As Aldrich walked away, determined to fulfill his duty to report to the king, Aria, still catching her breath, fixed her gaze on Alex. Despite the evident fatigue marking her face, her eyes burned with unyielding determination. "Before we depart, Alex, I would like one more practice with you," she said firmly, her voice revealing the intense desire to surpass herself. The impressive draw between Aldrich and Alex had ignited in her a spark of ambition, a need to prove herself.
As they began their confrontation, the fire surrounding Aria intensified, each of her movements fueled by flames that enhanced her attacks. Alex, facing this fierce opponent, could feel the heat of the flames as he battled against her, a warmth that reminded him of the winds controlled by his mentor, Eldor. The battle between them was fierce and revealing, culminating in a surprising victory for Aria. Her ability to manipulate fire, surpassing physical exhaustion, left Alex amazed and full of questions.
As they headed to rest and grab a drink at a local tavern, Alex, driven by curiosity, asked about the origin of Aria's impressive mastery of fire. "It's a power I developed during my training at the magic tower, east of the capital. There, among wizards, I learned to materialize my element, enhancing my abilities," explained Aria, her words revealing a world of magical possibilities and intensive training.
Elsewhere, within the confines of the castle, Aldrich stood before the king, sharing his observations on Aria's progress. "She improves day by day, but I still worry if she will be strong enough to face the demon king. He has yet to make his presence known, and I fear that Aria alone, a mere tapestry to maintain the people's hope as a hero, may not be strong enough when the time comes to confront the demon king," he expressed with a mix of respect and concern.
The conversation took a turn when King Leon posed an unexpected question, speculating on the possibility that the true hero had survived and whether Alex could be that person. Aldrich, thoughtful, admitted his uncertainty. "It's hard to say. The battle I had with him showed his potential, but also his limitations. He couldn't fully materialize his aura, and although we achieved a draw, I feel like I could have overcome him even if he had used all his power," he confessed, revealing his doubts about the true nature of Alex and his role in the impending battle.
As the night enveloped the kingdom, Aldrich's words left unanswered questions hanging in the air, further weaving the mystery surrounding the fate of the true heroes and the role each would play in the battle against the shadows threatening their world.