This was clearly a posture of active engagement, signaling that the theoretical explanations were now shifting into practical application.
"Now, let's talk about controlling the intensity of your flames," Master Ignis said. His voice carried a subtle but noticeable weight, a reflection of the very energy he was about to manipulate.
He inhaled deeply, his chest rising with the deliberate intake of air. Then he exhaled slowly, and the faint shimmer between his hands began to gather, condensing into a small, flickering orb of golden light.
"When you wish to generate a stronger flame, a more intense heat," he continued, his tone resonant with quiet authority, "your inhale must be deeper—drawing in an even greater measure of that thermal energy. And conversely, your exhale must be meticulously controlled. It is a sustained release, guiding the energy into your mutant core.
It's not about forcing it, Sarah. It's about inviting it—shaping it with your will, and giving it direction through the rhythm of your breath."
Back to the present.
The memories of Master Ignis's teachings surged into Sarah's mind like water flowing into a crystal basin—clear, vivid, untainted. Every word, every nuance, every concept she once failed to fully grasp now stood before her in startling clarity.
Armed with this sharpened understanding, she was ready.
"Now… it's time to put it all to the test," she whispered, determination burning in her eyes.
Drawing in a deliberate breath, she felt it—the so-called energy of the world—flowing into her lungs, coursing through her veins like liquid fire. Warmth spread within her chest, pulsing toward her core, which answered by glowing faintly, alive with new vigor.
She shifted seamlessly into the stance Ignis had taught her, her small body echoing his lesson with practiced resolve.
From the sidelines, Claire frowned. "What in the world is she doing?" she muttered, her tone dripping with disbelief.
"Don't tell me she's about to start dancing?" Claire added, rolling her eyes at Sarah's strange posture.
"Who cares?" Amy snapped, confidence lacing her words. "No matter what trick she's trying, I've got water. She doesn't stand a chance."
Her arrogance was rooted in history. Water had always triumphed over fire; everyone knew this. But was history about to change? Could fire, even for a single fleeting moment, overcome water? The answer would soon reveal itself.
Sarah's focus never wavered. She inhaled deeply once more. When she exhaled, faint wisps of visible energy drifted from her nostrils—not smoke, but condensed power, the Breath of Fire manifest.
Then, from her fingertips, sparks emerged—tiny, pulsing motes of red and orange. They curled outward, weaving into spirals of flame. At first they danced lazily, but quickly gathered speed, growing into an orb of searing heat.
With a sharp motion, Sarah unleashed it. The spiraling flame shot forward like a living spear, spinning violently, a weapon forged of breath and will.
The heat cracked through the cool night air, its fury colliding with the damp chill left behind by Claire's earlier water techniques.
"Watch out!" Liam shouted, his instincts kicking in.
In a burst of speed, he darted forward, placing himself in front of Amy. His movements blurred, almost vanishing from sight as he yanked her aside at the very last moment.
The fireball roared past, missing them by a hair's breadth before slamming into the wall behind with explosive force. The stone hissed, glowing briefly from the impact.
Liam staggered, the heat licking at his skin even though he had avoided the full strike. His heart raced, his eyes flashing with alarm.
"We have to get out of here!" he called, panic rising in his voice as he glanced at Sarah. Her stance remained firm, her eyes blazing with unshakable focus.
But Amy shoved him aside with fury. "Move!" she barked, her pride wounded by the near miss. She wouldn't let him drag her away like a helpless child.
Her attention snapped to Claire. "Claire!" she roared.
Claire responded instantly. "On it!" She sprinted toward the coins, scooping them up with practiced speed. The four golden tokens glittered in her grasp, heavy with value.
For a brief heartbeat, Claire considered fleeing—leaving the battlefield behind and abandoning her companions to face the fiery monster alone. But guilt anchored her. As irritating as Amy and Liam could be, they were still her team. And teams endured together, even against overwhelming odds.
No—she couldn't run. She had to fight.
Amy, meanwhile, stormed toward Sarah, rage fueling each stride. Her eyes burned hotter than the flames themselves as she stepped over the unconscious bodies scattered across the ground.
"It looks like someone's pissed," Sarah said coolly, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Amy's hands clenched, water dripping from her fingertips. "Smile all you want," she growled. "When I'm done, I'll wipe that smug look right off your face."
The air between them grew heavy, heat and humidity colliding in an invisible storm.
The true clash—fire versus water—was about to begin.
********
Thanks a lot for the vote
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Anna Grace .
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I appreciate all the support you guys have been giving the novel .
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J kings