With more than half the time passing before the Coming of Age ceremony, about 9 months. Edan had made excellent progress in his training where he was now able to condense 5 short blades. His aim and release rate had far improved. A month had passed since they started to incorporate sword work into the Phoenix Dance and swapped out the fist for the sword.
Hittan had now completed 4 skills which he intended to use as substitute styles. But lacked a suitable training partner to test them on. No offence to Edan, but his impact resistance was not at the level that would prove challenging for Hittan. He needed someone stronger, his mother!
"Mother, my training with Edan as reached a plateau and I am in need of your assistance."
"A plateau you say. It seems more like you're training him. Hittan, I won't ask how it is that you know the things you do as I can only assume it is from some unlocked memory of the White Dragon Phoenix…"
'Mother certainly is quick. I guess it could be seen as unlocked memories but of a former life. The real question is whether I've always been the Dragon Phoenix or the events of my death led to this accidental rebirth?'
"... But, I want to ask you what level soul strength do you currently have?"
"... It is being limited to a Rank 13 Dao Beast King, as my body is only at a Rank 8 Upper Mantle Layer- Topaz."
"Mmh, do you feel any kind of imbalance as a result?"
"No, but I do have a strong urge to increase my physical strength as quickly as possible."
'He's only been training with Edan for 9 months and he's already moved up to Rank 8, not bad son.'
Hittan could tell that his parents cared for him and he knew because of that care he was always under some form of protection. He didn't mind the constant surveillance whenever he was out of the house, as he understood the gravity of the situation. But mostly he had missed his mother's caring and felt guilt at their untimely departure.
"Okay, let me see the sparring technique you used on Edan then the Rank skills you've developed."
"Alright, here I come…"
Whoosh, Hittan suddenly vanished from the spot he was standing and appeared to the left of his mother. Onora herself was unphased by his sudden burst of speed as she could still track it. But nonetheless, she was impressed at the level of skill. Reducing her power output to the Topaz Rank she started to engage Hittan. Hittan had launched a Phoenix punch to the left bicep of Onora, who herself only flexed to brace for what she thought was a hit at the Topaz level.
Bang!
Jumping back to disengage from his mother he watched her feel her arm. Onora was caught off guard with that hit and was left with a numb feeling where his fist collided.
"Mother, you'll have to bear some numbness if you plan on receiving my blows."
Onora just looked at him meaningfully before smiling with pride. This was her son and he was able to make her feel some pain even with her Pseudo-Godbeast body.
"Do your best, now come again, my son."
Hittan himself could not help but note the pride on her face and smile. Soon he appeared directly in front of his mother and launch an obvious attack at her abdomen. Instinctively, she moved her right hand to slap his fist away only to be met with his sudden disappearance and reappearance on her right-hand side! Noticing the quick change in targets she dropped her right arm to guard her upper oblique but left her biceps relaxed. Sensing his target was originally her arm she then shifted her weight to her left leg and pivoting with her right leg she ended up just behind his left shoulder. Seeing the sudden change of her angles, Hittan expected an attack from her right arm to drop down from her shoulder height with the intended target being his shoulder or temple. Quickly, he crouched down while spinning to his left in the Phoenix Dance and delivered a sweeping left kick. Mid punch, Onora noted his actions and stepped into the thigh region of the attacking leg while spinning clockwise with a right elbow aimed at his head. Seeing the imminent attack approach he abandoned the leg sweep and spun full body towards the ground. The elbow missed, but marginally! Mid-spin Hittan fired a punch downward towards Onora's right stabilising foot.
Bang!
Borrowing the force of the attack Hittan spun out of the attack range of her legs and steadied himself. He looked at his mother's face only to see her left eye squint for a second before returning to normal.
Taking only a few seconds the sequence of attacks, counter-attacks and faints had ended. Onora was now thoroughly impressed, but still kept a stoic face in front of her son.
"Okay, at this level the Practical Strength test should be a breeze for you…"
'He's fighting well above his Rank. I'd say around Rank 10's middle level.'
"...Since we have established your fighting capacity is enough with just your bare hands. Show me the Rank Skills you have developed so far."
"Yes, mother. These are the skills I've created to conceal my identity:
Vermilion Wing Blades - it turns my arm and fingers into a fiery wing with Diamond feathers. Which I'm capable of using like projectiles... Whoosh ten blades sent flying.
Vermilion Feathersword - a fiery 5 feet feather blade.
Vermilion Wing Shield - Vermilion wings envelopes my body in an embrace"
"Your Vermilion style isn't bad, but the colour is still white. Is it because of the white flames of the Phoenix?"
"Yes, but the solution presented itself once I ranked up to Topaz. The original skill of the Dragon Phoenix at Topaz is Diamond Prism. Which not only allows me to access the skills of the Dragon race but also all the primary light sources."
"So, you are able to change the colour of the styles to camouflage them now?"
"Yes, like this..."
Suddenly the wings that had embraced him in an ethereal manner started showing a vermilion red tinge. However, parts remained clear, giving the feeling of a solid set of wings with scarlet flames being emitted.
"Not bad, but I get the feeling you can do more than what you've shown."
"I would never hide anything from my mother." Hittan unapologetically said while smiling.
"Stop the flattering you brat and show me."
…...
Having thoroughly convinced his mother that he was now fully capable of passing the tests for the Coming of Age ceremony they parted ways. Hittan returned to his training but with one noticeable change. The feeling of someone watching his every move was no longer present. In no time at all the Coming of Age ceremony was upon them.