Blood Flare: Journey Through The Twisted

In a grand room resembling an observatory, adorned with intricate celestial carvings and illuminated by the faint glow of enchanted glyphs, the air hummed with magic. At the center of the room, a circle of brilliant light appeared, pulsing with energy before solidifying into a shimmering platform. From it emerged Professor Jun, his tailored suit pristine and his demeanor as sharp as ever.

Jun stepped forward, brushing an invisible speck of dust from his lapel. His playful smirk hinted at his usual charm, though his eyes gleamed with curiosity. He turned toward an elderly man seated near a series of floating, translucent screens. The man's long white beard and sharp, calculating eyes gave him the air of a sage.

"How are the students faring so far?" Jun asked, his tone casual yet tinged with intrigue.

The old man, his gaze fixed on the screens, grunted in acknowledgment. "This batch is impressive," he admitted. "Far more skilled than the last."

Jun approached the displays, his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes scanned the chaotic scenes unfolding in the demon-filled forest. "Impressive indeed," he murmured. Then his gaze locked onto one particular screen, and a smile tugged at his lips. "Ah, Elise Lyn Vingella. Daughter of the Grand Duke. Blonde hair, captivating blue eyes—she carries herself with the grace of nobility."

"Hail Magic," the old man interjected, nodding slightly. "A lethal yet restrictive variant of ice magic. Precise and devastating, but it requires an unwavering focus."

Jun's smile widened. "She wields it well, though. A natural talent."

His gaze shifted to another screen, where a dark-haired boy struggled against a demon. "And here we have the son of Count Erven. Basic appearance—black hair, brown eyes—but his mana control is remarkable for someone his age."

The old man scoffed. "Fire magic. Dull and uninspired. His mana pool is pathetic, though. It's a wonder he can cast at all."

Jun chuckled softly, adjusting his tie. "You're being rather harsh."

"I speak the truth," the old man growled. "The boy's potential is wasted on such mediocrity."

Jun decided to steer the conversation elsewhere, sensing the old man's rising irritation. His attention was caught by another name displayed on the screen. His brows furrowed, and he leaned closer.

"Wait... What's this?"

The old man followed his gaze and frowned. "Arthas Bloomlyn. The bastard son of the Bloomlyn family. Hmph. What's so interesting about—wait. Flare magic?"

Jun's eyes widened, his voice tinged with awe. "Incredible. The last recorded user of Flare magic was fifty years ago. And now it resurfaces."

The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Flare magic... A phenomenon unto itself. It's highly effective against demons, rivaling Holy and Light magic without requiring divine intervention. A gift like this appears once in a generation."

Jun nodded slowly. "This boy... He might even make it into the top 100. That is, if he survives."

The Examination

The examination took place in a sprawling forest, shrouded in shadows cast by a dense canopy of ancient trees. The air was thick with tension and the stench of blood, as demons of various sizes and shapes prowled the undergrowth. Each examinee faced a harrowing challenge: to defeat ten demons within the allotted time.

Failure wasn't an option—it was a death sentence. Those unable to meet the requirement were left behind, abandoned to the merciless creatures that roamed the forest. Pollus Academy had a simple philosophy: only the strongest deserved to advance.

The forest itself was located on an island near the domain of the Calamity Warden, a being whose power rivaled the gods. The Warden paid no mind to the Academy's trials as long as they didn't disturb his realm.

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Amid the chaos, Elise Lyn Vingella moved with the precision of a veteran warrior. Her blonde hair glimmered in the dim light, and her icy blue eyes betrayed no emotion. She was the epitome of nobility, her every movement exuding confidence and control.

Spotting a demon lurking in the shadows, Elise raised her hand. A magic circle, glowing with an icy blue hue, materialized in her palm.

"Hail: Gust," she intoned, her voice calm and commanding.

A torrent of frigid wind and jagged hailstones erupted from the circle, tearing into the demon's flesh. It shrieked in pain, its movements growing sluggish as frost coated its body.

"You won't escape," Elise murmured, her tone icy.

"Hail: Erupt."

A larger magic circle appeared beneath the creature. In an instant, thousands of hail shards shot upward, piercing the demon from all angles. Its body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

"That makes four," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Six more to go."

Her gaze swept the forest, searching for her next target. "When will I find something worth my time?" she muttered, frustration evident in her voice.

A loud thud interrupted her thoughts. Turning toward the sound, Elise saw a massive turtle demon lumbering through the forest. Chasing it was a boy with bright blue hair, his movements frantic and his expression one of desperation.

"Another examinee?" Elise mused, her interest piqued.

The turtle demon roared, its massive bulk crashing through the undergrowth. Elise raised her hand, a magic circle forming above the creature.

"Hail: Gust."

The icy blast shredded the turtle's tough hide, its defenses crumbling under the relentless assault. The demon let out a final bellow before collapsing.

To her surprise, the boy didn't stop to acknowledge her. He merely sprinted past, calling out, "Thanks!" before vanishing into the trees.

Elise blinked, momentarily stunned. "What an odd one," she muttered, shaking her head.

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'That was reassuring,' Arthas thought as he navigated the dense forest, his breathing steady despite the exertion.

He had encountered several demons already, but some, like the turtle Elise had slain, proved too challenging for his current abilities. Though Flare magic was immensely powerful, it had its limitations against heavily armored creatures.

'That girl,' he thought, recalling Elise's piercing gaze and flawless precision.

'She's one of the heroines from Daedalus Eternus. Elise Lyn Vingella... She'll probably cross paths with the main character soon.'

Arthas clenched his fists, determination flaring in his crimson-red eyes. 'But that's not my concern. I need to focus on surviving and passing this exam.'

With only one demon defeated so far, Arthas knew he had no time to waste. His Flare magic sparked faintly in his hand as he pressed forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.