The Phenex family's private training arena a vast marble courtyard wreathed in heat repellent magic sizzled under the mid morning sun. The ground, marked by centuries of noble combat, was now the stage for a match between two rising stars of the underworld's next generation.
Riser Phenex stood with his arms folded, his tall and defined figure radiating confident warmth. His golden eyes gleamed beneath loose strands of sun gold hair. Across from him, stripped to the waist and cracking his knuckles with anticipation, stood a boy the same age as him but not the same maturity as young Riser. Sairaorg Bael, muscular, intense, and utterly without magic, but don't mistake that for weakness cause there isn't anything weak about hardwork.
"You sure about this?" Sairaorg asked, grinning. "I'm not going easy on the phoenix prince."
Riser smirked. "Then I suppose I shouldn't go easy on the Bael without Power."
At the signal from their supervising instructors, the match began.
A Battle of Fire and Might something that will change the future of the underworld and forge it into something new something great.
Sairaorg moved like a cannonball exploding forward with raw physical force he got the power alright but no finesse whatsoever, closing the distance in a blink. He was fast. Brutal. Trained beyond his years. His fist barreled toward Riser's face like a falling meteor. If only there were on the same level, sadly Riser is just too strong to contend with others at this stage.
Riser caught it with his palm blue flames flaring to life as the impact met resistance, already burning the future heir fist with immense heat.
"Nice form but still no finesse something that would need to be polished if you want to defeat me," Riser said coolly. "I'm faster and stronger then you are as of now."
With a flash of fire, he vanished, reappearing behind Sairaorg with a spinning heel kick enveloped in flames. Sairaorg blocked it with crossed arms, Burning his forearms leaving his wincing in pain and having him skidding back but staying upright a test to how far he has come.
The crowd of nobles and family observers watched in awe as flame danced with flesh, Riser moving like a living inferno, his flames extending from his limbs like a second skin. He launched himself into the air, igniting his entire body it seem like the spar is reaching its climax and Riser going to finish it.
"Ignite!"
As his Blue fire surged, and he dove like a comet, crashing into the arena and sending up a shockwave of heat that pushed Sairaorg back almost engulfing the Heir with heat so hot it will Obliterate lesser foes. The Bael heir grit his teeth and surged forward again, fists flying but Riser parried, danced, and struck with grace and fury.
Sairaorg trying to landed a few solid hits was met with air not even being able to land a significant blow, even surprising the other nobles near by with how much stronger Riser is compared to others. With a feint uppercut Riser jump high hitting The Bael Heir with a spinning kick powered by his blue flames leaving him helpless to dodge or counter his attack, the flames won but it wasn't without merit for the young Bael learning little by little to become stronger.
Riser ended the match by lifting Sairaorg with a column of flame and then catching him mid-air to soften the fall.
"Yield?" Riser asked with a raised brow.
Sairaorg lay on his back in pain but smiling like a madman, panting and laughing.
"Yeah… you win, firebird."
Forged in Flame and Fist not something to be overlooked
After the match, the two boys sat beneath a cooling spell in the shade, sipping enchanted water to recover.
"You fight like a seasoned warrior," Sairaorg admitted, rubbing his shoulder. "Not like the usual nobles who only care for how much magic they can output."
"You punch like a devil possessed," Riser replied, smiling. "I've never had that much fun in a match even if I dominated it from start to finish."
Sairaorg grinned. "Glad to know that my rival marrying Rias isn't a stuck-up weakling."
Riser chuckled. "While the contract is made to me and Rias it's Still not official yet."
"Still annoying," Sairaorg said, but he extended a fist. "Let's spar again sometime maybe I land a hit that will leave you surprised."
Riser tapped his own against it. "Whenever you're ready to lose my door is almost opened."
An Unexpected Friendship between to future stars in the underworld
Later, as guests mingled at a small garden reception hosted by the Phenex clan, Seekvaira Agares approached with her usual composed, bookish air. Her Blond hair was braided, and she carried herself with dignity unusual for her age.
"You were impressive today," she said, her red eyes watching him curiously. "Your flames move like they're alive honestly I don't know if I can even withstand that heat let alone the strength of your fist and kicks."
"Thank you, Heir Seekvaira," Riser said with a slight smile. "I've been trying to give them shape beyond simple destruction."
She tilted her head. "That's rare. Most fire users only think of burning. You think of form. That speaks of vision."
Riser offered a small smile. "I hope to rule a territory someday. To shape something long lasting for that I need strength so empowering that no one can begin to touch it."
Her expression shifted to mild surprise, then approval. "Perhaps I'll lend you a few books. Old human theories on elemental behavior. You may find them useful maybe you can come over my villa and we can study them together." She said with a mild blush on her face
"I'd be honored." Said Riser with a kind smile
They stood quietly for a moment, two young nobles with rare poise and curiosity.
Unbeknownst to them, someone else was watching.
The Jealous Flame slowly burning bright
From a shaded balcony overlooking the gardens, Rias Gremory leaned over the edge, pouting.
She had watched the match between Riser and Sairaorg with arms folded, first scoffing at their theatrics, then quietly watching every movement Riser made, him being so strong shows that he more than just a charming face.
And now he was talking to that Agares girl.
"She's boring," Rias muttered under her breath. "All books and rules." Said with no spite at all to it
Beside her, her mother Venelana arched a brow. "Jealous, darling?"
"No!" Rias snapped, then sulked. "I just I should be the one talking to him. He's my future husband."
Venelana smiled knowingly. "You've barely spoken more than five words to him since the marriage contract was made, dear."
Rias huffed, cheeks burning. "Then, Then maybe I want to. Can I ask him to visit or maybe I can go visit him instead?"
"You may," her mother said gently. "I'm sure the Phenex boy would be honored have such a cute girl after him."
"Mom!"
A Simple Request
The next morning, Riser was handed a sealed letter with the Gremory seal.
He opened it to find a simple note, written in elegant but slightly messy handwriting
"If you're not too busy sparring with Sairaorg and chatting with Seekvaira, maybe you can come visit me sometime. Rias your almost Wife, remember?"
Riser blinked, then laughed softly.
"She's finally warming up," he murmured.
He folded the letter and tucked it into his coat looking forwards to what the future might hold.