The blazing heat of the First Layer of Hell was no longer as unbearable as it had been on their first day.
Damon, Daveon, and Anaya had spent nearly a week acclimating to the fiery landscape, and now the oppressive warmth felt almost familiar. The once-draining environment had become another part of their daily life.
Miss Leana’s heat regulation technique had proven invaluable. It wasn’t just a survival method—it had become a versatile tool.
With practice, all three students had mastered the ability to circulate magic essence through their bodies, converting it into a cooling force that allowed them to regulate their internal temperatures against the unbearable heat.
Daveon, however, had taken the technique further.
During their fifth day in the First Layer, Daveon had discovered something remarkable.
By reversing the process, he could amplify heat within his body instead of cooling it down. He’d dubbed this the Cooling Reverse Technique.
He’d realized this during a moment of frustration while experimenting on a Grade Six demon corpse.
By circulating his essence through his Essence Pathways—the vein-like conduits that carried magic essence throughout the body—and transforming it into heat, he could direct this thermal energy into his opponent.
The result? The demon’s insides had burned until its body exploded into chunks of charred flesh.
The technique was brutal, devastating, and uniquely his. However, it came with a significant drawback: the process was time-consuming.
His target had to be immobilized long enough for the heat to build and overwhelm them. For now, Daveon used it sparingly, saving it for moments when he had complete control over his opponent.
Today was another test of their strength. The three students had ventured deeper into the First Layer under Miss Leana’s supervision, encountering a pack of Grade Six demons.
Miss Leana, as usual, held back, allowing her wards to handle the battle on their own.
“Remember,” she said calmly from her perch on a nearby rock. “If you need me, just yell. But I’d prefer not to ruin your fun.”
Damon rolled his eyes but grinned. “We’ve got this.”
The demons split into groups, each attacking one of the students. Damon found himself facing three snarling creatures with razor-sharp claws and glowing red eyes.
“Let’s see what you’ve learnt so far,” he muttered, drawing his sword and stepping forward.
Anaya was similarly surrounded by three demons, her bracelets shimmering as her defensive spells activated. She muttered incantations under her breath, her hands crackling with lightning, her favourite element, as she prepared to strike.
Daveon, however, had a different approach. He’d already incapacitated three demons, their limbs torn from their bodies and scattered around like broken branches.
The creatures writhed on the ground, growling and hissing in pain as Daveon approached them with a wicked grin.
Daveon stood over the first demon, its eyes wide with terror as it thrashed helplessly. He placed a hand on its chest and began circulating his essence, converting it into heat.
Karrreei!!
The demon’s screeches grew louder as it felt its insides warming unnaturally. Its body began to smoke, steam rising from its mouth and nostrils as the heat intensified.
Daveon watched with cold fascination. “Feel that? That’s the inferno growing inside you,” he said softly.
The demon’s body convulsed violently, its flesh splitting in places as the internal pressure grew unbearable.
Booooom!!
The creature exploded in a burst of flames and gore, its remains splattering across the scorched ground.
Damon, who had just finished killing his first demon, glanced over at the gruesome spectacle and grimaced. “You’re enjoying this way too much, Daveon.”
Daveon chuckled, his face smeared with the demon’s blood. “Don’t knock it till you try it.”
Without wasting time, Daveon moved to the second demon, which was now frantically trying to crawl away using its stumps. He grabbed it by the throat and slammed it back onto the ground, pinning it in place.
“Your turn,” he whispered, placing his hand on its chest.
The process repeated. The demon’s insides heated rapidly, its body trembling as it struggled against the inevitable. Moments later, it too exploded, sending shards of bone and charred flesh flying.
The third demon screamed in panic, its glowing red eyes darting around as if searching for salvation. Daveon turned to it with a blood-streaked grin, the flames in his eyes almost matching the fiery landscape around them.
“You’re up next,” he said, stepping closer.
By now, Damon had dispatched his remaining two demons and was watching Daveon’s macabre performance with morbid curiosity. He leaned on his sword, wiping sweat from his brow as Daveon placed his hand on the final demon.
The creature thrashed and snarled, but it was no use. Daveon’s essence worked its way into its body, and soon, the familiar sight of steam and smoke appeared.
With a final, gut-wrenching screech, the demon exploded, leaving nothing but a blackened crater where it had been.
Meanwhile, Anaya had finished her own battle. Her lightning spells had proven effective against the demons, frying them where they stood.
She wiped her hands on her robe and turned to join Damon, who was still watching Daveon with a mix of amusement and concern.
“Remind me not to piss him off,” Anaya muttered.
Damon nodded. “Yeah, no kidding.”
Miss Leana approached the group, her arms crossed and a satisfied smile on her face. “Well done, all of you. You’re starting to look like real warriors.”
Damon sheathed his sword and glanced at Daveon. “You might want to tone it down, though. I think you scared the demons more than we did.”
Daveon shrugged, wiping blood from his face. “Fear is a weapon, just like any other.”
Miss Leana smirked. “He’s not wrong. But remember, Daveon, your technique has its limits. If you’re too reckless, you might burn out before the real fight begins.”
Daveon nodded, acknowledging her advice. “Understood, Miss Leana.”
As the group regrouped and began preparing to move on, Damon couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
They had come a long way since their first day in this hellish place. Each of them had grown stronger, not just in skill but in their ability to adapt to the harsh environment.
But there was still much to learn, and the First Layer of Hell wasn’t done testing them yet.
Miss Leana gestured for them to follow her, her eyes scanning the horizon. “Let’s keep moving. There’s still plenty of work to do.”
“Yes, Miss Leana!” All three students or rather wards of hers replied with riled up tones. They wanted more.