I surveyed the expansive training ground we arrived at, my awe only growing. "Wow, Rosalia, this place is huge... but do we really need such a big area?"
Rosalia nodded firmly, her expression serious. "Yes, Kazu, we do. The techniques I'll teach you next are quite advanced, and they require a lot of space to practice safely."
I felt a mix of excitement and nerves as I looked around the empty plains. I'm nervous... but I'm here to fulfill my dream... to become the strongest person in the world... so I'll do it.
"Okay, Rosalia, I'm ready!"
She smiled warmly, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Great! You seem ready. Here's one of the most powerful spells I know as a Fire Wizard..." Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of pride and caution as she prepared to demonstrate a spell that few could master.
I looked at her, intrigued. "Fire Wizard?"
Rosalia nodded. "Watch closely. This spell consumes ninety percent of my mana. I might even perish from casting it if I lose focus, but..." She took a deep breath, her stance firm as she gathered her strength. "I'LL SHOW YOU THE POWER I ONCE HELD! Oh mighty God, grant me the power of fire who possesses the almighty flame! FIRE SPIRIT FLARE!!!"
I watched in absolute awe as a tremendous burst of fire erupted from Rosalia. The heat was intense, the air around us shimmering with raw, destructive energy.
The power of the spell she is casting... Wait... It looks like she's exhausting her strength just keeping it alive!
"Rosalia! Are you okay?!"
Rosalia gritted her teeth, struggling to remain upright as the spell aggressively drained her energy. "Kazu, COME TO ME!! You're safe beside me!" Her voice was strained, but there was a fierce determination in her eyes.
I rushed into her protective barrier, my heart pounding. "I'm here, Rosalia!"
She gasped, her energy fading rapidly. "Yes, Kazu, I wanted you to see the true power of this spell. HERE IT COMES! WAHHHHHHH!!!"
The ground beneath us trembled as the fire's intensity grew, the flames roaring higher into the sky. I stared in shock, the heat outside the barrier almost unbearable.
"IT'S SO POWERFUL! THE ENTIRE AREA IS GOING TO BURN UP!" I yelled over the deafening roar of the flames.
Gradually, the fire began to subside, leaving nothing but deeply scorched earth in its wake. I turned to Rosalia, my face etched with concern. "Rosalia... are you okay?"
She struggled to speak, her voice weak as she slumped forward onto her knees. "Ugh... my head... it hurts so much... I'm alright, dear..."
I hovered over her, my mind racing with what I had just witnessed. "You almost lost consciousness after casting that..."
Rosalia managed a faint smile, her strength slowly returning. "I'm really fine, Kazu. Did you see that spell? I want you to be able to do that, too. You can do it! Always remember, you might perish from this spell if you're not careful. It has its own barrier, allowing you to protect anyone around you while casting it. Okay?"
I nodded solemnly, the weight of her words sinking in. "O-okay, Rosalia... I'll try."
She encouraged me with a gentle smile, her pride evident despite her exhaustion. "That's my protégé! Now, go ahead and give it a shot!"
I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I began the incantation she had used. "Oh mighty God, grant me the power of fire who possesses the almighty flame! FIRE SPIRIT FLARE!!!"
I waited, my heart pounding, bracing for the heat.
Nothing happened.
"R-Rosalia... nothing's coming out..."
Rosalia frowned in thought, her mind racing. "Maybe the incantation is wrong, dear... Wait..." She paused, her eyes suddenly widening in realization. "Given your Job Class is God... maybe you can't ask for a spell from a god since you are a god. We need to change the incantation. Imagine yourself as a deity. Use the incantation I write in the dirt, okay?"
I nodded, determination returning to my eyes. "O-okay, Rosalia."
I watched closely as she knelt down, writing a new incantation in the dry earth with a stick. Her hand was steady as she spelled it out.
"Read this," she instructed. "I, the mighty God who possesses the almighty flame, feel the presence of my fire spirit! FIRE SPIRIT FLARE!"
Rosalia stepped back and watched anxiously. If I'm not mistaken, she murmured half to herself, a spell directly from a god is a hundred times stronger than a normal spell... I hope it doesn't destroy the entire country...
"Okay, Kazu... Memorize what I've written, and once you've got it, recite it while performing the spell. Got it?"
I took a deep breath, my mind wholly focused on the task at hand. "Okay, Rosalia, I'll do it!"
As I closed my eyes and began to gather my infinite mana, the sky darkened ominously above us. The air grew instantly heavy, crackling with a terrifying, dense energy.
Rosalia watched in absolute horror as the fireball forming above me grew exponentially, swelling far beyond anything she could have expected.
"The fire flare he's creating is enormous! He could destroy the whole country!" she yelled, panic seizing her completely. "I need to stop him! Kazu! Stop! Don't continue, please!"
But I was lost in concentration, my mind solely on the spell, entirely unaware of the impending danger above my head.
"FIRE SPIRIT FLA—"
The light around us violently flickered as the raw, godly power of the spell reached its breaking point.