[5] Seven Days of Fire

The servants called it obsession.

My mother called it dedication. 

My father, who observed from afar on his rare evenings home, simply nodded with something like approval in his eyes.

I called it necessity.

Day bled into night, night into morning. I lost track of time, measuring progress instead by incremental improvements. Each spell cast without a circle grew stronger. Each shadow manipulation became more precise. Each breath during meditation went deeper.

On the first day after our initial training session, I rose before the purple dawn touched the Underworld's sky. The eastern courtyard welcomed me with its stark simplicity.

"Firebolt," I whispered, snapping my fingers toward a fresh training dummy. The flame that leapt forth was barely enough to engulf the surface.

I tried again. And again. By midday, sweat drenched my training clothes.

"Young Master." Ariel appeared at the courtyard entrance, a tray balanced in her hands. "You must eat."

I wiped my brow, noticing the slight tremor in my fingers. "Not hungry."

"Irrelevant." She set the tray down. "Your body requires fuel."

I glared at her, but she met my gaze evenly. Those crimson eyes didn't waver.

"Fine." I dropped onto the stone bench. "But I'm not stopping early."

"Of course not." The faintest smile touched her lips. "I would expect nothing less."

As I ate, she examined the training dummy, running her fingers over the scorch marks that peppered its surface.

"Your accuracy has improved."

I snorted. "Hitting the target isn't the problem. Power is."

"Then why not use circle casting?" She turned to face me. "It's more efficient."

"Because everyone expects it." I set aside the half-eaten meal. "No one prepares for the unexpected."

Ariel nodded slowly. "Like skipping a chess match."

I grinned. "Exactly like that."

She watched me resume my position. "May I train alongside you?"

"Sure." I gestured to the spot beside me. "Show me what you've got."

By sunset, we had established a rhythm. I focused on fire manipulation without circles, while Ariel practiced enhancing her natural fire affinity with the new technique. Her flames consistently burned hotter than mine—a fact that simultaneously annoyed and motivated me.

That night, I collapsed into bed, muscles aching and magical reserves depleted. Sleep claimed me instantly

===

Day two brought wind manipulation. The invisible element proved more challenging than fire—harder to visualize, more difficult to control.

"Sever," I commanded, pointing two fingers at a dummy fifty feet away. The air rippled slightly, but the dummy remained untouched.

"Dammit."

"May I suggest something, Young Master?" Ariel stood nearby, her own practice temporarily paused.

"Go ahead."

"You're thinking of air as empty space." She stepped closer. "Think of it as countless invisible particles. You're not cutting nothing—you're organizing something."

I frowned, considering her words. "Alright."

I tried again, this time imagining microscopic particles arranging themselves into a cutting edge.

"Sever."

The dummy's arm dropped to the ground.

Ariel clapped her hands together. "Excellent!"

I stared at my fingers, then back at the dismembered dummy. "That was..."

"Effective?"

"Fun."

That evening, after dinner with my mother (father was absent again, attending to "political matters"), I found myself restless. My magical reserves had replenished somewhat, but not enough for serious training.

I paced my chambers, frustrated by the limitations of my body. In my previous life, I'd pushed through physical exhaustion countless times—studying all night, working double shifts. But magical depletion was different. It couldn't be overcome with willpower.

A soft knock interrupted my brooding.

"Enter."

Ariel slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. She'd changed from her training attire to her standard maid uniform, though her hair remained in the practical braid she wore during our sessions.

"Lady Selene asked me to check on you." Her eyes scanned the room, noting the scattered books on magical theory and meditation I'd been referencing. "You should be resting."

"Can't." I dropped onto the edge of my bed. "Too much to learn. Too little time."

She tilted her head. "Time for what?"

I hesitated. How much could I share? "For becoming who I need to be."

Ariel stepped closer, her expression thoughtful. "You changed in the void."

It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes."

"For the better, I think." She sat beside me, maintaining a proper distance. "You've always had potential, but now..."

"Now?"

"Now you have purpose." Her eyes met mine. "It's... compelling."

Something shifted in the air between us—an awareness that hadn't been there before, or perhaps had always existed beneath the surface.

"I've been researching Essence Drain," I said abruptly.

Her eyes widened slightly. "But you've only—"

"Only used it once." I nodded. "But I should learn. It's part of my heritage."

"Your mother would be the best teacher for this."

I shook my head. "This needs to stay private. For now."

Understanding dawned in her eyes. "You want to practice. With me."

"Only if you're willing." I held her gaze. "It requires physical contact, and it might feel... strange."

A faint blush colored her cheeks. "I serve House Valac in all things."

"That's not consent, Ariel." I frowned. "I need you to want this. For yourself."

She blinked, clearly surprised by my insistence. After a moment, she nodded. "I am willing. Curious, even."

"Tomorrow night," I decided. "After training. We'll start small."

The third day focused on combining elements. Fire and wind together created hotter, more directed flames. Water and wind generated ice crystals or fog, depending on the ratio.

My mother joined us briefly, observing our progress with calculating eyes.

"You've advanced quickly," she noted, watching me create a miniature firestorm above my palm—no magic circle in sight.

"Practice helps," I replied, letting the flames dissipate.

"Indeed." Her gaze shifted to Ariel, who demonstrated a similar technique with greater intensity. "You work well together."

Something in her tone made me glance up sharply. 

"Ariel's a good training partner," I said carefully.

My mother merely smiled. "I'm pleased you've found someone who challenges you appropriately."

After she departed, Ariel and I exchanged looks.

"Does she know?" Ariel whispered.

"My mother knows everything," I sighed. "The question is what she'll do about it."

That night, Ariel came to my chambers an hour after the household had settled into silence. She wore a simple nightdress beneath a dark robe, her hair loose around her shoulders.

"Are you certain about this?" she asked, standing awkwardly by the door.

"No," I admitted. "But theoretical knowledge only goes so far."

I patted the space beside me on the bed. She sat, keeping a careful distance.

"The texts say skin contact is necessary," I explained. "And the more... intimate the contact, the more efficient the transfer."

Her blush deepened. "How intimate?"

"Let's start basic." I extended my hand. "Palm to palm."

She placed her hand against mine. Her skin felt unnaturally warm—her fire affinity manifesting physically.

"Now what?"

"Now I focus." I closed my eyes, searching for the sensation I felt my first day. A pulling feeling, a connection forming between energies.

Nothing happened.

I frowned, concentrating harder. Still nothing.

"Maybe try activating your Void Sight?" Ariel suggested.

I nodded, opening my eyes and channeling power to them. The three concentric circles manifested, my vision shifting to perceive magical energies.

Ariel gasped. "Your eyes..."

I could see her now—not just her physical form, but the swirling energy within her. Bright red and orange patterns flowed through her body, concentrated especially around her heart and hands. Her fire affinity, visible as actual flame-like currents.

"Beautiful," I murmured.

I focused on the connection between our hands, imagining a channel forming. Still nothing transferred.

"This isn't working." I released her hand, frustrated.

"The texts mentioned emotional states affecting efficiency," Ariel said quietly. "Perhaps we need..."

"More intensity," I finished.

Our eyes met. 

"Try again," she whispered, leaning closer.

This time, I placed my hand against her cheek. Her skin flushed beneath my touch, warmth radiating outward.

I activated Void Sight again, focusing on the connection. A thin thread of energy stretched between us, but it was barely visible, hardly transferring anything.

"Better, but still inefficient," I muttered.

Ariel took a deep breath. "The texts said... maximum efficiency comes from..."

"I know what they said." I dropped my hand. "We don't have to—"

"I want to." Her voice was barely audible. "For your training. For House Valac."

For you, her eyes seemed to say.

I hesitated only a moment before leaning forward. Our lips met tentatively, a gentle pressure that quickly deepened as Ariel responded with unexpected eagerness.

The effect was immediate. My Void Sight showed energy flowing between us—a steady stream of her fire-tinged power transferring into my body. It felt warm, invigorating, like drinking sunlight.

Ariel made a small sound against my mouth—half surprise, half pleasure. Her hands found my shoulders, gripping tightly.

I pulled back slightly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." Her eyes were dazed, pupils dilated. "It feels... strange. Good-strange."

"I can stop if—"

"Don't." She pressed forward again, kissing me with newfound confidence.

The energy flow intensified. I could taste her power—cinnamon and smoke and summer heat. My body absorbed it eagerly, converting it to my own shadowy essence.

Ariel shifted closer, eliminating the space between us. Her nightdress slipped from one shoulder as she moved to straddle my lap, never breaking the kiss.

"Ariel," I gasped, pulling away again. "This is—"

"Necessary," she finished, her breathing uneven. "For your training."

Her hips rolled against mine, drawing a groan from deep in my chest. The energy transfer spiked, flowing faster, hotter.

"Wait." I gripped her waist, stilling her movements. "You're giving too much."

Her eyes were unfocused, cheeks flushed. "It feels good."

"You'll be drained." I touched her face gently. "We need to pace this."

She nodded reluctantly, then rested her forehead against mine. "It feels so good"

We stayed that way for several minutes, connected physically and magically, until I felt her energy reserves dropping to concerning levels. I broke the connection, watching through Void Sight as the transfer ceased.

Ariel swayed slightly, her usual grace temporarily abandoned.

"Dizzy," she murmured.

I helped her lie down on my bed. "Rest. Your body needs to recover."

She didn't protest, her eyes already drifting closed. Within moments, her breathing deepened into sleep.

I watched her for a time, marveling at what had just happened. The power I'd absorbed felt different from my own—brighter, more volatile. It settled within me like a banked flame, ready to be called upon.

"This changes everything," I whispered to the sleeping form beside me.

The next four days established our routine. Mornings for elemental practice. Afternoons for shadow manipulation and combat training. Evenings for theoretical study and meditation.

And nights... nights were for Essence Drain.

Each session grew longer, more intense. Ariel's initial hesitance transformed into enthusiastic participation. Her soft moans and whispered encouragements became a nightly soundtrack as we explored the boundaries of the ability.

"More," she gasped on the fifth night, her body arched beneath mine as I kissed a trail down her neck. "Take more."

"You're already light-headed," I murmured against her skin, feeling her pulse racing.

"I don't care." Her nails dug into my back through my shirt. "It feels too good to stop."

The energy flowed between us like liquid fire, filling my reserves to capacity and beyond. I could store more each time, process it faster, integrate it more efficiently.

By the sixth day, I could maintain Umbra—my shadow enhancement technique—for nearly three hours without fatigue. My elemental casting without circles had doubled in power. Even my physical strength and speed had improved.

The household staff noticed. Whispers followed me through the corridors.

"...never seen such progress..."

"...training day and night..."

"...Lady Selene is pleased..."

"...even Lord Alexius commented..."

I paid them no mind. Their approval meant nothing compared to the rush of growing stronger, of feeling my potential expand daily.

On the seventh morning, I sat cross-legged in the eastern courtyard, completely enveloped in Umbra. The living shadows wrapped around me like a second skin, responding to my will with perfect synchronization.

Through the darkness, I sensed a familiar presence approaching.

"Impressive," my mother's voice cut through my meditation. "You've stabilized the technique remarkably."

I allowed Umbra to recede gradually, revealing myself. "It's getting easier."

"I can see that." She studied me with those knowing eyes. "Your father would be pleased with your progress."

"Is he back?"

"He returns this evening." She adjusted her silver circlet. "Just in time for your dinner engagement."

I blinked. "Dinner engagement?"

"With House Astaroth." Her expression revealed mild surprise at my confusion. "I mentioned it a week ago."

Fuck, I forgot.

"Right. Latia." I stood, stretching my shadows back into normal proportions. "No chess matches this time?"

"I believe your position on such arrangements is well documented throughout the Underworld."

I grinned. "Just making sure."

"Clean yourself up," she instructed. "We depart in two hours. The Astaroth estate is some distance from here."

As she turned to leave, she paused. "Dante?"

"Yes, Mother?"

"Your progress this week has been extraordinary." Her eyes held something like pride mixed with caution. "But remember that true mastery comes from balance, not just intensity."

I nodded, though I had no intention of slowing down. "I'll keep that in mind."

After she departed, I summoned Umbra once more, letting the shadows embrace me completely. Within their dark cocoon, I smiled.

One week down. Power growing. Techniques refining. And this was just the beginning.

Latia Astaroth, huh? The magical prodigy niece of Ajuka Beelzebub himself. This dinner might be more interesting than expected.