As the night's veil lifted, the sun's radiant beams illuminated the landscape, casting a warm glow over the battle-scarred terrain.
The Soceror Supreme, Lord Aaric, and Lord Lugard stood engaged in a heated discussion, their faces etched with concern and strategic intent.
"I must admit, Lord Aaric, the Grand Reapers' ruthlessness has left me shaken," Lord Lugard said, his brow furrowed in unease. "If they can slaughter their own kind for revealing their name, the horrors they're capable of are unfathomable."
Lord Aaric nodded in agreement. "Indeed, which is why I propose we ordain a new Magic Knight Division captain and bolster our military might. The current Imperial Berserk Knights, though formidable, are insufficient for an empire of Derngian's stature."
Lord Lugard's eyes narrowed. "You intend to hold the Magic Knight Division Tournament in a week's time. Do you not require the Emperor's approval for such a venture?"
Lord Aaric's expression turned enigmatic. "As the Soceror Supreme, I possess certain... prerogatives. The Emperor cannot oppose my decisions regarding the military, which is governed by Lord Lugard and myself."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of clashing steel and the burst of flames from the nearby battlefield. Lord Aaric's gaze shifted towards the commotion, his eyes locking onto Ace, who was engaged in a fierce duel with a knight.
"Lord Ace, I must commend you on surviving that impact without a core," the knight exclaimed, his sword flashing in the sunlight.
Ace dodged the knight's attack with ease, utilizing his agility to evade the strike. With a swift motion, he rolled away from the knight's range, creating distance between them.
The knight, an Augmenter at the yellow core Tier 2, charged towards Ace with renewed ferocity. "Nice trick, but that won't be enough to defeat me!"
Ace, undaunted, jumped upward, using the knight's shoulder as a stepping stone to propel himself. With a powerful swing, he landed a blow to the knight's scapula region, sending him crashing to the ground.
Lord Aaric's eyes sparkled with interest as he observed Ace's battle prowess. "It seems your son, Ace, is quite the fierce warrior, Lord Lugard. He fights with the knights in your mansion without fear, even without a core."
Lord Lugard smiled, recalling the time Ace had employed a similar attack pattern to gain the upper hand against him and his brother. "An abstract attack pattern, indeed. A nice trick, Ace."
As the Soceror Supreme watched, a hint of a smile played on his lips. "I'm fascinated. It seems I'll be his next opponent."
With a fluid motion, Lord Aaric appeared before Ace, his staff at the ready. The air seemed to vibrate with anticipation as the Soceror Supreme began to circle Ace.
"Inferno D Ace, I love your fighting style and spirit. Fight me as your next opponent."
The knights present on the battlefield exchanged awestruck glances, their faces pale with excitement. The Soceror Supreme, renowned for his unparalleled strength, was about to engage Ace in combat.
Ace, his heart pounding with anticipation, chose a sword as his weapon. The Soceror Supreme, meanwhile, summoned his staff, a majestic golden trident adorned with blue designs and emitting a powerful white aura.
The battle commenced, with Ace charging forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight. The Soceror Supreme countered with Aerial spears, their speed and ferocity pushing Ace to his limits.
As the fight raged on, Ace found himself struggling to keep pace with the Soceror Supreme's relentless assault. The earth beneath his feet began to shift, as if the very ground itself was rising up to impede his movements.
The Soceror Supreme's trident sliced through the air, its blades leaving behind trails of glittering stardust. Ace dodged and weaved, his agility and quick reflexes allowing him to evade the Soceror Supreme's attacks.
Despite his valiant efforts, Ace soon found himself on the defensive, the Soceror Supreme's onslaught proving too much for him to handle. The young warrior stumbled backward, his sword trembling with exhaustion.
Just as the Soceror Supreme prepared to deliver the final blow, Ace's body began to radiate a kaleidoscope of auras – gold, white, green, yellow, orange, red, and black. The auras swirled around him, imbuing the air with an electric sense of anticipation.
The Soceror Supreme's eyes narrowed, his gaze locked onto Ace's transforming form. "So, you've awakened... How intriguing."
As the auras dissipated, Ace's body was enveloped in a mysterious black aura. The aura seeped into his being, and his injuries began to heal
As Ace charged towards Lord Aaric, his hands erupted into balls of flame, which he hurled at the Soceror Supreme with unbridled ferocity. The flames danced across the battlefield, casting flickering shadows on the surrounding terrain. Lord Aaric, his eyes gleaming with interest, raised a hand, and the flames were instantly extinguished.
Undeterred, Ace continued his relentless assault, his sword flashing with a fierce, golden light. As he closed in on Lord Aaric, he enveloped his sword in flames, the blade shimmering with an intense, orange-yellow glow.
Lord Aaric, his expression unreadable, raised his trident, and the two clashed in a spectacular display of magic and might. The air was filled with the sound of crackling flames, the scent of smoke and sweat hanging heavy over the battlefield.
Just as it seemed Ace was about to overpower Lord Aaric, the Soceror Supreme's expression changed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. With a swift motion, he reached out, his hand closing around Ace's wrist, restraining him.
"It's enough, Ace," Lord Aaric said, his voice filled with a warm, congratulatory tone. "You've proven yourself to be a worthy opponent. But more importantly, you've awakened as a Deviant of flame."
Lord Lugard stepped forward, a broad smile on his face. "Congratulations, Ace. This is a momentous occasion. Your awakening as a Deviant of flame marks the beginning of a new era for our empire."
As Lord Aaric released Ace's wrist, the young warrior felt a surge of pride and accomplishment. He had finally awakened, and his abilities as a Deviant of flame were a testament to his unyielding determination.
With Lord Lugard by his side, Ace departed Lord Aaric's mansion, heading back home to celebrate his awakening. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. Ace felt a sense of excitement, of anticipation, as he looked towards the future.
His awakening as a Deviant of flame marked a new beginning, a chance to forge his own path, to prove himself as a powerful warrior, and to bring honor to his family and empire. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, but Ace was ready, his heart ablaze with determination, his spirit unbreakable.
As they approached their destination, the sound of cheering and music filled the air. Ace's family and friends had gathered to celebrate his awakening, their faces filled with joy and pride.
Ace's mother, Ellise, rushed forward, embracing her son warmly. "I'm so proud of you, Ace. You've worked so hard to achieve this. You deserve all the celebration and accolades."
Ace's father, Inferno D, placed a hand on his son's shoulder, his eyes shining with pride. "You've made us all proud, Ace. Your awakening as a Deviant of flame marks a new era for our family and empire. We'll support you every step of the way."
As the celebration continued, Ace felt a sense of gratitude, of love, and of belonging. He knew that he had a long journey ahead, but with his family and friends by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay in store.