CHAPTER 52: FIREBALL

Sari sighed and shook her head lightly.

"We’ll do this tomorrow. Your core’s formed, but it’ll take time before your body fully syncs with the flow."

She stood up, brushing off her skirt as she turned away.

But just as she did—

Flick!

A sudden warmth sparked in Alaric’s palm.

He glanced down, and there it was.

A flicker.

A faint glow.

Then it brightened, and intensified.

And then—

Boom!

Sari instinctively took a step back.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Huff!"

Alaric exhaled, a small wisp of smoke puffing out of his mouth.

His hair was disheveled, bits of soot clinging to the ends, and his face had a faint ashen smear like he’d just crawled out of a chimney.

He blinked a few times, eyes adjusting after the sudden little explosion, then glanced toward her.

Sari pinched the bridge of her nose and gave a small shake of her head, a subtle smirk curved the corner of her lips.

"I told you not to force it," she muttered dryly.

"Ah, well..." Alaric scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish laugh.

"Guess I got a bit too excited."

She turned without another word, as she strode toward the door.

"Come with me."

Alaric blinked, then groaned softly as he pushed himself up from the wooden floor, his limbs still were little shaky.

He brushed off some charred dust from his sleeves and followed her out of the room.

Sari led him out of the cottage, the old wooden door creaking softly as it closed behind them.

The night air was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of dew. Moon hung low in the sky, its pale light casting soft silver shadows across the grass.

Crickets chirped somewhere in the shadows.

Then they stepped into the backyard, a modest clearing fenced by low stone walls and backed by a line of tall trees. Moonlight bathed the area in a soft glow.

Sari walked to the far end of the yard, near the wall, and with quick hands she collected the nearby branches, dry and brittle wood. And within a minute, she created a near perfect wooden dummy and placed it on the ground, near the wall.

Alaric stood beside her, watching her calmly.

Then she stepped back and turned toward him. crossing her arms.

"That’s your target. Now listen closely."

He nodded, attentive.

"I’m not a mage," she said plainly, "but I’ve seen enough to understand how it works. Especially for elemental types like yours."

She stepped a little closer, and spoke, lowering her voice.

"The spell is simple. Fireball."

His eyes glinted with amusement and curiosity.

Then she added, "But simplicity doesn’t mean ease. You’ll need to feel the flow of Essence inside you, guide it without letting it burst out recklessly. Like taming a flame with your breath."

Alaric listened to her closely, eyes narrowing in concentration.

"First," she continued, "focus on the pit of your core, the place you felt warmth earlier. That’s your Essence Pool. Draw from it slowly. Let it gather in your palm, not with force, but with intent."

He held out his hand, palm up, and closed his eyes.

"Good. Now imagine it taking shape, not as wild fire, but a sphere, something controlled. It’s not just about burning. It’s about forming."

"I... I feel something," Alaric murmured.

"Then mold it. Think of a flame held in your hand. Visualize the shape, the size. Don’t rush it."

Sari stepped aside slightly, watching his breathing steady.

A faint shimmer of red danced just beneath his skin. A flicker, then a spark.

"Keep going. Keep it tight. When you feel it press against your palm, that’s when you release."

Then...

A faint bead of flame shimmered into existence above his hand, though unstable and twitching.

His brow furrowed. "It’s shaking—"

"Because you’re shaking. Stay calm. Control the flame, or it will control you."

Alaric gritted his teeth and began concentrating again.

But it flickered and...

Puff!

Died.

Then he inhaled deeply and then exhaled.

And started again from step one.

The fire wobbled again... and then steadied.

A bright orange orb, no larger than an apple, hovered just above his palm, crackling softly.

Alaric opened his eyes and let out a shaky breath.

"Haaa..."

His lips curled slightly, hand trembling a little, but he didn’t lose control or focus.

Sari gave a small nod.

"Now aim."

Alaric turned to the dummy. His arm pulled back slightly and then with a swift flick; he released the orb.

Whoosh!

Boom!

The fireball sailed forward, wobbly but direct, before striking the dummy’s chest.

Boom!

Smoke rose, after the burst of flame.

Alaric blinked, bringing his hand down. "I did it."

"Yes," Sari said, folding her arms again. "You did."

She looked at the smoldering target.

"Barely."

Alaric laughed under his breath, pride and disbelief laced in his tone.

"That was... incredible though."

Sari smirked.

"And sloppy. But still, it was a good start."

"Well, I be able to do more tomorrow."

"That depends how many times you blow yourself up tonight."

Alaric grinned.

This time, he raised both hands and cupped them slightly, then focused focusing

A dim orange glow sparked between his hands. The heat intensified.

A small, unstable flame burst forth, wobbling violently like it had a mind of its own.

"Almost done, and."

FWOOOSH!

The fireball shot out, veering off wildly and smacked into a pile of dried sticks near the corner.

Fwoomp!

Flames exploded upward.

"What the hell!" Sari cursed, moving towards a nearby jug filled with water and drenched the growing fire before it could spread to the wall.

Smoke hissed and curled into the night.

She turned and glared at him, arms crossed under her ample bosom.

Alaric blinked then coughed.

And gave a small bow.

"It won’t happen again."

"You better hope not." Sari muttered, shaking out her sleeves.

Without another word, Alaric turned and quietly slipped back into the cottage, rubbing his fingers together, still feeling the warmth.

But despite the mess, a small, satisfied smile lingered on his face.