Ethan stared at the familiar grimoire in fascination. The book always amazes him every time he sees it. Atlas opened the book looking for something .
"There it is!"
A light shot out of the book and onto Ethans forehead. A familiar feeling of information streaming into his head occurred as information on a sword technique appeared in his mind. The sword technique was called lightning sword technique.
"Lightning sword technique?" muttered Ethan as soon as he memorized the technique.
"Aren't I suppose to understand intent before I can use elements like lightning, how am I going to use this "
"This can be used with or without lightning energy, the lightning in the name means that it's a sword technique associated with speed. Remember most aura user need to use technique to bring out their full strength like how mages use mana arts." Explained Atlas
Ethan went through the technique again this time analyzing it thoroughly.
"Wow ,it's amazing."
"Techniques have levels associated with their levels. They are low level mastery, mid-level mastery, high level mastery and perfect mastery." Explained Atlas "Low level is when you can perform the forms but don't really understand them. The mid-level is when you have understanding of the forms described in the technique but cannot perform them very efficiently. The high-level mastery is when you have understood the forms and can perform them efficiently with no loss in energy and lastly perfect mastery is understanding the technique so well that you build up more on it according to your own insight."
"Okay ,since you've analyzed it ,I want you to perform the first form." Said Atlas as a black sword appeared in his hand. He tossed it to Ethan who caught it as he stood up. Ethan stared at the beautiful weapon as he moved somewhere with more space. The weapon gave him a feeling of desolation and arrogance as he looked at it.
Ethan stood still as he took a deep breath as he got into position to perform the first form called split which was a simple downward slash. As he exhaled, he started circulating mana as instructed as the muscles in his arms tensed. Ethan moved his arms downwards bringing his sword down slowly. Immediately it touched the ground, he let go of his sword as his arms started shaking as he breathed heavily in exhaustion.
"Why. . . . was that …... so hard?" asked Ethan as he panted.
"Of course it was hard, did you think that was a normal technique I gave you." Said Atlas with a smile. "that's your assignment from now on, I want you to swing that sword without exhausting yourself to death."
Ethan took the sword as he got in position for as second attempt, only for him to realize he can't even move his mana due to how exhausted he was. He fell down and sat on the ground panting. Ethan looked towards the cottage to see Davina running towards them.
"She's awake." She shouted as she came to a stop. "The girl woke up."
"Oooh! Let's go then." Said Atlas as he followed Davina towards the cottage. Ethan stood and followed them.
In the guest room, Anya sat on the edge of the bed with a mug of what could only be assumed to be hot tea served by Jasmine. As the three of them entered the girl's eyes jumped to Ethan as they made eye contact, surprise could be seen in them.
"Hey I hope your okay." asked Jasmine as she sat next to her.
"I'm okay and Thanks for saving me." She said her voice soothing as if nature was speaking. "And my name is Anya."
"Where are the other's you were with before." Suddenly Ethan asked as the girls returned to him with surprise in them again. "You recognized us."
"Yeah, I was wondering why Donald was guiding kids into the forest when he normally doesn't."
"It was a mana artifact for disguise." Said Anya as she put her mug down as if remembering something.
"I have to go back, those treants captured my friends and Donald."
"Wait!" said Atlas "First, I don't think you can help them in your weakened state and you still haven't explained to us why was a treant chasing you and why one so powerful."
Anya looked down, silence filling the room as everybody waited for her.
"We and my friend came from the evergreen institute in the evergreen city and we came here as we had some info on a secret realm that might be in that ruined city, The information said it was a low risk one and that there should have been no creatures that powerful." Explained Anya.
"You're from the city?" asked Ethan excitement in his eyes.
"So what happened in there?" asked Atlas ignoring Ethans question to the girl.
"Immediately we entered, we found ourselves in another forest, I suddenly felt something resonating with my mana, so I followed the feeling to find this leaf left on a large tree stump." She said as a green leaf appeared on her palm.
'Roots suddenly appeared and grabbed everyone, but I was lucky and managed to escape. The treant started chasing me all the way out."
"Mmmh…."
Atlas looked at the leaf deep in thought, it was unknown what he was thinking. Ethan looked at the leaf, he could feel a dense amount of mana in it. Both Jasmine and Davina silent as they looked at the leaf their thoughts also unknown.
"Okay! Ethan ,you have to go with her and help her." Atlas suddenly shouted as he looked at Ethan.
"What?" Everybody asked including Ethan.
"Are you crazy, he's only stared to cultivate." Shouted Davina.
Jasmine looked at Atlas a questioning look on her face. She might trust her husband completely, enough to call it blind faith, but this was just crazy.
"it's okay honey, he'll be fine." Said as he moved to his wife assuring her.
Ethan silent as he thought things through.
"Okay, I'll help her." He said as he looked at her. "When are we leaving?"
"Leaving? You can't help me with your level of strength." Stated Anya as she discovered his vein strengthening stage cultivation.
"Trust me, he'll be okay." Said Atlas as he continued to assure his wife.
Anya looked at Ethan "sigh, fine but only if you bring that wolf you had with you."
"Of course, so when are we leaving." Asked Ethan excited for an adventure.
"Right now of course, they could be hurt. Ethan go get Nox." Said Atlas as they all moved outside.
Ethan whistled and Nox could be seen appearing from the trees dashing towards them. He jumped on Ethan his large body on him as he fell, licking his face. "Okay, I missed you too."
Atlas called them near him. "don't worry guys, they'll be okay." He said to both Jasmine and Davina as they suddenly disappeared.