Adrian stepped onto the platform. He ignored the chuckles and whispers of the other students, focusing instead on the stone perched on the pedestal. His fingers curled at his sides, his jaw tightening as he inhaled slowly. All right. Let’s get this over with.

  The boy raised his right hand, palm facing upward. His focus sharpened, and he felt the familiar warmth bubbling just beneath his skin, waiting to be released. The runes beneath him brightened in response, as if recognizing his intent.

  With a single thought, a flame burst to life in his palm, bright blue and crackling softly in the still air. The fire's color, as always, was a vivid and otherworldly blue, setting him apart from anyone else who wielded flames.

  The laughter and murmurs in the room faltered. A hush spread like a ripple through water, the students' eyes widening as they leaned forward in their seats. Even Alisha, seated near the middle of the room, had her lips parted in a subtle smile of approval.

  Adrian flicked his wrist, sending the flame hurtling through the air. It struck the stone dead center, exploding into a dazzling display of sparks before dissipating entirely.

  Straightening his posture, Adrian lowered his hand and glanced at Damien. The professor’s expression remained composed, but his sharp green eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. Got you, didn’t I?

  “Well,” Damien said after a pause. “A respectable display. But let’s see how you handle something more challenging.”

  Damien gestured, and a section of the platform shifted, stone panels sliding aside to reveal a shallow basin filled with water. “Evoking fire is one thing, but maintaining control is another. Your next task is to strike the water with the same precision, without extinguishing your flame.”

  Adrian arched an eyebrow. Seriously? It seems he's trying to find ways to embarrass me… but fine, I'll play along for now. Not like any of these tasks are actually challenging.

  He rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers as he approached the basin. The faint ripple of the water’s surface caught the light of the chandeliers above, casting fluid patterns on the walls.

  Once again, Adrian summoned his flame, the blue fire springing to life effortlessly in his palm. The heat radiated outward, warming the air around him. He stared at the water, concentrating. Slowly, he moved his hand forward, allowing the flame to hover mere inches above the surface.

  The fire met the water with a soft hiss, yet it did not die. Instead, the flame floated just above the surface, burning steadily. Small wisps of steam curled upward, dissipating into the air as Adrian guided the flame in a slow, deliberate arc across the basin. When he was satisfied, he flicked his wrist once more, dispersing the fire completely. The water stilled, untouched and unscorched.

  The silence in the room deepened, broken only by a few muffled gasps. Damien’s lips pressed into a thin line, hands clasped tightly behind his back. “Impressive, but control over fire alone will not suffice.”

  He snapped his fingers, and the basin slid back into the floor. In its place, a tall column of stone rose from the platform. “Your next task is to shape your flame. Carve a simple mark into this stone without causing it to crack.”

  Adrian tilted his head, his gaze shifting to the column. Fine. You want to keep throwing these at me? Let’s see how far you’ll go.

  He lifted both hands this time, conjuring twin flames that danced and swirled around his fingers. The blue light cast eerie shadows on the walls, drawing the captivated attention of every student in the room.

  He stepped closer to the column, the heat from his flames intensifying. Slowly, he directed one of the flames toward the stone, its edges narrowing into a fine line. The fire etched into the stone with surgical precision, tracing a perfect circle. Sparks flew as the stone hissed and groaned under the heat, but Adrian controlled the intensity, ensuring the column remained intact.

  When the task was complete, he stepped back. The circle he had drawn glowed faintly, the surface of the stone smooth and unmarred by cracks.

  Soon after, the watching students erupted into murmurs, their earlier amusement replaced by awe. Adrian glanced at Damien, whose composure was finally beginning to falter. The professor’s jaw tightened, and his gaze lingered on Adrian for a moment too long before he spoke.

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  “Well… done," Damien said bitterly. "But let’s push things further.”

  He waved his hand again, and the platform shifted once more. This time, three metal spheres suspended in midair, each spinning erratically. “Strike all three, simultaneously.”

  Adrian’s lips curved into a faint smirk. Now we’re talking.

  He extended his hands, summoning larger flames that spiraled upward, crackling with energy. The room fell deathly silent as he focused, splitting his attention between the three targets. With a flick of his wrists, he released three tendrils of fire, each one streaking through the air, before hitting their marks in perfect unison, engulfing the spheres in a brilliant blaze then dissipating completely.

  The spheres slowed their spinning, glowing faintly as the fire’s energy faded. Adrian turned to face Damien, his blue flames extinguished, leaving only the faint scent of smoke in the air.

  The professor’s expression was unreadable as he studied Adrian. “Exceptional, it appears you are… more capable than I anticipated.”

  Adrian stepped off the platform and returned to his seat without a word. The whispers in the room grew louder, students exchanging impressed glances and hushed comments.

  Alisha leaned toward him, her voice low. “You really showed him."

  “What can I say? I’m just full of surprises.” Adrian said, shrugging his shoulders.

  But before Alisha could respond further, Damien’s voice cut through the room. “Impressive, Adrian, but natural talent can only take one so far. Mastery requires discipline, and that,” he paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, “is often where the gifted falter.”

  Adrian turned back to face Damien. You know what? I've had it with this guy, consequences be damned. “That seems like a rather roundabout way of saying I'm more talented than you are, Professor, don't you agree?"

  Laughter erupted from the students, breaking the tension like a wave crashing against the shore. Alisha clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh, while a few students at the back openly chuckled, nudging each other. Even some of the more serious students allowed small grins to slip through.

  Damien’s expression tightened, though he forced a thin smile onto his lips. His sharp green eyes glinted with something colder now, a flicker of irritation that he quickly masked. He clasped his hands behind his back and took a deliberate step toward the platform.

  “Well, Adrian,” Damien said smoothly, though his voice carried an unmistakable edge. “Since you’re so eager to demonstrate your capabilities, let’s settle one final matter. I have a… practical exercise in mind, something that will push you to your limits.”

  The room fell silent instantly, the lingering laughter evaporating as Damien’s words sank in. Adrian straightened in his seat, his gaze fixed on the professor. Oh, here we go.

  Damien gestured toward the platform. “A sparring session. You and I, here and now.”

  A ripple of shock swept through the room, students exchanging wide-eyed looks. Alisha turned to Adrian, her violet eyes filled with concern. “Adrian, you don’t have to—”

  Adrian raised a hand to stop her, then shifted his focus back to Damien. “Tell me, Professor, is this really part of the curriculum, or are we improvising now?”

  Damien’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes as he stepped onto the platform. “I decide what gets taught in this classroom, Adrian. If you have an issue with my methods, you are free to leave at any time. Of course, you would also be accepting the consequences of such a decision. Your choice.”

  The challenge hung in the air, heavy and unavoidable. Adrian glanced around the room, the weight of the students’ stares pressing against him. Back down now, and he’ll use this against me every chance he gets. Play along, and I get the chance to wipe that smug look off his face.

  Adrian exhaled slowly, pushing back his chair and standing. “Fine. Let’s do this.”

  The students watched in stunned silence as Adrian stepped back onto the platform. Alisha gripped the edge of her desk, her knuckles white as she leaned forward, her eyes locked on Adrian. The glowing runes beneath his feet pulsed faintly, casting their ethereal light across the room.

  Damien moved to the center of the platform, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a casual exercise. His sharp green eyes gleamed as he addressed the class. “Pay close attention. This will serve as a valuable lesson in the importance of preparation, adaptability, and understanding one’s limitations.”

  Adrian folded his arms. “Don’t forget to include a lesson on what happens when you underestimate someone.”

  A few scattered chuckles broke the silence, but the tension quickly returned as Damien raised his hand, conjuring a shimmering barrier around the platform. “This barrier will contain the effects of our sparring session, no interruptions, no excuses.”

  Adrian flexed his fingers, the familiar warmth of his fire stirring beneath his skin. He planted his feet firmly, his blue eyes fixed on Damien. All right, let’s see if you can keep up, Professor.

  Damien extended his hand, a swirling orb of green energy forming in his palm. It radiated power, the light reflecting off the etched runes beneath their feet. “Whenever you’re ready, Adrian."

  “Don’t worry, Professor. I’ve been ready for a good while."