Stages of Learning

Under the watchful eyes of Amukelo and his friends, Nakatashi prepared to demonstrate the advanced technique that had piqued Amukelo's interest. The seasoned sensei began with a series of deep, measured breaths, each one slower and more deliberate than the last. This was not merely a physical preparation but a spiritual one; the breaths served to accumulate mana within his being, steadying his spirit and fostering a deep state of relaxation essential for the precise control of mana.

As Nakatashi's breathing slowed and deepened, a tangible change occurred in the atmosphere around him. Upon opening his eyes suddenly, a visible burst of mana radiated outward, enveloping his body in a shimmering coat that seemed to pulse with life. This aura was not just protective but also a preparation for the next phase of the demonstration.

With a calm yet focused expression, Nakatashi then initiated a second, more intricate flow of mana. This flow was channeled directly towards his katana, binding the energy with the blade in a way that was both mystic and precise. He positioned this concentrated flow of mana exactly where he intended to slash. The preparation culminated in a swift, almost imperceptible movement of his katana, which covered the intended distance with such speed and precision that it seemed to blur the line between motion and stillness.

The sensei repeated this process several times, each iteration as flawless and swift as the last, leaving the onlookers utterly spellbound. Even Erohan, whose dragon heritage made him a tough critic of human feats, found himself impressed by the display of skill and power. Amukelo, for his part, watched intently, trying to discern the nuances of the technique, though he could only see the initial burst of mana and the connection of the flow to the blade, not the finer details of mana manipulation that Nakatashi was masterfully executing.

Once the demonstration concluded, Nakatashi turned to explain the intricacies of the technique to Amukelo, his voice echoing with the depth of his experience. "The key to this technique lies in the ability to control and direct mana with utmost precision," he began, his words painting a vivid picture of the internal processes involved. "It requires not only physical control but also a profound mental focus to maintain the flow of mana consistently."

He then addressed the specific challenges Amukelo would face in adapting this technique to his own style. "In your case," Nakatashi continued, his gaze fixed on Amukelo's dual swords, "the difficulty lies in managing two separate flows of mana for each of your blades. This is no small feat, as each sword must act both independently and in harmony, requiring more than twice the focus and energy."

The explanation was detailed, with Nakatashi pausing to ensure Amukelo grasped each point. "However, should you master this dual flow of mana, the power you could wield would be exponentially greater. The combined force and versatility of your two blades, each enhanced by its own stream of mana, would allow for a range of attacks and defenses far beyond the ordinary."

Amukelo listened intently, absorbing the weight of Nakatashi's words. The challenge was daunting but not insurmountable, and the potential rewards it promised ignited a fire within him. The thought of integrating this advanced technique into his own style was both exciting and intimidating.

As Nakatashi concluded his explanation, he placed a reassuring hand on Amukelo's shoulder. "It will be a demanding journey to adapt this to your fighting style, but I believe in your potential," he affirmed, offering both encouragement and a recognition of Amukelo's skill and determination.

Under Nakatashi's watchful eye, Amukelo stood in the center of the training ground, determined to master the sophisticated technique demonstrated by the sensei. He began with deep breaths, much like Nakatashi had instructed, attempting to gather and control the mana within him. Each inhale and exhale was a conscious effort to draw in more energy, to feel the mana saturate his being. Yet, despite his focus and determination, Amukelo found the task daunting. He was clearly able to absorb much less mana than Nakatashi, his experience with such refined control evidently limited.

When he felt he had gathered enough, Amukelo released the mana in an attempt to form the protective coat around his body. However, instead of forming a controlled barrier, the mana simply burst forth unchecked, expanding rapidly into the air without any of the cohesion or direction he intended. It was as if he had opened a valve without knowing how to close it. Frustrated but not deterred, he tried to encapsulate the mana like trapping it within an invisible cage, but to no avail.

Amukelo repeated the process multiple times, each attempt as fruitless as the last. The technique was slipping through his fingers like sand, elusive and tricky to pin down. Despite the setbacks, his resolve did not wane; if anything, his failures only fueled his determination to succeed.

Meanwhile, Eliss, intrigued by the potential applications of this technique for her own magical practices, posed a question to Nakatashi. "Could this technique enhance a mage's power?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the possibilities of integrating such mana control into her spellcasting.

Nakatashi pondered her question for a moment before nodding affirmatively. "Indeed, it could," he began, turning his attention to Eliss. "By focusing your mana flow in the direction you wish to attack, you can increase both the speed and power of your spells, and potentially alter their direction mid-flight." He explained the complexity of such control, noting that the mana flow would need to travel greater distances and change trajectories multiple times during a single spell—a challenge far greater than what most mages were accustomed to.

Motivated by Nakatashi's explanation, Eliss began her own series of exercises, trying to manipulate her mana in more controlled and precise ways. Her face set in a mask of concentration, she experimented with directing her energy, though the initial attempts saw her spells fizzling out or veering off unpredictably.

To everyone's surprise, Erohan, too, joined the training session. The dragon, typically reserved and observing from afar, now seemed compelled to explore the depths of his own capabilities in mana manipulation. His attempts, like those of his companions, were met with limited success, as mastering the flow of mana was proving to be a universal challenge among them.

As they were practicing, Nakatashi interrupted them with a solemn tone, "Now, as time nears its end, I will explain all stages of learning. With this knowledge, you should be able to master this style with enough practice, even if we are not destined to meet again."

He began with the first stage, "Mastering mana accumulation is crucial. You can't accumulate too much mana, as it will burst before you can react, wasting your efforts. Accumulating not enough mana is a safer starting point, but it will significantly decrease the power of this technique. You need to accumulate just enough mana so that your body can handle it, allowing you to reach your maximum capability."

"In the second stage, you will master controlling the mana. This isn't merely about channeling your mana to create a flow. In this stage, you need to be able to hold the mana like a coat surrounding your body."

Nakatashi continued, pausing for emphasis, "The third stage is the most difficult and the most crucial. You must learn to create a mana flow that dances around the battlefield, not just keeping up with your attacks, but overtaking them. You need to place your mana flow faster than you can slash. This creates a connection between your blade and the mana flow."

"The fourth stage involves connecting the mana flow with your blade. Once you've mastered the first three stages, this should come relatively easily."

"And the final stage is perfection. This stage has no upper boundaries, as you can always improve aspects such as the time it takes you to create the coat, how long you can maintain this state, and the speed of your mana flow control." He paused, looking out toward the horizon, and added, "But this will come with time and battle experience. Don't give up, work hard, and you shall master this technique." He concluded his lecture with these words.