Sirab had been reading the ancient book for hours, carefully studying every line. Meanwhile, Minzu and Mizuchi were resting nearby, giving him space. After a long time spent flipping through its pages, Sirab finally closed the book and said, "These magics are much harder than the others. I already know how to use six types of magic. If I want to, I can learn even more, but these dark spells are on another level."
Minzu nodded. "I told you—only a few people in history have ever mastered this."
Sirab didn't look away. "That's why I'll master it. This magic... it's the best kind I've ever seen. It fits me. I'll train, and I'll become stronger than ever before."
He paused for a moment, deep in thought. "But there's something different about dark magic. It doesn't have a special attack like other types. It's mostly made for defense and monster control. But I'm a fighter... so I'll have to combine it with other elements when I battle."
Minzu stood up from the stone he'd been sitting on. "Then let me show you something."
He raised his hand and shouted, "Fire Magic—Great Dragon!"
A massive dragon made entirely of fire burst out from Minzu's palm, soaring through the air and igniting the sky in a blaze of power. The flames roared and lit up the mountainside. Sirab was shocked. "That's amazing. Only one person I know could use fire magic that well... Azzel. He was extremely powerful."
Minzu smiled calmly. "Now it's your turn."
Sirab stood up, clenching his fists. "Dark Night—Dark Arrows!"
From his hands, a storm of black arrows—made of shadows and dark energy—shot out and spread across the area. Everything they touched was destroyed. The sky dimmed with the power of the attack.
Minzu looked impressed. "How much of your power did you use for that?"
"Maybe five percent," Sirab said.
"I only used one percent when I summoned the dragon," Minzu replied. Sirab looked at him again, wide-eyed.
Minzu stepped forward. "Magic grows stronger the more you train, but it also connects with your emotions. Focus on a single target. Use your pain, your emotions—that's where your true power comes from."
Sirab nodded. "I'll work harder."
Just then, Mizuchi approached. "Brother, it's getting late. We should go home now."
Minzu agreed. "Let's go, Sirab."
But Sirab shook his head. "No. I'll train here tonight. I have to."
"The weather is very cold," Minzu warned.
"I can use fire to stay warm. And I'll use the stone shelter Mizuchi made. I need this."
Minzu looked at him seriously, then nodded. "Fine. Be careful." He activated his teleportation magic, and both he and Mizuchi vanished from the mountain.
Now Sirab was alone.
"I will become the strongest," he whispered to the night. "For you—my mother, my father, my friends, my tribe. I'll never let anyone feel the pain I've felt. I will destroy the kingdom. Let the training begin."
Somewhere else, Mizuchi looked up at the stars. "You believe in him so quickly, brother?"
Minzu replied, "He's violent... but he has the heart of an angel. And no one can leave this mountain without my portal. It's completely sealed."
"Still..." Mizuchi sighed.
Minzu placed a hand on her shoulder. "I believe in him. He can defeat the dragon. But he needs our help. Let's rest—we'll talk tomorrow."
That night, Minzu and Mizuchi shared food and eventually fell asleep. By morning, Mizuchi gently woke her brother.
"Let's go see Sirab."
"Of course," Minzu replied. "Just let me prepare."
After a few minutes, he was ready. He opened a portal using his magic, and they both stepped through it. As they exited, they looked over the mountain—and were stunned. The peak had been torn apart. Scars of different kinds of magic were everywhere.
"I hope he didn't kill himself," Minzu said.
"Don't say that," Mizuchi snapped.
They walked toward the stone shelter Mizuchi had created earlier. Inside, they found Sirab sleeping. Minzu stopped her. "Let him sleep. He's been through a lot. We'll get some food ready."
He handed Mizuchi a sheep. "Let's cook this."
As they began roasting the meat, Sirab stirred awake. He felt someone nearby and opened his eyes. Mizuchi was crouched by the fire.
"Good morning, Sirab," she said softly.
"Good morning. I guess I slept too long," he replied, rubbing his eyes. "Smells like the meat's ready."
"It is," she smiled.
Minzu walked over. "Sirab, how was your training?"
"It went well," Sirab answered proudly. "I even developed a fighting style of my own."
"Good," Minzu nodded. "Let's eat, and then we'll continue your training."
After their meal, the three of them walked toward the training area Sirab had been using. Mizuchi stepped forward. "I'll fight him first."
Sirab cracked his knuckles. "I'm ready."
Just as the fight was about to begin, Minzu said, "I'm joining too."
Mizuchi raised an eyebrow. "That's too much for Sirab. He'll lose."
"No," Minzu replied. "He's stronger than you think."
Sirab smiled. "Let's find out just how powerful you really are. Let's fight!"
With that, Mizuchi started her magic. Flying stones launched toward Sirab from all directions, but Sirab was ready...
All the stones around Sirab rose and hurled toward him like a storm of blades.
Sirab took a deep breath and shouted, "Dark Shield!"
A shadowy dome of energy formed instantly around him. The stones struck with tremendous force—but instead of crushing him, they were deflected and sent flying back in all directions.
Many of the rocks flew toward Mizuchi. Her eyes widened as she gasped, shocked by Sirab's new power. But she was fast. She raised her hand and summoned her own defense.
"Stone Shield!" she yelled, slamming her foot into the ground.
A wall of solid earth rose to protect her, blocking the incoming stone barrage just in time.
As the dust cleared, Mizuchi didn't wait. "Killer Mountain!" she called out.
From all sides, massive stone pillars erupted from the ground, aiming to crush Sirab from every direction.
Sirab dashed between the attacks using his electric magic, bolts of lightning flashing as he moved. The ground exploded behind him, but he was faster than before. Stronger.
Minzu watched silently, his arms crossed. "You've improved," he muttered. "But let's see how you handle this."
He stepped forward, his aura flaring up.
"Fire Path!" Minzu shouted.
Flames burst from his palms, swirling around his body like a tornado. His entire face was glowing with fire. It wasn't just magic—it was like a furnace of pure destruction.
A wave of fire surged toward Sirab, setting the battlefield ablaze.
Mizuchi gasped, "Brother! You'll kill him!"
But at that very moment, the flames stopped mid-air and were absorbed into a black swirling portal.
Minzu's eyes narrowed. "Impossible... he absorbed it?"
Out of the smoke stepped Sirab, his body glowing faintly with dark energy.
He raised his hand. "Now take it back!"
Sirab unleashed the stored fire through his own magic. A blazing column of dark flame rushed toward Minzu.
Minzu grinned. "Smart move… but I'm smarter."
With a flick of his fingers, Minzu opened a portal in the air. Sirab's attack was pulled into it and sent harmlessly into the sky.
"You're learning fast, Sirab," Minzu said. "But you still know nothing about real war."
Sirab didn't answer. Lightning sparked across his body. With a roar, he activated his electric magic again and charged straight at both of them.
But this time, the stones reacted. The entire ground beneath him shifted. A trap.
Huge blocks of rock burst upward, trapping Sirab inside a solid stone cage.
Minzu walked closer. "I was wrong. You have power, but not experience."
Then Mizuchi stepped forward. "Should I open the trap?"
Before Minzu could answer, the air grew cold.
From the shadows behind them, a figure emerged—dark and cloaked in swirling black energy.
Sirab stood there, calm and deadly.
"You're fighting a shadow," he said coldly. "The real me is right here."
He had used a clone. The trap had caught an illusion.
Minzu smiled. "So, you've learned deception too. Not bad. But let's stop playing now."
He stomped the ground.
Flames erupted from his body. His clothes transformed into glowing fire robes. On his chest, a burning symbol appeared—a dragon made of fire.
Sirab stared. "That's... the Dragon Fire King mark."
Minzu raised his arms, and from his body, a dragon of fire exploded out with a roar. Its wings spread wide, flames come from all his body
"Face the Fire King's Wrath!" Minzu bellowed.
Sirab called out, "Dark Shield!" again, but this time, the fire was too much. It broke through the barrier and slammed into him.
The explosion shook the mountain.
Sirab crashed to the ground, smoke rising from his body. He coughed and tried to stand. His dark energy flickered, but he was still breathing.
Minzu stood tall, his flaming dragon circling above.
"This is how you want to teak revenge of your family sirab ," Minzu said .
Sirab wiped the blood from his lip and smiled.
"You haven't seen what I can really do yet."