Chapter 34 — Sparks That Wouldn't Light
The training grounds crackled with the roar of young flames. Students spread across the open field, each standing before a brazier filled with unlit coals. Instructors paced between them, sharp eyes watching every hand movement, every flicker of magic.
"Focus your breath. Draw upon your core," Instructor Veynar commanded, his voice rolling like thunder. "Fire is not a wild beast. It is the child of will and control. Summon it."
Almost instantly, sparks flared to life.
To Alex's left, a boy no older than twelve raised his hand, fire spilling from his palm in bright, crackling tongues that licked the edges of the brazier. Nobles cheered themselves on, their braziers roaring to life with proud, golden flames. Even a few common-born students managed faint flickers, glowing like smoldering torches.
The air filled with heat and laughter, excitement buzzing like the crackle of burning wood.
Alex, however, stared at the cold brazier before him. His palms sweated. His heart thudded.
He closed his eyes. Breathe. Focus. Draw upon your core…
He did as the instructor said, imagining the warmth inside his chest, the ember he had seen in the crystal. He reached for it desperately, his body trembling with effort. His jaw clenched, his fingers curled.
Nothing happened.
Not even smoke.
Sweat rolled down his temple as he tried again. He thought of his family, of Elderleaf, of Kael's blade and Lyanna's smile. He pictured fire as vividly as he could the warmth of the hearth, the blaze of the torches during festivals. His chest tightened with strain.
Still nothing.
"Pathetic," a voice sneered.
Alex's eyes snapped open. Serion Veythar stood nearby, his brazier already blazing with fierce white fire, hotter than any around it. His silver hair shimmered in the glow, his smirk cruel and cutting.
"Can't even light coals?" Serion mocked loudly, making sure nearby students heard. "Maybe try blowing on them. That's about the only flame you'll ever manage."
Laughter rippled around them. Alex's cheeks burned, but not with magic. His fists clenched at his sides, nails digging into his skin.
Don't break. Don't give him what he wants.
He closed his eyes again, forcing himself to ignore Serion's laughter, the whispers, the stares. He reached deep into himself, past the humiliation, past the anger. He sought the ember he had felt yesterday, that flicker of fire buried deep.
Minutes passed. The air shimmered with heat from other braziers, the sounds of success surrounding him. But Alex's brazier remained cold, untouched, mocking him with its stillness.
The System flickered faintly in the corner of his vision.
[Attempt Detected: Fire Summoning.]
[Result: Failure.]
[Progress toward Fire Affinity: 0.1%.]
Even that counts? Alex thought bitterly, though the message gave him a strange comfort. His effort hadn't been entirely meaningless.
He tried again.
And again.
Each attempt scraped something raw inside him, until his body shook with exhaustion. His arms drooped, his vision blurred with sweat. Still, the coals remained dark.
Veynar's voice cut through the noise. "Enough!"
The command silenced the field instantly. Flames dwindled as students lowered their hands, panting from their efforts.
Veynar's eyes swept across the grounds. Some braziers blazed bright, others smoldered weakly. A few, like Alex's, remained utterly cold.
"Strength varies," Veynar said flatly. "But remember this the brightest flame is often the quickest to burn out. A weak ember, however, can endure the longest winter. Control, discipline, will these will shape your fire more than raw power."
Alex's chest tightened at those words. Endure the winter… an ember can last…
He looked down at his hands, trembling from failure. No flame. No spark. Nothing to show but ridicule. But somewhere deep inside, that ember still smoldered weak, unstable, but alive.
The students were dismissed, but the murmurs followed Alex like shadows.
"He didn't even light it."
"Is he really a student here?"
"Half-blood. No wonder."
Serion's laugh cut sharp. "Better start carrying candles, half-breed. You'll never make fire on your own."
Alex ignored them. He forced his feet to move, one step at a time, until he reached the dorms. His arms hung heavy, his body sore from strain, his spirit raw. He shut the door behind him, collapsing onto the narrow bed.
Silence filled the small room.
And then, softly the System appeared.
[Daily Task Completed: Attempt Fire Summoning.]
Reward: +5 EXP, +1 Willpower.
Progress: Fire Affinity 1.1%.
[Hidden Condition: Despite repeated failure, you did not surrender.]
Bonus Reward: +1 Endurance.
Alex stared at the glowing text, his heart thumping.
It wasn't much. Not even close to what others achieved today. But it was something. A small piece. A step forward, no matter how tiny.
And he would take it.
Because he knew embers, too, could grow into fire.