With a semblance of order restored to his newly expanded—and deeply dysfunctional—party, Adam decided it was time for a proper assessment. He focused on Ignis, willing his system to analyze the fiery lizard. A new, simpler status screen appeared, shimmering with a golden hue.

[ Companion: Ignis ]

Species:Sun-Scale Lizard

Bond:Adam Smith (Subordinate)

Level:22

Abilities:

◇Solar Flare (Active): Unleashes a concentrated blast of superheated light and fire. Short range, high damage.

◇Molten Armor (Passive): Scales are superheated, dealing fire damage to attackers on contact. Increases physical defense.

◇Cinder Dash (Active): Engulfs itself in flames and charges forward, leaving a trail of fire.

Adam was impressed. Solar Flare was a powerful, close-range nuke. Molten Armor made Ignis a walking hazard, a perfect deterrent for melee attackers. Cinder Dash offered both mobility and area denial.

The lizard was a natural-born brawler, a perfect frontline tank and damage dealer that complemented his own aerial and strategic prowess. She truly was a valuable asset.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Adam turned to Ignis. "About your flower... I am sorry we took it."

Ignis looked up, its golden eyes wide and earnest. The thought that came back was simple and pure. "No sad. Found better treasure. You. Strong. Shiny."

Adam recoiled slightly. "Is this lizard... trying to flirt with me?" He stared into Ignis's eyes, but saw only genuine, simple-minded adoration and a primal desire to follow strength. There was no guile, just pure instinct. He decided to take it at face value.

Meanwhile, Alice had taken "sticking close" to a new extreme. She had Void Stepped directly onto his back, between his obsidian horns, and was stubbornly refusing to move, her tail occasionally flicking dismissively towards Ignis.

"Alice, you can walk, you know. Or use your own teleport," Adam pointed out, feeling a bit like a living chariot.

"No. This is my spot," she declared, her mental voice leaving no room for argument. "I need to keep an eye on everything."

Adam let out a long, mental sigh. This was his life now.

He beat his powerful, newly evolved wings, lifting off with both Alice perched on his head and Ignis scrambling to cling onto his back with its claws. He was grateful for the increased strength and durability of his form, carrying two passengers would have been impossible before.

They flew over the lava rivers, heading towards a new section of the Molten Deeps where the air shimmered with even more intense heat and the rocks were dotted with strange, fire-resistant crystalline plants. It was the perfect testing ground.

He landed on a wide, stable platform of basalt. "Alright, Ignis. It's time to see what you can really do. Show me your strength."

Ignis hopped down, its scales immediately flaring with excitement. It let out a determined chirp, puffing out its chest. "I fight! For you!"

The earnest declaration was both endearing and slightly concerning.

Adam pointed a coil towards a hulking Magma Brute (Lvl 24), a creature of living rock and lava that was slowly patrolling the edge of a lava fall. It was two levels higher than Ignis and significantly larger. "That one. Show me."

With a determined chirp, Ignis shot forward. The fight was a spectacle of fire and force. The Magma Brute swung a massive, molten fist, but Ignis was surprisingly agile. It used Cinder Dash, not to retreat, but to slide under the blow, the trail of fire it left behind searing the Brute's leg. As it emerged, it unleashed Solar Flare point-blank into the monster's torso. The concussive blast of superheated light staggered the Brute, chunks of its rocky hide splintering off.

The Brute roared and tried to grab Ignis, but the moment its stone fingers closed around the lizard's body, Molten Armor activated. The Brute's hand sizzled and smoked, and it recoiled with a bellow of pain. Ignis, seizing the opening, delivered another Solar Flare to its face, blinding it.

Adam watched, impressed. The lizard's fighting style was instinctual but effective, a perfect blend of hit-and-run tactics and using its own body as a weapon. Its natural resistances made it a formidable tank against fire-based foes.

From her perch on Adam's head, Alice watched the battle with a deeply conflicted expression. When the Magma Brute landed a glancing blow that sent Ignis skidding back, she couldn't help herself.

"Yes! Get him! Smash the stupid lizard!" she mentally cheered for the enemy, her tail twitching with glee.

Ignis, shaken but unharmed, shook its head and charged back into the fray.

Finally, with a well-timed Cinder Dash that knocked the Brute off balance followed by a final, furious Solar Flare to its chest, the Magma Brute crumbled into a pile of inert rock.

[ Defeated: Magma Brute (Lvl 24) ]

[ +48 EXP | +72 EP ]

[ Evolution Points: 307 -> 379/3000 ]

Ignis stood panting on the carcass, its scales glowing triumphantly. Adam sent a pulse of genuine praise. "Well done, Ignis. Your instincts are excellent."

The Sun-Scale Lizard puffed up with pride, chirping happily. "I fight good! For you!"

"Tch," Alice scoffed, looking away. "Lucky shot."

Adam consumed the Brute's remains, the familiar taste of ash and minerals filling his mouth.

[ You have consumed a Magma Brute. ]

[ Fire Breath Fragment: 0.5 -> 0.7/1.0 ]

"Still not enough," he mused. He needed a more potent source of fire.

With the test complete, Adam turned his attention to their main goal. "Ignis, you know this area. Are there other strong monsters here? Ones that breathe fire, like the one we just fought, but maybe... different?"

Ignis's head tilted in thought. Then, its eyes lit up. It recalled something. It chirped and pointed a claw towards a tunnel leading away from the main lava river, one that sloped downwards into a region that seemed even hotter, where the air wavered violently.

"There. Big fire. Big monster. Different," Ignis projected, a mix of excitement and caution in its simple thoughts.

Adam nodded. A new source of power, and perhaps the final challenge they needed to face in the Molten Deeps before moving on.

"Alright then, Let's go see what 'big fire' means."

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