The Musafir

The Fight on the Water

The mantle chokes on its own spit. He never thought he would fight Rama. However, Rama is the chairman of the White Wind College, his knowledge is not superficial.

“Pict this as an exercise, we don't need to be too serious.”

The mantel smiled stiffly and nodded. They stood together, faced each other and paid their respects. Rama jerked his feet first, his body drifting rapidly towards the lake. Mantingan.

In the air they exchanged two sword attacks, then descended to the surface of the lake and stomped the water once before drifting back.

For Mantingan, this was his second fight on the water. The first time was during training with Kiai Guru Kedai. But this second fight was very exciting. Unlike the narrow waterfall where the training is, this lake is much wider and more flexible if used for fighting. Mantings can hover at will, tread water at will, attack as they please.

They retraced once more on the water, gliding and slashing each other's swords, before retracing again on the water. Such a movement is what goes on until it reaches its end. The disciples by the lake were amazed by the fight that Mantingan and Rama presented. For them, it was more than just a self-defense fight, it was an art show.

Mantingan and Rama again floated towards the tavern when it was enough. Back they sat cross-legged and sipped warm tea, as if nothing had happened just now.

“Your strength has increased tremendously from the last one I saw, Son of Man.” Rama said with laughter.

The coat brushed it off, “The chairman remains far above me.”

“But you will soon surpass me. You are very excited to improve, while I prefer to laze.”

“The chairman is too low. White Wind College as beautiful as this must be caused by the performance of a good Chairman.”

Rama gave a small laugh, his eyes aimed at the students who started training. “This is all thanks to Gusti.”

Mantingan smiled and also looked at the students who practiced. The exercises they undergo are certainly not directly on the Science of Retracing Water, they can not directly achieve the science without a strong foundation. So that the first thing to do to master the Science of Water Retracing is to swim.

The disciples trained with vigor after seeing for themselves how amazing the fight on the water was.

“Chairman, if I may know, for what does White Wind College keep training students with martial arts?”

The real question and intent of Mantingan can be clearly captured by Rama. Rama nodded reverently. White Wind College had no intention of attacking or facing war, for were the disciples trained to deal with fighting even battles? Why not just practice the science?

That is what the Mantingan confused and questioned.

Rama answered. “Child of Man, the science of Truth will die if the one who guards it also dies. White Wind College always teaches the science of Truth and falsehood to its students, as well as martial science so that they can protect the science of Truth in its head.”

The mantel nodded and understood. If a person dies, he dies with the knowledge contained in his head. If it is not quickly conveyed to others, then the knowledge in his head will be in vain. Mantingan realized that in addition to passing on knowledge to others, the science needs to be written as well.

I don't feel like time just passes. The disciples had already moved to the training ground, but Mantingan and Rama were still there. Their tea still continued to smoke, both borrowing the power of inner strength to keep the tea warm. Even so, the tea in the glass was left a little.

“For what is the rush? It's still day, why do you seem to be chased by night?”

Mantingan took a long breath. In fact he was not worried about the state of his camp, about the chickens that had to be fed or the Purple Sari Flower that had to be kept in care. However, Mantingan remembered with his promise to serve the warrior challenge from Padepokan Getih Asin. The young man did not want to smear his shortness, after all the people from Padepokan Getih Asin seemed to have to be reduced ....

“I have to respond to the challenge of fighting, Chairman.”

Rama's expression changed hearing that. “Where and who is the swordsman who challenged you, Son of Man?”

“On one of the roads near the border of the region. I don't know who the warrior is challenging me. But it seemed, he was a middle-aged man. From his conversation, he mentioned the name Padepokan Getih Asin.”

Rama was upset. “How can you accept the challenge of fighting from him?”

Mantingan took a deep breath before telling her what happened that night. Rama listened carefully, occasionally nodding softly.

“Padepokan Getih Asin ..” Rama growling. “They are not bored making a move everywhere. Son of Man, you must not go there alone. I will order two dozen White Mask Swordsmen to be with you.”

Mantingan rejected it, “Keua, does not that violate the rules of shortness?”

Rama shook his head. “Anak Man, Getih Asin Padepokan has a sneaky way of finishing a fight. Not only do they include one swordsman in a one-on-one fight, some warriors will hide and wait for their opponents to be pushed until they finally appear.”

The mantel held its breath, how terrifying it sounded. What if Rama doesn't say that to her? Wouldn't a fight tonight be the same as a suicide fight?

“Chairman, I don't want to trouble the college, let me just reject that challenge.”

“You have decided to become a swordsman, Son of Man. Not good doing that.” Rama said firmly, “you will still serve the challenge while two dozen White Mask Swordsmen will take care of you.”

The mantel could no longer resist, only able to show a wide smile. “Chairman, thank you.”

“No need to hesitate, you are part of us, it is our obligation to protect each other.” Rama laughed and patted Mantingan's back once. “It's a shame that I can't come with you tonight, I have to attend the fifty-year celebration of the establishment of White Wind College. You must still attend the celebration for a moment before continuing the journey.”

The mantan understood.

After finishing drinking tea, Mantingan was escorted to his residence. There Rama left the young man, there was still a lot of business to do. Mantingan is welcome to rest, he is also given a nice shirt to attend the celebration later tonight.

There Mantingan wait while cooking food from the ingredients that have been available there. The cuisine he cooked was not as delicious as Dara's, but Mantingan cuisine is still worth enjoying.

Time is like a dart. So fast it passed, in an instant it was already night. Mantingan had taken a bath and was wearing the all-white fine clothes that Rama had given him. Outside there was a crowd, a sign of the celebration about to begin.