Chương 8: Training?
"Run Kid, Run. Run as your life depends on it."
"Fucker! You bet, my life depends on it. Help me, before this thing kills me."
It's been 4 hectic weeks for Arsh. The first 3 of them, just being physical exercises given to him by Alan. After agreeing to train him mysteriously. Alan was silent for the whole day, hearing Arsh's request. Before reluctantly agreeing to it.
Arsh didn't know why that was. But he didn't try to force out answers from his newly found mentor. Leaving the issue as it is, for now.
"Save! Me!"
Arsh let out a desperate cry, running away from a dog-like monster.
The size of the monster was not all that great. He looked like a little puppy, if we removed his 6 legs, and the overgrown canines.
After 3 weeks of physical training. Alan usually left him with random monsters in the forest.
Arsh had to either come up with a way to escape or kill the monster.
"You think it would be funny; If I died running away from one of those things ?"
While killing any kind of monster was still physically impossible for him. Arsh jumped and climbed a tree quickly, leaving the monster on the ground. The little dog-like monster growled from the ground.
Arsh climbed to the very top of the tree. Where Alan was already present, somehow.
"I guess."
Alan shrugged, waving his hands. Signaling him to the ground.
"Come here. We need to talk about some important things first."
Alan slipped from the tree, falling streamlined to the ground. He landed on the ground, on his two legs, elegantly and perfectly.
Arsh jumped to the ground, following his mentor's example. The only difference between them is, Alan never landed flat on his face.
"The Monster is divided into 5 categories, according to their threat levels."
Alan continued. Paying Arsh lying flat on the ground, no heed whatsoever.
"Coyote - These are mostly small in size and edible. Like the dogs, you encounter every day. Small monsters like mantises and dogs, all fall into this category.
"Primates- They are the most abundant species of monsters in nature. Even more so than the coyotes. And the body of the beasts can also be used in very different ways.
"Gargoyles- The monster species that can fly are called gargoyles. They are very rare, So probably you won't even encounter one.
"Millenniums- Let me warn you, You should never cross blades with them. They are living, in natural disasters, with very high intelligence.
"Calamities- Only exist in the northern continent. Never encountered one. So, I don't have anything on them"
Alan looked at him, his eyes gleaming darkly. Arsh took a step back instinctively.
"Monsters are very dangerous. You need skills to even stand a chance against a coyote-level monster. So, we have to solely focus on your body this year."
Alan cracked his neck and fingers, moving forward to Arsh. A devious smile on his face. Arsh knew from his mentor's expression, the training is not going to be an enjoyable one.
"I'll teach you the basics first. Though, it won't be helping out much. You won't be able to even get out of the northern continent, with just the basics"
"So, I am going to drill all the techniques and spells I know. Directly into your head, for the next 2 years."
"After that, I'll send you to the southern continent. To the Brakebills academy of the southern continent for magic and Swordsmanship, when you will be 16."
Alan explained the reasoning behind every training regiment he was planning with Arsh. While also explaining the details of his future plans too, and how they will achieve them, eventually.
"Hmmm…"
But Arsh was not stupid. He already experienced firsthand how the real world works. It is a brutal, cruel, and unforgiving place.
Arsh looked at Alan suspiciously. Nobody will help you for free. Arsh learned that in the encounter with the adventurer. When not a single person from the crowd moved forward to help him.
"Why are you helping me so much?"
The forest was quiet, only the sound of the river flowing nearby could be heard. Alan facing the opposite of Arsh.
Amidst the quiet forest, a strong and resolute voice reverberated.
"I need your help too, in exchange for mine. In destroying the church of harmony, and saving my family."
Arsh felt strange hearing that. Although it made a lot of sense about his previous conversations. But, there were still details Alan held on to. Arsh was sure of that.
But this time, Arsh was determined. He wanted to know the full story. How and why, Alan ended up on this secluded continent, away from everything?
"What? Why did they capture your family?"
So, He pressed on for details.
Alan stared at the bright sun in the bright blue sky for a few moments. His voice was dry and expression doleful.
As he started telling his story in a low tone.
"I was born and raised in the southern continent until I was 16. My family was a follower of the goddess of harmony. I had an excellent fighting aptitude for my age. You can even call me a genius"
He stopped, giving Arsh a genuine smile. Before his expression changed again.
"Due to my humble background. They didn't even hesitate to kidnap our whole family, for getting me to work for them."
"I was sent to Espada camps. While my little sister was sent to school as some saintess of the church. When she was just 10 years old."
He continued gazing continuously at the beautiful silent forest. His voice faltered from time to time.
"They promised me. I could meet her once every month if I completed my task. But, It was far from the truth. They always tried to reduce my contact with my family. So, I can be accustomed to living without them."
"They didn't kill my family, because it could cost my loyalty to them."
His voice trembled. He turned away from the forest. Looking Arsh directly into his crimson eyes.
"I killed thousands of people, hundreds of kids in my tenure. Most of them were younger than you. An assassin with the pseudonym of shadow. I was one of their best assassins, so they can't just replace me easily."
Alan let out a humorless laugh. Followed by a heavy breath, trying to keep his voice still.
"I started ignoring their orders from time to time after that. I started to feel guilty, I felt cursed. The feeling of guilt was creeping up on me every night. But.... it all changed. They started threatening me with my family's lives, to complete my tasks."
Alan moved from his spot. Grabbing Arsh by his collar, and lifting him up from the ground.
"It's been 4 years, Arsh. 4 FUCKING YEARS. I just tugged my tail and ran to the northern mountain. While my family is paying for my cowardly sins."
Alan's brown eyes were hollowly dark. Soon, tears slowly began forming in the corners of his eyes.
Arsh was silent and didn't resist in the slightest. He let Alan vent his anger, frustration, and sadness on himself.
'Because you did the same for me.'
He knew what Alan was feeling, he was the same after all. He knew all too well. How it felt to lose everything. But, Alan had hope, a real chance of saving his family.
However minuscule that chance was.
"I will help you save your family. Even if I have to lay my life on the line. Because I know, how it feels to see them dead in front of your eyes."
Arsh continued. As Alan slowly put him on the ground.
"I don't care. What do I have to do to get enough power to destroy them. I don't care about the path, as long as I get the results. Help me, Alan. Make me strong. Strong enough to destroy them. I am going to destroy the very order, they have established in this world."
Alan looked at him dazed. His expression gave away the surprise he felt by Arsh's words. He was silent until he spoke again.
"Says the kid who can't kill a coyote-level beast"
A little smile appeared on his face.
________
It was peak afternoon. The time for the sun to be at its peak. Alan was explaining the use of weapons to Arsh in detail.
"Daggers are perfect for assassination and stealth attacks. While swords are powerful in a face-to-face situation."
Alan removed his sword from the black scabbard. It was completely tar black, devouring every piece of light striking it. Same as the marble, Arsh saw in the mysterious temple.
"You need a more bulky body than yours for using a sword efficiently. Though I honestly prefer swords, It is more efficient."
He sheathed his sword again. Pointing a finger at Arsh.
"But, you have the aura of a magician. Not of a swordsman nor of an assassin"
"While magic is in a class of its own. Magic mostly depends upon the user's lineage and talent. It is not my area of expertise. But, I can say for sure you will be able to excel in it"
Alan smiled darkly, licking his lips.
'....What is this maniac planning on doing?'
Arsh was aware of the sadistic personality of his mentor. For the last 4 weeks, Arsh was witnessing it himself.
He was sure, his mentor again was thinking something. That Arsh most certainly won't like.
"...Ok, I understand. I am going to do push-ups now"
Arsh took a step back after seeing Alan's expression. But Alan was faster, He caught Arsh, before, he could run away.
Alan dragged him by the leg, all the way into the forest. Before smiling again, he threw Arsh into the river, near the falling waterfall.
"Swim against the stream. Or you can try falling down the waterfall. I am sure, you won't lose more than a few limbs."
Alan shouted at him from the bank of the giant river. Looking content by himself. Arsh knew better than to argue with that guy. It will serve no purpose after all.
So, he started swimming against the current with full force. Even though the stream was strong, Arsh was able to hold out for some time in it.
The last 3 weeks of physical training made his body stronger. But it was nowhere at the level, strong enough to swim against a whole stream of the river.
After 5 min of continuous swimming. Arsh fell from the waterfall from exhaustion. while bracing himself for the impact.
'Am I going to die like this?'
But, before he can lose some limbs. Arsh is caught by his potentially crazy master in midair.
'Thank god. Even this guy is human.'
Alan gave him a careless look before dropping him, from half the height of the waterfall.
"Yoooouuuuuu"
The water felt like concrete to Arsh. He was dropped into the water. from a height akin to the 6-floor building.
He came out of the water, wincing in pain. He swam towards his master, clearly enraged.
"Are you trying to kill me? Before any churches can do so?"
Arsh shouted at him. Alan in return gave him an indifferent look. Not minding him in the slightest.
"Hmmm"
"I should have let you fall all the way."
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