remains of monsters to extract new, unknown material from them. The warrior ignored his talent, leaving all this to “truly intelligent people.”
He himself was content only with knowledge about making ice water and healing potions for his brothers. He left the scholars when he realized that he had mastered the preparation of his favorite drink perfectly.
And so, Ulrich the Magnificent began to gain popularity back home. No one dared criticize him for befriending scholars. It was impossible to call learned men “weaklings” in his presence. Because he was grateful.
Now, Ulrich the Magnificent no longer had to worry about running out of his beloved ice water. He prepared it in abundance, storing it for himself and his loved ones. And he began to strive for excellence in combat, which, as he believed, knew no bounds.
Years passed, and Ulrich the Magnificent was gone. Without him, there was much less ice water in the settlement of warriors. But no one ever understood that Ulrich's true secret wasn’t an endless supply of refreshing drink. His real secret was his willpower and willingness to improve until exhaustion.
