Vincent arrived at the training room where Tyre had trained him. Vera was sitting on one of the benches, playing on her phone.
Vincent waved at her and sat in the middle of the ring, looking through the books. He first read through the books about Strangle the Heavens. He thought he felt something when he used it against Kevin. He read the first page of the book.
[The basics Strangle the Heavens requires a person to have the ambition to kill, defeat, and sometimes sacrifice everything to achieve their goals. They must never lose focus on their purpose. The person practicing this martial art must walk a path of no return and never hope for redemption. They must be prepared never to be praised, only scorned and hated. You have been warned.]
Below that were the steps and arm movements of the martial arts. 'Why must I cast away everything to succeed? There must be an easier way.' Vera looked up at Vincent. "Do you want an answer, or were you just venting?"
"Honestly, I would love it if no one would read my mind, but yes, I would love some guidance right now. Was I wrong to do what I did to that girl? Why don't I feel guilty? Why is everyone obsessed with strength? What will I become if I tread down this path?" Vera listened as Vincent fired off the questions to her.
"My dear sapling, everyone has a path to follow. Some are blessed to choose, and others are forced. You were not wrong; you allowed her to tell you the truth, and she chose silence. That should eliminate the guilt you are feeling. Strength is the one thing everyone understands. If that boy you beat and humiliated had instead done the same to you, then what would happen? I'm sure the Grimms would not be happy with your performance. The truth is that the powerful, winners, and cunning make the rules. The innocent, weak, and naive follow."
Vincent's hands clenched into fists as he listened to her talk. "As for what you will become if you tread down your path, it is not determined by anyone but yourself. People will call you a hero and others a villain. Some will praise you, and then some will try to shun and maim you. Your heart will tell you what you are."
Vincent stayed silent and thought about what she said. 'My goal is to save and find my siblings. I will do everything I have to to find them. I don't care if I burn, drown, or experience pain. They will be safe no matter what. If anyone dares stand in my way, then...then I will deal with them.'
Notifications sounded in his ears, but he ignored them. "Master Vera, is it possible for me to stay here? I mean on campus. I need to focus on my training for now, at least until I awaken." Vera clicked a few buttons on her phone. "It has been set up. I want to personally say I look forward to seeing you because Simon will not be happy with his time being messed with."
Vincent nodded his head and started to practice with his staff. Vera walked away and went to the meeting room with the others.
They all were sitting watching the monitors. Vera took her spot, too. Pyea was the first to speak up. "What the hell, Vera?" Vera remained silent and looked towards Jekel.
"Pyea, Vera was correct in giving the advice she gave to Vincent. We know how Vincent loses control when his anger goes beyond his threshold. This time, he did everything on his violation. This means he consciously made the choices he made today."
"I agree with Jekel. He needs to understand that every choice is up to him. he needs to get out of the mindset he had in his home world. The sooner he accepts that this is his new reality, the faster he will improve. The Grimm's blood flowing through his veins makes it even more imperative." Horton said.
Pyea was still unsure if this was the right path. "I have a question for all of you. Our master created the beings called the seven harbingers of death. Our master, Caden the Reaper, is considered a saint of war. We are called the messengers of death herself."
Horton interrupted her. "Get on with it, Pyea."
Pyea sighed. "I wanna ask you all a simple but important question. What are we going to create from a kid like that? His potential has never been measured, and he has been asleep for the last two years. There is only one thing in his heart right now: his two younger siblings. They are his reverse scale."
Markus started to laugh and released a little bit of his energy. Jekel pulled down his hat. 'Great, you flipped his switch.' "Isn't obvious, Pyea? We are creating the greatest halberdmen of the century. He will become a symbol of envy, strength, and fear. He will either live and become a monster or die and become a demon."
Markus stood up and left the room, smiling a war-induced smile.
The room was silent until Jekel spoke. "Tyre, go to the Grimms and explain that Vincent will stay with us. Horton, announce that we have taken Vincent as our disciple. That will make everyone think twice before provoking him. If Markus the Smiling Fiend says the kid will become a monster or demon, we better take measures.
Pyea, before you ask, we aren't nor will we interfere with his goal of finding his siblings. Master didn't help any of us in our personal goals." Pyea closed her mouth and solemnly nodded her head.
They left to handle their parts. Jekel rubbed his temples. Vera sipped her tea. "Heavy is the head that remains put together." Jekel looked at her. "Do not start Vera. We know better than most what obsession can lead to. Do I need to remind you what we lost in the process?"
Vera placed her teacup on the table and left the room. Simon, the usual lazy one among them, was silent and solemn. "I will be asleep," Simon said as he slowly walked away. His back seemed lonely. Jekel was left alone in the room with Pyea.
"Obsession is not a blessing but a curse that blinds you from what you truly desire." The words echoed in the air between them.
Those very same words their master had spoken to them at one point in their lives. A lesson they had all learned all too late.