Chapter 293

In the middle of the training yard.

Three girls stood there.

Among them, one of them, Ar, could barely contain her excitement as her pointed ears twitched restlessly.

“To be able to learn an Aura Skill directly from Lady Aron!”

What an incredible honor it was!

While Ar’s blue eyes sparkled continuously, Eiran glanced sideways — sideways — at Berkiya standing beside her.

‘To be learning together with my ancestor…’

Berkiya, the Fairy Knight.

The great hero who led the Elves after the Era of Catastrophe had ended. As a disciple of the founder of the Star Cloud, Luna, she remained till her last day, as the guardian of the Elves.

Thus, Eiran liked the tales of Berkiya just as much as she liked Luna, not simply because Berkiya was an ancestor of her house and a great hero.

The Berkiya in the stories was always dignified. As a disciple of the Great Heroes, she always did her best to never tarnish their name.

For the timid young Eiran, it was impossible not to be captivated by these tales.

And now, she was going to learn martial arts from the Great Hero, Aron, alongside such a hero.

“Wow! I’m nervous!”

As Eiran showed a nervous expression, Berkiya glanced at her and asked,

“Why have you been looking at me like that for so long?”

“Huh? Oh, n-no! I mean! Th-that!”

Caught off guard by the slightly sharp look, Eiran quickly bowed her head low, her face turning red as she said,

“It’s because you’re so beautiful.”

As she looked steadfastly at Eiran, who spoke in a barely audible voice, Berkiya replied,

“You’re pretty enough yourself, you know.”

“R-really?”

Eiran was genuinely delighted, and even though Berkiya looked at her with a suspicious expression, Eiran’s gaze remained innocently happy.

Sha-shak! Berkiya approached Ar.

“Say, don’t you think she’s a little strange?”

“Looks normal to me.”

“Normal?”

Berkiya opened her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Why does she look at me with such a nostalgic and passionate gaze? Could she possibly have a crush on me? That would be troublesome.”

“I don’t know about her tastes, but the nostalgic and passionate look seems to be normal.”

While Ar was giving her a strange look, Berkiya said,

“Sorry for being late.”

Aron appeared in the training yard.

“Lady Aron!”

“Hieek?”

Excited like a cat, Ar leaped at Aron.

“You’re amazing! I respect you!”

“Get, get back!”

Aron, who was startled, tried to flee as Ar chased after her.

Watching this situation, Berkiya fell into a deep contemplation.

‘Are these two weirdos?’

Aron took a deep breath while looking at the three girls standing in front of her. She found Ar’s excessively shining eyes somewhat scary due to their passionate nature.

Still, Aron had some questions for Ar as well.

“Excuse me… you.”

“Yes!”

“Didn’t you say you could freely use water techniques?”

“Yeah!”

Berkiya’s eyes widened.

‘Able to use water techniques like Master Aron?’

“Can you show me once?”

“Understood!”

As Ar adjusted her breath at Aron’s request, the ability to use water techniques freely was thanks to a unique breathing method. This method involved using the breathing technique to stimulate the Beastman bl**d in her body, thereby forcibly manifesting water powers.

This unique breathing method of Aron would later be passed down to the Beastmen under the name of “Hero’s Breath.”

However, Aron herself had been unable to fully realize the manifestation of water abilities through the same unique resonance.

During her entrance examination, Ar, alongside Leo, managed to conquer Aron’s realm, resulting in her receiving Aron’s breathing technique as a reward, thereby acquiring the ability to use water techniques.

‘My breath.’

Aron’s eyes widened as she saw Ar’s breathing perfectly matching her own.

‘Yet, she doesn’t seem to fully control her water abilities.’

As Aron observed Ar succeeding in using water techniques, she asked,

“Can you use Howling as well?”

“Of course! Should I do it now?!”

“Hold on…!”

“RAAWRWWWWWWWW!”

A fierce roar of a wild beast echoed.

Being sensitive to sound, both Berkiya and Eiran, without realizing it, covered their ears.

Aron held her face in her hands.

Ar looked up excitedly with sparkling eyes, hoping for praise.

“Ouch!”

“That was out of line.”

Berkiya hit Ar on the head, her face distorted.

Shortly thereafter, white-faced individuals gathered around.

“What happened?”

“Strange sounds were heard just now!”

Seeing the training yard suddenly turn into chaos, Ar shrank her neck.

“It’s nothing serious.”

Aron calmed and dismissed the soldiers.

“Yeah, I think I get it.”

Aron nodded her head.

“It seems like you can’t control the power of both the water techniques and the Howling well.”

“Huh?”

Ar’s eyes widened.

She had heard something similar before.

‘The Black Rabbit told me that too.’

Ar’s tail wagged gently.

‘How should I explain this to her? I’ll have to think about it a bit more.’

Crossing his arms and thinking for a while, Aron looked at Berkiya and Eiran.

“Eiran, you seem quite similar to Berkiya.”

“Me? Her?”

“Such a flattering remark…”

Berkiya’s eyes opened lazily, and Eiran was so happy, she didn’t know what to do.

“Yes, it’s akin to being flesh and bl**d with Berkiya.”

Aron’s statement made Ar and Eiran’s bodies shiver.

“Well, in what aspect?”

“You smell the same.”

‘Oh, really, Master Aron.’

‘Sharp!’

If Eiran being Berkiya’s descendant were to be found out, the mission would fail. When Ar and Eiran showed nervous expressions,

“Well, how about you two have a practice battle? You may learn something from each other.”

“That seems right.”

Berkiya nodded, drawing her sword.

“Draw your sword and fight me.”

“It’s an honor.”

Ar’s eyes lit up.

“Master Aron! Can I fight them?”

“No.”

Aron shook her head.

“First, kneel down.”

Tsak!

Ar quickly knelt before Aron.

“Close your eyes.”

Ar closed her eyes.

“Concentrate deeply and don’t move for a while.”

“What effects does this training have?”

“Mental cultivation.”

“Ah! In order not to be swayed by power, it’s definitely necessary to improve focus!”

‘If she calms down, she won’t charge at me anymore, right?’

Ar didn’t know that her respected hero, Aron, was truly afraid of her.

*

Lunia looked at Katariu in front of her with a tense expression.

Fiora, at her side, was nibbling on the chocolate Lunia had given her.

Katariu looked at Lunia with a bored expression.

“What do you think is the essence of flame?”

Lunia answered Katariu’s question.

“I believe it is immortality.”

At this response, Katariu chuckled.

“Why?”

“Because the flames of the Phoenix burn forever.”

“Hm. A typical response from an Elf who handles the flames of the Phoenix.”

Katariu rested her chin on her hand.

“But that’s wrong. The essence of the flame is destruction.”

Katariu’s eyes became cold.

Lunia shivered.

“Even the Phoenix will eventually face extinction. That means the flames we emit are not perfect.”

Huuh-lek~

A white flame appeared in Katariu’s hand.

“The flames of the King of Phoenix, even mine, cannot burn eternally. I’m not an immortal being.”

When Katariu made a fist, the flames dispersed.

“That said, of course, there truly is a flame that never completely fades.”

Katariu smiled enticingly and whispered softly.

“The accursed Catastrophe Flame that burns the world.”

Lunia’s face turned pale.

Seeing this, Katariu smiled slightly.

“So, you have seen it before?”

It was impossible to forget, even if she tried.

The primordial calamity, which delivered overwhelming despair even with just a fragment.

Katariu smiled intensely at Lunia.

“The hateful Black Flame that even the White Flame, which is called by the title of Flame Emperor and used by the kings of the Phoenix line, could only barely block. The true essence of fire is destruction.”

“Flame… Emperor?”

“Hm? The title of ‘Flame Emperor’ as the name of the Phoenix King is a very famous story, isn’t it?”

“W-well, yes.”

It wasn’t a famous story in Lunia’s time.

The bloodline of the Phoenix King ended with the Era of Catastrophe.

The reason Lunia was startled was simple.

“Flame Emperor.”

That was the same name Leo had told Lunia, referring to the failed Luna’s magic.

“Of course, that eccentric old man insists that the essence of fire is creation or something.”

A golden flame sprouted in Katariu’s hand.

“What’s that?”

“It’s Dwenno’s flame. Did that old man say he’d teach you the essence of the flame?”

Katariu raised the corner of her mouth.

“That actually means he intends to give you his own flame.”

“Will he actually… give me his flame? Is that possible?”

“Yes. If you have a flame equal to mine or that of the Great Spirit of Fire, it is indeed possible.”

Upon hearing this, Lunia’s eyes widened.

That is, Dwenno’s flame was on par with the King of the Phoenix and the Great Spirit of Fire.

“The flame can burn more fiercely by devouring flames that are stronger than itself.”

“I… Dwenno’s flame…”

Katariu giggled.

“Though, I personally think there’s absolutely no way you can devour Dwenno’s flame.”

“Why not?”

“Because Dwenno’s flame is special.”

Katariu brought the essence of the flame that Dwenno entrusted to her to Lunia’s eye level.

“Dwenno’s flame burns longer than that of the Phoenix King or the Great Spirit of Fire.”

Lunia swallowed dryly.

“Don’t mess with it, or you’ll be in trouble. You probably won’t d*e, but it’ll hurt so much, it’ll feel like you might. So, what do you say? Will you swallow it?”

Lunia took a deep breath.

“You said I won’t d*e?”

Lunia smirked.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“You’re brave.”

With a lackadaisical expression, Katariu threw the golden flame to Lunia.

Upon catching it, Lunia was startled.

Seeing her hesitating, Katariu rested her chin on her hand and smiled.

“Ingest it.”

With Katariu’s words, Lunia tightly closed her eyes and swallowed Dwenno’s flame into her mouth.

“Huh?”

The fiery heat spreading throughout her body made Lunia kneel down.

Coldly observing Lunia writhing in pain, Katariu signaled to the bewildered Fiora.

“Come here.”

Pee-yak?

Fiora rolled up to Katariu.

“You’re definitely cute like that.”

Pee-yak! Pee-yak!

Excitedly, Fiora rolled around the area.

“However, you’re doing a terrible job at maintaining the dignity of the Phoenix.”

Fiora’s movements suddenly stopped.

Hoo-lek!

The chocolate Fiora was eating vanished without a trace, burning up.

Katariu stood up.

“Beautiful flames come from a healthy mind and a healthy body. So, it’s time for a diet.”

Katariu lifted her leg with a wicked smile.

Hwaaak!

A kick flew toward Fiora as if she were kicking a ball.

“Ah~aaack!”

Frightened, Fiora started running away.

“If you don’t run faster, I’m going to kick you! Hahaha!”

Like an evil witch, Katariu chased after Fiora, who was fleeing.

Hell unfolded in the courtyard of Dwenno’s workshop.

Watching their antics from outside the window, Kal showed a weary expression.

“Can he do that?”

“Let him be.”

Dwenno took out a book from the study.

“Alchemy requires individual effort. This is a record of my alchemy lessons.”

“Can… I really accept such a valuable item?”

“It’s meant for someone else, but why not?”

“Really?”

“Go ahead and read. If you understand even a little, it’s yours.”

Dwenno chuckled and patted Kal’s shoulder.

“You may not be good at other things but your talent for alchemy is clear, so give it a try.”

“…It didn’t sound like praise, and that makes me sad.”

Kal smiled wistfully.

After some time.

Driana walked in as the door opened.

“Master Dwenno! Here it is! A statue carved with all my effort!”

“…”

Dwenno took the statue handed over by Driana.

“Original.”

“Yes! As an artist, I believe originality is important…”

“Kal, right?”

“Um, yes.”

“What do you think this is?”

“It’s a work of art.”

“Ahem.”

Driana dramatically opened her chest.

Dwenno’s expression turned completely cold.

“Tell me the truth.”

“It’s trash.”

As soon as Kal finished speaking, Dwenno immediately threw Driana’s statue against the wall.

Puk-dek!

The sound of the clay cracking echoed.

“Driana, right? Dreaming to be an artist, huh?”

“Um? Yes, indeed!”

“Stop it. Do not defile beauty!”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you give up on being a blacksmith because you couldn’t catch up with me? What made you think you could become an artist with that rotten determination! That trash is art? Is art a joke to you? Do you insult beauty?”

Dwenno grabbed Driana by the collar with his brutish hand and began shaking her.

That fearsome manner made Kal flee to a corner.

“Take the hammer! Create weapons!”

“Huh? But for years, I made only counterfeits of Master Dwenno’s weapons…”

“Instead of wasting materials making that trash, make counterfeits! Weapons! What’s the problem with counterfeits if they can slice enemies and smash things? If they can block enemy attacks, that’s all they need!”

“B-but… don’t weapons deserve to be considered as works of art too? How can you treat weapons like that and…”

“Why are weapons artworks?! Weapons are just tools to break enemy’s heads! Do you dare to equate weapons with art? You uneducated one!”

“Hie-eek!”

Seeing Dwenno’s terrifying stance, Driana was terrified.

Watching from the corner, Kal muttered to himself,

‘No, Master Dwenno shouldn’t be saying such things!’

“Take the hammer! Forge weapons! I can’t tolerate anyone practicing artistry in my sight! If you call yourself an artist somewhere, I’ll break your neck!”