Gil waited impatiently a short distance away from the transport, trying to contain his desire to just charge into the Fire Cavern. Thankfully it didn't take too long for the others to exit the vehicle, after which Instructor Trepe quickly ordered them all to form a line. Jonas didn't seem very happy that she was their instructor for this, and the piercing gaze she directed at his partner made it clear the feeling was mutual. “If you didn't flirt with your instructors this wouldn't happen, Jonas.” Gil stated flatly, simply ignoring the arm Jonas had around him. It was better not to risk anything that might encourage him.

“What did you–” Gil started to speak, only to come to an abrupt halt when Instructor Trepe's voice cut through the air once more. They were actually going to be paired together, something that came as a small relief to him. In his eyes it never seemed to work out very well when he was paired with others–he could never shake the feeling that he had to hold back around strangers, if only to avoid accidentally hurting them with his wild fighting style. Jonas was the only person he had met that didn't get in his way in a fight, always seeming to be just where they could best combine their efforts without obstructing one another. “–ah, nevermind. Why would I know her?”

“I wouldn't know.” Gil tersely replied as his eyes fell upon the entrance to the Fire Cavern. An urge to blindly charge into the cave on his own, to prove that he didn't need anyone had begun to gnaw at him. Tempting as the thought was, he felt they were going to be judged on more than just physical ability. In an effort to rid himself of any further temptations he removed his weapon from its place on his back, focusing his attention on making sure it was in prime condition for the trial ahead of them.

The single-edged blade was just over a meter in length with a curved tip, and a base that extended forward and ended in a flat base–clearly meant to serve as a mock handguard. The base featured an ornate etching, with a fiery patterned engraving stretching nearly halfway up the back of the blade. It bore a hilt tightly bound in cured leather, with a chain tassel hanging from the pommel–with an intricately carved icon at the end, which resembled the mythological phoenix. Gil had never seen a more impressive weapon in all his years, yet he still hadn't thought of a name for the blade either… something that he felt the sword rightfully deserved.

Gil snapped back to reality when the instructor called out to them, informing them their time was up and they were to follow her. Casually he hefted the weapon onto his left shoulder, doubling his normal pace in order to catch up to the others as they made their way into the Fire Cavern. It was hot inside the cave, though it wasn't too disconcerting–though as they ventured deeper into the caves he found the heat grew worse with each passing step until they finally entered the primary cave system.

“Let's go,” Gil ordered the group with an almost uncharacteristic grin, his eyes burning in anticipation of what they might face further within. He took a few steps before pausing for a moment, checking the area for any potential draw points before moving on. If at all possible he wanted more magic before they reached whatever the primary objective of the test was; no doubt it would be something threatening, else this wouldn't prove to be much of a test for the group.

Gil quietly approached the draw point after the others had turned away from it, focusing upon the natural magic stored within before casually flicking his wrist and drawing it out. As he turned away from it he noticed the creature in the distance, a bomb, but before he could do anything Gwen rushed toward the creature without so much as a single word to the party. “Jonas, don't–” Gil tried to deter his friend from a brash course of action, but it was in vain as soon enough he too charged forward. 'I suppose it's unfair think he could overcome his weakness for women.' he thought sourly while the other two began to launch their own assault on the beast.

As they attacked he held his weapon at the ready, thinking over his options while trying to resist the urge to cut loose and attack. Gil decided to put his own bloodlust aside for the time being, holding up his left hand as he began to focus upon the mystical energy within the bomb. Gil drew from the creature quickly, drawing the magic into his own resevoir of spells. It was always refreshing to be able to use his own innate talent as a sorceror, though he did wish could use his full potential without risking exposure for what he truly was.
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Draw Point: 3d8 (3x Fire)

Once the bomb began to grow in size, preparing to self-destruct upon the group, he burst into motion without a moment's hesitation. Gil didn't want to risk their chance at passing the exam before they had even truly gotten underway–it was time for him to cut loose. As he neared his intended target a grin of audacity began to creep into his expression, and combined with the crimson in his eyes gave his expression an almost terrifying appeal. “Out of the way,” he coldly warned the others as he came within striking distance. They weren't likely to be in the path of this particular strike, but his better nature had won out and he decided not to chance it this time.

Once he was ready he placed all his weight on his right foot before swinging down violently, carrying the blow through as he turned his body full circle using his left. As the swing of his weapon was carried through it just barely scratched across the stone of the cavern floor, creating a flurry of sparks before it came into the air in an overhead arc. Once more he turned pivoted on his right foot to bring the weapon crashing down full circle into the bomb. It was a flourishing technique, but it was an attack that allowed him to place his full weight behind the blow.

Gil still bore that audacious grin as he observed the aftereffects of his attack, the bomb wobbling wildly from the massive power behind his attack. Shortly after it was struck once more, by the girl called Gwen, and then Jonas lunged at the beast with a jovial laugh at its pathetic wobbling following their attacks. Once his attack struck the beast it feebly attempted to hang on, but then collapsed onto the floor below. It wasn't a difficult fight, but Gil still felt that they shouldn't push their luck and wildly engage mobs like that. There was no telling what they might encounter in the future, or what such careless attacks might result in.

A reminder that they were being timed was all the incentive Gil required to continue along the path, hefting his massive sword back onto his shoulder as they set out. Ahead of him Jonas appeared to be suffering from the effects of the intense heat in the cavern, something that Gil could sympathize with. It was so hot in the cavern that just breathing in left a burning sensation in his lungs. In addition to that the stifling heat had him sweating profusely. If they were to stay here too much longer the effects would only grow worse too–though it appeared to him that Jonas wasn't handling it nearly as well as he.

Jonas then told them to hold and drew their attention to the beasts on the path ahead. Gil nodded his head to confirm that he had seen them before speaking his mind on the beasts. “Finish one off, then we should use one as a draw point to stock up before we head further in.”

Gil flashed a bloodthirsty smile as he approached the creatures, his weapon at the ready. The other had already struck the beast by the time he arrived, having moved in a leisurely jog in order to conserve his energy. Once he was within range he hefted the weapon into the air, holding the heavy weapon with a single arm. Then he swung the blade in a heavy diagonal arc across the beast's wings before returning the weapon to its resting place upon his shoulder; he didn't dare back up yet–if it survived that brutal slash he intended to advance into more devastating attacks.

Gil could hear the sound of footsteps as his friend closed in upon the monster, which inspired him to reflexively back off from the beast. After he stepped away Jonas closed the gap and attacked the beast, thrusting his weapon forward and piercing into the beast. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that the attack would fail to kill it, so he turned his attentions to the next creature only to be cut short when his friend volunteered to handle this one. “If you say so.” Gil replied bitterly, stifling his battle fervor for now. Much as he might want to run wild it was important to at least make it clear that he could work in a team if necessary.

While his friend kept the beast occupied Gil slowly lifted his left hand, the motion helping him in the mental process of tapping into the beast's magical reserves. Once he had a grasp on the magic within he began to exert his will over it, taking hold of as many spells as possible before drawing them out. In that moment the magic became visible swirling orbs of energy that flew through the air before merging into his internal reserves. It hadn't occurred to him until then that his own method of drawing magic might very well be fundamentally different from that of normal people; not that he could simply ask given the fact that nobody knew the truth about him.

Gil stood back and watched as they finished the beast off, with a swing from Jonas' weapon followed shortly by a bash from Gwen's nunchaku. With a fair amount of effort he hefted his massive weapon into the air and brought it to rest upon his right shoulder. “If you say so,” Gil replied curtly before heading down the passage just a few steps behind the others. It didn't show but the heat was starting to wear on him. Every part of his body was starting to feel heavier, the superheated air was making breathing hard, and he was covered in a sheen of sweat. Yet still he refused to succumb to the heat and back out now; the goal was within reach, and he had no intentions of dropping out just before the finish line. “Jonas, did you bring any water?” Gil asked flatly, having failed to bring something to rehydrate himself–a fact he sorely regretted.

“Thank you.” Gil offered his gratitude, reaching out to take the bottle of water from her before unceremoniosuly bringing it to his lips. As he did so he caught Jonas making way to a nearby draw point out of the corner of his eye. Once his friend returned the mage proffered the water for Jonas before making way over to the nearby draw point. Once he reached it he lifted up his left handle and coaxed the magic out, directing its energies into himself before returning to the group. A cursory glance at the irregular opening that would lead them further into the cavern yielded a strange feeling that it was best not to continue onward. It didn't matter to him though–what awaited them stood in the way of the path laid out for him. “I'm going to cut loose this time,” he announced to the others by way of warning, hoping that Jonas might be able to exert some control over the new member of their party and keep her from getting in the way.

As they continued through the irregular pathway it became more and more difficult to maneuver through it, his massive weapon making it rather frustrating. Soon enough they emerged from the passage, and he breathed a sigh of relief. They had come into a massive domed structure, with a lone pathway that stretched out to a small island surrounded by a lake of magma. That strange sensation from before hit him once more, but this time he pushed it away without a second thought. Nothing could stop him from pressing onward.

Whatever it was that they were here for would likely reveal itself on the island ahead, and it made his heart beat faster in anticipation. Jonas believed that there would be no other choice for them to all fight to the best of their ability; he desperately hoped that was the case. If he truly wanted to test his limits, and exceed them, he had to fight more powerful opponents.