Disciple (1)

He seemed… sad?

That was the very first change I had seen on his face ever since I met him, a very drastic change at that.

Why?

'Hmm…'

Maybe I could roughly guess the reason behind those tears but it would be better if I listened to his story first.

"Sorry… I lost my composure for a moment."

"No, it's okay. You can take your time."

Had he gone mellow on me? Maybe he had. I had been living with him for over a week, so it was natural for him to open up to me.

"There are an uncountable number of dens spread throughout the forest. And not to mention, all of them are infested by Sabertooth Tigers, making them places that were too dangerous to even approach.

"Is it impossible even for you?"

"Yes, or else I wouldn't have been stuck here for years." His frustration was showing on his face. I could somehow understand why he was so frustrated. I didn't know for how long he had secluded himself from the Tower, but I knew his relentless efforts to better himself. Every day and night, he trained and shed sweat like a madman.

That also goes to show how dangerous the Sabertooth Tigers and their dens were. If someone like Miyamoto Musashi was saying it was impossible for him, I should just give up on the Crimson Eyes.

'But I am stubborn.'

Something like that wasn't enough to stop me.

'Because I have something that no one else has.'

And that is the power to go back in time, the power of regression. And, unlike before, I could keep all of my memories intact. That gave me the power to win through failures.

'Though there are some questions left about my regression, I should probably keep them aside for a while.'

Right now, what I needed to show Musashi was integrity and sincerity. If I played my moves carefully, I could probably complete that quest from earlier. That would be killing two birds with one stone.

A long pause stretched out between us. Neither of us spoke first. Musashi kept on keeping his silent stance, keeping his eyes affixed to me. He was probably thinking something.

'Should I make my move?'

Since we would be met with a stalemate if we kept on like this, it was better for one of us to speak up first.

That would be me.

"Train me." the integrity that flowed out of my mouth wasn't that of a meticulous snake, but of a human that truly wanted to learn.

I spent my days here with an unusual uneasiness sprouting inside me. A strange feeling that I could not explain no matter how hard I tried. Every time I saw the blades in Musashi's hands swaying through the air, cutting it softly but firmly, like a falling plum leaf hovering mildly, I was overwhelmed with inexplicable emotions. My heart pumped violently, my legs trembled at the sight, and adrenaline rushed through my veins. I wanted to run and grab anything— a stick, a knife or whatever it was— anything, and swing it to my heart's content. I even tried a few times. But it felt unsatisfactory. Something was missing. I didn't have any idea what that was. And I could get my answers only from one person— the Sword Saint in front of me, Miyamoto Musashi.

I wanted to learn. And I had to be straightforward for it.

I got on both of my knees and banged my head against the hard stone beneath us.

Bam!

Blood dripped from my forehead but I didn't care.

"Please accept me as your disciple!"

'Hope my intentions got through him.'

I kept my head low, not caring about his response. All I needed to show him was my submissiveness. That should be enough for him to accept me.

"Why…?"

'Huh?'

"Why do you keep on insisting on learning from me?"

That question… was probably a test for me.

I raised my head slowly and looked up at him.

"The day we talked for the first time…"

I was mesmerized by the sword. His sword was so beautiful that I fell in love at first sight. The movements, as fluid as a waterfall, bewitched me in its spell. The overwhelming but soft force that accompanied each swing made my heart pound violently. And the sheer speed made me crave it.

I wanted to grasp it. I wanted to wield it. I wanted my hands to swing it. I wanted my body to control it. I wanted that sword.

"That's why I want to learn from you."

"..."

It was not me speaking. It was my desire voicing itself out loud. For once, I let my desire out. The strong burning fire that made up this desire, I couldn't hold it back anymore.

'I want to learn that sword.'

That became my driving force.

"...are you sure about this?"

"Yes."

"You might die."

I knew about that. Even on Earth, Musashi's writings and teachings were so hard to follow that only a handful of people could barely stick to them. And maybe his training became so rigorous after coming to the Tower that I could really die. But death didn't scare me anymore. To beat this endless cycle, death will become my power.

"I am prepared for that."

***