Wrath leapt up like a firecracker, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Special ability? What kind of ability? Tell me immediately!" The creature flicked its tongue, clearly excited.
Raon's hand tightened around the scabbard of the Heavenly Drive as he watched Harren for an answer. He couldn't help but feel the same surge of curiosity Wrath expressed.
"Hehe, look there." Harren's grin was broad as he pointed to the dragon head carved into the scabbard. "Do you see flames burning in the eyes?"
Raon leaned closer, examining the carving. "Oh? You're right." When he had first received the scabbard, the dragon's eyes were empty, but now tiny sparks danced within.
"That's it!" Harren stood tall, clapping his hands loudly. "The special ability is that it absorbs the aura you waste and makes flames burn in the dragon's eyes! Pretty amazing, isn't it?"
Raon and Wrath blinked, staring in silence as Harren laughed uproariously. The anticipation they'd felt crumbled into disbelief.
Vulcan buried his face in his palm, clearly embarrassed. "Isn't it cool?" Harren tilted his head, undeterred.
"Cool my ass!" Vulcan struck Harren on the back of the head, and Harren's head thunked against the ground with a sound reminiscent of splitting a watermelon.
"Why, why did you hit me!"
"Didn't I tell you not to make useless functions!" Vulcan pleaded for Harren to stop these shenanigans. Judging by his tone, this wasn't the first time.
"The best ability is obviously that flame, but there's one more function!" Harren threw up his arms, attempting to defend his creation. "It has a drawing technique assist!"
"Drawing techniques?" Raon's brows rose. Even Vulcan appeared lost.
Harren's eyes began to sparkle, his enthusiasm reignited. "Drawing techniques are an underappreciated martial art, right? There's talk about them lacking practicality, so I wanted to challenge that! Isn't a master's dream to challenge himself?"
Raon regarded him with careful consideration. In battle, drawing techniques were good for surprise attacks but rarely practical once the fight was underway, given the inherent risk of resheathing a sword.
"If the assist function is good..." Raon started, his voice trailing as he lifted the scabbard. "How does it work?"
"It's simple," Harren replied, pointing once again at the dragon's flickering eyes. "When the scabbard's eyes are filled with flames, it means it's charged. If you draw the sword then, your technique is more than twice as strong and fast."
Raon's expression shifted, surprise growing. "How do you charge it?"
"You don't. The scabbard automatically absorbs any aura you waste during combat," Harren explained, shaking his head.
'Isn't that actually amazing?' Raon mused inwardly. If he didn't have to focus on charging it, the ability would be both useful and unobtrusive.
Wrath chimed in enthusiastically, "Indeed!" There's nothing to lose! Since there's no need to gather energy separately, it completely offsets the drawbacks of drawing techniques.
Raon agreed in silence, feeling both impressed and grateful.
Even Vulcan couldn't conceal his surprise, quietly exhaling, "That's... quite an ability."
Raon nodded energetically. "It seems like an amazing ability, doesn't it?"
Harren's lips pursed in mild disappointment. "That's nothing special, I tell you. The flames in the eyes are cooler."
Wrath frowned. -That guy is weird too...
"We should test it out," Vulcan suggested.
"Alright." Raon stepped outside, ready for the trial.
"It's barely charged," Harren said, inspecting the faint flames. "About five percent."
"I'll waste some aura to fill it," Raon declared.
He spread Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and Glacier into the empty air, watching as the scabbard greedily absorbed the dispersing energy—dragon eyes filling up with fire.
When forty percent of the flames blazed within, Raon positioned his feet, gripping the scabbard with one hand and the Heavenly Drive's hilt with the other. Energy churned inside the blade. Raon twisted his waist and shoulders, drawing the sword in one smooth motion.
The accumulated energy exploded from within, propelling the silver-white blade with ferocious speed. Red lines carved in the blade seethed with a chilling heat, unleashing a torrent of flame high into the air, painting the sky above Mirtan Village with the breath of a Red Dragon.
"Ah..." Raon gaped at the wall of fire he'd conjured. If he hadn't aimed high, the village might've found itself roasted.
Wrath's and Vulcan's wide eyes trembled uncontrollably. Neither had expected such an amplification.
But Harren remained unmoved. "See? That kind of brute force has no charm. The flames in the eyes are prettier!"
Vulcan shook his head slowly. "His talent is good, but the person himself is an idiot."
Wrath agreed, and Raon could only smile ruefully.
After gathering up the Heavenly Drive and its scabbard, Raon bowed to both Vulcan and Harren in gratitude.
"Thank you for the excellent sword and scabbard."
Vulcan waved off the praise. "Just become a person worthy of that sword."
"I understand."
Harren's eyes shone. "I hope the dragon's eyes always hold flames. You should avoid using the drawing technique too much—the flames disappear each time you use it."
Raon laughed quietly. "I'll try my best."
He produced Kaivar's scales, bones, and teeth from his pouch, laying them out. "I'll return the materials you used."
Harren was delighted and dashed off, promising something even more romantic next time.
Raon bowed deeply to Vulcan and announced his resolve. "As I said, I'll become a swordsman who will not yield to anyone."
Vulcan offered a faint smile. "Before that, go thank the person who gave you the Red Flower Gold, Ice Crystal, and Gold Thread."
Raon nodded, perfectly aware who it was.
Raon returned to Zieghart, heading straight to the Lord's Manor. Bowing to Roenn as he entered, he proceeded to the audience chamber.
"I've come to see the Head of House," he said, kneeling before the throne.
Glenn set aside his documents, turning to Raon. "Rise."
Raon stood, earnest. "Thank you, grandfather. For everything," he said, voice heartfelt.
Glenn began to respond but froze as if caught in a memory or a deep emotion. The silence stretched until Roenn and Sheryl rushed up anxiously.
"Are you all right?" Raon asked, concern evident.
Glenn finally waved them off, assuring them he was fine. "There's no need to thank me. It was just payment for your information."
Raon bowed again, departing with Wrath's commentary ringing in his ear about Glenn's poor diet habits.
As Raon prepared to leave, Glenn called out softly, "You've done well. If you ever have concerns, come see me."
Raon nodded, his own chest warmed by his grandfather's words.
After leaving, Glenn slumped to the floor, exhausted but smiling, content with the world.
Back in the training ground, Raon's routine continued. Meditation, training, and mental focus. Wrath hovered nearby, curious about Raon's early departure.
Raon replied, "I have something to do," preparing for the executive meeting.
But before he could finish, Chad, the Shadow Agents' leader, entered and handed Raon a stamped document. "Division Leader, the Light Wind division has been assigned a designated mission."