I stood in the center of the square, the eyes of every wizard in Wizard City fixed on me. The air was thick with anticipation, whispers rippling through the crowd. I could still feel the lingering heat of the fire elemental I'd conjured moments ago, its flames dancing in the memory of those watching. This wasn't just a demonstration anymore—it had become a trial. I had to prove myself, not just to these wizards, but to myself.
The wizard who had called me out—Valdir, as I later learned—stepped closer, his long robe trailing on the cobblestones. His expression remained stern, eyes narrowing as they took in every movement I made. "You've shown us a glimpse of your power, boy," he said, voice cold. "But magic is not just about spectacle. It's about control. It's about understanding. Do you understand the consequences of wielding such power?"
I swallowed hard, keeping my gaze steady. "I do. And I've spent the last year learning to control it."
Valdir's lip curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Control? Let's see, then."
He gestured to the far side of the square, where several magical constructs suddenly appeared—floating dummies made of enchanted wood and stone. They hovered in the air, eyes glowing faintly with magical energy. "These constructs will serve as your targets. Show us your mastery. Show us you can control your fire."
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everyone's expectations. This was it. There was no room for hesitation. My reputation, my place in this city—it all hinged on this moment.
I focused, drawing on the fire that burned within me. I could feel the heat rise in my veins, like an old friend eager to be unleashed. With a flick of my wrist, I sent a stream of fire towards the nearest construct. The flames twisted and turned in midair, striking the target with precision. The wooden dummy erupted into a burst of ash and smoke, the magic holding it together dissipating in an instant.
The crowd murmured in approval, but Valdir remained impassive. "Impressive," he said. "But one shot does not make you a master."
I nodded, already summoning more flames. This time, I conjured several fireballs at once, sending them spinning toward the remaining constructs. Each one struck true, exploding in a shower of embers that illuminated the darkening square. The air grew hotter, the flames casting long shadows on the faces of the onlookers.
But I wasn't done yet.
I concentrated harder, feeling the Elemental Monarch power surging through me. With a deep breath, I raised both hands and summoned an actual fire elemental—larger than the ones I had summoned in the past. It rose from the ground, its form made entirely of roaring flames, flickering brightly against the evening sky.
The crowd gasped, a few wizards stepping back in awe or fear. The elemental hovered beside me, obedient and powerful, waiting for my command.
Valdir's eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of respect in his gaze. "Very well," he said, his voice steady. "You have control. But control is only one aspect of magic. Let's see how you handle a real opponent."
He raised his hand, and suddenly, the air around me shifted. I could feel the magic swirling, and before I could react, a figure appeared—another construct, but this one was different. It was humanoid, with sharp, glowing eyes and long, jagged arms that crackled with magical energy. It moved with purpose, stepping toward me with eerie grace.
"A duel," Valdir said, stepping back. "Show us how you handle a true challenge."
The construct lunged at me without warning, its jagged arms slashing through the air. I barely had time to react, throwing up a wall of fire between us. The construct hesitated, its glowing eyes flickering as it assessed the situation. But it wasn't done. It charged again, this time circling around the flames, trying to catch me off guard.
I gritted my teeth and summoned more fire, this time directing the elemental to attack. The fiery creature leapt forward, colliding with the construct in a blaze of heat and light. They clashed in a furious exchange of blows, the elemental's flames wrapping around the construct's limbs, trying to melt the magic that held it together.
But the construct was strong. It pushed back, breaking free of the elemental's grasp and charging toward me once more. I had no choice but to act fast. With a flick of my wrist, I unleashed **Power Shriek**—the sound burst from me like a shockwave, hitting the construct square in the chest. The force of the shriek caused the air to ripple, and the construct staggered, its glowing eyes dimming for a moment.
I didn't hesitate. Using the opening, I summoned a spear of fire and hurled it directly at the construct. The flames pierced its chest, and for a brief second, the construct stood frozen in place. Then, with a crackling sound, it crumbled to the ground in a pile of smoking debris.
The square fell silent.
I stood there, chest heaving, my body trembling from the exertion. The fire elemental beside me flickered out, its purpose fulfilled. The only sound was the soft crackle of the remaining flames, slowly dying in the evening breeze.
Valdir approached, his expression unreadable. "You have power, boy," he said, his voice quieter now. "And control. But power alone is not enough. You will need much more than that to face what's coming."
I met his gaze, my heart still racing. "I know," I said. "But I'm ready to learn."
For the first time, Valdir smiled. It was small, barely noticeable, but it was there. "Then you may yet survive the storm."
---
**Later That Night**
The square had emptied, the crowds dispersing after the duel. I sat alone on the edge of a fountain, staring into the still water, the events of the day replaying in my mind. I had proven myself—at least for now. But the looming threat of the Lich hung over me like a shadow. Valdir had been right. Power was just the beginning. There were forces at work that I didn't fully understand yet, and if I was going to survive, I needed to learn everything I could.
The sound of footsteps broke my thoughts. I turned to see Lila approaching, her face filled with a mixture of awe and concern. "That was... amazing," she said softly. "I've never seen magic like that before."
"Thanks," I replied, my voice quiet. "But it's not enough."
She sat down beside me, her eyes fixed on the water. "The Lich, right? You think he's coming?"
"I know he is," I said, feeling the weight of the truth settle in my chest. "And when he does, I need to be ready."
Lila nodded, her expression serious. "Then we'll get ready. Together. There are others, too—wizards who want to fight. We just need to find them."
I looked at her, surprised by the determination in her voice. "You want to help?"
"Of course," she said, offering a small smile. "This isn't just your fight, Nelson. It's all of ours. The Lich is a threat to everyone in Ooo. If we don't stop him, no one will."
Her words echoed in my mind, and for the first time, I felt a sense of relief. I wasn't alone. Maybe I hadn't won over everyone in Wizard City, but there were people—wizards—who were willing to stand with me.
"I'll start looking for allies," I said, nodding to myself. "We'll need all the help we can get."
Lila smiled, her eyes shining with hope. "We'll find them. And when the time comes, we'll be ready."
I stared out at the city, the flickering lights of Wizard City glowing softly in the distance. The road ahead was going to be long, but for the first time in a year, I didn't feel like I was walking it alone.