The next morning, the training hall burned quietly with a faint glow, the air thick with the scent of old battles. Auren stood in the center, flame flickering in his palm. It wasn't like any fire viron ever conjured before. It shimmered with layered light—alive, aware—almost like it shared auren mind.Viron watched in silence, crimson eyes narrowing. "This flame isn't normal," he muttered, stepping closer. "It carries its own will. Or perhaps... a shard of your consciousness."He smiled then, a thin, sharp smirk. "Interesting. Very interesting."Turning away, Viron spoke, "Today, you'll learn two things. First—how to properly cultivate and control your flame. Second—the Blood Burning Technique, and the Mark of Flame." He paused, his tone turning cold. "But there is one condition. You'll have to prove you are worthy of inheriting them."Auren nodded once, resolve burning behind his calm eyes. "I'm ready.""Good," Viron said, lowering himself to the floor. "Let the training begin."They sat cross-legged—Auren in front, Viron behind—silence filling the hall. Viron placed his palm against Auren's back. A surge of crimson fire entered Auren's body, coursing through his veins like molten steel."Focus," Viron instructed. "Trace the flow. Learn its path. Remember every turn it takes."Auren closed his eyes, feeling the heat carve glowing pathways through his soul. The flame circled through his meridians, roaring within a vast sea of blue fire that awaited it. He visualized its rhythm, its hunger, its peace.Days blurred into one another. Auren trained relentlessly—controlling his fire, sparring with Viron, and tempering his body inside the gravity chamber that crushed and strengthened him. Virtual duels honed his reactions, while sparring crafted his resolve. Each day his inner flame deepened, expanding his control and precision. The sea of flame within him now moved like an ocean tide, powerful yet responsive.Viron watched, ever silent, ever testing.Two months passed.When Auren entered the hall again, Viron was already there—sitting quietly, cross-legged, eyes closed. For once, there was no hint of amusement on his face, only stillness, like a predator waiting."Master?" Auren asked.No answer came.Then, without warning, Viron's eyes snapped open—crimson light erupting from his gaze. A slash of fire cut through the room, splitting the air apart. Auren barely managed to raise his defenses, the blue flame in his palm erupting to meet the blow.The explosion rocked the chamber. Auren staggered back, fire dancing around him—stronger, fiercer, alive. The pond had become a river.Viron stood, flames twisting around him. "Attack me," his voice cool and commanding. "Use everything you have."Auren took stance, his sword low, his aura surging. A halo of blue flame arced behind him, his eyes blazing like two stars. Rage and determination fused with control—his flame roared to life like a dragon preparing to devour its prey.The air vibrated. Then Viron raised his hand, and crimson fire coursed across his skin, carving burning lines that merged into a glowing mark on his forehead. The Mark of Flame pulsed, releasing a torrent of energy that filled the room like a storm.Auren froze, awestruck at the sheer magnitude of his master's power. But he didn't hesitate. With a deep breath, he charged forward.Viron's expression stayed calm. "Too slow."The ground ignited beneath Auren's feet. An invisible wave of pressure pinned him mid-run; his movements grew heavy, the air itself burning like molten glass. Viron flicked his wrist—and from his flame grew sharp, threadlike strands that lashed out. Each strand struck with precision, slicing open Auren's defenses, burning through skin and flesh alike.Pain surged.Auren fell to his knees, chest heaving, body etched with fiery cuts. For a heartbeat, he almost faltered.Then something inside him broke."Master... be prepared," he whispered, his voice trembling between pain and fury.Auren roared. His inner core expanded like a sun waking from slumber. Two months of relentless training ignited all at once. Energy flooded outward, shaking the entire hall. His inner world, once small, now stretched vast—flame fields spreading across a horizon of pure blue.He dropped his sword.Fire enveloped him, merging with his body, shaping claws and scales of blazing light. His eyes flared, no longer the deep blue of calm flame but the bright azure of unleashed fury.Viron's eyes widened slightly. "This aura... beast body transformation?"Auren smiled—a sharp, confident grin haloed by fire. "Something I've been working on. My own creation."The air cracked. Blue and crimson waves clashed, splitting the floor beneath them. The hall trembled, lights flickering from the immense power building inside.Viron straightened, drawing in his own fire, his voice steady. "Good. Let's see how much you've learned."They stepped forward simultaneously.Where their flames collided, sound itself shattered—
And Viron and Auren vanished into a storm of fire and light. The world around them blurred into red and blue—the two flames swirling and colliding like dueling stars.Auren's flame-clad claws tore through the inferno as he lunged forward, each strike carrying the weight of unleashed will. Sparks exploded from every blow as his attacks met Viron's defenses head-on. At the storm's center stood Viron, expression calm, eyes narrow, his crimson barrier flickering but unbroken.The air howled. The ground cracked open under the strain of their power. For a split second, Auren's strike slipped through—a tiny fissure in the blazing wall. His claw brushed against Viron's Armor, leaving behind the faintest scorch.Auren steadied his breathing, blood trailing down his arm. His lips curled into a faint, defiant smile. "So... it's still not enough, huh?"Viron regarded him silently, flames coiling tighter around his body. "You've improved. But control... you still lack it."The words struck harder than the heat between them. Auren roared and surged forward, refusing to yield. His flames twisted violently, consuming the space between them. Viron's mark ignited once more, releasing a wave that shattered Auren's attack mid-charge. The explosion hurled him backward, his body slamming against the far wall hard enough to crack it.For a heartbeat, silence.Then Auren moved. Slowly, painfully, he rose from the crater, one step at a time. Every breath burned. His ribs screamed; blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. Even through the agony, he pushed forward—until, in one final burst of motion, he struck.A single, focused punch—a flare brighter than lightning.Viron raised his hand in defense, but Auren's flame found a path through, grazing his cheek and leaving a fading blue mark.Then everything went still.Auren dropped to his knees, gasping. His flames guttered out into thin smoke. The hall's heat faded into a trembling calm. Viron stood motionless, touching the mark on his face, a rare glint of satisfaction in his eyes."You touched me," he said. "Barely—but you did."Auren forced a grin through split lips. "Guess that's... enough for today."Viron approached, the crimson light around him softening. With a wave, the flames dissolved. "You've proven your worth to inherit the Mark of Flame. But—" his gaze hardened, "—if you keep fighting with only rage, it will consume you before your enemies ever can."Auren lowered his head, exhausted yet burning with determination. The flames inside him flickered—wild, wounded, but alive.The master looked down at his disciple and nodded once. "Rest, Auren."