I went near a cherry blossom tree and sat down to think of what I learned about the third branch.

‘From the first look, all the moves were definitely using mana, but the usage differs from one to another. Crescent cut sent a linear air slash, but it was invisible and only left its mark on the ground. On the other hand, Tornado Slash clearly sent a visible air slash, but the way it turned around Kamui that quickly and cut all the dummies around him, even those that were on his back, is the secret to it. Moreover, Bull Tackle was a straightforward attack, but the destruction it left can only be made with an injection of mana, the same as the techniques used by the spear users… Damn this is getting me nowhere.’ I stood up and started swinging my wooden sword to let out some frustration.

‘This is the strength that I needed. All my skills so far relied on speed, but it became clear to me against the sandworms. Speed is not enough to cut tough hides and skins. I have to train on new techniques that rely on raw power, and the third branch is perfect for it.’

After doing more than 300 swings, I gave up counting and went to the gym on the first floor to train my muscles, which was the obvious first choice if I wanted to learn strength-based moves.

That night, I met the other four swordsmen and ate dinner together with them and Kamui.

Leo and Daniel were B-rank warriors who were part of the Flowing Water Guild. It was a small guild of this country. They joined this dojo a year before Kamui and me. Due to their work at their guild, they did not have much time to train their swordsmanship here and were still at the base stage.

Meanwhile, Arthur and Mike were C-rank warriors who joined the dojo after I left. They were newcomers and still trying to learn the basics.

Awakeners ranking and swordsmanship level were different things. You could be a low ranker but still, master high-tier skills at the dojo. It all depended on how much you train your capabilities as a warrior.

Afterward, I returned to the cherry blossom tree to meditate and train my dragon techniques with Raimeiryuu.

“It was a hard day for you.”

“This is just the beginning. I didn’t make any progress so far.”

“Well, then you have to put more work because I will make you work like hell tonight. We don’t have much time either, you have to train here and go rest. Rest is part of your training after all.”

“Yeah, let’s get going.”

***

Three hours later, I opened my eyes and it was past midnight. I only had six hours of sleep left before the morning activities would begin.

I made a strict training regime for myself for the beginning until I find a way to learn the third branch techniques.

After waking up, I went running and doing some speed exercises to maintain my speed and not lose some of it while I was building up my strength.

After breakfast, I hit the gym to train my muscles.

After a little nap in the afternoon, I did some sword exercises to improve my overall form.

At night, I would train with Raimeiryuu until midnight.

I kept doing the same thing for around two weeks, but I still couldn’t find a hint on how to learn the third branch skills.

“Damn, there is something I’m missing…”

To vent out my frustration, I took out my Dragon Sword and started swinging it.

As I was swinging, I lost myself in thoughts and nearly forgot about my daily training with Raimeiryuu. ‘Shit, I’m late…”

I dove into the mutual consciousness link established between the old dragon and me.

“This is not like you to be late.”

“Sorry, I was lost in thoughts.”

“Let’s leave talking for later. It’s time to drill more techniques into that little body of yours.”

***

After our training session was done. I sat down on my hips and had a little discussion with the old dragon.

“I have only one thing to say to you tonight regarding your training. I noticed that you were relying on raw strength lately.”

“Yeah, I am trying to learn the third branch techniques of the Ono-Ha-Itto-Ryu.”

“And you didn’t make any improvement right?”

“Unfortunately I didn’t.”

“If that’s the case, then you need to rethink your strategy and training regime. From my perspective, you already know everything necessary to master those skills. Just think about what you already know and use that to your advantage.”

…

I opened my eyes and felt someone gazing at me from the distance.

“You’ve finally finished your meditation.” Said the mysterious person.

He approached me and when the moonlight shone on him, I immediately knew who he was.

“Necro, it’s been a while.”

“Hello Shiryuu, it’s indeed been a while. Look at how much you’ve grown in the year that I didn’t see you.”

Necro was an A-rank warrior and a senior apprentice who mastered the second branch skills. He is part of the Wanderers, one of the top guilds of the world.

“Do you always meditate and train until this late at night?”

“Yeah, it is part of my training regime.”

“You should give yourself enough rest too. Rushing won’t make you learn what you want. I think you’d better take a day off to rest your body and soul. This is a bit of advice from your senior. I’m tired now, so I’m going to my room to rest. See you in the morning.”

…

The next morning, I decided to take on the advice of Necro, so I just spent the day meditating and thinking of everything I was told and learned lately.

Suddenly, it all came together to me and made sense. “This is it.” I smiled with excitement.

Without noticing, I swung my sword and sent a deviant ‘Air Slash’ at the sky.

“This is the secret…”

***

Two months later:

“Hugh… Hugh… So this is the power of the secret move of the third branch. It has quite the devastating power.” I kept looking at the big mess and chaos I left in one of the private training fields behind the dojo.

Necro came running towards this area after hearing the explosion.

“Is this your doing? Don’t tell me…”

“Yeah, I’ve mastered it.”

“Damn, you monster!” A big smile appeared on his face. “Let’s go tell the master.” He pulled me and brought me to the master’s office.

When we entered, we found Kamui talking with the master.

“Oh Kamui, you came back?”

“Yeah. I’m ready for the final test.” We bumped fists.

“You learned the secret technique?”

“Yeah, of course, who do you think am I?”

“Necro, call all the people present at the dojo and tell them to meet up at the basement training field.” Ordered master.

****

I entered the basement-training field and saw that they were already waiting for my arrival.

Next to the door, Leo, Daniel, Mike, and Arthur were standing in one line. Beside the dummy control machine stood the three trainers; Hideyoshi, Vincent, and Shimatsu, while Kamui and Necro were next to the Master at the opposite side of the field.

“Are you ready?” Master patted his big white beard gently.

“Yes, Master.”

“Vincent, bring out the first dummy set.”

Dozens of dummies came out from the edges of the field and surrounded me.

I took out my wooden sword and took my stance. I held the sword by two hands, put the hilt in front of my eyes in a way that I could only see it, transferred my mana to the tip of it, and compressed it. Normally it was impossible to destroy the dummies behind me with this stance, but the secret lied in how the mind perceived the technique.

Essentially, mana is controlled by the mind; it can take any form you can imagine. I learned this while training with Raimeiryuu, and that was how the ‘Dragon Head’ skill could be launched. It was just a simple ‘Air Slash’, but by imagining the mana transforming into a dragon head, then it takes that form. If the imagination is stronger, then the skill will become even stronger.

It is the same with ‘Tornado Slash’, I imagined the mana compressed at the tip of my sword taking the form of a circular air slash, and by turning the sword around me, the linear air slash extended 360° around me and cut all the dummies.

“Ono-Ha-Itto-Ryuu, Tornado Slash”.

After I destroyed the first set, Vincent brought out the second set of dummies that were aligned in front of me.

This time, I held the sword on top of my head. I closed my eyes to feel the mana surrounding me.

The secret of this skill lied in how you could perceive the abundant mana in the air. It was also impacted by the mind and the imagination. By absorbing the particles and leaving them condensed in front of you while creating a thin line that connects you to your target, you could direct the slash in any linear direction you wanted.

The invisibility of this skill has a unique trick to it. It is the gentleness of the swing. You do not swing to launch a powerful and linear air slash, you swing the sword to tap the line of mana created and give it a form of the air slash. This way the mana travels on that line and takes the form of a slash and cuts anything on its path.

“Ono-Ha-Itto-Ryuu, Crescent Cut.”

The dummies were cut in half cleanly and fell apart.

A heavy silence descended on the room.

“Master, did you feel it?” Murmured Necro.

“Yeah, I did… This is interesting...” He smirked. “Vincent, bring the next dummy.”

Vincent clicked on a button and the big dummy appeared from the floor of the training field.

I tilted my knees, held the sword with two hands over my shoulder, and transferred the mana that my body absorbed directly into the tip of my sword.

This skill was similar to another dragon technique that I learned. The process of absorbing mana and emitting it was also linked with how you could create any form using your imagination.

Instead of just discharging the mana randomly or using it for specific uses, this skill required an advanced control of mana absorption and injection. The absorbed mana was kept at the targeted location and at the moment of impact, you inject that mana directly inside the object you attacked. The slightest error could make the process retaliate against you and damage you instead of the attacked object.

If done correctly, the power of the injected mana explodes inside the target, which destroys him from the inside.

After a moment of silence, I charged at the dummy and impaled my sword in its body. I brought it out, turned around to return to my position, and the whole body of the big dummy was destroyed.

“Ono-Ha-Itto-Ryuu, Bull Tackle.”

…

“Congratulations! You’ve mastered the three skills of the third branch.” Master clapped his hands.

“Thank you, master.” I bowed in respect and thanks.

“Now, without wasting time, let’s go to the site of your final test alongside Kamui.”

“Vincent, Hideyoshi, clear the mess in here. Shimatsu and Necro, come with me. The four trainees there, you are motivated, right? Then go practice more. I left a more strict regime for you upstairs. Go fetch it and start training immediately.”

“Yes SIR.” Everyone screamed in synchronization.

***

We went with the master to a waterfall area owned by the dojo. It was a private training place for the branch 2 trainees and higher.

There was a cave behind the waterfall. We entered it and found the gate of a dungeon.

“For your final test, you have to clear this dungeon here. We won’t tell you what’s inside it. You have to find out by yourselves. Shimatsu will accompany you to see how you fare inside, but he won’t assist you even if you are at death doors. Inside it, you can use the secret technique of the third branch with freedom and no restraints.”

“I was supposed to stay away from dungeons so that General Guild won’t find my whereabouts while I am hiding.”

“Don’t worry about that. This is a secret dungeon that I have been hiding using my space magic. No one knows about it except for me and the trainers at the dojo.”

“It’s fair enough.”

“Then go inside and show me the results of your training.”