The Winter Wanderer

Reflection

POV: Matt — 16

Matt was lying against a rock, staring at the campfire. It was nighttime, and he was lost in thought…

Exactly three weeks had passed since the fight with the bear.

He had suffered a crushing defeat. One that shouldn't even have been called a fight…

He was deeply reflecting on that battle. He had shouted when he attacked the bear and had even jumped into the air during the fight…

Looking back, that had been stupid.

What kind of fight was it where you warned your opponent when you had the advantage of surprise?

Only a stupid child would have done something like that.

That's right.

Matt was stupid and reckless.

He had been reflecting on that while recovering. During those three weeks, he had done nothing but rest and heal his wounds. He was an Awakened, but two broken ribs were still two broken ribs. On top of that, his right thigh had suffered a fairly deep wound.

So, during those three weeks, he had dedicated himself entirely to recovering and studying the world.

Matt was about to turn seventeen, but aside from that, he knew practically nothing.

All his knowledge of the world came from the television and radios of Anadyr…

So, during these weeks, Matskim had officially become his teacher.

He had been teaching him English, French, and Spanish. In total, that made four languages, including Russian, which Matt already spoke fluently.

Matskim had scolded him when he asked why he needed to learn new languages.

"Listen to me, brat. You said you were going to meet Boris in five years, right?"

"That's right. That's why it doesn't make sense. Boris is Russian, just like me. We could communicate perfectly fine," Matt said.

Bang!

Matskim smacked him on the head.

"You're an ignorant brat. Tell me, if you plan to go to France, do you really think people will magically understand you? Do you think Russian is universal in this world? i***t. If you plan to go seek revenge in America, the least you should know is English so you can gather information. The same goes for French and Spanish…"

"Besides, if you want to go to France, the least you can do is learn the language, since you're the one going to their country, not them coming to yours," Matskim continued.

"I understand, but stop hitting me. I'm recovering," Matt said.

"I say you'll be fully recovered in three and a half months, so use this time to at least master the basics of those languages and reflect on your failure," Matskim said reproachfully.

"Besides, I've changed my plans. I'll stay with you for another month so I can teach you some common sense. With my help, you'll become not only a scholar, but also a master of combat with any bladed weapon," Matskim said.

Matt was staring into the fire.

He only had three more days before he would be back to normal.

He was also eager to learn about other weapons…

Although losing so one-sidedly had been bitter, Matt didn't consider it a total loss. He had learned a lesson from it.

With that, his chances of surviving a fight would increase.

Besides, he loved the idea of using new weapons, since he had witnessed Matskim kill the bear that had nearly killed him with a single strike.

It had taken only seventeen seconds.

"The ability I used is the ability to imbue my Will into a weapon. That's why I taught you swordsmanship. It can also be used with any weapon," Matskim had said. "But I was lucky this time. In a real battle, staying still for even a single millisecond could be the difference between life and death."

So I wasn't imagining it… Matt thought.

"This ability is possible when a Master concentrates to their absolute limit. But in a fight, it's not very useful. However, that's only for Masters. An Illuminated can use it multiple times, intuitively and quickly, without even losing a second. The Illuminated are already in another league."

"But that doesn't concern you. What you need to do now is reflect on your mistakes so you don't make them again," Matskim had said after killing the bear.

From that moment on, Matt's mindset had completely changed.

Now he would no longer jump into danger like an i***t.

First, he would assess the situation and think of countermeasures.

He had already been given a second life.

And he wasn't willing to waste it.

It could be said that Matt had improved considerably since he had been that impulsive, wild boy Matskim had first found.

Matt smiled as he thought about all of it.

Ever since they had met, his life had stopped being lonely.

Matt appreciated the old grump.

He knew that attitude of his was simply his way of showing concern.

Matt then clenched his fist and thought:

I have to get stronger.

Just wait for me for one more month, you damn bear.

I'm about to become your worst nightmare.