The garden was a wreck. Burned patches everywhere, dirt all kicked up, and the air like with smoke and magic. From a minute ago the peaceful riverside was now a warzone, now it felt like the whole riverside was trying to shake itself apart from the sword and fire explosions.
Null was breathing hard. His sword arm felt like it was going to fall off, and his armor was hot to the touch. Every muscle screamed at him to stop, but he couldn't—not with Stella on the line. Across from him, Astro stood surrounded by flickering flames, fire reflecting in his eyes. This is where i make it or fail trying and im not going down without giving it my all.
The younger guy moved like he was born fighting—smooth and aggressive, his fire aura flaring with every attack. Every time Null blocked, his whole arm vibrated. Every time he dodged, he felt the heat singe his clothes. But he kept going with no intentions to stop.
The difference in their raw power was obvious.
Null was getting pushed back.
Astro's control over fire was insane for his level. The fire bursts weren't wild and crazy—they were precise, like he'd been training since he could walk.
Null blocked another hit, sliding backward in the dirt. His boots dug trenches. Stella, sitting on the fence, let out a worried chirp, her golden eyes locked on him.
"Don't worry," Null whispered, not taking his eyes off Astro. "I'm not done yet." I can't let a kid beat me at least.
His Null-Command trait hummed inside him—a quiet vibration only he could feel. This is where he felt the different between a combat trait and an noncombat one but he is not complaining. His trait gave him his all.
He just needed one chance—one opening.
Astro smirked, looking way too confident. "You're slowing down. All that big talk and this is it?"
Null smiled even though his lip was bleeding. "You're right. I'm not as strong as you."
Astro tilted his head. "Then quit."
"Can't." Null's eyes gleamed. "Haven't used my secret weapon yet."
Astro frowned, raising his sword. "Secret weapon?"
Null took a slow step forward. Then another. He changed his stance, holding his sword lower. The air around him started to shimmer—like heat waves on a hot road.
The old man watching narrowed his eyes. "What's he doing?"
Aurelius's voice came from above, golden light filtering through the clouds. "He's waiting... for your student to get careless."
The master frowned, watching Astro closely.
Astro moved forward, fire trailing behind him. "You can't win just standing there."
Null grinned. "Then come find out."
Astro's pride took over. Flames gathered on his blade, turning it glowing hot. He swung down confidently—a fiery arc heading straight for Null's head.
And in that one second—Astro got sloppy.
His guard dropped, just a little.
Null's eyes lit up. Now.
Power surged through him, channeled through his Null-Command like a broken dam.
He whispered, "Elemental Strike—Triple Shot."
Bright blue projectiles exploded from his sword, pure energy forming into glowing blades. One after another, they hit—fast, accurate, unstoppable.
The first broke Astro's defense. The second pushed him back. The third blew up at his feet, shaking the ground.
The air filled with the crash of energy and fire. Null charged through the smoke, his sword shining bright—hitting with everything he had.
The impact sent both of them flying. Dust and sparks flew everywhere.
For a second, everything was quiet.
Then Astro groaned, getting to his feet. His nice robes were torn and burned. His flames flickered—not strong anymore, but desperate.
Null stood across from him, panting, blood running down his arm. His sword shook from exhaustion.
Astro's face darkened. "You... tricked me."
Null smirked. "You're not the first."
The air shook again—but this time, it was from Astro's power.
The old man's eyes went wide. "Astro, stop—"
But it was too late.
Astro's body burst into blinding red light. His fire expanded outward, spinning like a tornado. It got so hot that the nearby river started steaming.
"This is my limit!" Astro yelled. "I won't lose to you!"
Null instinctively stepped back—then saw how big the attack area was. His eyes widened.
"You've got to be kidding me—"
The explosion that followed was huge—a swirling firestorm that burned the ground, ate the air, and turned the whole garden into a ball of flame.
Null didn't think. He ran.
He dashed across the field, rolled over the fence, and sprinted toward the river as the fire consumed everything behind him.
"Damn that was close." Null whispered
Astro blinked through the heat, confused. "He... ran away?"
Even the old man looked surprised. "He's retreating?"
From above, Aurelius laughed, deep and amused. "Smart kid."
Astro grit his teeth. "Smart? He's running like a coward!"
"Running," Aurelius said calmly, "is a strategy too. Especially when you live to fight another day."
The flames finally died down, leaving the garden blackened and smoky. Astro staggered, breathing hard. His mana was almost gone, his body shaking from tiredness. The fire around him flickered—then went out.
He looked up just in time to see Null coming back through the smoke, sword glowing slightly.
"Now," Null said, voice steady, "my turn."
Before Astro could lift his sword, Null closed the distance—too fast to follow. A quick series of moves: one to knock the sword away, another to make him stumble, and the final hit putting Astro on the ground.
The practice sword clattered in the dirt.
Null stood over him, chest heaving. "Match over."
For a long moment, nobody moved.
Then Astro breathed out hard and laughed dryly. "Guess... I lost."
The old man walked over slowly, looking at his student—then at Null. "You fought well. Reckless, but it worked."
Null wiped sweat off his forehead, giving a tired smile. "Thanks. In a straight fight, I wouldn't have stood a chance."
Aurelius's golden light came down softly again, his voice sounding amused. "Honesty. Rare in humans."
Null looked up at the ancient dragon. "I couldn't afford to lose. Not this one."
Aurelius's gaze held. "That desperation... is what lets you win."
Astro sat up, still catching his breath. The fire glow in his eyes faded. "My master was right—I can't control my bloodline yet. But when I do..."
He looked at Null, a small smile forming. "Let's fight again."
Null returned the smile. "You're on."
The old man put a hand on Astro's shoulder. "Losing is good for you. Pride has to burn before real strength grows."
Astro nodded quietly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small glass vial. He bit his thumb and let one drop of glowing red essence blood fall into it—pure fire energy in liquid form. He handed it to Null.
"Here. I keep my promises."
Null took it carefully with both hands. "Thanks."
Astro smirked slightly. "Don't thank me yet. Next time, I'm winning."
They both laughed, respect forming where there'd been rivalry.
Astro's master nodded approval, then led his student toward the road. Before they disappeared into the trees, Astro turned and gave Null one last look.
"Get stronger," he called. "You'll need it."
Null watched them go, the vial of essence blood glowing softly in his hand.
Aurelius's voice broke the silence. "You did well, Null. You proved your worth—not just in fighting, but in heart."
Golden light shimmered as the divine dragon came down again, his huge form appearing behind Null.
The air buzzed with divine energy, and Null's skin prickled from the pressure.
"As promised," Aurelius said, his deep voice echoing, "I will give my blessing—just this once."
He gestured with one claw, and the essence vial floated up from Null's hands. Aurelius opened his mouth slightly, one drop of his own golden blood falling and mixing with the red essence.
The mixture ignited in midair—bright, alive, pulsing with crazy energy.
Null had to shield his eyes as light filled the clearing.
Then the sky went dark.
Thunder cracked overhead.
A pressure way bigger than before swept through the area—so strong that the river actually split apart. The air shook, the ground trembled, and divine lightning danced in the clouds.
Aurelius's voice was steady but serious. "What we make here will break this world's balance. The heavens won't ignore this."
Null's heart pounded as the vial exploded into shining pieces—light swirling, gathering into something that pulsed with both fire and divinity.
And as the sky roared above them, Aurelius spread his wings, his eyes burning with power.
"Then let the heavens watch—"
Everything went black.
Lightning tore through the clouds. Thunder screamed.
Something old—something not supposed to exist—woke up.