I need to become adaptable.
Flexible. Malleable.
Theo still wasn't taking him seriously, and Hiro was already struggling just to survive.
He needed to master combat.
He needed to learn how to adapt in the middle of battle.
Hiro still wasn't entirely sure if Theo was telling the truth about humans possessing the greatest adaptability among all races…
…but he decided something in that moment.
If it wasn't reality—
Then he would make it reality.
He would change.
Evolve.
Grow until nothing in existence could stand above him again.
Theo rolled his shoulders casually.
"Are you able to continue, boy?"
Hiro wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and smirked.
"I have a feeling you wouldn't let me quit even if I wasn't ready."
He raised his fists again.
"Besides… I'm just getting fired up."
Hiro charged forward immediately, throwing a rapid series of punches at Theo.
But Theo effortlessly parried every strike.
Too smooth.
Too precise.
Then Theo spun suddenly—
WHAM!
A vicious backfist shot toward Hiro's head.
Hiro reacted instantly and blocked it.
I can follow him now!
Seeing an opening, Hiro quickly threw a kick toward Theo's side.
I got him this time! Finally, a little payback—
THUD!
Theo swept Hiro's supporting leg out from beneath him.
Hiro lost balance instantly.
But instead of crashing to the ground, Hiro planted one hand against the dirt and flipped into a one-handed handstand.
Then—
BAM!
Hiro's heel slammed into Theo's shoulder.
Theo slid back slightly.
Hiro landed and grinned proudly.
"I finally got a hit in!"
He pointed smugly.
"How's that?!"
Theo smiled faintly.
"Good."
His eyes sharpened.
"You're finally beginning to adapt."
Then his expression shifted instantly.
"But don't become arrogant."
Theo raised one hand.
"Wind Magic: Tornado Sweep."
A violent burst of wind erupted outward.
Before Hiro could react, the spinning air wrapped around his body and violently hurled him into the ground.
CRASH!
Hiro groaned.
"You used magic?!"
He pointed accusingly.
"That's not fair!"
Theo stared at him blankly.
"All things are fair in battle."
"I never said I wouldn't use magic."
Theo lowered his hand casually.
"It is a weapon available to me. Therefore, I used it."
Hiro frowned.
"I thought we were training hand-to-hand combat before moving into magic."
Theo shook his head.
"That was your misunderstanding, not mine."
Then suddenly—
Flames ignited around Theo's fists.
"IGNITION FISTS."
Hiro's eyes widened.
"…Fire hands?! Seriously?!"
He stared in disbelief.
"How am I supposed to fight that?! I don't have some cool move like Water Fists or Flame-Extinguisher Legs!"
Theo laughed softly.
"That is precisely the point."
He stepped forward slowly.
"You must find a solution."
Theo exploded forward.
A relentless barrage of punches and kicks rained down on Hiro.
Hiro blocked what he could.
Dodged when possible.
But every time Theo's burning fists touched him—
Pain surged through his body.
The heat scorched his skin relentlessly.
This is so frustrating!
No matter how hard Hiro tried, he kept getting hit.
Theo's attacks were overwhelming.
Precise.
Merciless.
And every burning strike only made Hiro angrier.
It pisses me off…
No matter what I do, I can't stop him!
Hiro's frustration continued building.
Burning hotter.
Hotter.
Until suddenly—
Hiro dropped his guard completely.
Theo's eyes narrowed instantly.
Opening detected.
"You're wide open, boy!"
Flames erupted violently around Theo's arm.
"IGNITION FIST: INFERNO!"
Theo lunged forward.
At the very last second—
Hiro caught Theo's flaming fist mid-punch.
Theo's eyes widened slightly.
The flames…
Were disappearing.
No.
They were being absorbed.
Theo could physically feel the fire being pulled away from his hand and into Hiro's body.
Then—
BAM!
Hiro's kick slammed into Theo's ribs hard enough to force him backward several steps.
Theo stopped moving immediately.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Theo slowly grinned.
Could this be his…?
Meanwhile, Hiro stood motionless.
"…Frustrating…"
His voice trembled softly.
"…Frustrating…"
The air around Hiro suddenly began heating up.
His hair slowly floated upward as magical energy spiraled around him violently.
Flames erupted around his body.
The restraints chained to him began glowing red-hot.
Hiro looked at his hands in shock.
"What… is this feeling?"
The sensation overwhelmed him completely.
It felt wild.
Explosive.
As if something sleeping deep within him had finally awakened.
Instinctively, Hiro poured everything he had into that sensation.
BOOM!
The restraints shattered apart instantly, melting into liquid metal.
Flames exploded outward from Hiro's feet, scorching the ground beneath him.
Theo's eyes widened.
"You've manifested your Elementa."
Hiro blinked.
"My… what?"
"Your Elementa."
Theo stepped forward carefully.
"The fundamental nature of your magic."
He pointed toward the flames surrounding Hiro.
"Most spells become easier to learn when they align with your Elementa."
Hiro looked at the fire dancing across his arms.
"So… my magic is fire?"
Theo nodded slowly.
"For a human… that is nearly unheard of."
Hiro tilted his head.
"Why?"
Theo crossed his arms.
"Each race possesses natural magical affinities."
"Humans are generally compatible with water-based magic because of the nature of their bodies."
He looked at the flames surrounding Hiro carefully.
"But fire…"
Theo narrowed his eyes.
"…is normally associated with races like dragons and dwarves."
Hiro blinked rapidly.
"…Wait."
He pointed at himself.
"Are you saying I'm secretly part dragon or something?"
Theo shook his head immediately.
"Unlikely."
"Hybrids are born with magic already developed. Magic is a dominant trait."
Theo examined Hiro carefully.
"You possess no non-human features whatsoever."
A strange smile spread across Theo's face.
"If anything…"
"…you seem more human than normal."
Hiro stared blankly.
"…That somehow feels insulting."
Theo laughed.
"I wouldn't call you special."
Then his grin widened slightly.
"But you are certainly an anomaly."
Theo pointed toward Hiro's burning hands.
"Now then."
"Try recreating the spell I used earlier."
"Ignition Fists?"
"That's the one."
Theo folded his arms.
"Remember how the spell felt and guide your magic accordingly."
Hiro frowned slightly.
"So I need to visualize something?"
"Not necessarily."
Theo pointed toward Hiro's chest.
"Spells are simply methods of giving magic direction and form."
Hiro nodded slowly.
"Alright…"
He closed his eyes.
"I'll try."
Hiro focused deeply.
He attempted recreating the sensation Theo produced earlier.
"Ignition Fists…"
Nothing happened.
No fire.
No heat.
Nothing.
Hiro opened one eye awkwardly.
"…Seriously?"
Theo chuckled softly.
"You're focusing too much on the spell itself."
He pointed toward Hiro's chest again.
"Focus on the feeling you experienced when your Elementa awakened."
"Magic behaves like a muscle."
Theo smiled faintly.
"Once you recognize it exists, you can strengthen it."
Hiro inhaled deeply.
"…Okay."
He closed his eyes once more.
This time, Hiro searched for the sensation itself.
That explosive heat.
That overwhelming pressure.
At first, he felt nothing.
Then slowly—
A spark.
Tiny flames flickered within his fingertips.
The sensation spread through his body like a growing wildfire.
Then suddenly—
BOOM.
The flames erupted violently.
"IGNITION—"
Fire exploded around Hiro's arms.
"—FISTS!!!"
Flames engulfed both of Hiro's arms from fingertips to shoulders.
Yet despite the intensity—
He felt no pain at all.
Hiro stared at his own magic in awe.
"This…"
His eyes widened.
"This is my magic?!"
The flames felt powerful.
Dense.
Violent.
Yet strangely light at the same time.
Theo nodded approvingly.
"Now focus the fire into your palm."
He extended his own hand as demonstration.
"Compress it into a concentrated stream and release it forward."
Theo smirked.
"That variation is called Ignition Fist: Inferno."
Hiro immediately frowned.
"That name's way too long."
Theo blinked.
"…What?"
"I'm changing it."
Theo opened his mouth.
"It will not function properly if you alter the intended structure of the—"
"Flame Shot!"
BOOOOM!
A concentrated blast of fire erupted from Hiro's palm instantly, blasting straight through a massive tree and leaving a burning hole through its center.
Silence filled the training grounds.
Theo stared at the destroyed tree for several seconds.
Then he sighed.
"…Apparently it works anyway."
Hiro grinned proudly.
Theo slowly smiled afterward.
"I suppose training your combat skills and magic will become considerably easier now."
He glanced toward the shattered restraints.
"Especially since your magic is no longer being suppressed."
Hiro stared at his burning hands.
For the first time since his village had been destroyed…
He finally felt himself moving forward.
Step by step.
Little by little.
Growing stronger.
A dark smile slowly formed across Hiro's face.
Just wait.
Just wait until they see what I become.
His flames intensified slightly.
With this power…
I'll finally stand above them.
The memory of the burning village resurfaced in his mind.
The screams.
The fire.
The elves.
Hatred surged through Hiro's chest like an inferno.
Be ready.
His eyes glowed fiercely.
I'm coming for all of you.