The morning sun cast a golden hue over the training grounds, its warmth a mere whisper compared to the fire Leon now commanded.
A week had passed since his fire resistance training had begun. Each day, his grandfather increased the intensity, raising the heat, prolonging his exposure, and forcing him to push his limits. The initial discomfort had faded, replaced by a growing sense of familiarity with fire's nature. It no longer felt foreign to him—it was becoming an extension of himself.
But Leon knew he had only scratched the surface.
This morning, as he sat before his grandfather, the old man's expression was contemplative. "Your control has improved, but control alone is meaningless if you don't have the instincts to use it in combat."
Leon's golden eyes flickered. Combat?
His grandfather smirked. "It's time you learn the first step of fire-wielding in battle—flame projection."
Leon perked up at that. He had only managed to make the fire shift slightly before, but projecting it outward was a different challenge entirely.
"Watch closely."
The old man raised a single finger. A small flame flickered to life at the tip, steady and controlled. Then, in an instant, it shot forward in a thin, precise stream of fire, dissipating before it could reach the ground.
Leon's eyes gleamed.
"Flame projection is the foundation of every fire technique," his grandfather explained. "Before you think about casting spells, you must first learn to expel fire efficiently."
Leon nodded, his tiny hands reaching forward. He concentrated, drawing fire mana into his palm. A small ember flickered to life, wavering uncertainly. He attempted to push it forward—but the flame merely sputtered out.
"Again," his grandfather said firmly.
Leon grit his teeth and tried once more.
And again.
And again.
The flames would appear, but they would not move forward as he willed them. His body was too young, his control too unrefined. Frustration gnawed at him, but he refused to stop.
His mother, Seraphina, watched from the sidelines, worry flickering in her violet eyes. "Father, is this truly necessary? He's still so young."
Her father exhaled through his nose. "He's growing faster than we expected. His mind is not that of an ordinary child—if we limit him based on his physical age, we'll only slow him down."
Seraphina bit her lip but remained silent. She knew her father was right. She could feel the difference in Leon's mana, the unnatural sharpness in his golden eyes. He was no ordinary infant.
Leon, overhearing their exchange, clenched his fists. He wasn't going to let his mother's worries hold him back.
His grandfather's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Fire is not just an element—it is an emotion." His tone was calm, but there was weight behind his words. "It reacts to your will, but it also responds to your intent."
Leon inhaled deeply.
Intent.
He thought back to his past life—to the helplessness he once felt, to the drive that now pushed him forward.
He wanted strength. He needed it.
With that thought burning in his mind, he willed the fire forward once more.
This time, something changed.
The ember in his palm stretched forward—just for an instant—before flickering out.
It wasn't much.
But it was progress.
His grandfather's eyes gleamed with approval. "There it is."
Leon exhaled, feeling the first stirrings of something powerful within him.
This was just the beginning.
And he was ready for more.