Alenna faced Ignis with a sweet, knowing smile, her emerald eyes shimmering with quiet confidence. "The first magic spell I'll teach you is a fundamental, first-tier fire spell: Ignite."
Ignis nodded eagerly, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity and anticipation. He had been waiting for this moment—the chance to finally wield magic with his own hands, to feel the workings of this world's spells and how they differed from Kido.
"The way magic works is actually quite simple—at least in theory," Alenna continued, pacing slightly as she spoke. "Of course, mastering it is another matter entirely." She turned back to him, her expression playful yet instructive. "I'll demonstrate Ignite for you first, and then you can decide for yourself whether it's as easy as it sounds."
She stepped forward, lifting her hand with practiced ease. "Magic requires precision, focus, and a clear mental image. Take Ignite, for example—the name itself is a hint at its purpose. You need to picture something catching fire, fuel the process with your own mana, and then draw from the ambient fire element in the surroundings to bring the spell to life."
With a slight smirk, she snapped her fingers. "Ignite."
A small flame, no larger than a candle's flicker, sprang to life just above her index finger. It wavered and danced, casting a warm orange glow against her skin.
Alenna then turned toward a nearby training dummy, its wooden surface already scarred from previous lessons. She extended her hand once more, her fingers steady, and repeated the command. "Ignite."
A tiny flame bloomed to life on the dummy's outstretched wooden hand. The fire clung to it hungrily, its edges curling with the promise of spreading. "If left unattended," she explained, watching the ember-like glow, "this will grow into a real fire. And that's why control is just as important as casting."
She clenched her fist, and with a silent command, the flame flickered and died, leaving behind only a thin wisp of smoke.
Alenna smiled, her emerald eyes gleaming with approval. "You have an advantage over most others," she said. "Your mana naturally possesses fire attributes. This means not only will you find fire-based spells easier to cast, but the temperature of your flames will be significantly higher than usual."
Ignis, sharp-minded as ever, had already pieced together most of this on his own. Still, hearing it confirmed by Alenna filled him with a sense of pride and anticipation.
"Now then," Alenna continued, her tone firm yet encouraging, "follow my instructions exactly as I give them."
Ignis gave a firm nod, his excitement to attempt the spell growing stronger.
From that day forward, his training intensified. Mornings were spent training with his parents, honing his combat skills under their watchful eyes. Later, he focused on refining his mana control, pushing himself further in his efforts to advance the flow of mana within the Hogyoku. Every session brought him one step closer to achieving his third evolution.
Days turned into weeks, each one marked by relentless training alongside Evan and Alenna. Slowly but surely, Ignis grew stronger.
----
After four and a half months of rigorous training and dedication, Ignis finally underwent his third evolution, successfully breaking through to the esteemed rank of a 1-Star Knight and a 1-Circle Mage. This significant advancement marked yet another milestone in his journey, solidifying his rapid growth and potential.
Upon witnessing their son's remarkable progress, Alenna and Evan could not contain their joy and pride. To their knowledge, no one else had ever achieved such an extraordinary feat at such a young age. In just nine months, Ignis had reached a level that only a handful of exceptionally talented children from noble families could hope to attain—though they were aware that some prodigies might still surpass this pace. Even so, Evan and Alenna were convinced that within the borders of the Lunar Kingdom, Ignis's astonishing progress placed him among the fastest, if not the fastest, to ever achieve such heights.
Since his evolution had been completed early in the morning, the rest of the day presented a perfect opportunity to put his newfound strength to the test. His parents, eager to witness the extent of his improvement, wasted no time in preparing for a thorough evaluation. Without hesitation, they took him to the family's private training grounds. They were eager to see how well he had mastered the Draconic Flame technique, along with the various spells he had been practicing. Today would not just be a test—it would be proof of how far Ignis had come.
To truly measure Ignis's progress in both magic and swordsmanship—especially his mastery of the Draconic Flame Technique—a sparring match was the best way forward. It would push his limits, revealing just how far he had come since his last evolution. And that was exactly what they planned to do.
Evan stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on his son. There was pride in his eyes, but also the disciplined scrutiny of a seasoned warrior. "Ignis, don't hold back. Use everything you have," he instructed. "I want to see your full strength and assess how far you've progressed."
Ignis met his father's gaze and nodded, determination burning within him. He could feel the power surging through his body, his newfound strength urging him to be tested. "I want to see it too," he said, gripping his sword tightly. "I need to know how much power I can truly wield."
The two took their positions in the training ground, standing a few paces apart. Each of them held an iron sword, their grips firm and steady. The air between them grew thick with anticipation, a silent tension settling over the field.
For a brief moment, neither moved. They studied each other, waiting for the perfect opening. Then, with a sharp breath, the duel began.
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