> "Your flame is not yours alone. It carries every choice, every loss, every soul you've ever burned for."
— Yna, Dominion Analyst
---
Rain lashed against the dome of the Ignis Dominion.
The storm outside was no ordinary one—it was an atmospheric reaction triggered by the clash of too many aura flames inside the mountain. A common occurrence after Trial Week.
But inside the mess hall, things were... different.
Renzo sat alone at the farthest table, chewing on synthetic meat cubes. His newly upgraded wristband blinked softly—Igniter Class: Yellow. Most students around him were still Red or Orange. That meant something.
People whispered now when he walked by.
They'd seen what he did in the Pyre Pit.
But recognition didn't feel like glory. It felt like pressure.
---
New Bonds
Kael plopped down across from Renzo, balancing a tray with three steaming protein bowls.
"You looked like a walking corpse for the past two days," Kael said. "Today, you just look like a tax-paying citizen. Progress."
Renzo smiled faintly. "Thanks?"
Yna slid in next to Kael, tapping at her holopad. "Your flame readings show potential for White Class in six months. That's fast."
Renzo looked up. "Is that good?"
She smirked. "It's insane. Most users get stuck in Yellow for years. But yours... it's stabilizing rapidly. Almost like it wants to evolve."
Kael leaned forward. "You're the kind of anomaly they write textbooks about. Or dissect."
Yna elbowed him.
"Relax," she said. "He's not the only one. There's others."
Kael's expression darkened. "Yeah. Like the transfer student."
---
Rival Flame: DREI LUCENT
The training yard fell silent as a new figure stepped through the main gate. Cloaked in gray, long silver hair tied back. His flame pulsed faintly — a pale blue.
"Drei Lucent," Yna whispered. "He's a Blazer Class already. Transferred from the Dominion's Icelandic division. Top of his unit. They say he's... cold."
Renzo watched as Drei approached the center of the yard and flared his hand.
The ground froze beneath him — frost laced with flickering sapphire flame.
"Blue flame," Kael muttered. "Deep rage. Cold fury. That guy? He doesn't yell when he's mad. He executes."
Their eyes met.
Drei looked directly at Renzo — as if he already knew him.
Then, without a word, he turned away.
---
FLASHBACK – VERUS' SANCTUM
> "Give him a rival," Verus had ordered.
"One who'll fan his flame until it burns everything."
In a secret vault in the Dominion's upper division, Verus implanted a sliver of celestial intent into Drei's subconscious.
Not control. Not commands.
Just a purpose: Test the boy with the Void potential. Break him if he resists.
---
Training: Synchronization Drill
Instructor Dal stood before the group, arms behind his back.
"Today, we train bond synchronization. A vital skill for mastering Shadowsidian. You'll pair off and attune your aura with a partner."
Kael elbowed Renzo. "Ready to sync, bro?"
But Dal raised a hand. "No. Renzo will pair with... Drei Lucent."
Murmurs spread.
Renzo frowned. "Seriously?"
Drei simply nodded, stepping forward. "Let's begin."
They entered the Synchronization Chamber — a sealed dome designed to test flame resonance between two users.
Glyphs ignited.
> Initiating Sync Drill. Warning: Emotional dissonance may cause flame repulsion or spontaneous backlash.
Their hands connected.
Blue met yellow.
It was like trying to grip lightning.
CRACK.
The room exploded in flame backlash — Renzo was flung backward. Drei didn't move an inch.
Dal clicked his tongue. "Zero sync compatibility."
Yna's voice whispered through the comms.
> "Renzo's flame... recoils from Drei. Almost like it knows something's wrong."
---
NIGHTFALL – RAIN CONTINUES
Renzo stood at the edge of the observatory, looking out into the storm.
The flame inside him pulsed strangely — not in rage, but in warning.
Then a whisper echoed behind him.
> "You're not ready for what's coming."
He turned.
Nobody was there.
Only the wind.
But above, in the heavens, Verus watched.
And he smiled.
> "Let's see how brightly you burn... when I send my Seraphim Hunter."