17 Philosophy and reality 2/2

Nirl - Training Center

Rodolphe had followed me there.

''Take a weapon'' I said.

Rodolphe took a wooden sword as usual.

''I'm ready'' he said.

''I said weapon, replace that toy with a real weapon.''

''But...''

''Do you really think you'll be able to only take the fights you want? If I tell you to take a real one, then take one. I'll be serious. ''

Rodolphe hesitated for a moment before changing his sword.

I watched his every move and wondered how I should phrase it.

'Well, I'll see,' I thought.

''ready?''

''Yes'' he nodded.

Rodolphe was on guard, reaching for my attack, and probably wondering how he was going to counter it.

But it just wouldn't work. I might not have picked up a weapon, but I still was on another level.

...

Manon started her fight against me. But even without a weapon, she underestimated me. She walked quietly towards me as if it was a walk in a park.

However, I wasn't going to underestimate her. I tightened my grip on my sword and watched for any opportunity. Soon, she was less than five meters away from me.

''!'' In an instant, she disappeared from my sight before I could figure it out.

'Where is she?' My stress increased.

The next moment, I felt an immense pain in my stomach that threw me into the air and made me spit out some of my salivae. Still, in the air, my eyes moved restlessly trying to understand the situation.

My eyes found her. She was on my right, her fist continuing its blow, with a pain that only grew.

When the blow finally ended, I was already on the ground, my body drained of strength.

'How?' I asked myself. But trying to understand would hardly help me as I didn't see any answers other than speed. And I refused to thought about something this terrifying.

So I clench my fists and gradually got up. At that moment, Manon began to speak casually.

''Asking Eloise to train you,'' she began, ''don't you think that's selfish?''

''No! This is for the village! For our survival!'' I tried to reply uselessly.

''Because you think training is a good use of her time? That it's worth it?'' She giggled. ''So, let me ask you, what's so special about you? One hit and you're already down. If you're going to train someone, she might as well train herself, because she's useful, here.''

''Let me tell you, even if you are a genius, you are only a third-rate one. If the risks you're talking about are so great, then it would be better to just strengthen the strong ones, don't you think?''

'' I... Rudolph thought about it.

But Manon, seeing him stand up, didn't hesitate and attacked him again. Rodolphe reacted quickly and dodged her blow, but that blow was only hiding his second attack, this time made by his left hand. This attack sent him waltzing three-four meters away from his initial position.

And she didn't hesitate to repeat the experience a few times, saying a few words each time, creating a sort of monologue.

''You know," Manon began, "not everyone is like you, not everyone has the talent you have.''

''So what are you going to do? Fix it yourself? With your level, THIS level? Don't be ridiculous. One man alone can't do anything on a battlefield.''

''So would the solution be simple after all? Would it be enough to just train everyone? I'm sorry to tell you, but the situation will never be that simple.''

''The reality is that this world is difficult. Humans are weak, and what they lack most is motivation. Because they are not in danger. But should they be in danger? Can't they just live quietly, albeit in the face of risk? Do you want to be able to do everything by yourself? Wow, that's a great motivation, let's see if it holds!''

''Nobody wants to waste their life on training, except some idiots. Eloise already bears the guilt of not having been able to do anything to save Alain. She needs time. But what are you doing? You don't take into account the feelings of others.''

''No matter what you think in the end, you don't have to decide for them. Humans are as logical as they are illogical, and everything needs to be done in its own time. It's definitely not a brat like you who's going to decide what to do.''

''What? Do you disagree? Well then, speak up! That's all you have to do since you can't act, and you know it.''

At the end of all these blows, my body was telling me not to move anymore and to accept. But I couldn't. Even if I only had willpower, I had at least that! Although her words were harsh, every move she made help me became a little stronger. If at first, I couldn't see her with my eyes, I could now parry her blows, although her strength meant that no matter what parry I made, her blow would always hit. But the pain would get less each time.

'The next one I'll stop!' I thought.

''You've got willpower at least, I guess," she smiled, "but you still don't understand the most important''

She looked at her fist, and following her gaze I lingered on it. It was then that I felt an immense oppression, and understood the terror.

'What kind of pressure must it have been to face this beast?' I chuckled with fear.

The next moment I became unconscious after hearing once again her voice, which sounded kind this time around.

''It's okay to be weak. Given your talent and motivation, you won't stay that way but never forget your current limitations. If you want help, I'll be happy to give it to you.''