The Burning Fiend

Reynolds was seating on a comfortable armchair while enjoying the fragrance of the wine in his glass, he was reading the summary of recent events prepared by the Dawson Conglomerate Intelligence Department.

' Linley conquered several cities on the Anarchic Lands and founded the Baruch Empire after repelling the forces of the Radiant Church...'

' Marriage ceremony between Linley and Delia who was crowned as empress...'

'O'Brien Empire and Yulan Empire recognized the foundation of the Baruch Empire...'

' War between the Baruch Empire and the Radiant Church without the participation of saints...'

' Abdication to the throne in favor of Wharton Baruch...'

' Sasha and Taylor were born...'

He couldn't help smiling with glee as he remember that he had said to this third brother than the next time they met they would likely be saints and hopefully he would be already tamed by Delia, he was happy for him. Perhaps it would not be a bad idea to marry Windsor and Jenne as well... 'I will get there after they became saints, no need to hurry'.

"Lord Reynolds, young master Yale is currently visiting the Yulan Empire so it will be a little difficult to met him for a while... but I received instructions that if you were to make contact with us I shall report to the Main Headquarters at one, I think that within a couple of days someone from there will be coming to met you and bring the fire style saint level spells. Do you want me to prepare a residence for your stay within the Capital?"

Reynolds focused his attention on him and smiled, "I would appreciate that, I do not intent to stay here any more time than necessary but waiting a couple of days would not be trouble. Perhaps you could help me gather information on other saints that might live within the area? I would like to met them and spar with them if possible... do not count Wharton or the Barker brothers, they are too weak..."

The clerk was startled by that comment as they were the heroes of the Baruch Empire, he sighed and decided to make no comment on that. "It will be our p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to help, someone will come shortly to guide you to your accommodations. Is there anything else sir?"

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Koral was flying towards the direction of the Yulan Empire, it was said that saints were sighted from time to time on the area and Reynolds was hoping to find one and have a conversation and sparring match. Jenne and Windsor were occupied playing with the spoiled Bolt while Reynolds was studying his new saint level spells.

He was especially intrigued with a spell that formed a giant fire bird construct with the power of a saint level beast and he started dismantling the spell while comparing his own fire bird construct trying to find improvements and inspiration on the 'mysteries of elemental fire'. He was happy to have obtained the spell and a little frustrated on having waited to long to look for it, he was sure that his understanding of the fire elements would have touched less deviations if he had studied this spell before.

They continued flying for a while and Reynolds keep smiling as he found more points of improvement for his 'fire bird construct' and felt that his understanding on the fire elements was growing slightly, he was suddenly awaken from his meditations by Koral mental link. 'Master there are two human saints flying in the distance and seems like we will cross paths in a moment'. Reynolds looked up and saw two men floating leisurely in his direction and he could help but smile.

"Hello two fellows, if you are not in a hurry would you mind having a drink of wine with me and exchange a few words?" Reynolds said as two middle aged men were approaching his group, they both smiled and greeted him. "Hello I am Miller and this is my friend Livingston. We are in no hurry and having a drink seems to be an appealing idea".

Reynolds smiled and said. "My name is Reynolds and these are my companions Windsor, Jenne and Koral. Lets get to the ground to talk I remember seeing a few trees a couple of miles back and their shade would be welcome."

They started making they way towards the trees while one of the saints, who had long fiery red hair said. "Reynolds are practicing the laws of fire? I seem to feel that you are a fire style saint magus... I'm one myself". Livingston smile seemed genuine as if hoping to have the chance to enter a good discussion. Reynolds smiled as his luck seemed to be too good. "Why yes I am a fire style saint magus and both Koral and myself practice the mysteries of fire".

They have just arrived to the trees and Koral changed her size to be able to coil on Reynolds arms as she was curious of their conversation. "I have been a saint warrior for a few years already but I only reached the realm of saint magus a few days ago and I was hoping you could help me explain a few things as I had not met another saint magus before". Reynolds said as he handed two coups of fragrant wine to the two saints, they looked surprised and realized that this person they could not see through was much younger than them. "Sure, I will be happy to help if I can. What is it that you want to know?" said Livingston with curiosity.

"When my soul was baptized by the fire elemental essence before I became a saint magus, I felt my soul leaving my body for a moment an gaining shape. Does this shape has a special meaning? Can you tell me about it?"

Livingston smiled as he suddenly understood, this kid had said that he had never met another saint magus before and it was normal to be confused. "Well, the shape that your soul takes is related to some traits that define the way you have lived and sometime one could predict affinity towards the edicts or that is what is told. For example if your soul took the shape of a weapon then you are able to practice the edicts of destruction or if the soul took the shape of a tree that could mean affinity for either life or death edicts".

Reynolds smiled and understood, his soul had taken the shape of a flaming tree perhaps due to the change that occurred with his soul and it also indicates certain affinity to life and death that he didn't had before mentioned incident occurred.

They continued talking for a while and were surprised to learn that Reynolds actually lived within the Dark Forest on an island within a lake he and Koral had created. And Reynolds eyes shinned when he learned that both of them were currently living with several saints on a place not far from there and that they usually sparred among themselves in hopes of improve their understanding of the laws. Livingston also offered to have a spar with Reynolds hoping to gain a new insights and also helping him to understand how saints fought.

Both of them were floating on the air and Livingston suddenly instantly casted a six rank spell sending several fire balls towards Reynolds while retreating and started chanting a saint level spell, Reynolds recognized the spell as the 'fire style magic – fire bird spell' that he had been studied before and thought that this might provide some insights if he faced the spell directly.

The fire balls hit Reynolds and continued moving through his body without causing damage as he activated his 'fire body' and waited for Livingston to finish his chant. Livingston noticed this and his eyes started shinning not understanding how Reynolds had done that but understood that he had just witnessed another application of the laws of fire and that he wanted to face directly his spell.

He wondered if the spell would just pass through his body again, he completed the spell and said before releasing it. "Be careful!" Reynolds was smiling as he observed the fire construct and willed the fire elements on the area to gather while activating his 'fire body' and morphing into a purple giant 'fire bird' that was slightly bigger than the one created by the spell.

Livingston watched in horror as Reynolds turned himself into a purple fire construct and clashed directly with his fire bird spell destroying it without suffering any damage... and he even felt that he might not had spent much energy while doing it. He smiled and released a mind attack trying to gain time and distance himself to cast another spell.

Reynolds felt slightly dizzy but it was not nearly enough to distract him or delay him, the purple fire bird disappeared leaving Reynolds holding a purple spear and his purple 'fire wings' trembled sightly while he started moving at high speed. Livingston suddenly felt that Reynolds had disappeared but understood that he was moving at high speed using the 'fire wings' and he smiled when he noticed that the head of the spear was resting a few centimeters above his left shoulder and he could feel the heat emitted from the fire spear.

"Your win Reynolds, I'm quite inspired by the way that you used the fire elements but did you turn your body into fire?". Reynolds deactivated his wings and the spear also disappeared while he responded. "Yes, or I feel like I did so... I'm not completely sure myself but I call it 'mysteries of fire – fire body' I think is a higher level mystery compared with the elements of fire. Did you use a mental attack? How did you do that?"

Livingston smiled and said. "Yes although I was surprised that it didn't do much to you, normally this level of attack is quite effective with those who had not been saints for long as it uses your spiritual power and project a storm that impacts the mind of your enemy causing him to blank for a moment and giving you the time to attack or retreat."

They continued their conversation while returning with the others to keep drinking for a while longer.