The heat distorted the air until the walls themselves shimmered like waves.
Kenny stood at the center of the training ground, skin glowing red from the unbearable temperature.
Every breath burned. Every heartbeat felt like an explosion inside his chest.
Why… why isn't it listening to me?!
He clenched his fists and forced more energy into his flames.
The fire roared back—uncontrolled, vicious, alive.
Then it turned on him.
His skin began to burn. His knees hit the ground.
"Master Ryoko!" he shouted through the heat. "It's not responding—it's burning me alive!"
Ryoko stood unmoving, eyes glowing like molten gold through the haze.
His voice cut through the roar like a blade.
"To master fire, you must forge your heart into something that cannot melt."
Kenny gritted his teeth. "And what's that supposed to mean?! I'm dying in here!"
Ryoko's tone dropped lower, calm but commanding.
"Fear. Fear. Fear.
Suppressing fear isn't about silence—it's about transforming that energy. Turning panic into precision."
"So that's it?" Kenny's breath trembled. "You want me to die calm?"
Ryoko didn't reply. The silence itself felt heavier than the heat.
The fire raged around Kenny like a living beast, but something inside him shifted.
He closed his eyes. His heart hammered.
Boom... boom... boom...
Each beat sent shockwaves through the flames.
At first, they rebelled—snapping, thrashing, trying to devour him whole.
He inhaled slowly.
The fire hesitated.
Another breath.
The flames bent.
Third breath.
Silence.
The inferno curved around him like a crown.
Every flicker moved with his heartbeat—no longer wild, but obedient.
Ryoko's eyes narrowed, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips.
"He tried manipulating my fire… and it's obeying him.
Interesting."
He folded his arms. "You did well, boy. Now—onto your next stage."
Kenny collapsed to one knee, gasping for air.
"Next stage? Shouldn't we… rest first?"
Before he could finish, Ryoko stomped the ground.
A blazing wave erupted from beneath his feet.
He twisted his leg, sending a concentrated fireball shooting straight toward Kenny.
"Move!"
Kenny barely dodged—his sleeve caught fire, his arm scorched.
He spun midair and landed hard, panting.
"You call this a lesson?!"
Ryoko smiled, a dangerous glow flickering in his eyes.
"The flame doesn't wait, Kenny. Neither do I."
The chamber erupted.
Two figures blurred into motion—fire clashing against fire, each strike louder than thunder.
What began as training had become something else entirely…
a duel between a boy chasing control—
and a master testing the limits of destiny.
You're insane!" Kenny shouted, rolling to his feet.
Ryoko didn't answer. He flicked his fingers.
A small spark appeared in the air… then ten more… then a hundred.
Each spark grew into a small floating flame, surrounding Kenny from every direction.
"Let's see if you can move faster than your fear," Ryoko said.
The flames shot forward.
Kenny crossed his arms, releasing his own energy in a burst.
A fiery pulse exploded from his body, blocking the attack.
He spun with the motion, turning the defense into a counterstrike.
His kick shot out a blazing wave that cut through the air toward Ryoko.
Ryoko smirked.
"Better."
He met the blast with his bare hand, splitting it in half.
The shockwave cracked the floor, throwing heat and dust into the air.
Kenny gritted his teeth. His whole body screamed in pain, but the fire in his chest refused to fade.
He charged forward again.
Each step left glowing footprints behind.
They clashed—fist to fist, flame to flame.
Every impact sent sparks flying like stars.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The training field turned into a storm of fire.
Heat danced across the walls, and every breath burned like smoke.
Finally, they broke apart.
Kenny's knees trembled, but his eyes stayed sharp.
Ryoko watched him with a calm smile.
"You've got fight in you after all."
Kenny wiped the sweat from his face.
"And you're still holding back."
Ryoko chuckled softly.
"Maybe. Or maybe I'm waiting to see if you burn yourself out first."
They stared at each other through the firestorm — student and master, flames swirling between them, both refusing to back down.
The fire roared louder, but somehow… the silence between them was stronger.
The fire faded, but the heat in Kenny's chest didn't.
He looked down—his hands were still burning, even without flames.
Ryoko stepped closer, his tone suddenly grave.
"If you can't control that heartbeat, boy… it'll consume more than just your fear."