Franz Lorraine (3)

"How does one define 'fighting'?

A brawl between two drunkards?

A battle between two of the best chess players?

A fight with yourself?

Or all of the above?

It's simple to understand but difficult to truly find meaning in it.

Oftentimes, fights are determined by violence, conflict, combat, and aggression.

Whether physically or mentally, one way or another it'll lead to the same result.

Ruins, corpses, lost legacies, the downfall of civilizations, and forever buried knowledge unknown to mankind.

Yet, certain individuals find beauty in the art of fighting.

Not the kind where you pit two barbarians together and expect a wonderful display of sportsmanship.

Or the type where you see two armies marching toward impending doom.

But a fight, where you'll be mesmerized by its simplicity and complexity at the same time.

A mixture between finesse, elegance, beauty, and violence. An art spanning eons, and to this day continues to be used. A concept we came to terms with and gave a name to.

Martial Arts."

"Zzzzz.....Zzzzzz.....-!"

SMACK!

"Brat, did you even listen to a word I said?!"

"...I-I tried!"

SMACK!

"And you failed!"

"How is it my fault when you're the one who's making it boring?!"

"..."

"...I'm s-sorry, I didn't-"

"No, you are correct in that matter."

"..."

"I can understand why it may seem boring to you. However, it is my duty as your teacher to simplify textbook information into something a child like you can understand. Therefore, as harsh as this may sound, I will continue to hammer information into that tiny head of yours."

"..."

"As of now, it is up to you whether you want to sit through this. I'm your teacher. Nothing more or nothing less. I cannot force you to do things, but I can lead you."

"..."

"Listen, child. There are kids out there who would die to have someone teach them anything. Kids that are less fortunate than you, and have it way worse. What you have is what many would call a privilege. The privilege to comfortably live, eat, and learn. Something kids, adults, and the elderly in the slums have no access to."

"..."

"And yet you sit here and complain. Do you see the issue?"

*Nod*

"Is this boring to you?"

*No-* Shake*

"Good."

*Pat*

"You're smart, so make use of your intelligence. Don't waste it because you find certain things boring in life."

"..."

"You've been awfully quiet. Spit it out, what's on your mind?"

"Uhm... since when did I accept you as my teacher?"

"...Y-you! ARGHHHHHHHH!"

-------------------------------

I feel heavy.

I can't move a single part of my body without it screaming in pain.

Pain due to overexertion in my muscles.

Did you train like this every single day of the week? With no adequate amount of rest?

Even with vivid memories and references to what kind of madness Mr. Lorraine went through, I simply cannot fathom the willpower to even drag myself a few centimeters across the cold ground.

You have an invisible mountain sitting on top of you, preventing you from moving a single muscle, while your body is in an indescribable amount of pain.

Yet, you... you somehow were able to stand up and walk for hours on end to the mansion.

"Hahahahaha...."

I laugh at my thoughts and misery.

"HAHAHAHAHA..."

I continued to laugh, as I bathed in the luminescence of the moon.

This pain...

It hurts. It hurts so bad.

"But why...?"

Why... never mind that... I never felt so alive.

I can feel my pain receptors sending signals upon signals to my brain, informing it that this is too much.

"Urghh..."

Right.

This guy went through this every single day for the past decade.

Not once in his memories did he skip training.

Tears were shed and blood was spilled for his efforts...

But not once... did he complain about his brutal way of training.

So what right do I have as the occupier of this body to voice out my complaints?

No, rather I should be blessed to even have a functioning body.

Be happy with what I have and work from there.

"Heh..."

That's what you did, no?

"Arghh...!"

With the strength I had left remaining, I forced my body to listen and slowly stood up.

"Come on! STAND UP!"

*THUD*

...

I... failed?

No.

If I cannot stand up, then I'll crawl my way to the finish line.

"No matter.... what it takes-"

One step at a time.

Slow and steady wins the race.

"One step..."

I felt the cold snow on my skin as I desperately crawled. The feeling of snow elegantly falling on my skin somehow made me feel relieved.

Unironically, something that should've made me shake in my boots because of the sheer coldness instead warmed me up more than anything else.

And also...

'Mom, and Dad.'

You guys are still out there, right? Somewhere in another universe, on a different planet, where everything else is much more peaceful compared to this world.

"One step..."

It's okay. I'm doing fine. Do not worry about me anymore.

"One..."

The memories I have of you guys are more than enough to keep me sane from this fucking madness.

"O..."

So please, be at ease now.

From here on out, I'll try my best to live.

...

...

...

During a cold lonely night, a single silhouette stared at the stars.

Their blank face reflected their beautiful shine, and the thoughts hidden within their eyes were as clear as daylight.

Concern, sadness, regret, and longing.

What could possibly be running through their mind as they stared at the night sky?

"Hello, do you want to talk?"

"Are you perhaps in need of assistance?"

"Do you require my aide?"

"Am I of use to you?"

"Am I useless...?"

"..."

They're not in the right state of mind.

"I'm sorry... for everything."

Talking to themselves, while reminiscing memories of long-forgotten times, a couple of tears ran down their face.

"I wish I could've made things easier for you..."

Not soon after, they broke down in tears and wept there in utter silence.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Please not now..."

Ignoring their answer, the door opened, thus revealing a tall, but well-built man.

Dressed in a neat butler suit, and elegantly combed hair, the old man sighed at the sight in front of him and sat down on a chair near a table.

He sat there in silence, waiting for the right time to start a conversation.

Unfortunately for him, it took several more minutes until they calmed down.

However, this became some kind of routine quite a while ago, so it didn't bother him that much. Instead, he would pour himself a cup of hot tea to enjoy himself every time before this therapeutic session.

'Quite troubling if I do say so myself.'

He looked at the individual in front of him who just a moment ago cried their hearts out, put up a tough front, ignoring the obvious marks of tears on their cheeks.

The old man rubbed his temples before sighing in defeat.

"I don't know why you see it necessary to put on a fake act after I saw everything."

"I do not know what that 'everything' you spoke of is."

He blankly looked at the fool.

"You're just like a child. Tell me, what kind of thoughts have been running through your mind?"

"...?"

"Quit mumbling, Senna. You know this old man is getting old. I require people to speak louder in my presence and the same goes for you."

"B-bullshit! I know damn well how sharp your hearing is!"

"Ahh, there it is. Now, care to speak louder?"

"No."

"...Senna. How old are you?"

Seeing the glare from Sel, she awkwardly looked away, before mumbling again.

"... four."

"Four what? Apples? Bananas? Gems?"

Her lips twitched in frustration, as he continued listing things off.

"-swords, fishes..."

"A hundred and four years old! So please, for my sake and yours, stop!"

"You're at least old enough to be able to hold a civil conversation, yes? If so, please do answer my previous question properly."

"...You already know the answer, so what's the point of explaining it again to you?"

"Well, you guys tend to change your minds every second so I just want to make sure."

"Bastard..."

*Sigh*

Sel sighed at the woman's childlike behavior, unsure of how he could get her to vent.

"You do know... that this can't go on any further. Your state of mind, body, and soul are getting worse every time you break down like this. Not only does it damage your battle prowess, but the mana within will one day spiral out of control. You urgently need to face your issues head-on."

"Sel, I know how I feel better than anyone, so please don't worry. You do not have to make these visits every time you hear... these noises..."

Giving a weak but not-so-convincing smile, Senna quietly tried to stand up again.

"You may know yourself better, but you lack the will to acknowledge the consequences that will soon befall you-"

"I don't need you to lecture on how I need to act!"

"..."

"Stop, please! NO MORE! GO! GET AWAY FROM ME!"

"You may have given up on yourself, but has 'he'?"

"SHUT UP! DON'T SPEAK OF HIM!"

"You act like he has completely forgotten about-"

"...shut up! I said SHUT UP!"

"Everybody is going through this in silence including me."

"Ahh...!"

"However, you know-"

BOOM!

A fist, going faster than sound itself, tore through the air, as it aimed directly at Sel's face.

"-more than anyone else, that Franz is the one suffering the most."

Sel casually blocked the fist with his hand.

"So please, I ask of you. Help him help you."

*Sob*

"I can't... I can't! How?! How?!"

The butler carefully held her up and looked her in the eyes.

Sel gave off a smile that was akin to a gentle grandfather looking at his troubled grandchild.

"You can trust me, as the butler of the family."

"..."

"I became a butler, so I can become of service to anyone who needs me. Whether it be trivial things, conversations about various topics, physical and emotional support, advice on life, and so on and so forth."

"..."

Giving a pat to her head, he gently comforted her again with a kind smile.

"I'm there for everyone in this household, and that includes you as well as the young master."

...

...

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