Morning sunlight spilled through the trees, bathing the camp in gold. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and somewhere nearby… Ghost was screaming.
"HOT! HOT! HOT!!!"
Eldric didn't even look up from his book. "You're standing in your own fire again."
"I'm training!" Ghost protested, flapping frantically as little tongues of flame danced on his tail feathers. "Greatness requires sacrifice! And possibly aloe vera!"
Lira sighed, tossing a bucket of water over him. SPLASH!
Ghost stood there, dripping, steam rising. "I feel like soup."
"You look like soup," Eldric muttered.
Their makeshift training ground was a clearing near a crystal-blue pond. The team had decided it was time for Ghost to actually learn how to control his fire instead of, well, randomly igniting things.
Lira paced in front of him like a stern instructor. "Alright, Ghost. Step one: focus your mana before releasing it."
"I am focusing! My whole being is focus! I'm basically a feathery laser of ambition!"
She narrowed her eyes. "Focus doesn't mean shouting motivational speeches at your own reflection."
Ghost blinked. "It doesn't?"
"No."
"...Well that explains a lot."
Eldric closed his book and floated a glowing crystal above Ghost's head. "This is a simple training charm. The crystal will detect your mana output. The goal: ignite it gently."
Ghost nodded solemnly. "Gently. Like lighting a candle."
"Exactly."
Ghost inhaled slowly, wings outstretched. He visualized the spark, the warmth, the passion of a true flaming duck…
PFFFT.
A weak puff of smoke came out.
The crystal flickered once, like it was embarrassed for him.
"...Okay," Ghost said, glaring. "Maybe the crystal's shy."
Eldric sighed. "Again."
Five tries later, the crystal still hadn't fully lit up. Ghost's feathers were smoking, Lira's patience was gone, and Eldric was seriously reconsidering his life choices.
Then came a new voice from the treeline:
"Oi! What's all this racket? Someone barbecuing ducks out here?"
Ghost spun around, feathers bristling. "WHO SAID THAT?!"
Out stepped a short, round man in a chef's apron, carrying an enormous frying pan like a battle axe. His mustache curled upward heroically, and his eyes gleamed with the confidence of a man who had won (and possibly eaten) many fights.
"I'm Bruno, the Traveling Chef Extraordinaire! Master of seasoning, slayer of blandness! And you, my crispy little friend, smell delicious."
Ghost backed up immediately. "I uh am not on the menu!"
Lira facepalmed. "Bruno. Again?"
Eldric sighed. "You know him?"
Lira nodded reluctantly. "We met him during a supply run. He challenged a basilisk to a cooking contest."
Bruno puffed his chest. "And I won! ...Technically, it turned to stone before judging, but still!"
Bruno crouched in front of Ghost, poking him with a ladle. "Hmm. Nice texture. Bit singed, but that adds character."
"Stop inspecting me like poultry!"
"You are poultry."
"I'm a duck with flair!" Ghost shouted. "I wield fire, not not rosemary!"
Bruno grinned. "A fire-wielding duck, huh? Interesting. I could teach you how to channel that flame properly."
Eldric raised an eyebrow. "You can train magical fire?"
"I cook with it every day," Bruno said proudly. "Magic is all about heat control. Too much, you burn your dish. Too little, it's raw. Same principle applies to ducks, apparently."
Ghost gasped. "You mean… I can learn flame control through cooking?"
Bruno winked. "Exactly! Now grab that pan!"
Lira groaned. "Oh gods, not this again…"
Minutes later, Ghost stood on a rock wearing a tiny apron (courtesy of Bruno), facing a sizzling pan balanced on a magical flame rune.
"This feels… wrong," he said.
"Nonsense!" Bruno bellowed. "Cooking is an art! Feel the fire, embrace the burn!"
"I am embracing the burn! Literally!"
Eldric muttered to Lira, "This can't possibly work."
Lira folded her arms. "I give it five minutes before the forest catches fire."
"Five? You're being generous."
"Alright, duck!" Bruno shouted. "Channel your mana through your wings and aim the flame under the pan, not at it!"
Ghost focused, beak clenched. "Okay… calm… precise… duck chef mode activated!"
He released a controlled stream of fire small, steady, and perfectly heating the pan.
Bruno's eyes widened. "By the gods of garlic butter… he's doing it!"
Ghost gasped. "I'M DOING IT!"
Lira blinked. "He's actually doing it."
Eldric smiled slightly. "Huh. Cooking magic training. Who knew."
For the first time, the flames didn't explode outward. They flowed smoothly, warm and bright, dancing just under Ghost's control.
Bruno grinned proudly. "Excellent! You see? Fire's not just destruction it's creation!"
Ghost looked at the pan, tears welling in his eyes. "I'm… cooking eggs. With my own flames."
"You're growing up so fast," Lira said mockingly.
He sniffled dramatically. "Don't make this emotional!"
They all sat together, eating Ghost's slightly charred but surprisingly tasty omelet.
Eldric nodded. "Not bad. It has… personality."
Lira chuckled. "And crunch."
Ghost beamed. "Thank you. It's artisanally crispy."
Bruno slapped him on the back. "You've got talent, kid! You keep this up, and you'll be a walking kitchen miracle."
Ghost puffed up proudly. "The world's first culinary mage duck!"
Lira smirked. "You mean 'walking fire hazard.'"
"Semantics."
As the sun set, Bruno packed up his gear. "Well, my work here is done. But if you ever need help or catering for an apocalypse look for Bruno's Mobile Tavern."
Ghost saluted with a wing. "You got it, Chef!"
Bruno winked, slinging his giant pan over his shoulder. "Keep that flame hot, little duck. The world needs spice."
And with that, he disappeared into the forest, whistling a triumphant cooking tune.
When silence returned, Ghost looked at his companions. "You know… for the first time, I didn't accidentally destroy something."
Lira smirked. "Give it time."
Eldric closed his book with a faint smile. "Still, progress is progress."
Ghost stared at his reflection in the pond. His feathers glowed faintly orange under the fading light. "Yeah… maybe being a flaming duck isn't a curse after all."
He looked up at the stars. "It's just… a very weird recipe."
Three days had passed since Ghost's "culinary enlightenment," and for once, the forest was not on fire.
He sat by the campfire, humming happily while trying to toast berries on a stick.
Eldric watched from a distance, whispering to Lira, "He's… almost peaceful."
"Almost," she agreed. "I give it ten minutes."
As if summoned by prophecy, a voice echoed from above:
"BEHOLD! The champion of the trees has arrived!"
A figure leapt from a branch, landing in a heroic pose that would've been impressive… if it wasn't a small, armor-wearing squirrel.
The squirrel pointed a tiny sword at Ghost. "You there, fiery waterfowl! I, Sir Nibblesworth the Third, challenge you to glorious combat!"
Ghost blinked. "Sir… what now?"
"Nibblesworth!" the squirrel declared proudly. "Knight of the Verdant Canopy! Guardian of the Sacred Nuts! Slayer of"
Lira interrupted, "Please stop saying nuts dramatically."
Eldric closed his book. "Is this real life or another hallucination?"
Sir Nibblesworth stomped his tiny foot. "I have heard tales of your infernal flames, duck of chaos! You have disturbed the balance of the forest, and I shall restore it through honorable battle!"
Ghost stood up, wings flaring. "Finally! Someone recognizes my chaotic greatness!"
"You mean your arson record," Eldric muttered.
"I accept your challenge, Squirrel Knight!" Ghost declared, pointing a wing. "But only if we make it official with rules, an audience, and possibly snacks."
Sir Nibblesworth's eyes gleamed. "Agreed. The Great Forest Tournament shall commence at dawn!"
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New Event Unlocked!
The Great Forest Tournament (F-Rank Regional)
Participants: Ghost (The Flaming Duck), Sir Nibblesworth III, and assorted local champions.
Reward: Fame, EXP, mysterious artifact (and possibly trauma).
Entry Fee: Free (Sponsored by Bad Decisions™).
By morning, the clearing had transformed into a makeshift arena.
Creatures, adventurers, and even a few guild scouts had gathered to watch the spectacle.
A large wooden sign read:
"THE GREAT FOREST TOURNAMENT – NO REFUNDS."
Ghost strutted into the arena wearing a crude red cape (made from someone's tablecloth).
He raised his wings dramatically. "Citizens of this majestic forest! Prepare your eyes for glory!"
The crowd cheered mostly because a nearby vendor was handing out free roasted nuts.
Lira pinched her nose. "This is going to end terribly."
Eldric sighed. "Yes. And I'm taking notes."
The first round began.
A massive frog hopped into the ring, flexing like a sumo wrestler. "Name's Boggo. I crush things."
Ghost gulped. "Nice to meet you, Boggo. Please don't."
The frog lunged. Ghost panicked, flapping backward and shooting a burst of flame accidentally igniting Boggo's shorts.
"MY LEAF ARMOR!"
Boggo hopped out of the ring screaming, splashing into a nearby pond.
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Ghost bowed. "Thank you! That was a strategic victory by intimidation and combustion!"
Lira yelled, "That was pure luck!"
"Luck," Ghost said, grinning, "is just unacknowledged skill!"
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Opponent defeated! +50 EXP.
Skill Level Up: [Fire Quack Lv.2 → Lv.3]
Title Gained: "Accidental Pyromaster."
The next round was against a short elven teenager with dual daggers and way too much confidence.
"I'm Ryn. I'll make this quick," she said smugly.
"Same!" Ghost replied cheerfully. "Mostly because I overheat fast."
The battle was surprisingly intense Ryn darted around him like lightning, blades flashing.
Ghost flapped frantically, dodging, rolling, squawking like a warrior possessed.
Then, in a moment of genius (or panic), he leapt into the air, spun, and unleashed a perfect fiery spiral.
The attack exploded outward, harmlessly scorching the arena floor but Ryn froze mid-attack, eyes wide.
"That… was kinda cool," she admitted, stepping back. "I yield."
The crowd cheered again.
Ghost puffed up proudly. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is called Duck-Fu!"
Eldric actually looked impressed. "He's adapting. Improvising. It's messy, but it's… working."
Lira frowned slightly. "He's still not controlling the output. One slip, and he'll"
She stopped.
Because at that very moment, the final opponent entered the ring.
Sir Nibblesworth himself, gleaming in tiny silver armor, riding a chipmunk steed.
The squirrel knight raised his miniature sword. "Ghost the Flaming Duck! You have fought bravely. But now… face me!"
Ghost grinned. "Bring it on, Furball."
The match started with chaos.
Nibblesworth was fast. Faster than anything Ghost had ever seen. His sword glowed with enchanted energy, each slash leaving streaks of light.
Ghost dodged, weaving between attacks, retaliating with bursts of flame but the squirrel leapt effortlessly over them.
"You fight with heart, duck," Nibblesworth said, panting, "but your control is flawed!"
Ghost growled. "Control is overrated!"
He inhaled deeply too deeply. His feathers flared bright orange.
Eldric's eyes widened. "He's overloading his mana!"
"GHOST, STOP!" Lira shouted.
But it was too late.
Ghost unleashed a massive firewave, engulfing the entire arena in a blaze of golden flame.
The explosion sent smoke and sparks shooting into the sky.
The crowd screamed and scattered.
When the smoke cleared
Half the forest was scorched.
The tournament grounds were gone.
And Ghost was lying in a smoking crater, covered in soot, eyes spinning.
[SYSTEM ALERT!]
Mana Overload Detected!
HP: 3/25
Condition: Burned, Exhausted, Mildly Crispy
Penalty Applied: "Reputation – Forest Hostile"
New Quest Unlocked: "Apologize to the Forest Council (or Run)."
Ghost blinked weakly. "Did… I win?"
Nibblesworth staggered up, fur singed but alive. He raised a paw weakly. "Technically… yes. But also… you may have just declared war on three forest tribes."
Lira buried her face in her hands. "I knew it."
Eldric muttered, "We're going to get banned from nature itself."
Ghost groaned. "I was just trying to be cool…"
Sir Nibblesworth saluted him. "You are indeed powerful, duck. Reckless. Uncontrolled. But powerful. I shall join you on your journey if only to prevent you from incinerating the ecosystem."
Ghost perked up. "Wait you're joining me?"
"Yes. Someone must make sure you don't accidentally cook the moon."
Ghost grinned weakly. "Deal."
As the sun set behind the charred trees, Ghost and his companions now joined by a very dramatic squirrel knight walked away from the smoking ruins of the arena.
"Look on the bright side," Ghost said. "At least we made an impression."
Eldric sighed. "Yes. On the ground."
Lira groaned. "We'll be lucky if the Guild doesn't send a cleanup bill."
Ghost smirked, looking up at the stars. "Hey, if I'm gonna burn bridges, I might as well do it stylishly."
Morning arrived with the sound of distant shouting and the smell of overcooked trees.
Ghost woke up to find himself tied upside down from a branch.
"Okay," he croaked groggily, "either I'm dreaming, or the forest really took this 'revenge' thing personally."
A squirrel guard poked him with a stick. "By order of the Forest Council, you are under arrest for arson, reckless spellcasting, and uh 'unauthorized flamboyance.'"
"Flamboyance?" Ghost blinked. "I didn't even wear pants!"
The guard looked uncertain. "Still counts."
Below him, Eldric and Lira sat cross-legged, surrounded by vines that had tied them neatly like gift packages.
Eldric was reading, because of course he was.
Lira, meanwhile, looked ready to strangle someone.
"I told you," she hissed, "one more explosion and we'd get arrested."
Ghost flapped helplessly. "Technically, I didn't get arrested. I got hung up."
"That's not better," Eldric said without looking up.
Sir Nibblesworth appeared, polishing his tiny armor. "Fear not, my feathery companion. As your self-appointed legal representative, I shall negotiate your release!"
"Please don't," Lira groaned. "You'll make it worse."
The squirrel puffed his chest. "I am a knight of honor!"
"Exactly my point."
Moments later, a group of robed figures entered the clearing the Forest Council.
They looked like they'd been carved from wood and bad temper.
The leader, an elderly dryad with bark-textured skin and moss hair, glared at Ghost.
"So… this is the creature who burned half our southern grove?"
Ghost gulped. "In my defense, it was only half."
"Silence!" she snapped, slamming her staff into the ground. Vines quivered. "You will be tried for your crimes at sundown."
Ghost squawked. "Wait, tried? As in… judged?"
Eldric sighed. "Yes, as in consequences."
Ghost tilted his head. "Never heard of those."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
New Quest: "Forest Trial of Flames."
Objective: Survive the Council's Judgment.
Reward: Freedom (maybe).
Failure: Tree-based execution.
"...Tree-based what now?"
As the day went on, Ghost and his companions were thrown into a wooden cage near the council's heartwood village.
Everything around them glowed faintly with life roots pulsed like veins, and fireflies floated like lazy spirits.
It would've been beautiful if not for the giant sign above the cage that read:
"PRISONERS: DO NOT FEED OR IGNITE."
Ghost sighed. "This is so unfair. I was just trying to win a tournament."
Lira crossed her arms. "You vaporized the arena, Ghost."
"Details."
Eldric smirked slightly. "You realize we're technically eco-terrorists now?"
Ghost gasped. "That sounds way cooler than 'duck criminal'!"
Sir Nibblesworth, sitting outside the bars (he was somehow free), whispered, "Fear not, my friend. I am devising an escape plan."
"Oh no," Lira muttered. "Not again."
Night fell. The forest glowed softly under the moonlight.
The council gathered, chanting ancient words as luminescent vines circled the clearing.
Ghost stood in the center of the ritual circle, feathers puffed up, trying to look brave.
The dryad leader raised her staff. "Ghost the Duck. You are accused of reckless destruction of sacred land. How do you plead?"
Ghost thought hard. Then: "...Hungry?"
Eldric facepalmed so hard it echoed.
Lira groaned. "He's going to die."
The crowd murmured angrily. The dryad's eyes flared green. "You mock this court? Then your fate shall be decided by The Trial of Balance!"
The ground trembled.
Roots split apart, and from the earth rose a colossal wooden creature half-tree, half-beast, glowing with emerald energy.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Boss Event Triggered: "Forest Guardian, Rank E+."
Condition: Defeat the Guardian to prove your innocence.
Reward: Pardon (and possibly lunch).
Ghost's eyes widened. "That's not a trial, that's a death sentence with special effects!"
Sir Nibblesworth yelled, "I shall fight beside you, noble poultry!"
Lira unsheathed her dagger. "We're helping, obviously."
Eldric muttered a spell, his staff glowing. "I can't believe I'm saying this… but let's save the duck."
The Guardian roared, swinging massive wooden limbs.
Ghost dodged, barely avoiding being flattened. His feathers crackled with heat.
"Okay okay okay think, Ghost! You can do this. You just need… control!"
He flapped hard, sliding between roots, then took a deep breath.
Fire gathered in his chest not wild or panicked this time, but focused.
He aimed at the creature's glowing chest core.
"Let's roast some lumber!"
A burst of blue fire erupted, striking true. The Guardian staggered, vines catching flame.
Eldric unleashed a shockwave of wind magic, fanning the blaze, while Lira leapt in, cutting through weak points.
Sir Nibblesworth charged heroically… and got swatted into a bush.
"Worth it!" he squeaked.
The Guardian bellowed, launching roots that wrapped around Ghost.
He struggled as the system flashed warnings
[SYSTEM WARNING: HP 4/30]
[Mana Critical!]
"Not again…" he groaned.
But then, deep inside, something clicked.
He remembered the first time he breathed fire the fear, the desperation, the wild spark of instinct.
Now it wasn't fear. It was purpose.
"Let's turn this forest into a barbecue!"
His eyes flared gold. Flames burst from his feathers not just red or orange, but bright phoenix blue.
He unleashed a concentrated spiral of fire that sliced through the Guardian's chest, igniting its core in a blinding flash.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the clearing.
When the smoke cleared, the Guardian was gone reduced to glowing embers and floating ash.
Ghost stood in the center, panting, singed but alive.
The crowd was silent. Then, slowly, the dryad leader approached.
She looked at the smoldering crater, then at the exhausted duck.
"You are… still a menace," she said finally. "But a useful one."
Ghost blinked. "Is that… forgiveness?"
"Probation," she said. "Step out of line again, and we'll mulch you."
Ghost saluted weakly. "Understood!"
Later that night, the group sat around a small campfire at the forest's edge.
Sir Nibblesworth roasted a nut. Lira polished her blade. Eldric scribbled notes.
Ghost stared at his reflection in a puddle eyes glowing faintly blue.
"Hey," Lira said softly, noticing his quietness. "You did good, you know."
He smiled a little. "Yeah. For once, I didn't just blow everything up."
A pause. Then he added, "...Well, not everything."
Lira chuckled. "Don't ruin it."
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Skill Evolution Unlocked: [Fire Quack → Phoenix Quack Lv.1]
Trait Gained: "Controlled Chaos (Rare)"
Reputation Updated: Forest Neutral
Ghost grinned. "Controlled chaos, huh? I like the sound of that."
Eldric looked up from his book. "Where to next?"
Ghost puffed up his chest. "Anywhere that isn't covered in trees. Preferably somewhere with bread."
Sir Nibblesworth raised his tiny sword. "Onward, to destiny!"
Lira sighed. "Or disaster. Same thing with him."
Ghost winked. "Hey, what's life without a little fire?"
They walked off into the night, stars glittering above
and somewhere in the distance, a wanted poster fluttered against a tree.
WANTED: One Flaming Duck. Reward: Negotiable. Approach with extreme caution (and water).