Page 90 of Axis of Fire

I frowned.

We were definitely coming back to this conversation.

Just not now.

Otherwise, a little more and I’d end up summoning my fire—the heat inside my body had already begun to rise with the emotions raging through me.

“It would be better if you impressed me with your flames tomorrow during training. This isn’t the right place for that.”

I frowned even harder, staring daggers at the broad back of the man walking ahead of me.

How the hell does he keep doing that?

“Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked, noticing how the trees had started growing closer together the deeper we moved into this... forest.

“Today I decided to combine the lecture with a walk.”

“A walk through a forest? Seriously?” I arched a brow.

“You know, I’m not exactly a fan of ticks, snakes, spiders, and every other creature living in the wild.”

“The third most dangerous initiation comes from the world of Astaarus,” Airis said calmly.

“It’s one of the few realms personally responsible for one of the final trials. It’s called the Meeting with the Subconscious. The most important thing there is not losing yourself.”

“So another mental threat,” I sighed, noticing a clearing ahead where the trees began to spread farther apart.

“Some beings from other worlds don’t possess magic,” he explained.

“So it would be unfair to focus only on magical strength.”

“Then how are they supposed to pass trials involving magical abilities?” I asked.

“With the help of other gifts,” he replied.

“Mental ones, for example.”

“So the Selection adapts to the abilities of different participants?”

Airis nodded.

And when only a few steps remained before the open area glowing beneath the evening sun, he finally said:

“Now you’ll see the place where the Selection—and other academy exams—are held every year.”

The closer we got, the clearer the cliff became, overgrown with vivid green grass and tiny pink flowers shaped like little guppies.

Mountains stretched in the distance, embraced by soft clouds beneath the faintly pink sky.

Fresh air immediately filled my lungs, carrying floral notes balanced perfectly between sweetness and freshness.

“This cliff is still considered part of the capital of Istarus. From here, you can see the abandoned city of Maavislane.”

And before I could ask another question, I reached the edge—

my mouth falling open instinctively.

A small town with sharp blue rooftops sat at the center of the valley, surrounded by lush gardens that, from above, resembled an enormous maze.