The sound of water flowing in the river where Zarres and Vitjendra trained could be heard on this cold morning, still covered by the morning dew. Nazzares had already started his push-up training with weights on his back.
Meanwhile, Master Vitjendra, who was heading to the training area, was surprised. "He's already started," Master Vitjendra said from a distance.
He immediately approached his student and said, "My student! Stop for a moment! I will explain today's training," the teacher casually admonished him.
“Braaak!” Nazzares dropped the rock from his back. “Alright, teacher,” Nazzares replied as he immediately stopped his training.
Master Vitjendra then explained what the training would be today. Today's training was about the manifestation of mystic energy and its variations.
VARIANT MANIFESTATION OF MYSTIC ENERGY
Observation...
First, mystic energy as observation. This mystic energy allows a Fatalis to sense the presence of objects around them, even while they are asleep. This energy is extremely useful in battle because it helps to detect the number of enemies, their mystic energy levels, and monitor a wide area. Additionally, this energy helps a Fatalis anticipate incoming attacks.
Enhancement...
Second, mystic energy for attack and defense. When a Fatalis has fully mastered basic mystic energy, this energy can enhance their strikes by coating their fists. Additionally, mystic energy can be used as a sturdy shield to protect oneself.
Mystic Aura...
Third, the mystic conquering aura, or mystic aura of the conqueror. This aura is highly effective at intimidating opponents because the mystic energy emitted by a Fatalis reflects the extent of their strength. The mystic aura will automatically manifest when using high-level mystic techniques that have been mastered from innate mystic techniques.
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Master Vitjendra, after explaining everything, asked his student, “Alright, do you understand what I’ve explained?”
“Yes... no, teacher!” Nazzares answered with enthusiasm and a loud voice.
Master Vitjendra, a little annoyed that Nazzares immediately said no, took the initiative to demonstrate.
Master Vitjendra took a long white cloth and closed his eyes. Then, he told his student that he was free to attack him in any way.
“Alright, you can throw stones at me and attack me however you like.”
“Really? Alright, teacher, I will do it!”
Nazzares immediately began attacking blindly. Anything he saw would be thrown, whether it was stones, river water, tree branches, rats, pigs, deer, cats, underpants, and occasionally he tried to kick or punch his teacher.
“Hiaaat!”
PRAKK!
“Feel this!”
BLAKK!
“Aaaaaaaaa!”
However, in the end, none of his attacks hit his teacher.
“Damn! Why didn’t any of them land?” Nazzares, exhausted and breathing heavily, complained.
“Alright, I’ll explain later, now let’s move on to the next phase,” said Master Vitjendra as he prepared for the next training: mystic energy for attack and defense.
"WESSTT" The sound of mystic energy flowing.
Master Vitjendra channeled mystic energy into his left hand, and then he struck a hard rock in front of him.
BLAMM! BRAKK!
The rock shattered, and Nazzares, who saw it, was very surprised and amazed.
“Wow!”
“Alright! This is the last one,” said Master Vitjendra to keep Nazzares focused on what he was about to do for the final variant of mystic energy.
“It seems like the mystic aura doesn’t need to be too strong because this is just a training session,” Vitjendra thought to himself.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Master Vitjendra took a deep breath, and instantly pebbles, small stones, leaves, and twigs around him began to float because of the immense mystic aura he was releasing.
WUSSS! HSSSTT!
Nazzares, feeling and seeing it, immediately broke out in a cold sweat from what his teacher was doing.
“Alright, now try to perform mystic energy observation.”
“Alright, teacher,” Nazzares replied confidently.
The First Mystic Energy Training: Observation
Zares closed his eyes with a cloth and focused on his surroundings, trying to control his mystic energy to observe.
"BRAKK!" A chunk of wood hit him right in the face.
"Dammit!! You old man!" Zares winced in pain.
"Hey, I told you to focus, you brat," Vitjendra said with a sarcastic tone.
BLAKK! "Aaah, it hurts."
GLUKK! "Agghh."
PRAKK! "Ouch, ouch."
Zares still couldn't dodge his master's attacks because he was relying on his five senses.
After a while, midday approached...
"Master, I'm heading home. My fiancée is cooking a delicious meal for us, so please wait a moment," Zares said as he prepared to pick up Kandhita.
"Fiancée...? Aaaah, alright then, hurry up. I'm already starving," Vitjendra responded.
Zares ran off, leaping between the trees.
Meanwhile, Vitjendra, who was puzzled by Zares' words about having a fiancée, thought to himself, "Why do humans marry so young? They're still children... Ah, never mind. I don't want to marry before I'm 200 years old," he muttered.
At Zares' house, a delicious aroma came from the back kitchen. Zares saw the food neatly wrapped in banana leaves inside a bamboo food container, ready to be taken to the training ground.
"Wow, it's all ready."
"Kandhita! Kandhita!" Zares called out, looking for her.
"Yeah...!! I'm in the room next door," Kandhita responded, raising her voice.
"Alright! I'll wait for you outside. Hurry up, Master is waiting," Zares called out as he stood by the door.
"Alright, one more minute!" Kandhita answered.
A minute later...
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
The sound of footsteps approached, and Kandhita appeared, looking stunning in a batik kebaya passed down from Zares' mother. Her hair was braided and draped over her shoulder.
"Wow... You look beautiful," Zares said, surprised at how lovely Kandhita looked in his mother's clothes.
"Mm... Sorry, I spilled water on my clothes, so I had to wear your mother's dress, which fits me a bit," Kandhita said, feeling a little guilty for wearing Zares' mother's dress without asking.
"Hey, no problem. If my father saw you, he'd probably cry and say, 'Oh my wife, look at our daughter-in-law,'" Zares replied, joking, causing Kandhita to laugh. "Heh, hahaha."
Zares and Kandhita made their way to the river deep in the forest.
"Hey, isn't it pretty far from here?"
"Don't worry, we'll get there quickly. Come closer to me." Zares suddenly lifted Kandhita and said, "Wrap your arms around me."
"Haa? Alright!" Kandhita responded, confused, but followed his instructions.
"Hold on tight, and don't let the food fall," Zares said, lifting both of Kandhita's legs with one hand.
"Eh?" Kandhita was slightly startled.
"Yoshhh... Hiaaat!" Zares jumped into the air.
WUSH!
"AAAAA, we're going to fall... AAAAA, not too high," Kandhita said with fear as Zares carried her while jumping through the trees.
"Relax... Just enjoy it, we won't fall," Zares reassured her.
Kandhita tried to calm down, and after she did, she realized that the view of the forest from the treetops was beautiful. Seeing Kandhita smile made Zares happy because she wasn't afraid anymore.
Meanwhile, Master Vitjendra, who had been waiting, was getting impatient. "They’re taking so long. I’m starving!" he thought, feeling hungry.
Finally, Vitjendra sensed Zares' presence through the trees, and saw him carrying a girl.
"So, that's your fiancée, my student?" Vitjendra asked when Zares arrived with Kandhita.
"She’s very beautiful, isn’t she?" Zares replied proudly.
Zares introduced his fiancée to Master Vitjendra, and they ate together by the riverbank.
During the meal, Kandhita focused on Vitjendra and said, "This is the first time I've seen an elf in person. Master Vitjendra is really handsome and looks strong," she remarked after observing Vitjendra's appearance.
Hearing this, Zares whispered to Kandhita, "Hey, don’t be fooled. Even though he looks like that, he's already 100 years old... You should call him ‘grandpa’."
"Haaaa... Really?" Kandhita was surprised by Zares' comment.
"Yeah... Sssstt, don’t let him hear you, or he’ll get mad," Zares whispered back.
Master Vitjendra, who heard the conversation using his Mystic Energy observation, immediately put on a furious face.
"Hey, do you think I can't hear you? Haaa!" he said with a menacing look.
"AAAAA... Please forgive me, Master!" Zares said, scared. Kandhita couldn't help but burst into laughter at how both teacher and student were acting foolishly. The mood during their lunch turned lighthearted and uncontrollable.
-----
The Training Resumes..
Zares resumed his training. He focused intensely on his mystic energy for observation. Kandhita sat a distance away, watching him quietly.
"Feel everything around you—trees, rocks, birds, the flow of the river. You must be able to observe all of it," shouted Master Vitjendra.
WHOOSH!
Master Vitjendra threw a stone toward Zares. This time, Zares successfully dodged it. The master walked slowly around Zares, continuing to throw small stones at him.
"Good, you're getting the hang of it," shouted Master Vitjendra to encourage him.
Master Vitjendra quickened his pace, throwing a series of stones faster and faster. Then, he mixed in attacks with a wooden stick. Zares managed to avoid most of the attacks, but a few hit him due to his still stiff movements.
As the evening approached, they concluded the day's training.
"Tomorrow, I will teach you the basic techniques of Sundang Majapahit martial arts. You need to practice how to handle both unarmed combat and sword fighting. So, prepare yourself tomorrow. And get a good rest," said Master Vitjendra.
"Yes, Master!" Zares replied eagerly.
Master Vitjendra left the training ground first, followed by Zares and Kandhita.
They strolled together, enjoying the view of the forest under the orange-colored sky.
"How long will Master stay here?" Kandhita asked about Master Vitjendra.
"I'm not sure, but he'll probably leave soon and come back to the village in about two weeks or more," Zares answered.
"Mmm, alright. While he's gone, I'll accompany you for practice and cook some good meals to boost your stamina," said Kandhita.
"Thank you so much. By the way, are you trying to tease me with that loose kebaya?" Zares joked, teasing Kandhita’s kebaya that had slipped down a little.
"Eeeh! You pervert! Watch out!" Kandhita responded, a bit embarrassed with a reddening face.
"Ah... forgive me... hahaha!"
They headed home, laughing and playfully chasing each other.
To be continued...