[Explosive Flame]

[Rank: Rare]

[Proficiency: 28%]

[Details: You can conjure flames that detonate on impact. The size of the explosion scales with mana invested. Detonation radius: 2 meters. Explosions affect all targets within radius, including the caster. +40% Damage.]

After two hours of constant use, spamming the skill dozens—perhaps hundreds—of times, he'd only raised it from zero proficiency to 28%.

This is going to take longer than I thought, Moon realised with growing concern.

Twenty-two hours remained on the Pyromancer class duration. If raising the skill from zero to 28% took two hours, reaching full proficiency or evolution would require... substantially more time than he had available. Especially since he had a massive boost in comprehension due to his previous experience with the fire element.

Unless he found a way to accelerate proficiency gains dramatically, he was not going to acquire the skill, at least not this time.

Moon didn't bother approaching the Dugbog's corpse. Although he had contributed to the fight, it was nowhere near as much as Kael and the others, who had been battling the beast for a considerable time before his arrival. The corpse rightfully belonged to them.

He began walking toward where Kael sat recovering, his eyes briefly noting the scorched grass beneath the exhausted pyromancer.

The young prodigy looked drained but alert. His head lifted as Moon approached, and his crimson-red eyes began tracking Moon as he approached.

Before Moon could get within five meters, Marcus stepped into his path, one hand resting casually on his sword hilt.

"Stop there," Marcus said, his tone polite but firm. "You helped, and we appreciate it. But that doesn't mean we trust you."

Moon stopped immediately, raising his hands slightly to show he meant no harm.

He understood Marcus's concern completely. Kael was currently exhausted and vulnerable, unable to defend himself properly if Moon harboured hostile intentions. As the heir of the Glassy Group—one of the most powerful families in the Second Sanctuary—Kael was coveted by many who could threaten his family for ransom, or simply eliminate a young genius competitor before he could outgrow his father and become a powerful threat to rival factions.

Kidnapping or assassination of prodigies wasn't uncommon in the Awakener world, especially when targets came from prestigious families. Marcus was simply doing his job as a bodyguard.

"That technique at the end," Moon said directly from where he stood, keeping his distance. "What was it?"

Kael studied him for a long moment, those red eyes seeming to pierce through Moon's intentions. Finally, he responded with a question of his own. "Is that any of your business?"

Moon stayed silent for a moment, considering the fair point, before shaking his head. "You're right, my apologies."

He'd realised his mistake immediately. He'd gotten too excited about the prospect of achieving a similar breakthrough, letting his enthusiasm propel him to ask a question that most knew not to ask.

Revealing details of powerful techniques could create vulnerabilities, give enemies information to exploit, or simply lose competitive advantages. In a world where power determined survival, knowledge about abilities was often more valuable than magical weapons.

"Fair enough," Moon said, changing the topic. "Are you staying in this hunting ground, or moving on?"

Kael's eyebrow raised slightly at the change of subject. "Why do you ask?"

Before Moon could respond, multiple sounds went off simultaneously from the group's bodies. Marcus and the others quickly retrieved devices that Moon recognised.

Communication devices, one of the more advanced pieces of technology that the First Sanctuary possessed. Since this world lacked the infrastructure for signal towers and widespread communication networks, awakeners had developed magical-technological hybrids that allowed for long-distance contact despite the limitations.

Of course, the range wasn't nearly as extensive as Earth's cellular networks, but it was sufficient for coordinating within regional zones.

Each base had a different communication device that it gave to its powerful awakeners, so a device in another base would not be connected to the same channel as the Ironpeak base.

"Alert! To all awakeners, prepare for combat! Those currently outside the walls return immediately and assist with defence operations. Ironpeak is under attack by hostile forces!"

The message repeated twice before Kael and his group deactivated their communication devices. The device was circular in shape, made of a dark metal with a single button in the centre of it, for the sole purpose of answering and ending transmissions.

The group had noticed that Moon didn't possess the same communication device, but they didn't comment on the matter; it didn't concern them. Kael drank a stamina-restoring potion and stood with visible effort, his exhaustion still evident but manageable compared to minutes before.

The archer, who had immediately departed when the alarm sounded, returned moments later, leading special mounts that Moon recognised almost instantly.

A whole set of direhorses…they are filthy rich.

The creatures were magnificent. Standing on six legs, direhorses came with light blue coats.

Direhorses were renowned for their incredibly high stamina and agility, capable of maintaining rapid speeds for hours without tiring. They were among the best, if not the absolute best, riding mounts available in the entire First Sanctuary.

And of course, the heir of the Glassy Group would have access to such mounts. These weren't just transportation; they were a symbol of status and power.

Compared to Mirage, these mounts were many levels higher. Moon estimated they were at least level fifteen, possibly higher, with enhanced attributes specifically bred for speed and endurance.

Kael mounted his direhorse with a single leap. Then, he turned toward Moon with his usual aloof expression. "We're returning to our base. I'm not sure which settlement you're from, but give us your name. I'll have them send you your share of the beast's materials."

He's not too bad, Moon thought, a small smile forming on his face.

Kael possessed proper etiquette. Unlike others who might refuse to share rewards with an outsider, or even outright kill him and loot his corpse while he was outnumbered, Kael had decided to honour Moon's contribution despite the urgent situation requiring their immediate departure.

"Don't worry about it," Moon said. "I'm sure we'll meet... very soon."

Kael stared at Moon for a moment, his red eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to decipher the meaning behind those words. Then he turned his head forward, nudging his direhorse into motion.

The creature began galloping, its six legs moving in sync. The rest of the group followed Kael, and within moments, the group had disappeared into the forest. Leaving a fifty-meter radius of damnation as evidence.

Moon stood alone in the aftermath of battle, surrounded by scorched earth, broken trees, and the lingering smell of blood.

He had twenty-two hours left on the Pyromancer class. A war was apparently brewing at Ironpeak Base. And he still needed to master Explosive Flame if he wanted to evolve it to Epic rank.

Moon turned and began jogging back toward where he'd left Mirage hidden. It was time to return to the base and see what this attack was all about. And perhaps find more opportunities to train his newly acquired skill in actual combat conditions.

War, after all, provided the best training grounds.

Neigh! Snort!

Mirage immediately welcomed Moon onto his back, nuzzling against him affectionately. The horse was clearly relieved that he hadn't been abandoned.

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