Page 112 of Axis of Fire

Then I lowered my arm sharply, and for a split second, the fireball hovered freely in the air.

I struck it forward.

And it flew.

Not toward the target, obviously—

but the shot was strong, and the sphere landed several meters farther than all my previous attempts combined.

“Good girl,” Airis said as he finally stepped away from me.

“Now we work on your aim.”

******

“Am I even more suspicious in your eyes now?” I asked as I walked past Airis, who was holding open the main doors of the training hall.

Fresh, rain-soaked air filled my lungs.

As if it had rained only minutes ago.

“If you tell me how you know about my bond with the harpy, my level of suspicion might decrease,” he replied, shutting the doors behind us.

“If that’s the only way, then I suppose I’ll remain your prime suspect,” I shrugged, already heading toward the dormitory building where Airis’s room was located.

“We’re going somewhere else,” he said, nodding in the opposite direction.

The moment I realized he meant another walk through the forest, I let out an annoyed groan.

“Is that really necessary?” I asked, changing course. “Are we going back to that cliff?”

“No. This time it’s nearby.”

He fell into step beside me.

And once again, silence settled between us.

I could probably get used to silence.

But this one offered no comfort.

There were too many things left unsaid between us.

Not wanting to spiral into thoughts about whatever this strange thing between us was becoming, I returned to what Stasia had said earlier.

“I found out that demonic abilities are inherited genetically,” I began, doubting Airis would even answer me but continuing anyway. “If a mage’s parents had opposing abilities, could their child inherit both?”

“Highly unlikely. For that to happen, both parents would need to be equal in strength, which is rare.”

“So there are criteria?” I arched a brow, glancing at him.

“Apparently, according to geneticists,” he answered shortly.

“You didn’t say it was impossible,” I pointed out.

“I’m just repeating what the geneticists claim.”

He was clearly in a mood today.