Mira's body still ached from the brutal training session. Every step sent a sharp reminder through her bruised limbs, the pain settling deep into her bones. Her right leg throbbed the worst, the aftermath of Rhyshe's last strike lingering like a cruel echo. She winced, biting back a groan, but the stiffness refused to fade.
She barely had time to catch her breath before she was summoned again.
The training grounds were already bustling when she arrived. Unlike yesterday, it wasn't just the Seven Devils watching—Kai stood at the front, his golden eyes unreadable. The weight of his gaze pressed down on her, heavy with expectation.
Mira scowled and muttered under her breath, "Ren didn't have to be so ruthless."
Kai's voice cut through the air, calm but firm. "You need control," he said. "Your flame is unstable. If you can't wield it properly, it will destroy you before it destroys anything else."
She clenched her fists. The memory of yesterday's surge—the raw, untamed energy that had slipped through her fingers—still lingered like a phantom. It had felt alive, almost sentient. But the moment she reached for it, something had sealed it away. Again.
Kai gestured toward a set of enchanted dummies lined across the field. "Ignite them."
Mira stepped forward, stretching out her hand. The blue-purple fire flickered into existence, but something was wrong. It was weaker than before, like a caged beast refusing to be summoned. She could feel the power—distant, pulsing beneath the surface—but no matter how hard she pushed, it wouldn't surge the way it had in battle.
Frustration gnawed at her. With a sharp exhale, she hurled the fire at the dummies. It engulfed them, but the heat faded too quickly. The embers sputtered out before they could do any real damage.
Ren scoffed from the sidelines, arms crossed. "You're hesitating again."
"I'm not—" Mira bit back her retort, swallowing her frustration. Deep down, she knew he was right. She had felt something yesterday—something lethal—and now it was locked away, just out of reach.
Kai stepped forward, watching her intently. "That's enough for now," he said, his voice measured. His eyes flickered to her leg, noting the slight limp she was trying to conceal. He exhaled sharply before turning to Ren. "Take her to the infirmary. She's in no condition to keep pushing."
Mira clenched her fists. She wasn't ready to stop. She wanted to break through whatever was holding her magic back. But the pain in her leg was undeniable, a cruel reminder of her limits.
As she limped beside Ren, every step was agony. She stumbled forward, her body betraying her, and before she could hit the ground, Ren caught her effortlessly.
He sighed. "How long before you learn to walk properly?"
Mira glared up at him, irritation flashing in her eyes. "Maybe if someone wasn't so ruthless during training, I wouldn't be half-dead right now."
Ren scoffed but didn't argue. Instead, without warning, he knelt slightly. "Get on," he ordered.
Mira blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. You're too slow. Either get on or crawl there yourself."
Grumbling, she hesitated before reluctantly climbing onto his back. Ren secured his hold and carried her the rest of the way, his steps steady as Mira huffed against his shoulder, too exhausted to argue further.
Meanwhile, in the Grand Master's Chamber…
Kai stood before the Grand Master, his normally composed expression tense. His golden eyes, usually steady, flickered with unease.
"Her flames aren't normal," he stated, his voice low. "It's more than just magic. There was a moment in training where… it felt like they had a will of their own."
The Grand Master exhaled slowly, his aged face unreadable beneath the cascade of white hair. Draped in flowing black robes, he looked like a figure pulled from legends—calm, unwavering, yet carrying the weight of knowledge too dangerous to be spoken aloud.
"Because they do."
Kai's frown deepened. "Then what exactly is she?"
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Then, the Grand Master finally spoke.
"Not all flames are meant to be wielded, Kai. Some are meant to be buried. You would do well to remember that."
Kai's jaw clenched. "You knew." His voice was quiet, but the accusation in it was clear.
"I knew that if left unchecked, she could burn through the very fabric of this world," the Grand Master said, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. "That is why you must guide her. Because if she loses control, not even the Seven Devils will be enough to stop what's inside her."
Kai exhaled sharply. His hands curled into fists at his sides.
The Grand Master's gaze darkened. "But more than that, Kai—her existence is essential. If she does not awaken her true potential, this world may not survive what's coming."
Kai's shoulders tensed. "So we're not just preventing destruction… we're ensuring survival."
The Grand Master nodded. "Focus not on suppressing her flames, but on bringing out what she is meant to become. Only then will she stand a chance."
Kai left the chamber with a weight on his shoulders heavier than ever.
Mira's power wasn't just dangerous—it was a necessity.
And ensuring her survival was now his responsibility.
Later That Night…
Mira stood on her balcony, the cool wind doing little to ease the storm raging inside her. She flexed her fingers, summoning a small wisp of fire. It flickered, struggling to hold its form. A flame without true purpose.
The memory of the fight played over in her mind—the way her power had surged, how it had felt like something was trying to break free. But then, it had vanished. Sealed away.
She gripped the railing tightly.
What the hell is wrong with me?
A voice interrupted her thoughts. "You're too caught up in your own head."
She turned sharply, finding Kai standing behind her. His golden eyes glowed in the dim moonlight. She hadn't even sensed his presence.
"I need answers," she said, her voice quieter than she intended.
Kai studied her for a long moment. Then, finally, he spoke.
"Then be ready for what you might find."
He turned away, but his parting words lingered in the cold night air.
"Tomorrow, we begin unlocking the truth of your fire. And no matter what happens, Mira… don't fear what you are."