Chapter 17: The Flaming Deity's Legacy

They all watched Hazen eating her food. After she finished, Ghain and Cain stepped forward to carry her. Their fingers brushed against each other, Ghain froze as he turned and met Cain's steady gaze. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away, focusing on Hazen as he lifted her up from the ring. Cain smirked, noticing Ghain's flushed expression.

Fatty gathered Hazen's belongings as he heard the door shut.

"They dared leave me behind," he muttered, collecting plates. Just as he picked them up, he heard the door open again.

"I thought you'd..." He trailed off, his face shifting to shock and fear as he saw the kitchen staff standing there with two other men.

"You're new here, and if you'd just minded your business, none of this would've happened. But no—you had to try and rule in my territory." the kitchen staff said coldly, his eyes flickering scarlet.

Fatty's eyes widened in terror. "Is it because of what happened in the canteen? Fine, I won't ask for more," he stammered, his voice shrill with fear.

"But you've already done it. Unfortunately, you won't live to tell the story. Boys, get him!" the kitchen staff ordered.

Immediately, the two men—one bulky and huge, the other slim and tall, both wearing mischievous smiles—attacked Fatty.

Fatty turned to run for his life but couldn't get far before they caught up with him.

"Who do you think you are, causing trouble for the boss?" the bulky guy sneered, landing a heavy punch that sent Fatty flying until he crashed into a punching bag. He spat out blood, feeling as though his bones had shattered into a million pieces.

"So strong... but it doesn't feel like a vampire's strength," Fatty murmured.

"Ah, brother! Why are you hogging all the fun?" the slim guy whined, turning to Fatty. "My turn now," he said, dashing toward him.

Seeing the slim guy approaching at full speed, Fatty summoned all his strength to stand. As the slim guy lunged to claw him, Fatty bent backward, narrowly dodging the attack. But before he could fully recover, a powerful blow struck his stomach, knocking him to the ground.

"You dared dodge his attack! No one gets away with that," the bulky guy said from a distance, smiling viciously.

"Finish him already!" the kitchen staff shouted, immediately beginning to chant a mantra. His eyes closed, and suddenly, the equipment in the training room began shaking and clinking together. A chilling breeze blew through the room, even though the doors were closed and the windows barred. Soon, the slim and bulky guys' eyes began to glow green, drool dripping from their mouths as their faces turned black, and horns sprouted from their heads.

"A witch?" Fatty whispered in shock.

"Master said I should finish you!" the slim guy yelled, delivering a flurry of punches on Fatty.

Already a bloody mess, Fatty lay there, feeling each punch break his bones further. He couldn't move, his fleshy body jiggling with each impact on his stomach.

"Great... dying over a meal. Just my luck," Fatty thought with a bitter chuckle.

The slim guy elongated his claws, aiming for Fatty's neck. Fatty closed his eyes, accepting his fate.

Suddenly, a surge of renewed power flooded through Fatty, healing his broken bones. He swiftly reached up and caught the slim guy's claw just inches from his neck.

The slim guy's eyes widened in shock.

"You wanted to know who I am? I'm Caleb Rav—the only son of the Flaming Deity. But my friends just call me Fatty!"  Fatty declared, opening his eyes, which now glowed as red as lava. He stood up and snapped the slim guy's claw.

"The seal Dad put on me must be broken... I've had my first breakthrough!" Fatty exclaimed happily.

The kitchen staff, the slim guy, and the bulky guy stared at Fatty, jaws slightly ajar.

"You useless lackeys, finish him already!" the kitchen staff roared.

The two men attacked, but Fatty dodged them with ease.

"I said stop dodging!" the slim guy yelled, trying to unleash his signature flurry of punches. But before his first punch could land, Fatty flung him away, sending him crashing into the kitchen staff, who stood at a distance, fuming at how everything had turned against him.

"How dare you!" the bulky guy shouted, lunging to punch Fatty in the head. But before he could land the blow, Fatty caught his hand and swiftly snapped his wrist.

"I don't fight to kill, but if this goes on, I won't hesitate!" Fatty roared. The three men shivered and scrambled toward the door, fleeing like dogs with their tails between their legs.

Fatty watched the kitchen staff's retreating figure. "So, you're a witch, huh?" he muttered as they slammed the door, running away.

"Wow... so this is the power of flame," Fatty marveled. Suddenly, he heard Hazen groan. He turned to see Ghain and Cain staring at him, with Hazen on the ground, glaring at Ghain angrily.

"You know the Flaming Deity?" Ghain asked, rushing over to Fatty, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Yes, he's my father," Fatty replied nonchalantly.

"Wait—you're the son of the Flaming Deity? I... I can't believe it!" Ghain said, looking at Fatty with awe.

"Why are you such a bloody mess?" Cain asked, helping Hazen sit up and walking over to Fatty.

Fatty's face grew serious. "I was attacked by the kitchen staff and some other guys. I just found out there are witches here," he explained.

"What? That guy dared attack you—and he's a witch!" Hazen shouted, trying to join the conversation despite the distance.

"We'll report to the commander tomorrow," Cain said, his tone icy.

"Alright, let's get going. I need a bath; I feel gross," Fatty said, heading toward the door as Ghain and Cain carried Hazen. They all began walking toward their dorms.

Fatty broke the silence, asking, "How did you guys know I was in trouble?"

"We didn't know," Ghain replied. "Hazen noticed you were missing, so we came back to look for you."

"If I hadn't had that breakthrough, you'd be looking at my dead body right now."  Fatty said, a faint smile on his lips. 

"Congrats on your breakthrough," Hazen said, smiling.

"Thanks, man," Fatty replied.

"I also wanted to ask, who's the Flaming Deity?" Hazen asked curiously.

"What, you don't know him? Where have you been?" Ghain replied, clearly agitated.

"Well, he's my—"

"Fatty, please, let me do the honors!" Ghain said, cutting him off. Fatty rolled his eyes, smiling at Ghain's childishness.

"The Flaming Deity is a legendary fighter. During the first war between Astera and the witches, he left his family to protect Astera, even though he wasn't from here. He slayed the Queen of the Witch Kingdom with his sword, which glowed as red as lava. It's said he stood on the highest mountain and raised her head high, causing the witches to retreat in fear and shame. That's how Astera won that battle. After the war, the king decreed that the offspring of the Flaming Deity was free to roam Astera," Ghain explained, his eyes shining brightly.

"Wow, your dad's so cool!" Hazen exclaimed to Fatty, who walked ahead, smiling proudly.

"I'm going to take a bath. You guys don't have to wait for me," Fatty said, heading toward the bath area.

"Okay," Hazen replied, watching Fatty's proud expression.

Ghain and Cain pushed open the door and laid Hazen down on the bed.

"Ah, my shoulder," Ghain muttered, massaging it.

Hazen turned over, completely exhausted from the day's training. As soon as he lay down, he fell fast asleep.

Ghain went to his bed, preparing to sleep. He turned and met Cain's gaze, his heart thumping as he quickly looked away, avoiding Cain's intense stare.

"What's wrong with me? Maybe he's the first person who's treated me well, so I'm imagining things," Ghain thought to himself as he lay down, slowly drifting off to sleep. He muttered, "Cain..."