Chapter 24 Body, mind and soul

Words : 1011 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Master Anng waited until the final sparring match concluded, then raised his hand for silence. The dojo, already quiet, somehow became even more still.@@@@ "Your techniques are..." he paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "enthusiastic." A few students shifted uncomfortably. "But they lack something essential. Peace." Several eyes glazed over at the word. Noah caught at least three students fighting back yawns. 'Great,' he thought, 'here comes the fortune cookie wisdom.' "In my many years," Master Anng continued, either oblivious to or ignoring their waning attention, "I've found that true strength comes not from aggression, but from tranquility." He smiled at their blank expressions. "Though I see this concept excites you as much as watching paint dry." That earned a few surprised chuckles. Apparently, the old master had a sense of humor. "But remember this – if trouble finds you, then..." his eyes twinkled, "no trouble." The cryptic statement hung in the air like an unfinished joke. 'What's that supposed to mean?' Noah wondered, seeing his confusion mirrored on other faces. "During your three years here," Master Anng continued, "you will master three elements: body, mind, and soul." He looked around the room. "Which do you believe is strongest?" "Body!" came the immediate chorus. A few students flexed dramatically, drawing scattered laughter. Master Anng's smile deepened. "Ah, youth. So predictable." He shook his head. "It is the soul that holds true power. Though intangible, it is humanity's greatest weapon – the one advantage we hold over beasts and Harbingers alike." 'Right,' Noah thought skeptically, 'try telling that to a Level 5 beast when it's trying to eat your face.' "However," Master Anng's voice sharpened, "you are all currently weak." The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. "Your souls may be strong, but they reside in vessels of glass." He gestured to their bodies. "For now, we focus on building your foundation. Your core." His eyes swept the room. "For the next few months, you will learn to transform your bodies into weapons." Without warning, Master Anng shifted into a stance so smooth it looked like he was made of flowing water. His leg snapped out in a kick that seemed... ordinary. Nothing happened. Then, with a whisper of tearing paper, the wallpaper on the far wall split cleanly in two, the cut so precise it looked like it had been done with a laser. "Holy sh—" someone started before quickly clamping their mouth shut. Noah's jaw dropped. He blinked hard, but the perfectly bisected wallpaper remained stubbornly real. 'Okay, definitely not like the movies,' he thought, his mind spinning with possibilities. Master Anng lowered his leg with the same fluid grace. "I look forward to seeing you all next class." His eyes crinkled with amusement at their shocked expressions. "Perhaps contemplate what you've witnessed today. Though I suspect the wallpaper will occupy your thoughts regardless." Lila gave him a long look, nodded once, and walked away. Noah returned to his vigil in line, grabbed a tray, and eventually secured his portion of what he hoped was food and not some failed science experiment. Finding an empty table, he sat down and took his first bite. 'Oh god. I've made a terrible mistake. Pride definitely tastes like overcooked vegetables and regret. They serve us like we are out on deployment. Even soldiers fighting Harbingers get better meals," However, mid chew, a flash of blonde caught his eye as Lila dropped into the seat across from him, her own tray landing with a cheerful clatter. 'She... went back through the entire line just to sit here?' Noah blinked at her, the realization not quite computing. 'Who voluntarily stands in that line twice?' "Couldn't find anywhere else to sit?" he asked, gesturing at the half-empty cafeteria. "Oh, plenty of places," Lila replied breezily, poking at what appeared to be significantly better food than his. 'Of course they gave her the good stuff,' Noah thought sullenly. "So," Lila chirped, pushing her food around her plate, "I joined Crafting as my subclass." She wrinkled her nose. "Terrible decision, by the way. It's mostly guys who stare like they've never seen a girl before. And don't get me started on the smell of raw materials." Noah nodded absently, focused on his meal. 'At least the potatoes are mostly potato-shaped today. Progress.' "What about you?" she asked. "What's your subclass?" "Martial arts," Noah replied between bites. Lila's fork clattered against her plate. "Why?" "Same reason you chose Crafting, I guess." Noah shrugged. "You mean for the extra credits and because that's what they wanted?" Her eyebrows rose. Noah paused mid-chew. "They?" A smile flickered across Lila's face as she smoothly changed subjects. "This isn't so bad, actually. But my spot? Way better. You should see it." Noah's fork dropped to his empty plate with a final clink. Before he could move, Lila pushed her tray toward him. "Here. I'm done." 'Done?' Noah stared at her barely touched food. 'Has she even looked at it?' "Since I tried your cafeteria experience," Lila said, her voice light but careful, "maybe tomorrow we could try my spot?" Noah stood slowly, understanding dawning like a cold shower. 'Is this... pity? Some kind of survivor's guilt thing?' "Look," he said, keeping his voice level, "that ice cream yesterday? We're even. It covered the whole 'being a terrible teammate and kind of a bitch' thing." He grabbed the last bite from her plate. "But that's it. No need for... whatever this is. No need to prove anything." As he walked away, leftover in hand, he could feel her eyes following him. 'Great. Now I feel like a jerk. A jerk with extra food, but still.' Behind him, Lila watched his retreating form, a small smile playing on her lips. "Noah Eclipse," she murmured, testing the name like a new flavor. "Interesting guy." 'Too interesting,' she thought, her smile widening. 'Way too interesting to let go that easily.'

Chapter 24 Body, mind and soul

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