-NEXT DAY-
Kaito got up from his sleep as he came downstairs to have breakfast after he freshened up a bit . Today was like the good old days when Kaito hadn't yet awakened his power . After Kaito's awakening , he didn't get any attention from the people of the family , even the maids and servants ignored his command . They used to call him 'Young Master' but that's it .
Today he felt at home once again . The maids and servants served him breakfast as he started to eat quietly . His mind was filled with thoughts that he didn't see Akari coming down to have breakfast . She caught her attention when she placed a hand on his shoulder .
Kaito looked towards her with a smile which was a bright smile Akari didn't see on Kaito since the last 2 years . She sat beside him as her breakfast was also served .
"So , whats you plan now ?"
"Nothing too important . Just training my skills till I master them"
"So , where will you go right now ?"
"First , to the family's training hall and then to clear some gates"
"Can you come with me for a second ?"
"Where ?"
"Somewhere . I have something important to discuss"
"Alright but first , eat breakfast"
They completed their breakfast as they headed out to the city . This city was not only enormous but also influential .
This is the most enormous city which was built during the time of the first awakened . Outside the city walls lies the grasslands and forests which belongs to the monsters and beasts . After , the dimensional rifts appeared , humans have retreated from the beasts until the awakeners appeared . The time gap wasn't big but it was enough for the beasts to make humans cornered . The Tokyo Base City has the four major families as its guardian on the four sides of the city . The 'Sakura Family' in the north , the 'Ayakouji Family' in the south , the 'Ichinose Family' in the west and the 'Karuisawa Family' in the east .
Apart from these four families , there are many other families who govern the 5 major base cities . Half of these base cities are under the control of these 4 major families but the other half is under the control of another 4 magic families . These 4 families are known to produce high rank mages for the past century . The head of these 4 families is the 'Shimizu Family' .
This family has resources and influence to rival the 'Sakura Family' . They are the biggest rivals and allies of Sakura Family . Kaito's mother 'Shizuka Sakura' was the eldest daughter of the 'Shimizu Family' . This is the reason why Akari and Kaito received talent in both Magic and Sword .
The head of the 'Shimizu Family' is Kaito and Akari's maternal grandfather 'Shizui Shimizu' . An awakened to fight on equal footing with 'Kiyoshi Sakura' . They are also best friends from their academy days .
The 72 Demon Kings who govern the entire kingdom of beasts are spread across the continent . The 62 demons kings are SS-Rank and SSS-Rank beasts while the top 10 demon kings are all X-Rank beasts . An SS-Rank beast can be defeated by an SSS-Rank Awakener but to kill X-Rank beasts , the awakeners must be of Z-Rank . But unfortunately , humanity doesn't have any Z-Rank Awakener in them . As a result , the demons are growing stronger by the day .
Each demon has a power source or core which gives them power . This cores are impossible to destroy and when one demon king dies , the cores use their imprint to select another person . The difference is if the imprint of the core escapes , the demon king ressurects after a year and if the core is destroyed it takes them 10 years to form another core .
There are in total 35 base cities from which 5 are of them serves as the defense line of humanity . These five are :
Kaito came out of the house following Akari . She took him towards the family garden . Akari sat on the grass and made Kaito sit too . Kaito wasn't saying anything as he was waiting for Akari to say
"Kai , I need your help"
"Which type of help ?"
"You see , I already reached the threshold of S-Rank"
"So , you want to rank up ?"
"Yes"
"And you need my help ?"
"Yes"
"Sister , tell me what are the benefits are for being an SS-Rank ?"
"That's simple . SS-Rank Awakeners not only have higher stat and more mana but they have perfect mana control which is difficult for even S-Ranks . Being an SS-Rank can allow you to have your sword aura which is the proof of being a swordmaster. "
"Good , then I will help you"
"Really ?"
"Yup , give me one day . I will give you the things you need tomorrow"
"Okay , I will trust you"
Kaito got up as he headed towards the training hall . Akari didn't get up as she sat there looking towards the sky . Kaito reached the training hall . He entered inside as the door closed behind him . He wore the training outfit .
"Status"
[Ding]
[Name : Kaito Sakura]
[Race : Human]
[Physique : Formless Sword Body (Stage : 2)]
[Level : 122]
[HP : 85000/85000]
[MP : 180000/180000]
[STR : 349]
[AGI : 352]
[DEF : 348]
[INT : 350]
[Current Rank : S-Rank]
[Magic Level : 6-Stars]
[Sword Level : Sword Expert (Advanced)]
Kaito stretched his body . He was doing his warm-up as he called out .
"Set the program"
"PROGRAM INITIATED"
"Generate 5 Awakeners at SS-Rank"
"ORDER CONFIRMED . GENERATING TARGETS"
5 targets appeared before Kaito . His eyes were closed as he slowly took out the sword from his sheath . Kaito was wanting to locate the enemies with only the little sounds they make . Kaito slowed his breathing as others sounds don't distract him . Suddenly , a target came rushing towards Kaito as it swinged the sword held in his hand . Kaito dodged as he moved towards the side as he swinged his sword at the target . The targets reaction speed was faster than Kaito as so he dodged Kaito's sword effortlessly . Kaito wasn't only trying to read the movements but he also was training to hold his sword more gently and firmly as he passes on the mana in the sword .
'The Key to Become A SwordMaster' is to reduce the extra strength applied while swinging the sword to increase its movement speed and also to increase the flexibility of the sword . Being a swordmaster isn't easy , only a handful of people around the country are swordmasters . To become a swordmaster , each strike should not only contain physical strength but also the emotions inside the sword weilder . When all the conditions are met , the mana supplied inside the sword will take a move visible and solid form which increases the overall strength of the person weilding the sword .
Kaito was now trying to imitate that concept in his sword weilding . He chose more powerful opponents because a true talent of a person shines in the most dire situations . Kaito also felt like he was about to reach the threshold of Sword Expert . He was able to clearly sense the movements of the targets as well as analyse the next course of action just by using his senses other than his eyes . During his training came such a time when he could literally see with his eyes closed . His mind was able to analyse every detail of his surroundings .
[Ding]
[Congratulations , you have successfully opened a part of 'Mind Gate']
'Mind Gate ? What's that ?'
"System , what is Mind Gate ?"
[Ding]
['Mind Gate' is a perspective of humans which is rather known as '6th Sense']
[Opening the 'Mind Gate' allows you to sense things other people can't]
[It is extremely helpful for swordsman because it let's them know of their surrounding when their eyes can't see]
'I see . Its extremely helpful for swordsman'
'I have to master it quickly'
Kaito released the targets as he sat for a short break . He drank water but without wasting time , he started to perform 'mana training' .
This is the technique used by awakeners to strengthen their mana channels and their heart . This technique helps to improve the movement of mana in the body and helps to increase efficiency of mana usage . The best way to increase the attributes of an awakened is to use the mana to strengthen the whole body , to improve the work functions of the whole body and not just one part of it .
Kaito concentrated on filling his heart with mana and to supply that mana to the whole body to increase it . The formless sword body also helps in this exact same thing . It strengthens the nervous system and the mana channels for better use of it . The formless sword body also helps to increase the control of the sword . The sword aura which is released from the people having formless sword body is of a very special nature . The aura of any normal person is of one attribute but those with these physique uses two attributes simultaneously in their sword . The ice-attributes and fire-attributes which are used together can be fused together after continuous training and uses to form a cold fire . This fire is difficult to obtain and also difficult to handle once obtained but the one who is successful in both these aspects can use the cold fire which is of a completely different nature .
Kaito opened his eyes after completing the training . He remembered about the skill book as he got up from his seat . He changed his clothes and went to his room . He sat on the chair and entered the 'Skill Library'
[Ding]
[Entering 'Skill Library']
Kaito started to look out a suitable technique for his sister . He wanted to provide her the best manual for her level but he wasn't able to find it .
"Hey , system . Find a skill book which can be used by S-Rank Awakeners"
[Ding]
[Order Confirmed]
Kaito received the book as he saw the details .
[Ding]
[Skill : Mana Vortex (SS)]
[Increase Mana Absorption Rate by 20 %]
[Increase Mana Recovery Rate by 25 %]
Kaito started to copy the book . He wrote the book for more than 16 hours before he completed . He saw that it was already evening , so he decided not to train anymore today . He got up and freshed up as he headed to eat dinner .
He saw his sister at the dinning table . There were his grandfather as well . Kaito went ahead and sat on the chair beside Akari . The food was served as they completed their dinner without much of a word . They greeted their grandfather goodnight as they headed towards their room . Kaito found Akari alone so he took out the book .
"Sister "
"What is it , Kai ?"
"Take this"
"What is this ?"
"A skill book . It will help you to reach SS-Rank as quickly as possible"
"Really ?"
"Yeah"
"Thank you very much , Kai"
"No problem . Now go on"
"Yes , I will start practicing right away"
"No , don't"
"Why not ?"
"You need to warm up first before using this technique . Take a rest today and start tomorrow"
"Alright , if you say so"
"Hmm , Goodnight"
"GoodNight"
They both headed towards their room . Kaito laid on his bed as he started to organize his schedule for the next 2 days before the ceremony .