A week later...
In the afternoon, Ryuji was practicing at his home. Suddenly, the King's treasurer arrives at the front of Ryuji's house.
"Excuse me, Ryuji-sama."
"Ahh, Swein?"
"Forgive me for interrupting your practice"
"It's okay, so what's your purpose for coming here?"
"King Aershield wants to meet you. He said he wants to discuss something with you"
"Oh, alright"
"Mom, Dad, I'm going to the castle for a while"
"Okay," said his Mum.
Swein took Ryuji to the castle by horse carriage. When they arrived at the palace, they were greeted by King Aershield.
"Your Highness, Ryuji has arrived," said Swein.
"Thank you Swein. Ryuji, could we talk at the garden?" asked King Aershield.
"Okay, Your Highness" Ryuji replied.
Both of them go to the garden. In the garden, there two cups of tea have been served on the table while they set on the chair.
"How's your practice goes?" asked King Areshield.
"Everything is fine, and my strength is increasing compared to the other day" replied Ryuji.
"That's good to hear"
"So Your Highness, what's the thing you want to discuss with me?"
"I have something to tell you about this year tournament"
"What it's?"
"This year's tournament will be held on an island. The tournament will go for 5 days. So before the day of the tournament, we will board a ship to the island"
"And....."
"Do you remember my words that this year's tournament will be more difficult?
"Ahh, yes I do remember but why?"
"Because there once who holds the title of the strongest swordsman three times in a row have come back in this year tournament"
"Do you mean Shiro Kurayami?"
"How do you know that name?"
"My father was the one who tells me about him"
"About him, I heard a rumor says that he has come back with a new power that can surpass everything"
"A power that can surpass everything? Look's like he gains a powerful power"
"But don't worry. I believe in you, Ryuji, and also your partner. I believe that you two will defeat him, and brought a victory to our kingdom"
"But, the power that can surpass everything? That power is much stronger than mine ,how can I even beat him?"
"With your own willpower....."
"I believe that your power, as well as Rissa's power, can defeat him."
"Don't worry, you still have a week before the tournament start"
"I have faith in you, Ryuji"
"Alright, Your Highness. I will defeat him and brought a victory to our kingdom!"
"That's the spirit"
"Your Highness, I need to continue my practice. Would mind if I go home now?"
"No, I don't mind. Thank's for coming today"
"Okay, Your Highness"
After chatting with King Aershield, Ryuji decided to go home to continue his practice. When he arrived, he was greeted by his father.
"I'm home"
"Ohh, Ryuji, Welcome back. So what was the thing you discuss with the King Aershield?"
"Nothing important, just about the tournament. And..."
"Huh?"
"Rumor said that Shiro Kurayami has comeback with a new power"
"A new power huh? He was much stronger than the previous years"
"What's that power?"
"The power that can surpass everything"
"Wow, I never heard a power like that but it sounds like it is more powerful than before."
"Yeah," said Ryuji.
"Then, I'm gonna teach you the new sword technique"
"New sword technique?"
"Yes, the 'Dual Sword Technique'"
"Dual Sword? But I only have a blade of a sword"
"Then you just have to get another one"
"Okay...but where do I have to get it?"
"Follow me..."
Ryuji follows his father to his room. Inside the room, there's a door that looks like an old door.
"Well, this is where you will get the other one"
Ryuji's father opens the old door. On the inside, it looked very old and dusty. Ryuji noticed there was a piece of cloth covering something at the end of the room.
"Can I...?" ask Ryuji.
"Yes" answer his father.
Without hesitation, Ryuji opens the cloth and find out that it was a long one-handed sword. The color was black and blue. Its size was smaller than the Lost Sword. There is something written on the side of the sword blade.
"Blue Dragon" Ryuji read it.
"This sword was inherited by my father when I was 15 years old"
"Granpa?"
"Yes,it name was Katagiri and it was made of the bone of the Blue Crystal Dragon"
"The Blue Crystal Dragon? By any chance, did you mean the dragon who guards the gate of the end of the realm and the attackers of our kingdom 200 hundred years ago? Wait, I can't accept something like this! It is too powerful for me..."
"There's no reason for you not to accept it. Furthermore, in this world, the Dual Sword Technique did not exist and I was the one who creates it. I want you to master it"
"Ok, I accept it!"
Therefore, both of them go back to go to the courtyard.
"Are you ready to practice now?"
"Yes, I am," Ryuji said with high spirit.
"Let's go, Riss"
⎯ I am your sword, Ryuji
⎯ Spirit of the Lost Sword, Unleash Your True Power,
⎯ Now Form a Sword with Me and Be the Power in My Hand,
The Lost Sword was constructed in Ryuji's palm. But when he holds the Katagiri, his body was unbalanced, and almost falls to the ground.
"No good huh?" said Ryuji.
"Look's like Lost Sword was heavier than Katagiri. Can't make the Lost Sword a little bit smaller?"
"Smaller?"
⎯ Ryuji.
⎯ What?
⎯ If you can't hold me with a big form, try using the smaller form.
⎯ Smaller form?
⎯ Yes, try to imagine the sword form was the same as the Katagiri form.
Ryuji closed his eye. He imagined the Lost Sword form was the same as the Katagiri. In a sec, the Lost Sword gave off a dazzling light.
Ryuji opened his eye and the lost sword form was the same as the Katagiri. From a large greatsword to a one-handed sword.
"So, that's will be easier to hold it, right? Then, the Dual Sword Technique <
"Anytime!"
"The Dual Sword Technique is the same as the normal sword technique like your consecutive attack. It increases your consecutive attack speed and defeats your opponent faster"
"First, I want you to try to attack the tree with a two-hit strike. "
"Okay, I try it"
With a high speed, Ryuji attack the tree with a two-hit strike attack.
Ryuji attack.
"Wow, I felt my attack become faster!" said Ryuji
"Now, I want you to attack the tree with your consecutive attack without using magic"
"Without using magic, but..."
"Just do it..."
Again, with a high speed, Ryuji attacks the tree with 6 consecutive attacks. Ryuji's attack caused the tree to be cut down.
"Wonderful! You succeed to cut it. Now you know how the Dual Technique work"
"Then, let's try with the others"
"Okay"
Ryuji's training ended an hour before sunset. Although Ryuji has a hard time training the Dual Sword Technique, he succeeded to master it all.
"That's all for today. You succeeded to master it at all in a short time"
"Although I have a hard time mastering it after all..."
"The reason I teach you this technique because I want to maintain this technique for future generations so that it exists in this world"
"Did anyone ever see your technique?" ask Ryuji.
"Yes, I have used it during the tournament and also while fighting with Kurayami. Neither my technique can't defeat him"
"So I believe that you will win in this tournament with my technique, along with your own unique skill"
"Don't you worry, I definitely will win this tournament!"
After the practice, both of them go inside to have dinner together.
After the dinner, Ryuji goes upstairs to get some rest because he drains his energy too much during the training. Suddenly, someone knocks on his door.
"Come in" replied Ryuji.
It was Rissa.
"Is it something in your mind, Riss?"
"No, I just want to ask you something"
"Sure, go ahead"
Rissa sat behind Ryuji with a nervous face.
"Are you sure, we will win this tournament?"
"I'm not sure either, but I believe that with father's sword technique and training, we have a chance to win"
"One more last question"
"Okay..."
"What if one day, we have to separate and..."
"Don't say such a thing!" shouted Ryuji while hugging Rissa.
"I would not separate from you...Even we have to separate one day, I will not let you go..."
"Ryuji..."
Ryuji release his hug and said:
"After all, you're my precious contracted spirit and my family..."
While saying, Ryuji faint at the bed. It looks like Ryuji uses too much energy.
"It can't be helped...but saying such embarrassing things, Ryuji you're a jerk" Rissa spoke slowly.