"It's not magic—but it's very similar to it."
Riveria had already grasped the essence of this power. Just as Alise had said, it was essentially another form of magic, albeit one with a different nature.
"It truly is a fascinating power," she said, intrigued. "Compared to magic, it seems much easier to use."
"I noticed you didn't recite any incantation just now. Does that mean it can be controlled purely through willpower?"
"It can."
Tsuna gave a small nod. The seven flames of different colors and forms hovering above his palm began to shift and flow freely, unrestricted by any set shape or form. The way he manipulated them was effortless, unhindered by the structure of chants or spell formulas.
"The only real issue with the Dying Will Flame lies within the heart. To ignite it requires unwavering resolve. If that resolve falters, then this power will also begin to distort."
"So unless one is a high-ranking Adventurer—or someone with firm conviction—it's impossible to wield it at all."
"No wonder."
Riveria nodded, completely understanding. For a power of this caliber, it was only natural that it came with strict limitations.
As Tsuna had said—if your Level wasn't high enough, you needed conviction to make up for it. And if your conviction was lacking, then you needed the strength of your Level to compensate.
To wield this power, one needed either Level or resolve—preferably both.
"The Dying Will Flame is relatively simple and convenient to use," he continued.
"That said, it does have its inconveniences."
While explaining its advantages, Tsuna also pointed out its flaws.
"To draw out stronger flames from one's body, a special medium is required."
As he spoke, thirteen rings appeared in his hand.
"These rings act as catalysts for channeling greater power. The plain ones are called Vongola Rings, while the more ornate ones are known as Mare Rings."
"By wearing a ring, you can ignite the flame that corresponds to your resolve and attribute."
"Of course, once the power becomes your own Skill, the ring is no longer strictly necessary. Still, if you want to unleash purer and stronger flames, it's best to keep one on."
"Alright, that's enough of the theory."
After a long, detailed explanation, Tsuna could tell from Ais's blank, glassy-eyed stare that she hadn't understood a word of it.
It wasn't just Ais—Alise from the Astraea Familia wore the same vacant expression.
That made it clear to Tsuna that words alone weren't enough. It was time for a demonstration.
"Riveria, would you like to experience the seven attributes firsthand?"
"Can I?"
"Of course."
Riveria's eyes brightened immediately—she always preferred learning through practice.
"Riveria, please extend your hand."
She nodded and raised her right hand.
A crimson flame condensed at Tsuna's fingertip, and he lightly touched her palm.
A faint sting followed, and Riveria's eyes sharpened as she examined her hand. Three small cuts had appeared across her palm.
"This is Storm, or Disintegration."
A violet flame then enveloped a drop of blood that welled up from the wound.
Within moments, that single drop began to multiply rapidly, spreading across her entire palm and dripping to the floor.
"This is Cloud, or Propagation."
Next, a blue flame spread over the falling drops. The motion of the dripping blood slowed drastically—so much so that it looked as if the drops were suspended motionless in the air.
"And this is Rain, or Tranquility."
A trace of green lightning danced across the droplets, gathering them together. The blood merged and solidified into a dagger of congealed crimson, faint sparks flickering along its blade. Under the dim light, the surface gleamed with a metallic sheen.
"This is Lightning, or Hardening."
Tsuna grasped the blade made of blood—and without warning, swung it down toward Riveria's hand.
A sharp sound split the air.
Her hand fell to the ground. Blood spurted from her wrist in a violent burst.
"!?"
The searing pain made Riveria's eyes widen in shock.
"Riveria!"
Ais's pupils constricted as she rushed toward her mentor.
Alise and Kaguya froze, stunned by the gruesome sight.
"To shroud another's senses—this is Mist."
Tsuna's calm voice echoed through the room, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
Then, as if waking from a nightmare, their bodies trembled.
The first to react were Riveria and Ais.
They looked down—only to see that her hand was still there. The skin bore a small cut and a faint sting, but no sign of severing, no missing limb, no gushing blood.
"???"
Ais blinked blankly.
Hadn't she just leapt to Riveria's side? Why was she still sitting in her seat, motionless?
"An illusion?"
Kaguya's mind raced—and she immediately understood. The Mist attribute induced a trance, projecting fabricated images directly into the senses.
At some point, they had all been drawn into Tsuna's illusion, seeing only what he wanted them to see.
Riveria, recovering her composure the quickest, took a slow breath.
"The Mist that clouds perception… that's impressive."
Having witnessed it herself, she now fully grasped how formidable this power was.
Each flame carried a unique property—and with each property came entirely different ways to fight.
"Mist is indeed remarkable," she said thoughtfully. "Its potential is immense—but its offensive power is clearly weaker than the other flames. Among the seven attributes, it's the one with the highest potential ceiling, but also the lowest floor."
That was the paradox of the sorcerer's path—tremendously powerful when mastered, but fragile when not.
If one could bring out the full potential of Mist, they could become an exceptional mage—someone capable of manipulating the battlefield itself.
But fail to do so, and that same attribute would become their greatest weakness.
"And finally, this is Sun, or Activation."
He touched Riveria's palm once more with a golden flame.
Before her eyes, the wound closed rapidly, the skin knitting together in moments.
The demonstration ended as cleanly as it began.