P44 - The Flame they Ignored

You burn bright... brighter than what anyone will ever expect.

Location: Flamme University - Grant Ember Hall:

Monday morning.

The bright chime of Flamma University's bell echoed across the skies as students filtered into the Grand Ember Hall--the conference chamber where important school-wide events were announced. Brant, with his usual quiet resolve, took a seat near Orin, his dormmate and longtime friend, while Veltra leaned over the back of his chair with a teasing smile. Lysa, across the room, simply observed them with arms crossed and a piercing stare.

Up at the floating podium, the principal--a tall, sharp-featured woman with a flame-like braid named Headmistress Calvera--raised her voice:

"Students of Flamma University. Tomorrow, we'll be hosting a mock tournament against Aurae High, our sister academy from the City of Wind. This will determine advancement slots to this year's Ember Trials. You will represent us. I hope... you're ready to burn."

The hall erupted in a cheer. Brant's hand subtly tensed around the edge of his notebook.

Later that night...

Brant sat in his dim dorm, the ember glow of his lamp barely touching the ceiling. His comm-link buzzed, it was Solira.

"Hey... just wanted to say... good luck tomorrow, muscle-head. Don't lose in the first round, I don't want to hear Aurae laughing at my Bran-Bran."

Brant laughed softly, the tension in his chest fading slightly.

"I'll try not to embarrass you too much."

She smiled back on screen.

"I'll be in the stands. Make it flashy and cool."

Brant replies with a smile on his face "I have vowed to be by your side so of course I gotta look cool just for you."

They end the call with smiles and giggles.

The Tournament Arena - Next Day

A concrete colosseum, surrounded by magically elevated seating. The dueling slab sat like a massive floating island in the center. In the crowd, Solira sat near the front, waving a small Flamma banner she probably never used before.

On the field stood Brant, Veltra, Orin, and Lysa. Their first match was against a set of four agile Wind-cloaked students from Aurae High.

The bell rang.

The Aurae team dashed in with blinding speed. Orin stepped forward, shield raised, catching the initial impact. Veltra launched from behind him, spinning with her staff-lance and knocking three opponents clean off the slab in a blaze of plasma force.

The fourth attacker weaved past the defenses and sprinted toward Brant, sword raised—
He swung too late.
But--

bang!--

a shot rang out from Lysa's hand-cannon, disarming the attacker mid-air.

Orin finished with a shield bash that knocked the Aurae fighter clean off the platform.

Round One: Flamma Wins.

Second Match – Later That Day

Flamma handled it with steady precision. Orin's defense, Lysa's sharp eye, Veltra's wide-range control, and Brant's dedication all carried them through.

But the final match... something shifted.

As Brant walked onto the field, his eyes lifted to the stands.

Solira was laughing... not at him, but beside two tall Aurae guys. One had his arm around the seat behind her.

His fists tightened.

The bell rang.

"Stand back," Brant told the others.

His eyes began to glow--a deep, reddish hue like molten coal.

An Aurae fighter dashed in.

CLANG.
Brant's greatsword caught him with such force the fighter was flung off the arena.

Two more charged. Brant slammed his foot into the slab, raising chunks of concrete into their path, staggering them. Then--

WHAM!--

a heavy cleave sent them soaring off the edge.

Only one remained.

The last opponent lowered his hood, revealing a cocky smirk and a scar across his chin.

"Name's Kress Windmoor. Finally, some fun."

They clashed--steel against storm.

Kress struck fast, slamming Brant to the edge of the ring. He barely held his ground using his sword as a guard. Orin prepared to dash in, but Brant whispered:

"Not this time."

As Kress lunged for the finish, Brant twisted his sword upward, using Kress's momentum against him, knocking him out cold.

Victory: Flamma.

As the crowd roared, Solira jumped from the stands and rushed toward Brant, but just as she reached for his arm--he turned away.

She froze in place, hand still reaching.

Lysa approached quietly and whispered:

"You shouldn't flirt with everyone when you already have someone you care about."

Solira's eyes dropped. She turned away, tears welling up as her heart cracked a little deeper.

Next Day

Brant avoided her the entire morning. While walking past the park near campus, he caught sight of her--laughing with two guys.

He tried to ignore it.
Don't care. Don't care.

Then--a sharp yelp.

Brant spun around to see one of the guys holding Solira's wrist, not letting go even as she tried to pull away.

He stormed over, grabbing the guy's arm and throwing it off.

Solira whispered:

"Thank you... I-- I miss--"

CRACK.

Brant's world spun.

The other guy had clocked him hard across the face.
Everything went black as he collapsed.