Over the course of a year, we were like preschoolers. Actually, I thought they recruited younglings from infancy, not letting them start to value their homeland. And that's relatively true. Sometimes Jedi really do come only for infants, but sometimes they take older children. Even in our groups, there were those who had been in the Temple since infancy. The key word is "children." Adult men and women of any race are almost never recruited, even if they are discovered. It's too hard to change an adult's established worldview... Yoda wasn't wrong about the incredible capabilities of a child's mind. If you ask an adult if they can lift a huge weight, they'll say they can't and cite gravity as an example. Children won't be so categorical. Especially gifted children.
Even the weakest, in potential, master Force techniques quite quickly... At least, that's how it seemed to me. I didn't waste a minute on anything extra, either downloading or sitting in the Archives, where materials for study were gradually opened to us. While we didn't have a sword yet and were only doing primary study of material and the same primary physical education — I personally paid attention to the techniques that were presented to us in the Archives. Gradually, I got information about altus-sopor🔸Altus-sopor is an ability belonging to the control category, allowing an adept to concentrate maximally on the Force. At the moment of deep immersion, the adept could merge with the Force so much that they became invisible to others. Those who immersed too deeply remained in the Force forever. In this case, the ability was called transition to another form of the Force., that's what they call the techniques I was developing — sensory perception, as well as concealment in the Force. Next, what appeared was curato salva🔸Curato salva is a group of abilities related to self-restoration. With them, adepts could cope with hunger and thirst, increase endurance, heal wounds, cure diseases, eliminate poisons that entered the blood, and even prolong their lives. The most talented adepts could even handle fatal wounds, and those who dreamed of immortality managed to extend their lives by decades., when we were learning first aid. This group of techniques is used for medical assistance; I would also include crucitorn in it, because in this group, according to the description, there are techniques that help raise the pain threshold. And finally, the third thing that surprised me to the core, because I considered this technique "more adult" tutaminis🔸Tutaminis is a general name used to denote Force techniques related to energy absorption. All abilities associated with tutaminis are connected by the idea that an adept, using the Force, can absorb potentially dangerous energy and then completely dissipate it. Mastery of self-defense included the ability to surround oneself with an energy field that absorbed the energy of incoming attacks. The adept became invulnerable to a wide range of negative effects until they dropped the field or became too tired to maintain it.. It turns out there are many levels within tutaminis itself. We were supposed to master the primary basics...
Gradually, over the course of the year, Roan began to introduce self-defense training for us. Despite the rather difficult meditations for some, which were conducted five times a day, and other classes added by Shiala, the day when the first self-defense lesson arrived was quite noisy. The loudest, as expected, was Cin Drallig. He had already gathered around him a company of equally odious boys, loud and "supposedly strong." And they played the role of wannabe fighters. At least, he often clearly picked fights and even fought a couple of times. Of course, the teachers later gave him a real scolding, explaining that we are all a family and it's not right to hit a brother on the nose, even if that brother is a hairy Wookiee and doesn't look like you at all. In any case — such training is more interesting for children than listening to dry facts about Jedi from Shiala Donita. Although for me, as a canon expert, the achievements of some individuals who were exalted here seem not so significant. But the first self-defense training disappointed the young Jedi... Roan simply brought another knight, and they had a hand-to-hand fight, while we could only watch. I turned this into another training for myself, concentrating and trying to predict the strikes of the two knights, who put on a real dance rather than a fight. And I was relatively successful, albeit not very. Plus, I felt that this wasn't even the full speed they could move at.
"The basis of combat in situations where you don't have a lightsaber is using your advantages and the enemy's weaknesses," Roan explained. "Look at Knight Jorla," he nodded toward his opponent. "Assess his body, his movement, listen to the Force. Whoever understands the advantage and disadvantage of the opponent has already won. That's the point, younglings. Those who fight just because they want to fight," he measured Cin Drallig with a glance, and both groups were present, "will never win. They can defeat one opponent, a second, a third, but someday they will meet someone who approaches the battle using not only instincts but also reason... That's what distinguishes us from animals; we are sentient, and even in battle, we can use a certain system capable of leading us to victory. Now we will begin practicing basic movements. Later, we will study the main weak points on the bodies of different races. And remember — a Jedi does not seek to kill. We are peacekeepers, not mindless cutthroats..."
Said a man who definitely knows Sai Cha, literally meaning "cut off the head," Sai Tok, literally meaning "body in half," and Mou Keem, which cuts off all the opponent's limbs in a couple of moves (Anakin in a possible future wouldn't lie, the move is effective)... Something's been pulling me toward cynicism lately... Or is it the overlay of my knowledge of the canon on what they're giving me in the Order?
In the end, from the signing of the Ruusan Reformations until the Clone Wars, the Order was in the deepest decline, from which Luke Skywalker was able to pull it out. And that's taking Luke from the Expanded Universe. Because in the "new Disney canon," I wouldn't call that bum Luke Skywalker. That's just not the character everyone met after watching the fourth episode. Not the man who ended the war in the sixth episode. I hope I still have the Expanded Universe, not that crap Disney came up with. I won't argue, some of their characters were successful, but most were not. Although it's stupid to talk about the new canon now; its main setting is everything after the sixth episode. I need to live to the end of the third and survive it.
"Flyingstar," Lancestfield's thunderous voice came from behind me, "don't get distracted."
Oh right, we started practicing movements, which we didn't finish until the evening. Collapsing into our improvised barracks "more dead than alive" had already become a habit for us. We all seem more or less strong compared to our peers, but that's barely noticeable in training. We still reach the level of "let me die."..
* * *
Days turned into days, and I entered a frantic pace of training. Regardless of the other younglings, the same Feemor, Drallig, and other sentients, having distanced myself as much as possible from all of them, I spent my days training, meditating, and studying the Force. A special place was occupied by learning self-control of the Force. As I understood long ago, I must be able to do the same things with and without the Force. Eating in the Temple is only possible one way — the right way. There's no buffet or fast food here, so — whether you want it or not, they'll give you an ideal balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and the training we have daily will do the rest.
A year later, as Shiala Donita had promised, we were distributed into clans. The distribution itself seemed crude. Because it was done not according to our wishes, but according to what the teachers decided. Over the course of a year for some, and longer for others, they observed us, studied our relationships and character, and ultimately offered each of us what was most convenient. Although no, not like that... They sorted us themselves as they wanted. Otherwise, how to explain the fact that I was shoved into the Hawk-bat Clan? Why was I even shoved into a clan with that noisy Drallig?
"I see you have questions," when after the first clan meeting everyone had left, and I remained in the classroom, Leyla Dott approached me.
Leyla Dott. Leyla was a tall woman, human, with golden hair and piercing blue eyes. Quite beautiful and attractive. She wore two lightsabers on her belt, clearly Jar'Kai.
"I don't think the clan suits me," I remarked.
"And what criteria," Leyla sat down next to me. Her voice was soft and kind. "Do you think exist, anyway?"
"Character? Abilities?"
"What abilities and characters can little children have, mm?" the knight asked me. "You're smarter than your peers, even the gifted ones; that's obvious right away. This has formed a weakness in you. You only use your mind, not your feelings and the Force."
"Is that the criterion for getting into the Hawk-bat Clan?" I asked. Dooku trained in this clan in his time... Well, not that long ago.
"You didn't understand anything," the woman shook her head, looking at me sadly with her blue eyes. "Children don't have established characters or abilities. Children have predispositions; that's exactly what the mentors determine when distributing you into clans. For example, there is the Bear Clan; reckless younglings who have a clear talent for becoming a Jedi Guardian are sent there. Their path is studying fencing and constant combat. Or the Katarn Clan; their path, on the contrary, is concealment and stealth... And I sense curiosity. You don't suit the Katarn Clan, otherwise you'd be there now."
"But why do I suit the Hawk-bat Clan? What is the criterion for my suitability?"
"It's that the Hawk-bat Clan is a clan whose students study every facet thoroughly. We have no defined specialization. Strength, swordsmanship, droid construction, hand-to-hand combat, politics and diplomacy, knowledge — it doesn't matter what you specialize in or what abilities you have, you must be obsessed with it. Yes, other clans study everything else, but we focus on what you have talent for and only that. Clans reflect the style and methods of teaching disciplines to their students. Not just what they focus their attention on, but how they study it. You can study whatever suits you in our clan, but the point is different: what we study, we're obsessed with. For example, not long ago, Yan Dooku, one of the Order's renowned knights, was in this clan. He's a recognized master of Makashi, one of the forms of swordsmanship, or me, Leyla Dott. You won't find a Jedi Knight who knows droids better than I do. That's what sets us apart from other clans. Perhaps, by studying several aspects at once, we could become universalists like everyone else, but our clan does the opposite..."
"There's no logic in that, Master," I shook my head. "I study many things..."
"No," Leyla replied, "you study only one thing — the Force. Yes, it's multifaceted. Yes, it contains many techniques, but the way you study it... It's as if you were un-Gifted and then suddenly became one," damn, I'm getting exposed here big time — "Shiala talked about you, you're literally obsessed with the Force and all the techniques associated with it. And the way you study sensory perception and precognition has even interested Master Yoda. You give your entire self to that discipline, and that's exactly why you caught my attention. Just like Cin Drallig, who's obsessed with combat..."
"So — the main criterion of our clan is stubbornness in studying..."
"Right direction," Leyla Dott twisted her mouth into a semblance of a smile. "But that shouldn't concern you. And you know why? It's not that important. What matters isn't why I chose you, like the other sentients in the clan, what matters now is to continue your training. Keep that same determination going forward, and you'll become a truly great Jedi."
"Mm-hmm," I nodded.
"And now go to your clan group's quarters, this day is declared a day off..."
"I'd rather train in the Force, teacher," I said, heading for the exit of the auditorium.
"You're proving they placed you correctly, even now," came Leyla's voice as I left the auditorium.
* * *
The schedule changed radically after I and the others joined the clan. Knowledge of the Force, as a subject, was put in the morning. It was taught, from what I observed, by Jedi Consulars — at least, initially they were. In it, they first made us repeat all the techniques we were supposed to learn "superficially." Not everyone succeeded at that, though I excelled. Besides me, the following from my generation were accepted into the clan: Cin Drallig, Gol — this guy came from the Wookiee race, and almost no one understood his speech, but he understood us perfectly; a friendly trio of three girls: the Twi'lek Rela, the Togruta Maru, and the Tholothian Vers — they were always whispering and gossiping, loving to discuss everyone and everything; Feemor, surprisingly, was sent with me — he considered me his friend, but I wasn't in a hurry to consider Feemor one. Friends often betray, I learned that from my first placements, so to speak. So, from our entire group, I tried not to contact anyone, completely immersing myself in studying the Techniques that interested me.
And there were results. For instance, I can navigate a completely dark room with my eyes closed, almost without concentrating, in real time. But what bothered me most was precognition. I developed this ability relentlessly: in simple conversation, during hand-to-hand combat classes, even in the cafeteria — I tried to foresee absolutely everything that would happen to me, around me. The first difficulty in mastering precognition is the inability to separate the future from the present. That's exactly what I encountered during my first duel, when Roan paired me with Feemor and he almost took me apart. Feemor was a much weaker fighter than me, both physically and in speed, but my precognition almost helped him win — the problem was that I started using it without learning to separate the present from the future, so I acted too early, making a fool of myself. For example — striking an empty space where Feemor wasn't, making a pointless dodge...
Oh, I still remember how my face flushed with shame, how clownish I looked then. Feemor, for one, still remembers my attempts. Six months have passed since then, I've diligently studied precognition and learned how to separate the present from the future, so that visions of the future don't make my body react incorrectly and prematurely.
But the most important event for all of us was receiving a sword. A lightsaber — only a training one for now. There were many such swords in the Jedi Temple; killing anyone with them was a nontrivial task. The most an icy-white blade could do was slightly burn the skin, reminding the careless user that they weren't holding a toy... Humane, but a real lightsaber, if used incorrectly, as Leyla Dott told us, is capable of killing its owner in a dozen different ways.
"First and most important," Leyla Dott proclaimed during our training session with lightsabers, "are the forms of swordsmanship, younglings. How many forms of swordsmanship exist?"
"Seven," I answered, raising my hand, earning a hateful glare from our "future greatest swordsman in the entire History of the Galaxy" that is, Cin Drallig. "Shii-Cho, Makashi, Soresu, Ataru, Shien/Djem So, Niman, and Juyo."
"Of course," Leyla smiled, "that's right. Each form of swordsmanship has its own features. Its own philosophy. For example — Shii-Cho, the first form, standard, basic, peaceful. It's a reflection of our philosophy — disarming the opponent. Remember, younglings, Jedi do not seek killing. If you're forced to ignite a lightsaber — that's already a defeat... Unfortunately," she activated her weapon, the blade flashing a rich yellow, "a Jedi doesn't always encounter conditions conducive to diplomacy. Seven forms, and first we'll study the first form — Shii-Cho. This is the foundation every Jedi knows. After a worthy mastery of this form, you'll choose any of the remaining FOUR forms to study..."
"But teacher," came Rela's voice, the green-skinned Twi'lek, "aren't there seven forms? If you subtract one from seven, you get six. So why exactly four?"
"Hmm?" Leyla looked at her questioningly. "They haven't explained it to you?"
Actually, they had explained it, but someone was just goofing off in class.
"Niman, the sixth form, the form of diplomats, combines the basic features of the previous forms, but to understand it, you need to study at least the basics of the preceding forms. As for Juyo — this form is not studied by Jedi, because it was created by Sith. Adepts of the Dark Side of the Force. No one in this Temple will teach it to you; moreover, it's considered lost, vanished into oblivion, like the Sith Order" more no than yes, but some Jedi Shadows and Jedi Guardians definitely know elements of this form; Windu didn't create Vaapad from nothing. "And now briefly about the remaining forms. Makashi. This is the form of precise and measured movements, created for lightsaber combat. Highly recommended for those who can precisely control their body. Soresu — the path of defense; this form would be ideal if not for a couple of nuances. You must have a disciplined mind, and also be able to predict your opponents' movements to use it. Ataru, my favorite form," Leyla smiled, "suits those who want to make agility and speed their primary weapons. Shien/Djem So... So many Wookiees have been in our Order, and all of them," she held her gaze on Gol, "used this form. The form is created for those who are physically strong," out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Cin nodding to himself. Got it. "Niman — I'd recommend studying it when you've mastered two forms before it. Well, now, I'll show you the classic stances of Shii-Cho, explain how to transition from position to position. Activate your sabers."
I looked at the simple hilt. It had no frills and was made as simple as possible, just to teach the user lightsaber combat. The crimson button to ignite the lightsaber practically begged to be pressed.
"Of course," came Leyla's voice, "forms aren't everything. You'll also take a test from me on the structure of the lightsaber. A test on assembling and disassembling your own weapon. And now, press the button..."
With a pleasant hum, a white blade emerged from the emitter.
"Oh," came Vers's squeak as she accidentally singed something on herself.
"Careful," Leyla said slightly coldly, drilling Vers with her gaze. "If this were a combat saber — you'd be dead already."
"Sorry," Vers said, hanging her head, under Cin's contemptuous snort.
"So, remember. As I said, I'll teach you the basics. Then I'll help you choose a style, and after that, you'll attend swordsmanship classes with Knight Roan" just not that crazy muscle-head again. Feemor sighed heavily. He couldn't stand Roan because he always got the worst of it from him.
She began showing us different poses and also performing swings, transitioning from one stance to another. This is going to be difficult. I'll need to pay attention not only to the Force but also to swordsmanship, otherwise I won't get very far. Whatever anyone says, the lightsaber is a fairly versatile and practical weapon. You can deflect shots with it and send a squad of enemies to meet their Gods. The Force isn't a panacea, and neither is the lightsaber, for that matter. But I have to master it, and I will. After all, I know exactly what to study. Fortunately, I have my knowledge of the canon, which I gleaned from comics, books, movies, TV series, and — forgive me, "Elven Tankist" Author's note: a very good YouTuber who talks about many nuances of the Star Wars universe. For instance, he has an excellent video about economics that I rewatch (I'm still not immune to mistakes) again and again — from Wookieepedia.
"Ugh," we again crashed into our room after training, clothes sticking to our bodies. What had we been doing? Controlling a sword whose only weight is in the hilt, trying to make it move correctly. It's very difficult, despite what many think — that because you're Gifted, you can a priori chop everyone to pieces with a lightsaber. Nonsense, honestly.
"And we still have evening meditation," I reminded the guys when I saw Feemor collapse onto his bed, his entire appearance signaling that not even the Death Star could bother him now.
"Meditation?" Drallig asked. "Anything but that!"
"Uaaw..." Gol grumbled.
"You know, I didn't understand a thing," I noted, turning to Gol. "And why can't you speak Basic?"
"Wua, uaw," Gol grunted, slightly threateningly. Well, right, I could try probing his emotions. Practice empathy.
Wookiees are quite straightforward in expressing their emotions, so studying empathy this way is pretty convenient.
"Only Flyingstar can smile before a workout," Feemor remarked.
Yes, training. If I want to survive, I need to keep training.