Roaming along through the empty academy hallway, Steven made his way to the training room with his mind replaying over and over again what David said about him having to take a special class because he was the son of the Golden Dragon Warrior and an enraged look on his face. Steven then arrived at the training room and then immediately spotted a bow and arrow. Looking at the bow and arrow, and then recalling his father and how that was the same weapon he wielded before he died along with his mother and the rest of the generals, he felt an overwhelming mix of emotion swirling around in him, mostly being rage and sadness.

  Steven then picked up the bow and arrow and then glanced at the practice dummy not too far from him. As he held on to his bow and aimed the arrow, his mind began to wander, replaying past events from the moment he heard the news about the dark dragon warriors coming to the academy to how he, along with the other students, had to leave while his parents, along with the rest of the Golden Dragon Guard and a few of the school staff, had to stay behind to fight. Recalling the gruesome scene he and Susan had the unfortunate fate of beholding along with those buffoons Flora and Akiri, the sight of their parents’ dead and lifeless bodies lying on the floor along with scattered pieces of rubble created by the battle between them and the dark dragon warriors.

  Steven’s body then began to heat up with a fierce fiery aura enveloping it. An image of David then flashed in his head. He then greeted them in rage and annoyance. Everything, from the attack of the academy by the dark dragon warriors to his parents losing their lives trying to stop them, was all because of him, and yet, instead of him taking responsibility for everything, he was being honored and praised as the son of Ibierana; just thinking about it made his blood boil from within. He then recalled how David not only willingly went with the dark dragon warriors but also refused to escape with them when they came to rescue him, fueling the already intense inferno in his heart burning with an intense rage. But apart from all that, what really made Steven tick the most was the part that really made him want to reduce David into ashes right where he stood: the fact that he wasn’t weak. He had power greater than anything he had ever seen before, recalling how in the sky dragon, he felt how immense his power truly was, as it was great enough to shake the entire sky dragon. He also recalled faint moments where he was barely conscious but could make out the faint image of David brimming with power with a violet glow surrounding him. He had so much power, power he could have used to protect the academy, stop the dark dragon warriors, and save his parents, but he chose to run and hide like a coward.

  Steven then opened up his eyes, which had now turned into blazing dragon eyes; the immense heat emanating from them then ignited the entire arrow in flames. He then let go of the bow, allowing the arrow to fly straight to the dummy, but before it could reach it, the immense flames engulfed the arrow and burned it to cinders, leaving only hot ash and smoke to hit the dummy.

  A chuckle from behind then echoed from behind Steven, mocking his attempt to use the bow. Steven, with grit and a fist engulfed in flames, saw the face of the person who dared to mock him with laughter, only to stop himself from launching his already ready flaming fist from striking upon seeing what was mere inches away from hitting.

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  “Mrs. Flani,” Steven said with a worried look and hints of fear on his face, with the flames on his fist instantly disappearing the moment his gaze locked on hers.

  “An archer, just like your father,” Flani said, seemingly unfazed by the fact Steven had just raised a flaming fist straight to her.

  Steven, upon hearing what Flani said, regained his composure and brought down his fist.

  “And judging by the scattered arrows I find each day in the training room, I can tell you’ve been practicing, but it seems as though you’re nothing compared to Father,” said Flani.

  Steven, upon hearing what Flani said, bowed his head and clenched his hand into a tight fist, feeling a wave of shame overcome him as he felt as though even after death he was letting his father down.

  “But it’s not your fault; you are a fire dragon warrior after all,” said Flani.

  Steven then looked at her with a look of intrigue.

  “What do you mean by that?” asked Steven.

  Flani, upon hearing Steven’s question, just smiled before saying, “It’s in your blood as well as the blood of every fire dragon warrior. Passion, the emotion that burns the brightest, intense and immense like an unquenchable flame, is the reason why every fire dragon warrior is born with a bit of a temper. It’s also the reason why mastering a weapon that requires focus and precision, such as the bow, is extremely difficult for us.”

  “What? Are you saying the reason I can’t master this is because I’m a fire dragon warrior?” said Steven.

  “No, I’m saying the reason you can’t master it is because of the passion in your heart,” said Flani.

  “What?” said Steven, confused.

  Flani then let out a deep sigh before saying, “Our passion is the source of the flame that burns deep within every fire dragon warrior.”

  Flani then proceeded to illustrate her point by conjuring up a fireball on her palm.

  “It’s the reason why we are who we are, but the thing is it tends to burn too high and bright.” The fireball then grew and became enormous, so much so that Steven had to take a few steps back away from Flani.

  “When it does, it completely consumes us and prevents us from seeing anything but its red-hot raging flames,” said Flani as Steven’s gaze was locked on the enormous flames on her hand.

  Flani then crushed the hand she used to hold the flames in to a fist, crushing and quelling the flames.

  “Do you understand now?” asked Flani.

  “I…” Before Steven could complete his sentence, however, he was interrupted by the ear-splitting sound of the academy bell ringing.

  “I really hate that annoying bell,” said Flani with a scowl.

  Flani then let out a deep sigh.

  “Anyway, the free lesson is over; get to class,” Flani said as she made her way to the door.

  But just as she was about to, she paused for a moment before saying, with her head still facing the door, “You know, your father used to have the exact same problem as you. But over time he grew, matured, and learned to tame the flames burning deep within him. If an idiot like him could do it, I’m pretty sure you can as well.”

  And with those words said, she walked out the door, leaving Steven alone in the training room to ponder her words, wondering what she meant by passion being the source of their inner flame and how it could possibly help with his archery.