Two days had passed.
Nolan stood across from Malric in the clearing, fire still flickering on his fists. His breathing was steady now—controlled. He understood his power better. He could feel it responding to him, bending to his will.
"Let's go again," Nolan said, raising his hand. "Let's see who packs the bigger punch."
Malric grinned. "Good. Let's find out."
They took off—blurring through the forest at impossible speed. The ground cracked beneath each step. Trees bent from the shockwaves of their movements. Nolan was finally keeping pace with Malric. Punches flew—too fast for the eye to follow. Sparks lit the air every time they clashed.
Nolan gritted his teeth. He was stronger now. Stronger than he'd ever been. Stronger than Malric?
Maybe.
After a final, jarring collision, they both jumped back.
Malric landed first. "That was a good warm-up."
Nolan rolled his shoulders. "Then let's move to phase three."
Malric nodded. "All out."
Flames burst to life along Nolan's arms as he summoned fire to his fists. "Let's go."
Malric unsheathed his sword. "Remember—one wrong move, and it's over. This sword doesn't forgive."
Nolan smirked. "I could say the same to you. You're not the only one going all in."
They clashed.
Malric's blade came in fast. Nolan dodged, sliding left, ducking right. He spun, punching toward the sword's hilt with a fire-charged fist. The metal rang, but Malric flipped backward, slashing the air mid-motion.
A streak of flame shot from his blade—racing toward Nolan like a whip of light.
"Shield!" Nolan shouted.
A fiery barrier snapped up around him just in time. The flame wave exploded across the shield's surface, scattering embers into the trees.
Before the smoke cleared, Nolan charged.
He moved like a cannonball, fire swirling around his raised fist.
"Fire Fist!" he roared.
The blow came fast—aimed straight for Malric's chest.
But Malric twisted his blade at the last second, guiding the punch aside just enough.
The moment they collided, the world responded.
The ground cracked beneath their feet, splitting like glass under pressure. Trees bent violently—some were torn from the earth entirely. Bark and leaves spiraled through the air.
The trees turned blue from the impact, their trunks glowing faintly, charged with raw energy. Whatever force they had unleashed—it wasn't normal fire or magic. It was something deeper. Wilder.
All from a single hit.
The dust hadn't even settled before they stepped back into position.
Malric narrowed his eyes. "Still standing? You think you've got more in you?"
Nolan—grinning, breath sharp—nodded. "I've never felt this alive."
Flames ignited again around his fists—brighter now, hotter. The fire wasn't just red anymore. It shimmered like molten steel, with streaks of gold.
Malric raised an eyebrow. "That flame… it's the same color as mine. The same as the one I forge into my sword."
He lifted his blade, resting it on his shoulder. "That's a rare flame—one only supernatural beings wield. Dragons. High angels. Maybe… even a deity."
Nolan's eyes burned. "Good. Then this just got even more fun."
"They moved quickly, like thunder in the forest."
Nolan's fist slammed into Malric's ribs with brutal force, sending him skidding back. But before he could recover, Nolan was already in front of him, striking again.
Punch after punch. Malric lifted his sword, deflecting each blow, barely keeping pace. His feet slid across the broken ground. Then, as Nolan's fist came in again, Malric raised his arm—not with his blade, but with his clawed hand.
Steel clashed with fire as he brought the sword down hard—forcing Nolan to leap back.
They raced forward again, colliding midair. Blows traded. Sparks flew.
Then—an opening.
Nolan saw it.
Finally.
He feinted left, then drove his fist forward toward Malric's chest.
But at the last moment, Malric ducked—and Nolan's punch knocked the sword right out of Malric's grip, sending it spinning across the ground.
"Now!" Nolan said, eyes locked on his target. "This ends it!"
He stepped in, ready to land the final blow—
—but Malric slipped inside his guard, swift and silent. His clawed hand was suddenly at Nolan's throat.
"Too slow," Malric growled. "You thought my sword was all I had?"
Nolan froze. The claw pressed gently against his neck.
"I'm not just a swordsman," Malric said. "I'm half beast half man.
Nolan grinned. "You win."
He slowly raised both hands in surrender.
Malric stared at him a second longer—making sure it wasn't a trick—then lowered his claw and stepped back.
Nolan rubbed his neck, letting out a short laugh.
"You got me," Nolan said, catching his breath. "So… what now? What are we doing next? What else are you going to teach me?"
Malric shook his head. "That's it. There's nothing more to teach you."
"What?" Nolan blinked. "What do you mean?"
Malric stepped closer, voice calm. "In just two days, you've awakened power most people never touch in a lifetime. You've already surpassed me."
"But you won," Nolan said. "How does that make sense?"
"I was fighting with a sword," Malric replied. "You were using your bare hands. Those are two very different things."
"Maybe so," Nolan said. "But a win's a win. That doesn't change."
Malric gave a small nod. "Exactly. And that's why tomorrow will be your final day of training with me. After that… I'll need to get stronger too.
Nolan was quiet for a moment. Then he bowed his head. "Thank you. Really. You've… you've become like a master to me. Even though we only just met, it feels like we've always known each other."
Malric didn't answer.
He turned, lifted his palm.
From across the field, his sword flew back into his grasp like a magnet snapping into place.
Without a word, he sheathed it and walked toward the cave.