After issuing his warning and explaining the intricacies of the technique, Evan took a deep breath. "Now, let me explain exactly how Draconic Flame works." His tone was firm yet instructive. "To put it simply, this technique instantly consumes a portion of your mana and channels it into your attack, amplifying its potency."
With that, Evan stepped forward, drawing his sword. He moved with practiced ease as he demonstrated the technique, his every motion precise and deliberate. As he executed each strike, he explained its mechanics in exacting detail, pointing out the finer nuances Ignis needed to be mindful of.
Ignis watched intently, his sharp gaze following every movement. His mind absorbed each step, each adjustment, committing them to memory.
Once Evan had finished, he turned to his son. "Should I go over it again?"
Ignis shook his head. "No need, Dad. I understand everything." His voice carried quiet confidence. "I've memorized all the key points, and I think I can try it now."
Evan studied him for a moment, then gave a firm nod. "Alright. But start with a small amount of mana. There's no need to rush. You have plenty of time to master this technique, and forcing it too soon could result in a painful backlash—or worse, serious injury."
His eyes darkened with caution. "Remember, control is just as important as power."
Ignis nodded. "Yes, I understand."
Ignis stepped forward, ready to attempt Draconic Flame for the first time.
He had carefully absorbed every key point his father had explained. But beyond that, his experience from his previous life allowed him to analyze the technique on a deeper level. He quickly realized that Draconic Flame bore a striking resemblance to how he once wielded swordsmanship infused with Reiatsu.
Of course, back then, no one—neither he nor any other Shinigami—had developed an amplification technique like this. There had been no need. The Shinigamis of his past life had relied on Shikai and Bankai to enhance their power. Those transformations naturally elevated their combat strength, eliminating the necessity for an external technique like Draconic Flame.
Yet now, standing here, he found himself astonished by the sheer ingenuity of this method. A swordsmanship technique capable of manually amplifying one's attack power—something that had never existed in his past life. Not once had he read about such a concept in any of the countless tomes he had studied. And now, he was learning it firsthand from his own father.
The more he thought about it, the more impressed he became.
This technique was, in some ways, akin to Shikai and Bankai. However, when stripped of the law-defying abilities that certain Shikai and Bankai possessed, Draconic Flame actually surpassed them in sheer practicality and adaptability.
According to his father, the grading system for swordsmanship techniques mirrored that of Knights and Magicians—each rank increasing exponentially in strength. If mastered to its full extent, Draconic Flame could allow a swordsman to exert ten times their normal power.
Tenfold amplification.
Ignis clenched his fist, his heart pounding with excitement.
...
Ignis continued to practice under Evan's watchful guidance.
For his first attempt, he carefully channeled just 2% of his mana and tried to activate Draconic Flame. The moment he did, a surge of resistance pushed back against his control—and he failed.
A faint jolt of pain flickered through his body, barely noticeable but undeniably there. Then, just as quickly, it vanished.
So, this was the backlash.
His father's warning had been accurate. The more mana he attempted to channel, the harsher the backlash would become in case of failure. If he had recklessly poured in a greater amount, the consequences would have been far worse.
With that in mind, Ignis resolved to take it step by step. Rushing the process wasn't an option. First, he would fully master the amplification effect at 2% mana, ensuring his body adapted to the technique. Once he had perfected that, he would gradually increase the amount—4%, then 6%, and so on.
His ultimate goal was to reach 100% amplification, the threshold for mastering the first stage of Draconic Flame. However, one thing remained unclear…
Turning to his father, Ignis voiced his thoughts the moment the question came to him. "Dad, is there an exact figure for how much mana I need to expend to fully activate the first stage of Draconic Flame?"
His tone was calm, but there was an undeniable curiosity burning beneath the surface.
Evan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, I do have a rough estimate from my own training days. When I was a 1-Star Knight, I had to use approximately 20% of my total mana to properly execute the first stage of Draconic Flame. In theory, that meant I could activate it about five times before exhausting myself completely. However, in real combat, mana isn't only spent on techniques—you also expend it defending, dodging, and maintaining your overall stamina."
Ignis absorbed his father's words carefully, committing them to memory. It made sense. The technique was powerful, but it demanded precise mana control and endurance.
With that knowledge in mind, he resumed his practice.
For half an hour, he focused on refining the Draconic Flame technique. Each attempt left him feeling a dull ache spreading through his muscles—a clear sign of the strain it placed on his body. The backlash wasn't severe, but it was constant, reminding him of the risks.
Finally, after numerous failures, he succeeded.
His sword cut through the air, infused with a faint but undeniable increase in force. The amplification was still minor—if measured mathematically, it was about a 10% boost—but it was proof that he was making progress.
Far from mastery, but a solid beginning.
If he continued at this pace, with focused training and calculated mana usage, he estimated that within a week or two, he could fully master the first stage of Draconic Flame.
And once he did—his strength would rise to an entirely new level.
Evan stood by, observing every swing of Ignis's sword. He could clearly see it—the subtle but undeniable amplification of each strike. Ignis had succeeded in channeling 2% of his mana into the technique.
Yet, Evan remained composed. He wasn't surprised. His son was a genius, after all. This level of progress was precisely what he had expected. There was no need for exaggerated reactions—only acknowledgment of what he already knew to be true.
Ignis exhaled, lowering his sword. "Dad, you can go now. I'm going to stay here a little longer and do some physical training."
Evan nodded. "Alright. Just remember—hard work means nothing without proper rest. Keep a balance."
With those final words, Evan turned and left, leaving Ignis alone in the training ground, ready to push himself further.
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