The remaining one-tailed foxes launched themselves at Ronan, their snarls filling the air. With a quick movement, he infused his daggers with his Fire element and unleashed "Blazing Strike," a long-ranged, fiery slash that bisected the beasts mid-air. The two-tailed fox howled in rage, its crimson eyes locking onto Ronan. It lunged forward with terrifying speed.
Ronan held his ground, raising his daggers high, every muscle taut with anticipation.
The two-tailed fox lunged, its claws gleaming as it tore through the air. Ronan tried to pivot, but he was a breath too slow—the beast's claws raked across his shoulder, and pain shot through his body. He staggered back, gritting his teeth, refusing to yield. No way I'm backing down.
He widened the distance, forcing the fox to commit. It snarled, launching itself once more—the same attack, the same deadly arc. But this time, Ronan was ready. He twisted sharply aside while the creature was suspended mid-air, unable to adjust its trajectory. With a roar, the daggers in his grip dissolved into light, reforming into a sword. He brought it down in a single, ruthless arc. The blade carved clean through the fox's neck, a fiery crimson trail searing the air behind it. The brilliance of the strike lingered, both brutal and breathtaking, leaving Amara and Alden momentarily speechless.
Alden nodded, his expression a mixture of pride and disbelief. But their admiration was short-lived. From the den emerged a hulking three-tailed fox, its presence suffocating and menacing. Ms Amara instinctively makes a ball of water in her palm. "This is beyond him. I'll handle it."
But Ronan had other plans. "If I get the three-tailed fox flame core, I'm sure to advance. There is no way I can lose this opportunity. I will put everything into this."
Before Ms Amara could act, Ronan roared, "Void Overdrive!" Crimson cracks laced his neck, arms, and eyes as his body surged with overwhelming power. His movements became a blur as he attacked the fox with relentless fury, but the beast's agility was unmatched. Each attempt to land a slash ended in frustration as the fox dodged with uncanny precision.
Ronan's breath grew laboured, yet his resolve didn't waver. Switching tactics, he began charging his sword with Fire energy, the blade glowing brighter with each passing second. Then, finding an opening, he unleashed another Blazing Strike, immobilising the beast momentarily. Without hesitation, he leapt into action.
Ronan raised the sword charged with fire energy, gripping the hilt with both hands.
Mr. Alden's eyes gleamed with pride. "Here it comes," he said softly.
Ms. Amara looked at him, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
Before she could receive an answer, Ronan cried, "Sky Splitter!" his voice echoing with determination. His sword ignited in a crimson blaze. He brought it down with immense force, carving a glowing arc through the air. The strike connected, and the fox's head was severed cleanly from its body. The glowing remnants of the slash lingered, painting a breathtaking scene of triumph.
Alden rushed forward as Ronan's body sagged, exhaustion overtaking him. He caught the young warrior before he collapsed, his voice filled with unrestrained admiration. "You were incredible, Ronan."
Amara approached, her expression a mix of pride and concern. "We need to get him back to the ship."
Alden nodded. "Take him. I'll collect the materials from the foxes and follow shortly."
As Amara supported Ronan, she glanced at him with a rare softness in her eyes. "You did well, Ronan. But Void Overdive skill is a reckless move."
Behind them, the forest grew eerily silent, as if acknowledging the end of a fierce battle. The beauty and strength of Ronan's skills had left an indelible mark on both his mentors and the battlefield itself.
Ronan lay resting in the airy, sunlit cabin of the flying ship. The hum of the ship's magic engine filled the air with a rhythmic vibration that seemed to harmonise with the soft sway of the clouds outside. Ms. Amara stood near the helm, her eyes focused on the distant horizon, waiting for Mr. Alden's return from the dense forest below, where he was collecting monster materials.
Moments later, the door creaked open, and Mr. Alden entered, brushing a few stray leaves from his rugged coat. His expression was a mix of weariness and curiosity. He cast a glance at Ronan, who had risen from his reclined position, looking both weak and sluggish.
"How are you feeling?" Mr. Alden asked, his voice carrying a deep, comforting timbre.
Ronan offered a small, determined smile. "Too, weak." Inwordy, "Sky Splitter drains too much mana at once"
Mr. Alden nodded, assessing the young man before him. "Good. Where do you get the skill, Keen Eye? "
Ronan was bit strtuled looking at Mr. Alden, "I get it from the academy."
Mr. Alden raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And don't you think about consulting with anyone before learning that skill."
Ronan give awkward smile, "If I tell you, you will definitely stop me from learning this skill. But this skill fits my requirements rather than other perception skills.
Mr. Alden's eyes widened slightly. "Ronan, skills are not something you learn whatever you want. You already have two very dangerous skills, Void Overdrive and Sky Splitter. And now you add one more, Keen Eye. Void Overdrive definitely gives a boost, but you cannot rely on it, as this skill puts too much strain on the body after time runs out. Then Sky Splitter; this skill is also different. It not only requires high mana, but it also requires high physical strength. This skill is also a gamble, as you cannot control how much mana you put into the skill. It will automatically use as much mana as you have stored. If the attack hits the enemy you win, but if they dodge, you're dead. Now, Keen Eye; it does feel superior to others, but evolving this skill further... You will need to complete a specific trial to evolve this skill."
Ronan's smile. "I will follow your guidance."
Mr. Alden extended his hand, a flickering orb of fire materialising above his palm, radiating intense heat.
"Here's your reward," Mr. Alden said, holding the flame out toward Ronan.
Ronan sat cross-legged on the cabin floor, inhaling deeply. He placed the fire between his hands, feeling its raw, potent energy. He closed his eyes, blocking out the world around him as he focused on the process.
Ronan's gaze locked onto the Flame Core. "There are two ways to use this. I can absorb the flame itself, or absorb the core's essence. The essence grants greater power, but the process is far more dangerous."
"I will absorb this flame core's essence," Ronan thought, determination blazing within him. The three-tailed flame seemed to rebel, resisting as he tried to absorb the new flame into his being. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, and the tension in the air was palpable.
Mr. Alden watched with concern, his fists clenching slightly. "What is he doing? Absorbing the flame essence? Should we stop him?"
Ms. Amara remained calm, her eyes filled with a serene confidence as she observed Ronan. "No need," she said reassuringly. "He may be at Novice Tier, but his flame control is nearly at the level of an Adept Tier. He's more than capable of handling this. Absorbing and refining flame essence not only strengthens the user but their own fire, and it can also evolve flame."
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Outside, the sky turned to shades of orange as the afternoon began to descend. Inside, Ronan's expression softened, the strain gradually fading from his features. Wisps of fiery threads emerged from the orb, coiling around him before sinking into his core like streams of molten light.
Mr. Alden exhaled, breaking the silence. "Did he succeed?"
Ms. Amara's gaze never wavered. "It has only just begun. It will take time. Let us focus on the task."
Slowly yet steadily, fiery threads emerged from the orb, coiling around Ronan's arm and sinking into his chest. The process continued through the night. By early the next afternon, the flying ship slowed to a halt at their destination.
Mr. Alden's eyes glowed faintly as he activated his Keen Eye to scout the terrain. Suddenly, he pointed. "There is the six-tailed fox we are looking for."
Ronan finally opened his eyes, a renewed fire dancing in their depths. The air around him felt charged with a subtle, newfound power. He stood slowly, stretching as if rediscovering his own strength.
Ms. Amara and Mr. Alden approached him, their smiles genuine.
"Congratulations," Ms. Amara said, her usual composed demeanour softening. "You've surpassed my expectations."
Mr. Alden clapped a firm hand on Ronan's shoulder. "Well done."