What an interesting development

(still 3rd person)

"Yeah, me saying I was going to kill you was just a joke. I was never going to kill you, all I really needed to do was knock you unconscious so I could take us to the forest. After all, you're in danger after witnessing what you did."

"Danger? What kind of danger am I in? And who was that man you killed?"

"Him? He was an assassin disguised as a rent collector, but none of that is important anymore alright? We have to worry about more pressing matters now, your training!"

Aku quickly realizes that the old man is dead serious about everything he just said, even the training part. Wait, why is he training him? Aku thinks deep to himself to try to find the answer to this question, but he can't think of a single answer to explain why he's being trained by the old man.

"So, you must be thinking to yourself, why would I such a powerful and superior person train you? Well it's simply because of one reason, and one reason only."

"Well, what's that reason?"

Aku is in anticipation for the reason. Is it because he was chosen? Is he the chosen one that's supposed to be trained by an old master? He can't wait to find out the reason why.

"Well kid, the reason why is because... I just want to train you."

*Switch back to 1st person (Aku's pov)*

That's it? That's the reason he wants to train me? That's not even a reason! I thought it was going to be something important. Like I was the chosen one to restore balance and peace to the world! What a bland reason.

"Don't worry about the reason too much kid, just know, it's going to be very difficult, so if you want to back out just tell me."

The old man has a weird smile on his face, I don't think this training will be very safe.

"Actually sir, I don't want to do the tra-"

"Great! We start tomorrow at 3 pm. Don't be late."

"But before we do training, let's decide on something. We need to figure out your essence type."

Essence type? Oh yeah, he did talk about all the different types of essences a while back. Even though I don't remember any of them, I'll still try to find out which essence type I have.

"Alright kid, we're going to do this essence type finding with one simple step. This method is a method that's been used since ancient times. This method is in fact so efficient in determining essence type that it's been banned from usage."

The old man seems really adamant about using this method, it must be a super great method if it's been banned because of its efficiency. I really wonder though, what will this method be?

"Alright kid, the method is very simple. All I have to do is put you in a true life or death situation."

What?

I blink for one second, and in the next moment, the old man has a blade on my neck. Blood starts to leak out, but I can't do anything about it. This powerlessness I feel, I can't stand it.

"Ah well, that didn't work out at all,"

he says with a downcast expression.

Wait, what does he mean that didn't work? I swear he just tried to kill me, the blood is still dripping!

"Well kid, I know what you may think as of now, but it was supposed to work in a specific way. Usually what was supposed to happen was that you were supposed to strike back using essence or at least defend yourself with it. Like what your essence type is supposed to be is what you were going to attack or defend with. Like let's say you had external essence, you were going to try to attack or defend by pushing essence out."

Oh, so that's how it's supposed to work. Then why didn't I have any reaction?

"I assumed you were going to have a reaction, as no matter who you are or what you are your body is supposed to react offensively or defensively. Offensively if you're more head-on, defensively if you're more reserved and timid. Then there's you, a person that didn't react whatsoever. The only reasonable explanation is that you have no essence in you. The source must've decided to completely ignore you kid."