From the moment Ryker stepped into the training field, sword in hand, the world around him seemed to fade into insignificance. Everything else ceased to matter. His innate talent and monstrous comprehension of swordplay became glaringly evident, so much so that even Aiden—a man hailed as a legend in his own right—felt like a commoner standing before a king.
To grasp the magnitude of this, one must first understand the brilliance of Aiden Phoenix. At present, he was widely regarded as the foremost expert in the art of the sword—a master so unparalleled that even the fabled Hoshigai Clan, known for their mastery of spatial manipulation and swordsmanship, paled in comparison. The Hoshigai Clan, like the Phoenix Clan, preferred swords as their primary weapon, though they also had formidable spear, axe, and dagger wielders among their ranks. Their warriors adhered strictly to the way of the samurai, their discipline and tradition shaping their every move. But let's leave the Hoshigai for another day—for now, the focus must remain on the man, the myth, the legend: Aiden Phoenix.
Aiden's name was whispered in awe across the land, his reputation a towering monument to his prodigious skill. He was a genius of such monstrous proportions that some whispered he might one day surpass Ignis himself—a claim that, even in the face of incredulity, could not be dismissed outright. Aiden's talent knew no bounds, especially in the way of the sword. His achievements bordered on the impossible.
He was a sword genius unmatched in history, quickly mastering—yes, the keyword here is mastering, not simply learning but mastering—over 150 sword techniques in less than two years. His comprehension ability in regard to the blade was incomprehensibly deep, a level that could not be taught, only born into. Combined with his unparalleled bloodline purity and unmatched fire manipulation abilities, Aiden became a force that none dared challenge. Even the mighty Beast Clans, avoided direct confrontation with him. No one—no mater how powerful or skilled could say with any bit of confidence that they could go toe to toe with Aiden and come out on top. Yes, he was simply that monstrous
.And yet…
Such a prodigy felt his talent in the way of the sword was nothing before what he was witnessing.
Standing in the presence of Ryker's swordplay, Aiden felt inadequate for the first time in his life. He, the man who had never known an equal in the way of the sword, felt the towering presence of something greater. He felt like a common swordsman witnessing a deity's divine display.
The weight of this realization shook him to his core. The thought that someone—even his own son—could surpass his boundless genius in the sword was nothing short of mind-boggling. Ryker's movements weren't just precise; they were transcendent. Each swing of the sword carried an innate brilliance, an artistry that seemed to defy the constraints of human understanding. His talent was monstrous, unrelenting, and undeniable.
Aiden stood silently, watching Ryker as the boy immersed himself completely in the blade. It was as if the sword recognized him and he it—a seamless fusion of man and weapon. To witness such raw potential was humbling, even for someone of Aiden's stature. And yet, his awe was accompanied by an unshakable pride.
If Ryker could achieve such remarkable heights at this young age—what unimaginable heights awaited him in the future? Aiden couldn't suppress the flicker of excitement that coursed through him as he watched his son in action, envisioning the boundless potential Ryker would one day realize.
Standing still, he observed as Ryker completed the movements he had just demonstrated. He had only done so once and the boy had not only picked up the movements, but also the essence behind the movements, displaying them to a level beyond perfection. Each motion Ryker executed was fluid, precise, and carried a level of mastery that seemed to defy explanation.
As Ryker continued to repeat the movements, his agile mind sank into a state of serene calmness. His heart pounded rhythmically in his chest, each beat steady and controlled. His breathing was measured, even, as though he had entered a trance. Slowly, he achieved an extraordinary state of nothingness and oneness—a harmony that only the most talented warriors could comprehend.
Ryker allowed his thoughts to fade, his mind shutting down entirely. He didn't think, analyze, or hesitate. He closed his eyes allowing his body to move freely following only the will of his heart, his body moved instinctively, each motion becoming an expression of something deeper—an unspoken dialogue between him, his blade, and the world around him.
Within his consciousness, the giant sword that resided in his mental space began to resonate. A loud, melodic humming sound echoed within, growing louder with each passing moment. Suddenly, thousands of golden lights erupted from the sword, cascading like radiant stars across his inner world.
These golden lights shimmered and shifted, forming countless identical shadows of Ryker himself. The ethereal copies performed the movements he had been demonstrating, their precision and synchronicity mesmerizing. Each figure moved with flawless execution, a symphony of perfection playing out within his mental realm.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the golden shadows burst into rays of light, the brilliance overwhelming. The luminous beams drilled into Ryker's mental space, their energy merging with him. Some of the light streams entered the seed nestled in his consciousness, fortifying it further.
Ryker's eyes opened slowly, and he felt an indescribable transformation. His mental world had strengthened slightly, as though it had been tempered by an unseen forge. More astonishingly, he felt as if he had repeated the movements tens of thousands of times, despite only physically performing them 20 to 30 times at most. It was as if the memories and mastery of the shadows had fused with him, accelerating his understanding in ways that defied logic.
Blinking to adjust to the light, Ryker glanced up—and froze.
Aiden was staring at him, his expression unguarded and openly stunned. His eyes were wide, his mouth slightly ajar, as though he were witnessing the emergence of a legend before his very eyes.
"Father?" Ryker asked hesitantly, his voice breaking the silence.
But Aiden didn't immediately reply. To him, Ryker had transcended all expectations, demonstrating a level of genius that made even Aiden himself—renowned as the foremost swordmaster—feel humbled. For a man of Aiden's caliber to feel this way was no small feat. At that moment, Ryker wasn't merely his son. He was a phenomenon—a prodigy destined to carve his name into the annals of history.