Black Flames Ignited, Dragon Heart Schemed
A black flame flickered wildly right in front of my eyes.
"Oh, fucking awesome."
As I wiggled my finger, the flame followed along. Watching it finally hit me—I was actually controlling mana.
I must've played around with that black flame like it was modeling clay for a good while. Then came Sion's utterly defeated voice from where she was slumped over.
"No way...! This has to be a lie...!"
Yeah, it's reality—deal with it. She was clearly in denial about the results. Sprawled out on the floor, head buried, screaming her lungs out. What a pathetic sight.
"No, it took me two days...! I was called a genius and everything!"
"Something's gotta be wrong... There's no other explanation...!"
Sion looked up at me. Her eyes darted back and forth between the candle-like black flame dancing in my hand and my face.
And then.
"Urghaaah!"
She clutched the back of her neck and collapsed. What the hell? Why's she freaking out like that? She suddenly started convulsing like a madwoman. A weird chill ran through me, and I averted my gaze from her.
But her reaction told me one thing for sure. I was a heaven-sent genius mage. A prodigy who'd casually shattered the almighty S-rank record for mana acquisition speed.
My lips curled up to the heavens.
"Alright, time to experiment for real."
I ignored Sion, who was flopped there like wilted seaweed, and stared down the black flame. How could I analyze this thing perfectly and efficiently? A mischievous grin spread across my face.
"Guess there's only one way."
My mind flashed back to why I'd decided to awaken mana in the first place. Hell Furnace. That mana-draining hell of a skill that summoned flames every time I used it. I'd learned mana to fix that, right?
No point learning it if I didn't test it out at least once.
A simple test was in order.
I ignited a black flame at my fingertip.
It's warm.
Just a bit of heat. No real scorching sensation. I focused. Ramping up the circulation speed, I pushed the flame's density and intensity to the limit. My finger spat out a straight jet of fire like a goddamn jet engine.
I pointed the tip at the floor.
Like welding. Slowly and carefully, I scraped it across the ground.
Tsssk—
"Mmm, smell that char."
Perfect results. The acrid burnt smell and the melting special material screamed success.
Now for the real test. Hell Furnace. Was it safe to use for real? I was a little worried. I'd only been learning mana for like five minutes.
...Overthinking it! This is why I learned it in the first place.
I shook off the useless doubts cluttering my head. Was I the type to hesitate? If I'm curious, I dive in headfirst and deal with the consequences later. That's my philosophy.
I thrust both hands forward.
If I pass out, Sion'll heal me anyway.
I revived the sensation. But this time, different from before. Not handing it off to the system like some skill activation—I was in full control.
Mana gathered at my fingertips. Wind flowing from my heart tickled through my body and converged there. I visualized it turning into flame. Sun, heat, candle, lighter. Every image of fire I could muster.
The growing warmth at my fingertips. Heat haze warping the air. Mana compressed to the extreme, forming a massive jet-black sphere hovering before me.
Is this the real Hell Furnace skill?
Euphoria washed over me.
"Hoo..."
I cut off the mana inflow, and the swelling sphere stabilized. Instinct told me—if I screwed up, the backlash could wreck the training room and everything else.
But.
"Ahh— I get it now. Yeah, that makes sense!!!"
To me, with eyes gleaming like a mad scientist's, such concerns were invisible.
Clap—!
One clap. That was the signal, launching the sphere forward.
"Wait, stop! Hold up!"
Sion rushed to block me, but too late. The sphere was already hurtling toward the wall. Even she couldn't stop it in time.
"Heh-heh-heh..."
I cackled like a lunatic. Anticipation, dopamine, adrenaline—everything hammered my brain.
And then.
The sphere hit the wall.
"Boom—!"
Kwaaaaang—!
The surroundings went dead silent, like sound itself was sucked away. Everything slowed to a crawl, like slo-mo.
A beat of silence.
Then light flashed.
Rumble—
Shockwaves pushed through my blurred vision. Kugugugu— No time to process before the training room shook violently.
Whoosh—!!
Flames roared amid the chaos. A beat later, a massive explosion erupted. Black fire devoured the wall like a nuke, melting and crumbling the entire section.
Whoa. Fuck. Spectacular.
The old skills looked like toys now. This was real mana! This was talent, power!
But.
Blind power has a price. The explosion's backlash sent flames surging back toward me. Even at 100 meters from the wall, it wasn't enough.
A colossal inferno rushed to swallow me whole. Close enough to feel its breath. Black flames about to consume me.
But I wasn't tense at all. I wouldn't die anyway. Why?
"Agh! Seriously! I told you to stop!"
"Ta-da—!"
Sion had already dashed over and thrown up a golden barrier around me.
Kwaaa—!
The barrier casually repelled the oncoming black flames. Once she confirmed it was holding, Sion glared at me.
"I get you're hyped about awakening mana, but how could you fire off a huge spell right away!"
Come on, why the fuss? Getting big power means testing it—that's the rule, right? You scared, big shot?
"Psh, I trusted our mighty S-rank guild leader to cover me."
I wouldn't have gone all out without her there. An S-rank couldn't block a C-rank's big move? Then what's the point of being S-rank?
"R-Really?"
Sion puffed up proudly. Look at her—face lights up from one sweet word. I just smiled instead of answering.
She really was an easy one.
Sizzle—
A bit later, the black flames battering the barrier faded away.
"Anyway, be careful."
"Yeees—"
I gave a half-assed reply as she stared straight into my eyes with a warning. She seemed annoyed at my apathy, unable to look away. Then, figuring it was pointless, she turned to the barrier and raised her hand.
What was she up to? I watched curiously.
Clap—
Sion clapped lightly.
Vrrrrm—
With her signal, the whole training room hummed with motor noise. Dust and gas filling the air got sucked away somewhere. Visibility cleared in seconds.
Damn, they really poured money into this... Peak rich-kid training facility. So fucking cool. And the wall had already auto-repaired ages ago. I'd be using this place a lot.
Then Sion turned to me.
"Okay, relax your body."
What the—? She placed her hands on me. Gently gripping my shoulders, a slight tickle spread.
Her face wore that same playful grin from earlier.
"One, two, three..."
"Wait, what the hell are you—"
With her countdown, my strength drained away. What just happened? No time to figure it out.
"Red—Sun!"
Tap—
"W-Wait, explain..."
Her command hit, and my eyes started closing. Tell me something, damn it. This silent surprise bullshit was confusing.
Catching my pleading look, Sion whispered in my ear.
"Using mana right after awakening brings on massive fatigue. Just sleep a bit."
"No, you should've said that... from the... start...!"
Couldn't even speak anymore. Tell me that shit upfront, damn it.
My resentful glare hit her as the last thing before consciousness sank.
Then her voice drifted in.
"Hah... This girl's a real monster, huh? Wasn't she just an alchemist?"
Seemed like I'd sleep soundly.
Meanwhile, in bustling central Incheon.
Atop a massive skyscraper, a gloomy atmosphere hung heavy, untouched by the sunlight streaming in.
In the center, a young man spoke to the stern middle-aged man standing rigidly before the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city.
"Father. I've contacted everywhere you mentioned."
A brief silence followed his words.
"Woochul, go with them."
The heavy, oppressive voice turned toward the young man. He swallowed hard under the pressure.
His name was Han Woochul. Eldest son of the Han family. Closest aide to Han Myeonghoe.
And standing before him was Han Myeonghoe himself.
"...Understood. But Father, why send the Joseonjok instead of our direct Han forces?"
Woochul questioned his father, who gazed out at the scenery with a puzzled tone.
"...You're still far from becoming family head."
"Pardon?"
Han Myeonghoe shook his head as if the question was foolish.
"What do you think happens if Han family forces directly interfere with the auction?"
A pitying sigh stabbed at Woochul.
"...I'm sorry."
Woochul bowed his head in shame. Han Myeonghoe didn't look at him, but the chilling aura poured toward his son.
"They're convenient—no nationality to trace, but proven strength."
"They handle the job cleanly. And we won't get pinned."
"I see..."
Woochul nodded, as if learning a lesson. But he still seemed confused and asked again.
"Then why am I going?"
"Was just about to explain."
Han Myeonghoe clasped his hands behind his back, staring beyond the glass.
"You'll play the most crucial role."
"Me...?"
"Yes. The Blue Dragon heart coming up at this auction—that's our target."
"The Joseonjok will infiltrate to seize it."
"Yes, I know."
Hearing Woochul's reply, Han Myeonghoe tapped the glass twice.
"That's where you pretend to stop the Joseonjok."
"Pretend..."
Woochul began grasping his father's intent. He'd secure both image and the prize from the center stage.
"Looks like you've got the gist."
"Yes, Father."
As Woochul nodded, Han Myeonghoe unclasped his hands and waved dismissively—go.
Then Woochul's eyes darkened.
"...Father, besides the main target, can I take the rest?"
Sticky greed oozed from his voice and gaze.
"Handle it yourself."
With permission granted, Woochul's lips split into a grin.
"Then I'll be off, Father!"
Short bow, and he left. Han Myeonghoe didn't spare him a glance, eyes fixed on Incheon's vista beyond the glass.
Gazing down at passing cars and towering buildings.
"Feels good. Looks like we'll hook a big one this time."
His eyes gleamed with serpentine chill.
