The clash continued.
Rowan’s ice sword shattered mid-exchange, splitting into countless thin sheets that scattered across the ground like broken glass. Without hesitation, he ford another blade, then another, each one breaking, reforming, and slashing again as he pressed Voli relentlessly.
Ice Sword versus Fire Sword.
"So this is why they call him the Fire God..." Rowan thought. His flas aren’t just powerful, they’re controlled. Solid. Refined.
Voli’s footwork was sharp, his swordsmanship clean. Even without a sword blessing, his experience filled the gaps. His fire compensated for what he lacked, turning every strike into a lethal exchange.
But Rowan could see it clearly now.
If this were pure swordplay, no mana, no elents, I would end this in under a minute.
They exchanged dozens of blows in seconds.
Then Rowan leapt back, twisting his wrist upward. Mana surged.
A hundred ice fragnts ford instantly, hovering in the air like suspended blades.
Voli snapped his fingers.
A hundred fire streaks erupted in response.
BOOM!
They collided at once, ice and fla tearing into each other as thick smoke flooded the battlefield, rolling across the ground like fog. The sound of repeated explosions echoed through the clearing.
The smoke parted.
Rowan raised both hands.
Mana roared.
A massive ice spear began to form, layer after layer condensing, compressing, hardening. It grew larger and larger until it towered above him.
Twenty feet long. Three ters wide.
The tip was razor-sharp, glowing faintly blue from the sheer density of mana packed inside.
Rowan smiled faintly.
"This is everything I’ve got."
Across from him, Voli laughed.
"Now that is impressive," he said. "But do you know why they call the Fire God?"
He raised one hand.
Fire erupted, violent, majestic, absolute.
A phoenix of fla took shape, wings stretching wide as its body solidified into blazing form. It let out a piercing cry, heat distorting the air around it.
Elian gasped.
Rowan’s eyes narrowed.
Fire... but it’s not ordinary fla. It’s condensed. Solid.
He thrust his arms forward.
The giant ice spear launched.
The phoenix flapped its wings once, twice, and surged forward, opening its blazing beak wide.
The spear collided.
For a split second, ice and fire resisted each other.
Then.
The phoenix swallowed the spear whole.
Steam exploded outward as the ice vanished inside the blazing body. The phoenix burned brighter, then dove straight toward Rowan at terrifying speed.
Rowan didn’t move.
He simply watched.
Before impact,
Voli clenched his fist.
The phoenix vanished instantly, dispersing into harmless sparks.
Silence fell.
Voli clapped once, clearly impressed.
"Outstanding," he said. "That was far beyond what a six-year-old should be capable of."
Rowan exhaled slowly, sweat dripping from his brow, but his eyes were calm.
"I think I understand now," Voli said, his gaze fixed on Rowan. "That was truly impressive."
He let out a quiet laugh.
"So you really are sothing special. A final god. I expected nothing less."
Voli shook his head slowly, still amazed.
"But what surprises the most is this. He’s still just a child. A six-year-old. And look at what he’s already capable of."
He glanced back at the spot where the blue fla had appeared earlier.
"A blue fla on his first attempt. That’s absurd. He still hasn’t even finished learning basic arithtic."
Aldwin crossed his arms. "So how long do you plan to train him?"
Voli answered without hesitation.
"Four years."
He turned slightly, looking toward the house.
"His grandfather, the Duke, paid well. The agreent was clear. I’ll train him until he turns ten, right before he enters the Royal Academy for Swordsn."
He paused.
"His sword blessing hasn’t been confird yet, but honestly, after what I’ve seen today, it hardly matters."
Voli’s expression grew serious.
"Four years is more than enough."
Aldwin raised an eyebrow. "You’re confident?"
Voli chuckled.
"It took twenty years to reach my current level. I started training seriously at twelve and only perfected the Fla Phoenix at thirty-two."
He looked back at Rowan.
"But him?"
"Four years will be enough."
Voli smiled faintly.
"In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he surpasses ."
Aldwin exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Then that settles it."
He turned toward the house.
"That’s enough training for today. Let’s all go inside."
Aldwin went inside the house early and didn’t stay close to Rowan.
Rowan walked left.
Elian followed him.
Rowan walked right.
She followed again.
Rowan sat down on the sofa.
Elian sat beside him, close. Very close.
Aldwin noticed imdiately.
So did Mira, who was already inside the house.
Voli had moved toward the dining table, leaving the two behind.
"Wow," Aldwin muttered, arms crossed. "I’m only noticing it now. You two have gotten really close while we were gone."
Mira blinked, then leaned slightly forward.
"Wait. You’re right."
She looked at Elian again, then at Rowan.
"She’s clingy," Mira said slowly. "She wasn’t like this before."
Aldwin nodded.
"Exactly. Sothing changed."
He glanced at Elian.
"Well, I suppose it’s not hard to guess why. Elian is here now, safe, calm, no longer running. And she’s finally spending ti with Rowan."
He smiled faintly.
"Probably made her realize she’s acting like a big sister."
Elian nodded softly, not denying it.
Rowan stood up.
He walked away from the sofa, heading toward the staircase.
Elian followed.
Rowan slowed his steps.
She kept following.
He stopped halfway up the stairs and turned around.
"Elian," Rowan said calmly.
"Yes, Master Rowan?" she replied. "Is there a problem?"
Rowan exhaled quietly.
"I don’t hate that you’re nearby," he said honestly.
"But I need personal boundaries."
Elian tilted her head.
"It’s too much," Rowan continued. "I need so space."
There was no anger in his voice, just firmness.
Elian blinked.
"I see."
She bowed slightly.
"As you wish, Master Rowan. I’ll give you space."
She turned and walked back toward her room.
Rowan remained still for a mont.
This is awkward.
He rubbed the side of his head.
"I’m really not used to being followed around by a lady," he muttered to himself.
With a quiet sigh, Rowan continued up the stairs and entered his room.
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