Auren held the blue sword with both hands. His chest rose and fell, his breath hot, but his eyes burned with determination. The desperation in his smile was not weakness—it was resolve.

"I am ready, Master. Mister Lyrax…" he raised the sword toward him, voice trembling with eagerness. "I will challenge you. If you dare, fight me. And teach me."

Lyrax tilted his head back and laughed, a sharp sound echoing across the Hollow Mountain. "Hahaha! Where did that come from, huh?"

But Auren's lips curled into a smirk. "I am no longer the old Auren. I am Hunter Mage Auren Ryuki. From today onward, I will only grow stronger… stronger than anyone. So come down!"

Lyrax's expression shifted—amused yet intrigued. With a single step, he leapt from the high balcony. His robes flared as he descended, cloth and hair carried by the rushing wind. The air bent to his presence. Slowly, gracefully, he landed before Auren, his aura heavy, pressing against the boy's chest.

Lee Wang watched silently from above. Then, with a single snap of his fingers, his body dissolved into a stream of wind—vanishing, leaving the two alone.

Lyrax's voice deepened. "Auren Ryuki. Attack me with all your might."

Auren grinned wildly. "One hundred percent!"

He charged. The blue sword whistled through the air, his steps fast but unrefined, raw with desperation. Lyrax bent his body low, dodging with fluid ease, and then—phattttt!—his foot flashed upward. The kick struck Auren in the chest like a hammer. The boy rolled across the stone ground, coughing dust, clutching his side.

He forced himself back to his feet. Sweat trickled down his face, but his eyes did not dim. "This time… I'll hit you."

Again, he charged. Again, his sword blazed blue. But just as he swung, Lyrax's raised hand froze him in place.

"Stop, Auren."

Auren blinked. His voice was ragged. "What is it? Why stop?"

Lyrax's tone sharpened, no longer amused. "Do not forget—you are a Hunter Mage. Not an ordinary boy with a blade. If you keep fighting me like this, you'll lose every time. Use your hunter ability."

Auren froze, his grip tightening. "…Hunter ability? How? I don't even know what that means."

Lyrax's eyes narrowed. "Close your eyes."

Auren obeyed, lowering his sword, shutting out the world.

"Now feel it," Lyrax said, voice steady as stone. "Feel your power. You are not just Auren—you are a mage now. What do you see?"

Auren's breathing steadied. In the darkness behind his eyelids, something stirred. His heartbeat slowed, his awareness sharpened.

"I… I see something. A faint… red ball. Faded, but burning."

Lyrax's voice cut through the silence. "That is your ability. It is your flame. Use it. Imagine it in your hand. Shape it. Command it."

Auren's brow furrowed. "…Imagine…?"

The boy's palm trembled, and then—fwsshhh.

A flicker appeared. A slow but firm red flare danced in his hand, twisting like living fire, small yet unyielding.

Lyrax's lips curved into a grin. "Open your eyes, Auren."

His eyes shot open, and the sight stunned him. The flare was real, glowing in his palm, dancing like a piece of his own soul set alight.

"Th-this is my ability?" His voice cracked, wonder flooding his chest. "I… I can feel it."

Lyrax chuckled, though his gaze was sharp. "Yes. This is yours. Now use it. Learn its nature. Only then will you know what it can truly do."

Auren stared at the flame in awe, then clenched his teeth, nodding. "I'll master it. No matter what."

Auren smiled, the red flare burning in his palm."I can feel it… this power inside me."

With a roar, he charged. His sword swung down in a heavy slice.

Lyrax leapt effortlessly, his movements calm, almost lazy. Before his feet even touched the ground, Auren twisted mid-step and slashed upward. The blade cut the air, but Lyrax flipped gracefully in midair, his body flowing like water. His toes caught Auren's face with a precise kick—crack!—and the boy slammed into the ground.

"Ghhhaahh!" Auren's scream echoed, his cheek buried in the stone floor. Anger ignited in his chest like wildfire. He pushed himself up, blood dripping from his lip, eyes burning red.

With fury, he swung madly, his sword flashing again and again. But Lyrax's movements were fluid, unnatural. He ducked low, sometimes flipping onto his hands like a cat, his body twisting away at the last possible second. Every dodge was effortless, taunting, making Auren's rage boil.

"Why?! I'm so fast—yet I can't even touch him!" Auren's thoughts screamed.

In a blur, Lyrax's hand shot out. His grip clamped onto Auren's wrist—the one holding the sword. Auren froze, shocked.

"H-how? At this speed?!"

Lyrax's eyes sharpened, his voice cutting like steel. I can see every thought on your face. Remember, Auren—I am not some common foe. I am Lyrax. King of Rompo. Commander of the elite ranks. You could train for five years, ten years, and still…" His tone sank into a cold truth. …you would never defeat me."

Auren's breath caught. His chest tightened with a mix of fury and despair."What… what are you saying?! Why is that so?!"

Lyrax leaned close, his eyes burning with pride."Because I am strong. Far stronger than you can imagine."

He snapped his fingers. A burst of wind roared, splitting the cave air.

From the sky above, a colossal figure descended—a winged monkey, its fur dark as night, its wings spanning wide. Its roar thundered across the cavern.HAAAAWWWWWW! HAAAAAEEEWWWWWW!

The ground shook beneath its cry. Auren's eyes widened, his whole body trembling. His voice cracked."Wh-what… what am I seeing?!"

Lyrax laughed, raising his hand toward the beast. You see? This is the difference between us. I came here not to fight you, boy, but to train you.

Auren lowered his head, his body trembling, fists clenched.

Lyrax tilted his head, amused. Then, with a playful grin, he reached out and rubbed the boy's head. "Oh? Did I scare you? Hahaha, you look like a mouse before a hawk.

But when Auren looked up, his lips were curved—not in fear, but in a silent, defiant laugh. His shoulders shook—not from trembling, but from will.

Lyrax blinked, narrowing his eyes. What's this? Why are you laughing?

Auren's voice steadied, his gaze sharp as steel."I'm not afraid.

He raised his sword, pointing it toward the sky where the beast loomed."What I see before me… is exactly what I want to surpass."

Lyrax froze, his grin fading slightly.

Auren's voice grew louder, burning with conviction. Once someone gains vita, it can grow. Through sacrifice. Through hardship. Through blood. Even if my bloodline won't support me… I still have the other two." His chest rose with a fire that refused to die. So mark my words, Lyrax. One day, I will surpass you.

Lyrax laughed as well. He looked at Auren with a condensed gaze. Lyrax: I want that too. I want to see where you go. Now, charge your sword.

Auren: Be ready!

Auren charged his sword, striking right, left, and sideways with determination. Lyrax shifted his position, moving effortlessly to match.

Lyrax: Not bad. Not bad, Auren Ryuki.

Lyrax exhaled deeply—fuuuuu—and a powerful gust of wind burst forth. Auren was sent flying. Thud! Thud! Thud! He crashed to the ground three times before rolling to a stop.

Auren stood, acting strong and hiding his pain, though his body screamed otherwise. How strong is he? Just a little blow sent me this far away…

Auren stood up, gripping his blue sword tightly.Auren: I am a Hunter Mage. I won't go down this easily.

Lyrax smirked.Lyrax: Auren, you can channel your ability into your sword.

Auren frowned.Auren: What do you mean?

Lyrax: Think of it like this—charge your Hunter energy into the blade. When you strike, imagine discharging it at your opponent. Normally… it takes days of training.

Auren closed his eyes, focusing. He willed his red flare into the sword, the energy crackling along the blade like fire breathing life. With a sudden strike, he unleashed it.

Whoooosh!

A burning wave shot forward, tearing through the air toward Lyrax.

Lyrax's eyes widened, his mouth opening in disbelief.Lyrax (thinking): Impossible… in just a single try?!

He raised his hand and deflected the energy with ease, though the force still pressed against him.

Lyrax: You… You truly are Ash Phantom. To master this so quickly…

He chuckled, the weight of destiny pressing on his words.Lyrax: Perhaps it's finally time… to see how your legend unfolds.

Lyrax smirked. "Show me your move now."

Auren tightened his grip on the sword. "I'm just getting started."

Lyrax's eyes gleamed. "You can jump higher than most people—far higher. Didn't you notice?"

Auren blinked, surprised. "You're telling me this now?"

Lyrax shrugged, almost teasing. "It's not for me to tell. It's for you to discover."

Auren's lips curved into a daring grin. "Then be ready—because anything can come your way."

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