Zephyra lifted her head, eyes following him for a moment before resting it back down on her paws.

Arden walked a little distance away, the sounds of their laughter and the crackling fire dimming behind him. He took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders as heat stirred beneath his skin.

The elixirs had been doing more than just patching up his strength. His core felt sharper, the flow tighter. Something inside was waiting to be shaped.

He lifted his hand and drew on his crimson core. Fire gathered, trembling as it swirled into a ball above his palm. At first it sputtered, flickering weakly as though it wanted to collapse.

From where they sat, Nyra leaned forward. "Looks like he's failing already."

"Wait," Rael muttered, eyes narrowing.

The flame pulsed brighter as Arden poured his life energy into it. It swelled past the size of his fist, then his forearm, heat licking the air around him. Sweat clung to his brow, but his expression didn't falter. The ball stretched, shaping itself into a spear, the edges burning with a crimson flare that seemed almost alive.

Arden twirled it once, then shifted the shape, bending it into a blade, then a jagged shard before pulling it back into a spear again. His focus didn't waver.

"Show-off," Nyra whispered, though her tone betrayed awe.

With a grunt, Arden hurled it skyward.

BOOM!

The night lit up as the spear exploded into a fiery bloom that split the clouds, the shockwave rolling across the ground, shaking the trees at the edge of camp. Embers scattered down like fading stars.

Rael whistled low. "Well… that's one way to end dinner."

Arden lowered his hand, a grin tugging at his lips as the heat faded. Then the familiar flicker of the system interface lit up before his eyes.

[New Life Signature Gained

Ignis Core Ascendant

Affinity: Fire (Expanded Control)

Evolution Trigger: Continuous refinement through Vital Ember Elixir + stabilized core circulation from Crimson Core.

Prolonged exposure attuned user's life energy channels to fire's natural rhythm, unlocking active conjuration control.

Effects:

Flame Conduction: Summon external fire from reserves, shaping it into spears, streams, or barriers.

Form Shaping: Compress into solid constructs or disperse into mist-like flames.

Release Invocation: Unleash bursts, waves, or sustained fire streams.

Affinity Conduction (Enhanced): Fire aligns more naturally with other elements, easing hybrid techniques.

Note: Stronger when drawing from external heat sources].

Arden's eyes traced every word, the corner of his mouth twitching as thoughts ran quick through him. Through refinement and elixirs, through pain and sweat… the Crimson Core has risen. Fire isn't just something I contain anymore. It's mine to command.

He muttered the last part under his breath, extending his hand again. A flame sparked to life and swelled into a sphere. He willed it harder, shaping it into a jagged wall. For a heartbeat it held, then broke apart into scattering embers.

Nyra tilted her head, not looking surprised. "I swear, at this point you'll sprout wings and call yourself a dragon."

Rael leaned forward, brow furrowed. "Well. That… wasn't just reinforcement. How the hell are you casting spells? You're not an elementalist, you're a battle mage. That's not supposed to work."

Nyra smirked, amusement replacing her awe. "Or maybe he just took my joke seriously. Go on then, Arden. Next step, set the moon on fire."

Arden glanced at her, deadpan. "Sure. I'll do that right after you manage to hit something without slipping."

Nyra's face twisted, Rael barked out a laugh, and even Zephyra gave a low rumble that might have been a beast's version of chuckling.

The campfire dimmed into embers as the night passed, and before long morning painted the horizon. They packed quickly, sharing a quiet breakfast of roasted meat and dried fruit before setting off.

Arden led the way with a steadiness that carried more edge than before. His steps were faster, his gaze sharper, and the fire in his core itched for release.

It didn't take long before he halted, eyes narrowing as his life energy stretched out. A low grin tugged at his lips.

"Perfect," he murmured.

The others knew that tone by now.

Another hunt was about to begin.

The air thickened as Arden's senses locked onto the movement ahead. The system flickered open before his eyes.

[Detected Threat]

Name: Irontusk Mauler

Affinity: Earth

Traits:

Ironhide Plates – Natural armor that resists elemental burns and blunt force.

Seismic Charge – Channels earth energy into its tusks, striking with ground-cracking force.

Stonehide Regeneration – Wounds harden into rock-like scar tissue, slowing sustained damage.

Burrow Lunge – Dives through soil and reemerges with sudden force.

The beast lumbered from the ridge, its body covered in layered, stone-colored plates. Tusks jutted forward, rough and jagged like broken blades. Each step carried weight, the ground quivering beneath its bulk.

Rael whistled low. "That thing looks like it chews boulders for breakfast."

Nyra crossed her arms. "More like it is the boulder."

Zephyra gave a low growl, her cerulean flames faintly flickering across her fur, but she held back, her sharp gaze on Arden.

Arden stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as his core hummed. "This one's mine."

No one argued. They knew what he meant. He needed this.

The Mauler snorted, soil scattering as it lowered its tusks. Then with a sudden surge it lunged, tusks glowing faintly with earthen light.

"Seismic Charge!" Arden muttered, almost amused. "Come then."

The ground split with a CRACK as the beast charged, dust spraying. Arden's hands lit in crimson glow, life energy flooding through the Ignis Core Ascendant. A torrent of fire erupted around him.

FWOOOSH!

The first tusk strike was met with a wall of fire, compressed into a barrier. Heat warped the air, flames coiling like molten glass. The impact rang out like steel on steel.

Arden didn't flinch. "Too slow."

His palm twisted, and the barrier shattered outward into dozens of burning shards, spearing the Mauler's side. The beast roared, its ironhide sizzling, though it tried to harden the wounds with its trait.

From the sidelines, Rael muttered, "That… that's not reinforcement. He's shaping it."

Nyra smirked, unable to tear her eyes away. "Figures. Arden doesn't know how to do things halfway."

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