After days of grueling training, Amon stood in front of the Noctelion family's grand library, the ancient doors towering above him. The air was thick with a sense of history, each tome within holding untold secrets and knowledge. Jaguar gestured toward the vast rows of skill books, each containing powerful abilities, techniques, and forbidden arts from the family's legacy.
"Today," Jaguar began, his voice carrying an edge of authority, "you will have the privilege to choose two skills from our collection. But understand, Amon, each choice comes with responsibility. These techniques are no ordinary skills; they carry the weight and expectation of our bloodline. Choose wisely."
Amon's gaze drifted over the shelves, his heart pounding with excitement and a fierce determination. Every book seemed to pulse with a unique energy, a hint of the power contained within. He could feel the allure of each skill, calling to him, tempting him with promises of strength, mastery, and greatness.
His eyes landed on a dark, leather-bound tome titled "Spectral Dominion: Command of the Fallen"—a high-tier skill known for summoning spectral soldiers bound to the will of its master. With this, Amon would have an army at his command, each spectral warrior drawing on his own power to enforce his will. A flicker of a smile crossed his lips. He imagined the strength it would grant him, the control, the fear he could instill.
Then his eyes shifted to another book, its pages glowing faintly, "Soulforge Blade Technique." This skill was legendary for fusing one's aura with an ethereal blade, making it nearly indestructible, with attacks capable of shattering defenses and breaking through even the most resilient armor. Mastering this would give him a weapon no one could rival, a blade that answered only to him and struck fear into the heart of any opponent.
Jaguar watched as Amon considered each choice, noting the hunger and calculation in his eyes. "Remember, Amon," he said quietly, "power is more than just strength. Choose skills that align with your path and deepen your resolve."
Amon nodded, his decision forming clearly in his mind. Spectral Dominion would grant him command, and the Soulforge Blade Technique would solidify his strength in close combat. Together, they represented both control and offense—two pillars of his vision for power. These choices felt like a perfect reflection of the relentless, singular path he had chosen.
With a calm yet determined voice, Amon turned to his father. "I've made my choice."
Jaguar's expression remained unreadable, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes. "Very well," he said, gesturing for Amon to take the books. "Learn these skills, and remember—they are not merely tools. They are extensions of who you choose to become."
As Amon reached out and took the tomes, he could feel the rush of energy from both skill books, an acknowledgment of his commitment to the path of power. In his hands, he held the keys to a future of strength, the very tools he would use to carve his place in the world. With each step he took toward mastering these skills, he knew he was drawing closer to his ultimate vision—alone, untethered, and bound by nothing but his own ambition.
Immersed in intense training, Amon spent hours honing his newly acquired skills within the secluded depths of the family's training grounds. Yet, even as he practiced Spectral Dominion and Soulforge Blade Technique, his mind wandered back to his encounter with the Guardian of the Wind. That fight had sparked something in him—a desire to harness that fierce, elusive power of wind and merge it with his own mastery of the Noctelion Draconic Martial Arts.
Driven by this inspiration, Amon began to experiment, focusing on blending the fluid, untamed nature of wind with the controlled, deadly movements of his martial arts. His aim was nothing short of creation itself—a new form, something entirely his own. This technique would embody the primal energy of the wind while retaining the relentless force of the Noctelion Draconic style.
His training became a cycle of trial and error, each failed attempt igniting his resolve. He visualized the Guardian of the Wind's movements, the way it flowed seamlessly with the breeze and struck with the force of a tempest. Amon realized that mastering wind would require complete synchronization with its nature—flexibility, unpredictability, and speed. Gradually, he shaped his energy, bending it to mimic the element, letting it flow and then strike with devastating power.
Days passed, and Amon's form began to change as he trained, his strikes now accompanied by a subtle gust. His movements grew faster, more fluid, blending the raw essence of wind with the ruthless precision of his draconic martial arts. After countless hours, he felt a breakthrough approaching—a merging of the two forces into something unique. Amon took a deep breath, channeling his energy one final time, and with a fierce motion, he unleashed the first technique of his new art.
"Tempest Slash!" he roared, bringing down his hand in a sweeping arc. Wind surged from his strike, carving through the air with a powerful, slicing force, as if wielding an invisible blade born of a raging storm. The attack left a trail of disrupted air, the very atmosphere vibrating from the power of his strike. For a moment, Amon could feel the thrill of creation—the satisfaction of forging his own path.
Sweat dripped down his face, but his expression was resolute. He had done it; he had crafted the first technique of the Noctelion Wind God Sword Arts. Yet, he knew this was only the beginning. There were more techniques to develop, more ways to perfect his new style. The Tempest Slash was the start, but it would take much more work to reach the pinnacle of this art.
In that moment, Amon felt a fierce pride—a sensation he hadn't experienced before. The Wind God Sword Arts would be his own creation, a symbol of his strength and vision. With each strike, he would etch his name into history, leaving behind the restraints of his family and past. And as he continued his training, he realized that this path of creation was just as intoxicating as the pursuit of power.
Amon released his Tempest Slash again but this time, a sudden surge of energy overwhelmed him. His mana pulsed violently, as if it had been waiting for this exact moment to awaken in full force. The wind mana, which he had recently infused into his draconic essence, clashed wildly with the shadows, darkness, and death energy at his core. The elements waged a fierce battle within him, leaving Amon in a state of excruciating internal chaos.
At the estate, his father Jaguar sensed the eruption of mana from his training quarters, the intensity of it unmistakable. Rushing to Amon's side, Jaguar immediately recognized the cause—Amon was experiencing a dual mana crisis. This type of crisis, where two opposing forces within a person's mana clash uncontrollably, was rare and dangerous, capable of tearing the user apart from within.
Jaguar wasted no time, reaching out and guiding Amon's energy with his own. "Hold on, Amon. I'll show you how to bring it under control." With swift precision, he began to impart the Flowing Dragon Mana Circulation Technique, a powerful technique designed specifically to balance and circulate complex mana energies in harmony.
Through gritted teeth, Amon followed his father's guidance. He focused, feeling the flow of mana shift within him, easing into controlled streams rather than chaotic bursts. The technique forced his wind mana and draconic mana to move in sync, forming a rhythm that allowed both forces to coexist without conflict.
As the energies intertwined, Amon felt his mana reserves expanding beyond what he'd ever experienced. Each pulse of energy pushed him higher. He surged past the 9th Mana Circle, reaching the peak of the 10th with a burst of newfound strength. But it didn't stop there—he breached into the 1st Mana Ring, reaching even the threshold of a pseudo 2nd Mana Ring. The newfound harmony between his wind and draconic mana transformed his aura, stabilizing into something far more powerful and refined.
As Amon's breathing steadied, Jaguar released his hold, stepping back to observe his son. The ordeal was over, and Amon had come through it stronger than ever. His mana now flowed with two distinct affinities, granting him a unique versatility. Gaining both the Wind and Draconic affinities would prove invaluable to his growth and set him on a path few could match.
Amon's eyes shone with fierce determination. This crisis, though painful, had opened new doors of power for him. The Flowing Dragon Mana Circulation Technique and his dual affinities would be his tools to wield and master, gifts from an experience that, though agonizing, would define the next stage of his journey.