"Yes, they're officially crazy," spoke Professor Cedrick as he put both palms on his face to hide his expression. "Hohoho... Youngsters are always full of energy, aren't they?" replied the principal.
On the other hand, Veramount and Alexia cannot help but be shocked
"Lmoa, they are really nutcase ", says Mers as he laughing uncontrobally
Veramount and Alexia cannot even say anything and just focus their sight on the three challengers
the profeasor who takes care of the orb says, "Let the challenge begin"
As the glowing sphere pulsed with magic, the arena dimmed, shadows crawling across the stone floor. The air grew unnaturally hot—so hot that even the spectators in the upper seats leaned back instinctively, wiping sudden beads of sweat from their foreheads.
A low, rumbling growl rolled through the arena.
Not from a throat.But from deep within the ground itself.
Cracks of glowing light split the arena floor open, and something clawed its way out—slowly, deliberately—until a towering figure rose from the smoke.
The crowd collectively gasped.
Flarebane, the Ember Wretch, had arrived.
It stood hunched, yet still impossibly tall, its body built from what looked like black volcanic stone. The creature's skin wasn't smooth—it was fractured everywhere, like obsidian that had exploded from pressure. And from every crack, fiery veins pulsed, glowing orange and red as if molten lava flowed beneath its flesh.
A shimmering haze of heat distorted the air around it.
Its head lifted.
A stretched, skull-like face emerged from the smoke, with two furnace-bright eyes slowly opening—white-hot in the centre, fading into hellish red. They flickered like dying embers reignited by rage.
Then its mouth opened.
Two jagged halves of its lower jaw split apart, widening like a cracked furnace door. Flame leaked out between rows of uneven, magma-glowing teeth. The creature exhaled, and a blast of hot air washed across the stadium, forcing some spectators to shield their faces.
"What… what even is that?" Edmond breathed out, horrified.
Flarebane straightened a little, revealing the monstrous slit running along its spine—a gigantic furnace vent carved directly into its back. It opened and closed slowly, like it was trying to cool itself, each breath releasing bursts of light and shimmering heat.
Its arms hung low, far longer than normal, the muscles shaped like layers of cooled rock. At the end of each arm, its fingers ended in claws made of living fire, constantly shifting and flickering like flame trapped in the shape of a blade.
When it took a step forward, three molten stone talons slammed onto the ground with a heavy thud. Sparks burst outward. The arena floor itself hissed, scorched by contact.
Jarek swallowed hard. "I… don't think my eyebrows will survive this."
Flarebane lifted its head fully now, letting out a low, gurgling roar—a sound like lava exploding underwater, deep and violent.
Heat washed across the arena again.
Every ember drifting from its body glowed like a dying star, floating for a moment before popping into tiny sparks.
Ashura stared, stunned—his fingers trembling despite trying to hide it.
"…He's huge," he whispered.
Huge… and angry.
Every movement Flarebane made seemed like it was fighting its own burning body—twisted, pained, but overflowing with lethal fury. The creature's chest glowed brighter with each breath, as if barely containing the fire raging inside.
Then Flarebane leaned forward.
Its claws ignited brighter.
The furnace on its back opened wider.
Every crack on its body blazed like a miniature volcano.
And the Ember Wretch finally roared at Ashura's trio—
A roar so hot, so furious, that the sky above the arena rippled.
The challenge had begun.
Ashura spoke hurriedly, "Do as we practised!"
Both of them nodded and began to scatter in three directions, surrounding the monster in a triangle formation. However, the monster started hurling sharp rocks at all three of them simultaneously.
Edmond and Jarek began to chant.
"Oh, Sword Mountain Breaker, answer my call and punish my enemy!"
"Oh, Book of Will, answer my call and help me unveil the truth!"
With their weapons drawn, they deflected the monster's attacks using their strength. Edmond unleashed the spell,
"Light converge, chains arise — Radiant Chain!"
Multiple chains erupted from Edmond's weapon, aiming to bind the ember flane in place. Ashura felt the rhythm of his heartbeat and began his martial dance. Unlike before, when he needed to declare an incantation to borrow power from Nyx, this time was different. He focused on the rhythm he created within himself.
Kicking off the ground, Ashura struck the ember flane with a right kick infused with Nyx's power. This right martial dance was now concentrated on his legs rather than his whole body, allowing him to avoid incantation and reduce stamina consumption. The amber flane felt the impact of Ashura's kick to its head, producing a great blow that elicited a powerful scream.
"Arghhhhhhhhhh!"
"Jarek, attack its leg now!" Edmond urged, urgency in his voice. Jarek wielded his sword, aiming for the monster's leg, but the amber flane sensed the threat and unleashed multiple volcanic rocks that blistered with heat, threatening to burn him.
"Like hell you can keep me out with that kind of attack!" Jarek shouted as he ran toward the monster, dodging the incoming projectiles. Ashura moved simultaneously with Jarek, also aiming for the amber flane's legs with his kicks.
Just as they were about to land a hit, the ember flane let out a sinister laugh.
"Kekekekkekek!" The ground beneath them began to glow with an ominous light.
"Retreat!" Ashura shouted to Jarek.
Crash! An explosion occurred, throwing Ashura and Jarek away, while Edmond's chains were completely eradicated.
"Urgh, that hurt ", Edmond spoke
"Get out of there, Edmond!" I shouted at him, hurrying to my feet and running toward the Ember Flame. If Edmond were taken by the Ember Flame, our plan would fail.
"Jarek, start doing it!" I yelled. Jarek seemed to understand and stood up, but he wasn't moving; he was focused entirely on his sword.
As the Ember Flame prepared to unleash an attack on Edmond, its gaze shifted to me, clearly annoyed. Tch, as expected, it has good instincts, but that's all it has.
I released more energy into my feet and struck at the Ember Flame's hands. It appeared that my attack forced the Ember Flame to enhance its body with more solid rock. Unknown to it, my rhythm also changed, and the energy from my feet travelled to my palm. With that, I was able to land a solid hit on its head.
Swoosh! The Ember Flame was hit and pushed backwards.
Grrr...
ember flane is getting more annoying
Just a little bit, I need to make enough time for Jarek.
"Well then, little ember, let's play" I smile with provocation