The heat—it was staggering. The burning intensity had increased a hundredfold. Before, her white flame had only been twice as hot as normal fire. Now... it was phenomenal.
"Wow... this is incredible," Celia whispered, staring at her hands in awe. Then she looked at Nolan. "I feel like I can do anything!"
"Now, let’s actually test your power. Come strike me," Nolan said, his eyes fixed on Celia.
Celia moved closer, facing him. "Start," Nolan commanded.
Instantly, Celia’s fists flew, a blur of motion. Nolan didn’t move his feet; he simply bent his head sideways, dodging as fast as he could.
Watching from nearby, Lyra’s eyes widened. She couldn’t even follow the movement of Celia’s punches. It was as if her hands vanished mid-air.
"She’s... fast. So fast," Lyra whispered. "And powerful too. Her strikes... I can’t even see them clearly." Find the newest release on novel-fire.ɴet
Nolan’s dodges were almost terrifying. He didn’t shift his stance, didn’t move his legs—just bending, twisting, absorbing the force.
Celia’s punches carried a weight that made the air ripple. Nolan noted, Even a tiny fraction of my mana transfer made her this strong...
The heat from her attacks radiated off her hands, and yet Nolan moved with perfect composure, almost hiding the effort it took.
As Celia’s fist shot toward his face, Nolan didn’t flinch. He caught it with one hand while blocking another with the other fist.
"Alright, I think that’s enough," Nolan said, stepping back.
Celia took a deep breath and smiled. "You’ve gotten strong. I didn’t expect it to be this successful," Nolan admitted.
"Same here. I can’t believe how strong I am... the way I move... everything. It’s amazing," Celia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I’m really happy for you. Now, one more time—jump sideways as fast as you can," Nolan said.
Celia nodded, then leapt sideways. At first, it was quick, but with every jump, her speed increased until—almost like she vanished. The only evidence of her motion was the roaring sound of wind slicing through the air.
Even Nolan’s eyes strained to keep up, and both Linda and Lyra struggled to follow her movements. Finally, Celia came to a stop.
"That was... magnificent, Master," Celia said, breathing lightly, pride in her eyes.
Nolan smiled. "Now, there’s one thing in a fight. Strength matters—but between strength and speed, which do you think is more important?"
"Strength," Celia answered confidently.
"No, you’re wrong. It’s speed," Nolan corrected. "Being able to dodge your opponent’s attacks is crucial. Speed can match strength. Even from a distance, if you strike at the right moment, the impact is massive—and you can keep up with someone much stronger than you."
"Yes... you’re right," Celia admitted, a thoughtful look crossing her face.
Lyra nodded. "Speed is just as important as strength. Celia was incredible."
Celia grinned, but Linda piped up, eager. "Doesn’t mean I’m going to sit here feeling amazed. I want to test my own strength too."
"Don’t worry," Nolan said, glancing at her. "Wait, I want to check something first. Your turn is coming—just be patient a little longer."
"Okay, Master," Linda said. "Now I want to test something—how good are you at protecting yourself?"
Nolan smiled. "I’m sure your instincts have improved. Your reaction to attacks has increased since a small percent of my mana was transferred to you. It’s still a lot. Let’s see. I’ll strike 18 times fast—but don’t worry, I’ll hold back. Even if you get hit, it won’t hurt that much."
"Okay, Master," Celia said, nodding.
"Now I’m about to start," Nolan said as his hands blurred with motion.
Celia began dodging—side to side, forward and back. Each movement was fluid, lightning-fast.
"Wow... she’s fast. Really fast," Nolan thought, impressed. "She won’t have trouble facing anyone in the arena... except someone like Chiron. He’d be a problem. But for anyone else, she can hold her own."
Celia’s focus was flawless. She blocked some strikes, dodged others, and gradually, the speed of Nolan’s attacks increased. The air around them whistled as their movements became a blur.
Finally, Nolan stopped.
"Is that all, Master?" Celia asked, panting lightly. "I can’t believe it... the energy I feel. I feel so powerful, so alive."
Nolan nodded. "I understand how you feel. For me, it’s normal—that’s how I’ve always felt."
"Yes, Master," Celia said. "Is there anything else I need to test?"
"Now I just want to see how fast you are while running. From the gate there, and back," Nolan instructed.
Celia bent her knees, readying herself.
"One... two... go!" Nolan called.
In an instant, a rush of wind tore through the garden. Vroom! In the blink of an eye, Celia sprinted to the gate and returned. The air swirled violently, leaves whipping around her like a storm.
"Linda! Lyra!" Nolan said, eyes wide as he observed her.
Lyra clapped enthusiastically, and Linda followed suit. "Wow... that was amazing!" Lyra said.
"Truly outstanding. Now, I don’t think I need to worry anymore," Nolan said as he smiled. "
"Thank you... thank you all. Thank you, Master. Wow... I feel amazing. I’m really happy, too," Celia said, a bright smile lighting her face.
"Now, Linda, your turn," Nolan said, motioning her forward.
Linda stepped closer, determination in her eyes.
"Master, I’m ready," she said firmly.
"You’ve been able to heighten your senses," Nolan explained. "Sometimes, when it feels like everything slows down, you can be faster than your opponent. But remember—if you think someone is fast, it doesn’t mean they have something you don’t. They just have the speed. There’s a big difference between your speed and theirs. Even if you can see through their movements, your body still has to keep up."
"Yes... that’s it, Master," Linda said, nodding.
"Now, heighten your senses," Nolan instructed.
Linda closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then she opened them, the mana in her eyes glowing faintly as she filled the manor with her awareness.
"I’m ready, Master," she said, her voice steady.
"Now watch me," Nolan said, his eyes narrowing with focus. "Check if you can keep up with my speed—the speed I normally use, but at my full strength. I’m not sure you’ll be able to keep up... because my speed isn’t what it used to be. It’s transcended... to something even I don’t fully understand. I’m... really too fast."
"Yes, Master," Linda said, her eyes wide but determined. "You are the greatest. I’m ready. Let me test what I’m capable of."
She shifted into a fighting stance.