Kaiden sat rigid on the Pyric Throne, the searing heat pressing against his skin like a thousand tiny needles. His Flow burned within him, struggling to keep the overwhelming inferno at bay. Every minute felt like an eternity, the fire growing hotter, the hallucinations more vivid.
His mismatched eyes flickered open, catching glimpses of the other participants. Most were trembling, their faces twisted in concentration or outright panic. A few had already succumbed, pulled screaming into the flames below as their Flow faltered.
Kaiden gritted his teeth. Not me. I've been through worse.
Lucian's Struggle
Across the arena, Lucian was struggling to maintain his composure. Sweat poured down his face as his muscles flexed and shifted, his Body Manipulation working overtime to help him endure the oppressive heat.
His Flow reserves were running low, and every second felt like a battle against his own body. The hallucinations clawed at his mind, whispering lies and half-truths. He saw images of his father, Kasir, staring down at him with disappointment. He saw Kaiden laughing at his weakness.
"No," Lucian hissed through clenched teeth. "It's not real. None of it is real."
He refocused, pulling his mind away from the illusions and onto the flames themselves. The key to surviving wasn't brute force—it was precision. He had to control his Flow perfectly, directing it to protect his vital areas without wasting energy.
Kaiden's Discovery
Kaiden, meanwhile, was doing his best to adapt. His Flow reserves were steady, but the increasing intensity of the flames was taking its toll. The hallucinations weren't helping either.
He saw flashes of his village, the raiders burning it to the ground. He heard the screams of his family, saw their faces twisted in pain.
"Shut up," he muttered, shaking his head. "That's all in the past."
Activating Transparent World, Kaiden looked for a way to stabilize himself. The flames surrounding the platform were chaotic, but as he focused, he noticed a pattern in the Flow. The inferno wasn't random—it moved in waves, surging and retreating like a living thing.
It's like breathing, Kaiden realized. If I time my Flow with the rhythm of the flames, I can balance the pressure.
He adjusted his Flow, matching the rhythm of the inferno. The immediate relief was staggering. The heat became bearable, and his mind cleared just enough for him to focus.
The Twist
At the halfway mark, the arena shifted again. The inferno surged, the flames twisting into intricate patterns that danced around the participants.
The guard's voice echoed through the cavern. "Now, shape the flames. Prove your control by forging them into a specific form. Only those who succeed will advance."
Kaiden stared at the flames, his eyes narrowing. He extended his hand, directing his Flow outward to interact with the fire. The heat was intense, but he focused on the shape he wanted—a simple blade.
The flames resisted at first, wild and chaotic, but Kaiden's Flow was steady. Bit by bit, the fire bent to his will, coalescing into a glowing sword.
Lucian, on the other hand, was struggling. His reserves were dangerously low, and the flames refused to obey him. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing.
Think, Lucian. Use what you have.
He activated his Body Manipulation, forcing his hands to move with unnatural precision. With painstaking effort, he guided the flames into a crude, jagged shape—a dagger. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
The Final Minutes
The last ten minutes were a blur of heat and pressure. Kaiden felt his body screaming in protest, his reserves dwindling as he fought to keep his Flow steady. The hallucinations clawed at him, but he refused to give in.
Lucian was in even worse shape. His muscles trembled, his breathing ragged. He was running on pure willpower, his body pushed far beyond its limits.
But they both endured.
As the final seconds ticked away, the flames around the platforms began to recede. The inferno dimmed, and the oppressive heat lifted, leaving behind only silence.
The End of the Exams
Kaiden opened his eyes, his body slumping forward in exhaustion. He had done it. He had survived.
Lucian collapsed onto his platform, gasping for air. His body ached, his reserves were empty, but he was alive.
The guard's voice echoed through the cavern. "Stage 4 has concluded. Congratulations