The training room was a mess.
Not destroyed.
Not ruined.
But… used.
Scorch marks covered the floor in uneven patterns. Sections of stone had been melted and reformed repeatedly, creating warped textures where Riser's control had slipped and recovered. The air still carried a faint heat, lingering even after the flames had died down.
Riser stood in the center, one hand raised.
Hellfire flickered.
Not exploding.
Not wild.
Just—
Controlled.
"…Again."
The flame in his palm condensed.
Wavered.
Then stretched.
A blade.
Not perfect.
Edges unstable.
Shape flickering.
But it held.
"…Five seconds," he muttered.
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three…"
The flame trembled violently.
"Four—"
It collapsed.
Riser exhaled slowly.
"…Still not enough."
"You look ridiculous."
Riser froze.
He turned slowly.
Ravel stood at the entrance.
Hands on her hips.
Expression somewhere between disbelief and amusement.
"…You've been standing there long?" he asked.
"Long enough to confirm this is not a hallucination."
Riser sighed.
"…Good morning to you too."
She stepped inside.
Carefully avoiding a still-warm section of floor.
Her eyes moved across the room.
Then back to him.
"…You're actually training."
He blinked.
"…That's the shocking part?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No shame.
"…Wow."
Ravel crossed her arms.
"You used to avoid anything that required effort."
"That sounds exaggerated."
"It's not."
Riser rubbed his temple.
"…Alright, fair."
She circled him slowly.
Observing.
Not just casually looking—
Evaluating.
"…You've changed."
That again.
Everyone was saying that.
"I've heard that before."
"This isn't the same kind of change."
Riser raised an eyebrow.
"…Oh?"
"You're not pretending."
That caught him off guard.
"…What makes you say that?"
Ravel stopped in front of him.
Looked him directly in the eyes.
"You're worse at it."
"…Excuse me?"
"You used to pretend to be impressive."
She gestured vaguely.
"Now you're actually trying—and it's awkward."
Riser stared at her.
Then—
He laughed.
"…That might be the most honest thing anyone's said to me in a while."
Ravel blinked.
Just slightly.
"…You're not offended?"
"Should I be?"
"…Usually."
He shrugged.
"Then I guess I've improved."
She didn't respond immediately.
Just—
Watched him.
Something in her expression softened.
Barely.
Appraisal
Riser activated the skill instinctively.
Name: Ravel PhenexLoyalty: 70 {Family}Relation: SisterAffection: NeutralLove Meter: WhiteStatus: Curious
"…Neutral, huh."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Ravel narrowed her eyes.
"You just did something."
"…Maybe."
She didn't push.
That was new.
Instead—
She turned slightly.
Looked at the training marks again.
"…Show me."
Riser blinked.
"…Show you what?"
"What you were doing."
He hesitated.
Not because he couldn't.
But because—
This is new.
Ravel didn't usually ask.
Didn't usually care.
Didn't usually stay.
"…Alright."
He raised his hand again.
Ignited the flame.
Slower this time.
More controlled.
Ravel watched closely.
The fire formed.
Shifted.
A blade.
Rough.
Unstable.
But real.
Ravel's eyes widened slightly.
"…That's—"
"New," Riser finished.
"…You're shaping hellfire."
"Trying to."
She stepped closer.
Too close, technically.
But neither of them moved.
"…That's not something most people your age can do."
Riser smirked slightly.
"Good."
Ravel glanced at him.
"…You're serious."
"About?"
"This."
She gestured at the room.
"At all of this."
"…Yeah."
Silence.
Not awkward.
Not tense.
Just—
Real.
"…Why?" she asked.
Riser didn't answer immediately.
Because there were too many answers.
Fear.
Future.
Survival.
Change.
"…Because I need to be stronger."
That was the simplest version.
Ravel studied him again.
"…You always needed to be stronger."
"Yeah."
"So why now?"
That question—
That one was harder.
Riser looked away slightly.
"…Because now I actually care."
Silence.
Ravel didn't laugh.
Didn't tease.
Didn't dismiss it.
"…That's new."
"…Yeah."
The Shift
Ravel turned away slightly.
Walking toward the edge of the training area.
"…You're still bad at it."
Riser snorted.
"Encouraging."
"Your control is unstable."
She continued.
"Your output fluctuates too much."
He blinked.
"…Are you giving me advice?"
"…Maybe."
"…Wow."
She ignored him.
"You're forcing the shape."
Riser paused.
"…Explain."
"You're controlling the fire like it's separate from you."
She gestured vaguely.
"You're pushing it into form instead of letting it take form."
Riser went still.
"…That's—"
That was exactly what he was doing.
"…Huh."
Ravel glanced at him.
"…You didn't notice?"
"No."
"…Idiot."
"…Helpful idiot."
She huffed slightly.
"…Try again."
Second Attempt
Riser raised his hand.
This time—
He didn't force it.
Didn't push.
Didn't compress.
He—
Guided.
The flames rose.
And instead of being shaped—
They became shape.
Smoother.
Cleaner.
More stable.
"…That's better," Ravel said quietly.
Riser stared at it.
"…Yeah."
It held longer.
Not perfect.
But—
Better.
System Notification
[New Quest Available]
Quest Type: Relationship
Description:Improve relationship with Ravel Phenex.
Objective:Increase affection from Neutral → Positive
Reward:→ +1 Skill Point→ Minor Insight Bonus
Failure:→ No penalty
Riser glanced at the notification.
"…Of course."
He looked at Ravel again.
Still watching.
Still analyzing.
Not distant.
Not cold.
Just—
There.
"…Hey."
She looked at him.
"…Thanks."
She blinked.
"…For what?"
"For the advice."
A pause.
Then—
"…Don't make it weird."
Riser grinned.
"No promises."
Ravel turned away.
But—
Just slightly—
She smiled.
And this time—
It wasn't neutral.