SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will-Chapter 93: A Flame That Shouldn’t Exist

"I am Theo Virex, Fire Mage of the Crimson Arc Division."

His voice was calm but carried a certain pride, like someone used to being respected.

He didn’t wait for Arthur to respond.

"I assume you are Arthur," he continued, already sounding certain. "Commander Lyra sent me. She explained your situation and requested that I guide you in refining the fire seed core."

Arthur blinked.

She sent someone?

Theo continued speaking, hands behind his back like an instructor addressing a student.

"I agreed to assist in order to prevent accidents. The refinement process is dangerous, especially for someone without proper affinity or experience. I will help to the best of my ability, though success cannot be guaranteed."

His gaze slowly swept over Arthur, stopping briefly at the burn marks around the hall.

There was curiosity in his eyes.

But also doubt.

And something close to disapproval.

"The fire seed core is an item of great value," Theo continued, tone growing colder. "Its use requires skill and talent. Still, since the commander entrusted it to you, I will carry out my duty."

The words were polite.

The meaning wasn’t.

Arthur could clearly hear the message behind them.

Someone like you doesn’t deserve it.

Theo kept talking, explaining his achievements, his experience with fire refinement, the dangers involved, and how long the process normally took. His voice carried the calm confidence of someone who believed completely in his own ability.

Yet between the lines, there was clear disbelief that an F rank explorer could achieve anything meaningful.

Arthur simply listened.

He didn’t interrupt.

Didn’t argue.

He just stood there, scratching his cheek occasionally while the man spoke.

Finally, Theo extended his hand.

"The fire seed core," he said. "Let me examine your progress and determine the next step."

Arthur scratched his head again.

This was awkward.

How exactly was he supposed to explain this?

He hesitated, before he finally spoke honestly.

"I already refined it."

Silence.

Theo stared at him.

Then he chuckled softly, as if he had heard a joke.

"The refinement process requires days, sometimes weeks," he explained patiently. "Even experienced mages require time. There is no shame in making no progress."

Arthur opened his mouth to respond, but Theo continued.

"For someone at your level, it may take months. And that would be assuming exceptional talent."

Arthur sighed quietly.

Explaining would take too long and showing would be easier.

Without another word, he raised his hand.

He gathered his mana gently through his intent, guiding the mana as he had done countless times during training. A small flicker of flame appeared above his palm, steady and controlled, casting faint light into the air.

The temperature around them rose slightly.

It was simple and nothing dramatic.

Just a tiny flame but it made Theo freeze.

His confident expression cracked instantly. His eyes widened as he stared at the fire dancing calmly in Arthur’s hand.

"That..." he whispered.

His mouth opened but no words came out.

For a fire mage, what he was seeing made no sense.

First, awakening an attribute outside one’s natural affinity was nearly impossible.

Second, refining a fire seed core in such a short time was beyond reason.

Yet the evidence burned right in front of him.

Arthur tilted his head. "You wanted to see it."

Theo stepped closer, eyes fixed on the flame like a man staring at a miracle.

"Control the output," he said quickly. "Let me see your command."

Arthur shrugged. "Alright."

He increased the flow slightly. The tiny flame expanded into a small ball of fire, stable and dense. Then he turned toward a moving training dummy nearby.

With a simple motion, he released it.

The fire shot forward and struck the target with clean precision.

A small explosion of heat followed.

When the flames faded, a clear burn mark remained on the reinforced surface.

it wasn’t flashy. But perfectly controlled.

Theo’s breathing grew heavier.

He walked toward the dummy and touched the scorched mark, as if confirming it was real.

His hands trembled slightly.

Arthur watched him calmly, hands in his pockets.

To him, it was just a test.

To the fire mage, it shattered everything he believed.

Theo turned back slowly, studying Arthur like he was seeing a different person entirely.

"You... refined it completely," he said quietly.

Arthur nodded. "Seems so."

"How?" The question escaped before he could stop himself.

Arthur smiled faintly. "I just figured it out."

The simple answer made Theo speechless.

There was no arrogance in Arthur’s tone. No attempt to boast. Just calm certainty.

And that made it even more shocking.

Theo took a deep breath, struggling to regain composure. His earlier pride and dismissal had completely vanished, replaced by confusion and disbelief.

After a moment, he stepped back and bowed slightly.

"There is nothing for me to teach here," he admitted. "I will report what I have witnessed to the commander."

His voice still carried shock.

He turned and walked toward the exit, steps slower than when he arrived. Even as he left, he kept glancing back at Arthur, unable to fully accept what he had seen.

Arthur scratched his cheek again.

"That was... dramatic," he muttered.

The hall fell silent once more.

He stretched his arms and let out a long breath.

Today had been overwhelming.

But deep inside, he felt himself growing stronger.

The path ahead was becoming clearer.

And without realizing it, Arthur smiled.

The flame in his hand flickered gently, steady and obedient, like proof that he was moving forward.

After the explorer left, the hall finally grew quiet again.

Arthur stood there for a moment, staring at the empty entrance where the man had disappeared. The silence felt strange after everything that had happened. The intense training. The shock on the explorer’s face. The pressure of the commander’s expectations.

Now it was just him and the private training hall.

He let out a long breath.

Perhaps... he could finally rest.

The thought of his bed alone made his body feel heavier.