The fiery energy around Gallus seemed to move as if coming to life, gathering before him into a compressed ball of fire.

"Don't die, kid," he said as he coated his fist in crystal essence before punching the compressed fireball.

The fireball twisted under his blow before quickly flying towards Kieran, who could feel the temperature around him rise, although the fireball hadn't reached him yet.

Moving his crystal essence within his body, Kieran created a wall of earth to protect himself from the attack, but before it could fully form, Gallus expelled a wave of crystal essence from his body, destroying the wall of earth.

"You can only use your body and movements related to the fire element in this training, kid."

Kieran forced his body to move. He created an orb of fire behind him, which he detonated to help him propel himself forward to dodge Gallus's fireball.

A colossal explosion appeared when the fireball made contact with the ground. A crater was formed following the explosion and was quickly filled with lava.

The ground suddenly began to shake as geysers of lava erupted from it one after the other.

Kieran dodged the geysers while focusing on Gallus. Sensing the fire elemental core in his spiritual world, he circulated the fire elemental particles through his body.

Dozens of blades of fire were instantly created around him as he threw them towards Gallus. Like the difference between day and night, the power in each blade was incomparable compared to before he created his elemental core.

"The use of elemental particles requires great control. You must ensure they take the best possible paths when they circulate through your body. Once outside your body, you must give them the shape you desire by focusing on them. It is not enough to create an empty and insubstantial form," Gallus explained.

Four blades of fire that looked like molten steel appeared behind him. Each blade seemed as tangible as a real one. The blades rushed forward to meet the ones created by Kieran.

Two blades came into contact, but it only took a moment for one to prevail over the other. The blade created by Kieran disappeared in sparks of flame, while the one of Gallus, under his control, moved towards another blade to intercept it.

In less than two seconds, all of Kieran's blades were brought down by Gallus's blades, which returned to float behind him.

Gallus moved his hand, and the four blades behind him rushed forward again. As they flew through the air, the four blades joined together to take the form of a giant three-legged crow.

Seeing the attack approaching him quickly, Kieran focused. He raised his right hand as the fire elemental particles inside his elemental core, and those in the surrounding area rushed into his palm, spinning in rotation above it.

"Burning Sun!"

An explosion shook the top of the volcano as debris and smoke covered the entire area around them.

"That's quite an interesting attack you have there. Do you create it yourself?"

Gallus's voice came from behind him. He reacted quickly by turning around, but a giant fist fell on him.

Channeling the crystal essence within his body, he narrowly dodged the punch, but before he could rejoice, small thumb-sized orbs of flame following Gallus's arm movement struck his body, causing multiple explosions and throwing him away.

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*cough*

Kieran fell to the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood as many parts of his body were burned by the flames, revealing the flesh beneath his fur.

"Are you going to stay there without moving?"

A shadow fell on his body, as well as a giant fist.

Rolling his body to the side, he dodged the fist that shattered the ground beneath him, causing a geyser of lava to explode, but Gallus paid it no mind as if it was simply water that had come into contact with his body.

Kieran quickly backed away, trying to put some distance between himself and Gallus. He brought his two hands together as a red light appeared around them before separating them, forming a spear of fire, which he threw forward.

"Fire Spear"

The spear of fire quickly flew towards Gallus, who moved his hand forward. Flames appeared in front of him before twisting and taking on the appearance of a tangible shield as large as himself.

The fiery spear resembling a shooting star exploded upon contact with the shield, leaving only sparks behind it while the shield remained intact.

Gallus covered his body with crystal essence and passed through his flame shield. The flames that formed the shield moved behind him before compressing and exploding, propelling him forward.

Kieran tried to distance himself again, but Gallus wouldn't allow him to escape. He pursued him relentlessly, switching between physical attacks and fire attacks.

Soon, his body could no longer keep up and fell to the ground in exhaustion. His transformation was canceled, and numerous injuries could be seen all over his body.

"Done already, kid?"

He looked up at Gallus, who smiled as he saw him lying on the ground.

'He wasn't lying when he said it would be difficult. I have pain all over my body,' he thought.

"Here, take this," Gallus said, throwing a small green pill.

Kieran looked at the small pill he had just grabbed before asking, "What is that?"

"It's a Vital Restoration Pill. It will help your body recover faster."

Nodding, he swallowed the pill, which melted as it entered his body. He suddenly felt a gentle energy inside his body, gradually spreading while healing his broken body.

He got up a few minutes later, his body hurting less.

Gallus smiled, seeing him get up in such a short time.

"I was right, you're pretty good kid," he said, patting him on the shoulder.

Kieran's expression was bitter as he took Gallus's gentle tap on the shoulder. The pain that had started to disappear had returned as quickly as it had left him.

"Nevertheless, it's quite strange. Your elemental affinity is quite high, but you seem to lack the basics in using fire techniques. What techniques have you learned?"

"I haven't learned any techniques."

A shocked expression appeared on Gallus's face.

'He hasn't learned any techniques? Is he self-taught? If so, how can his elemental affinity be so high?' he thought.

"Take this."

Kieran caught a red object that Gallus had thrown at him. The object seemed to be made of metal, with a flame engraved on it.

"What is this?" he asked.

"It's a token. It means you're my disciple. Use it to come here whenever you want to train, even if I'm not present. I've already informed the one who will replace me. You're allowed 20 hours inside the Lava Pit this month. If you ever encounter a problem within the academy, you can also transfer your crystal essence inside, and I'll come to help you."

"Thank you, Ma... Master."

Gallus smiled at Kieran's words before a black stone appeared above his hand. On the stone was carved incomprehensible writing. Each character seemed to sparkle with a luminescent scarlet light.

The stone emitted an incredible heat even here in the Lava Pit. Numerous elemental fire particles began to gather around the stone as if drawn to it.

Since the stone had appeared, Kieran had not taken his eyes off it as if attracted by it.

"This is the Scarlet Crow Flame Scripture. I obtained it during one of my journeys through a rift. It's a fire elemental affinity cultivation technique. Practice with it for the next few days by pouring your crystal essence into it," Gallus explained, floating the stone towards him.

Kieran took the stone in his hands, still fascinated by it, without taking his eyes off it.

Gallus laughed at the sight and slapped him on the shoulder again.

"I have something to do, so I'll let you go back on your own. Come back here tomorrow to practice with the stone."

Kieran nodded at his words, but the next moment, his eyes widened as Gallus caught fire and jumped into the air. A rapid transformation ensued.

His form quickly changed, revealing a colossal and majestic red crow ablaze with intense scarlet fire. His wings stretched majestically over an impressive stretch of one kilometer.

Kieran watched him disappear into the sky with a stunned expression on his face.

"What just happened?"