45 45: The Essence of Combat

After Caleb washed his face. The training with Miles and Rina finally started. Now Caleb was standing opposite Miles, who looked dead-tired. He looked at Johan with serious eyes and asked:

"So... Johan, what do you think is the essence of combat? Survival? Victory?"

Caleb pretended to think, but he actually already knew that answer. After all, it was the first thing his father taught him.

"Survival? Well, when we fight, of course, our reason is to survive. However, if we fight all the time just for survival, we will never strive for something greater. It would just make us strive for the bare minimum. Just to survive... No extra effort or whatnot. The real essence of combat is to kill and not to be killed. To do anything or use any method to murder your opponent using any method and to prevent the opponent from killing you. That's it."

Miles looked gobsmacked when he heard Caleb, to the point where he even forgot to blink. His jaw dropped, and he was stunned for a while. After a few seconds, Miles managed to regain his composure, but the tiredness in his eyes diminished a little.

"Damn! How did you know that? Did someone teach it to you or did you just come up with it on the spot? Impossible! J-just ho-"

Before Miles could even finish his words, Caleb cut him off.

"Why not? Isn't it simple? Well, I might be talented at this kind of thing. You know what they say? Natural. I may be a natural." He winked.

With a sigh, as if completely given up, a bitter expression appeared on Miles' face. He stared at Caleb for three seconds not knowing what to do.

'What? Do I have dirt on my face?' Caleb chuckled inwardly.

He felt some kind of accomplishment with Miles' expression and also felt a little conscience for lying. Well, he cannot tell Miles that he has been fighting for his life a hundred times, can he?

When it comes to tactical aspects of a fight, he might not be as good. However, when it comes to concepts and methods to kill. He could think of a lot of ways amid the fighting. It wasn't certainly a talent. He acquired it through the rigorous teaching of his father and experience.

"Well, I didn't expect our session would turn out like this. Since I didn't need to teach you the essence of combat. Then, let's proceed to the three most important aspects. Do you know them?"

"The three most important aspects?" Caleb muttered.

Seeing this, Miles gave a doubtful look and raised his eyebrows. "Don't tell me you also know these things?"

"No... I don't have any clue."

Caleb shook his head.

How would he supposed to know those three? When it comes to fighting, he's just a newbie. Like what he said, he was more of a killer than a fighter. However, he knew that he needed to be both if he wanted to become strong. He has to get the best of both worlds. A fighter that is efficient at killing. It was his vision, the center concept that he wanted his fighting style to adopt.

Hearing Caleb's answer, Miles nodded.

"The three most important aspects of combat are repetition, experience, and mindset. Have you heard about the saying... Repetition is the mother of learning?"

"Repetition is the mother of learning? Well, I haven't, but I get the idea. Once you repeat something over and over again, you will gradually learn it and even master it." Caleb answered, which put a smile on Mile's face.

"It seems you got the idea. Yes, repetition does that. It also helps you develop muscle memory. That's why I will train you with a sword until wielding it becomes an instinct for you. Actually, the highest level of fighting is being able to move and fight faster than your thoughts. Like those master martial artists who can dodge an attack even without their brain recognizing the attack. The pinnacle of instinct."

'Makes sense.'

Caleb agreed with a nod. Doing the best moves to counter the opponent without thinking whilst still winning was something only masters could do. How the fuck are you even supposed to fight using instincts only?

A satisfied smile emerged from Miles's face as he saw how attentive Caleb was listening to him. With a yawn, he continued:

"Where are we again? My mind is muddled right now because of last night. Uh yes, experience. One fight is better than hundreds of training. Doing repetition would help you learn, while experience would be the one that will convert all the things you've learned to practice and become truly yours. In that aspect, Rina will be the one responsible. You will fight her."

Hearing this, Caleb subconsciously looked at Rina, that have been silent on the side right from the start. She stared at him and nodded as if out of acknowledgment.

'Let's see how strong am I against a veteran hunter.'

Although Caleb wasn't confident in his fighting skills. He knew that he had what it takes. After all, he already knew how to anticipate attacks and dodge them in advance. He was also decent when it comes to controlling the rhythm of the battle.

Caleb grinned as he thought of this and said:

"I'm ready anytime."

*Cough!* With a shrug of disinterest, Miles cleared his throat.

"I don't care about that. Let's just get this over with. I feel that my eyes were about to close anytime."

'Poor guy.' Caleb thought. "How about letting me put you to sleep?"

"Bastard..." A black line appeared on Mile's face for a while. Then he shook his head and sighed. "Forget it. Mindset, simply, you have to be ready to kill. No hesitation whatsoever. Every attack should have the intent to kill. You don't want to be soft when fighting because it would only cost your life. Be ruthless. You have to remember this, okay? Also, you have to be prepared to be killed once you step on the path of killing. Only with this mindset would help you to become a true warrior. Because even with strength, without the right mindset, it's like handing a kid with a gun. Yeah, the kid can be dangerous with it, but he can also be easily put down because he didn't know how to use it or even have to courage to. A sheep with the mindset of a lion is better than a lion with a sheep mindset."

'Dang, this guy is packing some wisdom.'

It visibly impressed Caleb.