A little. I only needed to rely on muscle strength, the abilities I had trained, and "Low Creation." I couldn't go beyond the limit—my body wouldn't withstand the pressure if I forced it. The risks were clear: losing control of my power, or worse, my body melting under the violent surge of energy beyond prediction.
But… just a little should be fine. After all, Draven already knew about my wings. And… adding a little Element would only make things more interesting.
I lowered my head, and then pain flared violently across my back. My spine burned, as if something was tearing outward from within. Two strange bulges broke through my skin.
And then, a pair of wide avian wings, blue tinged with black, unfolded behind me. They beat once, their sheer size shaking the air.
Both of my gauntlets shone brighter. Not just blue-white light this time, but streaks of dark violet crawling from elbow to fingertip. It felt like thousands of tiny lightning currents danced beneath my skin.
Now, I wasn't just manipulating energy—I was manipulating lightning itself at the same time!
"Come on, Master Draven," I said softly, a thin smile curling my lips. "Make me fall… if you can!"
"You still have no sense of respect toward your superior, you little brat." Draven laughed.
And the world moved again, in a storm of light and steel—the duel of two beings far beyond the category of "normal."
Every motion birthed sparks—unyielding resilience. Our steps were unpredictable, as swift as lightning, incomprehensible to the eye. We were far too consumed by the thrill that only meant something to us.
Draven swung his blade, flames erupting in wild arcs. But my sharpened sight caught it, and I slipped away.
The mysterious sigils in the air fused into Draven, cloaking him in an armor of unending fire. It formed into a sleek modern battle-suit, his mask reshaping into a horned red demon face, fangs bared long and sharp.
What the hell was that armor? His mask—turning into a demon's visage? And his power—it was swelling even greater!
The chamber's air grew hotter, thrumming with energy like thunder before a storm. Draven was no longer a mere man with swords—he had become fire itself, a living echo of something ancient. His demon mask exhaled crimson smoke, his eyes burning like embers eager to devour everything.
"So all this time you've been hiding 'that'?" I asked, wings snapping once, the gust scattering metal dust across the floor.
"Not hiding," his voice reverberated, deeper than before, as though two voices spoke at once—one human, the other something far older. "Just waiting for the right moment."
I exhaled.
Very well, then…
My right foot struck the ground, launching me forward with a speed that cleaved the air. My wings folded tight, twisting my body with perfect precision. My fist tore through the air, the shockwave scattering Draven's fiery patterns.
He raised his sword, deflecting my strike with a burst of fire that reversed my momentum. I was flung back, but my wings snapped open, halting me midair.
"You're fast," Draven murmured. "But speed alone isn't enough."
His blazing hand stretched toward me, and suddenly—
Boom!
A pillar of fire erupted from the floor beneath me. I spun in the air, narrowly dodging before it consumed me. But Draven was already moving, his blade slashing from the side.
Clang!
My energy gauntlet caught it, yet the force behind the swing made my arm tremble. Flames licked at us, threatening to scorch my skin.
I gritted my teeth.
My heart pounded wildly, breath ragged. My blood boiled, bones rattled. Pain gnawed at every organ beyond what I had imagined.
I was at my limit! I had to change tactics…!
With a swift kick, I pulled away, wings flaring hard as I shot up toward the ceiling. From above, the entire battlefield sprawled beneath me. Draven stood in the center, encircled by a slow-turning ring of fire.
Then…
I stretched out my hands. The violet energy swirling in my gauntlets spun faster, forming a dense, unstable sphere between my palms.
Draven lifted his head, as if sensing what I intended.
"Are you serious?" His voice carried a trace of amusement.
"You said I have to defeat you," I replied. "So I have no choice."
I released it.
The energy sphere plummeted like a miniature meteor, trailing violet light through the air. Draven raised both hands, his fiery patterns weaving into a massive shield before him.
BOOM—!!
The explosion shook the entire chamber. Lights shattered above, smoke engulfed everything. I beat my wings to clear my vision, heart hammering.
Was that enough?
Suddenly, a shadow surged through the smoke.
Draven leapt upward, his sword blazing so bright it hurt to look. His demon mask split open slightly, revealing a wide grin.
"Good!" he roared.
His blade descended toward me.
I barely had time to react. My wings snapped shut around me, cocooning my body. The strike landed, sparks and feathers bursting in a blinding shower.
The pain was sharp, brutal—but I couldn't stop now.
With a final surge, I flung my wings open, forcing Draven back. Both of us crashed down, thrown to opposite ends of the arena.
The floor was cold against my back. My breaths came heavy, my energy nearly drained. But I could still move.
Across from me, Draven rose slowly. His demon mask was cracked, flames dimming.
"That's enough," he said, his voice back to normal.
I frowned. "Huh?"
He tossed his sword to the ground. "You've passed."
"…What?"
Draven laughed, deactivating his fiery armor. The demon mask dissolved, revealing his true face—sweat-drenched, aged, streaked with graying hair, faint wrinkles carving his skin. Yet his brown eyes gleamed beneath the light.
"I just wanted to see how far you'd push yourself." He walked closer, extending a hand. "And as always, you've exceeded expectations."
Rubik's voice echoed in my mind—it seemed he had been watching my struggle. "Congratulations on completing his challenge, Varro."
I stared at Draven's hand, then finally accepted it, rising despite the sting in every nerve.
"So… I've finished the training?"
"Yes. Now you're fully prepared." Draven smiled—but this time, something darker lurked beneath it. "For what's about to come next."
.....