Amara tapped one finger lightly against her knee, studying the shimmering cores resting on the table between them. The flames sealed within each one pulsed slowly, like sleeping hearts beneath crystal. Their glow painted warm ripples of orange and gold across her face as she spoke.
"Primordial flame cores form when powerful flame essence lingers in one place for decades." Her voice remained calm and measured, carrying the easy patience of a teacher who had repeated such lessons countless times. "Eventually, the surrounding energy condenses into a core."
She reached out and lifted one between her fingers, turning it beneath the sunlight spilling across the veranda.
"They're incredibly potent. But unlike monster cores or inherited flames, they don't carry skills, memories, or passive traits. They simply strengthen your original flame." Her gaze shifted toward Ronan. "But there's a condition. Once absorbed, integration takes close to a few months. During that time, absorbing another flame essence becomes extremely dangerous."
A small pause.
Then she added dryly, "Very painful, too. Though it won't kill you."
Ronan immediately grimaced as if she'd personally stabbed him.
Without hesitation, he shoved two of the shimmering cores toward her.
"Then I don't want these."
Amara blinked.
"...How many did you bring?"
Ronan began counting on his fingers.
"One for Grerrick. One for Oliver. One for Orin..." He pointed toward the two on the table. "Two for you, ma'am. One I sent for auction..."
Then he pointed toward Rai, who sat quietly before Lady Ishulane, absorbing knowledge from the Phantom Clone Technique.
"And Rai already absorbed one."
Amara stared at him.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Then she let out a long sigh through her nose.
"And none for yourself?"
Ronan scratched the back of his head and grinned.
"Rai asked for one. He is my clone, so..." He shrugged. "Sharing is caring."
Amara stared at him for another second.
Then shook her head.
"Unbelievable."
She turned toward Lady Ishulane.
"You want one?"
Lady Ishulane smiled faintly, elegant as ever.
"No." Her fingers brushed lightly against her chest. "My soul still hasn't completely healed. Absorbing something like that now would be reckless."
Then her lips curved slightly.
Though moments later, her expression shifted into an exaggerated pout.
"Still..." she said slowly, eyes drifting toward Ronan, "I do feel a little cheated."
Ronan blinked.
Lady Ishulane rested her cheek against one hand.
"You're giving Amara gifts right in front of me." She narrowed her eyes dramatically. "Shouldn't I be jealous?"
Ronan froze.
Then his eyes narrowed.
Oh?
Are you teasing me now?
A dangerous grin began spreading across his face.
"Hehehe... old woman, never tease me."
He tapped his storage ring.
"Are you two children or something? Getting jealous over this? Honestly... you're both over—"
He stopped.
Because both women had turned toward him at exactly the same moment.
Two pairs of eyes.
Two perfectly synchronised death glares.
Ronan felt his spine straighten on instinct.
Cold sweat appeared immediately.
"Overachieving in wisdom and grace," he corrected instantly, coughing into his fist.
A sleek dark box floated from his storage ring.
It hovered gently toward Lady Ishulane.
She opened it.
Inside, thirteen Ashen Bloom Petal plants rested in perfectly carved slots lined with soft silk. Each plant had been secured carefully to avoid bruising or crushing the fragile petals.
For a moment, Lady Ishulane genuinely thought they had been harvested by a professional.
No damaged roots.
No torn petals.
Perfect preservation.
Then her eyes narrowed.
One stem had an uneven cut.
Jagged.
Crooked.
The cut looked like someone had attacked it with enthusiasm rather than skill.
She stared at it.
Then looked at Ronan.
Then back at the flower.
"...Ronan."
"Hm?"
"Do you know what this is?"
"Of course." Ronan puffed out his chest proudly. "If I were asking something from a top-tier alchemist, I figured I should bring something impossible to refuse."
His grin widened.
"Honestly, I never expected to run into something this rare."
A giant flaming hand abruptly materialised overhead.
WHOOSH—
Ronan yelped and ducked beneath it.
The hand missed him by inches and slammed harmlessly into the ground.
Lady Ishulane's eyes curved with amusement.
"Then why ask me about the petals like you didn't know?"
Ronan hopped backwards, narrowly avoiding another fiery swipe.
"I wanted to see if my guess was right!" he shouted. "Sooo I played a tiny trick on you!"
Amara rubbed her forehead.
"This brat has absolutely no concept of boundaries."
Lady Ishulane let out a soft laugh.
"No..." she said thoughtfully. "He's refreshing."
Her eyes followed Ronan as he continued dodging flaming attacks.
"If I had a student like him, I'd be delighted."
Amara raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"It's rare to find someone clever without becoming stiff or overly cautious." Her smile deepened slightly. "Especially someone willing to tease me back."
Amara rolled her eyes.
"You're enjoying this too much."
Lady Ishulane covered her mouth.
"Hehehe..."
A quiet cackle escaped her.
"I really am."
Meanwhile, Rai rose calmly from his seat.
Unlike Ronan's frantic movements nearby, his posture remained smooth and composed.
He bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your guidance, Ma'am."
His voice carried quiet elegance.
"If I have questions regarding the Phantom Clone Technique later, I hope you won't mind helping me."
He smiled politely.
"I'll take my leave now. Have a good day, Ma'am."
He bowed toward both Amara and Lady Ishulane before stepping off the veranda.
Rai slipped into his shoes with practised ease.
His fingers formed a quick hand sign.
Poof.
Smoke exploded outward in a swirling cloud before fading into the wind.
Gone.
Amara watched the empty space for a moment.
Then she smirked.
"Ronan."
"Wha—"
"Your clone is more mature than you."
Ronan, currently rolling across the stone floor to avoid another fiery hand trying to squash him, looked utterly offended.
"Can we not do character comparisons while I'm fighting for my life?!"
Outside Gust House, a group of young elites approached the gates.
Sophia Aldercrest.
Serenya Aldercrest.
Auron Aldercrest.
Bran Aldercrest.
Brynn Aldercrest.
Corbin Flamecrest.
Morgana Flamecrest.
The morning breeze stirred their clothes as they walked through the academy grounds.
One gate guard frowned.
"Why are they here?"
The second guard swallowed.
"Aren't they one of the top five teams among their generation?" His face stiffened slightly. "Shit... I really don't want to offend them."
Before the first guard could answer, his companion was already sprinting away.
"I'm informing Lady Ishulane!"
As he ran, he shouted over his shoulder—
"Stall them!"
The remaining guard immediately bowed.
"Sir, ma'am, please wait a moment. Lady Amara currently has guests. Someone has gone to announce your arrival."
Brynn crossed her arms.
"Ugh. I hate waiting."
Moments later, the other guard returned, slightly out of breath.
"Please follow me."
Back inside the courtyard, the massive flaming hand gently lowered Ronan onto the stone path.
He landed with a soft thump.
Lady Ishulane sat cross-legged on the veranda, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"So."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who exactly taught you trading?"
Ronan sat upright.
"Thanks to Sir Gideon."
"Gideon..." she murmured thoughtfully.
Then a small smile formed.
"I should meet this man."
As they spoke, the arriving group entered the courtyard.
Serenya frowned.
"What are they doing here with Lady Ishulane?"
Sophia answered quietly.
"Ronan and Darius helped save her, remember?"
Serenya blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Sophia looked toward Ronan.
"I thought Lady Ishulane would hate him after some of the things he said."
Then she marched forward.
"Good morning, Lady Ishulane."
She glanced toward Ronan.
Her eyes narrowed immediately.
"Is this brat bothering you again?"
Ronan didn't even turn his head.
Lady Ishulane smiled.
"No."
Her eyes drifted toward him.
"In fact..." her expression softened slightly, "...I've gained a little guardian."
Ronan's joking expression disappeared.
He bowed.
"Then I'll excuse myself."
"Wait."
Her voice stopped him.
Ronan looked back.
Lady Ishulane's smile faded slightly.
"Darius will continue meditating here."
She looked toward the boy.
"But do not force him to use both elements simultaneously."
A brief pause.
Her fingers curled slightly against her sleeves.
"He is still not ready to use those techniques."
Ronan's expression became serious.
"You don't need to worry, ma'am."
No grin.
No jokes.
No theatrics.
"I'll make sure of it."
He lowered his head respectfully.
"Thank you."
Just as Ronan reached the gates, the rest of the group entered, brought by the guard.
As the guard prepared to depart, she called out, "Next time, Ronan or Darius visit, do not make them wait. Bring them directly to me."
"Yes, ma'am," the guard replied promptly.
They bowed respectfully.
Auron stepped forward and touched his storage ring.
A wooden box appeared.
"Ma'am, these are the monster cores commissioned through the guild. None have been refined."
Lady Ishulane opened it.
Her eyes brightened immediately.
"Perfect."
She examined the contents with visible satisfaction.
"Excellent quality."
Moments later, she returned from her chambers carrying five jade bottles.
"Here."
She handed them over.
"A little extra, as promised."
Auron accepted them carefully before storing them away.
"Thank you, Ma'am."
Then he pulled out another item.
An elegant invitation.
"Three days from now, the Aldercrest family is holding a formal gathering."
He offered it respectfully.
"We would be honoured if you attended."
Lady Ishulane accepted it but remained silent.
Instead, she looked toward Darius.
"I'll attend."
Then she added—
"But I want to bring someone."
Auron hesitated.
"...May I ask who?"
Lady Ishulane pointed.
"Him."
Auron frowned slightly.
"And your relation?"
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Nothing much."
Her eyes lingered on Darius.
"He's just my little guardian while I'm staying at the academy."
"...I see."
Auron nodded.
"That's acceptable."
He turned toward Amara and offered another invitation.
"Ma'am, you always refuse us, but perhaps this time you'll accompany Lady Ishulane."
Amara snorted and accepted it.
"I'll think about it."
Auron smiled.
"Thank you."
After another series of bows, the group departed.
Silence returned.
Wind rustled through nearby trees.
Lady Ishulane looked toward Amara.
"Amara..."
"Hm?"
"Do you think Ronan would enjoy alchemy?"
Amara laughed.
"If you show him something explosive and flashy? Definitely."
Then she smirked.
"But whether he attends class himself is another question."
Lady Ishulane's eyes gleamed.
"That's fine."
A slow smile spread across her face.
"He doesn't need to come personally."
Her gaze drifted toward the place Rai had disappeared.
"His clone can."
Amara blinked.
Then burst out laughing.
"Clone alchemy, huh?"
She shook her head.
"That boy's life is about to become a whole lot more interesting."