The Dragons Heir

Interlude 2/ Forged in Fire: The Month of Mastery

(Quick note: The Stat section is basically the same as in chapter five with a few changes that are explained in the chapter)

ALEX

It had been two long days since the entire ice incident unfolded, and I found myself immersed in a rigorous training regimen focused on honing my magical abilities with Puck's unwavering guidance. In the midst of our session, I was engaged in an intense exercise that required me to dodge a relentless barrage of ice spikes Puck launched at me, relying on my danger sense to anticipate their trajectories. My heart raced as I weaved and ducked, the sharp, glistening projectiles narrowly missing me as I focused intently on my movements.

Simultaneously, I was tasked with the challenge of shooting down a series of targets that Puck had meticulously set up earlier. With a determined flick of my wrist, I channeled various Yang spells, each bolt of magic bursting forth with vibrant energy, striking down the targets one by one. It was crucial for my growth as a practitioner to cultivate precision under such high-pressure circumstances, so we had devised this particular exercise to push my limits.

"And score!" Puck exclaimed triumphantly, his voice cutting through the air as I successfully obliterated the last remaining pillar. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "Your precision is getting better every day! You managed to destroy twenty out of twenty-five ice targets in just two minutes." He nodded approvingly, a broad smile stretching across his face.

I looked up at him, my expression brightening with a sense of gratitude for his guidance. "Thanks, but I still think I need to improve."

Puck fixed me with a knowing look, shaking his head in gentle disagreement. "Kid, you've accomplished in a single week what typically takes years to master. You need to learn to acknowledge your achievements—seriously!" His words resonated with me, a reminder that progress, no matter how gradual, deserved to be celebrated."Anyway, we are done for today kid go take a break."

I nodded slowly, taking a deep breath as I began my descent toward the grand mansion, its towering presence dominating the landscape. Puck had vanished into the shadows, presumably on his way to find Emilia. A wave of thoughts flooded my mind as I walked, especially about her. It had been far too long since that fateful day when she kissed me—a moment that still felt electric. I couldn't shake the feeling that she might be avoiding me, perhaps out of embarrassment or uncertainty. Whatever the reason, I knew it was time for her to give me a clear answer regarding the royal selection.

I felt a surge of determination coursing through me as I ascended the marble stairs, each step echoing my resolve. My destination was Emilia's study, a place filled with books and secrets where I hoped to finally glean the truth about our tangled feelings.

I walked down the dimly lit hallway, the sound of my footsteps echoing softly against the walls with each step. After a few moments, I finally reached the end where Emilia's door stood slightly ajar. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly, anticipation coursing through me as I waited for a response.

"Come in!" Emilia's voice called out, bright yet laced with a hint of urgency. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to find her paused mid-sentence, her eyes widening in surprise as she registered my presence.

I could feel the weight of the moment hanging in the air as I looked at her with a determined intensity. "Emilia, we need to talk," I stated firmly, my heart racing. For a fleeting second, panic flickered across her face, but she quickly gathered her composure, taking a deep breath as if to steady her nerves.

"Yes, we do," she replied, gesturing toward an extra chair tucked away in the corner of the room. I made my way over and sat down, feeling the tension between us thickening like a palpable force.