It's been six months of training. Noah had managed to cut the log. The old man had gone out for long but he didn't know where to. Of course they continued training. He taught Smith the basics and since then Smith has being on the sword everyday. I discovered we didn't need to eat as there was no need because the mana was so much and they were both ordinary people. They hadn't even become one star. So no sleep, no food and no water only practice and practice. Noah couldn't split the log with strength alone except chipping it slowly. Guess that's the limit to his strength. To teach Smith, Noah had to spar with him everyday. Smith's constitution had increased as during spar Noah never held back. Aiming to kill but holding back no to deal a fatal blow but a very hard blow nonetheless. They discovered that most injuries would be healed in a single night. So they trained to their hearts content. This wouldn't be able to happen after they get stronger so they had to use all this time. The idea of running away had long left Smith. He began enjoying his new life. He was an orphan anyway. He didn't miss anyone so he had no attachments.
They were sparring when suddenly they experienced one of the most terrifying experiences of their life. A deep feeling of helplessness and fear overwhelmed them. They could feel all the cells in their skin trembling in fear. It was a loud dragon roar. A real dragon not wyverns or drakes. Of course they didn't know what was that but they knew and realized how weak they were. All the training will be useless in front of absolute power. They couldn't continue training and went to sleep this first time since they came here. Both of them woke up two days later feeling so refreshed then continued their training. A week later the old man returned and entered Noah's soul space. After the training ended, Noah finally heard the old man's voice talking to him.
"Noah I got the Dragon's blood. We are gonna use it to change your constitution. After you bathe in it you will surely be able to to sense mana. Go to an empty part of the cave and I'll create a hole for the pool"
Noah was getting excited and he went to an empty part in the cave where the old man created a hole for the pool. After that he created a barrier around the mountain and filled the hole with dragon blood. Immediately the mana in the environment became plentiful. It was clear that the dragon blood used by humans and this one was different. Noah could tell that he might die if he used this blood to bathe but if he managed to survive he would be so strong. His body constitution will be terrifying. He would always be the warrior with the best body.
His body would always be the best. Smith came over because of the Mana increase in the cave but as he saw the blood he became extremely shocked before he began to think and then his expression became solemn. His boss had too many secret and it's best to not pry deeply into them but for something as beneficial as this he had to ask for some benefits. Dying never came to his mind because of his outlook towards life. Noah had already made up his mind that he would trust his will to survive and must survive. It's all or nothing. Everything was seen by the old man. This was pleasant surprise to the old man as a year ago Noah wouldn't have hesitated and would have entered if he brought it like a puppet. The old man could see that he was beginning to believe in himself. As usual the old man left it to time. Time changes all things.
"I'm ready Senior. I have decided that it's either I take it all or die trying".
"Good! This is a disposition of a true swordsman. We're extremely decisive. No route for compromise. It's either our sword was able to slash the heavens apart or we couldn't do it. No word like we almost did it. Good! I have a good desciple", the old man replied in high spirits. He might be superficial making him trying to impress his desciple have a lazy outlook to life allowing time to fix everything but what was sure about him was his pride as a swordsman.
"Don't worry with me here you should even pray to die as the pain you will receive is going to be so great you would wish you could die.
It will be for one month after a week you would feel numb. So the treatment will be better then", the old man didn't forget to awe Noah to stroke his ego
At first he was awed while wondering how strong his teacher really was. Then shocked at how long he would have to endure pain. But became resolute as he had to change his fate.
The treatment started and the old man slowly guided the blood through the innards of Noah and Smith. Starting with the brain slowly till the inside of their bodies became better. Then he made them sink inside the pool of blood. They were supposed to drown but he made sure to use his soul essence to keep the still alive. He threw both their swords inside the pool. The pain was not as much as when their innards were washed with dragon blood but it was painful nonetheless. Both of them became fire resistant as their hearts were pumping the fire Dragon's blood throughout their body non stop for 1 month. Noah's affinity for fire became better while Smith's affinity to fire became superior.
Both of them came out of the pool with lifeless and hollow eyes. They just left to go and sleep. The old man laughed at them. Nothing is free but the benefits gotten were too much. They could easily deal with 3 star humans. But of cause 4 stars would be too much for them. Now it's time for their swords. He took out two souls. One from the soul of a lesser fire wveryn and a fire lizard to be the spirit of the swords.
He discovered something interesting about dragons. Real dragon blood could make an object living. He could wait for their swords to gain consciousness but he got them souls to assimilate into the swords. He started the process of sealing the souls.
Noah woke up the next morning feeling very strange. He tried mediating and he could see the fire psyons attracted to him. Noah was excited
"I can sense mana"