Back inside the dragon clan...
Alan continued his training as he swung his wooden sword with a swift and graceful movement. Each time he swung his sword his slightly long silver hair would sway and flutter along with his movements.
For roughly thirty minutes he continued to swing his sword. Soon, Alan let out a short breath as he regulates his breathing from his vigorous movements.
[Nice work, even though it's not as fluid as your previous self, I can sense that the way you move your body is much better than before you started your training as Alan.] Akane's melodious voice sounded gently inside his head.
"Oh, you really think so?" Alan asked, somewhat doubtfully, even he could sense that his body which had been rather stiff and rigid before was now moving with much more freedom than before. However, it's flexibility is still a far cry when compared with his previous body which had been honed through countless battles.
[Are you forgetting how you were when you first started your training? It's not like you were born as a "God of war" You know... it was only through hard work and effort that you had become as strong as you were, you were able to reach the apex of strength in the past, you should be able to do it again, right?]
"I guess so... but what about all my previous abilities? Will I no longer be able to use any of those?" Alan inquired. To his question all he heard was a deep sigh of resignation.
[Unfortunately, it's impossible right now, in order for you to regain all your previous abilities that goddess would have to grant you her divine blessings once again.] Akane said in a bitter tone as though it was a pity.
"... I see. Well since that's the case then all I have to do is get stronger and once again find her, right?" Alan said as he swept the strands of his silver hair to the side.
[Heh, fufuufufufu! Do you think your mother will allow that? That woman is so overprotective of you that she doesn't even want to keep you away from her side not even for a second. If you were to one day, say that you are leaving for a while you would probably be tied up in the basement for the rest of your life.]
The corners of Alan's lips trembled slightly as he heard Akane's joke. However, to Alan that wasn't really a joke, it was the harsh reality! He had seen how clingy that woman was and had experience it firsthand, he also knew of her character perfectly well through Alan's memories. Apart of him still felt guilty as his reincarnation had separated her from her true son.
However, just because he felt guilty doesn't mean he was willing to give up this body. He will take responsibility but, he will never give up his life, he exists and so he will continue to exist. However, Ellard had no intention of staying here while pretending to be someone he is not forever. Eventually, he will have to go see his goddess, however, how was he supposed to leave this place without trouble?
This has been another matter that deeply troubled him, could he really leave without her knowing? He couldn't just say that his soul had took over her son's body, right?
Alan sighed as though expelling his troubles. "... I think the real problem is what had happened to the father of Alan, through his memories I learnt that his father was assassinated years ago before Alan was even born." Alan explained.
[Ah, so that's why she's so overprotective. She lost her husband uh.] Akane sighed as she felt a bit of sympathy to the single mother who had lost her husband.
"... Yeah, that's why I will continue to protect her, as she is the precious mother of Alan.... and so, it's my responsibility as well as long as I occupy his body." Ellard still vaguely remember his time with his own family in the past, and even though his memories were still not clear as many years had gone by, Ellard knew how significant the concept known as "Family" Is to a person. And so... "No matter what I will make sure she continues to smile."
[....] Akane became silent as she heard his declaration for some time before her melodious voice resounded once again.
[I see... but, could you not talk to yourself as a third person, even if you're soul had took over his body it doesn't change the fact that the current you are still Alan, you know.] Akane's voice sounded a bit exasperated.
It was obvious that Ellard was still thinking of himself and Alan as completely different individuals despite sharing the same body.
Sure, their personality and ideology were different due to the fact that they both had lived completely different lives, as Ellard was a demigod who had served the goddess, Udea for billions of years, while Alan was the heir to the dragon clan, a ruined clan that had lost most of its influence. After the death of the previous patriarch.
Maybe from Ellard's perspective the young boy named Alan who was only merely nine years old whose hands were pure, and innocent shouldn't be mix with someone like him who had already killed millions of lives. Alan's emerald eyes trembled slightly as he sighed.
However, while dwelling deep within Alan's soul Akane could clearly see that Ellard's and Alan's souls had somehow merged and had become one some time ago... there were no longer any discrete between them anymore.
However, she decided not to disclose that information as matters involving the soul was extremely difficult to explain let alone understand.
"Sigh, let's stop the debates about my identity for the time being... there is something else I'd like to ask you, is that okay?"
[If it's about that unknown energy you used during your magic training then I'd rather not talk about that right now.] Akane's voice sounded a bit sullen. However, that was enough of an answer that Alan needed to know as it proves that she does in fact know something about that mysterious energy.
It was strange as the energy gave him the feeling, he had felt that type of energy somewhere before but, no matter how much he thinks about it he couldn't remember ever using that type of energy in his life. At least Alan was certain he couldn't use that energy as Ellard.
"Akane... I need to know! You also said that a troublesome woman will be after me, don't you think it's a bit selfish to keep all that information to yourself when it also involves me as well?" Alan said in a serious tone, However...
[....]
Akane didn't respond to his inquiries. After several seconds of receiving no answers Alan's brow furrowed slightly in displeasure.
"H-Hey, Akane! I know you can hear me! Ignoring me won't change anything, you know! Akane!" Alan bellowed.
Meanwhile, a few servants passed and caught a glimpse of Alan speaking to seemingly no one in particular and sent him weird glances as they saw him talking to himself.
'Shit! Now everyone is going to think I'm crazy!' Alan curse internally. He kept trying to call out to Akane but received no response.
...
Inside a white space a woman whose otherworldly beauty was unmatched and could easily make hundreds of women jealous could be seen sitting down with her eyes closed.
The woman had long silky white hair that was so long that it was scattered against the white ground... she was dressed in a red silk dress that covered her dainty feet.
Akane could still hear Alan's frustrated voice in her head even now, but she pretended not to hear anything.
"... I wasn't able to protect you back then... I definitely will not allow the same thing to happen twice!" She muttered to herself.
...
Meanwhile, inside a forest...
ROOOOOAR!
A bestial roar shook the skies as a large dragon flying roughly 200 meters above ground gazed down below with a gaze of a hungry beast itching to devour its prey! Ellard's indifferent expression slowly contorted into a serious expression as he sensed the danger the flame dragon imposed.
Louisa's face was slightly pale as her beautiful face grimaced under the effects of blood corrosion. The entire blood circulating through her entire body was slowly becoming more corrupt with every second.
"K-Keep him busy, I need time to recover." Louisa muttered somewhat painfully, as she took out a bottle that contains a strange liquid inside. Ellard braced his sword as he gazed at the approaching flame dragon that was descending towards him.
Swoosh!
From the maw of the flame dragon a scorching hot breath came raining down at astonishing speed. On pure instinct Ellard maneuvered his body backwards as he dodges the flaming breath attack!
BOOOOM!
The surrounding area of roughly ten meters were burnt black and covered in hot red flames that seem to want to consume everything like an unstoppable torrent!
From Ellard's back two angelic wings with a wingspan of three meters suddenly extended outwards as Ellard kicked off the ground and accelerated towards the vast sky!
Whoosh!
And in an instant Ellard appeared above the flame dragon and pointed his finger as he muttered in an indifferent voice. "Blood spears." As those words left his mouth tiny droplets of blood gathered around as they each carefully took the shape of a red spear that was ten meters long in length.
All the blood spears then point their trajectory at the flame dragon leaving no opening for an escape.
Ellard stood in the center of the blood spears as though he was the god of blood as his red eyes reflected the figure of the flame dragon.
Meanwhile, Louisa had somehow managed to get back onto her feet as she drank some of the potion. Her face grimaced slightly as she had failed to get rid of all the corrupt blood running through her veins, she had estimated that it would at least take her three days before she could make a full recovery.
Louisa then turned her gazed towards the sky she carefully observed each of the blood spears which had their tip pointed towards her flame dragon and clenched her fist, as she muttered between gritted teeth. "Don't think that I'll just stand here and allow you to have your way! Light blades!"
At the same time hundreds of blades of lights materialized around Louisa's delicate body, and with a flick of her fingers they each shot towards the sky!
Seeing this Ellard indifferently made a gesture of his hands and each of the blood spears descended downwards at full speed!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The air made a piercing sound as the wind stirred fiercely as the blood spears and light blades met from the front!
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! ....
Each time the blood spears and light blades connected an explosion occurred which swept the clouds in the far distant sky. Ellard's long inky black hair swayed and fluttered roughly in the intense wind as his vision was obstructed by the clash of both blood and light!
'Is it over?' Ellard wondered doubtfully. He couldn't sense any movement coming from the ground, however, at the same time he didn't think his attack had finish her either, but suddenly the wind stirred!
Swoosh!...
From the flash of light that obstructed his vision Ellard caught a glimpse of a small light coming towards him at an impossible speed. He instinctively went into a defensive stance with his sword.
BANG!...
Soon, the blade of his sword connected with a spear! Louisa had closed the distance between them using the explosion as a distraction. Louisa tried putting more weight onto her spear but no matter how much pressure she placed on her hands Ellard didn't move from his position.
After watching her calmly for some time Ellard opened his mouth. "... I don't understand."
"What?" Louisa asked confusedly. "Why do you keep fighting? Someone as strong as you should have already known you are outmatched... isn't it obvious you can't win?"
"... Can't win... Ahahahaha! Of course, you are just a mere clone of the true Ellard someone like you would never understand." Ellard's brow furrowed slightly when he was branded as a fake. However, he didn't object or try to deny her words either.
"You know it's funny seeing you being so loyal to someone other than lady Udea, I'm sure the real Ellard would have killed you a thousand times over for this embarrassment... however, unfortunately I'll be the one to personally make sure you disappear completely!"
A graceful smile appeared on Louisa's beautiful face as she muttered. "Holy bindings!" Soon Ellard's body was trap within a sphere of white light making it impossible to move freely! And as though it was prior agreement!
ROOOOOAR!...
There was the sound of a dragon, as though it had understood her intentions perfectly flame dragon suddenly appeared behind Ellard's body and launched a hot breath towards him! Louisa's body then turned into a flash of light as she disappeared completely from her previous position.
Meanwhile, Ellard flapped his wings outwards and tried to escape but, unfortunately, he was finding such a feat impossible! As his body was still enclosed inside the sphere of white light as he was hit mercilessly and directly by the breath attack!
BOOOOOOM!!!...
The attack sent him flying uncontrollably plummeting downwards as he crashed heavily onto the ground leaving behind a large crater that was burnt black by the breath attack! The earth was left scorching hot as it rumbled for some time...
A thick cloud of dust covered the surroundings as Louisa gazed downwards towards the crater left behind.
But once the dust was swept away and the ground became visible Louisa's eyes widen as she saw Ellard's body was covered by his black robe that moved as though it was completely alive!