The crowd roared as Alex stood victorious in the center of the ring, his chest heaving from exhaustion. The final round was over and Alex had now won the National Martial Arts championship. Yet, even as the applause rang in his ears, something stirred deep inside him. A strange sense of dissatisfaction.
On the way home, his mentor noticed his troubled expression. "What's with that frowned face? You just became the National Champion," the older man asked, steering the car through the quiet streets.
Alex hesitated before answering, "Even after working so hard for the past few months and even winning the championship…I just don't feel satisfied. I get the feeling like there's more to martial arts than what I've learned. Like I haven't even scratched the surface of my real potential."
His mentor smiled gently. "That's exactly what I like about you," he said with a nod. "You're always striving to go further and improve yourself."
This man beside Alex, was once one of the strongest and feared martial artists in the country and now after retiring and at the age of 54, with gray hair and a face worn by time, he ran his own school of martial arts.
It's almost funny how there was a time when people fought for a chance to learn under him but now, most had moved on with their life, as he faded from memory.
"Alex," he continued softly, "you are my masterpiece. Never forget that."
Taken aback by the sudden comment, Alex frowned, ""Teach…You are creeping me out."
"Aww, don't be like that. You're hurting this old man's feelings."
Both laughed as the heavy mood from before drifted away. A short while later, they stopped by a convenience store to grab some coffee and sat back at a nearby bench.
"Sir," Alex said, looking at him earnestly, "tell me more about martial arts. I want to make this my future, just like you did."
The old man grew quiet for a moment, looking at the sky before answering.
"In today's world, martial arts is just a performance. People show off their moves for fame and competition but that wasn't the case before. Long ago, martial arts only existed for one sole purpose: To kill each other. Before the invention of guns and modern weapons, it was the most efficient way to end a life." The old man's voice grew deeper with every word he spoke.
"Uh…sir? What's up with your voice?" Alex blinked and tilted his head.
"Shut up and listen." His mentor's tone was strict but not unkind. "I don't want you to walk this path, Alex. Martial arts may seem glorious now but when it becomes real, a means to survival it's nothing but the most brutal and unforgiving sport. I've seen what it does to people. That's why I hesitate. You're like my own son to me…I just want you to find your happiness elsewhere."
Alex lowered his head slightly. He knew the weight his teacher carried– the man had lost his wife and his unborn daughter only a few months ago while his wife was giving birth. The pain never fully left him.
"I understand, sir." Alex replied with a soft smile.
They sat quietly for a moment, the cold air brushing gently against their faces.
But in his heart, Alex already knew. He had made his decision long ago. No matter what path lay ahead, he wanted to keep moving forward.
***
Arthur
"Oh, you are awake?"
As soon as I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a familiar voice. My eyes fluttered as I was once again reminded of everything I had before and everything I had lost. A sudden sense of nostalgia and guilt coursed through me. My eyes were getting teary, but I held back.
I lifted my head and what I saw wasn't exactly what I had imagined to see once I woke up. The last thing that I saw before losing my consciousness were my parents and Aegis walking up to them.
Now, it wasn't my parents who stood before me, but Aegis.
"Where am I?!"
I jumped off the water bed Aegis prepared for me, but as soon as I tried to get up, an immense amount of pain in my chest coursed through me.
"Take it easy. You are safe."
Aegis came towards me as soon as he finished cooking the meal. The aroma was quite tempting but it wasn't a smell that I had ever smelled. As someone from the edge of the continent, we spent our days eating basic food such as bread and soup. But this was something entirely different.
"What you are experiencing right now is Mana counterflow. The reason you are experiencing this is because you used up all your mana in our little, friendly spar."
Aegis continued to explain why I was suddenly experiencing chest pain.
"Friendly spar?! I gave it my all and I still felt like I was dying and he calls it a friendly spar? How dare he?!"
I screamed to myself as I was overwhelmed by the difference in our strength.
"Regardless, I wasn't expecting you to wake up so soon."
Aegis passed me a bowl, as he sat down in the water bed.
"How long was I out?" I asked, confusion evident in my face.
"About 3 months, I guess?" Aegis answered.
"3 months?!"
I was surprised to hear that I was unconscious for almost 3 months. I wanted to go to Arcia as soon as possible and learn more about magic and this world.
"Why are you so surprised? It's already a miracle it took you just 3 months to wake up from mana counterflow," Aegis calmed me down as he went towards the bonfire to make some more food.
"What do you mean? I was unconscious for 3 months, I missed on so many things."
I was filled with regret beyond the explanation. My first trip in Essos was a failure.
"Don't you know? When someone experiences mana counterflow, they can lose consciousness for years, some don't even wake up and die from old age."
"I guess, I should be grateful then."
"But still, I wanted to go to Arcia and learn more about magic, know more about the continent and get stronger."
After hearing about my plan, Aegis gave a thoughtful look as if he was thinking something.
"What if I train you to get stronger and provide you information about the power structure of the continent? Will you still regret not going to the capital city?"
Aegis said, firmly. If it wasn't for his serious face, I would've taken it as a joke. But even so, I did not understand what was going on. A man who nearly killed me before now wants to train me? It didn't make sense at all.
"Huh?"
Those were the only words I could manage to get out of my mouth, as I was suddenly feeling a rush of excitement with just the mere thought of growing strong.
"My main goal is to train you. I'll teach you everything you want to know, though I am not exactly skilled at conjuring spells. But there is one thing I am sure of, when it comes to close combat there's no one better than me in this continent, not even the former king of Elves, Gaius Everlune."
Aegis' words came out confidently and his bold statement of him being stronger than former king of Elves made me even more curious about his true strength.
"But why me?" I asked, more confused than ever.
"I was ordered to train you. But honestly, it's more out of my curiosity to see how strong you can get with proper guidance."
Aegis said, with a glint in his eyes.
Those words were genuine.
"We are gonna start our training tomorrow, so get some rest."
He stood up, going back to his tent. But I had already wasted 3 months lying unconscious, before we start our training I wanted to know more about this world's power structure before I begin my journey in earnest.
"Before we begin, can I ask you something?"
I asked, before Aegis could go back. He turned his face back, his eyebrows going upwards, clearly confused.
"What is it?"
His voice was the same as the face he was making. Confused.
"You see, once I go back to Arcia, I wanna start my journey as an adventurer just like my father. But I don't know how the power structure of Essos works, so could you tell me more about it?
I asked cautiously, making sure I didn't make it obvious that I am not really this boy named Arthur, who just so happened to be reincarnated.
I want to enjoy this life to the fullest, but if I don't have the power, I can't protect my family and the friends I am gonna make in future.
This is a natural law. No matter which universe.
'The Survival of the Fittest.'
That's why I need to get stronger and acquire knowledge. Knowledge is a weapon, afterall. Not just for my sake but for everyone around me.
Am not gonna let anyone die around me.
"That's a promise I made to myself a long back but after meeting Aegis, that resolve only just got more stronger."
"If you really want to know more about this continent's power structure, I'll tell you. But it isn't the most interesting topic, is that fine?"
Aegis turned back, as he once again came towards me.
"Yes!" I answered back, my excitement getting the best of me.
"The power structure is quite complicated, so we need to start from the very beginning when the continent was first divided."
Aegis' voice went even deeper.
"His habits reminds me of master Ren."
I thought to myself and smiled. As it felt, I can finally put my guard down.