Kaison stood tall as Hiro finally emerged from his inner world. The boy's aura had drastically changed, carrying a presence far more commanding than before. Kaison grinned, his sharp teeth showing. "Ohh, you took much faster than I expected," the dragon said, his deep voice echoing in the vast cave.
Hiro, however, was not amused. His fists clenched in frustration as he glared at Kaison. "But I took 20 years in that inner world, is that fast?!" Hiro's voice carried a mix of disbelief and anger, his body still slightly trembling from the intense experience he had undergone.
Kaison chuckled, clearly entertained by Hiro's reaction. "In your inner world, yes. But it's only been two years here since you entered yourself." His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "In those two years, you were constantly screaming in pain."
Hiro's eyes widened, his mind racing to process the time difference. "Two years…?" He muttered under his breath. He had spent two decades in that brutal mental battlefield, dying and reviving countless times. And yet, only two years had passed in the real world. The shock was still sinking in.
"I got much stronger than before, and gained the experience of 20 years," Hiro said, his tone calmer but still tinged with frustration. He couldn't deny how far he had come, even though the training had been more torturous than he had anticipated.
Kaison nodded, pride evident in his expression. "Hiryu discovered this same power when he became an adult. He stayed in his inner self for almost a year. If he had discovered it a bit sooner, he would have mastered all nine techniques before turning into an adult." Kaison's voice grew more serious as he added, "This path is incredibly dangerous, which is why he didn't pass it on to his descendants. If your will and mentality are weak, you'd be stuck in there forever, endlessly fighting your inner demons."
Hiro was silent for a moment, letting Kaison's words sink in. 'So that's why my father couldn't easily reach the ninth technique,' Hiro thought to himself. He now understood the struggle his father had gone through, a man burdened by both the weight of their clan's legacy and the dangers of unlocking its full potential.
Kaison stepped closer, his voice firm but carrying a tone of respect. "I congratulate you, Hiro. Not only do you have a strong body, but also a strong mind and will. Few would have survived what you just endured."
Hiro took a deep breath, feeling a mix of pride and gratitude. "Yeah, thanks to you, I've grown a lot stronger." He paused, his expression shifting to one of determination. "But it's not enough. Now that I can control the power blessed by the gods inside me, Before, i'm just planning to mastering upto the third or fourth techniques of my clan before turning adult. But now, I'll master all of them."
Kaison's eyes widened slightly, impressed by Hiro's newfound resolve. The boy's confidence was unshakable, and his ambition had clearly grown.
"Very well," Kaison said with a grin. "Let's see how far your resolve takes you."
---
For the next few months, Hiro focused his training on mastering the third, fourth, and fifth techniques of his clan. The new techniques required both immense focus and stamina, but Hiro found that with his strengthened connection to his inner power, he could push himself much harder than before.
Amadeus 3rd Sword Style: Astral Rend was the first he focused on. This technique allowed Hiro to channel celestial energy into each of his strikes, enabling him to slice through both physical and magical barriers with ease. The challenge was learning to control the immense power required to summon that celestial force. On his first few attempts, he found himself exhausted after only a few swings.
"Focus, Hiro," Kaison would remind him during their sessions. "The celestial energy isn't just about brute strength. It's about precision. You need to harness it with a calm mind."
After weeks of relentless practice, Hiro finally mastered the delicate balance required. In one fluid motion, he unleashed Astral Rend, slicing through both a boulder and the magical shield Kaison had conjured for practice. The energy dissipated as quickly as it appeared, leaving the surroundings eerily calm after the destructive display.
"Good," Kaison remarked, nodding in approval. "You've got the hang of it. But don't get too comfortable yet. You still have more to master."
Hiro wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze focused and determined. "I'm ready for the next one."
The Amadeus 4th Sword Style: Nocturne Fang required an entirely different skill set. This technique was centered on stealth and deception, allowing Hiro to blend into the shadows and strike from unseen angles. It was a style built for silent eliminations, making the user one with the darkness.
At first, Hiro struggled to maintain his invisibility while moving quickly. His body would flicker in and out of sight, leaving him vulnerable. "This technique isn't just about hiding," Kaison explained. "It's about becoming the shadow itself. It's related to the 2nd technique so this is much easier."
With time, Hiro learned to synchronize his movements with the shadows around him, using the darkness to mask his presence. During one training session, he vanished completely from Kaison's sight, reappearing only to deliver a precise strike at the dragon's blind spot. Kaison barely blocked it in time.
"Well done," Kaison praised, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You've mastered the art of the shadow."
Finally, Hiro faced the challenge of mastering the Amadeus 5th Sword Style: Tempest Reaver. This technique turned the user into a whirlwind of slashes, creating powerful wind currents with each swing. The sheer speed and force of the technique made it ideal for disrupting enemy formations and overwhelming opponents with relentless attacks.
The biggest challenge was maintaining control while moving at such high speeds. Hiro often found himself getting dizzy during practice, the world spinning as he tried to keep up with the intensity of the technique. But he refused to give up.
Kaison watched as Hiro trained, offering advice when necessary but mostly allowing the boy to figure things out on his own. "Don't think too much about it," Kaison would say. "Feel the flow of the wind. Let your body become part of the tempest."
After countless attempts, Hiro finally achieved a breakthrough. His movements became fluid, each slash creating powerful gusts of wind that tore through the practice targets Kaison had set up. In one final burst of energy, Hiro unleashed Tempest Reaver, the wind swirling around him as he became a blur of spinning steel. The targets were obliterated in an instant.
Kaison clapped his hands, clearly impressed. "You've done it, Hiro. You've mastered the fifth technique."
Hiro stood amidst the destruction he had caused, breathing heavily but feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. He had come so far in such a short amount of time, mastering techniques that should have taken years.
"I've gotten stronger," Hiro muttered to himself, his gaze hardening. "But it's still not enough."
Kaison approached him, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You've made incredible progress, Hiro. But remember, strength is only part of what you need. You've gained knowledge, experience, and control over your power. That's what will make you truly unstoppable."
Hiro looked up at Kaison, his eyes filled with determination. "I'll master the rest of the techniques. And when I do, I'll be ready to take on anything."
Kaison nodded, his expression serious. "Then let's continue. Your journey is far from over."