Chapter 30: Growing Flames
The moon hung high above the academy tower. Synoh sat alone on the edge of the garden wall, gazing into the dark sky.
"It's been days since I've seen Lux and Yuta," Synoh murmured, adjusting the wrappings around his torso. "I wonder how they're doing."
Fel's voice echoed in his mind, smooth and teasing. They're probably stronger than you remember. Those two are chaotic in all the right ways.
Synoh smiled faintly. "Then I've got to get stronger too."
Fel's tone shifted, serious now. Indeed. You've touched only the surface of my power. If you want to protect them—and the others—you need to learn to control it. All of it.
"Fine," Synoh said, tightening his grip on the hilt of his blade. "Let's begin."
The two slipped into the forest under cover of night, Synoh training in secret. He stood surrounded by dark mist, his body trembling as Fel's power surged through him.
"Argh… this is still just a little of your magic?" Synoh gasped, struggling to contain the dark aura swirling around him.
You haven't seen anything yet, Fel whispered. But control this… and you'll unlock everything.
Synoh nodded. "Then let's keep going."
---
Meanwhile…
In a misty swamp, vines snapped and a foul odor spread as a large Rafflesia, a carnivorous plant monster, let out a grotesque screech.
"Go, Kel!" Yuta shouted.
Kel charged forward, both arms turning to glimmering steel. With a mighty uppercut, he cracked the Rafflesia's tough root-like body.
"Now, Mel!" Lux ordered.
A shimmering aegis barrier deflected a barrage of poison thorns as Mel stood strong, her hands glowing.
Yuta finished it with a binding circle, taming the monster as it shrank and quivered in submission.
Kel stared at his arms in awe. "Whoa… my steel magic is strong! I didn't know I could hit that hard!"
"You've got potential," Lux said with a rare smile. "Just refine your control."
Mel dropped to one knee, panting but grinning. "And I can now hold off attacks from D-Rank monsters or lower. That barrier almost didn't break!"
Lux and Yuta stood proud, nodding.
"Remember," Lux said, "only fight monsters you know you can beat. No shame in walking away if the odds are bad."
Kel and Mel nodded seriously.
Then Lux asked, "Why do you want to be adventurers, anyway?"
Mel and Kel looked at each other before Kel spoke. "Our parents are sick. We want to make money to treat them. They didn't want us to become adventurers, but… they let us go because they saw we had dreams."
Lux and Yuta froze for a second. That hit home harder than they expected.
"Then do your best," Lux finally said, his voice steady.
Mel smiled. "We will."
"Where are you two going next?" Kel asked curiously.
Yuta grinned. "To find a bigger, stronger monster of course!"
"But not for you two." Lux ruffled Kel's hair. "Go get your reward. And return to your family."
Yuta puffed out his chest. "This was just your first lesson, my disciples!"
Kel and Mel gave them a playful salute. "Understood, Master!"
---
Back in the forest, Synoh collapsed to one knee, panting. The dark aura was stabilizing now, no longer wild and uncontrolled.
"This… is going to take time," he said.
Fel's voice, proud and calm, replied, And when you master it, they'll realize you're not just a captain… but something far greater.
---