Reaching a release tier now grants that tier's techniques automatically - they are yours to train and equip, with no separate learning step.

Dominion, the second release, is a goal with shape now: the Equipment screen shows the trials between you and it, and once they are complete you ascend and gain the Dominion techniques. Technique level caps follow release state too - 10 sealed, 12 after the first release, 15 at Dominion, for techniques in your affinity's school.