Training had just finished. Luckily, Elijen hadn't really spoken to me since Ryarr's intervention earlier. I'd only just managed to get through the course, at the cost of quite an effort.
Around me, a few eyes were still turned towards Ryarr, fascinated by his performance... a little main character scene, which I wasn't really paying attention to. That sort of thing never really interested me.
But just as I was about to leave the pitch, a voice stopped me.
Elijen - So? I bet you're glad he stole your place in the spotlight?
I turned slightly. It was Elijen again. Clearly he hadn't fully digested my mere existence.
Me - Not really. In fact, I don't really care. I'll leave you to your little war to see who has the greatest affinity with fire... Frankly, I'm not interested.
He raised an eyebrow, looking almost surprised at my answer.
Elijen - Hm. Fine. But let me ask you a question. Why are you here? You could very well refuse the training and choose another role in the clan. But no... because your father is someone, you said to yourself: 'Why not give it a try?'
His tone was dry, but strangely calm.
Elijen - The problem is that we don't have the luxury of "testing". Don't you see? Some people would give anything to have your place. And you're taking it without really deserving it.
His words hit me harder than I expected. Not because they were violent... but because they touched something real.
Since I was a child, I'd never really questioned myself. Perhaps because of my father's reputation. Or the fact that I was Haltom's pupil. Details like that change a lot of things here, in the Fire Clan.
The day passed more quickly than expected. And like every evening, my father, who had just finished his own day, was waiting for me, sitting in front of the fireplace.
Edacar - So, how did your recovery go, son?
Me - An ordinary day. Nothing very interesting.
He stared at me for a moment, a slight smile on his face. He was clearly waiting for me to share something. But I couldn't offer him what he was hoping to hear.
Me - Say, Dad... I've got a question. Be honest. Do you think I have the potential to be as good as you?
Immediately, his gaze changed. He straightened up and his expression became more serious.
Edacar - You've run into some difficulties, haven't you? I'm going to be frank with you. No, you won't become like me...
I froze for a moment, breathless.
Edacar - You'll surpass me. Because, you're different from the others. You have a fire of your own that you haven't yet discovered, so if you want to move forward, believe in yourself. Really believe in yourself.
I knew he was trying to motivate me, but Elijen's words kept popping into my head. Maybe it was time to take training more seriously.
The next day, the second day of training resumed. Unsurprisingly, Elijen was still watching Ryarr, determined to get ahead of him. But Ryarr, like the day before, did not seem easily impressed.
Haltom - Listen up! Today we're getting down to business: duels. One on one, in turn.
Smiles appeared, eyes lit up and the atmosphere was immediately electrified. But one exchange in particular caught my attention.
Elijen - Master? If we can choose... then I choose Ryarr, I'll make him swallow his airs.
Haltom did not answer immediately. He simply turned his gaze to Ryarr, who closed his eyes, crossed his arms and nodded silently.
Haltom - Perfect. We've got our first fight: Ryarr versus Elijen.
The two walked towards the central arena, still marked by past training sessions. Silence gradually settled in.
As soon as Haltom gave the signal, Elijen shot towards Ryarr like an arrow. In just three seconds, he had already attempted his first attack.
But Ryarr dodged with almost disturbing ease. Without making any sudden moves, he grabbed his opponent's arm with a hand surrounded by flames. Nothing unusual, since all the inhabitants of Frenius were naturally resistant to fire. With a fluid movement, his second hand opened, palm pointing towards Elijen's face, and several small balls of fire shot out.
The impact sent Elijen tumbling to the ground with a thud.
A few moments later, he slowly got to his feet, his face scarred by burns and exhaustion. He was clearly in a bad way, but his gaze had changed. It sharpened like a white-hot blade, staring straight into Ryarr's eyes.
He took a step forward and his foot caught fire.
Then, without any of us being able to follow, Elijen was already on Ryarr.
Elijen - You bastard! Fucking die!
His screams echoed like a detonation in the arena. He had lost all control, his face taut with rage, showing an expression I had never seen on him before.
He could only see Ryarr, no-one else existed in the arena, not even us.
And yet... Ryarr remained impassive.
Ryarr - If you get like that, you'll have even less chance of touching me. It's almost pathetic.
His words, cold and precise, fell like a slap in the face.
If he wanted to push him too far, he'd succeeded.
But something changed. In the space of a few seconds, Ryarr lost his relaxed attitude. His body repositioned itself, adopting a clean, controlled, lethal fighting stance.
Then it all happened very quickly. One blow, just one.
Elijen was thrown backwards several metres, unconscious before he even hit the ground. And silence fell over the pitch.
Ryarr's superiority was obvious, indisputable. After the duel, eyes turned nervously towards Haltom, and for the first time since training began, many hands were raised. The excitement was palpable.
But one thing puzzled me: until now, nobody had challenged me. Pity? Indifference? Perhaps a little of both.
Finally, I was called for the last fight. My opponent: a girl I'd never seen before, her name was Ansah.
Long, flaming red hair, elegant looks, but hard, determined eyes. She said nothing, but her posture spoke for itself: she was ready.
Haltom - And to conclude... last duel of the day: Wigsu versus Ansah.