The Islamic boarding school was located not far from the bustling capital to the south. Here, students prioritized education based on Aklaq, the moral and spiritual teachings of Islam, yet they had adapted to the developments of modern civilization without losing touch with their roots. Among the core teachings was martial arts, an ancient tradition that was not only a form of physical defense but also a means to discipline the mind and spirit.
As dusk settled and the sun dipped beneath the horizon, the school came alive with a quiet energy. The evening prayer had just finished, and the usual chatter of the students began to fade as they filed out of the prayer hall. However, a few remained, gathered on the training grounds to continue their martial arts lessons.
The students were divided by gender, and Felix, who had been lagging behind, was now the focus of attention. His peers moved seamlessly through their warm-up routines, while he stood at the edge, unprepared. The calm was interrupted when a sharp voice called out to him.
"Felix... hurry up and join the others!"
The voice belonged to Ustad Nahrowi, one of the teachers at the pesantren. His words broke the silence, and all eyes turned to Felix.
"You're often late," Ustad snapped. "Do you think you're better than the others?"
Felix straightened up, the mockery stinging his pride. He bowed his head slightly in respect before responding.
"No, Ustad," he replied, his tone polite but with a hint of frustration simmering beneath the surface.
"Then why are you always late?" Ustad pressed, his voice sharp, cutting through the evening air.
"I was helping some of the students fix their devices, Ustad," Felix answered, choosing his words carefully, trying to avoid a confrontation.
"Ah, I see," Ustad said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "So now you think you're the only one who can help around here? Is that it? Do you believe you're better than the rest of us? That you can do whatever you want?"
Felix felt the heat rise in his chest. He had been honest, but still, he was being scolded. He couldn't hold back anymore.
"Yes, and so what if I help them?" Felix shot back, his voice more defiant. "I'm the one who shows up every day, doing the same exercises, without learning anything new. Is this how we're supposed to develop? With the same old moves and combinations over and over? Is this what you call teaching?"
Ustad Nahrowi's eyes flashed with anger at Felix's boldness. His hands balled into fists, and a mocking smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Oh, so you think you're stronger than I am now?" Ustad taunted. "Let me teach you a lesson, Felix, something that might knock some sense into you." Without another word, Ustad launched forward, delivering a powerful punch.
Felix barely had time to react as he was sent stumbling backward, the force of the blow leaving him disoriented.
"Still so weak," Ustad chuckled, his voice thick with mockery. "You're nowhere near my level."
But Felix's pride burned, his face contorting with anger. He wasn't going to let this go. His vision cleared, and despite the pain, his mind sharpened. The red glow around his body intensified, his anger fueling his power. He gritted his teeth, stepping into a defensive stance.
"Not this time," Felix muttered under his breath, his voice laced with determination.
Ustad, sensing the change in Felix, hesitated for a moment. He raised his hands, blue light crackling from his palms. He summoned a tiger-shaped aura around him, his stance firm and ready.
"Let's see how you handle this," Ustad smirked.
The two faced off, the tension between them thickening the air. Felix's movements were like lightning, swift and precise, evading every punch, every strike that Ustad launched at him. The older man was quick, but Felix was faster. The students, who had initially stood in neat formations, now stepped back, their eyes wide with fear as the battle escalated.
Felix was on fire, his body a blur of motion as he dodged another strike, only to retaliate. He shifted his weight and, in one fluid motion, wrapped his hands around Ustad's back. His legs, fueled by the red energy that surrounded him, lifted Ustad off the ground. In a single twist, Felix sent his teacher to the ground, his feet locking Ustad's hand in place.
The older man groaned in pain, but Felix didn't release him. He pressed harder, his muscles straining with the effort, while Ustad screamed out in agony.
"Break already, damn it!" Felix growled through clenched teeth.
A loud crack filled the air, the sound of something snapping, followed by Ustad's agonized scream.
Suddenly, a voice boomed, cutting through the chaos.
"Felix! Stop!"
It was a voice of authority, one that made every student freeze in their tracks. They turned toward the entrance of the training ground, where Kyai Amsory, the head of the pesantren, stood. His presence was like a force of nature, his gaze steady and unwavering. He was the one person in the school who commanded absolute respect, and his words brought a heavy silence.
Felix released Ustad Nahrowi immediately, stepping back with a look of regret flashing across his face. His body still hummed with the adrenaline of battle, but he knew he had crossed a line. He bowed his head, not daring to meet the Kyai's eyes.
Kyai Amsory walked slowly toward the scene, his expression unreadable. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but carried a weight that made Felix's heart race.
"Take him to the treatment room," Kyai commanded, nodding toward Ustad, who was now clutching his arm in pain. "Felix... you will apologize to your teacher. And wait for me in the hall."
The students, still in shock, began to move, following Kyai's instructions. Felix remained where he stood, his thoughts swirling. He had gone too far this time, and the weight of his actions was beginning to settle in.
—
Later that night, the three men—Kyai Amsory, Ustad Nahrowi, and Felix—gathered in a private room, the tension palpable. The incident earlier had shaken everyone, and the conversation that followed was serious and frank.
"This cannot happen again, Felix," Kyai said, his voice low and measured. "You've brought shame to the pesantren today. What you did... it reflects badly on all of us."
Felix nodded, guilt weighing heavily on his chest. "I'm sorry, Kyai. I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand. But... I had to do it. I had to send a message to my peers, to show them that we can't just go through the motions without improving."
Ustad Nahrowi, though still nursing his injury, gave Felix a look of understanding. "Felix is right in some ways, Kyai," he said, his voice strained but calm. "He has been pushing the limits, trying to grow, trying to make a difference. But... it was the wrong way to go about it."
Kyai Amsory sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You're right, both of you. Felix... you've always been a bright student. I know you care about this pesantren. But you cannot let your emotions guide your actions like that. It was reckless, and it hurt someone who has given his life to this place."
Felix bowed his head, his voice quiet but sincere. "I understand, Kyai. I lost control. I was angry... and frustrated. I'll make it right."
The Kyai stood, his eyes softening. "Felix, this pesantren has raised you, trained you, and shaped you into the person you are today. But there comes a time when every student must step beyond these walls, to face the world outside. You've grown stronger, but strength alone is not enough."
Felix looked up, confusion and determination flashing in his eyes. "What do you mean, Kyai?"
Kyai Amsory's voice was firm but gentle. "The world is vast, Felix. Your journey is not here, within these walls. It's time for you to go out into the world. You have the ability to make a difference, but you must learn humility, patience, and wisdom."
Felix's heart raced. The weight of Kyai's words settled over him. He had always known that his path would eventually lead him outside, but hearing it now, from Kyai's mouth, made it feel real.
"You are ready, Felix," Kyai continued. "Ready to face what lies beyond. You've learned what you could here. Now it's time to learn more."
Felix stood tall, his resolve hardening. "I'm ready, Kyai. I will not disappoint you."
Kyai Amsory nodded, a small smile touching his lips. "Go then. Your future awaits, but remember this—someday, you will meet someone who can free you from your burdens. Let go of what holds you back, and then you will find your true self again."
Felix knelt and kissed Kyai's hands, seeking his blessing. As he stood to leave, he turned to face Ustad Nahrowi, who gave him a proud nod. Without a word, Felix stepped toward the gate, the weight of his decision heavy but freeing.
As he stepped into the night, the Kyai's words echoed in his mind: "One day, you will find the freedom you seek. Let go... and you will return to who you truly are."
Felix took a deep breath, stepping into the unknown.