How long have I been here? I don’t remember. Maybe a week. No, it’s more. I don’t know. I don’t care. Things like that are no use to me anymore. The only relevant matter, is how to reduce the pain.

I thought I could get used to it. I was wrong. Nobody can. No matter how many times I am being thorned apart, it still hurt like the first time.

The floor, the walls and the ceiling, they were pure white when I arrived. Now they are covered in blood. My blood. My sense of smell is numb. We did clean up once. The only break I had since I came here. 2 hours. I don’t even know how we managed to do it so fast. After the room was immaculate again, he made me sit, and we talked.

The cleaning meant that I passed the first cornerstone. In a word, I am now proficient with the basics. That’s great. I am getting stronger. I am glad.

I feel weird. I am not tired. I can’t be tired here. My body is in perfect shape. But my mind. I am worried. It’s hard. To think. My body moves on his own now. I feel, like I am missing something. What master told me? I think. I can remember…

“Attaining the first cornerstone is a given. Here begins the real test.”

“What do you mean Master?”

“No matter how weak your body is, it will get stronger by breaking and reconstructing. However, this place doesn’t heal your mind.”

“My… mind?”

“Yes. The mind is more fragile than the body, and one is useless without the other. Stay focus.”

Yes. I… I remember! I am currently sparring with Master. Without realising it, I let my body be totally in charge. The reason being…

Crash. I got front kicked in the stomach and projected towards the closest wall.

It hurts like hell!

But I get it now. I can’t reduce the pain, I have to accept it, to embrace it. As I am now, my mind is weak, I have to stay focus.

I went back in front of him. His strikes are fast, too fast. Actually, I didn’t see any of them since the beginning. But it’s different now, I regained my resolution. I just have to focus on the…

Cough. Blood went out of my mouth. Again. I looked down, and saw several holes across my body. Blood is spurting everywhere again, I am about to lose consciousness, but the pain disappeared almost instantly. So quick I even had no time to shout.

Focus!

Palm strike to the throat. As expected, it was grabbed easily. This is my chance.

First flow. Inner round kick to the head.

It collided with master’s right forearm.

Second flow. Continue the kick by sliding along the forearm.

Aimed at the lower body, he lightly jumped, still holding my wrist and dodging swiftly the assault.

Third flow. Naturally bring back the leg into the stance.

I am one with the flux, my head is empty, everything is focused on the next move. Don’t look at his movements, look at his eyes, look at his souls.

Fourth flow. Deflect the strike with the back of my palm.

The pressure is insane, the speed is ridiculous, but it’s irrelevant. I don’t have to think about it, I just have to do it. I barely touch his fist, just enough to redirect it. Master’s punch grazed my cheek, I feel the air-pressure cutting my flesh.

Final flow. Release.

My right wrist is still grabbed, as expected.

I am controlling the flux with the flow. Gathered into my left leg and conveyed from Master's blow, a vast amount of power is circulating into my body, and everything is released into the most powerful impact I can produce, right into his face.

Master inclined slightly his head, and a brief surge of wind coming from my hand blew his hair.

That’s it?

I felt so much energy… so much flux, at least ten times what I can gather alone. I felt I could destroy myself with a single mistake. All that for… a breeze?

“You have made progress Samsy.”

Master is smiling at me.

“Follow me, it’s time to clean up.”

The room is white again, it feels refreshing. I served to master a cup of tea, and sat down in front of him.

“I have to say, I am impressed.”

“For what?”

“I thought your spirit had died, but you managed to revive it.”

“I don’t think it is that impressive.”

I was quite embarrassed by his praise, but its also true I don’t really think it was that much of a feat.

“...Samsy. You are weak.”

“I know, and that’s why I am...”

“I mean your talent.”

“What?”

“You don’t have an innate talent for my art, or for fighting in general.”

“Wha… then why did you take me as your disciple?”

“Strength is not about physical prowess. Strength is about will. You are physically weak Sam, but for a reason I ignore, you have instinct and will beyond what you can imagine.”

“I don’t really get it...”

“If I was looking for a talented disciple, I had thousands of applicant. You don’t have talent, you have something better. You have potential.”

“...Thanks?I guess...”

“I have already taught you enough about my art for now, and I have to let time and practise solidify your grasp of it.”

I have a bad feeling about this. He, on the other hand, seems to enjoy this situation a lot.

“This will be the final cornerstone, and my final lesson. I can feel it, you have a latent power, sleeping inside you, and you are not aware of. It’s time to wake it up.”

Crunch crunch...

Oh yeah… I thought he would be entertaining, but that’s beyond my imagination. So much blood! I feel like it’s my birthday! Well, at least it would be if…

“What do you think it would be?”

“I know! I know! He will have a limit break!”

“Stop saying nonsense Clar, he is a Seer, he can’t have that.”

“It’s easy guys, he will have foresight like every douche prophet.”

“No, he is a fighting type. I bet he will get a copying skill or something like that.”

“Oh yeah, that would be awesome!”

“That’s stupid! A limit break would be much cooler.”

“I told you...”

“EVERYBODY SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!”

Almost the whole team is here, watching at Sam’s “training”. I wouldn’t mind if only they weren’t chatting all the fucking time.

“Come on guys, don’t you have other people to watch? Look! Jules is doing his job for once!”

“Hey! Your pupil is the only one still in the quest for now. Let us have some fun.”

“Are you looking down on my protégé Quentin?”

“I-Hum-No-I...”

“Calm down Val… we only want to have fun with you.”

“What’s up with you Clar, usually you hate when it gets all bloody like that.”

“Yeah… I came back after they cleaned the place so I’m fine.”

“And I am the weirdo...”

“Look! They started again!”

“Wow! Kunan is getting even more serious.”

“He won’t go for the kill, right?”

“Guys! You can stay, but shut up! Please!”

Crunch crunch…

I don’t know why, but I believe me and Kunan are on the same page. Come on Sam, show me what you’ve got.