Chapter 40: Mastering the Flames

Chapter 40: Mastering the Flames

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Next morning...

As the early rays of the sun illuminated Kent's small yard, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

System Notification:

New Quest Unlocked: Master the Flames!

Kent sat up on his bed, rubbing his eyes as the system details appeared before him. 

What is this? I didn't even get a chance to wake up properly, and the system gave me a mission. Can't you Just wait until I go to the washroom and freshen up. I really need to go for a poop 💩. 

Whatever, let's check the mission first. After that I will finish my business. Show me System, What do you have in store for me? 

Quest Objective:

Learn how to fully utilize your flame and fire aura to execute an effective fire-based attack.

"Finally, a quest I can work on at home," Kent muttered. "This should be fun."

Accept Quest?

[Yes] / [No]

Without hesitation, Kent selected [Yes], and the first stage of the quest appeared.

Quest Stage 1: Ignition

Summon and stabilize a fire aura with minimal energy loss.

The host has been wasting energy before when using fire aura. 

"Stabilizing fire aura using minimum spiritual energy, huh?" Kent said, cracking his knuckles. So I was doing it the wrong way. "Let's see how hard this can be."

Training Stage 1: Ignition

Kent stepped into the yard, the crisp morning air refreshing against his skin. He took a deep breath, centering himself.

"Alright, fire aura, show me what you've got."

Closing his eyes, Kent summoned his spiritual energy, directing it toward his palms. A faint warmth spread through his fingers as a small flame flickered to life in his hand.

Ding!

Fire Aura Activated.

The flame wavered slightly, its edges unstable. Kent furrowed his brow, focusing harder.

"Stabilize… come on…" he muttered, trying to balance his spiritual energy output.

The flame grew steadier but flickered violently whenever his focus wavered. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to maintain it.

After several minutes of trial and error, the flame stabilized completely, glowing brightly in his hand.

"Yes!" Kent exclaimed, grinning.

Ding! 

Quest Update: congratulations host.

Stage 1 Complete.

Stage 2: Flame Control

Kent wiped the sweat from his brow as the next stage appeared.

Quest Stage 2: Flame Control

Shape the fire into a small projectile or barrier.

"This is where it gets tricky," Kent said, recalling a few days ago what he had read about energy manipulation in one of the books from the library in special class.

He extended his hand, summoning the flame again. This time, he visualized it forming into a sphere or a ball into his hand.

"Shape it… focus…" Kent whispered, his voice steady.

The flame trembled, stretching outward before collapsing into a chaotic flicker.

"Damn it," Kent muttered, summoning it again.

For the next hour, he practiced relentlessly, shaping the flame into different forms. At first, the results were dismal—blobs of fire sputtering out before they could take shape.

Eventually, Kent managed to form a small, imperfect sphere.

"Not bad," he muttered. "But I can do better."

As he continued practicing, the sphere grew more defined, its surface smooth and glowing.

"Now for a barrier," Kent said, shifting his focus.

Summoning a larger flame, he visualized it stretching into a wall. The energy pulsed in his hands as the fire extended outward, forming a thin, flickering barrier.

"It's weak," Kent said, inspecting the barrier. "But it's a start."

After another hour of refining his technique, the barrier became more stable, its fiery surface radiating heat.

Ding!

Quest Update: congratulations host.

Stage 2 Complete.

Stage 3: Flare Strike / Flame Fist 

Kent leaned against a tree, panting slightly. "Two down, is there more system?"

The final stage appeared before him.

Quest Stage 3: Flare Strike / Flame fist

Combine fire and physical force to create an explosive attack.

"This sounds fun," Kent said, straightening up. "But also dangerous." Let's go to the yard for this training. Otherwise I will destroy the house. 

He summoned his fire aura again, letting it envelop his fists. The heat was intense, radiating outward as the flames licked at his skin.

"Alright, let's start small," Kent muttered, punching the air.

A small burst of fire shot forward, dissipating after a few feet.

"Not bad, but it needs more impact," Kent said, narrowing his eyes.

He practiced combining his punches with bursts of fire, gradually increasing their power. Each strike sent a fiery blast through the air, the explosions growing louder and more controlled.

"Let's try a real target," Kent said, setting up a wooden plank he had found in the yard.

With a deep breath, he focused his energy, channeling it into his fist. The fire aura flared brightly as he launched a powerful punch at the plank.

BOOM!

👊

🔥

💥 

The plank shattered into splinters, the fire engulfing the debris in a brief explosion.

"Yes!" Kent shouted, pumping his fist in triumph.

Ding! 

Quest Update: congratulations host.

Stage 3 Complete.

Kent collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily as the system notification appeared.

Ding! 

Quest Completed.

Reward:

Skill Unlocked: Ember Slash (An entry-level fire attack). 

This skill can level up with hosts cultivation. 

+5,000 SP Bonus.

Note: The Ember slash will take one skill slot. 

"That was worth it," Kent muttered, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. System use the slot I got before from the mission. This skill will get stronger with my cultivation. 

That hard work really paid off. Kent yelled lout loud. 

Yahooo'!!!

Yahooo'!!!

The noise from Kent's training and celebration had finally woken Nima, who stepped into the yard, rubbing her eyes holding the patch up teddy bear 🧸.

"What are you doing out here, Kent?" she asked, yawning. 🥱 

"Practicing," Kent replied, sitting up. "Wanna see my new skill?"

"Sure," Nima said, her curiosity piqued.

Kent stood up, summoning his fire aura again. With a swift motion, he unleashed an Ember Slash, a fiery arc that scorched the ground a few meters away creating a sword cut straight line. 

"Whoa!" Nima exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That's awesome!"

"Pretty cool, right?" Kent said, smirking.

"Can I try?" Nima asked eagerly.

Kent shook his head. "No. You've got your own techniques to master." you can't do it. 

Nima pouted, crossing her arms. "Fine. But you'd better teach me later!!!!"

"I can't teach you this," Kent said, "you need to have awakened fire attributes first. He laughs. Without it you can't learn it."

Nima replied. What fire attributes do I need?

Kent said. It's like your soul power. You need fire powers. Like I can't have Souls as slaves. Cause I didn't awaken that power. 

"But I can learn Fire power. Nima said."

Kent said how? 

I need to capture a fire-awaken bad guy and make him my servant. Then I can use fire too. 

Damnit. I never thought this way. Kent murmurs. Nima can have multiple types of superpower with her soulbinder power. 

Dual types of awakened superpower aren't that rare. I know you like to show off a lot. But You need to be careful Nima, when you have multiple servants. You can't show multiple types of power in front of anyone. 

I know that. You don't have to tell me that. I will be a genius with multiple types of power. A real big boss just like in anime. 

Hah Hah Hah!! 😁😁

As the sun begins to become brighter, it is almost time for the Xian Yu training session. Kent and Nima sat together on the old broken and patched up chair in the yard, sharing a quiet moment.

"You're getting stronger, Kent," Nima said softly.

"So are you," Kent replied. "We're going to need all the strength we can get for what's coming." The world is changing very fast. We need to change with the world too. 

Nima nodded, her determination shining in her eyes. "We'll face it together."

Kent smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With his new skill and Nima by his side, he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

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