training part 1 (chapter 23)

The sun loomed mercilessly overhead, its searing rays bearing down on the practice grounds with an intensity that blurred the horizon. The air shimmered, as though the world itself were trembling under the weight of the heat. Amidst the vast expanse of hardened dirt, two figures stood shoulder to shoulder—Ray, his demeanor calm and composed, and Rudra, quiet and detached, an enigma even in his stillness.

The oppressive silence was broken by a voice, firm yet contemplative, belonging to a man who carried himself with authority—a figure known only as Master Edhir. His presence was as commanding as the heat, and his question, though deceptively simple, held the weight of lifetimes.

"What is the meaning of life for you?"

The question hung in the air, a challenge as much as an invitation. Master Edhir's eyes shifted, locking first on Rudra, whose blank expression betrayed no reaction, and then on Ray, whose calm exterior belied a spark of thoughtfulness. There was a seriousness in the master's tone, a gravity that demanded more than superficial answers.

Ray, tilting slightly to his left as if easing the weight of the question off his shoulders, stepped forward. His gaze was steady, his voice measured and resonant, carrying the cadence of someone who had considered such matters before.

"The meaning of life," he began, his words deliberate, "is not something that can be universally defined. It is deeply personal, an evolving journey shaped by each individual's experiences, choices, and connections."

His voice carried a quiet confidence that captured the attention of the group, drawing them into his perspective as though each syllable was unveiling a hidden truth.

"Life," Ray continued, "is a path of growth—a relentless cycle of learning, adapting, and transforming. Its meaning lies not in the destination but in the process itself, in how we navigate the joys and hardships that shape us. It's about the impact we leave, the relationships we nurture, and the legacy of our actions. Each moment offers an opportunity to create purpose."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing, his gaze momentarily shifting to the endless sky above.

"On another level, life's meaning might simply be the experience of existence. The fact that we can feel, love, dream, and strive—that we are alive in this vast, indifferent universe—is itself extraordinary. Perhaps life's meaning isn't in finding answers but in embracing the mystery, in the beauty of the questions that push us to explore who we are."

As his voice trailed off, Ray's expression softened, his eyes reflecting a quiet satisfaction. The heat of the sun seemed less oppressive as his words lingered, leaving an impression as warm and enduring as the light itself.

Master Edhir observed silently, his expression betraying no reaction. His gaze shifted back to Rudra, who remained motionless, his face unreadable.

Ray turned slightly toward him, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Rudra," he called, a simple nudge to draw his companion from his introspection. Rudra's head lifted, his gaze meeting Ray's before following the subtle nod toward Master Edhir.

The master's eyes bore into him, expectant yet unyielding. The weight of the question now fell squarely on Rudra's shoulders. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, the heat of the day paling in comparison to the intensity of his internal deliberations. Finally, he drew in a deep breath, his voice low and measured.

"Life..."

He paused, the word hanging in the air like an unfinished thought. Another breath followed, as though the weight of his answer required preparation.

"For me, life has no inherent meaning," he began, his tone detached, his eyes fixed somewhere far beyond the practice grounds. "It flows like a river, relentless and indifferent, carrying everything in its path without pause or purpose. It is vast, unyielding, and entirely indifferent to our existence. Life simply is—it moves forward, uncaring, unaffected by the hopes and fears of those caught within its current."

The silence that followed was profound, the weight of his words pressing down like the very heat that surrounded them. Rudra took another moment, his expression unchanging as he delved deeper.

"The meaning of life exists only for those who seek it," he continued. "It is not a universal truth, but a construct—a creation of the mind born from our fear of insignificance, our need to matter. We reach for meaning like we reach for distant stars, hoping they will illuminate our existence. But in this search, we chase shadows, attempting to find meaning in a world that owes us none."

His voice was steady, yet carried an undercurrent of something raw—perhaps disillusionment, or a truth learned too soon.

"And yet," he said, his tone softening slightly, "the search itself might be the meaning. The longing, the striving, the defiance against the inevitable flow of time—perhaps that is what shapes us. Perhaps the only meaning lies in our ability to find something worth living for, even when we know we are but fleeting moments in the vastness of existence."

His final words hung in the air like an echo, a stark contrast to Ray's hopeful philosophy. Master Edhir remained silent, his expression inscrutable as he turned his gaze skyward, as if searching for answers in the endless expanse above.

Finally, he spoke, his tone thoughtful. "One speaks as if he has read life in books written with care and thought. The other speaks as though he has seen life itself, raw and unfiltered."

His words carried a weight that seemed to linger, as if he were unraveling the mystery of the two before him. Rudra stood unmoving, his expression unchanged, while Ray absorbed the comment with quiet introspection.

Master Edhir's thoughts were interrupted by Ray's voice, light and practical. "Master, what are we going to learn today?"

The question drew the master back to the moment. His gaze shifted between the two boys, his eyes sharp as though weighing their potential. With a commanding tone, he began outlining the day's tasks, but beneath his calm demeanor, a storm of thoughts brewed. The boy called Rudra—there was something peculiar about him, something that gnawed at the edge of understanding.

And so, the lessons began, the sun continuing its relentless march across the sky, bearing witness to the unfolding of destinies on the practice grounds.

Master Edhir's gaze lingered on Rudra for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then, turning his attention to Ray, he spoke with a measured tone, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

"Ray, you'll practice advanced footwork and the sword techniques I recently developed. I want to see how adaptable you are to new movements. Join the group over there."

Ray nodded without hesitation and strode to the designated area, his confidence evident in his every step. Master Edhir's focus shifted back to Rudra, his eyes narrowing as if trying to decipher an unsolvable puzzle.

"As for you, Rudra..."

There was a slight pause, an unspoken weight in his words. He took a step closer, resting his hand lightly on Rudra's shoulder. The boy barely flinched, his expression as stoic as ever.

"Even the simplest techniques would place too much strain on your body as it is now. Your physical condition…" He hesitated, as though searching for the right words. Finally, he sighed. "…is unlike anything I've ever seen. It's almost as if your body never fully developed muscles or bones, and only now, something within you has begun generating them. But that defies logic. A human being cannot survive nine years without the very framework that holds them together."

Rudra listened silently, his expression blank, though a flicker of something—perhaps recognition or indifference—passed through his eyes.

Master Edhir straightened, his face darkening as if lost in grim thought before he continued. "For you, Rudra, physical training will be your priority. If your body is as fragile as it seems, then we will forge it into something stronger."

He gestured for Rudra to step back. "Move a few steps away."

Rudra obeyed without question, stepping back into the oppressive heat. The air seemed to hum with tension as Master Edhir shifted his sword to his left hand and raised his right hand, extending two fingers toward a large rock in the distance.

With a subtle flick of his fingers, the rock trembled, then rose into the air, defying gravity. It hovered for a moment, the sheer force of the act radiating power. Then, with a slow clench of his hand, the rock fell, crashing to the ground with a resonant thud.

Master Edhir turned his gaze to Rudra, his tone colder now. "Your turn. Lift it."

The command hung in the air like a challenge. Rudra blinked, his stoicism briefly faltering as his gaze shifted from the massive rock to Master Edhir and back again.

"Me?" he asked, his voice low, tinged with disbelief.

The master's expression remained firm. "Yes, you."

Rudra hesitated, scanning the area as though expecting someone else to step forward. But there was no reprieve. He swallowed hard, took a cautious step toward the rock, and froze. Up close, the rock was enormous, easily weighing 40 or 50 kilograms. He stared at it, his mind racing as he realized the task was far beyond his current abilities.

He turned back to Master Edhir, his normally impassive face softening into something almost childlike—a silent plea for leniency.

Master Edhir raised an eyebrow, but his voice remained firm. "Do it. We don't have all day."

With a resigned sigh, Rudra bent down, wrapping his small hands around the rough edges of the rock. He strained, his muscles trembling under the effort. The rock didn't budge. Gritting his teeth, he tried again, but the outcome was the same. Sweat dripped from his brow as he released the rock and stepped back, shaking his head.

His gaze flicked back to the master, the same pleading expression returning, but Master Edhir only sighed heavily, muttering to himself.

"This boy…" he said under his breath, a mix of irritation and fondness in his tone. "One moment he's as cold as stone, the next, he's almost endearing. What am I going to do with him?"

Aloud, he said, "Step aside."

Rudra moved away as Master Edhir raised his hand again. The rock rose effortlessly into the air, floating back to its original position before settling on the ground with a soft thud.

Turning back to Rudra, his tone grew colder. "From today, your training will begin here." He gestured to the large circle he had carved into the ground earlier. "You will run within this circle. You will keep running until I tell you to stop."

Rudra blinked, confused. The task seemed almost laughably simple. Running? Surely, he could handle that. He nodded and stepped into the circle, preparing to begin.

Master Edhir, as if reading his thoughts, smirked faintly. He raised his sword slightly, then brought it down with force, striking the ground. The impact was immediate.

The earth beneath Rudra's feet seemed to shift, growing impossibly heavy. His legs buckled under the increased gravity, and he struggled to stay upright.

Master Edhir's voice cut through the air, calm yet laced with warning. "I've increased the gravity within the circle. As your body adapts, the pressure will continue to grow. endure it, and you may yet survive this training."

Before Rudra could fully process the words, Master Edhir vanished in a swirl of black fog, leaving no trace behind.

Rudra stood there, the weight of the altered gravity pressing down on him, and for the first time, a flicker of something like determination crossed his face.