To my surprise, the training session, which lasted just over an hour (given that not everyone had abundant prana), went quite smoothly. It felt less like a class in a sports school and more like military training. The raigs hung onto every word and gesture of mine, executing every command with diligence and commitment remarkable for such young individuals.
I held sessions with the Knights of BKDW on the coast. Occasionally, after setting them a new task, I'd dash to the roof to check on Crixus's progress. He seemed to be managing just as well on his end. His students showed him the same level of respect they showed me. I must admit, Crixus executed my orders flawlessly. The young man clearly had a knack for teaching.
Among the raigs of the organization, Maya stood out with her expertise in handling both her blade and Projection. This didn't surprise me in the least. She was a fully-fledged Knight, well-trained, and it showed. Given she's at the third level, she's accustomed to the Break and seemed perfectly at home within it.
Of those under Crixus's tutelage, a few Knights displayed commendable skills. Notably, the group dressed in Greek armor that I was already acquainted with, as well as Ungor and a couple of raigs from the country's second-largest city after Wilflaes. On the other hand, Halley was a bit of a letdown. While he wasn't entirely out of his depth in the Break, his blade technique was quite crude. That said, he still fared better than most. Even Dobrynya and Baenre, with only a few lessons from me, appeared more seasoned than many of the newcomers.
But, if today's enthusiasm doesn't evaporate in the coming days, I foresee significant improvements on the horizon.
Teaching has never been my strong suit. However, when every word you utter is received as if it's gospel and students are eager to act on it, it doesn't feel all that taxing. Nevertheless, I'd much rather fend off Breakthroughs, even if it means risking my life, than commit to teaching. It's not where my passion lies. But there's a principle called "duty." Guided by that, Zanh Kiem right now, in the middle of the night, is searching for traces of Eshin, while I instruct the younger generation on the basics of fencing. We each play our part, doing our best, and I will continue doing so until the Maker yields, ensuring the world endures, if only for an extra minute.
My slightly deceptive words spoken before the start of the training appealed to simple human desires and had their intended effect by the end. Fourteen previously independent Break Knights from the capital joined the BKDW. While I didn't outright lie, my actions led everyone to believe that only members of the organization would receive personal training from the Maestro. Naturally, this wasn't true, but my maneuver was calculated to produce this very effect. Was it underhanded? Perhaps a bit. However, considering the looming challenges, the better organized the raigs are, the longer the world will endure. I did feel a twinge of guilt, but it was minimal.
We also empirically determined the optimal training duration to be one hour and twelve minutes. This duration enabled those who traveled from distant places to return home, even if they were running on their last reserves of prana.
My plan for a heart-to-heart with Maya, unfortunately, didn't pan out. As soon as the session ended, she was swamped with conversations from those eager to join the organization. While part of me wanted to reprimand her, I recognized the bigger picture and let her be. However, Crixus and Ungor approached me immediately. I ended up giving these two an additional half-hour lesson. And it was time well spent! Just like Crixus, the warrior clad in dwarven armor had a natural flair for fencing. Such prodigies are rare, and honing their skills felt rewarding. During this lesson, we also evaluated all the newcomers. We subsequently divided the raigs into three groups based on their skill levels. I'll handle the first group, the novices who have much to learn. I believe that foundational skills should be imparted by the most experienced teacher; a mistake made early in one's training can become insurmountable later on. Crixus will take those with a basic understanding. The few exceptionally skilled ones will assist either him or me, and they'll also receive a separate half-hour lesson. This arrangement worked for us, and all that remained was to draft the rosters, a task Crixus willingly accepted.
In addition to my other observations, recalling Maya's remarks, I closely inspected the weapons of the Knights, singling out any with the faintest hint of rust on their blades. Only a few had this issue - four from Wilflaes, Baenre included. I made a mental note to determine the cause of this rust later. Although it's likely a personal concern, the stakes are high, and I'll need to delve deep.
Overall, things went far better than I'd expected. However, one persistent annoyance was the continuous barrage of questions regarding the specifics of my duel with the Maker. Initially, I brushed these off with laughter, but as they persisted, I began to bristle, eventually assigning extra training to the most inquisitive. This tactic deterred most, but Crixus proved a tougher nut to crack. Eventually, I alluded to the abilities I'd acquired from the Break, which was a half-truth. This seemed to appease him somewhat, and he finally gave me the space I desired.
Before parting ways, I pulled Halley and Crixus aside. Discovering that their plans for the next day were flexible, I proposed they join the investigation into Eshin. Both expressed palpable excitement at the prospect. It was high time other raigs became involved. Not just to expedite the investigation, though that was a perk, but to foster a sense of contribution among them. However, I stipulated one condition: they'd need to undergo something akin to an interview with Zanh Kiem before gaining full access to our findings. This provision wasn't met with much enthusiasm, but both acquiesced. I realize I'm being overly cautious, but the gravity of our situation demands it.
I returned home with a gamut of emotions. While the day had its successes, a weight pressed on my heart. I gazed out over the city, observing the sparse nighttime wanderers, and was haunted by visions of an impending apocalypse.
No Projection could substitute genuine human rest, regardless of its seemingly wondrous capabilities. So, with a familiar sense of reluctance, I shed off the Angel, stripped down to my undergarments, and quickly prepared a pre-packaged meal. As I ate, I decided to peruse the BKDW website before retiring. Based on tidbits from training, it seemed this site was the catalyst for the chain of events Maya had ensnared me in.
As I had anticipated, the headline news on the main page was a video titled, "Training Duel between the Maker of the Palm of Retribution and the Break Knight Maestro, conducted in the presence of Wilflaes' elite forces!"
What a grandiloquent title! Intriguingly, they hadn't hesitated to disclose Zanh Kiem's status. Still, such a revelation wouldn't have been made without his approval, and Eshin undoubtedly knows that martial monastery representatives are part of the investigation. If there were any risk involved, I'm confident the Maker would have vetoed the entire idea. The video's view count was nearing one hundred and fifty million, increasing by thousands each second. The counter beneath the video was frenetically updating.
Hold on. Why was the video twelve minutes long? Our confrontation with Zanh Kiem definitely hadn't lasted that duration!
I started playback.
Astonishing! No, that's an understatement. It's more like...WOW! Being an expert in the field, I instantly recognized the skill level of the video's creators. These were true virtuosos. They'd seamlessly merged footage from various cameras, some of which shot at a staggering two thousand frames per second. The editing was so superior that a tinge of professional jealousy tinged my admiration.
The video was structured into three distinct segments. The initial part showcased the duel, intentionally presented in a raw, lower-quality format, seemingly sourced from police vehicle dashcams and smartphone recordings. But even in this grainy resolution, the action was breathtaking. Particularly during moments when Zanh Kiem and I moved so rapidly that we exceeded the usual twenty-four frames per second capture rate. The subsequent nine-minute section provided an expertly crafted analysis, using footage from high-speed cameras. The video would intermittently pause as the authoritative voice of a seasoned warrior — whom I recognized as Mr. Rock's baritone — elucidated specific maneuvers. Darn! Even having been a participant, I found myself captivated. According to the narration, it appeared as if viewers were witnessing the most monumental duel of the century. Heavens! Was that really me in action? Undoubtedly, the Angel played a significant role, but the armor hadn't controlled me. I had fought of my own accord. I was certain of that.
I bent down, gently brushing the armor's helmet with my fingertips. From my Spark, a slender thread of insight emerged. This must be how sensum Enlightments function: in an instant, clarity washes over me.
The First Angel possesses the "Honest Mirror." Should the wearer's opponent boast superior physical prowess, Metatron "mirrors" these abilities for the duration of the combat, bestowing them upon its bearer. No, it can't transform one into a shapeshifter, but it can grant equivalent speed and strength.
That aspect now made sense, but the rest was my own doing. A seasoned swordsman is trained to observe and decipher combat intricacies, and their reading aptitude often surpasses that of unarmed combat specialists. This discrepancy stems from the dire consequences of erring: missing a punch to the jaw is one thing, but failing to detect a blade lunging straight into your heart is another. Coupled with the "Fan of Probabilities" activated by the Angel, I was able to spar with the Maker, nearly matching him blow for blow. I emphasize "nearly," for at the duel's conclusion, Zanh Kiem emerged unscathed. Were I not a raig, I would've been permanently half-crippled, given that the tendons and muscles torn during our clash would likely never have healed completely in a mere mortal.
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The video's final segment, lasting barely a minute, was a masterfully subtle propaganda piece. Its overarching message resonated as, "All is calm in Baghdad!"[1] Essentially, it conveyed: citizens of the capital, rest easy — no Breakthroughs are intimidating with such guardians on watch! Remarkably, it was devoid of ostentation and the clichés of advertisements. Everything was succinct, relevant, and presented as an analytical overview, accentuated by highlights from the duel.
Incredible... Did Maya really pull this off in just ninety minutes? Regardless of my annoyance with her, I had to credit her prowess. How many individuals would need to collaborate, coordinate, and expedite to produce such a high-caliber work in such a brief span?I know very well that even with the highest patronage, it is simply impossible to create such a thing in such a short time! Yet, it seems the word "impossible" doesn't exist in Maya's lexicon. She set a goal and achieved it. How? I can't fathom it! Yet she succeeded, and my own eyes bore witness.
I quickly scrolled through the top comments beneath the video. Good grief! I've now undeniably become the center of global headlines. The official statement from Rome alone, in which the Holy See verified the video's authenticity, speaks volumes. This implies that Tunk was involved too. I wonder, when I stepped away "for refueling," did anyone actually continue the investigation, or were they all sidetracked, leaving Nein to handle the Eshin-related tasks? It wouldn't shock me if that was the case!
Below the video, the subsequent news item was an announcement from Maya to all the Break Knights regarding an open training session led by Maestro, with the date and location provided. She's not just a woman; she's a force of nature! Does she possess a time machine? How does she accomplish so much?
With a willpower almost rivaling the strength needed to remove the Angel, I stopped reading the comments and headed to bed. I expected a restless night, filled with somber reflections and self-pity. Yet, the moment I settled under the light blanket, I drifted off.
I awoke early, sans any alarm. It was only eight in the morning, but I felt rested and energetic. After freshening up, I grabbed a quick breakfast. As I ate, fragments of my dream came back to me. Once more, I was a small fox frolicking in a lush meadow amidst an array of diverse animals. I'm perplexed why this particular dream keeps recurring, but I'm not overly concerned; there are enough enigmas in my life without dissecting my dreams! After my meal, I realized I needed to do some grocery shopping, after which, resisting the urge to power on my computer and risk getting sucked into hours of screen time, I donned my armor.
Oh, Mama mia! The security Metatron provides is indescribable. No words have yet been invented to express these sensations and lightness in the body. It's almost like a touch of omnipotence! I feel as though if I were to jump with a bit more force, I'd soar into the heavens, not just in Projection, but in reality. Of course, it's just a sensation and I can't actually fly, but still...
Transitioning into the Break, I tread the familiar path from my apartment, one I could navigate even blindfolded. And in this context, I mean it literally. Finding an available phone was a breeze – there were plenty of offices around that hadn't opened yet.
I dialed Zanh Kiem to find out the current location of the primary operation headquarters. It was situated outside the city, three kilometers from Wilflaes' northern boundary, at the training base of the Alihark's Dogs clan. After getting the coordinates, I arrived at the location in a mere three minutes.
Unsurprisingly, I noticed Maya was also present. Does she ever sleep? Or has she completely forgotten what sleep even feels like?
I greeted everyone, including the three curators I was already familiar with. After catching up on the latest news and sharing a couple of inside jokes with the head of the Third Palm, I pulled Maya into the Break.
"I have a huge request for you!" I began. Yesterday's irritation towards her had subsided, but she still needed to be addressed.
"Yes, master?" She responded, her eyes averted like a mischievous kitten caught in the act.
"In the future, please refrain from organizing events like yesterday's without informing me."
"But, master," she interjected, "I began to inform you, but you were deep in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something crucial... I didn't want to press the matter. Are you upset with me?"
"What you did was truly beneficial," I admitted. Indeed, both the training and the video, born out of her enthusiasm, had proven advantageous. Everyone had embraced her video idea so enthusiastically that they'd crafted a small masterpiece in a remarkably short span, using significant resources. All of this had Zanh Kiem's full endorsement. "However, in the future, no matter how preoccupied I seem, consult me before taking such monumental steps. Understood?"
"Absolutely!" Her voice conveyed pure delight, suggesting she'd heard only what she wished to in my words.
"Now, concerning today's agenda. Do you have contacts for Crixus and Halley?"
"I have Crixus's number, as he's an open raig. And I know how to get in touch with Halley."
"Invite them here. I want them involved in the investigation."
"Excellent idea!.."
I settled into a chair, a grin stretching so wide across my face that it felt like my lips might split. Thankfully, my closed visor concealed it, which was fortunate; it wouldn't have been appropriate.
I observed Zanh Kiem conversing with a pair of Break Knights. And truly, enduring the recent challenges seemed worthwhile. Halley's reaction was as anticipated — a mix of unease and mild apprehension. But Crixus's behavior was the highlight. Arriving in a plain T-shirt and jeans, he awkwardly fumbled over his words, evading direct questions. Watching the Maker corner him with mere sentences was a sight to behold. It was like witnessing a solo theater performance! The head of the Third Palm might appear affable on the surface, but his words were biting. I almost felt bad for Crixus. Almost. He brought this upon himself.
However, the conversation unfolded exactly as I'd anticipated. Both Halley and Crixus were cleared of any suspicions regarding their connections with Eshin.
Then, the work commenced.
Maya was paired with Mr. Rock, Halley assisted Alir, Crixus was under Tunk, and I, echoing the previous day's pattern, offered to assist Nein. Zanh Kiem asserted he could manage on his own, which was understandable.
All information and reports converged at the headquarters. We raigs functioned as messengers, couriers, or impeccable tracking instruments.
The more I collaborated with the Third Palm's investigator, the deeper my admiration grew for this remarkably young individual. I had always thought that brilliant detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Nero Wolfe were merely figments of writers' imaginations. That belief held until I met Nein.
The man in the audacious biker attire displayed such investigative prowess that I often felt as bewildered as Dr. Watson might have, especially when Nein detailed his analytical processes.
Thus, our day unfolded with relentless pursuits and trace findings. Many leads turned out to be dead ends, while others were decoys, and some were outright traps. If not for the Break Knights' assistance, I doubt even Nein's genius would have prevailed. But steadily, methodically, we inched closer to our objective.
The penultimate summer day commenced similarly to the preceding one. We were joined by four others: Rex, Leonidas, and the duo of Thora and Kael. The pace of our investigation quickened. Perhaps no investigation of this magnitude had ever advanced this rapidly, especially with the aid of eight raigs!
There were moments when it seemed we'd reached a dead end, especially when a trail led to an expertly camouflaged cul-de-sac. But these instances were fleeting. Each time, Nein would pinpoint another clue visible only to him, prompting us to unravel another mystery, then the next one, and so on.
We hardly had a moment to peruse online comments or keep abreast of global events. Our commitment was round-the-clock. Thankfully, Zan had taught me a unique monastic meditation technique. Even with my feeble Spark, it expedited my recuperation. I fully leveraged the capabilities of the Angel.
The investigation wholly consumed me. Being in Nein's vicinity, observing his methods — it felt like a divine privilege.
Tomorrow, I'm scheduled to move into the university dormitory. The thought felt so trivial and remote that I even contemplated withdrawing. If the world's plummeting into chaos, what's the purpose of education? But, as if sensing my mood, Zan intervened and specifically brainwashed me on the topic of "live as you lived"! I had to agree with him.
The clock read twenty past seven on the thirtieth of August. Nein, leaning back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head, smiled and made a resolute declaration, "You're done for, bastards!"
"What?" My response was almost reflexive.
He spun in his chair, facing me with undisguised triumph. "I mean," he began, "Eshin is finished. I've got them!"
"How?"
"Simple. I just caught them." He stretched languidly, taking a sip of his now cold tea. "It's all set. There are no mistakes, I promise you." He paused, reminding me of our recent change in addressing each other informally. "Go find the boss and the curators. We have two, maybe three hours tops, before they realize their mistakes and try to cover their tracks."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, Maestro. I'm sure. It's the end for them!"
[1] TLN: This refers to a classic Aladdin film, where a line and song emphasize that everything is calm and under control. See the link for context: https://youtu.be/y_Oy9MHrEMI?t=4626.