Amazing talent!

Initially Alan was naturally surprised when he heard his grandpa sudden challenge. During these four years he hadn't received any kind of training from the members of the dragon clan. 

And the only training he got was when he had trained by himself out in the garden.

However, his surprised eventually contorted into excitement. 

Just how long had he been waiting for the day when he would cross sword with a strong opponent?

Just how long had his eager heart been yearning for the day he could truly test his skill with someone capable of facing him?

Even though Cole's ability was lacking when compared with the truly strong individuals in Alan's memories he should be able to put up a decent fight against the current him. "Oh?" Cole raised an eyebrow when he saw the look of anticipation that appeared on Alan's face for a brief moment.

"You truly have the spirit of a warrior. I remember when I did the same thing to your old brother and sister before they went to the academy a few years ago." Cole said as he recalled his other two grandchildren.

Julian dragon, Alan's older brother and the one who would become the next patriarch after Cole dragon. Although he was a young boy who took his duties and responsibilities seriously, he lacks the spirit of a warrior as he was more inclined to political service other than war.

The same can be said for his older sister Maya dragon who wasn't as interested in politics, but she was also not completely interested in fighting or war either.

In this regard Alan was the one who was more suitable for the position of patriarch. Unfortunately, Alan was not interested in being the patriarch as his responsibility would only hinder his movements and actions. "Thank you, grandpa... I hope someday I will be able to meet your expectations." Alan replied as he bowed his head. Cole nodded his head after hearing this and soon his expression became serious.

"We will have a match with no time limit. You should think of this as a life and death match and don't hold back. Fight with the intention of surviving." Cole declared in a serious tone. Hearing this Alan's expression also became serious as well. "Understood, in that case I will also give it one hundred percent!"

"W-Wait a minute!" While they were in the middle of discussing the rules of their mock battle someone rushed onto the stage.

It was a beautiful woman with long silky black hair and emerald, green eyes. She promptly walked towards Alan and Cole as she stepped between them. Her lips were upturned into a pout as she expresses her discontent.

"Yes, what is it lady Amelia?" Cole asked with feigned composure. He naturally knew the reason why she was so agitated. As a mother she was naturally overprotective of her own son. Knowing he was about to have such serious battle didn't sit well with her.

"You, you ask me what's wrong that's exactly what I wanted to ask you! How could you request such a duel from your own grandson!" Amelia said, expressing her displeasure. Cole could only sigh tiredly after hearing that.

"Look Amelia, I can understand your feelings, but you can't protect him forever. This boy is destined to face tough challenges... Are you just going to keep spoiling him and allow his potential to waste away?"

"Thats..." Amelia frowned as she was unable to retort to what Cole had just said. She knew what she was doing wasn't necessarily the right thing to do and yet, her heart couldn't allow it. Seizing the opportunity when his mother had fallen silent Alan spoke.

"... Sorry mom but, this is something I want to do myself. As a member of the dragon clan, I have to face strong opponent and learn to properly wield a spirit sword, right?" Alan glance at his mother's agitated face.

Seeing her tiny lips trembling subtly his heartache painfully inside his chest however his expression showed his resolve and determination. Cole's eyes flash when he heard what Alan had just said. 'Th-This boy, he really is just like his father.' He thought inwardly. The image of his son Luis dragon had appeared in his mind as his lips curved upwards into a smile.

Amelia's soft, slender shoulders fell as she heaved a sigh and turned her back. "...P-Please at least promise me you won't get hurt, at least too much." Alan's expression softened when he heard his mother's words. "I promise I will take care of myself." He replied.

"Why do I feel like I'm being labeled as a villain." Cole remarks as his brow twitch.

...

Standing inside an arena within the dragon clans training ground both Alan and Cole faced each other while holding their respective sword.

Alan held Akane in her spirit sword form, while Cole had summoned his own spirit sword.

Standing in the middle was a young blonde-haired youth acting as the umpire of the match.

The members of the dragon clan who were currently spectating the match from a distance was naturally very excited as they waited for the match to begin!

After he confirms that both parties were ready, he raised his hand upwards and yelled. "Begin the match!"

Swoosh!

Once the umpire had declared the starting of the match Cole's feet moves swiftly as he closed the distance between them swinging his sword in a wide horizontal arc!

Alan braced his sword in both hands as he swung his sword vertically. The fierce sound of metal echoed through the arena as both their blades converged and intersect.

"Guh." Due to the difference in size and physical strength Alan's blade was deflected as his body was forced back. However, Alan didn't show any signs of panic or surprised. He used the force to his advantage and performed a skillful backflip.

"Hahaha... Good, during battle one must never lose their composure regardless of the circumstances." Cole said as he slashes his sword continuously. Alan's eyes narrowed as he mimicked the movements of his sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In less than a minute or so they had already exchanged countless attacks! Alan panted as he observed Cole whose body was overflowing with spiritual energy. 'This... Is this a body strengthening technique?' Alan wondered to himself.

[Yes, you are correct. He seems to be imbuing his muscles and flesh with spiritual energy to increase his physical attacks. I suggest using blood manipulation to interfere with his nerves and muscles which will also hinder the flow of his spiritual energy.] Akane suddenly said.

Alan's face twitch when he heard her suggestion, indeed against an enemy he wouldn't have hesitate to use such a method against his opponent, but he shook his head refusing to do such a thing.

"I'll win this using the techniques of the dragon clan." Alan replied.

[Sigh, you really know how to make things difficult don't you.] Akane sighed in exasperation.

"Here I come, Alan makes sure you prepare yourself for this attack!" Cole roared as he charged towards Alan. "Soaring sky dragon!"

The wind stirred restlessly in the surroundings! Soon, a giant wind dragon that resembles a typhoon appeared behind Cole's body. Cold sweats slid down Alan's brow as he senses the overwhelming spiritual energy within this attack.

However, his lips couldn't help but curved upwards into a faint smile as he charged towards Cole who was approaching him with such an attack.

"Golden thunder fang!" Alan roared; golden lightning crackled noisily onto his blade as he swung forward with a vertical slash.

BOOOOOM!

The wind dragon clash against the golden lightning as an explosion occurred once both attacks met head on! The arena was met with a fierce shockwave as a dense windstorm swept through the battlefield that crackled with golden lighting.

Once the strong wind had swept away the dust cloud that rose through the surroundings obstructing everyone's vision was gradually removed.

The figure of Alan could be seen lying on the ground with his sword 'Blood reaper' lying far away. He had tried resisting the fierce wind, but his body was still too weak to suppress the shockwave as he was blown away.

[M-Master are you okay?]

While Alan was lying on the ground Akane's voice somehow reached his ears. "Ngh." Alan used his hand to raise his upper body as he got to his feet. "... I didn't expect the shockwave to be this strong, I seriously underestimated those techniques of the dragon clan." Alan muttered.

[Hmph, I told you; you shouldn't underestimate them just because they're not as strong as those you had created in the past. After all, right now you are no longer a demigod anymore but a human.]

"Yeah, you were right. From now on I promise I'll adhere to all of your words sensei." Alan said jokingly but still maintain his serious expression.

"... Oh, you are still standing." Cole looked dumbfoundedly at Alan who stood on his two feet a few meters away. "... That attack did some damage, but I still have more than enough juice to keep going!" Alan said as he got into a stance with his sword.

"Pffft... Hahaha! That's it boy! We will fight! And we will bleed! This is what it means to stand on the battlefield!" Cole lunged towards Alan's figure as the blade of his sword glowed with a resplendent light. He wasn't afraid of hurting Alan at all, after all he had enough magic potion that could heal almost all injuries.

Alan's body moved instinctively as he turned his body 90-degrees and slashes ferociously with his sword!

Clang!

A loud metallic sound reverberated as their blades clashed together! Their figures moved around nimbly slashing and defending with each swing of their sword. "Roar like a dragon! Burning slash!" Cole bellowed as his sword lit up in an arc of flame. Alan didn't have time to swing his sword as from his emerald pupils the sight of a flaming sword reflected within them.

"Flowing steps!" Cole's sword cut through an after image of Alan as he had escape using the movement technique of the dragon clan. Alan appeared behind Cole and thrust his sword towards his back. However, his sword was deflected by Cole who swung his sword without looking back.

Both sides gave it their all and swung their sword with incredible physical prowess and agile movements. With each clash a thunderous sound reverberated through the arena!

Watching this from the side Trisa's golden eyes flash with a strange light. "Say, sis did you know the young master was this experience with the sword?" Trisa couldn't help but ask. She had thought Alan would go down with the first strike but, not only had he been able to deal with the attack perfectly, but he could also keep up with Cole's movement something she was finding difficult.

Suzu did not respond to her older sister. She was also finding this situation strange as well. Over the past year she had watch as Alan sneakily did his sword training, but she didn't understand how he could wield his spirit sword with such mastery.

It was worth mentioning that spirit swords took months or even years of none stop practice to be wielded with absolute perfection. 'This kind of swordsmanship, isn't it just too perfect for merely being self-taught?' She wondered.

Although Cole was holding back as he had not used any of his strongest techniques, everyone was naturally still surprised about the fact that Alan could keep up with him.

Cole's lips were upturned into a faint smile but even he was shocked inwardly.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Both sides continued to exchange multiple slashes in mere seconds, but soon they both moved back as though they have come to a tactical agreement.

"Alan you, you really do remind me of your father!" Cole couldn't help but smile. In his memories Luis was also a monster in the art of the sword. He learnt everything taught to him in practically no time at all.

Because of his high talent and potential, he quickly rose up and became the strongest swordsman known across the world. But sadly, it was because of his talent and potential that many other kingdoms feared him and wanted to get rid of him.

Cole's only concern is that the same thing won't happened a second time.

Alan smiled as he once again got into a stance. 'It would be much easier if I could use 'dance of one hundred blades' but... Explaining how I learnt such an advanced technique would be difficult.' Alan sighed to himself.

Cole then got into a stance with his sword as he said, "Shall we continue?"

"I'll end this in the next attack!" Alan exclaimed. And at the same time the spiritual energy within his body began to surge restlessly!