'He's not an ordinary baby.'
That was more or less what was going through his mind right now. After all, who could accept being utterly defeated by a baby?
Yan watched the towering adult man standing before him. The man's expression was one of shock, his body trembling as sparks spilled from his sides.
The man was gifted with the fire element. A crooked smile spread across Yan's lips. He was a good opponent for seeing where his powers stood now.
"Show me your true form! I don't want to fight a baby!"
The man produced flames around his fists and glared fiercely at Yan, even though his body was still trembling.
"What are you talking about? I am a baby."
"Bullshit! Stop pretending and fight me already!"
Yan gave up. He couldn't be bothered to keep talking. Now he extended one hand forward, a cute smile on his lips. "So you're fire, huh?"
Shhhh!
His blood-red mane stirred in the wind. Baby Yan hurled an invisible mass of air, which immediately devoured the adult man's fist. Fire met wind, and the flames grew twice as large.
"M-My fire!"
"Hey, you should remember my name."
The adult man remained panicked as he stared at the flames around his hand, which continued to grow and nearly consumed his own arm.
"You old geezer. Listen up—my name is Yan Adamine."
The adult man stiffened, giving baby Yan a look that seemed to say, What did you just say? Yan merely answered with a crooked smile.
"You heard me right. I really am an Adamine."
No fire-element user could possibly fail to know Rowen Adamine. One of the most powerful fire gifted, he had fought on the front lines and killed dozens of demonic gifted. Even though he was ultimately defeated, Rowen Adamine's abilities were undeniable.
Yan let out a cute baby laugh.
"Don't space out, mister. I'm still here."
The man's teeth ground together as his anger at being humiliated by a child mixed with the fear of feeling powerless. He clenched his other hand, created a ball of searing fire, and hurled it straight at Yan.
Yan rolled to the side, his clothes covered in dirt and his face smeared with grime. He clicked his tongue.
'Ugh, I hate getting dirty.'
Still sitting on the ground, he clenched his tiny hand and created a terrifying whirlwind. He hurled it, and in an instant, the adult man's body went tumbling from the heat. Half of his body was devoured by his own flames. Yan raised his hand again, about to launch his final attack, but he didn't get the chance.
"DON'T TOUCH MY LITTLE BROTHER, YOU DISGUSTING MAN!"
Someone came running with fire in his eyes, throwing a pool of flames so red and dazzling that it struck the adult man head-on, engulfing him as he screamed like a madman.
The oppressive heat filled the air. Even the small animals in the forest cried out in panic.
It was Russell. Panting heavily, he dropped to his knees and reached for Yan.
"What were you thinking? How could you even be here—no, do you have any idea how panicked I was when I couldn't find you anywhere?! I—I almost burned down the house because I couldn't—"
"Big brother—"
"Quiet! I'm scolding you, you brat! You don't know how dangerous this world is!"
'Wow, who are you calling a brat? I'm twenty-two years old, while you're only nine. What a hilarious joke.'
"Big brother!"
The scolding finally stopped, but Russell's emotions were still running high.
'Hey, shouldn't I be the one who's angry? I failed to launch the final attack I'd been looking forward to so much!'
Of course, Yan couldn't say that.
"Don't be mad, Big brother. Can't you see? My face is dirty, and my clothes are a mess. Hu... I was scared."
Russell softened. He picked Yan up in his arms and walked away, leaving the two adult men still struggling to survive.