Many days have passed since the Sign of Nightmare winter. Kings will gather in neutral zone, exactly at Union tower to discuss what they are going to do. Voru city became more crowded than usual, it's because all kings will gather here and there will be festival.

The festival was being told in sudden and nobody know what's the festival for. The festival is directly being held by the Union and inviting all nobles to come and spectate a tournament they will held.

Noel is watching nervously outside the city. He received a news that the war has stopped and anxious for his father to come here. There is so much he wanted to tell to his father and also he wanted to meet Felicia.

"Don't be nervous." Clara patted her back. She knows why Noel being nervous. The days they spent on training together had made them being close as friends. She also knew about Noel's matters and who is Evan.

"I can't be not nervous. Even though i'm growing stronger. It feels like i'm still weak."

"You're comparing yourself with him again." Clara sighed, the 'him' is Evan. She always heard about Evan and thought that Noel is exaggerating on him.

"Well, who else i need to compare? Anyway, let's go."

"Right, training maniac." Clara laughed.

Training maniac was given to Noel because his resolution to become stronger and keep training till his body couldn't hold out. Fortunately, only Clara and her bodyguards that knows about this title of him. If everyone knows, he will dig a hole and hide his head in there.

Followed by Clara's bodyguards, they're going to hunt monsters. With Clara's help, Noel able to proceed smoothly while fighting monster. He able to control fire and use sword at the same time which makes him as the close combat. Clara attacking from far away and supporting Noel, she never once using her black fire as she stated that there is none worthy of it. The bodyguards only stay at her side without doing anything at all.

Now, they are in Tegis dungeon. An old dungeon which is good for trained person. The dungeon contained reptile monsters and quite dangerous, the lowest floor was said there is a dragon awaits there.

"Noel, four frosty lizards coming!" Clara warned. Noel nodded and charging ahead with his sword slowly covered by fire.

"Burning slash!"

He swings the sword and wide slash made of fire released from the sword. The fire burned three lizards in instant while the last one dodged and coming at Noel with a whip from its tail.

Noel dodged the tail rather than taking the risk. Frosty lizard's tail is hard and cold, once got hit by it, an effect of coldness will surround you.

The frosty lizard open its mouth and trying to bite Noel. However, a fire arrow coming at it and hit it. The lizard was shocked by sudden attack and Noel quickly launch a heavy swinging down slash to cut the lizard's head. Cloaked with fire, he beheaded the lizard perfectly.

"Good job." Clara praised.

"You could have finish it over." Noel spoke, he knew that Clara's fire arrow would be able to finish the frosty lizard but she seems never intend to do so.

"I'll leave everything up to you. So, it will be fine." She smiled happily. Forcing Noel to do all the things while she is happily watching and only help a little bit. Noel is helpless against her.

After dismantling the lizards, they went deeper into the dungeon. Different types of lizards keep appearing frequently and they keep changing their tactics when dealing them. Especially against fire lizard. Since fire is their element, fire attack won't do much damage and Noel could only rely on his sword. If the fire lizard is weak, he could finish it with fire attack. It depends on his skill with fire.

"Phew, that's the last one." Noel wiped sweat on his forehead. He fought against three frosty lizards, two earth lizards and one giant lizard. Earth lizard is tough and heavy; it takes very much attacks to end it. Giant lizard is big and strong, although no element, it is very strong and ferocious.

"You really became better." Clara complimented him once again.

"Thank you, but i don't think i'm-"

"Stop comparing yourself. It's good to have a comparation but it's not good to keep comparing yourself. Between you and Evan? I would choose you."

"Ah... thank you." Noel was embarrassed, he didn't expect that coming.

It was not a joke that Clara has a feeling for him. They are quite close and fight side to side. Although they only known for short time, they spent their times mostly together and bonded a training partner relationship.

For Clara, this is her first time to be interested towards a man. Ever since not allowed in contact with others and her life always in danger. She is never once had this kind of fun being together with someone. But she knew that Noel has a fiancée and she can't force her feeling on him.

"Well, let's-"

"Watch out!"

Noel pushed Clara away and got injured by flying dagger. Noel glaring at Clara's bodyguards who launched the dagger.

"You! What's the meaning of this?!"

"Relax Noel." Clara spoke, "They wanted me." Her tone is icy and filled with hatred.

"I thought you guys were loyal, but seems like no?"

"Don't be mad princess." One of the bodyguard spoke while laughing.

"We're not your bodyguards."

They pulled their skins and revealed their faces.

"Your bodyguards were dead; we're just replacing them to catch you."

"Hmph! If you can!"

Clara casted black fire swarming towards them. This the first time that Noel saw black fire and he could felt a scary feeling about it. But, looking at the fake bodyguards, they don't panic or afraid at all.

"Hahaha, thanks to master." The first fake throw a paper towards the black fire and suddenly a massive ice wall appears and blocked the black fire.

"What?!" Clara shocked in disbelief. Her black fire was blocked which is wasn't supposed to be able to be blocked.

"Surprise? This is white ice. Master gave this to us to capture you."

Clara shivered, she knew about white ice. The ice that could equal black fire. She didn't expect to meet one.

"Well, princess. Just be obedient."

They throw several papers and ice golems summoned. Not normal ones but white ice golems.

"Burning slash!"

Noel tried to inflict a damage but his attack was useless against white ice.

"Give up boy!" The second fake laughed.

"Only princess can stop white ice! But she has limited mana and we have many papers!"

Clara clicked her tongue and shot several Black fireballs towards the golem and melt them.

"Princess, just give up. You can't handle them alone."

"Hmph!"

She creates a Black fire wall and stop the golems from advancing.

"Noel! We must run! Go deeper to the dungeon!"

"But it's-"

"Dangerous! I know!"

Clara doesn't have a choice. Facing against the fakes or monsters, both are dangerous and there might be a result of death too. In honesty, it is fine as long only she alone. But Noel also involved and she doesn't want him to get hurt.

Running deeper into the depth, Noel and Clara finishing the monsters at quick pace. Behind them are the golems and the fakes, they easily making their way towards Noel and Clara.

They don't know how long they have been in the dungeon, they don't think of it and just proceed deeper. Eventually exhaustion coming to them and their pace becomes slower.

"Drink this." Noel gave Clara mana potion. They don't even know how many times they drink these bitter potions but they know that they will run out for mana potion.

"Where are we?"

Looking at in front of him, it's a long small bridge made of stone. While below the bridge is lake of lava. One wrong step will end up being nothing in the lava.

"Hahaha, to think you guys would be here." Familiar voice and a person appear in front of them.

"How?" Clara's face became ashen to know the second fake is already catching up with them. As she turned around, she found the first fake blocking the exit.

"Now, there is no need to run." The fakes laughing happily as they approaching.

'What can i do?' Noel bite his lips in desperation and suddenly Clara grabbing his hand.

"Clara?"

"Noel..." she looks hurt and almost crying.

"I'll make a way; you have to escape."

"What? No! I don't want to leave you!"

"The situation forced us! I don't want you to die because of me! They wanted me and as long they have me, you can escape!"

A pain struck his heart. Leaving Clara alone, was it right action? He asking himself again and again. Then he remembered leaving Evan alone back in the balloon ship.

'I won't leave her alone.'

'I won't leave you! I won't leave my friend again!"

"Noel! Please understand!"

"No! Sometimes i must follow my own heart!" As he said that, fire spreading out around him and he saw a cave far away from the bridge. Without hesitation, he suddenly carries Clara and jump off from the bridge.

"Noel?!"

"Do not worry! Fire!"

Wings of fire spread on his back and between his feet. Although he isn't flying, he manages to glide very fast towards the cave.

'Damn it! I can't.'

Their altitude lowered before reaching the cave. At this rate, both of them unable to get to the cave.

"Noel."

Clara hugged Noel and suddenly the wings increased by size and became stronger. They became faster and reaching the cave safely.

"We're arrive."

"Yeah."

"Clara?"

Noel felt a heat coming from Clara. Her face is red, he slowly put her down and checking her temperature. Once he touched her forehead, his hand felt like touching hot iron.

"Clara?! What's happening?"

"It's.... black fire." She had rough when tried to spoke, her vision is hazy and then unconscious. Noel became confuse for what to do and at this time, a huge fish coming out from the lava.

"That's magmatic fish."

Noel saw a fish like that in the book. But this is the first time he saw the real one and the size isn't a joke. It's length around 45 meters and who knows if this is the old one or not.

Noel couldn't care about that, he carrying Clara and proceed forward. Her body is very hot, he tried to absorb the heat but somehow it won't cease to stop.

Few hours of walking, Noel is sweating a lot due to how hot his surroundings. Not just from Clara, the more he proceeds, the atmosphere became hotter.

In front of him, he saw a wide area. Lava flowing out like waterfall on the wall and a huge round stone with red cracking on it in front of him.

Noel put her down and walks to the stone.

"What is this stone?" He is curious, the stone giving mystical feeling and inviting people who looking at it.

Curiosity easily overtook him and he touches the stone. Noel's eyes widened and his mind sucked towards the stone.

At once, he could see a barren land where people going to war. People killing each other and clashing like two different waves of seas. On the sky, he could see several men fighting against a dragon.

Those men giving an ancient aura that impossible for Noel to understand and the dragon with dark scale and green spikes roaring majestically.

"Dragon king! We shall kill you!"

One of those men shouted in anger.

"What can pitiful being like you could do?! I controlled human! None of you can defeat me!"

The black dragon breathes a green fire and those men hurriedly dodging away as if the green fire is far from than a fire but a plague as well.

"We can't defeat him! Dragon king already broke through the limits! Just seven of us aren't enough!"

"We have to try! They believe on us and we can't fall back!"

the fight between seven men against the dragon were fierce. Both sides don’t go back down but, the seven men was pushed and one by one they got injured.

"Give up! No matter what you, dragon will overrule this world!"

"In your dream!"

A roar of another dragon came from afar. The seven men and the Dragon king shocked. From far away, giant red dragon coming at them and there is someone stood on top of it.

"Rivast! You traitor!" The Dragon king roared and flew towards the red dragon.

"Dragon race will fall because of you! Our greed must be stopped here!" The red Dragon, Rivast roaring and breath out black fire.

"Do you think your black fire is tough?! Human will think of that! But us! Dragon never thinks black fire is strongest of all!"

The Dragon king inhaled and all black fire entering him. Rivast's eyes constricted in disbelief.

"I'm the king of fire, no one can defeat me."

"Really? Then i, Reifu shall stop you! Go Rivast!"

A giant palm made of white ice descending from the sky and pressing the Dragon king.

"White ice? Your little freak, i admit you are strong. But too weak for me!"

Green fire breath out and melted all white ice in instant. However, Reifu still keep his composure and smiled.

"Weak, right, i'm weak. Space rift, Ice realm."

The ground and sky trembling and raging as if day of judgement is coming. The scenery changed into frozen area. There is no people killing each other, no seven men. Only Reifu, Rivast and the Dragon king.

"How was it, Osion? This is my realm! No one will remember this fight ever!"

"Then i shall kill you both!"

Noel will spectate a fight that was never recorded in history. A fight between Hero Reifu with Rivast against Osion.

Osion, the old evil dragon who reign Dragon race for 8300 years was a powerful enemy. Even the so called black fire unable to defeat him. By joining hands, Reifu and Rivast manage to heavily wound Osion. It's a fatal wound that will never be able healed.

However, Osion manage to break free from the realm and went hiding. Knowing his life going to end, he pulled out his core and insert all his memories inside it.

"For those who find it! I shall bestow you my power! Get me a revenge! Revenge for all races!"

Noel shuddered and his face ashen. Green fire begins to spread around his body and he start screaming.

"No! This is wrong!"

He refused to get revenge for Osion. Even though he wanted to become stronger, he refuses this power.

"Foolish human! Why do you refuse? Do you want to become stronger? Submit to-"

"I won't submit! I will never submit to you for power! Revenge for all races for my own gain? Hah! Dream on! I'm not that selfish!"

"Then! You shall perish!"

Even though it's only remnant of the memories. Osion manage to let out a power to crush Noel. Noel's body is on fire but not burnt, the green fire didn't damage his body but his soul.

"I won't.... i will keep living! I won't die no matter what!"

Red sparks coming out from his body and turned fire then start dancing around him and trying to push away the green fire.

"I'll become strong... with my own path!"

"Dragon or not! King of fire or not! I will become the master of fire!"

Unknown to him, red light flashed on his eyes and the red fire dancing happily as it formed wings on his shoulder. Layer of red fire starting to cover his body and pushed away the green fire.

"Thank you for your knowledge! But i path my own path!" Noel took out his sword and slashes through the stone. The stone splits into two and green fire burst out from and forming a dragon.

"Foolish! I shall devour you then!"

"If you can!"

Unknown to him too, that he is created seed of fire inside him. Unknown to him too, that he isn't affected by fire anymore.

The green fire dragon which is avatar of Osion dive towards Noel. He bracing himself with his fire and slash upwards towards the dragon. His fire splits the dragon into two then he used his fire to gather up the green fire.

"Devour!" He shouted and his fire devoured the green fire. No trace of Osion anymore, he obtained his memories but there is no single trace of Osion to disturb him.

Green fire flickering on his palm, now it is become his possession.

"I don't want to become a dragon." Noel muttered.

"A phoenix is better. From ash to flame, eternal fire that never ending to lit this world in the darkness."

"Ah, Clara!"

Noel quickly went towards her and once he makes a contact with her. Heat inside her body got absorbed by him, making her temperature normal again.

"That's.... weird."

He didn't understand what was happening to him. Going through soul tormenting green fire, he only wished to keep alive and become stronger. He doesn't know his current condition is good or not.

"We should leave immediately." Noel carries Clara and leave the place. He walks and choosing the path with his own instinct. Fortunately, no monsters around him and he is grateful.

Oddly for him, he didn't get tire after walking more than ten hours. He didn't get hungry or thirsty which makes him wondering if his body really fine.

"Uhh..."

Clara opened her eyes, even though her vision still blurry, she could see Noel's face.

"Noel...."

"Hey, don't worry. We will get out from this place."

Clara didn't hear what he said, she is too not focus and slowly hugging Noel.

"C-Clara?"

"Thank you..... thank you for being alive."

"Uh, yeah?"

Then, she lost her conscious again and makes Noel worry her.

"Clara is pretty." Noel muttered after he staring at her face.

"What i'm saying? Don't be tempted! I already have a fiancée!"