Ryker studied the first move of the Crimson Dominion Sword Technique, the Infernal Sovereign Slash, with meticulous focus. The words etched into the manual, "With one will, one sweep, the fire obeys," echoed in his mind as he worked to grasp the essence of the move. After several careful readings, he felt he had nearly comprehended the technique in its entirety—or at least, the fundamentals behind its execution.
But a glaring problem soon revealed itself. To fully execute the Infernal Sovereign Slash, the technique required two critical components: the ability to channel mana and a certain level of control over the fire element. At present, Ryker could do neither. His mana core had yet to awaken, leaving him unable to wield the raw, elemental power necessary to activate the move.
For a moment, frustration crept into his thoughts. Should he put off training the technique until after his mana core awakened? The logical answer was yes—it was impossible to perform a mana-based sword technique without mana. But Ryker wasn't one to back down from a challenge. His resolve pushed him to make a decision: even if he couldn't yet unleash its full power, he would train and internalize the movements. He would ingrain the technique into his very being until it became second nature, ready to erupt the moment his mana core awakened.
Time wasn't on his side. With only one week left before he would depart for the boot camp organized for promising young talents, Ryker knew every second was valuable. The boot camp wasn't just a gathering—it was a proving ground, a silent battleground where the scions of noble clans tested their mettle against one another. He had to be ready—not just as a participant, but as a representative of the Phoenix Clan.
Determined, Ryker took action immediately. The training began.
Ryker stepped into the open sparring grounds, the manual tucked safely under his arm, his crimson robe fluttering lightly in the breeze. He gripped his training sword, its weight familiar after weeks of rigorous foundational practice, and began working through the movements outlined in the manual.
The Infernal Sovereign Slash was deceptively simple at first glance—a single stroke of the blade—but mastering it required far more than physical precision. Every motion demanded fluidity, control, and balance, as though the wielder were channeling an unbroken stream of fire through their body and into the blade.
Ryker focused on his form, his stance unwavering as he traced the movements described in the manual. His sharp eyes scanned the diagrams, committing every detail to memory—the angle of the blade, the shift of weight between his feet, the tension in his muscles as he prepared to strike.
With each repetition, Ryker's understanding deepened. He imagined the power of the slash, visualizing the flames erupting from his blade as the move reached its crescendo. Though he couldn't yet summon mana, he found himself mentally immersed in the imagery of fire obeying his will.
As the sun dipped lower into the horizon, Ryker's body began to ache from exertion. Sweat dripped from his brow, his breaths came heavy, yet his resolve never wavered. He moved with rhythmic precision, his blade carving the air with deliberate strokes.
By the time night fell, Ryker had performed the movements countless times, his muscles aching but his mind sharp. He paused, his training sword held loosely in his grip and closed his eyes. In his mind's eye, he could see the Infernal Sovereign Slash in its entirety—a blaze of destructive power unleashed with a single sweep of the blade. Though he hadn't yet awakened his mana core, he felt closer to the technique than ever before.
Opening his eyes, Ryker stood tall. He still had a long way to go, but he knew that every moment spent training brought him closer to mastering the technique. He wasn't just preparing for the boot camp—he was preparing to make history.
The days flew by as Ryker poured every ounce of his energy and focus into the training. The sparring grounds became his sanctuary, the rhythmic sound of his blade slicing through the air a constant echo that filled the space. Each swing brought him closer to perfection, each motion imbued with the essence of the Infernal Sovereign Slash.
Despite the absence of mana, Ryker's movements became increasingly refined. His muscle memory adapted, his body learning to flow seamlessly with the technique as if he were born for it. Every step, pivot, and strike became second nature. His training sword, though simple, felt like an extension of his arm—an instrument of power waiting to erupt.
Unbeknownst to Ryker, Aiden often watched him from the shadows, standing silently by the edges of the sparring grounds. His sharp eyes took in every detail of his son's progress.
At first, Aiden had wondered if his decision to give Ryker the Crimson Dominion Sword Technique so early was too ambitious, considering the boy hadn't even awakened his mana core. Yet, as he observed Ryker day after day, those doubts melted away.
"He's a natural," Aiden thought to himself, his lips curling into a faint smile. The boy's movements weren't just precise—they carried an innate brilliance, an almost otherworldly fluidity that defied reason. Even without mana, Ryker's execution of the Infernal Sovereign Slash exuded authority and control.
"He'll surpass me one day," Aiden admitted quietly, a rare concession from someone of his caliber. Though the thought would have bruised the ego of most warriors, it only filled him with pride. Ryker wasn't just his son; he was a prodigy unlike any the world had seen.
On the eve of his departure for the boot camp, Ryker stepped onto the training field one last time. His body felt different now—stronger, sharper, more attuned to the art of the blade. The training sword felt light in his grip, almost too light, as if it could no longer match the skill he had cultivated over the past week.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he steadied himself. This session wasn't about repetition. It was a culmination—a chance to demonstrate everything he had learned. With slow, deliberate movements, Ryker assumed the stance outlined in the manual. His feet dug into the ground, his posture firm yet flexible. The air around him seemed to grow still, as though the world itself held its breath.
Then, he moved.
The training sword arced through the air in a single, seamless motion. Though there was no fire, no mana to fuel the strike, the sheer force of the movement created a faint ripple in the air. It was elegant yet devastating, a stroke that spoke of sovereignty and destruction in equal measure.
And then, for just a heartbeat, a single flame flickered at the blade's edge before vanishing into the night.
Ryker didn't notice it.
But Aiden did.
Ryker's heart raced as he completed the movement, his breathing steady despite the intensity of the strike. He could feel the potential of the Infernal Sovereign Slash coursing through him, waiting to be unleashed when the time was right.
As he lowered his blade, a slow clap broke the silence. Turning, he saw Aiden standing at the edge of the field, his crimson robe fluttering lightly in the breeze.
"Well done, Ryker," Aiden said, his voice steady but laced with pride. "You've exceeded my expectations."
Ryker bowed his head slightly, his expression calm but his eyes burning with determination. "Thank you, Father. I'll make sure to represent our clan with honor at the boot camp."
Aiden stepped forward, resting a hand on Ryker's shoulder. "You've already made me proud, Ryker. But remember—this is only the beginning. The challenges ahead will be unlike anything you've faced before. Stay focused, trust your training, and above all, never doubt yourself."
Ryker nodded firmly, his grip tightening on the hilt of his training sword. "I won't let you down."
With the sun setting over the Phoenix Clan's sparring grounds, Ryker stood ready for the next chapter of his journey. The boot camp awaited, and with it, a new stage upon which to prove himself. Armed with his unyielding resolve, the years of gut-wrenching training he had gone through and the legacy of the Crimson Dominion Sword Technique, Ryker was prepared to take his first step into the unknown.