The day before the entrance exam arrived with a quiet stillness, a feeling of anticipation I couldn't shake. My birthday had come and gone, but it wasn't the joyful celebration it used to be. The memories of what happened on this day eight years ago still lingered in the corners of my mind, refusing to let me forget.
Downstairs, the smell of burnt food drifted through the house. I knew exactly what that meant before I even stepped into the kitchen.
"Morning, Grandpa," I greeted, a faint smile tugging at my lips as I walked in.
Grandpa, with his gray hair disheveled and his glasses perched precariously on the tip of his nose, waved a spatula at the pan. "Ah, good morning, Ryujin! I was trying to make some eggs, but you know… things got a little out of hand." He chuckled, the smoke alarm blaring in the background.
I shook my head fondly. "Grandpa, one of these days, we'll have to get you a fire extinguisher instead of a spatula."
Grandpa just shrugged, unbothered. "Ain't no fire that can't be handled. Besides, I'm not that bad, am I?" He grinned, but I could see the weariness in his eyes.
I stood at the counter, lost in thought for a moment. Tomorrow was the day. Tomorrow, I would face the exam that would decide whether or not I could join Aurora Academy, a school designed to train heroes—heroes like the ones I had always admired. The ones I was supposed to become.
I had hoped for this moment since I was little, even as the fire inside me began to burn out of control. I had dreamed of joining the academy, of learning to control my powers, of proving that I could be more than the kid who destroyed his home. But as the time drew nearer, doubts clouded my mind. Could I really do this? Could I really become a hero when I could barely control the fire that lived inside me?
"Grandpa, do you think I can do this?" I asked, my voice softer than I meant it to be.
Grandpa set the spatula down, wiping his hands on his apron. "You've got a fire inside you, literally. And you should be proud of that. You have a strong power—use it for good. That's all there is to it. Fire is hot. You'll get burned along the way, but once you get good at it, even the hottest fire will feel cold."
I nodded, though the words didn't completely erase the fear gnawing at my gut. My grandparents had always been supportive, ever since the night of the fire. They had taken me in, given me a home, but nothing could erase the shame that came with what happened. I had lost control. I couldn't save them. And tomorrow, I was going to face it all over again.
A pair of arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind, and I turned slightly to see Grandma giving me a reassuring hug.
"Don't be so scared," she whispered. "It'll all be okay. I'm sure of it. You'll be okay."
Grandpa folded his arms, his expression turning more serious. "You're a special case, so I'll warn you now. You'll be fighting against an instructor for your entrance exam. That's why we trained you in fighting from an early age. We knew this day would come."
I stiffened at his words. It was true that Grandpa had taught me how to fight, but I had always assumed he just didn't want me to fall behind others.
"I understand, Grandpa," I said firmly. "I'll do my best. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't, my boy."
---
The next day, I entered the exam hall, a massive, sterile chamber with high ceilings and an air of authority. Several instructors stood near the walls, their gazes sharp and unreadable. Some of the other students being tested whispered amongst themselves, casting occasional glances my way. They knew. They had to. My test wasn't like theirs.
At the far end of the hall, a set of heavy doors loomed. Whatever lay beyond them would determine my future.
A man in a dark suit approached me, his presence cold and professional. "Ryujin, due to your unique abilities, you will undergo a special evaluation. This is not simply a test of strength or skill. It is a test of your control. You are here to prove that you can master what you have within you. We'll take you to the arena now."
I took a deep breath and nodded.
The doors creaked open, revealing the arena beyond.
---
The arena was massive—stone floors scorched with the remnants of past battles, towering walls lined with torches, their flames flickering like watchful eyes. The air was thick with the scent of burnt stone and something else—something sharp, like ozone. The moment I stepped inside, I could feel the weight of the place pressing down on me.
Across from me stood my opponent. He had piercing golden eyes and a scar running down his left cheek. His uniform was crisp, but his stance told me everything—I was about to fight someone leagues beyond me.
"Ryujin," his voice was steady, unreadable. "My name is Kaien, and I'll be your opponent today. Your test is simple. Show me you belong here."
I swallowed, shifting my stance. My hands clenched into fists as I felt the energy within me stir, the familiar warmth crawling through my veins. Could I really use my fire at a time like this? What if I hurt him? No. I can't think like that. Not anymore. I just have to win. I just have to beat him.
"Begin!"
Kaien moved first. A blur of motion. My instincts screamed at me to dodge, but I barely saw his fist before it crashed into my guard. The impact sent a shockwave through my arms, my feet skidding back against the stone. He didn't stop—another strike came, then another. Each blow faster than the last.
I ducked, pivoted, then lashed out with a flame-coated punch aimed straight for his ribs. But he was already gone. A gust of wind followed, and before I could react, a searing force struck my side.
I hit the ground hard. Pain shot through my ribs, but I didn't stay down. I rolled, using the momentum to spring back to my feet, flames igniting along my arms.
Kaien nodded slightly. "Good. You can take a hit."
I gritted my teeth. I wasn't here to just take hits.
With a sharp inhale, I focused. The fire inside me roared to life, swirling around my fists as I launched forward. This time, I moved faster. My fist met his block, but I twisted mid-motion, using my other hand to send a jet of flame toward his feet.
Kaien leaped over it effortlessly. "Better."
He landed—and then he was gone.
My instincts screamed. I spun just in time to see him materialize behind me, his palm already thrusting toward my chest. No time to dodge.
I reacted without thinking. My flames surged outward, a wave of heat exploding between us. The sheer force sent both of us skidding back.
For the first time, Kaien smirked.
"Enough."
I stood there, chest heaving, flames still flickering at my fingertips. The silence was deafening.
Then, he nodded. "You pass."
Relief flooded through me, but I refused
to let it show. I exhaled, letting the fire die down.
"Welcome to the academy."