The book titled 'Dragon Demons of Lumya' was perhaps the largest and heaviest in Ryutaro's private library. Yoichi had to grab it with both hands to lift it up and lay it at the foot of the mat.

Inscriptions in an ancient alphabet ran along the edges of the rectangular cover, both front and back. Unexpectedly, the young tamer felt a strange emotion when he opened the ancient tome, perhaps because he knew that it was a gift from Emperor Tatsui to his master.

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The first chapters were focused on the historical part revolving around the most powerful demons in the world. With the help of a few pictures scattered here and there between paragraphs, the tale seemed like a slightly less complete version of the story from Therion himself.

That book didn't look to have an author, or rather, perhaps his name was written in an alphabet that Yoichi couldn't understand. Page after page, the information about dragon demons became more and more specific and detailed.

In the meatiest part of the book, each dragon had a few dedicated chapters, as datasheets indicating its physical characteristics and those of its powers.

The average height, the color, the weight, the source of energy and the type. The basic information that would help the young tamer set up a tactic was contained within those pages.

After the hustle and bustle of those days, meditating and reading books did not prove very easy for Yoichi. His young body was quivering with the desire to train, and his hormones were also exploding.

Even as he concentrated on reading, he couldn't help but think of Shioko, Yoshiko, and even Princess Sui. Was it his 18-year-old hormones, or were they all beautiful girls?

Yoichi shook his head, remembering that he would allow himself some time to think about frivolities after increasing his powers. After reading more than a hundred pages of that ancient book in a single evening, his eyes squinted until he head fell on the mat from sleep.

Fortunately, the cover of the book cushioned his fall, but it was not enough to wake him up. In a very uncomfortable position and with only one meal in his stomach, Yoichi fell into a deep sleep on the straw mat, next to the usual incense stick.

...

The next day, when he opened his eyes again and moved his neck, every bone in his body creaked in unison. His back, arms, and legs were sore, and due to the uncomfortable position, his hours of sleep had been less than usual.

"Ouch... that hurt," he stammered, still with one foot in dreamland. With some difficulty, he stood up and stretched the muscles in his arms. His gaze turned to the sun streaming in through the window.

The lactic acid that had accompanied his body in its sleep during the night seemed to have disappeared as if it wanted to suggest starting training again.

I made a deal with Therion and promised him that tomorrow I would cultivate my draconic powers by defeating my first dragon opponent. There is no more time to waste. I cannot be distracted in any way today, he thought, full of expectation.

Dressing and getting ready in a hurry, he gathered all his things and quickly left the room after placing Ryutaro's precious book on the appropriate shelf.

The previous evening, fatigue forced him to interrupt his intensive reading session, but all the information he had acquired about dragons was still etched in his mind.

Yoichi had no memories of his previous life, nor did he intend to; all he needed to know was that his new self had a purpose and that he would work hard to achieve it.

As he reached the stairs of the Dojo, he looked around. A particularly familiar voice caught his attention, and his eyes followed his instincts, pointing in that direction.

Takamori Sada was in the middle of the tatami with many of his warriors, talking to them in his usual ironic manner. Behind the hand of the moustachioed guild leader, always intent on touching his round belly, Shioko's red hair swirled in the wind.

A smile lit up Yoichi's face, and at the sight of the archer, he dashed onto the tatami, ready to greet her and his other comrades. "Takamori-Sensei! Takamori-Sensei!" he called aloud, moving at a brisk pace towards her guild members.

"Yoichi! You're finally awake, sleepyhead!" - Takamori looked away from his warriors for just a moment, then resumed his speech. Nobunaga stood next to Rinji, who in turn stood next to Shioko. To their right was Toshi, the mysterious thin, pale-faced warrior.

Yoshiko was missing. In all likelihood, the young healer was still busy with Enatsu's healing treatment.

Shioko inevitably aimed her gaze at Yoichi, and a radiant smile appeared beneath her freckle-covered nose.

Unable to disrespect his master, Yoichi waited until the end of his speech to greet his teammates and join them in morning training.

"Today's training is about breathing. There is a way to withstand the blows you take and considerably reduce the damage through good breathing technique," Takamori exclaimed proudly.

Behind him, warriors belonging to who knows which guild were indirectly participating in the lesson. Now that Ryutaro was not there and no other gatekeeper had taken his place, the tatami of the arena had become like a vast gym ready to host anyone who had the pleasure of spending their time there.

"Rinji," Takamori continued. "Please come closer," he added, ordering the Nightblades' gentle giant to step forward.

As Rinji positioned himself next to his master, he began to speak again. "As you all know, Rinji is the most experienced in the defensive field. Due to his build and experience from dozens of battles at the front, he has developed the skill that I would like you all to learn today," the guild leader stated.

As he and Rinji prepared for the practical demonstration, a group of warriors in red armor came through the arena's gates. Overbearingly, they pushed their way through the other frequenters of that sacred place, laughing and strutting.

Amidst their glittering armor and the metallic sound of their weapons, Yoichi could detect some recognizable blue hair.