Trial by Fire

By the next morning, Evan had become something of a legend among the novice apprentices. As he walked through the camp, heading toward the mission board, he noticed the stares and nods of acknowledgment from his peers. Whispers followed him, apprentices nudging each other and pointing as he passed.

"That's the guy who took down the Clawed Stalker alone," someone murmured.

"He's really something, huh?" another replied.

Evan tried to keep his focus, his mind split between the praise and the constant hum of his Ember Engine, which continued refining itself in the background. Yet, he couldn't deny the faint satisfaction of recognition. After weeks of relentless work, it was gratifying to see his efforts being noticed.

As he approached the mission board, three apprentices stepped into his path, their postures radiating confidence—or arrogance. The one in the middle, taller and with a sharp gaze, spoke first.

"So, you're the famous Evan," he said, his tone laced with mockery. "You expect us to believe you took down a Clawed Stalker on your own? Please."

Evan regarded him calmly. "I'm not interested in proving anything to you."

The taller apprentice smirked. "I think you are. I think you're just a liar who's been soaking up the attention you don't deserve. Why don't we settle this with a battle? Show everyone what you're really made of."

The crowd around the mission board began to murmur, apprentices gathering to watch the exchange. Evan felt his temper rise at the apprentice's tone but forced himself to remain composed. He had never fought another apprentice before, and the idea intrigued him. Testing his progress in a real fight might be exactly what he needed.

"Fine," Evan said after a moment, his voice steady. "Let's do it."

The duel was arranged in the training field, a wide open space surrounded by curious onlookers. The taller apprentice introduced himself as Lareth, and it quickly became clear he wasn't an ordinary novice. The way he moved and the confidence in his stance spoke of experience beyond his rank.

Evan, however, wasn't fazed. With his rune-inscribed boots and Flame Spark refined by the Ember Engine, he doubted any beginner's magic could match the precision and power of his own.

The fight began abruptly, Lareth wasting no time. He activated a wind spell, his movements becoming a blur as he sprinted across the field with unnatural speed. Evan's boots flared in response, propelling him forward to meet his opponent. For a moment, their speeds matched, the crowd gasping at the spectacle of the two darting figures.

But Evan quickly noticed a difference: while his boots allowed him to move quickly and change direction, Lareth's wind magic made him far more agile. His turns were sharper, his stops immediate, giving him an edge in maneuverability. Before Evan could fully adjust, Lareth closed the gap, a dagger in his hand glowing faintly.

"Sharpness," Evan muttered, recognizing the spell. He had seen Teral use it to amplify his claws during the arena fight. Here, it made Lareth's dagger gleam with a dangerous edge, slicing through the air as though it met no resistance.

Evan narrowly dodged the first strike, the enhanced dagger whistling past his shoulder. Lareth grinned, confidence radiating from him. "What's the matter, hero? Can't keep up?"

The battle became a test of speed and precision. Lareth's wind magic and dagger made him a formidable opponent, but Evan's boots allowed him to stay ahead, his movements precise and deliberate. The two darted across the field, weaving between strikes and counterattacks, the crowd cheering with every near-miss.

Evan quickly realized this wasn't just about speed. Lareth's attacks followed a pattern—aggressive lunges, swift retreats, and calculated feints. While dodging another swipe of the dagger, Evan commanded his nucleus to pause the engine's refinement and activate simulate. The familiar mental map unfolded, his surroundings rendered in glowing runes.

For several tense minutes, Evan focused solely on dodging, using simulate to track Lareth's movements. Every strike, every feint was mapped, his nucleus working tirelessly to identify an opening.

Finally, the Ember Engine pulsed. In that instant, Evan knew exactly where to attack. Lareth lunged again, his dagger glowing with another Sharpness enhancement. Evan sidestepped, his boots propelling him with precision, and turned sharply. His hand ignited with Flame Spark, the fire crackling with refined power as he aimed for the opening his nucleus had identified—a wide, exposed area along Lareth's ribs.

The flame struck true, hitting Lareth with enough force to send him flying backward. The crowd gasped as the taller apprentice tumbled across the ground, his dagger clattering away. Lareth groaned, clutching his side as the scorch marks on his ribs became evident. His friends rushed forward, their expressions a mix of shock and concern as they helped him to his feet.

Evan stood still, his breathing steady as the fire in his hand faded. He glanced at the crowd, who stared in stunned silence, then back at Lareth. The fight had been far from quick—Evan had spent most of it evading, studying his opponent's movements—but it had taken only one strike to end it.

For a moment, Evan felt a flicker of disbelief. He hadn't realized just how powerful his magic had become. The refinement of the Ember Engine, the precision of his nucleus, the seamless integration of his boots—all of it had culminated in a level of combat far beyond what he had expected.

He looked at his hands, still faintly warm from the fire, and felt a mix of pride and determination. "All this effort… it's paying off."

The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs, apprentices exchanging incredulous looks and whispers. Evan had not only defended his reputation but proven that he wasn't just a novice to be underestimated. As Lareth's friends helped him away, Evan turned back toward the mission board, his mind already focused on the next step in his journey.