It's been six months since l trained alongside Ken, a lot had changed during our time together, l managed to pick up his lessons and adapted to it much faster, the art of welding a sword. Not only was l more flexible on my movements, l was also taught how to use divine energy when on battle.
It was an intense training l'm telling you, for someone as young as he is, he was quite talented having the knowledge that of a master. Ken was five years older than me, basically making him nine. His mastery at swordplay and divine energy control was on the roof, till this day, l can't reach his level.
My parents were still not aware that their four year old sneaks out from home to secretly train with a stranger he met not to long ago, they'd go crazy when they find out. Ken's training room was a ten minute walk from my place, l still didn't know where he lives, when l ask him he'd find a way to dodge the question. Was he homeless? I don't think so, he comes for training with a new set of clothes so l guess that covers it.
As l was training with Ken these past months, during break time he took the chance to tell me a story about our world, history was his strong suite.
Our world was created by unknown species that roam around every single living things, these species created divine energy and the "laws" which were the balance of the universe, they had the ability to fly, create, and destroy. In general, they were omniscient beings. During the period after their creation, a dark force emerged from the shadows constantly cursing the air with "profound energy."
The two beings then went to war, both species' ability could be overpowered and overwhelmed, they were the weakness and strength of ability. The war occurred for a long period of time, during their decisive battle, they'd create new beings, which led to the development of the world today.
Rumours has it the war still continues till this day, the battle of good and evil hasn't ended, that effect also created war amongst ourselves, our world isn't a peaceful paradise but a battle ground.
Power is required for survival, being weak leads to immediate death.
There isn't a bright future for this world, as long as this billion years of war ends. I can't actually determine right or wrong because it's not my place to say, in my old life, I'd abuse my power forcing judgement upon the weak and helpless, l never once thought of saving anymore but myself.
I was really selfish.
Now l got second shot, l don't want to spend it on pointless wars that don't pick my interest, who am l even fighting for? Though, it would be safer if l just honed my skills in sword mastery. I'm getting the hang of intense training and putting more effort, lf l had to recall, it was my first time having thoughts of exercising. In my old life, l never needed to do things myself, where had servants and other assistants in our aid.
It feels good putting your body to good use.
*****
Anyway, it was another hard day at training with Ken, we resumed our usual one-on-one dual daily to keep our body stable for combat. Ken's heavy swings weren't packing punches like before, l was now able to block and counter thereafter.
My vision even improved, now l'm able to sense danger lurking behind me using the energy around my body, using that move allows my divine energy to act as a detector, l didn't have the skill to sense without it.
"You've a higher energy input than l have, which best suits your ability to detect danger using divine energy more efficiently." He praised with a gloomy face.
"Uhm, makes sense!"
That statement coming from him makes my body tingle, l didn't know l have something greater than Ken, talk about improvement.
Ahem.
What Ken said was actually right, it seems l was born with a higher input of energy on my cage resulting in greater energy, it was sort of infinite but with limits. Makes sense, l remember first time activating divine energy then spilling out a tons of it without feeling drained or exhausted. Having such energy allows for great growth on my sword skills, which also meant my techniques could be perfected if l trained harder.
"Let's have a dual while l tell you about my goal," he said stretching out both his hands and legs.
"A-alright!" That was weird, why'd he randomly decide to tell me about his goals all of a sudden, could he be leaving me? I sure hope not.
"The only reason l'm training so hard and putting myself in intense situation is because l want to change the world's balance," he said.
"Change the world's balance? How's that possible?"
Exactly.
The only way to change the world's balance would be due to higher power, such as being a world leader, no, that isn't right. He used the term "world" instead of country, that can only be possible if one ascends into a higher being. I'm curious what's his response.
Ken lowered his expression and continued, "Once l become champion of mystic fountain, then l can rule the world." He concluded that statement, it still didn't answer my question about actually changing the world's balance, l boldly asked, "Do you mind elaborating."
"Uh, oh. You don't know much about the world, it's best l introduce you to what l mean."
"Okay."
Ken stated all his points, the world's balance can be changed once someone participate in the hellish competition that consists of strong opponents, this competition takes place on the most notorious continent called the "Dragons continent" the land where rulers exist.
The dragon's continent is the second largest continent in the world.
The dragon's continent is located at the centre of the world, not only is tournament is difficult but entering the continent alone is something far greater. Anyone can participate, no matter the status, conditions, age, gender, and power. As long as one can enter the continent in one piece, they'll be considered in partaking in the tournament.
The tournament takes place once every ten years, the last tournament concluded a week ago.
New rules and regulations are set by new leaders that triumph over the tournament, they're the one's that can either: prohibit war, manipulate prices, change leadership from different countries, and also affect divine energy.
I'm stunt just as you are.
"In the last thirty years, there had been a single man that conquered the tournament without defeat." He stated.
"Thirty years winning every single match, that's wild if you ask me, knowing that alone proves he's someone beyond any other level."
"Yeah, whether you were a high ranked swordsman or a skilled martial artists, he took down all his opponents with a single blow."
"A single blow...? That's insanely impossible to do that for thirty consecutive years."
My ears couldn't believe what it heard, someone like that exist in this world. I only thought they existed in movies or fictional novels, but a power house like him could mean trouble for any new contender.
And Ken want's to take him down regardless of how powerful the man is, l don't know if he's being full on himself or it's just suicide. What would he gain from trying to fight a man with more than thirty years of battle experience, he's being too prideful, like me.
"I know right, but l have a reason for doing all this, l want the world to find the peace it longed for." He boldly spoke out raising his sword.
"... I see..." I whispered having nothing more to say but sigh at his statement.
World peace.
That's something main characters from a book would say, working their butts off reaching the top so the world can rest assured without any danger. This world is currently on its longest war ever recorded, allowing the generation to find peace is something...
Why am l feeling pity?
"The one who currently holds the title of " lead championship, Ember of the roaring flames." The one who never lost a fight, his name is "Dante" he is the one currently allowing war bestowed upon every single nation. Forcing young generations to muster their skills to survive, allowing trouble to fall on every single victim, imposing false justice to the weak. That man only has a lust for war and nothing else, he's a shame to the title of "Warrior" l want to end his reign."
"K-ken..."
Can l even disagree at the statement he just pointed out, everything he said made my stomach ach, l can't believe such evil intentions exits even in this world. People have power but abuse it for wrong doing, can't they use what they have to help others?
.....
Everything he said, sounded like Ethan Carter.
I thought Ken dreamt of living a normal life, like how I'd imagine, my dream's to live a normal-peaceful, getting a decent income and have a small family, then probably die of old age after seeing how successful my kids and grandkids have become.
Ken and Dante have a different ideology.
Then l'll forge my own ideology that doesn't only impact me but also my surroundings, then that's when l'll accept that I've changed.
But, l'll forever support the person that changed me.
"Keep going big brother Ken, l will be rooting for you no matter what happens. Your words filled an empty void inside my heart."
That's right, he may not understand what l'm trying to say, but that actually changed my perspective of life.
"Now l'm being called big brother?! You're something Arthur, training you every single day brightens my day. My wish is that you live life according to your positive choices, train till you surpass me."
"Yes, big brother. But when are we going to practise sword techniques? I'm growing impatient."
"Hahaha! That's my impatient student for you."
"I've praised you enough, lets get back to work."
"Say, how far can your strength go, Arthur. Just how potential do you have that can one day surprise me? Only time can tell." He whispered.
"What are you mumbling about?"
"Nothing... Forget it."