A sudden rush of spiritual energy surged from within Alan's soul. As he got into a stance with his sword raised high his figure was shrouded by a dense spiritual energy.
[Be careful, too much could injure your soul.] Akane warned sternly.
After going through countless battles in the past, Alan had trained his soul to become stronger. As a result, his soul was far stronger than a normal soul and could hold a large quantity of spiritual energy.
However, there is a reasonable limit to how much that could be drawn at a given time, going over the limit could potentially harm the soul.
Alan skillfully drew a small portion of spiritual energy and converged it onto his blade. Akane absorbed the spiritual energy greedily as the blade shone with a resplendent light.
Seeing this Cole smiled faintly as he notices Alan was about to use a sword technique.
He once again charged towards Alan to shorten the distance between them! While swinging his sword in a wide arc! Alan countered his vertical swing with a horizontal slash!
Clang!
Their blades met from the front, resulting in a soft melody of metal clashing. Alan's eyes narrowed as he skillfully used the forced behind Cole's swing to move his body 90-degree to the side as he followed up with a knee strike to the side. "Guh." Cole tried to move his body backwards to evade the sudden attack from Alan.
However, as Alan's attack was far too sudden, he had failed to make any evasive actions and was struck by Alan's knees strike from the side, his body was blown away as he staggered onto his feet.
And using that moment of weakness Alan moved swiftly swinging his sword in a vertical line!
"Tch, flowing steps!" As the blade of Alan's sword was about to make contact with his back, Cole's body became illusory as his body moved, easily evading Alan's blade.
"Not bad, even at such a young age your swordsmanship seemed highly developed." Cole said nodding his head with a faint smile. Alan's emerald, green eyes shone with a faint light. With the memories of Ellard his techniques and martial arts were already on a completely different level compared with even the well-trained members of the dragon clan.
However, Alan merely smiled at his grandpa's words and acted modestly. "No, I should be thanking grandpa for going easy on me." He said with a warm smile.
[... Pffft.] For some reason Akane seem to be struggling to hold her laughter.
'What's so funny?' Alan inquired.
[N-Nothing much, it's just that it's hard to imagine such words coming from you.] Akane replied.
'Hmph, you have been making fun of me a lot lately, I'll definitely remember to punish you once you materialize.' Alan said sternly.
[Humph, you wouldn't dare!] Akane responded.
While this conversation between Alan and Akane was taking place, Cole got into a stance with his sword. "Alan if you can stop this attack then it will be your win!" Cole said as spiritual energy began to circulate within his body.
"Th-This is a lot of spiritual energy." Alan's expression became more serious. His hair stood on end as he felt danger coming from Cole.
[Be careful. He seems to be preparing a really powerful attack!] Akane warned.
"Guide my blade, bring destruction to my enemies! Pierce their soul and destroy their flesh leave no trace of their existence behind!" As Cole said an incantation to activate the technique, a fierce pressure was released from his sword.
The blade glowed with an even more intense light as the spiritual energy usually invisible to the naked eyes now became visible as it crackled on the blade of his sword!
Cold sweats slid down Alan's brow as he senses the overwhelming spiritual energy within his attack. '... What should I do? How should I counter this attack?' He thought inwardly. He had many different attacks that could easily deal with Cole's attack; however, he couldn't just reveal them out in the open as there was too many eyes watching them.
'No choice, I'll just meet his attack head on!' He thought as he grasps his sword tightly. At the same time Alan fed Akane his spiritual energy, allowing her to release even more of her strength!
Spiritual energy overflowed from Alan's body enough to rival Cole's.
Cole held his sword in a backwards grip as his right leg moved forward while his left leg stand back slightly. And with his body tilted forward, Cole's hand moved as he swung his sword!
A tremendous spiritual energy was released from Cole's sword that had condensed into a fierce slash sent towards Alan.
The ground was gouge out as the slash of spiritual energy was sent towards Alan who stood in the distance.
In the distance Amelia stood with both Trisa and Suzu and the other members of the dragon clan. At this moment Amelia's face paled as she saw the wave of spiritual slash approach Alan.
Alan's eyes shone; his green pupils took on a red hue as he borrowed Akane's eyes. His deep red eyes stared at the spiritual slash approaching him. With Akane's eyes Alan was able to see the weak point of the spiritual slash approaching him.
Alan's eyes shone as he held his hand upwards, raising his sword up high.
Its blade lit up with a fierce gleam as he brought it down, releasing a slash of spiritual energy of his own!
Swoosh!
Two fierce spiritual energies collided together!
A powerful shockwave erupted, sending a fierce shockwave and strong wind everywhere! Cole gritted his teeth as his body was hit mercilessly by the shockwave!
Alan used his spiritual energy to strengthen his physical body, enduring the fierce wind that blew against his body relentlessly. His slightly long silver hair tousled and fluttered wildly in the wind.
As the destruction of the two attacks made from the compressed spiritual energy collision receded and dispersed the fierce wind gradually died down.
In the distance Cole stared at Alan with a blank expression before, "Pffft... Hahahahaha!" He let out a hearty laugh!
"Good, good, good... You have definitely surpassed my expectations!" Cole's spirit sword dispersed and disappeared as he approached Alan.
Meanwhile, Alan sighed as his shoulders relaxed. Despite his calm outlook, he was actually really nervous inside. 'That attack just now was really terrifying, I thought I had to expose one of my old techniques to deal with that attack just now.' He thought inwardly.
[Hehe he... With enough power you should be able to face any attack.] Akane said cheerfully.
'Akane we should learn more of the techniques from the dragon clan, even though it's not nearly as powerful as the ones I had developed from the past. I should at least increase my arsenal while I am suppressing my strength.'
[Yes, yes! Master is finally starting to use his head.] Akane said cheerfully. Her mood was obviously really good.
The corner of Alan's lips trembled slightly when hearing that. "Alan, after witnessing your talent I have made my decision." Cole said as he held Alan's shoulder.
"Eh, decision?" Alan tilted his head in confusion. "Hahahaha, you don't have to make that face. I am going to register you to attend the academy that will be opening one year from now." He explained.
"A-Academy?"
"Yes, it's an academy that is especially renowned in our country. Your elder sister and brother are already there... That academy was created to nurture special talent. If you attend there, I can say with absolute confidence that you will become stronger there in no time." Cole's lips curved upwards.
"... Is that so? Well, if you think that I will become stronger, then I have no complaints." Alan said calmly. He was quite indifferent towards this matter. In his first life he did not attend any schools, even everything he had learnt came directly from the goddess Udea as she had taught him everything he knew.
He was actually quite intrigued about the experience of attending school with those his age.
[Hmmm... You seem to be in a good mood.] Akane said. As she was spiritually connected to Alan. She could easily feel any fluctuations in his emotions closely.
However, towards her sudden words Alan tilted his head dubiously. "Am I?" He was confused about his own feelings. As his emotions were always quite blank and indifferent, he wasn't very in tuned with his own feelings.
'... What a strange feeling.' Alan furrowed his brow. Cole did not notice the change in Alan's expression and continued.
"Not to mention you will also be able to see your fiancée there as well." Cole said smugly.
"Eh... That woman will also be there." Alan's face twitch as he remembered a certain black-haired young girl from his memories. It had been four years since he last saw her. Within those years he had not met her, nor has he received any information about her.
'Sigh, this engagement is going to be troublesome. Too troublesome.' He was feeling quite annoyed now. As though realizing what Alan was thinking Cole smiled. "You don't have to be so nervous about the engagement, lady Elena is not only a very beautiful young girl, but also a very good girl I'm sure you will like her." Cole said, patting Alan's silver hair. Akane dispersed into tiny specks of light and disappeared as she went back inside Alan's soul.
"A-Alan are you okay?!" Amelia came running over frantically as she hugged Alan tightly as though she was afraid, he would disappear at any moment. "I-I'm okay, mother seriously I can't breathe!" Alan said with a red face. "U-Um, Amelia you seem to be crushing the poor kid." Cole said in consideration of Alan however, his face stiffens when Ameila glared at him.
"You! Didn't you think your attacks were a little too strong and fierce for a small child!" Amelia said as her brow furrowed. Cole broke out into cold sweats from the cold gaze of his daughter in law. He seems as though he wanted to run away. "Er, mother, can you please forgive grandpa? He was only training me." Sensing the heavy atmosphere Alan decided to speak up in defense of Cole. However, "Stay out of this!" Ameila said coldly, Alan flinch when he heard his mother's cold voice.
[How scary, it seems she is really upset.] Akane suddenly said.
To which Alan could only nod his head helplessly. In the end Cole received a long lecture from Amelia while Alan was taken away from the training grounds by both Trisa and Suzu and was brought to his room. Inside the bathroom connected to his room Alan had just got back from the showers as he wipes his face using a white towel.
"Oh, you are finally back master!" Akane said happily. "Yeah, I'm..." Alan was about to reply when he suddenly put down his towel and saw the figure of a beautiful woman with bewitching beauty lying lazily on his bed.
The woman was currently wearing a long silky red dress, her luscious snow-white hair was long as it scattered against the soft mattress of the bed. Her smooth white skin shone with a healthy glow as there was not the slightest imperfections anywhere.
She was currently gazing at Alan with her deep ocean blue eyes that sparkled as though there were many galaxies within them.
Alan was overwhelmed by her beauty as he gazes at her appearance in a daze.
No matter how many times he had seen her he had to admit Akane was truly beautiful. When Akane saw Alan gazing at her with such a fervent expression, she exhibited a mischievous smile as her soft glossy lips curved upwards. "Do you like what you see, master~?" She asked, in a seductive manner. Alan's face turned slightly red as he turned away his face to the side.
"Ahem. Of course not, why would I be interested in such things?" Alan said indifferently, hearing that Akane's succulent red lips parted softly.
"Oh my, it seems my beauty have left even my fierce master bewitched. Please don't use me to satisfy your darkest desires." Akane said as she put on an expression of a helpless maiden about to be defiled by a hungry beast.
Alan's face twitch when he heard her words. 'She is really asking for it now!' He thought. Akane's face stiffens when she sensed Alan's displeasure. "Humph, your no fun." She mumbled, turning her face away in a huff.
"Now that you have materialize, does this mean you have regained your former strength?" He inquired, completely ignoring her playful attitude.
To his question Akane's playful demeanor contorted into full seriousness as she responded, "Unfortunately, I still have not been able to recover my original abilities. I can only stay outside for a short amount of time."