Chapter 21: Blue Fire

Meanwhile…

While Lucas and Thania were deep in their conversation, far away in a secluded chamber, a young girl with silver hair and silver eyes sat alone, deep in thought.

She was scheming. Planning.

Yet, suddenly, her breath hitched.

Iris' gaze snapped toward the ceiling as an intense, unexplainable urge to commit murder surged through her.

What… is this feeling?

It made no sense. No one had provoked her. No one had dared to challenge her. 

And yet - 

Rage.

Possessiveness.

A dark, burning emotion clawed at her insides, whispering to her.

Something that belongs to me is being targeted.

Iris' fingers twitched, her nails pressing against the armrest of her chair.

Her instincts had never failed her before.

And right now, they were screaming. 

…

But really, isn't this all a bit ridiculous?

Why does everyone seem to think of Lucas as something to be claimed?

Something that belongs solely to them?

Fools. 

They're all making the same mistake.

Because Lucas isn't an object. He isn't a prize.

And soon enough—

They will learn that truth the hard way.

…

Back in the Land of Death

Lucas stared at Thania, tilting his head slightly—a small, almost absentminded gesture.

A simple action.

But for Thania?

Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

Why is he so damn cute?!

Suppressing the absurd urge to scoop him up like a treasured artifact, she forced herself to focus on his words.

"A human?" Lucas asked, his tone laced with curiosity. "I thought this land was strictly undead territory. And That i am the odd one out here for being human. Well—if we're not counting you, of course."

A smirk that felt almost lazy, almost playful ghosted his lips as he finished speaking.

Though, in the back of his mind, a quiet thought lingered.

What is she, really?

She doesn't look like an undead. And she didn't claim being an human either..

He couldn't put out his finger on it —

But something about Thania didn't add up. 

Thania's self control wavered for Half a second.

He is getting sharper.

But thanks to her Saint-level composure, she reined herself in and kept her smile intact. 

"Well," she said smoothly, "his situation is… a bit special. Just like you."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. 

"That so?"

Thania nodded. "He is a being at the Grandmaster Realm, but his prowess rivals newly ascended Saints. And he specializes in close combat with weapons. Something you will like to hear because your ability of controling fire is enough as a long range attack."

Lucas frowned. "Yes I agree but Then why is he still stuck at Grandmaster?"

Good question.

If this so-called human was strong enough to fight Saints, he should have reached that realm by now.

Thania simply smiled.

"For that, I'm afraid you'll have to ask him yourself. Well if he is willing to tell you that is."

Lucas hummed in thought but didn't press further.

"I'll take you to him tomorrow," Thania continued. "For now, you should rest."

Lucas immediately shook his head.

"No." His voice was firm. Resolute. "I feel fine. Better than fine, actually. After… everything that's happened, I've never felt stronger."

His determination burned in his eyes.

And Thania?

She wasn't surprised in the slightest.

By now, she was beginning to understand him.

"So be it."

Thania conceded easily.

But then, her gaze flickered down at his appearance, and a teasing glint flashed in her eyes.

"Though, before we go anywhere… you might want to change."

Lucas blinked. "Huh?"

He looked down.

…Oh.

Right.

After his latest bloodline transformation, his body had grown taller, more refined—stronger.

But his current attire?

It was still the same hospital-like clothing from before, now too short and ill-fitting for his new frame.

Lucas stared blankly.

Then, without an ounce of shame, he said with a deadpan expression , "So, do I get something to wear, or am I expected to go to find my potential teacher looking like I just escaped from a mental asylum?"

Thania smirked. "Of course, I had something prepared for you already. One of my undead is bringing it now."

"Oh..cool" Lucas said dryly.

She turned to leave but paused.

"Oh, and while you wait—you should take a bath. Your clothes will be on the bed once you're out."

Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"…Are you saying I smell?"

Thania placed a delicate hand over her lips and giggled.

Lucas froze. 

The Queen of Death and Decay just giggled.

He wasn't sure if he should feel offended — Or downright disturbed. 

But before he could respond, Thania had already disappeared, leaving him standing there.

With a sigh, he ran a hand through his ashen-white hair.

…

After taking a much-needed bath, Lucas stepped out and found a set of clothes laid neatly on the bed.

They were beautiful.

A long-sleeved, high-collared tunic, its ashen color matching his hair and pale skin, paired with form-fitting black pants reinforced with light armor plating at the knees and shins. A long coat with silver embroidery rested on top, sleek yet practical.

The material felt expensive but flexible, designed for combat.

Lucas smirked as he pulled the coat over his shoulders.

At least she has good taste.

…

As Lucas and Thania made their way out, the atmosphere shifted.

They weren't simply strolling through the Land of Death anymore.

This place—this path—was different.

The deeper they walked, the more the atmosphere changed.

The ground beneath them cracked and blackened, faint wisps of eerie blue mist curling around their feet.

Lucas noticed wisp-like figures drifting through the air. Curious, he asked, "I see… spirits? Do you know what they are?"

Thania's sharp gaze snapped to him.

"You can see them too?" She sounded only mildly surprised. She had already suspected it—his affinity for death was far too strong.

She explained, "They're lost souls. Beings unable to pass into the Astral Realm, either because of attachments to this world or a lingering curse. Harmless…unless you give them a reason not to be."

Lucas hesitated. "The Astral Realm… Can I—"

"No."

Her interruption was swift.

"You can't enter. Only souls can." She paused. Then, slower, firmer: "Which means you'd have to die first. And once you're there… you don't come back."

Lucas fell silent.

His mother's face flickered in his mind — Faint. Distant. 

He clenched his fists.

Thania saw his expression and felt… something. A quiet pang of guilt.

But she couldn't let him have false hope.

She walked in silence.

So did he.

They continued along the path. 

…

This place is eerie. 

The trees twisted, their barren branches clawing at the sky. Inhuman shrieks echoed in the distance.

Lucas glanced at Thania.

"So, this human guy. Does he enjoy living in creepy places, or…?"

Thania chuckled. "He enjoys solitude."

Lucas sighed. "Should've seen that one coming."

Then—

A low growl.

A monstrous wolf lunged from the shadows, half-decayed, its flesh peeling back to reveal white bone.

Lucas barely reacted before—

SLASH!

Thania flicked her fingers. The beast split in two, vanishing into black mist.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Not bad."

"Thanks, I guess?" Thania said awkwardly, she doesn't if should cry or laugh at the fact an intermediate realm being is praising her. 

But…he is Lucas so it's fine. 

More creatures emerged—twisted, rotting abominations with hollow eyes.

Lucas cracked his neck.

"Guess I should warm up before meeting this 'teacher.'"

Let's go with fire. But which one ?

I have burned things enough. 

Let's cool down a bit today okay ?

He exhaled sharply.

His mana stirred.

The air around him shuddered, waves of blue flames crackling to life around his hands. Unlike before—when his fire had erupted wildly, untamed—this time, he focused.

No mindless destruction. No reckless infernos.

Control.

Cool down.

The flame flickered, shifting, condensing—pale-blue arrows forming in the air beside him, their edges razor-sharp, radiating intense cold instead of heat.

His first real attempt at shaping his power.

He launched them forward.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

The arrows cut through the night, streaking like falling stars.

The first found its mark, piercing straight through a wolf's skull—its body didn't burn, but rather, froze over, ice spreading from the wound like veins of frost.

The second struck a ghoul's arm—shattering it on impact.

The third slammed into the ground, and within seconds, jagged ice spread outward in a wave, coating the earth in a slick layer of permafrost.

The creatures howled in agony, their limbs seizing up as frostbite consumed them.

Lucas didn't stop.

He pivoted, twisting his fingers—more arrows forming, crude but deadly. With each shot, his control sharpened, his body adapting to the new way his mana flowed.

One beast lunged at him from behind—

Lucas ducked.

The wolf soared over him—but mid-air, he snapped his fingers, igniting a concentrated burst of frostflame in its path.

BOOM!

The wolf's body was encased in solid ice before it even hit the ground—shattering upon impact.

Lucas landed smoothly, adjusting his stance.

This is it.

For the first time, he wasn't just using his fire.

He was fighting with it.

Thania, watching from the side, felt something stir deep within her.

A flicker of pride.

A pride akin to a bride watching her husband win the lottery. 

…

By the time they reached their destination, Lucas had left dozens of creatures frozen in his wake.

Ahead of them lay a massive, ruined temple, its obsidian walls cracked and covered in eerie, pulsating runes.

At the center, standing before the temple steps, was a man.

A brown-skinned man with dark with unruly hair who just stood there motionless. His presence wasn't loud, yet it commanded the space. He was tall, lean—but his stillness was deceptive, like a blade poised at the edge of a killing stroke. A slow, almost lazy exhale escaped him, yet his golden-eyed serpent remained tense, unblinking.

And coiled around his body was a black snake, its gleaming golden eyes locked onto Lucas.

There was no doubt that the creature was intelligent.

Lucas' eyes flicked between the man and the snake.

Then, the man finally spoke.

His voice was deep, smooth, and magnetic.

"Thania," he said, his piercing gaze never leaving Lucas.

"I thought you said you would never let anyone else set foot in this place?"

End of chapter 21 

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A/N :

First time Lucas fighting. First time also writing a fighting scene.

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