The Final World was vast. Not vast beyond measures, but at the very least, it was larger than the Black Desert. Maybe even larger than the entirety of Rianra. That was how large, small worlds usually were. Though some of the larger ones could be as large as several countries put together. Maybe the Final World was one of those larger worlds. Only the Lost City’s council, and those who found it in the boundaries of the world would know.

  Regardless, for the Wanderers undergoing their Final Trial, the Final World was far larger than what they could explore in the short time they had for their Trial. Even the forest they had been sent to was so large, that the Lost City asked the Star Seekers to explore only a small part of it as their Trial. And even then, the Star Seekers had to change their strategies many times, just to be able to have a small hope of completing their goal. Mostly because of the other Wanderers trying to stop them from completing their Trial, but the strange environment of the forest also had its part to play.

  As if the trees scattered around the forest without any patterns, with their roots, both hanging from their branches, and sticking out of the ground, were not enough slow down their exploration, they also had to deal with all kinds of Oren Beasts popping out every now and then, trying to defend their territories. Or just seeking some prey. Not to mention the abrupt changes they encountered on their way. Like the rivers suddenly deciding to go on a rampage. Or the toxic swamp suddenly boiling with excitement.

  Fortunately for the Wanderers, they did not have to deal with the toxic fog drifting over the swamp. Not unless they decided to take a dip in it. Or were unlucky enough to be sent directly into a swamp when entering the Final World. In any case, the forest itself did not pose them any danger. Unless the harm they brought to the forest exceeded the level it could bear, breaking the seal it had been tasked to guard.

  That was the conclusion reached by the Star Seekers. And the reason why they seldom harmed the trees in their battles. Unless they had no other choice, that is. If and when the situation required, they did not shy away from using some devastating Arcanas and Glyphs. Still, most of the time, they restrained themselves from harming the forest. Although they could not be its guardians, they chose not to be its destroyer either.

  The Lotus clan’s alliance, however, acted in an exactly opposite manner. Not only did they slaughter all the Oren Beasts in a large part of the forest, completely destroying its balance, they also never tried to avoid the tress in their attacks. Rather, it looked like they were deliberately trying to harm the forest, using whatever excuse they could. Like cutting down all the trees in a radius of over hundred metres, just to prepare a Ritual. Or deliberately disturbing its balance to slow down the Star Seekers, forcing them to separate…

  Maybe some of their actions were not made with keeping the destruction of the forest in mind, but they surely did not do anything to prevent it. They even used Mysteries of Fire wherever and whenever they could, throwing a bunch of flames all around a forest. If not for the damp air and trees, the forest would already have been burned to the ground. Especially in the battle where the last of the Wanderers in the forest had gathered. If it could even be called a forest anymore.

  For thousands of metres in all directions, there were no trees that still stood upright, no part of the ground that had not been upturned, and no part of the fog that did not smell burnt. Both of flesh, and the ground. Such wanton destruction… Yet, the Whitebud Wanderer still did not seem to be satisfied. So, he conjured his flames once again. And this time, he did not stop just at just a wisp or two. No, he summoned a whole river of flames. And he set it loose on the forest.

  From the fog around him, to the broken trees, and then to the green robed girl next to him, the flames took just a fraction of a moment to spread. But that was just the first wave. Behind it came an even greater wave of flames, spreading the fire to an even greater distance, reaching the other Wanderers, even those of his clan. It did not matter. Fire was fair. Fire was just. And Fire was impartial. Though he was not just Fire. He was a Fire Human. He was Mathias of Fire. And he was not impartial.

  Thus, the people of his clan were spared the judgement of flames. But not the insolent men who dared to question him, and plot against him in open. Those ignorant people needed to be taught a lesson, and be reminded of their place, so he did not direct all the fire away from them. Only what would keep them alive, and in excruciating pain. As for the girls who dared to oppose him again and again, there was only one end for them. To be burn—

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  Blood red shields manifested around the three girls, keeping all the flames away from them. Even those carrying the glory of blaze. It did not matter how the flames raged, burning the trees, the ground, and even the fog, they just could not get past the shields. At least not immediately. And when they did break the shields, a new one would sprout in its place, halting its advance once again. And again. And again. Until there were no flames left for them to defend against.

  Mathias of Fire, he may have become, but he could not keep on conjuring flames without an end. Especially the kind of flames that came from the crystal in his chest, tainted by the breath of the being he dared not name. Such flames were too precious, requiring a lot of time to recover. More importantly, those flames were the core of his heart, of the abilities he had acquired. He could not squander them beyond a limit.

  Though he could also have just summoned some other flames from the Origin Sea, any flame of a lesser kind would either not have enough destructiveness after being spread so far out, or would be just too costly for him to sustain. Rather than wasting his Spirit Power, or putting himself in needless risk, the Whitebud Wanderer decided to just face the girls head on. They did not have much Spirit Power left anyway. Not to mention that he was not alone.

  “Are you trying to kill us, Mathias?” the brown robed Wanderer said, glaring at the Whitebud Wanderer, as he crushed a Glyph Token, using its soothing green light to heal the burns on his arms and face. And he was one of the few with lighter injuries. Some were burnt to such a degree, that they had to use multiple tokens just to be able to move and talk normally, not to mention change their robes.

  The only Wanderers of their alliance who still had intact robes, had either been spared by the Whitebud Wanderer, or were somehow able to fend off the glory of the blaze on their own. Like the pink robed Wanderer, sweating, and panting, trying his best to hide the fear in his eyes.

  “Do you also think that I was trying to kill you, Onil?”

  “…That is a ridiculous question, Mathias,” the pink robed Wanderer said, forcing his voice to be as calm as possible, while also keeping an eye on the girls, especially the white haired one. She was the one closest to him, after all. And the one most likely to take advantage of his momentary weakness. Thankfully for him, she still seemed to be unable to move more than a step every few seconds.

  “We have an alliance. I cannot think of any reason why you would want to kill us.”

  “What ar—

  “Shut up!” the green robed Wanderer said, glaring at the brown robed Wanderer next to him, before turning back towards the Whitebud Wanderer in the distance, standing amidst a ruin of flame and ashes. They all were. The flames had been just too devastating, leaving behind nothing but scorched earth, and crackling remains of trees, with a hint of smoke billowing out of its holes. The only marks of impurity in an otherwise, unusually clean air. Though it did not look like it would remain clean for long.

  The fog from the part of the forest that was still intact, seemed to have sensed the gap left behind by the aftermath of the flames, and was beginning to move in to compete with the smoke escaping from the remnants of the trees, scattered all around the scorched earth. But that had nothing to do with the green robed man. The only thing he was worried about at the moment, was the Whitebud Wanderer standing in the ruins he had created, staring at him with an indifferent gaze.

  “Ignore him, Mathias. Nomar is just a little disoriented after getting in the way of your flames. I will make sure that he will not be so careless in the future.”

  “What—

  “Will you shut up for Wonna’s sake!”

  “You…”

  “You should not use the name of the God of Broken Earth so callously, Ejak. Especially in front of the descendants of the ones chosen by the God,” the Whitebud Wanderer said to the green robed man, before turning towards the brown robed man.

  “Though you should not blame him, Nomar. He was just thinking about you. You really should be careful of your steps, especially in a chaotic battle like this one. If I had not controlled my flames in time, you might not even have been in the condition to stand. And if I was a little careless…”

  The Whitebud Wanderer paused, and released a wisp of flame from his fingers, making it float towards a crackling piece of wood next to him, and seep into its charred grains. In the next moment, the piece of wood, almost half as large as him, burst apart, sending its broken remains flying in all directions, including where the Whitebud Wanderer was. But how could just some fragments of wood touch a human made of fire?

  “…But you do not have to worry,” the Whitebud Wanderer said, as the wood fragments passed through his body. “As long as you follow what I say, I am sure that you will not find yourself in a similar situation again. Am I right, Ejak?”

  “Absolutely,” the green robed Wanderer said, nodding nervously. Even the brown robed man seemed to have understood the situation, and nodded along with his companion. As did the other Wanderers in the clearing. All, except the three girls, whose attention was fixed on the flame that their Captain had become. And the changes that it was beginning to show.