"So tell me, what do you understand by 'zan'?" Zalk asked.
"Maybe it's internal energy, I guess," Fayaz responded, offering his interpretation.
"Not exactly. To be more precise, it's a combination of the energy present in our surroundings and the internal energy we possess," Zalk explained with a serious tone.
"I'm not sure I follow, sir," Sanma replied, his face showing confusion.
"What I mean is that there's always an infinite source of energy flowing throughout the world. It's like something invisible to the naked eye but can be sensed by a trained mind," Zalk clarified, his voice steady and insightful.
"Then what about the internal energy, sir?" Fayaz asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Zalk responded, "That is something each of us possesses from birth. It can be harnessed by recognizing its existence and training to unlock it. However, most ordinary people are unaware of their internal energy and, as a result, remain oblivious to its potential. Once we unlock it, we can combine this internal energy with the energy present in our environment. This fusion creates 'zen.' Do you understand now?"
"Not entirely, but I think I grasp the general idea," Samma replied, his tone serious and thoughtful.
"Then what about the fusion of both energies?" Sanma asked.
Zalk replied, "That is what I am about to teach you now. But first, are you truly ready for it?"
Both replied, "Yes," their voices filled with enthusiasm and anticipation."Now, watch me!" With that, Zalk drew his sword, and in the blink of an eye, it began to glow, crackling with energy as lightning surged around it.
Fayaz and Sanma observed in a state of astonishment.
"Sir, how are you doing this?" Fayaz asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Zalk smiled and replied, "That was merely a small demonstration of Zen."
"But how did you accomplish it?" Sanma asked eagerly.
Zalk responded in a thoughtful manner, "First, I envisioned the energy both around and within me. Through the power of imagination and creation, I channeled that energy, manifesting lightning around my sword."
"But how can we achieve this?" Fayaz asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Zalk responded with a measured tone, "First and foremost, you must awaken the energy within yourself. Only then will you be able to perceive the flow of energy surrounding you."
"Again, how?" Fayaz asked, seeking confirmation.
Zalk smirked and replied with a confident tone, "That's my responsibility. The theory lesson ends here—now, let's move on to the real challenge."
He led them to the peak of a towering mountain, where a small platform barely wide enough for one foot stood precariously over the abyss.
"Lesson number one: the balance of body and mind," Zalk declared with firm authority. "You both must maintain your balance on that platform for one hour. If you fail, you won't receive any food until you succeed."
"What?!" Sanma and Fayaz exclaimed in shock and dismay.
"I already told you—this wasn't going to be easy! Now, get ready for the real challenge!" Zalk shouted, his voice brimming with excitement and enthusiasm.
For Sanma and Fayaz, however, this was anything but good news. They attempted the task over and over, failing repeatedly. At first, they could barely hold their balance for five minutes, but with persistence and unwavering determination, their endurance steadily improved.
After an exhausting 14 hours of relentless struggle, Sanma managed to balance for 40 minutes, while Fayaz reached 37 minutes.
Zalk approached them with a broad grin. "That's enough for today. Come and eat," he said cheerfully.
"But you said no food until we completed the task!" Sanma protested, frustration evident in his voice.
"I was just bluffing," Zalk replied with a playful smirk.
"You were joking?! We nearly died from exhaustion because of that!" Fayaz exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and exasperation.
Zalk's expression turned serious. "If I hadn't lied, you wouldn't have pushed yourselves this hard. And look at the results," he said firmly.
Sanma paused for a moment, then nodded, a mix of pride and embarrassment on his face. "You're right. I don't think we would have given our all if not for that challenge."
"I never expected them to make such remarkable progress in such a short time," Zalk thought, his expression serious, his mind weighed down by contemplation. His gaze lingered on them, analyzing every step of their growth, yet doubt and past failures clouded his thoughts.
But then, something shifted within him. A faint smile crossed his lips, and his eyes held a glimmer of hope. "Perhaps... they can achieve what I was never able to," he mused, his tone now filled with quiet determination and newfound aspiration.
With that, they began eating while Zalk continued sharing more about the world of Majuk and Spoa.
"So, sir, what exactly is Majuk? And how do they appear out of nowhere?" Fayaz asked casually.
The atmosphere grew heavier as Zalk's expression darkened. In a somber tone, he replied, "In truth... they were once human."
Fayaz's eyes widened in shock. "But how is that possible, sir?" he asked, disbelief evident in his voice.
Zalk let out a weary sigh. "Alas, that is the harsh reality. Do you remember when I told you about the energy within every human?" he asked, his tone serious yet calm.
"Yes, but what does that have to do with this?" Fayaz replied, his curiosity deepening.
Zalk's gaze grew distant, his voice laced with both sorrow and gravity. "That is the key to everything. When a person becomes completely consumed by greed, hatred, envy, or vengeance, the energy within them turns corrupt. It devours their soul, twisting them into something unrecognizable. They lose their humanity… and that is how a Majuk is born.""It's truly harsh, but is there any possibility of restoring them from this state?" Fayaz asked earnestly, attempting to empathize with them.
Zalk's expression hardened as he replied in a stern tone, "Do not attempt to empathize with those creatures. They are no longer human; they are monsters devoid of heart and feeling." He paused, his eyes locking onto Fayaz's, and continued with a desperate intensity, "Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir, but weren't they human before?" Fayaz responded, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Zalk sighed deeply, his expression tinged with sadness. "I understand your concern, boy, but if you dwell on their past humanity, you'll never be able to eliminate them when necessary. Do you comprehend? Follow my guidance for your own well-being."
"Now, let's conclude this discussion and head to bed. We'll resume training at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning, so be prepared," Zalk instructed them in a reassuring tone, his expression kind.
They finished their meal and made their way to their quarters. Noticing Fayaz's lingering concern, Zalk added with a compassionate voice, "Fayaz, try not to dwell on it too much, alright?"
"Yes," Fayaz responded, his tone reflecting understanding.
After they departed, Zalk muttered to himself, "If he continues to hold onto these sentiments, he may endure great loss in the future, just as I did."
Reflecting on his past, Zalk sighed with a sense of melancholy and made his way to bed.