NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75: Blindfolded
Hayden stood in the center of the Chamber of Echoes, a secluded training hall deep beneath Dawnspire Academy. There weren't many who could access this place, so it was a perfect training area for Hayden.
The room was circular and its stone walls didn't have any windows but there was a ray of light coming from a narrow skylight above.
Furthermore, the place didn't smell bad as it seemed to have good ventilation through the gaps of the bricks on the wall.
"Put this on," Headmaster Mensa commanded as he handed over the blindfold.
Hayden was curious and asked. "Why?"
Mensa's expression didn't change as he didn't mind the question.
"Because your eyes lie. Your Aura doesn't."
It sounded profound but Hayden could understand it. He then nodded and tied the blindfold over his eyes.
Just like that, he was in complete darkness.
"A true knight does not rely on sight," Mensa's voice echoed from somewhere in front of him. "The greatest warriors in history could fight in utter blackness—because they learned to feel their enemies."
Hayden swallowed. "You want me to fight blind?"
He asked. However, he was actually controlling his Ocularis Lens not to reveal the surroundings in one of his eyes.
Indeed, his Lens could still work perfectly. He could still see the rough image of the Headmaster and everything within the training hall.
However, Hayden wanted to train his senses this time without the Lens' help. After all, he might gain new abilities or learn something if he did this training.
His control and understanding of Aura might help him.
As he controlled his Ocularis Lens not to interfere, he heard the Headmaster's voice once again.
"I want you to understand blind."
Then, a sudden rush of air came…
Hayden barely had time to react before a searing pain exploded across his ribs. He staggered back, gasping. However, he immediately used his Aura to suppress the pain and ensure that his internal organs weren't damage.
To his surprise, it was only painful but dealt no injury to his bones and organs.
'Did he infuse aura on that to make me feel more pain?' Hayden thought as he once again recalled how brutal this Headmaster could be.
"That was a training stick," Mensa said. "Next one will be a sword. Sense me."
"Tsk…"
Hayden gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He reached for his aura, letting it expand to protect his body…
"Good… That much Aura, huh… So you really consumed that Aura Crystal. Perfect…" Mensa murmured.
"Now, tell me—where am I?"
Hayden strained. At first, there was nothing but blackness. However, after focusing his aura on his ears and skin…
He was able to sense the disturbance in the air…
"Left…" Hayden said, turning.
"Wrong."
CRACK! Another strike, this time across his shoulders. Hayden hissed almost stumbling forward.
"You're guessing," Mensa growled. "Guessing gets you killed. Feel it."
There was no way he was wrong!
Because of that, Hayden decided to do it again. This time, his answer would be checked by his Ocularis Lens! He wanted to make sure that the Headmaster wasn't just angry because he was able to get the right answer.
Hayden clenched his fists as he started sensing once again...
This time, he didn't just push his senses to the limit but he also tried using his instincts.
And then he felt it—a presence…
'He's behind me…' Hayden thought…
Of course, before answering, Hayden activated his Ocularis Lens… Then, to his surprise, the Headmaster was actually in front of him!
'What?! Then, the Lens showed him that the thing he was sensing was actually the Headmaster's sword that contained its aura!
The Headmaster had simply removed his presence through some technique while using his sword to replace his presence!
'So he was cheating…' Hayden thought as he didn't expect that there would be a distraction for this test. Nonetheless, he could somehow understand why the Headmaster was training him to do this.
In the end, he still decided to answer what he initially thought and accept the punishment.
"Behind me," Hayden whispered.
Just like that, Hayden felt a nudge on his chest. This time, he wasn't hurt by the Headmaster…
"Wrong… Try again. You may have a small amount of Aura but remember that its presence could resonate with other Aura… That's how other Aura Users knew that presence of other Aura Users…" Headmaster Mensa said.
Just like that, Hayden did this 13 more times and failed all of them. However, every time he failed, the Headmaster would give him good advice to continue.
Because of this, Hayden realized that the Headmaster was truly a good teacher despite being so unpredictable sometimes.
Then, as the test continued, Hayden finally succeeded after the 17th test!
"Behind…"
Hayden spun and raised his sword to defend his side—
Clang!
It was just in time to block Mensa's strike.
The Headmaster chuckled after realizing that Hayden didn't just realize where he was but also knew that he was going to attack.
"That's better. You're really becoming a good swordsman now… Go rest for 15 minutes. Do not remove the blindfold." The Headmaster said.
"Yes, Master."
It was just a short break for Hayden and as he thought that he would train the same thing, the training actually shifted.
"I will be attacking you from now on. We will do this slowly until you get used to it."
Indeed. This time, Mensa didn't just hide his presence—he attacked Hayden.
Nonetheless, the Headmaster wasn't sneaking this time and would use his Aura on his attack. This way, Hayden had a chance to sense this Aura.
"Remember that a warrior's intent is carried in his Aura," Mensa said. But his voice was now coming from all directions at once. "Fear, anger, hesitation—it all bleeds into the energy around them. Find the malice. This time, you have to sense my killing intent…"
As he said this, Hayden immediately felt the very familiar killing intent focused on him…
This time, it was the Headmaster who was surprised by Hayden's reaction…