It’s been a week and I’ve been unable to clear my mind. Apparently the whole point of this exercise is to become more intune with my magical energy and to eventually keep it from leaking out. You would think something like this would be easy but dammit it’s really hard not to think when it’s so quiet and Master Craven is just standing there staring at me!

Not to mention Marie always sitting in the corner with a notebook in hand watching me as well. It’s awkward and I feel like there’s way too much pressure to clear my mind. Over-thinking things has always been something I’ve done so breaking that habit is damn near impossible.

“Uhh… Master Craven?”

Master Craven closed his eyes for a moment with a sigh. “Yes, Szandor?”

“Is all of this really necessary? Does it really matter if my body is leaking out magical energy if I’m already powerful? I thought you’d be teaching me techniques not how to not think.”

“Oh? You think power is everything?”

“Well…”

Not exactly but it’s at least a part of it, right? I just need to learn how to use that power, like a secret powerful punch or how to dodge an opponent's kick or well anything but sitting around doing nothing!

“You are certainly powerful, I'll give you that. Perhaps the most powerful person I’ve seen in a long time, but that power means nothing without discipline. For all your strength, if an opponent can see how untrained you are they’ll be able to overcome that gap in power easily.”

“But still…”

Master Craven closed his eyes again with another long sigh. “Alright… Stand up.”

Oi, was I able to convince him? That’s way easier than I thought it would be. I stand up ready to finally start my real training.

“I want you to try to punch. Do not hold back.”

Don’t hold back? Considering I reduced an alpha cave troll to rubble with one punch this doesn’t seem like the safest thing to do. Also, the hell does he mean by “try?” For all his praising of my power I can’t help but feel like he’s egging me on.

“If you say so…”

Okay old man, it’s your funeral. I won’t hold back. I push as much magical energy into my fist as I can after a few seconds of silence I run right for him. My fist makes an arc through the air as I aim straight for his face.

At the sight of the energy around my fist he merely raises his eyebrow. As if he’s not even impressed. Ahhh, this guy is kind of pissing me off! Despite my rage, I don’t want the punch to outright kill him but he’ll certainly feel it in the morning.

My fist gets closer and then suddenly, he vanishes. Eh? Where did he go? And why am I upside down now? Before I know my entire body as been flipped and I then slam onto the hardwood floor.

“What the hell?!”

Master Craven offers me a mocking smile as he looks down at me. I can even hear a slight giggle coming from Marie. Oi, who’s side are you on?!

“Still think power alone is enough?”

“I-I wasn’t even trying! I want to go again!”

Obvious lie, but if I can try again I might be able to pay attention more to what he did. Maybe then I’ll learn something useful.

“It’s pointless. Even if you were able to see fast enough what I was doing it’d still be too late. I’d know before you even made your next move.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“W-what do you mean by that?”

“The energy coming from your body is all subconscious. Not only does it signal to your opponent your lack of control and discipline but it also makes you easier to read. We all think before we act, it’s only natural, but your magical energy tells all. I’ll always know what move you make before you make it.”

“Ahh, I see…”

What he’s saying makes a lot of sense but man couldn’t even have just told me that from the beginning? Then again, knowing me we probably would’ve reached this point either way. I can be quite stubborn.

“If it makes you feel better, having control of your magical energy will allow you to better refine your raw power. Like sharpening the edge of a blade.”

That does make me feel a little bit better. I guess I just got so excited about having my power fantasy life that I was frustrated with having an actual training arc. Most isekai protagonists don’t have to deal with this stuff.

After admitting defeat I decided to start taking the mediation training seriously and miraculously enough by the end of the day Master Craven said I had shown a drastic improvement. However, he also said I’d still need a few more days to perfect my mana control.

Feels like I just can’t catch a break.

***

By the end of the day Marie, Joseph and I found ourselves back at the Inn where they were to enjoy some food and a few pints of ale. Of course I had to decline any drinks or food, which initially roused suspicion in Joseph but I lied and said I simply wasn't hungry.

Conversation quickly turned to another murder that happened last night. Apparently on the Academy grounds near the dojo according to Joseph which caused Marie to shiver a bit.

“It’s a little scary knowing this happens so often here..”

“”Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.””

…

Joseph glares at me after we had just both said the same thing. Oi, I get that a brother wants to be the one to protect his sister and maybe I overstepped my bounds but he almost seems too protective. Can’t we protect her together? Don’t tell me this guy has some sort of sister complex?!

“Ahaha, thanks you two.” Marie simply laughs nervously at the tension.

Eventually Joseph turns away with a serious look. “These murders worry me though. I can’t shake the feeling there’s more going on than just some person killing people randomly.”

“What do you mean?”

Before he answered my question he quickly glanced around the room and then spoke in a hushed voice. “It’s the pattern. With each one it seems as if the killer is, in a way, encircling the city. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next murder happens in the noble district.”

“What do you think the killer is trying to accomplish?”

“It’s hard to say. Could be nothing. Yet, I can’t shake this feeling that something is going to happen. Something bad. Especially since…”

“Since what?”

Again Joseph seemed worried someone would overhear him as he surveyed the room again. He seemed to notice my curiosity at his secrecy. “Can’t be too careful. After all, who’s to say the killer isn’t among us right now.”

Joseph made a good point. If the killer was here and heard everything Joseph was saying, and if it turned out he was right the killer may want to take him out.

“About a month before the murders started there were rumors floating around. Rumors that multiple people were all having strange dreams. Not just any strange dreams but the exact same ones.”

“Just rumors?”

The thought certainly was creepy and suspicious but if it was just a rumor doesn’t mean it’s true. Even if it was, what made him think they were connected?

“Yeah, I never experienced weird dreams myself. It’s just something I’ve heard from others.”

“I see… what makes you think the dreams and murders are connected?”

“Mostly a hunch but also… the dreams apparently had a lot to do with ‘blood.’”

Hmm, so murders where the victims are drained of their blood and people having dreams about blood. Hard to see something like that as a coincidence.

In an attempt to turn the conversation away from horrific things Marie began bragging about my improvement in training which caused Joseph to have a dejected look. Just when I thought we might be getting along somehow I feel like Marie had accidentally ruined it. Still, the rest of the night we were able to have fun as they drank into the night. It was quite the sight to see them both drunk. I was overcome with envy over their sibling love.

Back in my old world I was an only child. Which certainly made it much easier for me to leech off my parents. If they had to pay for more than one overgrown child things may have turned out differently for me. Still, couldn't help but feel like I may have missed out on something special. Perhaps my relationship with Marie could serve as that substitute.

Maybe she could be the sister I never had.

Hmm, if she was my sister I would finally understand the mind of a siscon.

I place my hand on the drooped shoulder of the now drunken Joseph. "I get it." I simply utter.

Joseph looks at me confused before vomiting his entire stomach onto the floor.