Chapter 355 The Art of War Story (1/2)

The guy called Irwin sat outside, staring at the night sky. He didn't turn around, instead he just spoke. ”Just because you want to learn, it doesn't mean I will teach you”. I replied ”Suit yourself. I'm not here to please any of you, and that includes the short grandpa. You want to share something, do so. If you don't, then stay out of my way”. I didn't pay attention to him anymore, and sealed my senses.

'I have to train my instincts. If that doesn't work, I can try improving my senses separately' I thought, and walked forwards. It didn't take long before I stumbled, and fell down. This was already expected. I picked myself up, and continued. I decided to live like that for a longer period of time. Do everything with my body. Let my body get accustomed to the lack of my senses, and see if this brings any results.

Time slowly passed, and I stumbled like a blind man all the time. I hit my head countless times, but it wasn't all for nothing. My body learned to live without my senses, and sometimes moved on its own. Well, not on its own, I moved my body. It's hard to explain this. In simple terms, my body somehow knew when to turn and avoid an obstacle, or move to a different path to avoid falling down. That didn't mean I could walk without stumbling, but my training was bringing in some results.

I had no idea how much time passed, so I unsealed my senses, and looked around. I kind of expected to be in the approximate area, I was in. A thin mountain forest surrounded me. ”I wonder how much time has passed, since I started this training?”, I asked myself out loud. I counted the amount of times I went to sleep, but I wasn't sure if I wandered around the area for a day, or half a day.

Someone else answered that question for me. ”It's been over one month. To be precise, one month and four days”. It was Irwin's voice. I turned toward him, and said ”Still here? It's not like anything is keeping you around”. He replied ”I will help you. You are crazy, but not in a bad sense. I must admit, I was clueless about your behaviour. Only when that old bastard Yater explained, I understood. Living for over a month, with your senses sealed… Even I would go crazy like this”.

I replied ”Thanks, I guess. So, how will you help me?”. Irwin replied ”What is your name?”. I said ”Nex”. He nodded, and continued ”I will help you control that rage inside you. Don't be fooled brat, what fought with me at that time, was still you. Your rage took over. The worst part is that, if you gave in to your rage, you would be a lost cause. Deadly, but no longer a rational Human being. Sooner or later, someone would dispose of you”.

I asked ”So, this was just my rage? Speaking to me?”. He replied ”Everyone has a different experience with their rage. Your case is not that uncommon though. You can think of it as having two personalities. The you, which we see everyday, and the sleeping personality, which contains all your anger, hate and desire for blood. I wouldn't stay, if your Aura wasn't that strong. But, you are very promising, more than me probably”.

I asked ”So you will also give me tips, like Yater?”. He shook his head, and replied ”No, the Art of War has to be taught. If you can't control and use your rage properly, you will never be able to achieve mastery. Although there were cases where people were able to do it by themselves, it needs a special kind of person. Otherwise, a master is always needed for the first step. I will not help you reach the mastery. I will only help you control and use your rage”. I pointed at his sword, and asked ”You are a swordsman right? Can you teach me about swords?”. He seemed surprised, and asked ”Have you learned before?”. I nodded, and took out my Bastard Sword.

Irwin smiled, and replied ”Nice chunk of metal. Suits the Art of War. Very well, I will teach you some stuff about swords too, under the condition that you learn to control your rage”. I replied ”I'm alright with that”, and hid the Bastard Sword away. I asked ”So what am I supposed to do?”. He grinned and replied ”Battle!”. Without any warning, he rushed at me with his Aura released, and threw a punch. 'Not this again!' I though. This was a surprise attack, and his punch connected.

When I crashed into a tree, he said ”Awaken your Aura. Otherwise, you will only end up beaten up again”. I refused, I didn't want to release that thing again. Whether it was my personality, or simply me but very pissed, I didn't want to do it. Irwin though, had his own methods. He punched me so much, I couldn't contain it anymore and the Aura awakened.

He nodded, and said ”Finally! Now control it. Make it yours, don't let it dictate what to do!”. I wanted to kill, I wanted to see the man bleed, until no more blood was left in his body. He didn't punch me anymore though, only defended when I attacked. After a while, the Aura got weaker and weaker. I managed to calm down after some time, and the Aura completely vanished.