-FEW DAYS LATER-
Kaito came early to the training ground to train . He wasn't wearing his armband as he was training his eyes as well . Kaito looked towards the targets placed in front of him in a disoriented manner . Kaito closed his eyes as he tried to sense the targets through his mana .
Trying to sense the targets with mana was a difficult task because they don't emit magic power but they can be sensed if the users magic comes in contact with them . Kaito clicked his sword open as he didn't take out the sword but he disappeared . He moved in a straight line as he reached the other side and clicked his sword back . Kaito looked towards the targets as some of them were cut in half and fell down .
'Tch . This isn't good enough'
'I need to cut all of them with my sword'
'I guess reaching swordmaster won't be as easy as I thought'
Kaito has improved his aura core a little more but he wasn't able to complete it . He was always short on mana . He really needs to ascend to SS-Rank before trying to become a swordmaster .
-Akari's Side-
She didn't came out of her room in these last few days . She was training in her room continously with her mana . She was already an SS-Rank and thus reaching swordmaster was only a matter of time for her . She had almost completed her aura core .
The process of making an aura core is very tiring . The swordsmans use all of their mana in their heart to form an aura core and thus eliminating the mana in their hearts . The dantain becomes their new source of power .
The magicians on the other hand forms mana circles in their heart and use it as their power source but for magic swordsman they have to separate the mana in their heart and dantain . They have to carefully disintegrate the mana and distribute it .
Akari's aura core was almost completed . She trained with her mana everyday so she was much faster than Kaito .
-Kaito's Side-
He wanted to raid some dungeons today to help his ascend faster and thus he headed to the city . He soon reached the B-Rank Gate as he entered after showing his emblem . The gate was called 'Valley Of Undead' . Kaito understood that the monsters spawning here would be undead demons .
Kaito entered the gate .
He reached a place which was no less than a graveyard . Kaito saw many grave stones lying on the ground . Behind the graveyard was a full moon shining brightly in the sky . Kaito took cover behind some rocks . He read a book in the academy that during full moon nights the undead demons undergo significant changes . Their stats increase much higher and each of them becomes a peak B-Rank demon . Although undead demons are known for being fragile but the awakener had to target their cores to destroy them . Kaito waited for 2 minutes but there was no sign of any demons .
Kaito looked out as he saw no one . He came out of his hiding . His target this time was to ascend to SS-Rank . Although he cannot develop his mana here as the magic power inside the gates are espaically the undead gates are corroded . Awakeners have died previously trying to absorb the mana inside the gates . Kaito walked towards the graves . As he reached there no demons could be seen but he suddenly got a sound . The sound of cracking bones . He knew what was gonna happen and so he put up his guard . Kaito saw at some distance that a hord of undead demons rushing towards him . There were countless demons with all having blood shot eyes which means they all have entered a berserk mode .
Kaito took out his sword as he held it confidently with one hand . Although Kaito received the Sword Of Divinity during his ceremony but it was a ceremonial treasure and a precious one at that . Kaito just used the regular sword he made from the money which he got from the City Z exploration points . It was an A-Rank weapon which was nice .
Kaito rushed towards the demons . He coated his sword in liquid mana as he slashed through the hord . They were all attacking him as Kaito forwarded as he killed the undead in between his way . Kaito didn't get any notification which proved that he needed much more exp now to level up . Kaito continued killing as the system window popped a few times but he ignored it . He can't use too much mana or he would be in difficult position .
6-Star (Fire Magic) : Inferno
Kaito sent out his attack which killed many . Kaito decided to kill as many as he can with his sword and preserve his magic power to attack at quite a bit of time . Kaito continued to kill , he was slowly getting tired as he was going out of stamina . Although when he levels up his stats and mana along with stamina increase but the duration between two level ups have gone significantly higher . Kaito clearled at least 300 undead but there seemed to be no end to them .
4-Star (Water Magic) : Water Cannon
His attack washed away most of the undead before they were dead . After about an hour of battling did the hord finally got eliminated . Kaito dropped on the ground as he threw the sword . It was feeling heavy as his stamina reached rock bottom . Kaito decided to rest for a while before heading towards the boss room . He predicted that because so many undead came here the gate was basically clear except the boss . The boss was a B-Rank beast 'Lich' but he was confident in defeating it .
"Status"
[Name : Kaito Sakura]
[Race : Human (Evolved)]
[Title : Master Of Mana]
[Physique : Formless Sword Body]
[Level : 192]
[HP : 98,000/105,000]
[MP : 185,258/320,000]
[STR : 415 ]
[AGI : 417]
[DEF : 408]
[INT : 418]
[Current Rank : SS-Rank (Initial)]
[Magic Level : 6-Stars]
[Sword Level : Sword Expert (Advanced)]
'I finally reached SS-Rank'
'My mana capacity has increased but I guess due to my fight I only have this much mana left'
'I can't believe a hord of undead can make me use up over 100,000 points of mana'
'Well I guess it's still better than nothing'
'Let's head towards the boss room for now'
Kaito started walking . He eventually reached in front of a hill . It wasn't too high but it would use up stamina which will make difficult to fight later on . Kaito started going up the hill . He reached the top as he saw a cliff . He didn't find any demon there as he was confused but suddenly he heard the sound of a horse walking towards him . He looked to his side as he froze . He knew the boss to a B-Rank demon Lich but the demon standing before hiwalking towards him . He looked to his side as he froze . He knew the boss to a B-Rank demon Lich but the demon who was coming towards him wasn't what he expected .
The demon which came towards him was riding on a bone horse covered in blue flames . The rider had a black armour and a sword in his right hand . His head was on his left hand as blue flames could be seen on his neck and the eyes of the head . It was the S-Rank Undead Demon
Kaito understood that he was in a grave danger . He could fight against an A-Rank Demon on his own but against an S-Rank his chances of winning were very slim . The Dullahan raised his sword towards Kaito as he asked
"Are you a knight ?"
"….."
"I asked you a question"
"Yeah , I am a Knight"
"Then , let's have a knight's duel"
"But , you are on a horse . It would be unfair"
"Right . I apologize"
Dullahan got down of his horse . He walked towards Kaito . Kaito's fear died down a little as he wasn't feeling too scared now . Dullahan came towards Kaito as he stood exactly 10 meters away .
"Let's have a duel , Kid"
"….."
"Do you accept it on your honor as a knight ?"
-Phew- " Yes , I accept"
"Good . Don't disappoint me"
Kaito removed the blindfold from his eyes . He was feeling that he can't beat him without the power of his eyes . Kaito could see the dark purple and corrupted mana flowing through his body . Dullahan disappeared but Kaito saw where would be his next position with the disturbance in density of mana . Kaito blocked the sword strike on his back with his sword . He slashed the sword as Dullahan moved back . Kaito moved towards him with sword ready to strike . He did but Dullahan vanished . Kaito striked the sword before Dullahan could land as the sword scratched on his armour . The sparks from the clash lit up the place for a short time as Kaito moved towards him with his sword constantly attacking .
Dullahan was confused as it couldn't seem to read Kaito's movements . Kaito's weapon mastery skill came in handy as his sword understanding already reached a higher level than Dullahan but he was also not backing down . Dullahan managed to injure Kaito some times , although it wasn't serious but the places he struck can reduce Kaito's movement speed . Kaito was trying to block the strikes from he but was unable . He jumped back as he went towards his horse . Dullahan rode his horse as he attacked again . Kaito was ready as he jumped in the air as the horse passed from the place he was standing . He rotated his body in mid-air as the sword slashed Dullahan . He failed to block Kaito's sword strike as the armour had a huge crack on it .
Kaito searched through his entire body trying to find the location . Dullahan became furious as he started to strike . Although Dullahan is now an undead creature but he was a well-known swordmaster when he was alive . Kaito searched near the lower abdomen as he knew of the location of the aura core of swordmasters . His prediction was spot on as the mana on his lower abdomen was like a vortex . Kaito slashed on the horse as it fell down as Dullahan also fell on the ground . Kaito raised his sword as he striked the aura core but Dullahan blocked the strike with his sword .
Kaito moved back as he raised his hand . A blue mana covered his hand as Dullahan was stopped in place . He wasn't able to move from Kaito's grip as his hands were tied . The sword also fell down on the ground . Kaito used his other hand to raise the sword from his own hand and stabbed Dullahan's aura core . The core shattered as the mana released from him . Dullahan's flames subdued as it fell on the ground .
Kaito stabbed the sword on the ground as he dropped down . Kaito was exhausted but he was atleast able to clear the gate . Kaito rested for few seconds as he started walking . After 10 minutes , he came out of the gate as the guard on the gate saw him . He came towards Kaito as he bowed .
"Young Master , are you hurt ?"
"I am but it isn't serious"
"Alright . Please go home safe"
"Thank you"
Kaito reached home as he entered the mansion . He was greeted by many as he replied them and entered his room upstairs . The servants and maids looked at each other as they noticed Kaito's injuries . One of them said
"Should we tell , Young Miss ?"
"I think we should tell her"
"But , where is she ?"
"I think she is in her room"
One of the maids accompanied by another one went towards Akari's room . They knocked on the door as she opened the door . She looked at the maids as she saw a hint of worry in them .
"What's the matter , Angela ?"
"Young Master has returned"
"Did he ? Good"
"But …"
"Yes ? Tell me ?"
"Young Miss , he is injured . I think you should check on him" said the other one
"What ? He is injured ? How ?"
" I heard he went to a dungeon but …."
"Alright , don't speak . I will check on him immediately"
Akari rushed towards Kaito's room . Kaito on the other hand was wrapping up his wounds . They weren't serious but it caused a lot of pain . He got hurt after a long time . He was used to getting hurt at first and back then he used to patch himself up with his amature hands by himself . Suddenly , the door opened as Kaito saw Akari who was breathing heavily . He understood she came running . Akari saw Kaito as he was wrapping up his wounds on his chest , hands and arms . She knew at first glance that he wasn't proficient in it .
"Kai ? How did you get hurt ?"
"Oh , well…."
"Tell me"
"I was clearing a gate all by myself "
"What ? Which rank ? "
"Um , B-Rank"
"Are you insane ?"
"Calm down . I won't get hurt in a B-Rank gate if not for the unexpected encounter"
"Who did this ?"
"The boss monster was a
"What ?"
"Yes"
"You mean that S-Rank Undead Demon ?"
"Correct"
"How did you defeat it ?"
"I got lucky but ended up with a few injuries"
"Let me see"
Akari came towards him as she started to apply medicine on his wounds before patching up . Kaito just looked at her as she was treating him . Akari took a whole 20 minutes before completing his treatment and closed the box . Kaito got up from the place he was sitting as he lied on the bed .
"Don't go again to clear another gate without my consent"
"Okay"
"And , if you still need to go then I will come along"
"Understood"
"Now , did you form your aura core ?"
"No"
"How much time do you need ?"
"About 2 more days"
"I get it"
"Now , you tell me . Did you form the aura core ?"
"Almost there"
"What colour is your aura ?"
"I don't know yet but it's cold . I guess it will be white"
"Hmm...that would make more sense"
"What is your ?"
"I don't k…."
Kaito looked towards the roof . He looked up as he seemed to notice something .
"What happened ?" asked Akari
"Shh"
Kaito told her to keep quite as he opened his blindfold . She knew it was something important otherwise he wouldn't have opened his blindfold . Kaito saw an unknown mana signature lingering on his rooftop . His room was at the top floor as there was nothing above his room . Kaito smiled . He said
"Sis , go up and check the roof"
"I can send Michelle"
"Then , do it but follow him quietly"
"Okay"
Akari left . It was after some time that he heard rushing and moving footsteps from above . Kaito left his bed as he also rushed towards the roof . He reached there as he saw Michelle unconcious and Akari fighting against another person .
['Clairvoyance' activated]
[Name : Roku]
[Race : Human]
[HP : 102,000/102,000]
[MP : 259,523/310,000]
[STR : 401]
[AGI : 402]
[DEF : 401]
[INT : 400]
[Current Rank : SS-Rank (Initial)]
[Magic Level : None]
[Sword Level : Sword Expert (Advanced)]
Kaito rushed towards his sister . Akari who was thrown back was caught by Kaito . She saw him as he laid her down on the ground .
"Who are you ?" asked Kaito
"I was send to remove you , Kaito Sakura"
"Who sent you ?"
"Do I look like a fool ?"
"No , more like an idiot"
"You bastard !! How dare you ?!!"
The man charged at Kaito but he didn't have any weapon as he was planning to fight barehanded . Kaito didn't move as he charged with the knife . Kaito moved to the side as he stabbed the knife . The attacks were dodged by Kaito . The man had a good fighting style which was proof that the man worked really hard in his training .
Kaito dodged his attack as he caught his hand and twisted it . The dagger left his hand as he fell on the ground . Kaito kicked him as he crashed on one side . He went towards him with slow pace as his hands got covered in mana . The man stood up or better to say was made to stand up by Kaito . He looked at him with chilling eyes .
"Who sent you ?"
"Y-Young Master Taiki"
"Taiki ?"
"Yes"
"What was his objective ?"
"T-To kill Kaito Sakura and bring Akari Sakura to him"
"He wants to get Akari huh ?! Alright"
Kaito kicked on his chest as the man's rib cage cracked and he died . Kaito let him fall on the ground as he walked away . Kaito snapped his fingers as the body of the man burnt until there was nothing left other than ashes .
"Taiki Sakura , be ready . Your brother is coming for a visit"