Child of Destiny

It took Shin quite a while to recover from what he had just seen. He stared blankly in the air even until Old Ryong was done performing the sword movements and sheathed his sword back.

Old Ryong let Shin digest what he had learned from watching the performance for at least an hour before finally pulling Shin back to reality. “I have created this technique after learning and experiencing different Martial Arts.”

His voice was like a thunder inside Shin’s head, snapping the young man out of daze.

Shin turned to the old man in amazement as he continued to listen.

“I also have experienced how to wield different kinds of weapons, which is why I can understand their properties and characteristics well.”

“After I have retreated from the battlefield and gone in seclusion, I have gotten certain insights that I never think I will get before. This flood of ideas enters my mind as I continue to remise the past and my experiences on the battlefield.”

“Thus, this method is created. It is something that contains all my experiences and insights, and I am entrusting it to you.”

Shin nodded solemnly as he felt yet another responsibility on his shoulders. Aside from the personal Martial Arts of Professor Plum and the unique Mentalism Method of Grandmaster Benn, it seemed like he would be carrying another banner on his back.

“Can I know the name of this method, Sir?” asked Shin carefully.

Old Ryong thought for a moment before shaking his head. “I have yet to give a name for it. I can’t seem to find the fitting name for this particular method.”

He then turned to Shin and gave the latter a meaningful smile. “Which is why I find the name of your swordsmanship very interesting.”

“How about you give a name for it?” offered the old man.

But before Shin could even respond, Old Ryong immediately added. “You don’t have to rush. You can take your time naming it as you learn this method. Once you have learned its true meaning, I am sure that you will be able to think of a fitting name for it.”

Shin did not answer but nodded his head firmly. His eyes were full of determination.

Old Ryong smiled as continued. “Training this special method is rather simple, but it is not going to be easy.”

“I heard that you are a Battle Genius, so I prepared a specific training method for you. But since you are also a Mentalist, I will also be giving you the ideal way to learn it.”

“For you to understand the different properties of the swords, you must experience using them yourself. You also must explore the other weapons with similar properties to broaden your horizon.”

After saying that, he waved his to the side before piles of weapons appeared beside him. They were neatly segregated depending on the properties that they had.

Shin could see a huge mace, a hammer, a club, and other heavy weapons piled with the greatsword and heavy sword. Then there was a variety of whips, flails, and other similar weapons grouped with the flexible sword. The other piles were just like these, giving Shin an idea of what was going on.

“You will be swinging each of these weapons at least a thousand times a day,” said Old Ryong, making Shin gulp hard as he swept his gaze at each of them.

“You can only pick a pile until you feel that you have understood their characteristics before you can proceed to the other.”

“But before you can switch with the next pile-…” The old man paused for a moment as he summoned a table with a stack of paper on it. There was also the traditional ink along with a brush and plume on the side.

Old Ryong picked up the brush and dipped it a little on the ink in an elegant and smooth movement. He then took a piece of paper, and placed it in the center of the table, before writing something to it.

After that, he placed down the brush before picking up the paper and showing it to Shin.

Shin saw that the word written on it was ‘Sharp’, and he could feel a powerful will infused with that word. Just looking at that word gave Shin a sharp feeling that seemed to be poking at his skin. He felt that he would be cut once he touched that paper.

It was at that moment when Old Ryong continued. “Once you are done with a pile of weapons, I want you to write down the word that correspond to their characteristics. Only if you can infuse your will like this into your writing that you can proceed learning the other properties.”

“This may look simple in your eyes, but it is much harder than what you think. This does not only need you to understand the properties well, but it also requires you to have better control over what you have learned.”

“If you use too much force, then you will most likely cut or crush the paper depending on the characteristic that you want to write. If it is too little, then you will not be able to project the same feeling that you want to show.”

“Swinging these weapons are best for Battle Geniuses while writing those insights can help you with your Mentalism,” Old Ryong pointed at the piles of weapons and the table with stack of papers.

He then turned around, heading toward the exit of the room, before saying. “We will proceed with advanced lessons once you have perfectly finished this assignment. Until then, I will not teach you anything.”

“You have to master at least five words for a decent result. But if you want me to teach you the next part of the training, then you must master ten to fifteen words at the very least.”

Once his words disappeared, the old man also exited the training room, leaving Shin alone.

Shin stared blankly at the door before turning his head back to the piles of weapons and the table in the distance. He then picked a pile to start his training.

And the pile that he chose was meant for the weapons used for quickness.

He felt that he was close to understanding this property since most of his techniques were based on speed and quickness, thus he chose it as the first to learn.

But he later realized that his thoughts were too na?ve as he was far from completely understanding it.

…

Outside the training room, Professor Herny waited for Old Ryong. When he saw the latter exited, he could not help but ask. “Are you sure about this? You should know how much the government covets this method of yours. One of those elders desperately wants to get his hands on it.”

“Aren’t you putting the kid and yourself in danger by teaching him?” he added, voicing out his concern.

Old Ryong chuckled when he heard that. He then turned to Professor Herny as he said. “Herny, you, of all people, should understand how the government treats people who possess what they covet.”

“They will never touch them unless it is necessary,” he paused and pointed at the professor. “Look at yourself. Aren’t you in the same position? You are someone, who is closest to discovering the method how to combine Martial Arts and Mentalism aside from those two, yet they did not dare to touch you.”

“You know why? It is because they are afraid to repeat the same mistakes that they have in the past. They don’t neither want to lose the person possessing what they need nor push us to become another sword that points at their necks.”

“They don’t want to lose another genius processor and turn them into a mad scientist, nor want to create another ‘Heavenly Demon’, who is a serious threat that they can’t stop.”

“Just like you, they will most likely protect the kid instead, rather than letting the other powers have him.”

“But if they want to turn me into their enemy, then they will have to pay the price for it. I will show them what the Thousand Arms Demon Asura has become after going in seclusion,” he added as he continued walking.

He just took a couple of steps when suddenly he remembered something. “Ah! And another thing. I am aware that that kid hides some secret inside his body aside from the ‘Seed of Hatred’ that he possesses.”

“I am guessing that you are already aware of that,” he said as he looked at the old professor with a scrutinizing gaze.

Professor Henry smiled as he admitted it. “That kid’s secret may be much more shocking than what you can think of.”

Old Ryong raised his brows and commented nonchalantly. “Is that so? Then I guess that kid’s background must be very special.”

“I first thought that he must be a part of a prestigious family or a renowned organization, but after seeing how much of a mess it is, I know that it is not the case.”

He paused briefly as he thought of something. “I can only think of one person who can afford to have such a ‘mess’. No wonder among you people of the Research Center dare to touch him and protect him instead.”

“You have done quite well at hiding it. If not for my first encounter with the kid, and if he doesn’t attract my ‘gaze’ and awaken my inner demon by accident, then I will never be able to discover him.”

Old Ryong then turned around and resumed his steps. “But I must warn you. Time is against the kid. At this point, he may not even last until he is eighteen.”

“You must be finding the cure, am I right? Then you must stop hesitating and be decisive. The only way for that kid to survive is to break that seal and defeat that ‘thing’ much earlier.”

“He may not be able to fully consume it, but he can at least buy himself enough time for another round and build another seal. Although, I doubt that there is anyone out there who can create such a delicate and amazing seal as that little lass. I fully understand why you, old people, are hesitating.”

“I am telling you this based on my experience. It is better to face it earlier rather than let it grow stronger since the longer it is trapped, the hungrier it becomes.”

“Once something provokes the kid beyond his tolerance, then he will surely lose his mind in an instant. At that time, it will already be too late since that ‘thing’ will have a feast on his ‘hatred’.”

Professor Henry watched Old Ryong walk away as he remained silent and continued to stay on his spot. He thought deeply at the words that the latter had said before turning his head at the door of the training room.

He understood why the kid’s parents chose to send him away rather than keep him on their side. It will only make the seed inside the kid much stronger if he stays beside his father, which would make it impossible for them to save the kind from being devoured by it.

But the choice seemed to be biting them right now due to the two other seeds that were formed along with the first.

Professor Henry did not know why Adam let that happen as he could only see it as killing their son much sooner.

Shin might have already refined the first two seeds, or rather the alter ego had done it. But as it made them stronger, the other seed had also become affected and grew stronger along with them.

Right now, Professor Henry was in a dilemma on what to do. Professor Plum and Grandmaster Benn had entrusted Shin to him since those two could no longer help Shin with it aside from the special mission that they had.

They had run out of ideas on how to delay the growth of the ‘Seed’ and did not know what to do.

Hearing what Old Ryong had said, it seemed like they only left with a single choice – and that was to face it head-on.

Professor Henry only hoped that Shin would be strong enough when it happened.

When the professor thought about this, he was suddenly reminded of what David had said to him before.

– “Professor, I hope that you don’t only focus on Shin. Have a look at Uno as well since they are one. That is what Master and Sir Adam have said. They trust that you will understand when the time comes.” –

Recalling those words, Professor Herny seemed to come to a realization. “Could it be…? Don’t tell me they want the kid to…?”

…