Chapter 145: Art of striking, and Martial Arts

It was a formality that gave rise to Sarey's curiosity. Zigmund told Sarey many kinds of stories when she was little, and she remembered some, and others, not at all. Since the stance of his past was such a hard topic for Zigmund to even talk about it to his daughter, it was more than natural to seek out other choices. Sarey rather went with her own research, which wasn't that great. It forced not much useful information if she would be honest with herself.

“Of course I did. Looking for my father's information was always something I wanted to know, but even the Guild had nothing… That left me with very few choices that I could use to get to know more about him.” Sarey signed as she said. “ But, here I am. Alliance and the past came back to him and I never thought I would see soldiers of the Alliance in front of our house. Not even that, though. They entered my home and even destroyed some things as if they had some problem with him. This is suspicious, you know? And completely abnormal,” Sarey said, raising her voice to make herself heard.

“Well, since you say so like this. I can hardly tell you something else new. If the information about your father in the Guild was restricted to tell, I guess we will find out eventually what it all means. This is at least what I guess is the right thing to do.” Allan assumed and finished the last plate of a meal, which was already cold, but nonetheless delicious.

Seeing Allan at least have some common belief with her, Sarey hoped to have some help against her father within him. His presence can make Zigmund make more hesitation, or more open since she was his daughter, and they knew each other quite well. The situation with Allan could at least be very helpful to her, and not as problematic all the time.

Although, she was always surprised by his sheer abilities, strength, and movement. Sometimes, she wondered if he had invisible eyes since it sometimes seemed he felt his surroundings much better than she did.

“Good. I agree that time will tell us more. In fact!” Sarey slammed the table with the bowls while cleaning the table. “Let's see what he will tell us tomorrow morning. Heheheh. This try of mine was quite clever if I say so myself.”

“Sure thing. It was clever. This breakfast was quite good. I think I am more than ready for the day with such a perfect meal.”

“What will it be today?” Sarey asked, also expectant to this day, since the morning wasn't that bad at all.

“As you told me yesterday, 36 requested to bring weapons with us, so I guess we will find out what it will be apart from the regular training I plan to do. As for the weapons, I will take a spear and glaive what I made for Zigmund. Since he has no intentions for them or any care for them, I may as well use them myself. It's gonna be some form of training or whatever 36 have in mind, so I am quite curious what's up with that.”

“Yes. Yes! I almost forgot about that. Good that you remember, but do you want to do another round of training also? Are you not bored with it already? You did not even touch the forge in a while after finishing father's useless requests.”

“Too much of something will cause lesser quality and no, I don't believe it was useless at all. It was a fairly good way to get back to forging after… whatever happened to me. I did plenty of work at first, so it is time to do a piece or two every 10 to 15 days. That is enough, unless I will get some word from Zigmund to sell my work or I will get some special motivation. For now, there are too many things that I had to do with my training, and 36 thought so too, didn't he?”

“36 did, but the father won't care about this selling business anytime soon. I can already tell that since he doesn't have any willingness or intent to do that. Considering what is happening, you are fine with hoarding the weapons, and maybe I will come up with something instead of him. But for that, I need a bit more time.” Sarey offered, and even Allan didn't have any idea how to respond to that. “It's just a try. Do you want to go straight outside since the meal is over? I am already over with this conversation.” Sarey asked so fast, that Allan nodded to get this over with as well.

“Yes.”

The pair had simple plans for today, as did countless people in every town, city, and nation in the world. Those were the Lives that revolved around mundane and routinely generated lives. They were cases of the living that went on for millions of years, or even longer, with nothing strange or extraordinary.

Lives were simple things, of intelligent beings. Things that were generated from The Beginning, although, without them knowing about it. Their lives and death did not matter at all, as everything could be subjected to an end.

This sort of overview had small sides of fate that some beings had a small understanding of but nothing too fancy to call them The Maker. Yet, these kinds of beings had very little to care for. Even when thinking about regular immortals or even considering the lives of mortals who were on countless planets.

Everything was subject to the flow of time.

That was the absolute rule.

At this moment, the pair of mortals walked through the forest of any particular exciting planet. Allan and Sarey, at some time, reached a cliff that went far beyond the sun. It was standing there for a long time, with countless little rocks that were underneath this cliff.

It was a summer afternoon that wasn't as bad in this place. The trees made some nice additional protection against the scorching sun, and not even the hot air reached into this valley. It was well hidden behind the cliff, making it quite refreshing for such training.

“There we are,” Sarey said as she led Allan here by grabbing his hand. He would still get lost otherwise, but when he came here, he could remain here and not get lost at least.

Behind Allan's back was a pair of weapons that were requested by 36. Allan chose the spear and the glaive because he thought he was somewhat proficient with them already. They had a general way of movement as a staff, with some differences, of course. Those could be overruled, or diminished after getting familiar with them.

The spear had a sharp spearhead, which could mean significantly deadlier thrusts, unlike the staff. Although it had dull ends, it could still have powerful thrusts.

As for the glaive, Allan knew this weapon quite well, since its perception can be quite varied. Polearms and many long weapons with long-range poles were sought in armies and were quite popular. It was easy to use, and any kind of newcomer to fighting could stab someone from afar. Of course, that included the basic understanding of some power and movement. Plus the amount of experience and defenses of the foe.

Still, the Glave Allan made was quite a significant kind of polearm. It was long, heavy, and thick. It was generally a weapon that was said to be a cleaving king of weapons. Perhaps even more so than an ax, which could have some trouble with heavy forward momentum and movement. Glaive could also be like that, depending on the style of the handle and the mass of the blade.

Allan knew about this a lot, so he used his knowledge to make the glaive that would be perfect. He was close to that kind of creation, or so he believed. It was no wonder he was particularly happy about this glaive which he hoped to keep, but maybe it won't be that hard to accomplish.

Upon setting aside the wall with some stone, Allan trapped the weapons after quite a while. It has been a while since he tried to wield them. He noticed that his strength improved with a grip that remained on the handle of the spare, and his movement were easier and faster.

Feeling satisfied with his progress was all he could do, but not like it will stay like this for too long. Alla had plenty of reason to understand that this was just a mortal beginning and his future may not be the one of ordinary strength. 36 said so, and Allan wasn't afraid of that path any longer.

Immortal paths of power weren't something known by him for an extended period of his life. Yet he already hoped to walk the path beyond mortal, which was quite surprising, but he had changed his view on this.

For the sake of his path, and willingness to get rid of his hopelessness.

Sitting on a small boulder, he rested his head on the shafts of both weapons, which were between his legs. Allan waited for the summoning, which was once again happening under Sarey's supervision.

She sliced a small wound on his palm, and blood soon appeared, to feed the brown leather-covered book that was on the ground.

The portal to another space opened after the gust of light and wind. It changed to a wide-looking portal of quite mysteries of anything that mortal could understand.

From within this revolving energy, the wooden figurine, the same as always, fell to the ground.

“Good to see your kiddos. Another day for you?” 36 asked, merely to be sure it was a single day for them and not a couple of weeks for him. This way, he knew how much time passed for him in his prison.

“Another one, 36,” Sarey said as she took a seat as well.

Both Sarey and Allan were expecting another lengthy conversation with topics that they weren't prepared for.

“Was it a normal day? Nothing that you will say to me this time? No injuries, strange things, or crazy happenings? No stars fell from the skies or an Immortal make a descent to the mortal plane? How nice. How nice.” 36 joked around in a good mood.

“No such problems can occur in only a single day, 36. We live a simple life where Allan has simple training, then he eats, and sleeps. That's it.” Sarey said.

“Sounds like a good time to me, but that doesn't mean something complicated can't happen, even with such regular things. He already experiences plenty of strangeness after all, but I won't be bothered with it today. The progress isn't so crazy to be different since it was a day. For the time being, how do you feel, Allan?” 36 asked as he gazed at Allan, eyeing the brand-new weapons in his hands. He was silently observing their ups and downs of them and noticing nothing extraordinary in particular. Apart from the strange handle of the glaive type weapon, the spear seemed good, and maybe a bit too large or fancy, but it was nothing that he disliked.

“I feel the same as always. Refreshed from the hefty day of yesterday, thanks for Sarey's care.” Allan answered.

“Good. Good. I see the weapons that you brought. Do you have any idea why did I task you with it today?” 36 said, sounding more like a teacher with each passing day. He had to keep this straight for his sake. Figuring out methods to adapt to the current situation was a key to what he was proud of when he was alive. That was the adaptability to the immortal lands, as well as many beings, places, and stars. Although, such an attitude did bite him to the ass when he could not adapt to a force that was stronger than himself. Those were the hands of The Ones.

“Training, isn't it? Or do you have something else in mind?” Allan asked.

“That too, but for the first time, I want you to try the rock smashing with your weapon to see your form. I am doing this because of a plausible opportunity that you now hold that I found quite important.”

“What opportunity?”

“Do you want to start an Immortal Martial Arts which may be a part of the Body Forging?”

“Immortal Martial Arts? Can it even be called that if it's something performed by a mortal like me?” Allan questioned his words.

“Of course. It doesn't really matter. Immortals were Mortals at some point in their lives. If they weren't born from powerful figures, that is… But that isn't important at the moment. I will tell you more about the reasons for the techniques, after seeing your forms and the powerful ways of your weapons. Show me that first and let's talk later.”

“So… using these weapons to smash apart the rocks? Simple as that?” Allan asked him again.

“Yes. Go for it.” 36 said impatiently, as he had no idea about the quality of Allan's work or his handling of the weapons. In the days that passed since Allan returned to the forging, not many opportunities came to exchange or talk about forging, or combat. 36 was never present in the spar, nor the training was a good way to see any combat-related capabilities. 36 probably forgot about these issues, which weren't an issue.

Now, this could change since Allan got stronger, and time was getting right to start thinking a bit like an Immortal.

Allan got up from the stone and walked to a near boulder. For the first try, he took the spear to feel things up a little, since it was very familiar and easy to use.

Swoosh!

Allan put forth his hand and lowered his posture while having both hands across the spear's shaft.

He didn't swing the spear, but the spearhead went deep into the rock and smashed it apart with a simple thrust. Allan used his handling of the staff to cause a natural resemblance to a regular thrust that wasn't any different from staff. Apart from the damage and extended feel of the blade, that is.

In fact, Allan put quite a lot of strength into the spear, which was about right for staff, but Spear wasn't a wooden staff. The thrust continued even after reaching the other side of the rock, which was still, couple hundred kilograms at least. Allan only stopped after ending his maximum physical reach, thanks to his posture.

36 would knit his brows if he had an opportunity for it, but he couldn't. In a line of sight from him, he could see the diagram of pretty much Allan seamlessly striking the rock from his side. It all came as naturally as it could, making it pretty and smooth.

“Impressive form. Is the staff so similar to a spear to you? I bet it is.” 36 said in rare praise.

“I would say that the spear is similar to a staff which could have many forms. It's quite similar, but the blade makes it more complex and strange. Maybe deadly is the right term to use. What I always had with me was a wooden pole that went through some strengthening, which I did. It's heavy, but not much different from the regular spear. As for his spear of mine, it's heavier and quite sharp, so I guess this rock was an easy target.”

“You are more or less right, so it's time to move to the bigger ones. This one wasn't even as big as yourself. How laughable.” 36 stated as if he saw a child punching the bedsheet.

Allan didn't comment on that, so he tried to find some bigger ones, but was unable to find them fast.

“On your left, 3 meters forward is a somewhat bigger one. Then 5 meters to your right and 6 meters forward.” Sarey shouted as she could not wait much longer. She was also curious about what she could handle, and these weapons must work wonders for the current him.

Allan found it after a little help. Figuring out such basic stuff was still quite hard in the land of darkness, and no amount of good hearing or touch would help it. Allan touched the rock to imagine it inside his head, making it clear to the inner visualization that he performed with almost everything since he woke up without his eyes.

It formed an image of around a meter and a half tall and sharp pointed rock. It was quite bigger than the one he managed to crack with his limbs, but it was the one Sare had chosen, and not him or 36.

“Isn't it a lot bigger?” He said with concern.

“That is fine! You don't have to succeed with everything.” 36 said, like something that Sarey would tell as well.

Allan had not much choice, so he gripped the pole of the spear the same way as before, as well as the posture remained the same. One motion away, he pierced into the rock in one sway of his spear. It was the same striking force until the whole spearhead went out of the other side of this rock.

It then stopped as Allan's reached a similar limit before, but this time, it was a bit sooner, since the rock was bigger.

“You? What sort of weapon is that?” 36 audibly said in questionable shock and surprise.

“What do you mean what sort? This is a work of mine.” Allan tried to explain himself, but he struggled as he tried his hardest to pull the spear from the tough rock. The previous one was obliterated, but this one wasn't. He made a hole in the rock, which made his speed stuck on the other side. It seemed the crescent blade he left on top was somewhat of a bad idea, considering the toughness of the rock.

With all his strangeness, Allan managed to pull it out after he smashed the pieces of rocks into a crevice around the hole. Unfortunately, Sarey didn't have it within herself to point out the obvious. The spear could have traveled all the way through the rock, making the spear freely go across, since the shaft was thinner than the spearhead. Though, she didn't voice it, since she felt quite embarrassed for Allan's sake.

“Phew… finally. What did you ask, mister 36?” Allan asked.

“Ehm… Nothing much. That is quite a nice spear you've got there, Allan.” 36 said with a calm tone, unlike before. He calmed himself down a little to appear more professional, which amounted to nothing strange apart from Sarey's questionable look.

“Yeah? I like it as well. I worked quite hard to make it all those days ago,” Allan argued as he stood while showing off his spear with the end on the ground, and the spearhead to the sky.

The tip, edge, and even crescent moon showed no sights of damage at all. Even as Allan glided his finger across the edges, he felt nothing. It was the same as he sharpened it.

“So? Is it everything that you wanted to see? I think I can manage to strike quite a lot of rocks in this manner. I can feel it now. However, that would be bad. I would stop having rock partners for rock smashing in a couple of days at such destruction.” Allan argued.

“Let me see one more rock, but this time, instead of thrusts with a spear, strike with slashes as if you are using a blade or the glaive. You can imagine the strike, or a blocking motion, or hit your enemy with full power. I don't care either way.” 36 requested.

“Alright.”

Allan moved into a rock that was a few meters away under Sarey's supervision. It was around the same size as the one before.

Changing his stance to a much more relaxed one, he folded his arms across each other in the handle. A slash was different from the thrust, and Allan learned it all thanks to Zigmund's teachings and his own comprehension. It all came to hips, legs, and a strong upper body.

Flexing his biceps, changing his foot placement more to the sides, he started slashing the rock with quick movements thanks to his hips, shoulders, and arms. It soon formed a big X pattern in the rock as he kept cleaving the edge to the rock. The edge of the spear was equally good as its tip, and it was more than obvious.

“You can stop. Come here and show me that spear. This is a fine treasure you got here!” 36 urged, and he didn't even hide his excitement at seeing a good weapon. He had seen enough of this, but he forgot about the glaive on the sides, which was arguably the better weapon, in Allan's opinion.