Kaito didn't regain conciousness for the next two days . He opened his eyes on the third day as he saw his sister near his bed . Akari was very happy and relieved to see him safe . She hugged him as she cried but Kaito calmed her . After some time , she calmed down .
Akari didn't take a good look at Kaito's eyes but when she focused her attention she was surprised . The look on her face clearly indicated that his eyes had changed . Kaito slowly got up . He still wasn't able to get much energy in his body but he used as much as he can and walked towards the mirror on one side . He stood in front of him as he too was surprised .
Kaito's eyes were still crystal blue but the eye was different from a human's eye . His eyes didn't have a pupil instead he had a red slit in between . His eyes gave off a bluish glow as the veins right next to his eyes were also glowing blue . Akari's face was unchanged but when she first locked her eye with Kaito's , she felt an incredible amount of pressure . It was as if someone was making her kneel down .
Kaito suddenly held his forehead . Akari understood that this eye was putting his brain under a strain . Kaito on the other hand , was analysing the things . He noticed some clear differences in his vision . He looked towards his sister . He was able to see the mana in her body . Not only in her body but also the surroundings . He can also see the density of mana .
Kaito was also able to see the weaknesses in her sister's body . He felt like his vision has improved a lot too . He looked out of the window as he could see even kilometers far objects and people clearly . Kaito grew a lot excited . Its true that this eye puts a strain on his brain but the effects are fascinating .
"This eye holds a much bigger mystery than what grandfather told us , sister"
"What do you mean ?"
"The crystal ball isn't fully absorbed but once it does , my vision will increase more"
"How much did it absorb ?"
"Can't tell . Around 60%"
"Hmm.…So , you want to go meet grandfather"
"No , not right now . Let me see the changes in my body first"
"Alright . Then , I will take my leave"
"Understood"
Akari left the room . Kaito came and sat on his bed . He sat in a meditative state as he started gathering mana . He sensed that his mana conductivity has increased . He remembered the system notification from back then .
'I got a title back then 'Master of Mana' '
"Status"
[Name : Kaito Sakura]
[Race : Human (Evolved)]
[Title : Master Of Mana]
[Physique : Formless Sword Body]
[Level : 179]
[HP : 89000/89000]
[MP : 220,000/220,000]
[STR : 389]
[AGI : 388]
[DEF : 386]
[INT : 387]
[Current Rank : S-Rank (Peak)]
[Magic Level : 6-Stars]
[Sword Level : Sword Expert (Advanced)]
[Title : Master Of Mana]
[Acquistion Difficulty : SS]
[Title Description : ]
[As you have received Blessing of 'Goddess Of Magic']
[Your Mana Recovery Rate has increased by 30 %]
[Your Mana Resistance Rate has increased by 30%]
[Your Mana Sensitivity Rate has increased by 30%]
[Your control over mana has increased]
'This seems like a good enough title'
' 'Control Over Mana' ? Does it mean that I can control the mana of the surroundings too ?'
'I have to test out these effects'
Kaito started absorbing mana . His mana absorbing rate has definitely increased as well . The mana in the air was absorbed by him at a very fast rate . It seemed as though Kaito had a black hole in his body which is absorbing it .
[Your mana has increased]
[Your mana has increased]
[Your mana has increased]
Kaito finally let out his breath . He absorbed more than enough mana . He headed towards the Patriarch's room . He knocked on the door as he received permission to enter . Kiyoshi was sitting on his table working but as soon as he saw Kaito , his face lit up a bit . He left the table and came towards him . He checked his body throughly as to find every little detail . After some time , he came to his normal attitude as he said .
"You seem quite well"
"Yes"
"Is your eye okay ?"
"It is giving me a slight headache but it's bearable"
"Is that so ?"
Kiyoshi called the butler and asked him to bring the item . After a few minutes , he entered with a small chest on his hand . Kiyoshi placed it on the table and opened it . He forwarded the chest towards Kaito . Kaito looked inside and saw two things . One is a potion and other is a cloth .
"This cloth is made of 'Seishin Silk' . Wear it to reduce the strain on your brain"
"Thank you patriarch"
Kaito took out the cloth and looked at it . It was a black soft cloth with a cool design on it in golden . Kaito wore it . He opened his eyes after wearing it as he was able to see clearly . He felt like his headache subdued quite a bit and he was able to see normally enough .
"How do you feel ?"
"My headache is a little less and its comfortable"
"Hmm….That's what this cloth does after all"
"I see"
"Listen , Kaito . Don't open the cloth unless necessary"
"I understand"
"You will have to go through a training"
"…"
"Your training will begin in 7 days . Familiarize yourself with the artifact"
"Alright , Patriarch"
"Good….You may take your leave"
Kaito left the room . He headed downstairs . He didn't have any difficulty at all . It was like he was seeing normally without something on his eyes . Akari saw Kaito coming downstairs . She rushed towards him when she saw that Kaito's eyes were covered . She came and grabbed Kaito's hand .
"Kai , why are you coming down with your eyes closed ?"
"Huh ?! What do you mean by eyes closed ?"
"I mean the blindfold on your eyes "
"Oh , that . Don't worry . I can see clearly even with it on "
"But , how is that possible ?"
"You remember my eyes , right ?"
"Yes"
"So , those eyes without this blindfold increases the pressure on my brain . This blindfold is special which allows me to reduce it . But even with it on , I can see like a normal person without the characteristics of my eyes"
"Oh , now I get it"
They both came down . Akari stopped . She held Kaito's hand as she pulled him . Kaito looked towards her . She had a face of guilt .
"Sister , what happened ?"
"I-I should have told something earlier to you"
"And what is that ?"
"I.…I failed"
"Failed ?"
"Y...Yes , I failed to become a swordmaster"
"Oh , so that's it ?"
"Y-Yes"
"Come on , sister . Why did your reaction change a moment ago ?"
"I thought you would get angry . You helped me to rank up but I didn't meet your expections"
"Sister , you really are a child"
"H-Huh ?!"
"Did you really think that failing in something once would make me angry ? That also towards my sister ?"
"You are not angry ?"
"No , I am happy in a sense . Let's become swordmaster together"
"Y-Yes"
Kaito smiled which let Akari's mood to brighten up a little .
-AT THE SAME TIME-
-MANY KILOMETERS AWAY-
-LOCATION : DEMON GOD'S CASTLE-
A person entered the castle . He walked down a huge hall as he came near the throne . He bowed on one knee as he downed his head .
"I greet his Majesty"
"Raise your head"
The man sitting on the throne spoke in a chilling voice . The man slowly looked up . He couldn't see any figure nor he could sense any other presence but he felt like he was being stared upon by the abyss .
"Now , speak"
"Yes . The troop we sent to the Tokyo Base was completely wiped out"
"Did 'puppeter' return ?"
"Yes , 70th Demon King Puppeter has returned"
"Who were responsible for the annihilation ?"
"Two humans named Kaito Sakura and Akari Sakura"
"Sakura Family ?"
"Yes , your Majesty"
"They had created many strong humans . Their existence is the main reason of our failure to capture humanity"
"I understand . What is your order , Your Majesty ?"
"Hmm.…Where is 69th ?"
"69th Demon King is awaiting your orders"
"Tell him to infiltrate the Tokyo Base and gather information about 'Kaito Sakura' "
"I understand"
"Now , get going "
The man in cloak got up as he left . The person sitting on the throne kept his face on his left hand as his eyes glowed red .
"Kaito Sakura , let's see how long you last" said Shinjun [Demon God (Z-Rank)]
-KAITO'S SIDE-
Kaito just reached his room . He had a long day after his discussion with Akari . He just wants to rest a little but there was one final thing he needs to do after coming to his room . Kaito removed his warm clothes as he sat cross legged on his bed .
[Entering 'Skill Library']
Kaito opened his eyes in the library . He had a specific reason to come here . He sat down on a chair .
"Bring me the book about 'Methods to Become SwordMaster' "
A book suddenly came and landed on his hand . Kaito smiled . He had predicted that since the library has so many skill books , its possible that some information related books should be available .
"Let's see here"
He opened the book . The first page was the contents . His attention caught at a chapter . It was about the ranks humans can attain in swordmanship . He opened the page . The information truly caught his attention .
"The awakeners who use sword can master it upto levels depending on ranks"
"The start is a sword user . The user can use his mana to strengthen the sword"
"After that comes Sword Expert . The user's mana takes a liquid form which is more suitable to perform attacks and strengthen the body and weapon"
"Then , comes the level of Swordmaster . The user leaves the realm of humans and enter the realm of superhumans . Hightened senses , effortless movement and agile body are some benefits the user receives"
"After it comes the level of Grandmaster . The highest level till date attained by human sword awakeners . The pinnacle of swordmanship"
"This is the same as I read in the books . Grandmaster is the highest level of sword user but here I can see another rank after Grandmaster"
The true pinnacle of swordmanship . Any human has yet to reach this rank . The sword has enough power to slay gods . The user at this level can use their spirit to form a sword which remains a part of their body .
"Interesting , I am currently Sword Expert . That means , I have just stepped into the realm of actual sword awakeners"
"But the mana required to reach the other realm isn't a joke"
"The mana required is no joke"
"10,000,000 in mana would make you a Z-Rank awakener"
"But currently , humanity doesn't have one"
"I can see it . The path in front of me is large . Too large . But , I have to keep growing stronger . I can't stop"
"Until , I kill the 'Demon God Shinjun' "
Kaito's focus and composure lost for a second . He regained his senses as he searched the book about the methods mentioned to become a swordmaster . He opened the page . He saw there were many steps to becoming a swordmaster but these steps were most important .
First , Master the basics of swordmanship .
Second , Sense the 'will' of the sword .
Third , Awaken your sword intent (or sword aura) .
Fourth , Try to become one with the sword . The sword becomes an extension of the body .
Fifth , Total control over the mana in your body and sword .
Sixth , Comprehension of Elemental Sword .
Seventh , Abandon all the negative emotions (fear , hesitation , doubt) in the sword path .
These are all the points to successfully become a sword master . Not fulfilling any one of these achievements may lead to failure in breakthrough . Kaito closed the book as he gained a understanding . He came out of the library and opened his eyes . It was too late at night . Kaito was already tired so he laid down . He recalled all the process mentioned in the book .
'There is only a month left for school to begin'
'No matter what happens , I will ascend to SS-Rank and become a swordmaster within this month'