Chapter 38
Aether moved silently through the dense forest, his senses keenly attuned to the environment around him. Suddenly, five flame-tailed monkeys emerged from the underbrush, their fiery posteriors illuminating the shadows as they prepared to attack.
Without hesitation, Aether extended his hand, releasing a wave of icy energy that instantly encased the monkeys in crystalline frost. With a mere flick of his wrist, the frozen creatures shattered into countless fragments, scattering like glittering confetti. He glanced at the remnants, dismissing their cores as insignificant, and continued on his path.
As he ventured deeper, Aether sensed a potent concentration of magical essence nearby. Curiosity piqued, he altered his course toward the source. Upon arrival, he observed Nephis and her companions—Akira and Kaito—lying helpless on the ground, surrounded by students from the Purple Department. The apparent leader stood over them, ready to deliver a final blow.
Initially indifferent, Aether turned to leave, deeming their plight none of his concern. However, as he did, the leader of the group summoned a surge of flame, proclaiming, "Flame power is the best!" This declaration ignited a flicker of anger within Aether, triggering a vivid memory of a man with a long, fiery red hair which seems to be made up fire itself standing on top of a volcano —a haunting visage reminiscent of a flame deity.
His eyes narrowed, and in a voice as cold as the ice he wielded, Aether muttered, "I hate flame wizards." The chilling tone sent shivers down the spines of the Purple Department students. Yet, their leader sneered, retorting, "When power is oppressed, how can an ice weakling like you stand against us? You may be considered a mysterious figure, but against us, you are nothing." With a dismissive gesture, he commanded his cohorts to attack.
A barrage of elemental spells—fire, water, earth, lightning, and wind—hurtled toward Aether. Unfazed, he whispered, "Ice Shimmers." Instantly, the oncoming assaults froze mid-air, suspended like a grotesque chandelier of failed aggression. Taking a single step forward, Aether watched as the frozen spells shattered into shimmering shards, which then coalesced into hovering icy spheres. Icicles materialized around him, their razor-sharp tips aimed menacingly at his adversaries.
Kaito, witnessing this display of power, couldn't contain his excitement. "Wow, this guy is strong!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with admiration. "Beat them! Destroy them!"
Aether shot him a withering glare. "Shut up," he commanded tersely. When Kaito continued his enthusiastic outbursts, Aether sighed and uttered, "Freeze." Immediately, Kaito's mouth was encased in a block of ice, reducing his protests to muffled grunts.
Turning his attention back to the Purple Department students, Aether was momentarily distracted, allowing their leader—a formidable flame wielder—to launch a massive fireball directly at him. The inferno engulfed Aether, prompting gasps from the onlookers. As the flames subsided, anticipation hung thick in the air.
To everyone's astonishment, Aether emerged unscathed, casually brushing ash from his singed cloak. The fire had merely charred his outer garment, revealing beneath it a striking figure with long white hair and piercing blue eyes. His chiseled features and calm demeanor caused both Akira and Nephys to blush, their cheeks tinged with pink.
Ignoring their reactions, Aether fixed his icy gaze on the Purple Department leader. "You are doomed," he declared, his voice devoid of emotion. "Polar Freeze."
An arctic blast surged forth, enveloping the Purple Department students in a frosty embrace. They struggled against the encroaching ice, their pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears. Aether's expression remained impassive as he tightened his fist and commanded, "Shatter." The ice constricted and then exploded outward, obliterating his foes into glittering fragments.
With the threat eliminated, Aether approached Nephis and her friends. Kaito gestured frantically at his frozen mouth, eyes pleading for release. Aether regarded him with mild annoyance before snapping his fingers, causing the ice to dissipate.
"I won't help you next time," Aether warned, his tone stern. "Conserve your energy and choose your battles wisely." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his form gradually blending into the forest's shadows.
Akira and Nephis exchanged glances, their faces still flushed from the encounter. Kaito rubbed his jaw, testing its mobility, before muttering, "That guy is something else."
As they gathered themselves, the trio couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and awe toward their enigmatic savior.
Meanwhile at the other part of the Forest –
Blaze navigated the dense forest, his senses alert to every rustle and shadow. Suddenly, four flame-tailed monkeys dropped from the canopy, their fiery appendages illuminating the underbrush. Before he could react, a familiar chime resonated in his mind:
New Quest Received: "Beast hunt." Objective: Defeat the flame-tailed monkeys to gain experience points.
A grin spread across Blaze's face. "Experience points, you say? Don't mind if I do." Channeling his energy, he unleashed his signature move, Astral Strike, followed by a swift Astro Punch. The monkeys, though agile, were no match for his superior strength and technique. One by one, they fell, dissipating into embers.
Quest Complete.
A cascade of notifications followed:
Gained 3,000 XP.
Gained 7,000 XP.
Gained 8,000 XP.
Blaze's grin widened. "This forest is a goldmine." He pressed on, each encounter with the flame-tailed monkeys bolstering his experience and confidence. After a particularly intense skirmish, the anticipated notification appeared:
Congratulations! You have leveled up.
Among the spoils were the monkeys' cores, pulsating with residual energy. The system prompted:
Do you wish to convert the magical cores into Chaos Points?
Without hesitation, Blaze affirmed: "Yes."
Conversion complete. Gained 90 Chaos Points.
As he ventured deeper, Blaze stumbled upon an ancient structure, its architecture distinct from anything in Tenebros. Curiosity piqued, he entered cautiously. Inside, students from various departments—Blue, White, and Purple—milled about, their attention fixed on a timer counting down ominously. Five Black Department students, recognizing Blaze, beckoned him over.
"What's happening here?" Blaze inquired.
One of the Black Department students, a tall figure with a mischievous glint in his eye, replied, "We've been waiting for this timer to hit zero. Rumor has it, a treasure will appear."
As the timer neared its end, anticipation electrified the air. With a resonant chime, a fiery stone, encased in a shimmering barrier, descended into view. Blaze's system reacted instantly:
New Quest Received: "Embrace the Flame." Objective: Absorb the Fire Dragon Stone to awaken your fire element.
His heart raced. This was the opportunity he'd been seeking. The surrounding students launched a barrage of elemental attacks at the barrier—fireballs, water jets, earth spikes—but the shield remained unyielding.
Activating his Chaos Eyes, Blaze discerned a subtle fluctuation—a weak point in the barrier. A plan began to form, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Everyone, listen!" Blaze shouted, feigning urgency. "The barrier is absorbing our attacks and will retaliate if we don't synchronize! On my mark, channel all your energy into a combined assault!"
The students, caught up in the frenzy, nodded in agreement. Blaze positioned himself strategically, directly opposite the barrier's weak point.
"Three... Two... One... Now!"
A cacophony of magic erupted as students unleashed their might. Simultaneously, Blaze focused a concentrated Astral Strike at the vulnerability he'd identified. The barrier shattered, and amidst the chaos, Blaze seized the Fire Dragon Stone.
"Hey! He took the stone!" someone yelled.
"Stop him!"
But Blaze was already in motion. Activating his lightning-infused boots, he became a blur, darting through the forest with unparalleled speed, his high dexterity ensuring flawless navigation.
After a relentless chase, Blaze found refuge in a secluded cave. He sat cross-legged, the Fire Dragon Stone pulsating in his grasp. The system's prompt appeared:
Would you like to absorb the Fire Dragon Stone?
"Yes."
The moment he affirmed, searing energy coursed through him. It felt as if his very essence was being forged in an inferno. Every nerve ignited, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to succumb to the pain.
Minutes felt like hours, but gradually, the fiery torment subsided. A soothing warmth replaced the agony. The system chimed:
Congratulations! You have awakened the Fire Affinity. fire spells have been added to your spells tab. As a bonus for this awakening, you have been granted two new fire spells.
Despite the residual discomfort, Blaze's excitement was palpable. He accessed his skill tab, discovering:
Fire Punch: Engulf your fist in flames to deliver a scorching blow.
Ignite: Generate a fiery explosion at a targeted location.
Eager to expand his arsenal, Blaze browsed the skill shop, his eyes landing on:
Meteorite Punch: An advanced fire spell combining his fire element with his Astro punch.
Blaze look at his AP which is now close to 400 and smile. I've gotten stronger.
To be continued.