Blaze had spent the last three days trying to develop Void Slash so that it could be unleashed from a distance. He had spent every second trying to understand the nature of the void, trying to feel how the energy interacted with the air around him. However, the result was always the same, nothing. Every time he tried to release energy without the intermediary of his sword, his slash vanished before reaching the distance he desired. It wasn't just difficult, but it felt almost impossible.
He clenched his fist, staring at the sunset sky that was starting to change color. Golden orange light swept across the leaves, creating long shadows on the ground. His breath was still heavy, sweat flowed down his temples, and his muscles ached after repeated attempts. The afternoon breeze blew gently, swaying the tree branches around him, as if reminding him of his failure today.
With a long sigh, Blaze fell back against the large tree trunk. His body felt tired, his mind was starting to get saturated. Maybe he needed to find another approach, or maybe this technique was not something he could master in a short time.
Blaze exhaled, staring blankly at the ground that was filled with scratches and cracks from his training.
"I have to give up for a while..." he said to himself. The words felt heavy, as if scratching his ego. However, he knew that forcing himself without results would only make him more frustrated. He needed time to think, to find another way, not just keep hitting a wall without a gap.
He closed his eyes, letting his body relax slightly under the shade of the tree. The cool breeze caressed his skin, carrying the scent of earth and leaves. He recalled everything he had tried, every swing of his sword, every spark of void energy that had always failed to reach its goal. If Void Slash was still out of his reach now, then he had to find another way to strengthen himself.
One thing he had always been aware of was how he had a natural connection to fire. No matter what technique he tried to learn, fire-based attacks always felt easier for him. He could feel the flow of heat in his body, as if the flames were part of himself. When fighting, he reacted faster with fire magic than with any other element. Maybe this was his way.
In this world, there was one place that made fire a symbol of unmatched power, the Eternal Flame Flow Territory. A land known for its absolute mastery of fire magic, where the flames never die, and legend has it that even the air there feels hotter from the spirit of those who train day and night. If he wanted to find a way to strengthen himself, maybe that's where the answer lay.
Blaze looked at the sky that was starting to darken, the orange glow of sunset slowly replaced by a bluish purple. His decision was firm. If he couldn't master Void Slash now, then he had to find another way. And if there was one thing that always felt close to him, it was fire.
He believed that by understanding fire more deeply, he might be able to find a solution to his problem. Fire wasn't just about destruction; there was something more behind its flame, resilience, transformation, and new life emerging from the ashes. If he could align himself with that element, who knows what he could achieve?
With renewed determination, he got up, straightened his sword and gathered his equipment. His first step was to leave the place where he had been training for the last three days, a piece of land that was now full of sword scratches and wounds from his training. He sighed.
His first destination was the village of Ruame, where he was raised. He might not be back there for quite some time, Before continuing his journey to Eternal Flame, he wanted to visit the place that shaped him as a child.
Ruame was a simple village, where Blaze was raised since childhood. Surrounded by yellowing wheat fields and lush small forests, this village was far from luxury, but it always provided comfort for those who called it home. Every corner of this village held memories, from the dirt roads he used to walk on as a child to the noisy sound of children running and laughing freely.
As Blaze walked through the village streets, the aroma of freshly baked bread touched his nose. He saw farmers busy transporting their harvest to the market, while some merchants peddled their wares with enthusiasm.
He also saw the village headman who was drying wheat, the Village Headman was the one who raised him. But he was afraid to greet him, and only saw him from afar.
Blaze didn't intend to stay long. There was something bigger he had to chase, a journey that couldn't wait. With steady steps, he left the village where he grew up, heading towards the Eternal Flame Flow Territory.
After leaving Ruame, he had to pass through the Garu forest, a dense forest known as a connection to the fiery plains, where the Eternal Flame territory was located. However, this place wasn't just an ordinary path, this forest was filled with danger. The trees towered high around him, creating dense shadows that made it difficult to distinguish between day and night. The sound of wild animals echoed in the distance, reminding Blaze that he had to stay alert.
The wind rustled through the gaps in the leaves, carrying the scent of wet earth and decaying wood. Blaze stepped cautiously, feeling the slightly soft ground beneath his feet. There were no signs of human life around here—only the wild nature that seemed to watch over him.
As the day began to turn into noon, suddenly he heard something from the bushes in front of him. The leaves rubbed together with an unusual movement. His steps stopped, his fighting instincts were immediately active.
"Grrr..."
A low growl was heard from behind the thicket of bushes. Blaze immediately raised his sword, his eyes sharply scanning the source of the sound. Dark shadows began to emerge from the gaps between the leaves, and the air around him felt more tense. He wasn't alone.
From behind the trees, a giant wolf emerged. Its fur was jet black, its eyes glowed red, and its sharp fangs gleamed in the sunlight filtering through the leaves. With a low growl, the wolf stepped forward slowly, its eyes never leaving Blaze, as if assessing whether the young man was worthy of being its prey.
Blaze sighed. This wasn't the first time he had faced a wild animal, but this wolf was much bigger than any he had ever encountered before. Its body was muscular, its claws gripped the ground tightly, and every movement showed deadly agility and strength.
Without hesitation, Blaze grabbed the hilt of his sword, his fingers tightly gripping the weapon that had become part of him. He knew the attack could come at any time.
"Graah!"
The wolf roared loudly, then lunged at him with terrifying speed.
Swish!
Blaze jumped to the side just in time, feeling the gust of wind from the sharp claws that almost hit his face. A chill ran down his spine, but he didn't let fear take over. Without hesitation, he retaliated with a quick slash.
Slash!
His sword managed to hit the wolf's side, but only left a shallow wound. The beast growled angrily, its eyes wilder, burning with increasing ferocity. The small wound only made it more ferocious. With more terrifying speed than before, it jumped towards Blaze once again.
Bang!
Blaze immediately raised his sword to parry, but the wolf's attack was so strong that it forced him to take a few steps back. Sharp fangs almost tore his shoulder, but with quick reflexes, he rolled back, avoiding death by a margin that was almost invisible.
He couldn't keep defending like this. He had to end it now.
"Dark Flame Strike!" he shouted, swinging his sword with full force. The black fire, so hot, instantly enveloped his blade, burning wildly like a power from another world. It was so hot that even the trees standing a few meters away were instantly ignited, turning to ash in an instant.
Swoosh!
The wolf tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Blaze's slash hit its body right on target. Once hit by the attack, the Dark Flame Strike technique bloomed fully, enveloping the wolf's body with flames that burned mercilessly. The beast only managed to let out a muffled growl before its body shattered, turning into ashes that were blown away by the wind.
Blaze sighed, sheathing his sword again.
As night began to fall, Blaze found a safe enough open space to rest. He lit a small campfire and sat near it, letting his body rest. His gaze was directed at the star-filled sky. His journey to the Eternal Flame Flow Territory was still quite far.