Unlike any other month, this time of year the Frost Forest remained free of snow or ice. Even though the city was still covered in white, the forest seemed to have been spared, enjoying a short break from the harsh cold.
A few hundred meters ahead, the road split in two — one path led straight into the forest, while the other veered off to the right.
"Go straight to enter the forest, and turn right to reach Emberhold City," Flester read from the weathered signpost standing between the two roads.
"To participate in the Ruby Tournament, one must first collect five symbols, each earned by defeating a symbol holder in one of the kingdom's cities." The words of his old bald instructor echoed faintly in his mind.
"Seriously, I still don't remember his name," Flester muttered with a sigh. He stood there for a moment, the cold air brushing past him, weighing his options at the quiet crossroads — the beginning of yet another step in his journey as a challenger.
"I'm not sure where the forest will take me… but I might as well find out," he thought. Without a second thought, Flester stepped forward and took the path leading into the forest.
After a few minutes of steady walking, dense trees began to appear in the distance, signaling that the forest was finally within sight.
Before long, he reached its entrance — leaves parted neatly along the path as if nature itself had cleared the way, while thick roots arched overhead, forming a natural gateway that could leave anyone in quiet awe.
"This magical power… it's undeniably strong—far denser and more overwhelming than I ever imagined," Flester thought, a flicker of unease crossing his face as he narrowed his eyes and clenched his teeth. "Another reminder of how far I still am from true power… and understanding".
Flester had walked several miles through the forest, which at first seemed calm—almost harmless. But he knew better."The deeper you go, the deadlier it becomes," he recalled from a book he once read. He couldn't remember its title, but the lessons from it had proven far more useful than most of what his teacher ever bothered to share—with anyone except Fey.
He froze when a twig snapped somewhere nearby. The sound was faint, but his sharpened senses caught it instantly.
Within seconds, five mana beasts emerged from the shadows—tiger-like creatures with sharp fangs and a single horn jutting from their heads. They lunged from all sides, but Flester reacted without hesitation as if years of experience kicked in, He leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding their claws.
Magic pulsed in his palm, forming a bright, perfectly stable sphere of light."Light Sphere," he murmured, slamming it down onto the horn of one beast. The explosion of energy shattered the horn, killing the creature instantly.
Landing smoothly, he twisted aside, dodging a mana-infused slash from another. Flames gathered in his hand, condensing into a blazing orb."Fireball!"A torrent of fire shot forth, slamming two beasts into a tree with tremendous force. The bark barely charred."The trees don't burn easily… must be some kind of protective enchantment," he noted, rolling aside as another beast lunged from behind.
"Enhancing its body and speed with magic, huh? The bald excuse of a teacher never mentioned that," Flester muttered under his breath. "Half my classmates would've died out here."
Light magic coursed through his veins as he enhanced his body. In a flash, he vanished from sight—and before the remaining two beasts could react, their heads fell, horns shattered.
"They couldn't even last a second against my Light Form," he said quietly, his gaze hardening. "Something I created on my own… and yet, am I still unworthy of dreaming to become the strongest?"
The last two beasts, scorched but alive, staggered to their feet. Flester's expression twisted into something dark for an instant—a glint of madness—before he composed himself.
"What would you even understand," he muttered, and in the blink of an eye, their horns were shattered too.
"A mana beast only dies when its horn is destroyed," he recited calmly, watching as more beasts emerged from the forest shadows—twisted creatures of all kinds, their bodies warped by overflowing mana. "Their horns may be visible… or hidden. Out in the open, or buried deep within."
As the new wave charged, the ground beneath them erupted in flames at his command. The fire burned so hot it melted through flesh, bone, and horn alike.
"So that's all it takes—destroy the horn," he said, his tone edged with defiance. "Another thing that bald fool never taught me."
Light surged once again through his limbs. In a single motion, he punched straight through another beast, ending it instantly.
He raised his glowing hand, eyes blazing with determination. "Come at me—all of you!"
It had been at least ten minutes, and Flester finally stood amidst silence — every mana beast in the area had fallen.
"Well, there's still something that bald fool taught me," he muttered, pulling up his sleeve. A faint blue mark glowed on his forearm — a circle with a flame-shaped emblem at its center. Simple in design, yet incredibly hard to create.
"This mark seals mana beasts after they're slain," he explained softly, watching the glow pulse faintly. "Their bodies transform into a single orb and get absorbed into the seal. You can sell those orbs to the Ruby Magic Association… or convert them into magic energy for yourself when your mana runs low."
As if responding to his words, the air shimmered. One by one, the slain beasts dissolved into faint lights, pulled into the glowing mark on his arm. Within seconds, the forest was empty again.
"Let's hope this pays well," he murmured, lowering his sleeve before walking deeper into the forest.
As he moved, a glint of light caught his eye — a small orb attached to the necklace around his neck. It had slipped out from beneath his cloak. Flester's expression immediately darkened.
He tucked it back under his clothes, muttering, "Can't let anyone see this. If word gets out, I'll be hunted down and killed before I can blink."
That orb — the Flame Elemental Marble — was an ancient relic, said to hold the essence of a primordial flame spirit. The kind of treasure nations would start wars over.
Far from where Flester stood, two figures watched from the shadows, their presence completely concealed by powerful magic.
"So the rumors were true," one of them said, his tone smug. He was young — golden, spiky hair glinting faintly under the moonlight and sharp sky-blue eyes full of arrogance. "The legendary Flame Elemental Marble… in the hands of some random teenager. That's just pathetic."
"Don't underestimate him, Raizen," the other figure replied calmly. He was older — early twenties perhaps — with long black hair falling past his shoulders and cold, purple eyes that seemed to reflect death itself. "From the way he handled those mana beasts, I'd say he's no ordinary kid. More like a prodigy."
Raizen scoffed, scratching the back of his head. "You can't seriously be comparing him to me, Kai. I'm the greatest prodigy this world's ever seen!" he boasted, puffing out his chest.
Kai gave him a sideways glance, unamused. "We'll find out soon enough — once we face him."
"And when's that going to be?" Raizen asked, his grin widening.
"Soon," Kai replied, eyes narrowing. "After we've observed him long enough."
Raizen frowned, his tone turning teasing. "What, you scared? Just let me handle him."
Kai's gaze sharpened like a blade. "Compared to the opponents I've crushed, he's an insect," he said coldly. "Or should I remind you, Raizen Vale, who's stronger between us?"
Raizen gulped but quickly masked it with a smirk. "We'll settle that after the mission," he said lightly.
Kai's expression softened into a faint smile. "Agreed. Now, let's move — he's getting ahead."
Raizen nodded, lightning crackling faintly around his arm as the two vanished into the forest shadows.