The training ground beneath Kael's shop was alight with tension as Rias stood before Kael, her crimson hair flowing freely in the dimly lit chamber. The room was vast, its walls reinforced with ancient runes to contain even the most devastating powers. Lyra watched from the sidelines, her usual cheerful demeanor subdued as she sensed the seriousness of the session.
Kael stood opposite Rias, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp, glowing faintly with a fiery hue. His presence was commanding, and even Rias, a prodigy in her own right, felt small under his gaze.
"You've relied on your Power of Destruction for too long without truly understanding it," Kael said, his voice steady but firm. "It's a devastating force, but it's untamed. If you can't control it, it will consume you."
Rias clenched her fists, determination burning in her sapphire eyes. "Then teach me. Show me how to wield it properly."
Kael nodded. "Very well. But know this: the path to mastering destruction is not an easy one. It requires absolute focus and control. If you falter, even for a moment, you risk losing everything."
Rias didn't waver. "I'm ready."
Unveiling the Crimson Flame
Kael raised his hand, and the air around him grew heavy. A deep, pulsating energy radiated from him, and with a flick of his wrist, a flame erupted in his palm. It wasn't an ordinary flame; it burned with an otherworldly intensity, its color a deep, rich crimson that seemed to devour the very light around it.
"This," Kael began, holding the flame aloft, "is the Crimson Flame of Destruction. It's a manifestation of raw destructive energy, condensed into a form that can be controlled and directed. It's similar to your Power of Destruction, but far more refined."
Rias stared at the flame, mesmerized by its beauty and power. She could feel its heat from where she stood, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Why haven't I seen this before?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael's expression darkened slightly. "Because it's not something I show lightly. This flame is a part of me—a remnant of the Drakos legacy. It's a power that I've spent centuries mastering, and it comes with a heavy price."
Rias frowned, but she didn't press further. Instead, she focused on the task at hand.
"How do I learn to control something like that?"
Kael extinguished the flame with a snap of his fingers and took a step closer to her. "The first step is understanding your own power. Your destruction magic is wild and chaotic, but at its core, it's a reflection of your will. If you can learn to channel your emotions and focus your intent, you can shape it into something far more potent."
The Lesson Begins
Kael gestured for Rias to step forward. "Show me your Power of Destruction."
Rias nodded, extending her hand. A sphere of dark red energy materialized in her palm, crackling with unstable power. It pulsated erratically, threatening to explode at any moment.
Kael studied the sphere for a moment before shaking his head. "It's too unstable. You're pouring too much energy into it without direction. Destruction isn't about overwhelming force—it's about precision. Focus on a single point, and let the power flow naturally."
Rias furrowed her brow, her concentration intensifying. She tried to follow Kael's instructions, but the sphere only grew more erratic.
Kael sighed, stepping behind her. "Relax. You're overthinking it."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, and Rias felt a surge of warmth and clarity wash over her. Her chaotic energy began to stabilize, and the sphere in her hand shrank slightly, its edges smoothing out.
"That's better," Kael said. "Now, try to direct it."
Rias aimed the sphere at a target on the far wall and released it. The energy shot forward, colliding with the target and erupting in a controlled explosion.
Rias' eyes widened in surprise. "I did it!"
Kael smirked. "Not bad. But you're still a long way from mastery."
Pushing the Limits
For the next few hours, Kael pushed Rias to her limits, challenging her to refine her control and push the boundaries of her power. He demonstrated various techniques, from creating barriers of destructive energy to shaping the energy into blades and projectiles.
Lyra occasionally chimed in with encouragement, though she mostly watched in awe as Kael and Rias worked together.
"You're a good teacher, big brother," Lyra said during a brief break.
Kael glanced at her, his expression softening. "I'm just passing on what I've learned. It's up to Rias to make it her own."
The Turning Point
As the session drew to a close, Kael decided to test Rias' progress with a final challenge. He summoned a sphere of his Crimson Flame and held it out in front of her.
"Your task is to neutralize this flame using your Power of Destruction," he said.
Rias hesitated. The flame's intensity was overwhelming, and she could feel its power radiating from where she stood.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked.
Kael nodded. "If you can't handle this, you're not ready for Riser. Trust yourself, Rias. You've come further than you realize."
Taking a deep breath, Rias summoned her Power of Destruction once more. She focused all her energy on the flame, her hands trembling as she struggled to contain its power. For a moment, it seemed like the flame would overwhelm her, but then something clicked.
Rias let out a shout, and her energy surged forward, engulfing the flame. When the light faded, the flame was gone, and Rias stood panting, her hands still glowing faintly with residual energy.
Kael smiled, a rare look of approval on his face. "Well done. You're ready."
Rias looked at him, a mixture of exhaustion and pride in her eyes. "Thank you, Kael. I couldn't have done it without you."
Kael turned away, his expression unreadable. "Don't thank me yet. The real test is still to come."
Aftermath
As Rias and Lyra left the training ground, Akeno met them at the entrance.
"How did it go?" Akeno asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Rias smiled, her confidence renewed. "Better than I expected. Kael is… a harsh teacher, but he knows what he's doing."
Akeno's gaze shifted to Kael, who lingered in the shadows of the chamber. "You're full of surprises, Kael Shirogane—or should I say Drakos?"
Kael didn't respond, his thoughts already elsewhere. The battle with Riser loomed on the horizon, and though he wouldn't admit it, he found himself invested in their success.
As the night wore on, the training ground fell silent once more, but the flames of destruction burned brighter than ever within Rias Gremory.