PART 10 :-
ADVICE & SUGGESTION
MC perspective :-
[At the forest training ground, Juha taught his disciple about warfare in Furusiyya.]
"No, no, that's not the right way. This is the third time you've failed."
"I am trying—"
"Don't make excuses. You were doing this well in the previous session. You are not fully focused."
"What should I do to make it perfect!?"
"Look carefully. Aura is highly connected to your inner emotions. You have to understand the proper amount and method to transfer your Aura into a weapon. Look closely—"
He picked up a stick.
"This is a normal stick. It can't handle the amount of Aura we transfer into a proper weapon. If you force too much Aura into it, it will explode or crack, and in the worst case, it may even damage your hand."
All of a sudden, the stick exploded and Juha's hand was badly injured.
"See? That's what happens if you are not careful with your weapon."
"But what about your hand!?"
"That's not a problem."
His hand healed within seconds.
"If you are careless, you may damage your weapon as well. It may crack or break.
Now I will show you something interesting."
He picked up a wooden sword and said—
"I will break that original sword with this wooden sword by using Aura. Now attack me with that sword and use your Aura."
I rushed toward him with the iron sword, but with a single slash, he cut the sword in half just as he said he would.
"See? If you use proper knowledge, you can defeat your opponent no matter how strong they are or what advantage they have."
After saying that, he threw me a water balloon.
"Now transfer your Aura into it and throw it at the target for maximum effect. If you use too much, it will burst in your hand. If you use too little, it won't be effective."
I started training again, but most of the time it burst in my hand.
"Hey, I told you earlier to focus."
"I am trying…"
"What happened? Did something happen at the academy?"
"Mini is in trouble. Aunt Iras was saying something about a veto. Like she went against the system just for me. If I wasn't cursed, then maybe she wouldn't have to go through that."
"I already told you about that…"
"Yeah, I remember, but I haven't even been able to see her for more than four days now… Imagine, four whole days. She needs my help, and I can't even meet her. That's so frustrating. I mean, your friend needs help and you're just standing there doing nothing…"
"You love her, don't you?"
"So what's the big deal if I do? Am I not allowed to love anyone because of my curse?"
"When did I say it was a big deal? You are the one who denied it before, remember?"
"I can't focus on anything. I want to see her so badly. I can't even understand what the problem is if she wants to do what she wants. I mean, I see everyone else doing whatever they want, so why does her family have a problem with her following her own wishes?"
"You are too young to understand that, but our society has never been kind to women. They are treated like tools for their families. If she belongs to a high-status family, then she is often seen as nothing more than a political marriage tool or a way to continue the bloodline. More like a sacrifice or a pawn for the family. If a girl was too smart or prophetic, she was labeled 'crazy.'
And if they were commoners, then it meant hard labor from a young age, forced marriage, and abuse."
"Why does this society have such double standards?"
"It wasn't created in a single day. It is the result of many years, and now it has become normal."
"How?"
"What's the most common thing in food now?"
"Ahh… salt?"
"Exactly. Now imagine someone saying food without salt is better, and people start following that idea. After some time, it would become normal. Then if someone used salt again, people would call them strange."
"Is that so…"
"Every blind belief you see in society today is the continuation of generations of thinking. You cannot create it in a single day, and you cannot erase it in a single day either."
"Then how should I help her?"
"First, you need to understand her situation."
"Didn't you hear what I said? I can't even meet her."
"I know someone who might help you."
"Who!?" I asked excitedly.
"Sagurd, your friend's teacher. He knows your Aunt Iras very well, and she cannot refuse his words."
"You should have told me that sooner!"
I immediately ran toward his shop to ask for his help.
"Hey, your training isn't over yet—"
"I'll finish it later. Thanks for the suggestion!"
And with that, I left the place.
......
PART 11 :-
STILL UNKNOWN
Bond perspective :-
"Now, now, move your hands faster, you slackers."
"Hey—we are not your laborers," Dex complained about the way he treated us.
We finally finished our work.
"You know, old man, has anyone ever told you before that you're a mountebank and a leech?"
"You know, that's very insulting for a great person like me, but I agree with you because it's true that I see profit in almost everything."
"He forgot to mention that you're a narcissist too."
He punched both of us on the head.
"Now you've gone too far."
He then gave us food to eat.
"Do you guys have any specific weapons you prefer?"
We both shook our heads, signaling no.
"Then finish your meals quickly."
After we finished eating, he started his class.
"In a fight, a weapon is a very important thing. You don't need to master every weapon—only one is enough."
"Why?" Dex asked.
"Don't tell me you boys have never heard the quote."
"What quote?"
"I don't fear the person who knows a thousand moves. I fear the person who has practiced one move a thousand times."
"I don't understand," Dex said.
"There is no guarantee that you'll win against your opponent just because you know how to use every weapon. But if you master a single weapon better than anyone else, you can surpass your opponent. Become such a perfectionist with one weapon that no one can ever surpass you."
"So that's why they say we should use a specific weapon."
"That's correct."
"Then tell me, what would be good for us?" I asked.
"Hmm, now that you ask, I have to tell you something. When we specialize in a weapon, we must treat it like a part of our own body. We should wield it as naturally as we use our hands or legs."
"How do we know which weapon is best for us?"
"Hmm... just as an animal chooses you as your inner self, a weapon chooses you as well."
"How can a weapon choose us?"
"You will never truly master a weapon if you are not worthy of it."
"Then how do we prove our worth?"
"I have Arsenal[*] in my shop, practice with every weapons here. And at the 'Rite of Resonance' ritual the best weapon will going to choose you."
"What is Rite of Resonance!??"
"Oops, forget about what I said just now. You'll learn everything eventually. And don't tell anyone about what I said."
"Why?"
"Because it's the rule. You're not supposed to know about that until all of you are ready. For now, just focus on your practice."
After finishing our training—
"Hmm, it looks like either a sword or a hammer might choose you, Bond."
"Why do you think that!?"
"Well, you'll know soon enough."
"What will choose me?"
"Maybe twin weapons. You have perfect balance in your body, and you can easily copy others' movements. Twin weapons might perfectly match your personality. But it depends on various things as well, so nothing is confirmed yet."
"We don't know anything about Warfare, do we?"
"Yeah, but don't worry. They're going to tell you very soon."
Just as we were about to leave, something unexpected happened.
......
*[Arsenal :- collection of weapons]
......
PART 12 :-
ASKING FOR THE HELP
Bond perspective :-
"Oye, old geezer, I need your help." Bright showed up unexpectedly and asked the old man for help.
"Help??? What does Chiron want now?"
"Juha doesn't need anything. I do."
"You!!?? That's surprising. You're the disciple of the strongest person to ever exist, and you need my help!?"
"You know, Mini is in trouble."
"Mini!!?? Who is she?"
"Bright calls Minidra by that nickname," I replied.
"You call a princess by a nickname, and she allows it!! Do you even know what will happen if her family finds out?" He looked a little shocked.
"That's what I'm saying. Mini's family doesn't want her to be with us, so she filed a Veto."
"Wait, wait… a girl can file a Veto?" he asked in a surprised tone.
"That's what Aunt Iras said."
"Your girl does have guts. Well, she's going to lose anyway. By the way, what do you want from me?"
"That's why I need to meet her and help her."
"Then go meet her."
"But I can't. Juha said you know Aunt Iras very well, and if you convince her, she might allow me to meet Mini."
"Ha… ha… ha… Do I look like a joker!?? I would rather choose death than interact with her. If you told me to erase that clan, I might consider it, but convincing that woman!! Hell no, not a chance."
"I'm not joking. I'm serious."
"And I'm serious too. You don't know anything about our past. There are billions of people in this world, and yet you want me to convince that woman. You know, we were former teammates. She was one of my best friends, but we also did some unthinkable things together. She thinks I'm her pet who should obey her every word. Our relationship is far more complicated than that of a loving couple, because you might understand your wife… but not that lady."
"I'll do anything. Just help me."
"You'll do anything!?"
"Yes."
"Think carefully. You may not be able to take back your words later."
"I won't."
"Okay then. You'll have to work in my shop for the rest of your life, obey my every word without questioning me, and I'm not going to pay you."
......
Sagurd perspective :-
"I agree to anything, just help me."
What!!?? Is he mad, or does he not understand what I'm saying?
"You'll become my slave if I help you, you know?"
"Yeah."
He can go that far for his friend… Sacrificing himself for others without hesitation. Chiron was right—he truly is the most unique one. Maybe that's why his soul has that power. But convincing that woman!! I would rather die alone than ask for her help.
"Please… If I can't meet her, I won't understand what kind of situation she's in."
"Look, that woman might listen to her enemies' words, but not mine. So I'm sorry."
"You didn't even try…"
"Stop it, Bright. That old geezer is just a coward who can't even win against a woman."
"What did you say!!?"
"So what? You keep talking about how great you are, but if you can't even convince a woman whom you've known for a long time, then take your so-called greatness and stare at it yourself. I don't even know which insult fits you, because you're worse than an insult."
"Are you questioning my worth?? Then fine, I'll show all of you just how great I am. Kid, follow me."
"You really are stupid, you know that, Bright?"
"Why!?"
"Just hurt his ego a little, and he'll do anything. He may be strong, but his brain cells are just like yours."
"I can hear you guys."
......