The wind carried the scent of burning wood across the fields outside Mondstadt.
Aiden stood in the training clearing he often used with his mother. The early sunlight painted the grass gold while a faint breeze rustled through the tall trees.
He raised his spear.
The Pyro Vision at his belt glowed faintly.
A small flame gathered along the spear's tip.
Then it flickered wildly.
And went out.
Aiden groaned.
"Again?"
His mother leaned against a rock nearby, arms crossed.
"You're forcing it."
"I'm using the Vision."
"You're trying to command it."
She pointed toward his chest.
"The flame listens to the will."
Aiden exhaled slowly.
"…Right."
He closed his eyes briefly.
Focus.
Instead of forcing the flame outward, he simply imagined warmth flowing through his body.
The Vision responded.
A thin line of fire wrapped around the spear.
Steady.
Controlled.
His mother nodded.
"Better."
Aiden thrust forward.
The spear released a short burst of flame that scorched the training dummy.
He smiled.
"Okay… that felt good."
"Good."
She picked up her own spear.
"Now do it while fighting."
Aiden blinked.
"…Wait—"
She attacked instantly.
CLACK!
Their spears collided.
Aiden barely blocked the strike.
His mother's attacks came quickly.
Strike.
Spin.
Sweep.
Aiden retreated while trying to maintain the flame on his spear.
The fire flickered.
Almost vanished.
Then returned.
"Control!" she shouted.
Aiden stepped forward instead of retreating.
The spear thrust forward.
A streak of flame followed the motion.
His mother stepped aside and smiled faintly.
"There."
"That's the idea."
Aiden lowered the spear.
sweat dripped down his forehead.
"…This is harder than it looks."
"That's because real power always is."