Chapter 5

"Do you really think I can get stronger like this!"

Mikoto was torn asunder repeatedly by the silver streaks.

"Oh, I just need you to go and do something for me. How's this, after getting cut a few thousand times, you might comprehend something."

"Bastaaaaaaard!"

And so their banter flew back and forth across the field, though not comparing to the soaring guts of Mikoto's flowing lives.

Mikoto was in unimaginable pain. He tried to reason with the tyrant.

"Can't you at least teach me something before tormenting me?"

"Oh you wanna be smart huh? Then two can play at that."

Nagatha levitated up in the air. Long hair billowed about as a stormy energy coalesced on his slender hand. Pupils cracking, four violet tornadoes gyrated about him.

"This is the legacy of my clan. Witness the wrath of the stormy seas!"

"Uh uh uh w-wait!"

Mikoto stammered to reason. He didn't want to be the focus of such a menacing attack.

"Silence child. These hands do not seem to have you. Rather, 'tis merely a display of majesty."

Nagatha continued to explain.

"If you seek to possess something similar, you case starts now."

Mikoto sat there for a moment unblinking. Did Nagatha want him to say say something? To argue his case?

"I see you don't understand. Martial artists of the past developed various styles and circulation techniques. The short is, they are ways to translate Mana into various objects and abilities."

He held up a golden flame, hovering just slightly above his right hand.

"Comprehension of complex transformations allows me to source Mana from the atmosphere and display it as what you would perceive as a golden flame. It burns like one too.

Tossing it behind him, a large explosion sounded and the air rippled.

"Of course, if you wanted to obtain power in this world, you would have to deepen your understanding of a certain style, or switch to one more suited to you."

Mikoto nodded, intrigued in this ancient and newfound information.

"This I've allowed you a chance to describe your wishes, that I might create a technique suited to your growth and current level. Since this is all new to you, I may just have to rummage though your soul."

"Wha-- ah! Aaaaarrrgh!"

Screaming and squirming, an indescribable discomfort permeated Mikoto's mind. Within seconds, however, it was over, and Nagatha emerged holding a dark red book.

"Hahahaha! What a lucky catch. It seems your future will be interesting."

"What is it?" Mikoto was slightly doubtful but intrigued.

"Your soul holds resentment to the world. This Asura Bloodflare Scarlet embodies that."