Starvation

Senses allow us to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell the world around us, giving life its richness. Emotions are akin to our responses to our sensory information, colouring our life in a shade of rainbow.

"Now, I will strip all of that from you," Magnus said, his gaze fixed on me. "Senses, emotions... I will forge you into a merciless blade."

He paused, then added, "But your own art is fueled by emotions. That's a level beyond the stage of emotionlessness."

I listened intently as Magnus continued, "In the past, martial artists made the grave mistake of reaching a permanent state of having no emotions after achieving a certain level of mastery. It stagnated their growth, made them empty. True mastery isn't just being void of feeling; it's knowing when to let emotions flow through you, guiding your art. Swordsmanship isn't defined by rigid levels—it's born from our experiences, molded by our trials."

I nodded, taking in his words.

I recalled the Murim of the past, divided into two opposing forces—the orthodox faction and the evil sects. In simple terms, the orthodox faction imbued their arts with positive concepts, like the graceful blooming of the Mount Hua sect. They cultivated their techniques based on virtues such as honor, benevolence, and peace.

On the other hand, the evil sects embraced suffering. They channeled their negative emotions—anger, hatred, vengeance—into their martial arts, giving their techniques immense destructive power.

Magnus was right. Emotions were integral, both light and dark, in creating an art that transcended the ordinary. I would need to experience them fully to truly craft my own path, my own technique.

"To wield both, to master them, is to become a blade that can cut through anything," Magnus concluded, his voice cold and resolute. "And that's what you will become."

I took a deep breath, centering myself, ready to dive into this next step of my journey. It was time to experience everything, to be stripped of all senses and emotions, and emerge stronger. This was the only way to ascend—to surpass my limits and grow into the swordsman I aspired to be.

"So, for now, you'll go without food," Magnus said, his eyes locked on mine.

I clenched my jaw, swallowing the instinct to protest. I knew Magnus wasn't doing this to be cruel—he was doing it to push me, to strip away every comfort I relied on. And this was just the beginning.

"The deprivation of the senses begins with hunger," Magnus explained. "When you have nothing to rely on—no comfort, no pleasure—you'll begin to understand what it means to be truly in control of yourself."

I nodded, steeling myself for what I knew was coming. Hunger would gnaw at my insides, weaken my body, and dull my mind, but that was exactly what I needed to face. If I couldn't master my own body's most basic needs, how could I ever hope to wield true power?

Magnus gestured toward the cave entrance ahead of us, a dark void that seemed to swallow the light. "Your task is to enter the cave and meditate. No mana, no movement—just you and the darkness. You'll stay there until you begin to understand what I'm trying to teach you."

I swallowed hard, my throat already dry. The cave looked endless, a black abyss that seemed to promise nothing but silence and isolation. But I had come this far—I wasn't about to back down now.

Without a word, I stepped toward the cave, the cool air brushing against my skin as I entered. The darkness enveloped me, and within moments, I couldn't see anything at all. I lowered myself to the ground, sitting cross-legged, my hands resting on my knees.

The silence was almost oppressive. It was as though the world had ceased to exist, leaving me alone with nothing but my own thoughts—and the growing emptiness in my stomach.

Hours passed, though it felt like weeks. The hunger started as a dull ache—a slow, insidious tightening in my stomach. It grew sharper with each hour, the gnawing pain twisting and cramping. My body cried out for nourishment, and it felt like there was a hole inside me that only grew larger, hollowing me out. My stomach clenched, almost doubling me over, the emptiness feeling as though it might tear me apart from within.

My mouth felt parched, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth as if it were made of sandpaper. Each swallow was dry and empty, a reminder that there was nothing to fill the void. My limbs grew heavy, each movement demanding more effort than it should have, my muscles growing weaker as if my body was consuming itself just to keep me alive.

The hunger was relentless, an insistent ache that refused to be ignored. It was primal—an animalistic urge that demanded satisfaction. It clouded my mind, my thoughts becoming sluggish, as if my brain itself was wilting from the lack of fuel. My body begged for food, and it took everything I had to resist, to stay still, to keep my breathing steady.

'Embrace it,' I told myself. 'This is what Magnus wants. To feel this emptiness and overcome it.'

Luna's presence stirred in the back of my mind, a faint glimmer of comfort amidst the agony. 'Arthur, remember the tranquility of Lucent Harmony. Find peace even in this deprivation.'

I exhaled, letting my mind focus inward. The sigils of Lucent Harmony began to faintly glow, not enough to provide physical strength but enough to bring a sense of calm. The hunger was still there, gnawing at my insides like a beast, but slowly, I began to separate myself from it. It was an experience, a sensation—but it wasn't who I was.

The minutes turned into hours, and then into what felt like days. The pain in my stomach became almost unbearable, like a vice tightening, the emptiness inside me expanding until it felt like I was nothing but a hollow shell. My throat was parched, and every breath felt dry and scratchy, like I was inhaling dust. My body screamed for nourishment, my hands trembling slightly from the weakness that had set in.

But I remained still, unyielding. The hunger was there, but it no longer controlled me. It was like standing beside a roaring fire—its heat searing, its presence overwhelming—but I had stepped out of its reach. I could feel it, but it was no longer a part of me. I had moved beyond it.

The darkness around me seemed less oppressive now. I could feel the air, the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, the faint rustle of the wind outside the cave. I could sense the energy of the mountain, the flow of mana in the earth below me. My awareness had expanded beyond the hunger, beyond the pain, to something deeper.

Magnus's voice echoed in the back of my mind, his words from earlier: "Control your senses, control everything."

I understood now. To be truly powerful, I needed to move beyond my physical needs, to see the world without being overwhelmed by it. To be able to act, even when deprived of everything.

Suddenly, I heard a faint sound—footsteps approaching. I opened my eyes, though the darkness remained complete. A moment later, I felt Magnus's presence beside me.

"Good," he said, his voice low, carrying a hint of approval. "You've taken your first step."

He placed something in front of me, and the rich smell of food filled the cave. My stomach clenched painfully in response, the smell almost intoxicating after so long without. But I didn't move. I remained still, my emotions steady, the hunger just another sensation I could choose to ignore.

Magnus let out a small, approving grunt. "Eat. You've earned it."

I reached out, my fingers finding a small loaf of bread. I tore off a piece, eating slowly, savoring every bite while keeping my emotions in check. The bread tasted richer than anything I had ever eaten, every crumb a burst of flavor that my starving body craved. But I didn't let it consume me. This wasn't a reward—it was simply nourishment. Something to sustain me for what was yet to come.

Because I knew, as I took another bite, that this was only the beginning. Magnus was going to push me further, beyond what I thought possible. And I was ready for it.

After allowing me the small loaf of bread, Magnus didn't give me much time to rest or recover. In fact, he had me back on my feet almost immediately. I could tell that the real training was only just beginning.

"Alright, kid, you've endured deprivation—now it's time to rebuild," Magnus said as he paced around me. "You've lost a lot of muscle in the last few days, and that weakness won't serve you. We're going to start a regimen to bring you back, stronger and more efficient."

I simply looked at him while suppressing my smile.

I got the idea for my second movement.