Kael Hound stopped his attacks, four fireballs still hovered behind him. "You looked impressed with yourself Stallus."

Stallus shrugged, saying nothing but you could see the subtle smile that twisted her mouth and how she shrugged so casually.

Azaroth sat upright against the wall, his hand still throbbed and his jaw ached but he saw the way the energy around Kael darkened and tightened.

Kael raised his hands and the fireballs around him shrunk until they were the size of an egg, these egg-sized fireballs combined until what remained was a single small fire that glowed like molded lava.

Azaroth began moving.

Kael made the small fire hover in front of him then he spread his right hand behind it. "You have the chance of seeing one of my skills children! Fire skill: Fire Laser!"

The small fireball glowed brighter then a red fire laser the size of two fingers shot straight at Stallus.

Stallus started shocked but Azaroth was already on the move since Kael started his skill.

Azaroth had thought about it since there was confusion and nobody was watching anyone, he channeled chaos essence to his left leg and his normal essence to his right leg.

Then he jumped across the room the moment Kael activated his skill. With essence on both feet, he flew so fast his eyes watered but he was already at his destination and stopped channeling essence to his feet.

Then he channeled normal essence to his right hand as he faced the laser, Azaroth brought up his sword side first when the laser hit.

It was like being punched by a horse, the fire slammed onto the side of the sword with the strength of a horse and made his sword jab him painfully in the forehead.

Azaroth was sent flying but he had achieved his aim, the laser’s target had been altered, it now uselessly hit the wall.

Azaroth staggered and regained his balance, he planted his sword in front of him and rubbed his right shoulder. "That laser almost took my shoulder from me. Is Kael crazy? That would have caused serious damage." Azaroth muttered.

"Are you alright?" Stallus had come closer, she was looking at him with a worried face.

Azaroth frowned. "Why would I not be alright?"

Stallus stared at his words. "Well, you were hit by that...fire and you protected me with nothing but a sword!"

Azaroth stared at her, surprised. "Protect you?"

"Well... that’s what happens when you keep someone from getting hurt," Stallus said.

"Why would I want to protect you?" Azaroth asked. "I only stopped Kael from taking out a piece that would be useful later if we wish to survive this training."

Stallus was agreeably the most talented after Azaroth and he wasn’t about to let Kael take her out so early since Azaroth didn’t know what he was planning.

Stallus opened her mouth but Alex, who had already stood up from his beating, beat her to it as he joined them. "Azaroth! That was so well done! You flew out like that as if you were a legendary hero saving the princess!"

Stallus scowled and cuffed Alex at the back of the head. "I’m no princess and I’m the only one Kael focused so hard on."

Alex rubbed his head as he protested. "Hey! Don’t you see what I did too? I cut a fireball."

"How did you do that, Azaroth?" Catena asked.

Azaroth had marked Catena’s movement as he made his way through the training ground to their place but he hadn’t expected Catena to ask him a question.

Azaroth was also keeping Kael in his line of sight, the Captain was just standing there looking at them. Probably planning how to take them all out in one hit.

"Do what?" Azaroth asked Catena even though he had an idea of the question already.

"How did you jump like that? Did you put essence on both legs?" Catena asked.

Azaroth looked at Catena, really looked at him. He realized this was the first time he was looking hard at him. He had previously dismissed the boy but now he took in his short black hair and deep brown eyes that were speckled with gold.

Catena was tall and thin, with a bored face and eyes that were always half-closed. Even now he was looking at Azaroth without half-closed eyes.

He wore the uniform and his chain was wrapped around his small waist with the two metal balls hanging to his side.

Azaroth shrugged. "Not really, I just put my legs together and stretched the essence I channeled."

Catena nodded. Azaroth couldn’t say if he believed him but he didn’t care. If Catena made trouble he would just find a way to dispose of him, accidents happened during training after all.

"You saw it too Catena! How he flew and bent that laser!" Alex said.

Stallus scowled and Catena nodded.

"Kael is about to make a move," Azaroth said, calling their attention back to the game at hand.

Kael had walked a short distance towards them. The energy surrounding him had lessened and now only a thin red energy still clung to him.

"Good. Good. You now get a little taste of what I meant but this is only the beginning. We have all day, remember?" Kael said.

"Why are you doing this? You could seriously injure someone!" Stallus said.

Kael was silent then energy exploded from him in waves of heat that burned any moisture remaining in the air. "Could injure? What I’m going to do is injure you!"

Kael raised both hands and waves of fire streamed from his hands, the fire roared up towards the ceiling, clustering together until it formed a small platform that glowed red like small embers put together.

Azaroth already got what Kael wanted to do. "Everyone cover your hand with essence and be ready. Form a row of two."

Azaroth immediately channeled essence into his right hand and took his position. Others followed his example and when Azaroth raised his essence-covered hand they did as he did.

Kael snapped his fingers and the platform came down hard with a whooshing sound. The fire platform slammed into their raised hands and they all buckled at the weight.