Mukhalis: Hero of Bentala
10. Enrolments

Sabrina was worried about Sulah not speaking at all. The nature of her brother changed drastically from enthusiastic turned somber and dreamy. Ever since he spoke four eyes with Rahayu, Suluh was hit by a rampage that continued to dwell on her head. Not because of the letter of recommendation, but the name that was named to him.

The Mukhalis.

She's distressed. Overthinking the future and starting to create exaggerated imaginary narratives. Especially when involved with the Asarani people who began to talk about Sulah, maybe the prophecy triggers the truth. Suluh completely lost direction, did not know what to do, his ability is still minimal and just a foam in the ocean.

"Son, what's wrong with you?" said Arumi who was worried about solving the reed reverie.

The boy forced a smile and mengamah food served, "I'm fine, Mom."

"Son, if there's a problem, tell us," now Bara exclaims, trying to figure out the case of his son.

Sulah quickly nodded, "Don't worry, Well, there's nothing to worry about."

They knew that something was looming over Suluh, she just did not want to open her voice. Let pent. Maybe it is not time to tell what Rahayu explained, not wanting to ruin the atmosphere of the dinner. But sooner or later, they will know that Suluh is the child in the prophecy.

It was getting into the mind of Suluh, making the child unable to concentrate when training with Guru Madiarta. He's getting slower, not deft. Repeatedly hit by the attack until finally a twisting shot made Suluh retreat a few steps and then sprawled. Even the spirit of Suluh seemed lost, powerless.

"Why you?" chirps Madiarta felt something strange from her student. "It's not usually like this."

Sulah did not reply, she still tried to stand up letting her teacher say, "The letter of recommendation is useless if your ability weakens, decreasing drastically from before!"

Madiarta approached the child who was still struggling and said, "Do you think with the letter you will be safe? Awake up!"

Sulah tried hard to focus, bulldozing all the designs that poisoned his concentration. He got up, took a swing with full preparation. "I'm sorry Master, this time it won't happen again."

"For the child recommended to Cenderawasih," Madiarta did exactly the same attitude as Sulah. "You're very disappointing with your current appearance."

"Really!" the grandfather shouted that could always splash the emotion of Sulah. "As much as you try to do as much as possible even if there is no hope of being accepted."

The smoldering determination was visible from the spotlight of Suluh, he without a cue came into action. They dealt blows to each other with palms, attacking and patting. Again and again Suluh was able to keep up with Madiarta as she tried to cool her head. The intense battle made Suluh desperate, he only needed to manage his stamina and could not be fooled even a little.

Until one day, Madiarta again gave a foot and this time, Suluh did so. Their two feet collided giving rise to a wave of wind that swept away the surrounding leaves, scaring the birds watching on the branches. The torch was slightly blown away but Madiarta was able to land perfectly.

"I know something is bothering you, my student," exclaimed the grandfather guessing. "If you don't, you won't have a big problem with this exercise."

Slowly the grandfather approached Suluh, "What are you hiding apart from the letter?"

Suluh tries to relax, not wanting to cause trouble in guessing the upcoming groove. He lowered his head while breathing in, bluntly, "Teacher, what are the characteristics of Mukhalis like me?"

Madiarta who was walking unstuck, her expression was like confusion. "Mukhalis? I think I've heard it."

"That's the name for the man who saved Bentala from destruction" Suluh told reporters.

"Ah, right, the ancient prophecy from the book of the Sun," Madiarta's grandfather was suspicious. "Why? You think Mukhalis is you?"

Suluh did not respond, stalling for a few seconds until she said, "The one who gave the letter of recommendation has trusted me, Master."

Madiarta's grandfather knitted an eyebrow, thinking of something. "Mukhalis the legend. Reportedly he will appear when a big problem hit Bentala. But for centuries he no longer heard the waves."

"Yes, maybe that person was right," Madiarta smiled widely then walked in front of Sulah, staring at her two hazel irises. "That precious gift must have had some intent behind it. No matter if you are a Mukhalis or not, the most important thing is to keep the person's trust by not disappointing him."

"Make the best of it, my disciple." the sentence gave the Ten serenity, the one who looked down again at Madiarta. "Do you understand?"

The boy immediately nodded steadily, without hesitation. "Understand, Master!"

"Then" Madiarta walked away from her disciple. "Let's take a break for a while, there's still a lot of fish that hasn't been cooked."

It has been two days, Suluh under the auspices of Master Madiarta has been able to clear his mind, able to master the techniques taught. Now, the time has come to attend Padepokan Cenderawasih to prove that Suluh is worthy of attending school there. Even with the shortcomings they have, they never stop their steps.

"Look, with my medicines, I can help those in need!" Sabrina's wide smile responded to Reed by gently rubbing her hair. "Trust me, brother!"

"Yes, my sister trusts you completely" Suluh said, then turned to Sekar, who was behind Sabrina. "Because you're learning to the right people."

Although it looked vague, Sekar blushed in embarrassment. She in her merdunya voice replied, "Ten, good luck."

Suluh lowered her head while waving her hands. "Thank you, Sekar. I'll go first."

The ambitious young man walked quickly for a long time as if running, penetrating the hustle and bustle of the city with a burning spirit. After passing several rounds and breaking through small alleys, the spotlight now clearly saw the entrance of Padepokan Cenderawasih. He knew the location of the place because he had been there. Just looking.

From the gate alone there were already young men who were in a row, jostling. Their numbers are around hundreds, an incredible number to compete for school. Suluh inevitably had to wait according to his turn, was noticed by the children sepantaran.

"Hello, what's your name?" exclaimed a brown-haired man wavy next to Suluh-they divided the queue in two rows.

The young man who had initially hesitated, responded, "Ten."

"Ah, Suluh," he reached out with a suave expression. "I'm Satia from Sawarinda's village."

Seeing that Suluh undoes the intention of shaking hands, as much as possible does not show artificial hands wrapped in long-sleeved clothes. "I'm from Baturia."

Satia who is ignored like that does not harbor hatred, she even cringed. "Baturia, huh? Far away."

"Here you go, Satia," said the man in front of Satia's line who looked handsome. "You can't force yourself to find a new friend here."

"Come on, Ocean," chirped Satia a little disturbed by the description said her friend. "There's no harm in adding relationships, right?"

"You look at him" the ocean began to look forward, and his turn was coming. "It seems like you're not interested."

Suluh felt guilty for refusing Satia's hand. He was about to verify the reason behind it but stopped because Satia said again, "Hey, success for you, Suluh."

Sulah smiled widely and replied, "Thank you Satia. I hope you succeed too."

Suluh had just realized that the line in front of him was empty, it was time for Suluh to introduce himself. The heart is right in front of the eyes. In front of him was now a big-looking man with a creepy look. If you talk spicy, no matter the feeling that is being fouled. He loudly and intimidatingly shouted.

"Would you like to come here?" until it almost ran out of energy. "What makes Cenderawasih accept you?"

"I want to learn martial arts and the science of mastering Prana, sir!" reply to the torch with a high note.

"And what is Prana to you?" the man's lick still did not lower the volume of his voice.

Suluh immediately remembered the purpose of her life. "To protect the people I care about, sir!"

"Oh?" The burly man was choked, not continuing the oath. "A good reason. Are you the kid on the recommendation?"

"Yes, sir," Suluh hurriedly reached into something that was inside the shirt. "Here, the letter."

The man scooped the paper, checked its authenticity with a pair of glasses and then perused the printed sentence. But somehow the look on his face changed, turning full of disbelief while repeatedly glancing towards Suluh. With a single stomp of his feet he stood up, chanting an order that Sulah could not resist.

"Take off your clothes right now!" the ultimatum made all participants turn to Suluh.

The boy's feeling was upset, he was like he was being skinned in public. The closely silenced identity can no longer be kept hidden. Slowly he took off his white top and all eyes looked in surprise instead of play. Not believing what they are watching. Those machines, those aids, he's the kid we talked about.

"Not wrong," said the man who stood before Sulah. "You are that special child."

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