Arthur
It's been months since Ken left, and honestly, l kinda miss his presence. There's a lot l wanted him to teach me, they were stuff l still yet don't understand, but l guess it all comes to doing it all alone.
He wasn't just a teacher to me but a big brother, his words of courage brings comfort, not always expecting perfection, but wanting people that try. He had his strengths and weakness, he was harsh at our first meeting, later l found out how loving he is, tongue slip. He was a prodigy in swordsmanship, his knowledge of swordplay was one of an experienced, master class swordmaster. I don't even remember him losing to me, unless we count the air slash practise. Overall, l feel the need to call him perfect human.
I cannot be angry about him leaving us, he has his own goals, something driving him to push forward. We just cannot be in the way, oh well. I mean, this world is currently facing an eternal war, chaos and destruction reeks havoc in the entire world. And he wants to change the world's order, kinda God complex goal.
But, there is something l learnt from him. It wasn't swordplay, divine energy control, or even the dragon continent. He taught me what's it's like to use your own wings, mother once told me that. I can definitely relate, quite the opposite.
In my old life, l was always way too dependable on my family's wealth. I never really put any hard work, to be honest, my mind set knew what l needed was found at home. I also thought once l graduate, l might get the inheritance, but l was wrong. All this time, l was eating the fish my parents caught, instead of learning how to fish.
If l had worked harder, learning how to make money on my own, focused on fishing, and learnt to be independent, then my life wouldn't have taken a dark route. Then maybe, l wouldn't have become a homeless bum.
When my parents died, l was left with nothing. No other relatives could be relied on, even the people l called friends couldn't help me out. Then l realised, why would they choose to share their hard earned resources, with a lazy bum like me. It's funny how l had that thought.
I was worthless, my existence didn't have meaning to world, l was just living under my parents roof.
Now, l was given a second chance. A chance to redeem my old self, to purify my darkened soul, and learn a new perspective. I'm beginning to understand everything, not technically, but my mind lust for information. I must use the technique of flight taught by my mother, the skies may be ferocious and deadly packed with enemies, but l must now fight my own battle. The stage of becoming a warrior, now l'm putting my body to good use, the world doesn't revolve around those that choose to ignore opportunities, l must put reason to this second life.
I'm in the exam room, Ken already taught me, now l must put the knowledge to good use. Studying on my own, and acing the exam with my own strength.
"Damn, it's tiring putting extra work but definitely worth it. High risk, high reward."
Now l'm baby sitting two annoying folks, can't believe l became the responsible adult. Although, our time together wasn't only spent on training but also learning basic knowledge. Ken told me the literacy rate of this country was fairly low, most royalty were set on better education while the poor didn't have the requirements. Money was a problem since prices fluctuated almost every, and with chaos such as war occuring, people tend to stick to training rather than learning. One didn't learn how to read and write until the age of seventeen, because then they have saved enough money from their jobs.
So it was best that both Iris and Blake learnt how to read and write, they were faster learners which was a good sign, they even managed how to write a sentence on their own.
"That's good Iris, but you wrote this in past tense instead of present tense."
"Argh, this is too complex."
Complex? Can't blame her, most kids that begin learning later find things pretty difficult to adapt. But they were pretty easy for me, l was able how to read using children stories, and learning more on vowels and alphabet. My father was quite a heavy reader, so l would always take his books and practise on my own, at times l asked mother for help with words l hardly understood. Getting the accent was also another problem, but l managed to pull through.
"Now it's time to read a short story, Blake first, then Iris."
"A-alright... Once... Upon..."
Blake was catching on but his anxiety was the biggest let down, he needed three seconds to read each word. "Don't worry Blake, slow and steady wins the race," l put up a word of encouragement, but his body begun trembling even more. Stage fright isn't something to overcome in a night, the kid will improve later on. "Okay, now it's Iris."
"Alrighty! Embrace the power of beauty, and hear my commands!"
There we go again with her shinenigans, l don't think l can get used to this. Though, her reading skills were something that stunt me, what l mean was, she could perfectly read a short and long story on her own. Even her accent was better than mines, when it came to spelling test, she effortlessly aced it without a sweat. Strong and independent woman, she wasn't joking with that line.
"A... mazing. I'm impressed." I commented, putting my hand on my chin.
"What's with that look, Arty? That's a look of a pervert! Yack!"
"Huh?!" Okay, let's not jump to conclusions lady, l was only impressed nothing weird, please don't ruin my innocent reputation. "Hmmm," l also noticed how fast both of them moved on after Ken left us, they didn't look like the types, but l'm glad their mindset is maturing. Though, l wouldn't recommend having a mature mindset at the early age, better to enjoy your childhood days. But then...
"I miss KENNY!" Iris cried.
Should have thought, atleast Blake isn't, "I can't move on without him! Ahhhh!" Nevermind all l said, these punks are useless.
Well, that's it, learning ends here. Gotta get fresh and peaceful air.
I went out for a short walk across a neighbouring house, honestly, l don't remember when last l saw more people. "Good day." I greeted a couple of folks that were decorating their beautiful house, they warmly greeted back and continued their usual duty, while l resumed my walk.
It's ridiculously funny how the entire world is facing a crisis, while this village remains peaceful and untouched. They are living life on easy mode, gosh l jinxed it.
"This is a perfect place to have your romantic life, spending the time with family, in a relaxing tune of nature's finest music."
Rustle.
The bush begun moving wildly, there wasn't a strong wind, could something be inside?
Meow!
A cat? I wonder who's lost cat it could be, l better try and find it, they l can be titled as hero.
"Stupid bushes, can't a cat live it's nine lives in peace." A random voice was heard in the bush.
Who could be in the bush, a cat and a person. Guess he found the cat before me, sad.
"Meow! That was a difficult way to escape that bush, Plus l had a terrible landing."
"....."
"Don't cats have perfect landing? My body's getting weaker and weaker with each passing day.... Huh?"
The person inside the bush revealed himself, something l wasn't expecting. There was an orange cat that hooped out of the bush, l know, it's a normal appearance, but the cat spoke human language. It gazed at me in confusion, l stood frozen in time.
"What are you looking at, human?"
It spoke again, l thought l was hallucinating at first but it's starting to come together now. There's a cat infront of me with human intelligence.
"Are you deaf? Start talking before l unleash my furry." The cat said, swinging it's paws up and down.
"Yeah, this world never cease to amaze me. They even have talking animals."
"I'm talking to you! Is this rage bait? Cause l ain't falling for it."
"You talk too much, now shut up and let me process."
"Eck!"
The cats expression dropped, it's sharp claws reaveling, in an instant, it leaped over me, and pounced an attack with its claws, l managed to dodge it. But the movement was fast. This wasn't an ordinary cat.