Whenthey entered the room, he witnessed a man seated on a chair smoking.
"So, you are the brat Ali instructed me to train Fayaz, isn't it?" the individual inquired with a deep voice.
"Yes, sir, Fayaz exclaimed with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"I am Zalk, and I will commence your training tomorrow, so better be prepared. Now dine; you must be famished," saying this, Zalk rose from the chair. "And Sanma, guide him to his quarters," Zalk continued.
Zalk was not as aged as Fayaz expected. He was merely 35 years old, with ebony hair, a robust physique, hazel chilly eyes, and was not particularly loquacious.
Sanma escorted Fayaz to his room, and then Fayaz had his meal. "You should retire now; our training will commence at 5 am, so don't be unpunctual. Master abhors tardiness," Sanma cautioned Fayaz.
At 5 o'clock, Sanma and Fayaz eagerly gathered for their training session.
"Is anyone else joining us for training?" Fayaz inquired. "Yes, there are other two but they are out for some reason, it's just you and me for now, Sanma replied with a grin.
Suddenly, Zalk emerged from the house. "Are you both ready?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Yes, sir!" they responded in unison, brimming with energy.
"Excellent! But before we begin, I need to assess your capabilities. You'll need to undergo some tests," Zalk announced. Turning to Fayaz, he continued, "Now, Fayaz, get ready for a real challenge.
Do you see that hill over there? I want you to sprint up it as fast as you can, but remember to pace yourself.
Focus on maintaining your momentum with short, quick steps. Don't forget to pump your arms and take deep breaths as you climb.
Once you reach the top, take a moment to catch your breath before jogging back down for recovery. Ready?
Let's give it everything you've got!"With a determined nod, Fayaz took off towards the hill, his legs pumping with all the energy he could muster.
As he ascended, the ground beneath him grew steeper, but he pushed himself harder, fueled by the challenge set before him. Breathing deeply, Fayaz focused on maintaining his pace, his arms swinging rhythmically at his sides. Step by step, he conquered the incline, his determination unwavering.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Fayaz reached the summit. With a triumphant shout, he paused to catch his breath, the crisp air filling his lungs.
After a moment of rest, Fayaz began his descent, jogging back down the hill with newfound confidence. As he returned to where Zalk and Sanma waited, a sense of accomplishment washed over him.
"Well done, Fayaz!" Zalk exclaimed, clapping him on the back.
"So next, I will see what Ali taught you, Fayaz.
"Both of you, take the wooden sword. You both are going to fight."zalk ordered." Fayaz and Sanma stood facing each other, wooden swords in hand.
The crackled with anticipation, and Zalk observed with keen interest, ready to witness their skills in action. Fayaz took a deep breath, his focus unwavering as he assumed a defens stance. Across from him, Sanma mirrored his posture, a determined glint his eyes.
With a nod from Zalk, the match commenced. Fayaz made the first move, lunging forward with a swift strike aimed at Sanma's side. Sanma deftly parried the blow, countering with a quick jab of his own.
The sound of their wooden swords meeting echoed through the training grounds as they exchanged blows. Fayaz's movements were fluid and precise, while Sanma's defense was solid and unyielding. Zalk watched intently as the two young fighters engaged in a captivating dance of blades.
It was clear from the outset that this would be no ordinary spar-it was a test of skill, determination, and friendship. As the spar intensified, Fayaz's reflexes were put to the test, and it was in those moments that Zalk witnessed something truly remarkable.
Sanma launched a rapid series of strikes, aiming to catch Fayaz off guard. But Fayaz, with lightning-fast reflexes, deftly dodged each blow with a grace that left Zalk in awe.
With a quick sidestep, Fayaz narrowly avoided a sweeping strike aimed at his legs. Then, in a fluid motion, he countered with a well-timed block, redirecting Sanma's momentum with precision.
Zalk's eyes widened in astonishment as he watched Fayaz seamlessly transition from defense to offense. Fayaz's movements were so fluid and instinctive that it was as if he could anticipate Sanma's every move before it even happened.
"Remarkable reflexes, Fayaz!" Zalk exclaimed, unable to contain his admiration.
"Keep it up!" Fayaz flashed a determined grin in response, his confidence soaring with each successful evasion. In that moment, it was clear to Zalk that Fayaz possessed a rare gift-one that would undoubtedly set him apart on the battlefield.
And as the opening moments of the fight unfolded, Zalk couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within him. This was where true warriors were forged, and he was honored to bear witness to it. Despite Fayaz's impressive display of reflexes and skill, the tide of the fight turned in Sanma's favor as the match reached its climax.
Sanma, sensing an opening, launched a relentless barrage of attacks, each one landing with precision. Despite Fayaz's best efforts to defend himself, Sanma's relentless assault proved too much to handle.
With a final, decisive strike, Sanma knocked Fayaz's wooden sword from his grasp, leaving him momentarily stunned. The spectators watched in silence as Sanma stood victorious, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
Zalk approached the two young fighters,
his expression a mix of pride and encouragement.
"Well fought, both of you," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Sanma, your determination and perseverance paid off.
And Fayaz, your reflexes and agility are truly impressive. There's much to learn from this match."
Though disappointed by the outcome, Fayaz nodded in acknowledgment, his respect for Sanma evident in his eyes. Despite the loss, the experience only fueled his determination to continue improving and honing his skills.
"The early morning session is done. Go freshen up; we'll start training after breakfast," Zalk announced as he headed to his room.
"Wow, Fayaz, your reflexes are impressive! You're even stronger than I thought, Sanma exclaimed with excitement.
"Thanks, but remember, you're still more powerful than me. I lost this time, but next time, I'll beat you," Fayaz replied, a hint of friendly competition in his voice.
They both chuckled, enjoying the camaraderie.. As they left the training grounds, Fayaz reflected on the lessons learned from the fight. While victory may have eluded him this time, he knew that every defeat was an opportunity for growth, and he was more determined than ever to rise to the challenge.
After breakfast, they regrouped for more training "Okay, so, Fayaz, what do you know about zen ?" Zalk asked Fayaz.
"Not much, just that it's some sort of internal energy that people possess but don't know how to use! Something like magic," Fayaz replied, feeling confused.
"That's correct, but not complete, Zalk told Fayaz. "You see, zan is not just magic. It's a technique that enhances your speed, strength, and stamina, among other things. You have to master it to fight higher-level Majuk.
But to master it, you first need physical strength and skill, which you both have been working on. So from now on, we'll focus on mastering the technique.
Do you understand now?" Zalk asked. "Wait a minute, Sanma didn't know the technique of zen, but he had been training with you for two years, right?
Then why didn't he learn it earlier?" Fayaz asked, feeling totally lost.
"That's true," Zalk nodded, acknowledging Fayaz's question.
"It is because To practice the art of Zen, one must possess both physical and mental fortitude, surpassing that of the average person. This demands extensive and rigorous training to strengthen both the body and mind. Without such preparation, an individual's body may not endure the discipline, potentially leading to overwhelming stress or collapse. Therefore, consistent and focused training is essential, as it builds the necessary resilience, balance, and patience required to master this profound art."zalk continued.
And sanma was making himself prepared for the vary purpose now do you understand? "
Zalk asked fayaz.
"Then am I also going to train one more year before learning zen Mr zalk" Fayaz asked with a bit confusion.
"No because you've made remarkable progress in just a year, Fayaz. Your dedication and determination have been evident since day one."
Fayaz's eyes lit up with pride at Zalk's words. "Thanks, Zalk. I've been giving it my all, but I still feel like there's so much to learn."
Zalk placed a reassuring hand on Fayaz's shoulder. "And that's the beauty of it, my friend. The journey of mastering zen is a continuous one. Each step you take brings you closer to unlocking its full potential."
Fayaz nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
"I'm ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. Bring it on!"
Zalk smiled, his eyes sparkling with confidence.
"That's the spirit, Fayaz. With your determination and our guidance, there's nothing we can't achieve together."
To be continued....