With a snap of his fingers, ten blazing lava soldiers rose from the scorched ground. Their bodies burned like molten stone, eyes glowing like embers, and every step they took made the air shimmer with heat.
Yur'Gan's voice echoed across the training grounds."Defeat them. This time, you may fight together or alone. It's up to you."
Sylveras and Elara looked at each other and spoke in unison:"We'll fight together."
Yur'Gan raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly."Very well. But let me warn you—my soldiers will not hold back. They will attack with their full strength. This will be much harder than the previous trials. If you fail here, your training ends."His voice hardened."Are you ready?"
"Ready!" they replied together.
With another snap of his fingers, the lava soldiers sprang into motion.
They split into two squads of five, surrounding Sylveras and Elara from both flanks. A suffocating wave of heat enveloped the battlefield, the air crackling and shimmering with unbearable intensity.
"Stay focused, Elara!" Sylveras called out."You can cool the air around us. Use your magic!"
Elara clenched her fists, sweat streaming down her face. The heat was oppressive, but she closed her eyes and gathered her focus.
A pale bluish-white glow began to form—Cold Radiance.It shimmered, drawing the heat out of the air like a sponge. The suffocating heat began to ease.
"Can you control that light?" Sylveras asked.
"I'll try!" Elara responded.
"Good. Follow my lead. I'll summon wind and water—combine it with your light."
Sylveras conjured a vortex of wind and water, spiraling with incredible force. Elara directed Cold Radiance into the heart of the storm, infusing the cyclone with chilling energy.
Together, they created a massive spinning torrent—a waterstorm fused with radiant cold—that pulled the lava soldiers in one by one. The intense cold canceled out the blazing heat, and the lava soldiers were slowly extinguished, dissolving into nothing.
In moments, all ten soldiers were gone.
Yur'Gan's arms were crossed, a satisfied smirk forming."Interesting. Let's see how you handle more."
He snapped again.
Twenty new lava soldiers emerged from the ground.
The battle began anew. Sylveras and Elara adjusted their rhythm, forming new strategies, mixing spells mid-combat. When they succeeded, Yur'Gan doubled the challenge. From twenty… to thirty… to fifty… until finally—
One hundred lava soldiers stood before them.
Their mana was nearly drained. Their limbs ached. But they had come too far to stop.
With their final reserves of power, they unleashed a devastating combination—earth, water, wind, and Cold Radiance in perfect harmony. The wave of magic surged across the field, clearing it in a storm of freezing wind and crashing energy.
The lava army fell.
Yur'Gan gave a single nod."Well done. You pass. Rest for a day. The final trial will begin the day after tomorrow."
Sylveras and Elara collapsed onto the rocky ground, panting. They looked at each other and raised their hands weakly—a small, tired high-five.
"We did it," Sylveras murmured.
"Yeah… we really did."
—
Back at Gorion's home, the old mage greeted them with a warm smile."Well done. I saw everything. You two were incredible out there."
He closed the book he was reading and led them to the table."I've prepared food. Eat and rest well."
Sylveras nodded, still catching his breath."Yur'Gan gave us a day off tomorrow."
"Excellent," Gorion said with a grin."Then I'll take you both to the nearby town for a little trip. Consider it a reward before the final challenge."
Sylveras and Elara exchanged glances. Despite the exhaustion, their smiles remained—proof of how far they had come.