Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 180: Disciple

"Easy there," a calm voice interrupted his thoughts. Lucas turned to see Yato sitting in a corner of the room, a steaming cup in hand.

"You have an impressive ability to take a hit. Most would have been knocked out cold, but you managed to stay conscious," Yato remarked, his eyes filled with a mix of amusement and approval.

Lucas rubbed his head, still feeling the lingering effects of the punch. "Where am I?"

"In the infirmary. You took quite a beating during our spar," Yato replied, sipping from the cup. "But don't worry, you'll recover."

Lucas sighed, recalling the events leading up to that punch. "I guess I still have a long way to go."

Yato nodded, his expression serious. "True, but the fact that you pushed yourself to the limit is a testament to your determination. You're more resilient than you give yourself credit for."

"Sir, why did you choose to spar with me? And why go all out?" Lucas asked, curiosity lacing his words.

Yato leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Because I wanted to see how you handle adversity, how you respond when pushed to your limits. It's in those moments that true potential emerges."

He continued, "You have the raw talent, Lucas, but potential alone won't make you strong. You can adapt, to grow from experiences, that will shape you into a formidable warrior."

Lucas absorbed Yato's words, realizing that the spar was not just a test of strength but a lesson in resilience and adaptability.

"As for going all out," Yato added with a wry smile, "I wanted to make sure you understand the difference between where you are now and where you can be."

A silence settled between them, the gravity of Yato's words sinking in.

"That's why Lucas, I'm giving you an opportunity," Yato said after a few moments of silence.

"What opportunity?" Lucas asked, his face filled with questions.

"Here's the opportunity Lucas, would you like to be my disciple and learn from me?"

***

"Here's the opportunity Lucas, would you like to be my disciple and learn from me?"

"Pardon? Your what?"

"You heard me."

"..."

Did I hear him correctly?

He wants me to be his disciple?

Damn! What the hell?!

In that brief moment, my mind raced through numerous possibilities as I argued and reasoned with myself a thousand times over.

My initial thoughts were that he must be joking.

From what I remember from Lucas's memory, Yato doesn't take any discipline.

Many influence families, noble families with high-standing backgrounds asked him to take their daughter or son as his disciple but Yato refused every one of them.

There was even an article that realised this and became a trending topic of that time.

Even now everyone wants to learn from him! And that Yato wants to be me his disciple?

What a joke!

Perhaps it was just his dry sense of humour once again! However, as I stared into his eyes, I could sense that he was telling the truth.

No, he was genuinely serious about it!

And so began a lengthy succession of arguments and reasoning that I engaged in with myself in my head.

Should I decline? I probably should, right?

It would be best to reject his offer.

However, if my rejection damages his ego and he responds by exposing that footage to the Nova Academy, what then?

If there's a chance to avoid that outcome altogether, I'd prefer to take it.

If I were to accept Yato as my master, he would teach me everything he knows and provide me access to rare and valuable weapon art manuals.

Additionally, receiving personalised training from him would help me become stronger at a faster pace.

After coming to this conclusion while going through all that in my head, I finally agreed to take Yato up on his proposal.

However, I decided to play it cool.

"But sensei, my mana core potential rank is merely B rank. Are you sure you want me as your disciple?" I said, arching an eyebrow.

"It doesn't matter when I'm done training you, you would give [S] ranked run for the money," Yato said without any change of expression there was a tiny smirk on his lips but he hid it.

My lips opened and closed up a few times, struggling to form a coherent response.

"I-I see," I finally managed to utter, my voice barely a whisper.

In truth, I was at a loss for words.

I as the author know the difference between [B] rank and [S], it's like a frog trying to fly in the sky.

If anyone heard this they would die laughing but Yato said that he could make the impossible, Possible.

But my mana core potential even surpassed the [SSS+] rank, So if I became his disciple I could even surpass Yato very fast in strength.

"So, what's your answer?"

When Yato repeated his question, I had no reason to say no.

"Yes," I finally answered, performing a respectful short bow. "It would be my honour to learn from you, Master."

Hearing my response, Yato nodded his head affirmatively.

"Good," he replied. "From here on out, you shall address me as master, even during the class. If you ever have any problems, come to me for assistance. "

"Understood, master!" I nodded my head.

"Hahaha, Good, Good I like the 'Master' words," Yato said as he laughs

"Now, I think you should get out of here, your class will start in a few minutes" Lucas's eyes widened as heard Yato's words. He glanced at his smart watch and found out that it was 7:10 a.m. There are only twenty minutes before class starts!

"I-I'll take my leave," I stammered, bowing once more before turning around to depart, while Yato simply nodded in response.

But just as I was about to take a few steps, a sudden realisation hit me, causing me to halt in my tracks.

"Um, master, if you don't mind me asking, where exactly was the security camera that captured that footage?" I asked.

Yato raised an eyebrow in response. "Hmm? It was a discreet camera hidden within the chandelier in the hall."

A hidden camera! Of course! How could I overlook something like that?!

I should have conducted a more thorough search of the banquet hall when I had the chance!

"I-I see, then see you later Master." I bowed my head once more time before I dashed toward my classroom.