Mukhalis: Hero of Bentala
19. Candidate Selection

Inside the large open hall, there were disciples who were practicing. They exhibit the same movements in rhythm, connected to each other. Guru Safiudin was pacing back and forth watching his foster children, carefully examining each step taken. Apparently, none of the students there did not master the technique.

It has been almost a week since Suluh cultivated, a lot of things have happened. Other children began to catch up, one by one sensing and some receiving Prana into their bodies. This advancement certainly opened up a great opportunity to enroll in the inter-kingdom martial competition.

As is well known, there are many paddocks out there that are no less popular than Cenderawasih. Each region has at least one mainstay school that produces talented students. They will recommend their children to go forward, holding back small groups who are interested in sending candidates.

Although it is very small for them to enter the competition, all students who look talented in small fields will soon be transferred to larger and prestigious locations. Merely to support more capable facilities for the creation of great students in the future. Similarly, the grand competition is not a joke.

In Niskala there is Cenderawasih, in Ganendra there is Black Peacock, Darsana there is Red Turuwara, Arnawama there is Blue Fir, and Indrayana there is White Crow. It was all the famous pieces that never absent produced outstanding disciples. Mutual fight over the status of Martial Experts pinned also the name of the school.

From the burning spirit expressed in the spacious room, it can be concluded that they really want to participate in the name of Padepokan Cenderawasih. No exception Suluh who has been dedicating themselves to the achievement of the ideals to attend school there, but, actually more than that.

"Alright, let's rest for a while" exclaimed Guru Safiudin who returned to the front.

The students stopped and replied in unison, "Okay, Teacher!"

"There's something I want to tell you" said the grandfather, spreading his gaze to his children sitting cross-legged. "As you know, the martial competition is about to arrive."

"This competition represents the school to the world scene" Guru Safiudin began to walk to and fro. "Therefore, we select strictly on the basis of your ability."

"I was empowered by the principal to select three candidates from this class" said the grandfather, who stopped moving. "Sure, this is applied in other classes."

"Then, without waiting any longer, I had already considered many things including the rules of the competition as well as minimizing the consequences," Guru Safiudin returned to the center, taking out a piece of paper from his assistant's hand. "Please come forward when your name is called."

The silent atmosphere is more thrilling, full of tension. In their hearts they have mixed all their dreams, yearning to be one of the three candidates who brought the name Cenderawasih back to be respected after its failure in the past five years. These are moments that cannot be wasted.

"Samoudra!" the loud voice of Guru Safiudin echoed, sparking the applause of all the students present. The black-haired boy stood up, stepped forward and bowed deeply before the grandfather. "We expect your success, young man."

"Next," the call instantly quietened the situation. "Savians!"

Back, applause cheering. The reddish-haired child did not immediately stand up but turned to look towards Suluh who welcomed with joy, shaking hands ala-ala good friends with cheerful mimic. He came forward doing the same thing as the Ocean, marching next to it with a little bit of pleasantry.

"And the last one is," said Guru Safiudin whose spotlight was everywhere.

This decisive round is awaited by all students, especially for Suluh. He had been training hard all along, number two was quicker to receive Prana than others, and was proficient in defense techniques that no student could break through. Suluh was very confident that she would be one of them.

"Satian!" the voice sounded loud and a crowd was created. However, this was not for Suluh. The atmosphere was full of thunder as if he had no voice, only he among the disciples who enlivened the atmosphere, silent in silence. Can't believe that he's not good enough to step into a more fateful stage.

He glanced at the similarly surprised Savian, his mouth open with wide eyes. Suluh inexplicably pulled the corners of his lips, a smile forced not even a happy face. The words of Guru Safiudin afterwards, perhaps it is something that was quickly forgotten by him, regardless, too disappointed.

He just wanted to get through those days quickly and return home.

The residents in the luxurious residence also put their worries on him, the young man behaved strangely and gloomily. He spoke only to answer as they were, unlike the Suluh they knew. Mr. Arnadi gave a signal to make room alone for Suluh justifying his mood, knowing that the boy had gone through heavy things. They should not have bombarded Suluh with questions that would even suppress him.

"Are you okay, Suluh?" said the owner of the delicate voice, Sekar, was at the entrance with two cups of drinks. The woman's appearance was completely relaxed, wearing an entire black suit leaving her dark tanned hair unraveled.

The man gave a smile while nodding, looking very contrived. Sekar also walked up to him while thrusting the warm liquid. "No, I know you have a problem."

Suluh forgot that he had been exchanging stories about what happened in the paddokan to Sekar, he should not hide such important things against him. The woman in front of him would not stop until she dredged to the core. Ten replied, "Always curious, isn't that you?"

He received the drink as he continued, "Thank you."

"Unlike usual you were quiet when papa changed your hand," said Sekar began leaning on the edge of the fence. "As long as you're still here, I don't mind sharing the matter with you."

The face full of charm Sekar who did not look at Suluh at all incised a small smile from Suluh. He sucked the milk and looked up, saying, "I'm just a little disappointed."

"I tried hard all this time, but it was still not enough to deliver to a higher level," continued Suluh still pay attention to the stars.

The man paused for a moment and then chuckled softly, grumbling, "I'm overconfident with expectations that will only bring me down."

"What is that about?" tanya Sekar was still confused.

"Akbar Martial Competition," Suluh turned to Sekar, looking at him deeply. "It's gonna be here soon."

"So you're disappointed you didn't get elected as one of the candidates, like that?" Sekar also focused on Suluh, just making sure.

The young man nodded slowly as he responded, "Yes ... do you think I am naive and childish?"

I laughed a little, not expecting to hear the question. "I don't think so, is it normal?"

"But, if you choose to drag on in disappointment that is not normal," Sekar began to approach Suluh. "Because disappointment will always be there when something is not in harmony with what we expect."

"So how? You have two choices" exclaimed Sekar who was now right in front of Suluh. "Why are you comfortable in a ditch slump or take it with a chest and then get out of there?"

Reed snorted slowly, with a wry smile he said, "Alright, I'll try the second option."

"Indeed it should be," Sekar turned to the side, resting on the guardrail while looking at the night panorama decorated with lights. "There's not much we can do about something we can't control."

Sulah also leaned beside Sekar, resting both hands. Letting the woman continue, "Antara accepts and gives up."

Reed froze at that moment, his mind went far ahead. The fact that Sekar revealed was very precise, even Suluh could not escape from fate itself. A future that has been determined where the direction leads, as well as the stopping place.

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