4 days after A'keal had achieved the basic rank of the Dragon God force technique, he started practicing the [Light Step technique]. As A'keal predicted, there was no way to learn this technique without first achieving the basic rank of the force technique.
This technique was a footwork technique that differed significantly from the previous ancient book. For A'keal to understand how to use this technique, he had to read and analyze it. Fortunately, this process was much simpler than the previous one. He only needed one day to reach the basic rank of this technique.
Light Step mastery basic rank allowed A'keal to lighten his body by 20x, allowing him to reach unbelievable speeds. The book mentioned that if this technique is fully mastered, lightening his body by 200x would be possible.
The final technique A'keal had to master was the [Soaring Dragon Sword Technique]. This technique was way more difficult than Light Step Mastery. Upon practicing this technique, A'keal could feel the connection it had with the [Dragon God Force Technique].
'Let the sword guide you, and energy and rhythm will become one. Then, transcendence will occur.' A'keal read.
These words were confusing to A'keal. He hypothesized that energy and rhythms were most likely the Force and footwork techniques he previously learned, but he couldn't think of what "Let the sword guide you" meant or what transcendence the book was talking about.
"AHHHHH, this is so frustrating!" Screamed A'keal.
Even as a young boy, A'keal could always figure out any problems or any technique. He just couldn't put them into practice. But now that he has this opportunity, it was so frustrating that he could not understand the technique.
As A'keal was in the middle of reading the book, he noticed a few pages were missing. The section that had the missing pages contained a cut-out page that had an image of the technique being performed.
He decided to imitate what he saw in the picture. Following the movement shown in the picture, he swung in the direction shown. After swinging a couple of times, something felt off to A"Keal.
"This technique had many flaws. There is too much emphasis on being graceful and not enough on being strong or impactful. The speed of the attacks could improve, and the movements are awkward."
"In what sense could this be considered the greatest sword technique?" asked A'keal
After performing the movements for the third time, an idea struck A'keal's mind.
"Wait, can't I integrate the Dragon God's Force technique and Light Step Mastery of these movements to make up for this technique's flaws?"
Activating his Dragon force, A'keal was enveloped in whitish blue flames, and he began using all three techniques simultaneously. The same movements were repeated by A'keal this time, but each blow was both graceful and impactful. His speed was outstanding, and his movements were unpredictable. He looks like a dragon soaring across the sky while performing his technique.
"Ahh, that is what the book intended by "Let the sword guide you, and energy and rhythm will become one. "But what does it mean, transcendence will occur"? A'keal wondered.
As A'keal was executing his last movements for the technique, massive inner energy was released from each swing of his sword. A strong cut of wind flew in the direction in which he swung his sword. Suddenly, A'keal's sword broke, halting the movement.
Sigh!
"Can't say I didn't expect it. Practicing all the techniques put too much pressure on the sword"
A'keal looked back and remembered the sword that was near the Stone platform where he saw the books. He picked it up and unsheathed it from the red and gold scabbard that had the dragon insignia. The sword had a gold lotus shape cross guard, while the hilt was black and had white tracings. The top of the blade was bluish dark and had a fire-designed tracing, while the bottom blade and edge were whitish silver.
It was a magnificent blade, a sharp one at that. A'keal swung it once with no external power, and it left a deep mark on the wall.
"Woah, I wonder who made this blade. It wasn't recorded that the Ancient One used a blade similar to this one, so it cannot be him" said A'keal.
"I should probably name it. The sword looks extremely elegant... Ashrune. Your name will be Ashrune from now on." said A'keal while holding Ashrune.
After naming the sword, A'keal started mimicking the sword movements he saw in the book, with the addition of the force and footwork technique he previously learned. This time, however, A'keal not only felt the ferocity of the sword technique's power, but also felt a connection to the Sword itself.
The missing pages of the book felt as if it was flowing in A'keal mind. He had gained a deeper knowledge of swords and a better understanding of this skill.
Once again, A'keal felt an overflow of inner energy while performing the movements. Taking advantage of this opportunity, A'keal concentrated the overwhelming inner energy onto his sword and swung it.
BOOM!
A'keal shot the massive energy beam that blew a huge hole in the wall. During this time, A'keal's rank rose from an intermediate 2nd rank to an intermediate 3rd rank. A'keal could feel a drastic difference in his knowledge of swords.
"Ooh, so this is the transcendence the book mentioned," said A'keal.
Finally, after 5 days, A'keal has reached the basic rank of Soaring Dragon Sword Technique. After having learned all three techniques, the ancient books had turned to dust. Now all A'keal needed was more experience to solidify what he just learned.
After more than two weeks in the small room where he had been living, A'keal was able to escape. A'keal had previously teleported to this small room by performing a set of sword techniques that resonated with a circle containing the Fire Dragon royal family emblem. But after entering the small room, the circle became unresponsive no matter what A'keal tried.
"Perhaps I can make it respond again if I use the sword technique along with the new force technique I learned," said A'keal.
A'keal did just that, and he was teleported to Spring-Front forest again. A'keal was not relieved yet, considering he needed to pass through a herd of powerful creatures in the forest alone to escape and make it to the royal capital.
"Ooh, well, I will just use these monsters as a way to test out my newly acquired power and gain experience," said A'keal determinedly.
Within 2 weeks, A'keal solidified his power and eliminated most of the flaws in his techniques. He has gained combat experience and defeated many of the monsters in the forest. He had made a route leading out of this dense forest.
"Alright, let's head back. My family is probably worried about me. I wonder how Ryrla will scold me now," said A'keal nervously.
3 weeks before the current events, A'keal's older brother Joseph arrived back home. Upon hearing the news of A'keal's death from A'keal's younger sister, Rosel, and a few others, he was completely furious. He had made a spectacle by questioning the king's intentions and scolding him. He even demanded a harsher punishment for Kael and the team that was with A'keal.
Due to this outburst, the king had no choice but to confine him until he calmed down. Guards were placed in front of his room, and he was confined with special chains that limited his power. Being a 4th stage Dragon Knight, these chains only suppress part of his power. If he went all out, he could break free at any time. But if he breaks free now, it is the same as disobeying the king's will. He already had questioned the king's intentions, anymore will be counted as treason. He had no other option but to accept his punishment.
Back in the present time, A'keal is slowly approaching the royal capital of Efrita. Only a few hours left before he arrives.