Kurogami Estate – Family Library
The dimly lit library smelled of ancient parchment and wood polish. Ryuujin pushed open the heavy door, the sound of creaking hinges echoing through the quiet space. Shelves towered around him, filled with scrolls and books, some covered in dust from years of neglect.
The elderly librarian glanced up from her desk, eyes narrowing in surprise as she saw who had entered.
Librarian (thinking): The weakling... here? He's never shown interest in learning before.
But Ryuujin paid her no mind. His blue eyes scanned the room, assessing everything in an instant. Despite her frail appearance, he could see it—the subtle tension in her muscles, the aura of controlled strength. The librarian was far more powerful than she seemed.
Ryuujin (thinking): Even the librarian is strong... How far behind am I?
Without hesitation, he moved deeper into the library, fingers brushing against the spines of books until he found what he was looking for: a section on unique abilities and bloodline powers.
Hours of Study
Time passed unnoticed as Ryuujin poured over book after book, searching for answers. The more he read, the more he understood.
Ryuujin (thinking): So, the Kurogami Clan has the Void Veil... a power that makes movement unpredictable.
He flipped through another book, eyes narrowing as he read about other clans. Some had unique abilities tied to their eyes—powers that could alter reality, enhance perception, or control elements.
Ryuujin (thinking): But there's nothing about my eyes.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as frustration set in. He closed the final book with a thud, leaning back against the shelf. His heart was racing, and he felt drained.
Ryuujin (thinking): Whatever this power is... it's not recorded here. I'll have to figure it out myself.
Testing the Power
Outside the library, Ryuujin took a deep breath and focused. The world slowed once more, the sounds around him dulling as his vision sharpened. He could see the flicker of a candle in the distance, every movement of its flame crystal clear.
Ryuujin (thinking): This... this power. If I can control it, I can become stronger.
He relaxed, and the world returned to normal. The strain on his body was evident, but a spark of determination lit in his eyes.
The First Steps
The next day, Ryuujin returned to the library. The books here were limited, a small collection compared to the main residence. Still, he found a basic swordsmanship manual, its cover worn and faded.
As he left the library, the quiet snickers of other clan members followed him.
Clansman 1: "Look at him. Picking up a book you can buy on the streets."
Clansman 2: "What's he hoping to achieve? He's never even trained."
Ryuujin ignored them. Their words were meaningless.
Back in his room, he opened the manual and began reading. The techniques were simple, but something felt off. As he focused, his blue eyes activated once again, highlighting flaws in the illustrations and descriptions.
Ryuujin (thinking): This form is inefficient... The stance leaves an opening.
He made adjustments, mentally rewriting the book's teachings until the techniques were refined.
Ryuujin (thinking): Now... it's perfect.
Training Grounds
The following day, Ryuujin stepped into the family training grounds. The place was bustling with activity, but he paid no attention to the others. His focus was solely on mastering the techniques he had studied.
With a wooden sword in hand, he took his stance. His body moved fluidly, each strike precise. By the end of his first session, he had already mastered half of the techniques.
But then, pain shot through his body, searing and intense. His muscles screamed in protest, forcing him to collapse.
Ryuujin (thinking): My body... it's too weak.
Gritting his teeth, he rested for the remainder of the day, formulating a plan.
A Month of Training
The next day, Ryuujin began a rigorous regimen. He ignored the sneers and laughter from others, focusing solely on building his stamina and strength.
From dawn till dusk, he ran across the estate, pushing his limits. Each day, his endurance grew. By the end of the month, his stamina had increased significantly.
Then, he added strength training. With a wooden sword in hand, he practiced swings, repeating the motions until his arms felt like lead.
Clansman 3: "Look at him. Swinging a wooden sword like it's some grand technique."
Clansman 4: "Let him be. He'll quit soon enough."
But Ryuujin didn't quit. For ten days straight, he practiced, refining his form and building strength.
The Night Before
On the tenth night, Ryuujin stood in his room, staring at the wooden sword in his hands. He felt ready. Tomorrow, he would attempt to master the entire technique.
Ryuujin (thinking): I'm not the same person I was before. I'll prove them wrong.
As he closed his eyes, a sense of calm washed over him. The path ahead was clear.
--End of Chapter 4--