Ronin: Determination [HI]

[15:38] Victor looked over to notice Ronin.
(Victor Ducante)
[15:38] Victor Ducante says, "Hello again. I'm sorry about earlier. I had to tend to a few family matters."
[15:38] Ronin appears to be visibly bothered
(Ronin)
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[15:38] Ronin asks, "... Victor?"
[15:38] Victor rose a brow toward the younger man.
(Victor Ducante)
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[15:38] Victor Ducante says, "Mhm, yes. "
[15:38] Ronin says, "Victor! I plea to you. If I could get that help now, that would be greatly appreciated."
[15:38] Ronin says, "There's something I want to do."
[15:39] Ronin says, "Something I -have- to do."
[15:39] Ronin says, "--and I need your help."
[15:39] Victor turned toward the male and rose his left hand. A gesture to ease the young man.
(Victor Ducante)
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[15:39] Victor Ducante says, "Alright, alright. Calm down. Explain to me what's going on."
[15:40] Ronin sighs, in an attempt to calm himself down a bit.
(Ronin)
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[15:40] Ronin asks, "Sorry... Can we talk elsewhere?"
[15:44] Victor Ducante says, "Sure, come with me."
[15:44] Victor said then gestured to the East. Taking a few steps that way and assuming that Ronin had followed.
(Victor Ducante)
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[15:44] Victor Ducante says, "Have a seat Ronin."
[15:47] Leading the way from the busy sparring fields Victor approached the Grand Library. At this time of night it was very void of people. That aside, he'd approach the right most wooden door and push it open.

Ushering the younger man into the Library before stepping in behind him. There after he'd shut the door but leave it unlocked of course.

Another gesture was made toward the right, with his right hand. To the table and chairs to which Victor was already stepping. After instructing Ronin to sit the Keeper would grab the chair of the opposite table and turn it around.

Allowing for him to sit in it and face the same table that Ronin was.

"Collect your thoughts and then explain to me what happened."

He spoke after a few minutes. His tone was calm and collected. Acting to assure and perhaps help calm Ronin down.
(Victor Ducante)
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[15:55] sat down, and kept to himself at first.
He was trying to think it through, and give the memories a dub: A narration unbiased by his fear and frustrations... But he couldn't.
The splatter of blood. The song of steel against flesh, still played back...
Over... and over...
And over again...

"There was a man." He started, "He looked rough, so I approached him-- I forget what I was going to ask."

Ronin finally rose his eyes from their aimless gander, to meet Victor's own.
"Then, he turned and took out a blade. He was clearly angry and demanded that I either paid him in gold or blood. I tried pleading to the man, but it didn't seem like he was going to listen to reason." He went. There was some pause, breaking his gaze once more to falter to the relived fear of the moment.

"A woman arrived, controlling fire at her whim and saved me... But, then rather than imprisoning him, dispatching and locking him up. The people here, they started to gather. They kept... Encouraging her to kill him. To slit his throat. To... Break him... Slaughter him, as though he wasn't even a person." He shuddered.

The sense of helpnessness… Came back for him.
"I was grateful to be alive and not robbed, but I didn't want the man to die. No one deserves to die... Not like that." His shoulders slumped, and yet people seemed to congratulate his slaughter.... While I looked on... Helpless. I couldn't say anything to stop them, and I certainly don't have powers like they do... Like -you- do." He looked back, this time, with a glint of hope in his eyes.

"I want to work towards a world where people can save lives, especially those who struggle enough to have to resort to thievery to survive. There has to be an alternative." He pleaded.
"Can you help me learn, so I can try to find it? To make it?... Please..."

(Ronin)
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[16:04] Victor remained silent as Ronin spoke. Only nodding a few times here and there to acknowledge that he was in fact listening.

When certain points were brought up, like the one where he was almost robbed, Victors brow rose just a bit. He recalled a similar situation for himself not long ago. However.. his consisted of an old man ridden with dementia and so plagued by the curse of occult madness.

That aside, he'd continue to listen. Nodding here and there as the young man continued. When he finished, asking to learn under Victor, the elder mage would draw a breath.

"That is certainly some tale Mister Ronin. For you to have experienced such is not a very good first impression of Levengard and its people.

Though, I cannot say it is not a correct representation."

He began with that. Pausing only to draw another breath.

"I have similar views on things Ronin. Where it concerns death and the killing of others. I believe that many are deserving of a second chance and the hand of mercy.

But, at the same time, I do believe that there are certain individuals that are beyond redemption. Beyond the offer of mercy and the showing of kindness. Those people, those monsters are deserving of only death. For they have caused and will forever cause pain, chaos and destruction."

The magus explained at length that time. Of course this was his own beliefs. That which he had learned from the study of the Cosmos. That aside, he would continue yet again.

"It was my dream, since I was younger than you, to amass knowledge and spread it unto those willing to seek it. I will teach you Mister Ronin. So long as you keep the determination to learn, I will teach you."

The mage finally got to the real point of the matter. Going on to nod a few times while confirming that he would in fact mentor the younger man.
(Victor Ducante)
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[16:12] Ronin heard Victor, as Victor had heard him -- Though, there were some things he didn't agree with: Death.
Some considered a necessary consequence, that some were beyond redemption. Ronin however, refused to accept it.

If people had the power to control the very elements at their fingertips, from the grass at their feet to the very stars of the sky?! There was certainly a way to stop someone from causing destruction without killing them outright.

That, was Ronin's Belief.
"I am willing to learn sir. I am willing to learn everything that you can teach me, and beyond -- For if the very world around us can be molded by mana, then so can the influence of another without further bloodshed." He claimed.

He truly wanted to help - To be a hero, where others could not. Though, he was afraid. Could Ronin even begin to fathom the weight that others gave out under before him? Was he even competent enough to follow tutelage under Victor?

"Whatever it takes." He assured, jumping up to his feet -- Readied to start immediately.
(Ronin)
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[16:15] "Good. That determination, that will to keep going will help you greatly."

He began, having leaned forward a bit. A more serious tone and expression showing forth.

"The training I will offer you will not be easy. It will not be impossible, but, it will not be easy. I am going to test you. To your absolute limits and them break you making you push past them.

You are much older than most magi when they start training. You've a few years of catching up to do Mister Ronin. From this point on your life consists of training, sleeping and repeating the first two until you come to the third again.

We're going to build your body as well as your mind. Before we can start, I must know a few things. Such as, what sort of combatant do you wish to be? A mage like myself? Or a warrior like a swordsman or pugilist?"
(Victor Ducante)
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[16:20] Determination.
Drive.
Fear

They all powered him into what would follow.
Victor was being serious when he said what he did.
Ronin, compared to other magi, was far beyond the learning curve. Many children, half his age had already started growing adept in their general field of preference -- And here he was, powerless still.

"It doesn't matter how hard the training is, sir." He answered, "I will not stop. I will not give up. I will not allow myself to adopt sloth, if it means I can actually make a difference."
There was a certain brand of strength behind those words...
A strength, Ronin wasn't quite familiar with yet, but seemed to be brimming just beyond the surface.

There was something in him, just waiting to see the light of day.
Whether it'd be for the betterment of his endeavors, or otherwise -- Was yet to be seen.

"I, would prefer mage. I feel as though it opens up mypotential more than physically running into things. No offense to people like Boulder."
(Ronin)
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[16:30] "Good."

Victor stated with a single nod. Falling silent for a moment he'd stand from the seat. Walking around Ronin he'd approach the third shelf in the first row.

Bending slightly he plucked a single book from the many exposed spines. There after, and tucking it under his arm he'd return to the male. Offering the book to him. It read: Understanding Mana.

"This book will be the first of many that you will read. This one will open your mind to the idea of what Mana is, where it comes from and how Magi can harness it.

When you are too tired to physically train yourself, you will mentally train yourself."

The mage spoke at length. Explaining that part of the instructions in depth before continuing on. Going on to literally take steps toward the door and making a gesture for Ronin to follow him.

"Come along Mister Ronin. We're going to see how much you're capable of."

Victor explained as he continued toward the door.
(Victor Ducante)
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[16:44] A book: Understanding Mana.
This was the first step, outside of physically pushing himself.
He took the book before following Victor outside, hearing what he said and trying to interpret what it meant next.

He peeked past the cover page for the contents of the book.
Ronin was going to be very familiar with the concept by time his training was over, so no reason not to at least get a glimpse now.

"How much I'm capable of?" The thought of such felt very concerning.
He knew he was no where near the level of mage that he witnessed from the others. In fact, if it came to blows, he'd almost certainly make a total fool of himself.

Then again, what use would things be, if he wasn't ready for that type of challenge?

"Alright, sir." Following in silence, attempting to pry through the darkness at the tome's text.
(Ronin)
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[16:49] "Yes."

Victor stated in short as they exited the Library and made their way to the East side. To a small clearing. There the mage would turn and see Ronin already starting to read.

Despite it being dark, the glow that emitted from Victor was bright. As if it were day itself right in that area. That aside, he'd fold his arms over his chest and speak.

"Alright Mister Ronin. I'd like for you to run around the Grand Library. As many times as you can. Try to keep a fast and steady pace."

The mage gave his instruction. Leaving it up to Ronin how to begin and ultimately how to finish.
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:02] Ronin heard Victor loud and clear: The Grand Library was to be the center of his track.
He shut the book and placed it nicely on the ground where he stood, by Victor.

"Alright, sir!"
That was all he had to say, before he was off...
Full speed.
One foot after the other -- And at first, it seemed rather easy.

Three laps... Then four...
And that's when it started to hit him, the slowly building wall that was fatigue, overwhelming him.
It was something he had to overcome.

Lap eight... Lap nine...
His exhaustion began to take its toll on his speed.
Slowing down, gradually as the laps went onward. Breathing got heavy, easily notable.
Perhaps, he was in shape for an ordinary man, but this was not the beginning of ordinary training -- Was it?

Lap ten... He was stumbling, but pressing onward, clearly nigh tripping over a rock or bump. It wouldn't have taken much... And it didn't.
Before he could make it well into Lap eleven, he fell over-- To his feet, panting hard and sweating all over.

"D- Damnit."
On one hand, he knew he did his best, but there was no way he wasn't going to be changing the world with hardly over ten laps around a building.
The was shivering, not out of reaction to the temperature, but from attempting to push himself back up to his knees... And thenafter, his feet. He, didn't want to stop...

He... Couldn't stop...
Not yet.
(Ronin)
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[17:11] Victor remained standing in the same place he had when Ronin began. However, as the younger man had gone around the Library a few times he may have noticed that book was no longer on the ground. But instead in Victors left hand.

That aside, he continued to stand there as Ronin made his lap. He counted on from five, up to ten and saw his new apprentice attempting the last stretch to make it eleven.

However, as he was going, he tripped and stumbled. Falling over himself and laying there. One might think that Victor would have rushed to his aid, but no, he didn't. Instead, he took two steps forward and leaned down just a bit.

"Good Mister Ronin, very good. Now that you're warmed up I'd like for you to preform as many push-ups in a row that you can.

Do you know how to preform a push-up?"

He'd ask after giving out his next bit of instruction. So far, Victor was not letting down in the promise that this training wouldnot be easy. Despite having just exhausted himself, Victor now wanted Ronin to use more energy!
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:19] Yet, even as he fought to catch a breather, it was as though Victor already had it planned. No time for rest.
He had to keep going... If not on his feet? Then, with his arms.

The only part that caught him off-guard, was that this was only the warm-up, he hadn't even gotten to the real meat of this training, and he was already exhausted. Though his mind wanted to see it to the end, his body ached at him for it -- Determined to punish him for his insolence.

"Of course, I do!" He exclaimed in response. If he had to ask, someone else probably gave him a reason to. At least, that's what Ronin came to assume.
Already on the ground, he fixed his stance. Hands laid flat against the ground, shoulder-width apart and body straightened out.

In order to get as strong as he was now, he worked out on some level prior. This wasn't particularly new.
Down, he flexed a bit, lowering himself until his nosetip dashed the grass blades.
Up, he pushed himself back to his former position, testing the power behind what muscularity he did have.

--and again...
And again...

The monotony of it all was only challenged by the searing sensation that built up over repetitions. He winced at it, grit his teeth and hissed through his breath, but pressed onward.
Unlike his laps, he managed to climb in number... Even counting them aloud, to keep himself on track.

"Thirty-one... Thirty-two..." He went onward, arms quivering.

"... Fourty-five... Fourty-.... six...." He was starting to slow down. Veins prodding out from his arms, and earning irks and murmurs from his breaths.
"Fourty-.... Nine?..." He pushed out, before gravity claimed his weight to the earth-- Unable to complete a clean fifty.
(Ronin)
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[17:31] "Excellent. Begin."

He'd state upon standing straight. Of course the mage waited for a moment, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched his student preform the push-ups.

As he reached into the teens, he'd begin to slowly pace back and forth just in front of Ronin.

"Good Mister Ronin. Pushing your limits is what it is going to take in order to make up for the years of training lost.

We're going to work every muscle in your body. Every fiber, bone, everything. If you break things on the way we will get them mended. If you require alchemic boosters or tunics or potions in general, I will do my best to supply them.

We are not going to cut any corners in this training,"

Victor was speaking and bent at his knees just as he said the word, training. His sky blue eyes locking upon the struggling face of his apprentice.

"Mister Ronin. Your body is going to fight you. You are going to suffer for it.You may in turn hate me because of it. But, you will grow into the magi you are determined to be.

That I promise you."

His tone had taken a much more serious level to it. One to match the expression held upon his face. It was ten, as he finished, that Ronin fell before the fiftieth push-up.

To which Victor nodded. Keeping his gaze upon his apprentice he'd speak once more.

"This is the time we push your limits Mister Ronin. Preform as many jumping squats as you can in a row. I know your body is telling you that you cannot, but, that is the point of this training. To break through your limits."

He stated then stood straight. His eyes keeping upon Ronin. Waiting for him to rise to the challenge. If he could.
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:41] Ronin was already pushing himself to his limits!
What more could he really accomplish?!
Whatever it was, it must've been something others were able to do-- Or simply something he -had- to do.

He was so far behind everyone else, that the chances of him being able to stop a troublemaker at his level, were nigh impossible.
Victor had his reasons, he wanted results!
If anything, that meant Ronin had to find the ceiling to his capabilities.... And BREAK it.

He snarled at the pain, pressing himself back up, from a push-up, to his knees and upright. Only to get back into a squat. He had never done jumping squats before, but he figured it wasn't too complicated... Right?

He pushed himself into a hob: A jump, and his legs immediately stung. He winced, hissed-- But that was only the first one.
Between exhaustion and his legs hurting from the run, he was feeling as though he couldn't do it anymore.

But... He HAD to!
He knelt before jumping upright again, this time with more energy behind it. It took a lot out of him, but what other route did he have to develop the power he needed.

This was pain.
This was discipline, scribed in flesh and resolve.
He couldn't keep count, it distracted him too much...
But he could try... Try and try again.
One, after the other....
Victor would have to keep count at this point, before his body surrendered to the pain in his legs, and forced him to stumble over.

He groaned, still trying to get back up...
But slower this time.
(Ronin)
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[17:50] As Ronin rose to his feet Victor smiled. One of confidence as he watched his student struggle to go about the next set of instructions. He knew what he was doing was going to fatigue Ronin greatly. But, that was the point.

At least for now.

That aside, he'd keep count to himself. Reaching upwards of thirty and onto thirty five before Ronin ultimately fell. The pain from the muscles was likely amplified by all of the adrenaline coursing through him.

A truly impressive start. Victor thought Ronin would not complete more than ten squat jumps. But, he was greatly happy to have been proven wrong.

"Well done."

He stated at first.

"Very well done Mister Ronin. You've pushed yourself to the limits on the first night of training. You've broken past them. Not many can say that they've achieved the same.

Be proud of yourself Mister Ronin. The first proper steps toward your goal have been taken. From now on, every day, I want you to repeat what you did tonight. Try to match or pass the number you got this time. Do this, every day, until I tell you not to."

Pausing there he'd look skyward. It was now early in the morning given the sun was just about to peak over the horizon.

"Rest for a few hours. Upon sun high we will begin the next stage of your training. We will see if you truly have the determination to keep going. To keep training like this.

It's only going to get more difficult for you Mister Ronin."
(Victor Ducante)
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[17:56] Only more difficult than this.
He was still on the ground, just barely having pushed himself to his arms and knees.
He wasn't done, no.
This was just the beginning -- Where all of that strength came from? He didn't know. What he did know was, when his body couldn't press onward any longer? Then it was time to train his mind.

"... Th-... Then..." He tried to sputter through his panting.
"I will <*pant*> press on <*pant*> … harder, sir." He pushed himself up to a single knee, hair shadowing over his face, before slowing raising his head to eye the book in Victor's possession. He must've picked it up - Made sense.

He pushed himself upward, but appeared visibly dazed. It was almost as though he'd stumble right down to his face again, but he didn't allow gravity to take him yet again. He was coming for the book, as instructed prior -- He wasn't going to cheat himself.

"I can rest my body, but I still have my mind, sir."
He assured -- Determination? Or foolishness, at this stage, it was up for Victor to decide.
(Ronin)
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[18:00] Listening to Ronin speak between breaths Victors smile only grew. The determination this young man had rivaled that of most anyone he knew. At least for now.

Time would tell if Ronin would truly stand the trials the training would hold in store for him. When Ronin stood he gave a single nod before extending his left arm. Holding the book in the same hand.

"Indeed you do. Read this book. Study its words carefully. Read everything twice if you have to just to make sure you catch it all.

Do not attempt to preform any of the instructions in that book until I have told you to. Without proper guidance you can gravely injure yourself.

Do you understand Mister Ronin?"

He was not asking this to belittle his student. Victor asked because he wasn't overly sure how much it his student may have heard. Given their current state.
(Victor Ducante)
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[18:05] Victor's words made sense...
But if Ronin didn't at least try, then wouldn't he have been doing a disservice to his teacher? The thought lingered in his mind, slowly being pushed to the back of it, but never quite erased.
"Yes sir. Of course." He answered.

But then, it itched at him-- What if, someone needed help between now and then? What if, pushing himself would save a life? Save -his- life?
The odds of that kicking off again, so soon were minimal, probably even extreme... But he couldn't dismiss it so soon after what he saw.

"Come daybreak, I will be ready for the next step in my training."
(Ronin)
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[18:11] A single nod was given in return to the responses given from Ronin.

"Good. You may use the Library to rest and read unless you've other plans."

He stated. From that point on it was up to Ronin how he spent the next several hours. That aside, he'd look up and toward the center of the Academy square.

"I'm going to head into town. Be seeing you Mister Ronin."

Victor said with a small glance toward the younger male. There after he'd press forward. Walking into the middle of town.
(Victor Ducante)