Ivan’s Training Under Denial Raviel

The Duke’s mansion was an imposing structure, its blackstone walls standing tall against the evening sky. Flame-touched banners of the Raviel family crest hung along the courtyard, a symbol of their mastery over fire magic.

After a brief rest, Ivan William and Ivansia Raviel were led directly to the training grounds—no formal welcomes, no idle chatter.

Denial Raviel, the Duke of Fire, stood at the center. His piercing gaze locked onto Ivan, his arms crossed.

“Your magic is decent.” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. “But decent means nothing here.”

Without another word, he raised a single hand—and unleashed a blazing inferno.

---

First Trial: Surviving the Raviel Flames

The entire training ground ignited. A crimson firestorm erupted, surrounding Ivan in swirling torrents of searing heat. The ground beneath him cracked, the air itself shimmered.

"If you cannot endure fire, you do not deserve to wield it."

Denial’s words echoed through the flames.

Ivan’s instincts screamed at him to retreat. But he didn’t.

His mana surged as he expanded his own fire barrier, pushing against the overwhelming heat. Yet, unlike normal flames, the Raviel fire was alive. It twisted, coiled, and devoured his magic like a predator hunting prey.

The heat alone could melt steel. But Ivan gritted his teeth, refusing to falter.

Denial watched, his sharp gaze analyzing every twitch of Ivan’s movement.

Minutes passed.

Sweat dripped from Ivan’s face, his vision blurred from the intensity—but he held firm.

Finally, Denial lowered his hand, dissipating the flames.

“You didn’t scream.” The Duke’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “That’s a start.”

Ivansia, leaning casually against a stone pillar, smirked. “Stubborn, aren’t you?”

Ivan exhaled, shaking off the exhaustion. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

---

Second Trial: Precision of Fire

Denial led Ivan to a courtyard filled with candles—each one spaced apart in an intricate pattern.

"If you cannot control a single flame, you do not deserve to wield a thousand."

With a flick of his wrist, he ignited the first candle.

"Your task is simple." He gestured at the remaining ones. "Light them all at once. If even one burns too bright or too weak, you fail."

Ivan’s eyes narrowed. This was about finesse, not power.

He extended his hand, channeling his mana—and fire flickered to life.

But immediately, he noticed the imbalance. Some flames roared too fiercely, while others barely clung to existence.

Denial scoffed. "Sloppy."

Ivan took a deep breath, adjusting his magic. He needed balance.

A second attempt. This time, the flames moved with precision, spreading smoothly between the candles.

Denial gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Better. But not perfect. Again."

---

Days of Training, Moments of Reflection

Each passing day, Ivan grew stronger. His control over fire magic became sharper, more refined.

Yet Denial did not let up. The training intensified—pushing Ivan beyond his limits, demanding perfection.

One evening, Ivan sat outside the mansion, staring at the flickering embers in the training ground.

Ivansia walked up beside him, arms crossed. "You’re surviving better than I thought."

Ivan smirked. "Was that supposed to be a compliment?"

She rolled her eyes but sat down next to him. "Maybe."

For a moment, they sat in silence, watching the flames dance in the dark.

---

Arthur & Rean’s Training – Unlocking Their Unique Abilities

While Ivan trained under Denial Raviel and Nether faced the elven trials, the remaining brothers, Arthur and Rean, embarked on their own journey of growth.

Their path led them to a secluded training ground deep within the capital, a place where unique abilities could be honed without outside interference.

---

Arthur’s Telekinesis Training

Arthur stood in a vast stone courtyard, his brow furrowed in concentration. Massive boulders levitated around him, trembling under the force of his will.

His trainer, Master Gaius, watched with a sharp gaze. The elderly warrior was known for his unrelenting teaching methods.

"Telekinesis is not about brute force, Arthur," Gaius lectured. "It is about control. Power without control is meaningless."

Arthur grit his teeth as three boulders suddenly shot toward him—Gaius's test of reflex.

He exhaled sharply, extending his mental grasp. Instead of stopping them, he shifted their trajectory, making them hover around him in a circular motion.

Gaius nodded approvingly. "Good. But now, let's see how you handle something alive."

With a quick motion, he hurled a dagger directly at Arthur's chest.

Arthur's instincts screamed at him to dodge. Instead, he forced himself to focus—his telekinesis snatched the dagger midair, halting it inches from his heart.

Gaius smirked. "Not bad. Again."

---

Rean’s Shadow Mastery

Deep within the underground training hall, Rean stood surrounded by complete darkness.

A low voice echoed through the cavern.

"The shadows are alive, Rean."

His trainer, a mysterious figure named Shade, blended seamlessly with the darkness around them. Unlike other instructors, Shade never revealed his face, only his glowing violet eyes.

Rean took a steady breath, closing his eyes. He could feel the shadows moving, writhing like living creatures.

"Your task is simple," Shade continued. "Meld into the darkness. Become unseen."

Rean focused, channeling his mana into the shadows around him. The darkness clung to his body like a second skin.

At first, it was unnatural, like wearing clothes too tight. But the more he let go of resistance, the more the shadows accepted him.

Then, in an instant—he vanished.

"Good." Shade's voice sounded pleased. "But can you move unseen?"

Rean took a step forward—only for a dagger to slice through the air beside him.

"Too slow."

Rean barely dodged as another blade came from behind.

Shade's voice whispered through the darkness. "Shadows must flow. If you hesitate, you will die."

Rean gritted his teeth. He needed to move faster.

His body shifted, blending into the darkness once more, his steps becoming lighter—more fluid.

And then, he was gone.

Shade nodded. "Now, let’s see how far you can push it."

---

Growth & Reunion

Days passed.

Arthur and Rean’s training pushed them to new heights.

Arthur’s telekinesis could now control multiple weapons at once with deadly accuracy.

Rean had mastered the art of moving unseen, becoming a ghost in the shadows.

As they prepared to leave their training grounds, a letter arrived—a summons from Nether.

The brothers exchanged glances.

It was time to reunite.

To be continue