Nightmare Mythos

"Welcome, Sparrow,"

Upon hearing the words of the master who called out to him, Cesar respectfully bowed his head and replied.

"Sir Syros,"

The old man, Syros, looked like he had opened his eyes but it was definitely still closing from the onlookers. Probably because he had terrible wrinkles plastered on his face due to old age his face appears like that.

His katana was resting on his lap as he steadily relaxed.

However, there's one to take note of when facing Syros which Cesar immediately saw the moment his eyes look at the old man.

Syros' fierce presence continued to be felt by anyone who was near him, and the only one who did currently was Cesar.

'Damn…'

His entire aura was on a different level. It compelled Cesar to bow down without uttering a single word. People who gave off that kind of impression were usually the ones with an insurmountable extent of experience in this field.

Cesar then saw Syros standing up, unsure if the old man was still keeping his eyes closed or not. The next thing the old man did was put his katana at the side of his body before slowly approaching Cesar.

When he was right in front of him, Syros closed his face at Cesar as if observing his eyes directly and gave a nod.

"Okay, I can teach you."

Syros then turned around and started introducing himself and the class he would be teaching to Cesar, "As Arnold had given to you, my name is Syros, and only that. Don't ask why. I'm not willing to entertain the history behind it to you,"

Cesar immediately gestured that he didn't give any less shit about why he didn't have a last name with a respectful shrug and nod. Seeing his reaction of impassiveness and curiosity regarding his name as he should be, he then continued.

"I'm a retired military person, achieving a Lieutenant Colonel. I've received countless medals as well and I can show it to you if you are ever interested. And also to believe that I'm not all talk," Syros paused, "In our class, I might be able to teach you one of the Techniques I've learned through my time,"

Cesar couldn't' help but slightly widen his eyes. He had one of the Techniques which has been taught by Arnold throughout last year's fourth-year students he was unsure of the situation now, but it's not really helpful in combat.

However, it would be different if Syros taught him a Technique that would be essential to his growth. If it's related to combat, then he'll absolutely get lucky to even see it himself from a retired Lieutenant Colonel.

"All right, whatever do I need to do just tell me. I will willingly do it," Cesar pumped his fist in excitement, "What's my first assignment?"

Seeing Cesar burning with enthusiasm that even the old man could feel it through his skin, Syros liked the fact that he didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the task.

With a pause and the genial old man he is, Syros put both of his hands at the back and explained briefly.

"In this class, I will carve you to be an individual whose goal is to annihilate every enemy you sat at the front. To do that, having a clear mind is needed." Syros paused, "This is what you have to do. You see me sitting down earlier, right? Just do what I did while clearing your mind. Be in a state of nothing and clearheaded. Even a word passing through your mind or a mere figment of thoughts is out,"

Syros halted, "Go on, do it now. I will be able to know your condition if that's what you're worried about. Hence all you have to do is achieve my task then we can move on to our second one,"

'Be in a state of nothing… clearheaded?' Cesar mused inwardly, 'Not thinking about something, huh? I'm pretty good at it,'

He definitely wasn't lying when he thought to himself that the task was pretty easy. Right now, too when he should definitely be finding a cure for his unknown Soul condition, he then was training.

That's just one of the many examples there is.

So, it shouldn't be so hard for him.

Sitting cross-legged on the dojo's wooden floor while feeling the breeze on the outside with noises coming from here to there due to this structure is just yet another part of the Academy's premises.

Cesar begins to do the task.

He closed his eyes.

'Be in a state of nothing,'

Completely taking out the cool breeze passing through his skin while the noises that came from the cabs, the voices of the students, and anything academy-related sounds slowly began to be unheard of, at least for him.

'I knew it. It is easy—'

Tak—!

Suddenly, his head got smacked by the katana's sheath which made him slowly open his eyes and weirdly look at Syros.

"Sorry, my hand slipped. I was just walking around and it accidentally hit you,"

His words might be the most bullshit thing he had heard today since he felt his figure moving towards him and doing it on purpose. Still, to respect the old man, Cesar ignored it as he got his head back to the task.

'Focus…'

Cesar let out a small breath as he delved deeper into the state of clear-headedness. Almost doing it along the way, he suddenly felt his finger being pressed down by a foot which he couldn't help but hiss, and forcefully moved it out from the feet.

"Tsk,"

Grumbling, Cesar yet again had to force his eyes open and intently look at Syros this time.

'Why is this guy trying to be a bitch?'

Syros looked back at him, his gaze didn't look like it was opened at all before retorting with an amiable smile.

"My bad. Please continue,"

But Cesar had enough as he couldn't help but voice out, knowing surely this time that Syros was doing this with persistence.

"What are you doing, sir?"

"What is what I'm doing?"

However, Syros remained ignorant with the same smirk plastered on his lips. Cesar began to be annoyed about it before grumpily breathing out loud to make sure the old man was aware that he was irritated.

However, Syros just doesn't give a fuck.

Tak—!

He continued disturbing on the task he had given to him.