Two whole days had passed since that evening, and the Haradi Festival was fast approaching. At the foot of the village, beneath the glow of the setting sun from Marshal's open-air dojo, Jacob's intensive training was at its peak.
Jacob was panting, struggling to keep up with the swift movements of his instructor. His new deep green kimono was tarnished from the intensity of the sparring, as was his training katana that felt heavy in his hands.
Marshal, on the other hand, held a perfect stance. He handled his katana with mastery, barely scuffed by the energy of Adaken. His mana flowed like an extension of his body, clearly showing his unparalleled proficiency in Adaken.
In just a few days, I quickly realized that Adaken was not just about releasing complex and precise energy. The most challenging part was the incredibly long and complicated training sessions, ranging from six to eight hours, non-stop.
Marshal's speed and precision in his strikes perfectly mirrored his expertise in Adaken. So quick and raw, it made him a formidable opponent in battle.
Adaken. Jacob had still not managed to execute it even once. It seemed simple at first glance, but manipulating mana at the subatomic level was, in reality, extremely tedious and demanding, to the extent that it could drain the user's vital energy. However, when one succeeds, the balance of power shifts considerably in their favor, altering the outcome of a confrontation.
Caught off guard, Marshal abruptly stopped in front of Jacob, his expression cold and stern.
"Jacob, answer me honestly... Don't you want to become a better person?"
Jacob looked up at his master, sadness in his eyes. He recalled his last E-Sport competitions, filled with resentment and injustice.
When I think about it, it drives me crazy! People suffered because of me and my power!
He remembered seeing professional gamers with their families, crying their eyes out. Others were disgusted by their performance, overshadowed by the power and skill of the world's best video gamer named "Jacob Kalis".
But now armed with unwavering determination to become the best version of himself, Jacob slashed through the air with his katana, sending a surge of his mana into his master's abdomen.
"Jacob! You did it! Ahah!", he exclaimed with joy.
After falling to the ground from the blow, Marshal, as happy as he had ever been, rushed to embrace Jacob, his eyes shining with pride. His smile was radiant and heartwarming.
"You succeeded where everyone else failed!"
"Yes... I did it, master... I did it...", he sighed with relief, looking up at the shimmering stars in the pleasant night sky.
*
After an exhausting training session, Marshal, wearing his worn-out kimono, warmly invited Jacob to share a meal in the dojo. The delightful scent of freshly cooked noodles, topped with flavorful meat, filled the atmosphere. Sitting on the wooden steps of the dojo, which offered a clear view of the heavens, the two friends were captivated by the sight of shooting stars streaking across the dark sky.
"It's so good!" exclaimed Jacob as he savored his meal.
"Ahah, thank you! I made it with love for you!"
Marshal's radiant smile and nod was a beautiful sight for the young man troubled by his past. In return, Jacob smiled at him, his eyes closed in unmatched warmth.
"The night is beautiful, isn't it, Jacob?"
"Yes. I really appreciate spending time with you.
"Oh, why's that?" Marshal asked playfully.
"Well, on my planet, I never really had the chance to meet someone like you..."
Jacob lowered his head, gripping his bowl tightly.
"But you have the Lost Ones, right? You're from the same planet."
"Yes... But it's not the same. How can I put it... You mean a lot to me. You're my master, and you reached out to me. On Earth, such relationships are rare, and... it might sound silly, but that day, when you took me under your wing in the restaurant, I felt profound gratitude towards you, and I'll be forever grateful."
With a kind sigh, Marshal set his bowl of noodles aside and gently patted Jacob's shoulder with his training-worn hand.
"I too will be forever grateful that you accepted my offer. Without you, Adaken would be lost to this world after my death. Sometimes, before sleeping, I like to think that you might defeat Damahan using my martial art."
"I will, rest assured!" he declared, looking up at him.
"Ahah, I have no doubts, my student!"
As they shared a laugh, Jacob's jovial demeanor faded, replaced by sincerity. He also set his bowl aside and clasped his hands between his knees.
"Marshal... Can I tell you something close to my heart?"
"Yes, I'm listening. What is it?"
"I know it sounds cliché, but I really appreciate you as a master. Mind you, I've never had a master before, ahah."
"Don't say it's cliché. You can share your feelings with anyone! With me, with Hermiel, with the Lost Ones."
"After our battle against Damahan, I'd really like to spend more good times with you. I don't want to return to Earth; I want you to always be with me. Just like with Gwendoline, who took her own life; she won't be joining us in two years..."
"I see... Well, maybe thanks to your future powers, you can take me to see your planet with Gwendoline?"
"Absolutely! You're right! I'll show you Japan and France! I'll introduce you to anime!"
"Anime?"
"It's an animation revolution! Originated by the Japanese! There's so much variety! Fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and so much more! You'll love it!"
"I find it hard to grasp exactly what it is, but it must be exciting. I can't wait to see what it could be!"
"There are also video games! Movies! And our culture! Oh, I can't wait!"
"Your planet seems full of diverse and varied activities, ahah!"
"And that's just the beginning!"
The echoes of their laughter accompanied the wind that rustled the trees near the dojo. Jacob swung his legs joyfully, like a gleeful child, while Marshal smiled, amused by their conversation.
"I'm truly glad that you're my student, Jacob. You're a teenager filled with unparalleled kindness. It's a joy to have you by my side."
Marshal said these tender words while patting the head of the adolescent who was enjoying his noodles again.
"Why? You had Garnal too, didn't you?"
"Not really... Before I met you, I spent most of my days alone, training and protecting the village."
"Not even Hermiel?"
"Hermiel gets assigned to missions more often than I do. It's rare that he's with me in Haradi. And with Dasra's passing, he's even more swamped with tasks."
"I see..."
"So, when I spend time with you, and train with you, I feel less lonely."
"I get that. It was the same for me on Earth... Due to my global popularity, people wanted to befriend me only because I was the Great Jacob Kalis, the Undefeated... I too felt alone at times. Honestly... I don't think I've ever had a true friend..."
Suddenly, Marshal's arms moved, seemingly on their own, to embrace Jacob. He was genuinely delighted to have found a soul so similar to his own. It felt as though their meeting was fated.
"Jacob... Even though it's only been a few days since we met, know that I see you as my son. You mean so much to me..."
"Marshal... I..."
As Jacob witnessed the deep joy of his master, Marshal was overcome with emotions that left him wordless. The warmth of this unforgettable moment spread throughout the dojo like a rain of golden tears.
"I'm sorry, Jacob... A master should never cry... A master should be firm and serious..."
"Don't say that... You're human! An angelic one at that! You have every right to share your emotions with others. You just told me that! Ahah!"
"Thank you..."
"Don't thank me, master! I'm just following your teachings!"
"You're truly benevolent... I can't understand why you strive to be a better person when you already are one."
"Well... My gift has caused others despair. It's unfair... So many suffered because of me... I brought so much pain, so much sadness..."
Marshal broke their embrace, and looking affectionately at Jacob, held him firmly by his shoulders.
"Jacob, look me in the eyes. Maybe you did hurt others. Maybe you did cause pain. Think what you will, but don't berate your gift by saying you've used it to harm others, because you've never done it intentionally. It's not your fault, Jacob! Up to now, you've used it for good and what you believed was right."
"But..."
"Jacob, listen closely. You're far from a bad person! You're not what you think you are! You're Jacob Kalis, the one who adapts beyond what's possible. You were chosen because of your gift to save the multiverse! So no, you're not a bad person."
"..."
"Even if my words don't reach you, know that you'll make it, Jacob. You'll become the person you wish to be! Yes. I'm sure of it, Jacob..."