Reaching out her hands, she conjured a large, two-handed hammer and presented it to Kane. "Many Volfar choose long-hafted weapons like this one." The hammer suddenly changed into a spear. "Or this one." Then, it changed into a two-handed axe. "Or this one."
"Alternatively," she continued, "if you're married to using a sword, you can use one with a larger grip." The axe now turned into a far larger sword than the one in Kane's hands, and a grip to match.
Kane frowned as he considered the options she presented. The hammer interested him somewhat, but he had to admit he was a little attached to the sword he got from Nina, not to mention that it was of very high quality, and he had no idea when he'd come across a different weapon of similar quality.
Plus, he already had plenty of experience using this particular sword, and training he received from Luna. Since he was apparently the only volfar on his world, he would likely have to pretend to be human quite often, and it would be beneficial if he could simply use the same weapon in both forms.
Thus, he asked, frowning thoughtfully, "Are there any styles that would allow me to use this sword in volfar form as well?"
Fortunately, Mána nodded, "There are, but they are harder. First of all, there is the option of using two swords." As she said so, the massive sword in her hands dissolved, until it turned into two smaller swords, one in each hand. "The two-weapon style is complicated and rewards a high-risk mind set."
"Then there's the second option," she continued as a small smile appeared on her transformed face. "And I have a feeling you'll like this one." Suddenly, the sword in her left hand disappeared, and she took a strange stance that put forward both the sword in her right hand, and the claws on her left hand.
"This is the sword and claw style," she explained. "It is even more complicated than the two-weapon style, and it is equally as high-risk, high-reward. The advantage of this style, is that besides using your claws as weapons, you can also infuse them with your elements."
Kane nodded curiously. It did sound like a style that might interest him. This way, he could basically use the same fighting style in both human and volfar forms.
But Mána wasn't done with her explanation yet. "But more than that," she continued, grinning at his clear interest, "some of the best sword and claw style techniques, allow you to store generated energy during a battle, and use it to increase the power of abilities you unleash with your free hand."
Kane's eyes shone even more now as a grin appeared on his face. The fact that this was the hardest style Mána had mentioned didn't deter him. He knew his own talent, and he was confident he could master it.
Mána's wolfish lips curled up even further. "I can see you've chose already. Lucky for you, I happen to know all the sword and claw techniques that have ever passed through Alfheim."
But then she pursed her lips, "Unfortunately, sword and claw style techniques are rare, and even the most powerful one I have, the Elemental Blade Combat Art, probably won't last you very long."
Still in the sword and claw stance she took earlier, Mána beckoned him tauntingly, "Regardless, I can't simply transfer the information into your brain, so we'll have to do this hard way. Would you like to learn?"
Kane grinned with a hint of excitement at the prospect of growing stronger, and tried to imitate her stance, "Absolutely. Don't go easy on me, or you can forget about your reward."
The fact that this art wouldn't last very long didn't deter him. It was better than the nothing he had right now, and the sword and claw style still seemed like the best fit for him.
Mána's grin widened, "Perfect, I wouldn't have it any other way."
For the next few hours, Kane started training with Mána as his teacher. Since they were in his soul world, his body didn't get tired, so it was the perfect place to practice, made even better by the fact that others could only start doing this from the fourth stage and onward.
According to Mána, the lust shard stabilized his soul in a way that other only got after creating their domain.
At first, they focused on the movements of the Elemental Blade Combat Art, but eventually, Mána used her knowledge of the art to create an actual technique book for Kane.
The book described the way he could use his elements to enhance his claws, and how he could universally increase the power of any abilities and skills he used, by utilizing energy build up during the fight.
Unfortunately, he hit a snag while reading through the book.
He was studying the technique while in his human form, when he realized the problem, and looked up at Mána with a frown. The horny patron spirit was also back in her humanoid form and had replaced her previous clothes with seductive lingerie in an effort to entice him.
Unfortunately for her, Kane completely ignored her, and frowned with a hint of confusion, "The book says I need three elements, one for each of my cores, but I only have an element for my soul and spirit. Surely you knew that?"
Mána pouted a little, because Kane refused to give her what she wanted. But then she answered anyway, with an exasperated sigh, "Right, you don't know yet because we haven't gotten to the Dreadwolf stuff yet."
Playful excitement refilled her face as she explained, "You see, the essence of Dreadwolf manifests itself as an element related to your blood core, and you access its abilities in the same way you would any other: through a technique!"
She waved her hands, and caused a thick, ancient looking book to appear. It was entirely crimson, pages included, and sported an ornate crescent moon on the cover. "This is the Crescent Moon Manual!"
With a ceremonial bow that made Kane wonder if it was sincere or meant to mock the general idea of ceremonies, she handed the book to him.
Kane rolled his eyes at her behaviour, but he quickly focused on other things when his greedy eyes fell on the book in his hand. He felt an instinctual connection with this book, and even the crimson crescent moon in the dark sky of his soul shone a little brighter.
Regardless of how he became Dreadwolf, it was a part of him now. And while he still had to decide how angry he was with the various parties involved in getting him here, there was nothing stopping him from making use of these powers.
So, he excitedly opened the book, and started studying, saving the Elemental Blade Combat Art for later.
Meanwhile, Mána was dismayed, as she was once again going ignored.
She suddenly regretted giving him that manual.