The Phoenix soul: A legend Arises

Chapter 30: " Igniting control II" 

After Thrain made his bold declaration, the students exchanged uneasy glances. They already knew he was stronger than them, there was no denying it. Though he was the despised prince, his strength and title still demanded a grudging respect. What could they do but comply?

But Thrain wasn't one to let respect linger as doubt. He decided it was time to solidify his place, to leave no room for question. He would show them something unmistakable, something that would command awe and silence all skepticism, the blue flames and the eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Thrain closed his eyes briefly, centering himself. When he opened them, the unmistakable glow of the blue flame aura flickered to life behind him. It roared softly, yet powerfully, with an ethereal hum that filled the air, vibrating through the field. The students instinctively took a step back, and even the instructor shuffled uneasily, eyes wide with apprehension.

The blue flames didn't just radiate heat, they exuded authority, a presence that demanded respect. The aura moved like a living entity, a force that seemed to bend the world around it. Thrain's eyes glowed vividly, the enhanced vision allowing him to see energy patterns and faint glowing lines connecting everything around him. Among them, he spotted a faint signature of Daelan's energy in the distance. It made sense now, how his so-called "uncle" had appeared from nowhere to save him during the fight with Takamori. "Uncle, huh," he thought to himself, a bitter smile forming briefly.

Returning his focus to the present, Thrain gazed at the students who stood frozen before him. Some looked fearful, others intrigued, and a few even nodded in agreement, perhaps remembering his earlier speech after the morning fight.

"Everything the instructor said about mana is true," Thrain began, his voice calm yet carrying an edge that made it impossible to ignore. "Mana fuels the flames, it connects us to the fire within. But where he's wrong, where this entire system is wrong, is the way it glorifies anger. Anger should not be your only tool. Yes, it's powerful. Yes, it can make you stronger in a moment of need. But it's also reckless, blinding, and ultimately consumes you. If you force yourself to rely on it constantly, you'll lose control of your flames... and of yourself."

He paused, letting his words sink in, before taking a step forward. The flames around him burned brighter, their hue deepening into a richer blue. "Anger is a weapon, but it's not a master. Use it when you have no choice, when all else fails, or when it's natural to feel it. But don't let it define you. A controlled fire is far more dangerous than one burning out of control."

Thrain's gaze swept across the group, lingering on those who seemed to doubt him. "You may not like me, and I don't care if you don't. But this is the truth. The way we're taught here is flawed, and deep down, you all know it. How many times have you burned yourselves out trying to force anger? How many of you have failed because you lacked control?"

The field was silent except for the faint crackling of Thrain's blue flames. "Learn to temper your anger. Don't let it enslave you. That is how you truly surpass limits."

…

The silence that hung over the field was short-lived as the students began murmuring, their skepticism rising to the surface. One bold voice cut through the crowd.

"If you're just a beginner, how would you know any of this?" a student asked, crossing his arms. "You've barely been here long enough to learn anything. What makes you think you can question the way we're taught?"

Thrain turned his glowing gaze toward the boy, his expression unreadable. "Beginner?" he said calmly, his voice steady but sharp enough to cut through the doubt. "If I'm just a beginner, then what do you call this?" He gestured to the blue flames dancing behind him, their presence undeniable, almost divine in their energy.

The student fell silent, but another chimed in hesitantly, "But… we've only heard about blue flames in old stories. How can you claim to know better than the instructors? They've been teaching this way for generations."

Thrain took a step forward, his blue flames flaring slightly, sending a wave of heat rippling through the group. "Exactly. Stories. Tales of legends that no one thought were real anymore. And yet, here I stand, the only one wielding these flames in this academy, in this kingdom. Do you think they gave me these because I'm 'just a beginner'?"

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the doubt in their eyes wavering. Even the instructor, who had remained silent, was visibly shaken, his gaze fixed on the blue flames as if they were the embodiment of those ancient legends.

"I didn't ask for these flames," Thrain continued, his tone unwavering. "But they're proof enough that I'm not just some student here to follow the broken system. I see things for what they are. I've experienced what anger does to mana, to fire, to people. You all know it too, you've just been too afraid to question it."

"But if you're so certain," another student spoke up, "how can you be sure this isn't just luck? How do we know you're right about anger?"

Thrain's eyes narrowed, his tone turning cold. "Because I've lived it. I've seen flames destroy, consume, and leave nothing but regret in their wake. I've seen those who let anger rule them burn out before they ever had the chance to rise. If that's the path you want to take, fine. But don't say I didn't warn you when it all comes crashing down."

The students fell silent, and the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. Slowly, one by one, they began nodding, not in complete agreement, but with a grudging acknowledgment. Even the instructor, standing stiffly to the side, finally gave a small nod, as if silently conceding to Thrain's point.

For the first time, Thrain saw a flicker of hope, not just in himself but in the possibility of change. The blue flames had done more than silence them; they had begun to plant the seeds of belief.

Thrain let a sly smirk cross his face as he added, "Oh, and if you're still doubting me… an Onyx Sentinel trains me. Surprised?"

The reaction was instant. Gasps rippled through the students, their eyes widening in shock. Even the instructor froze, staring at Thrain as though he had just declared himself king.

"An Onyx Sentinel?" one of the students stammered. "They don't serve anyone but the Kingdom! And most of us have never even seen one… we've only heard stories!"

"Well," Thrain said, his voice steady but laced with confidence, "there's always an exception, isn't there? Believe it or don't, that's up to you. But it explains why I can do what I can."

That final claim seemed to cement his credibility. After all, how else could a mere student wield the legendary blue flames? The whispers stopped, and the students watched him with a mix of awe and unease. Even the instructor seemed hesitant to challenge him further.

Thrain stepped forward, taking control of the lesson entirely. "Now," he began, "let's get back to something simple yet essential: breathing. You've all been taught to feel mana, but what you haven't learned is that breathing is the key to controlling it. Proper breathing doesn't just keep you calm, it stabilizes your mana and focuses your flames. Without it, your anger will run wild, and you'll burn out before you even make your first strike."

He demonstrated, inhaling deeply and slowly exhaling, the blue flames behind him dimming and flaring in perfect sync with his breath. "Your breath is the rhythm of your power. Master it, and you'll master the fire. Now, try it."

The students obeyed, mimicking his movements. For the first time, they seemed genuinely engaged, their earlier doubts replaced with focus. Even the instructor, still reeling from Thrain's audacious takeover, stood silently at the side, watching as the prince taught his peers.

As Thrain watched them work, a thought lingered in his mind. "This is just one class. There are more instructors, more fields, and more resistance ahead. Can I really take this on alone?"

But then, another thought followed, one that made him smirk. "Well, maybe not alone. Daelan seems to have a habit of saving me whenever things go sideways. If I push too far, he'll probably show up to bail me out again."

With that, Thrain resolved to continue. For now, he had control, and that was all that mattered.

…

The session ended, and the students returned to their quarters. As they walked back, Thrain could feel the weight of the stares. People were whispering, their gazes lingering a little too long on the despised prince who had dared to beat an instructor and then teach others.

He knew rumors about him taking over the lesson would spread like wildfire. But he didn't care. Let them talk. Let them whisper. The more chaos he stirred, the closer he got to disrupting everything this academy stood for. And in the process, he was growing stronger.

As he walked, lost in his thoughts, Lynx suddenly appeared beside him, slinging an arm around his neck.

"Hey, Thrain!" Lynx said with his usual carefree tone. "I heard you decided to play instructor for the beginner level today. That's quite the achievement. Like, dethroned the guy in one move, smooth."

Thrain sighed, knowing where this was going.

"But," Lynx continued with a smirk, "I'm betting you'll be summoned before the day's over. Maybe even by him. You know, the one who really matters."

Thrain knew exactly who Lynx was referring to, his father. He had no doubt that word of his actions would reach the king. But for once, he welcomed the possibility.

"Good," Thrain muttered under his breath, his tone calm but resolute.

Lynx raised an eyebrow. "Good? You're not even gonna try to talk your way out of it?"

Thrain shrugged Lynx's arm off and kept walking. "No. I've got questions of my own. It's about time he answered them… especially about my mother."

Lynx watched him for a moment, his usual grin fading slightly as he noticed the seriousness in Thrain's expression. But he didn't press further, simply walking beside him in

silence. For once, even Lynx seemed to understand that this wasn't the time for jokes.