Mukhalis: Hero of Bentala
15. Self Control

The heat begins to burn the skin when the sun is just above the head. Students scatter around the school area, relax and buy food. The initial practice was still not mastered by most students in the Suluh class, 1-A. Those who succeeded were only Satia and Savian with perfect strides, while Suluh had to continue training harder for it.

They chose this time to indulge the hunger that had earlier marched, demanding justice. Many times Suluh passed the students who attended school here, a little made wonder that they prefer to study martial arts than to other fields. The corner of Savian's lips flushed upwards, aware that Suluh continued to pay attention to the women who were routinely pacing around.

"Have you found a suitable one?" chirp the boy while pouting a joking mimic.

Sulah chuckled in response to Savian's words and said, "Yes, he's not here."

"Oh?" Savian frowned flabbergasted. "You make me jealous."

They stopped in the queue, Suluh continued, "But I don't know if he feels the same way or not."

"So so," exclaimed Savian as he stepped forward. "That's so easy, you just need one thing."

Suluh suddenly turned her head lightning-fast to the reddish-haired boy next door, blabbering, "Really? What's?"

"Ask me directly!" Savian laughed, occasionally patting the black-haired comrade on the shoulder then ordering food. Although Suluh was a little upset, Savian's advice was right on target.

They booked and searched for an unoccupied seat, finding it among the male crowd. They were like a group, a group of unfriendly-looking seniors. Their faces spread misgivings, like delinquents in school uniforms. No wonder the new students are trying to find somewhere else.

But somehow Savian chose that place. Never feel afraid or worry. He carelessly passed through that group of seniors who were certainly getting the spotlight against, feeling disrespectful. Suluh tried not to care, sitting sweetly impatiently enjoying the cuisine. They were like naive students who did not know the problem before their eyes.

"Fill your stamina, you still have to practice that technique, right?" savian began to eat the black sauce.

The sound of chairs suddenly rang out squeaking, the big-bodied senior standing close to those who were still busy masticating. He with a cynical smile said, "Oh, look over here. The disabled child looks hungry."

Reed fell silent, forcing the food in the mouth to be swallowed. Suluh turned to the side that had been occupied by the man with black hair in the ponytail, without warning to lean his hand on the shoulder of Sulah. Along with a scornful expression, he sneered, "Sure, he must meet the fuel of this engine."

They laughed out loud, Suluh chose silence and was about to get out of there. But Savian scatters, "Ah, shit is over. Suluh, do you want to add?"

Because they feel ignored, the sturdy man suddenly pulled the Savian clothing roughly. "You dare play around with us, new boy?"

The red-haired man giggled instead trying to look clumsy, "What did senior say? We just want to eat instead of play."

The upperclassman was again made to laugh, quickly wagging the food of Suluh and Savian with only his right hand, breaking the container that attracted the general public. "The show's done. Let's play."

"Edo, relax a little bit, didn't you know that he was one of the talented new students?" men whose hair is pinched. "Put a little respect for him. His abilities might be on par with yours."

"More than that, this disabled child who gets the spotlight," continued the young man turned to look towards the silent Suluh. "Who would have thought if this kid turned out to be proficient in defense techniques."

"Who trained you?" added curious.

"Good joke," he brought the grim face closer in front of Sulah while scoffing. "I know a weakling like you can't do anything without that technique."

The people who were there did nothing but watch from a distance, not daring to fight one of the famous disciples, Himdal. Although after they knew that Suluh was pulled and launched until it fell on the floor of the canteen, all were not wrinkled except for the struggling Savian. Trying to prevent but detained by large-bodied men.

"You shouldn't be here" Himdal said, smiling cynically and denouncingly. "You're just a pest that stains Prana."

The name, that sentence, was the same as Rehan said at that time. When he was put in place like a common trash to be hurt, it had no value. When he saw Himdal's figure as soon as the trauma re-emerged, Suluh reflex hid behind the two artificial hands even though Himdal and his friends did not commit violence.

"Look at him" Himdal chuckled with his friend. "It's no wonder you're weak!"

Suluh froze, remembering Master Madiarta's sentence that he had to defend himself occasionally. Defending dignity, against those who seek to demean honor. He let go of both hands from the face with a changed expression. Hazel's eyes were not occasionally fretful, appearing more daring to stab towards Himdal's eyes.

"Why you?" the young man was slightly offended by Suluh's gaze, approaching the man who was originally sitting on the floor got back up. "You dare mess with seniors, huh?"

Suluh did not just shut up. He then prepared the horses thoroughly, wanting to give an attack. Seeing that, Himdal grew even more excited. "Oh, you want to prove that you can compete?"

"All right, I'll obey your will!" Haimdal still with a petty expression, gave a hand gesture to immediately fight him. "It must have gone very hard."

The torch that had been consumed by the fiery anger, could not clear his mind. He quickly lunged but Savian who was right in front of him blocked. Divorced Suluh not to do things that would harm himself. The two eyes met, his blue eyes trying to calm Suluh, boycotting the thrashing body of his friend.

"Control yourself, Sulah!" savian shouted while freezing the child. "Have you forgotten that holding back emotions is as important as practicing martial arts?"

Reed weakened, he was no longer aggressive and slowly submissive. This time he had passed, not heeding manners to make the whole student in the canteen rowdy no koruan. Savian who was among them exclaimed, "Is this the senior example at Padepokan Cenderawasih?"

"If you're good at martial arts, you'll lose the competition against us!" the word Savian ignited Himdal's pride, stepping closer.

"Alright, you two will be my targets." the suppressive gripping voice in the last word did not make Savian tremble even less, the boy smiled fearlessly.

"Does your daily life just cause trouble?" the voice made all the students scatter, choke and greet by bowing deeply. He was Elder Ardiyasa, instantly knew the mastermind in the canteen area. "I have repeatedly rebuked you. If I'm pleased, you can leave this school after I see that action once again."

The group could not ignore the threat of Elder Ardiyasa, attending school in Cenderawasih however was their dream. Never wanted to be expelled. The grandfather approached them, walking leisurely without any hindrance. "Follow me to Elder Mustari and be careful in choosing competition opponents."

The elder Ardiyasa briefly glanced at Suluh and Savian before landing at Himdal. "Their potential is likely greater than yours."

Shortly after the sentence was delivered, Himdal and his friends did not dwell but cast a chord behind the elder. The canteen area is melting, no longer full of tension that attracts attention. Suluh at that time just looked down, unable to maintain the upbringing of Master Madiarta who always put forward emotional control. He took a deep breath, expelling the negative aura of the soul-destroyer.

...----------------...