Chapter 317 - Heartbeat

After washing the dishes with Nino and Itsuka who chatted while doing their task. The two shared their opinions and Caelum gave them the advice to help their problems.

They were all troubled teenagers who didn't have any path in life which Caelum experienced himself. 

He could feel their deep trauma and something hidden within them was a sense of loss. 

Caelum did not question it but based on his guts it was the loss of a parent. He was the same when his mother was in the hospital where a piece of him was missing. 

"I've been pondering about that tutor job? I don't mind teaching you guys for free."

"Really? Won't that get in your time?"

"Nah I'll manage and I'm quite a capable teacher."

He did teach people cultivation and had an entire set of geniuses. It won't be difficult to teach them ways in helping to understand each lesson. 

Learning mortal academic and immortal arts is vastly different with the latter more difficult to understand than the former. 

Caelum already analyzes based on their personality and demeanor where they are strong in terms of academics. Miku is the smartest and Yotsuba is the dumbest.

Nino is proficient in English from the way she correctly pronounces Caelum's name while Itsuka science from her question yesterday. Ichika, on the other hand, human psychology and mathematics or any analytical thinking. 

"Even you say that won't it be quite stressful to teach all of us?"

"Hahaha no, I've thought children Martial art when I'm traveling it won't be any different. The best way to teach you is to let you five teach each other."

"Teach each other?"

They blankly stared at Caelum who wiped his hand with a towel finally finished the dishes and removed the apron.

"Yes, teaching each other would help strengthen your bond and in the process enjoy yourself."

Everyone intently listened, seeing an image overlapping in Caelum. They were perplexed and became silent remembering the words of someone they'd lost.

Caelum unconsciously made his way into their heart when he's not even flirting and genuinely giving advice. 

"Still it's up to your determination and perseverance in learning. Also never say you can do it when the only thing you should say is ``I can do this."

It was the phrase he always used to encourage himself when his life was on the verge of collapsing. He perseveres and keeps going. This never showed as Caelum always hid it by his bright smile and carefree attitude. 

"I-I..thank you for your advice, Caelum-san."

"Woah! That was an incredible speech, masa-san! Now I feel like I can do everything. "

"It's like the words of a samurai commander."

"Don't tell me you also became a spokesperson when you're traveling, Masa-Kun."

"Where do you learn these phrases?"

"Through experiences, many confuse knowledge to wisdom when the latter could only be learned through experience and overcoming those experiences. It could be bad or good, as long as you learn then that is wisdom."

In the past, Caelum was never this wise but gradually changing and maturing enough to lessen his carefree personality. He enjoyed sharing his advice with people and helping them through life. Simple words could change a man. Be it good or evil.

"Okay stop, I feel like I'm slowly becoming some kind of monk, Masa-san."

"Hahaha sorry Itsuka, it's just a habit of mine. Well, that settles it, I'll be your teacher. Feel free to ask anything." 

They nodded as each of them went to spend their Sunday in malls and other stuff leaving Caelum with Miku who was alone in her apartment.

Both Itsuka and Nino had gone shopping while Ichika went to do part-time jobs and Yotsuba helped some friends. 

"Guess it's just you and me, Miku-san. What were you going to ask me?"

Miku took an anxious moment to speak her mind and felt slightly embarrassed for a man like him to her secret. 

"C-can you pretend to not know my love for Sengoku stuff?"

"Nope. You shouldn't hide what you love and I don't think your sister would hate you for that."

"How can you be sure they'll be alright with it? You don't know much about us!?"

Miku raised her voice slightly and felt conflicted with her emotions since Caelum appeared to be overstepping his boundaries which made him frown.

Caelum had forgotten that she was a human who is prone to complicated emotions and feelings. He had been to worlds that had different mindsets and straight to the point.  

Upon realizing she accidentally raises her voice in an attempt to persuade Caelum to not tell her sister turned to look at him anxiously thinking he was mad at her but to her surprise, he merely smiled then held his hand placing into her head.

"It seems I was overstepping my boundaries."

"Ah no, it's my fault for letting my emotions get to me."

"It's alright, people may not be as open-minded as I am. Take your time and when you're ready tell them."

Miku silently took his words nodding while she proceeded to pull his shirt getting his attention.

"Can you watch some tv with me?"

"I would love to, Though I can't deny my forte isn't history but perhaps you can enlighten me in Japanese history."

Caelum saw her eyes shimmered as he joined her to watch historical Japan enjoying how Miku was invested in every detail. 

She does blush occasionally when realizing Caelum was watching who only laughs it off. Though, they did not stop it and kept watching Miku sharing her knowledge about them. 

He did find the history of Japan to be rich and interesting but one particular part of the documentary had drawn him in and it was about a man of unfathomable might in the way of swords.

"Miyamoto Musashi...I wonder how strong he is if he's alive."

"According to history, he was able to cut down men in a single slash that are on horseback and fully armored head to toe including the horses but it should be impossible right?"

"...it depends but two things could be the answer. Either his strength is fake or he is severely underestimated." 

"What do you mean?"

Caelum became silent and intently stared at his painting immediately felt how his fiercer gaze sliced through him and the way he stood held deep profound power. 

The more he understood about Miyamoto the more monstrous than man became. It was as if even death itself struggled to contain his malice.

It was then he felt something turn his head in the direction of surprising Miku as he stood upon the balcony at the edge. 

"A heartbeat? It's still weak yet…"

The sound of a heartbeat could be heard but Caelum was unable to locate where it was, nor what kind of creature it was. The only certain thing is that this entity was strong, extremely strong. 

It's only small yet the beat gradually grows stronger. He felt murderous intent from the thought of fighting this being and understood what level of skill it was.

'A Great Grandmaster….'

"Caerum-san, are you alright?"

Miku checked him, who had been looking around as he had lost his mind. She felt anxious seeing his action, unable to find a way to help. 

Caelum heard her shaky voice calm down and his excitement turned to give a reassuring smile. 

"Sorry I thought I heard something. No need to worry, I'm fine. How about we continue the show?"

"If you say so."

They headed back inside to continue watching while Caelum kept pondering who or what made the heartbeat. However, he had found a simple answer as it was no mere coincidence. 

'Someone revive Miyamoto Musashi.'

He smirked from the thought of meeting someone who had reached the peak of swordsmanship in the mortal world. 

Caelum finished the documentary with Miku who stretched her body promptly, letting him see her full figure. Before he could enjoy her figure the sound of knocking could be heard.

"Hello, Mercer-dono are you there?"

He recognizes the voice as someone that worked under Doppo. Caelum sighed, wanting to spend more time with Miku who was adorable getting invested in the historical stories.

"It appears I'll be going, Miku-san. I had fun watching the show with you and maybe I could it again next time."

"Sure."

Caelum nodded before heading outside leaving Miku intently watching his figure slowly disappear. 

'Next time…'