An Islamic boarding school nestled just south of the capital stood as a beacon of tradition and progress. Here, students immersed themselves in the teachings of Akhlaq, striving for moral excellence, while also embracing the advancements of modern civilization. Yet, amidst this blend of old and new, the school held steadfast to its cultural roots, particularly in the realm of martial arts—a discipline revered not just as physical defense but as a spiritual journey.
As dusk settled, the sky painted in hues of amber and violet, the campus buzzed with activity. The evening prayer had concluded, and gradually, the clamor subsided, leaving behind the rhythmic sounds of martial arts practice. Santri and female students, segregated according to tradition, continued their lessons, their movements synchronized, embodying discipline and grace.
Among the male students, a young man named Felix prepared to join the session. His peers were already immersed in their routines, their forms precise and focused.
"Felix, hurry and join the others!" The sharp command pierced the evening air, drawing attention to the tardy student.
Felix turned to face Ustad Nahrowi, one of the school's esteemed teachers.
"You're late again! Do you think you're superior to your fellow students?" The Ustad's voice carried both authority and disappointment.
"No, Ustad," Felix responded respectfully.
"Then why are you always late?"
"I was assisting some students with their device networks, Ustad."
"Excuses! You act as if your skills place you above the rules. Is that it?"
Felix's patience waned. "Is it wrong to help others? And to practice daily without introducing new techniques—how does that foster growth? Isn't this stagnation?"
The Ustad's eyes narrowed. "So, you believe you're stronger? Let's see how you handle this!"
Without warning, Ustad Nahrowi launched a powerful punch, striking Felix and sending him sprawling backward.
"Your knowledge is limited, yet you dare to challenge me," the Ustad mocked.
Felix rose, pain radiating from his chest, but his resolve hardened. He assumed a defensive stance, his arms crossed, and a faint red aura enveloped him.
The Ustad hesitated, surprised by the display. He summoned his energy, a blue light emanating from his hands, manifesting a spectral tiger around him.
"This time, I'm ready," Felix muttered, determination in his eyes.
The Ustad advanced, delivering a series of rapid strikes aimed at Felix's torso and head. But Felix's movements were swift, evading each attack with agility that left the Ustad frustrated.
The surrounding students, initially in formation, stepped aside, wary of becoming unintended targets. Fear etched on their faces, they watched the escalating confrontation.
Seizing an opening, Felix maneuvered behind the Ustad, locking his arms and legs around him in a constricting hold. With a twist, he applied pressure, eliciting a painful scream from the Ustad as a cracking sound echoed—a clear indication of injury.
"Felix, stop this instant!" The commanding voice of Kyai Amsory, the school's revered leader, cut through the tension.
All eyes turned to the elder, his presence commanding respect. Felix released the Ustad, stepping back with remorse evident in his posture.
"Take Ustad Nahrowi to the infirmary. Felix, apologize to your teacher and meet me in the hall."
The students obeyed, assisting the injured Ustad, while Felix remained, his head bowed in regret.
Later, in the hall, a solemn meeting convened between Kyai Amsory, Ustad Nahrowi, and Felix. The incident had the potential to tarnish the school's reputation, and a resolution was imperative.
Yet, beneath the surface, a deeper plan unfolded—a secret pact among the three generations aimed at securing the school's future. Financial sustainability had always been a challenge, relying heavily on parental contributions, which were often insufficient. The solution lay in empowering students like Felix, the school's prodigy, to utilize their skills beyond the campus.
"Ustad, I apologize for hurting you," Felix said earnestly. "But I felt compelled to make a statement for the sake of the younger students."
"It's alright, Felix," Ustad Nahrowi replied, his pride in the young man evident. "Your dedication to our school's continuity is commendable."
Kyai Amsory addressed Felix, "Are you prepared to gain experience outside these walls?"
"Yes, Kyai. I'm ready."
Felix bowed, seeking blessings from his mentors before departing. As he stepped through the main gate, Kyai Amsory's parting words lingered, "One day, you'll meet someone who will help you rediscover yourself."
—
Felix's journey led him to the bustling capital, where he sought opportunities to support his alma mater. He found work as an unofficial parking attendant in a crowded market, a role fraught with challenges, including territorial disputes.
One day, a man approached him with a confrontational demeanor.
"So, you're the new guy claiming this spot?"
"I'm Felix. Can't we discuss this calmly?"
"I'll be waiting at ten o'clock at the corner. Tomorrow, this area will be mine."
As the man departed, Felix noticed another individual effortlessly carrying multiple sacks of rice. Intrigued by the man's strength and aura, Felix decided to follow him.
He watched as the man loaded the rice into a vehicle and received a modest payment. Surprised by the low compensation for such labor, Felix's curiosity deepened.
Attempting to follow the man further, Felix suddenly lost sight of him.
"Are you following me?" A voice startled Felix.
"Sorry, I was just curious..."
"Nickolas," the man introduced himself, extending a hand.
"I'm Felix. Apologies for the intrusion."
They walked together to a nearby food stall, where Felix insisted on treating Nickolas to a meal.
After dining, they sat in a garden, sharing stories. Nickolas revealed his hardships, including sleeping outside market shops. Moved by his plight, Felix offered him shelter.
That night, Felix prepared to confront the man who had challenged him earlier.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Nickolas inquired.
"Just to the parking lot. Rest here; there's more rice coming in tomorrow."
Felix arrived at the designated spot, finding the man, Toni, waiting.
"You're brave to show up," Toni sneered.
"Can't we resolve this peacefully?" Felix asked.
"No need for words!" Toni attacked, his fists glowing with energy. Felix dodged effortlessly, assessing Toni's strength.
Toni intensified his assault, incorporating martial arts techniques. A kick landed on Felix's chest, but he remained unfazed.
"Is that all you've got?" Felix taunted.
Enraged, Toni unleashed his full power, transforming into a spectral white tiger and lunging at Felix. Felix evaded, countering with a snake-like maneuver that immobilized Toni.
"We're not evenly matched," Felix whispered.
Toni attempted a signal, but Felix released him, stepping back.
"If it's a fight you want..." Felix assumed a stance.
Toni charged, but Felix's counterattack was swift and devastating, leaving Toni incapacitated. Blood trickled from his lips as he collapsed.
"I warned you," Felix said, pointing to a pile of Toni's unconscious allies, subdued by Nickolas.
"Our business is done here," Felix declared, turning to leave. A strange feeling washed over him as he realized Nickolas had been the one to assist him.
Felix's journey after leaving the pesantren was driven by a singular goal: to find a way to support his family, particularly his younger siblings who still needed to learn and grow. His path led him to the bustling capital, where he could find work and survival. One day, he found himself at a busy market, offering to work as a parking attendant, managing the flow of cars and ensuring everything ran smoothly. It wasn't an official position, but the challenges were just as real. The competition for parking spaces was fierce, and Felix quickly realized that he'd need to defend himself if he wanted to survive in this harsh new world.
Using the physical skills he'd learned, Felix was able to hold his ground. But one day, an encounter with a man named Toni made it clear that there was more to this struggle than simple street smarts.
As Felix guarded his patch, a man approached with an air of arrogance. "So, you're the one in charge of this parking area?" the man asked, sizing up Felix.
"Felix," he replied evenly. "Yeah, what of it?"
The man's eyes narrowed. "I'll be back at ten tonight. This spot will be mine." Without another word, he turned and walked away, accompanied by a group of followers.
Felix was left to ponder the challenge, but his attention was soon diverted. He spotted a man effortlessly carrying several sacks of rice, a quiet aura of strength surrounding him. Curiosity piqued, Felix watched as the man loaded the sacks into a car with ease. It wasn't just the strength that fascinated Felix, but the strange energy radiating from the man.
Without thinking, Felix followed him down a narrow alley. When the man disappeared around a corner, Felix was taken aback. "Where did he go?" Felix muttered to himself, confused and a bit unnerved.
Suddenly, the man appeared beside him, almost as if he had been waiting for him. Felix jumped, startled. "Are you following me?"
The man grinned innocently. "Sorry, I've been watching. Just curious about you."
"My name's Nickolas," he said, extending a hand.
"Felix," he replied, shaking Nickolas' hand and smiling.
They shared a quiet meal at a nearby food stall, and Felix learned about Nickolas' hardships. Nickolas had been struggling, living as a laborer and barely scraping by. He confessed that he had no place to stay and was currently sleeping in front of the market.
Moved by his new friend's plight, Felix offered him a place to stay. "I have a spot, it's not much, but it'll be safer than the street."
Nickolas, grateful and relieved, agreed. They spent the rest of the evening chatting, and Felix headed out later that night, his mind still on the confrontation with Toni.
"I'll be back in a bit, Nick. Just have some business to finish," Felix said, slipping on his shoes.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Nickolas asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm just going to the parking lot," Felix answered, brushing off the concern. "I'll be quick."
When Felix arrived, he found Toni waiting for him. The man stood tall, glaring, his posture full of aggression.
"So, you've come after all," Toni sneered.
Felix eyed him calmly. "Look, can we just settle this without a fight?"
Toni didn't respond with words. Instead, he launched a punch straight at Felix, but Felix was ready. He sidestepped and measured the strength behind Toni's attack. Ordinary, Felix thought. Nothing I can't handle.
Toni, frustrated, came at him again, this time with a series of calculated strikes, blending martial arts and raw power. Felix took each blow with ease, barely flinching.
"That's all you got, Toni?" Felix said, grinning.
The air seemed to crackle as Toni's anger grew. With a roar, he unleashed his full power, transforming into a fierce white tiger, the energy around him glowing like a burning sun. He pounced, his claws aimed for Felix's throat.
But Felix was already a step ahead. As the tiger came down on him, Felix slipped to the ground, evading the blow. Toni crashed into the pavement, his momentum carrying him past Felix, who quickly locked Toni's body in a vice-like grip.
"Not balanced, huh?" Felix said with a smirk, his voice a low whisper.
Toni struggled, but Felix's grip was unyielding. Seeing the code in Toni's eyes, Felix released him with a swift movement, stepping back to give Toni space.
"This isn't going the way you thought, is it?" Felix said, his tone calm but filled with a quiet authority.
Toni, now enraged beyond reason, launched one final, all-out assault, but Felix was too fast. With a precise strike, he shattered Toni's defenses, breaking his limbs with a sickening crack.
Toni collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from his lips. Felix stood over him, his expression unreadable.
"I told you, we're not balanced," Felix said, his voice barely a whisper.
He looked over at the group of men Toni had brought with him. In an instant, they were all on the ground, unconscious, their bodies piled up as if they had never stood a chance.
Felix turned to leave, but then he felt something shift in the air. The strange feeling gnawed at him, but there was no sign of danger. Only he and Nickolas remained.
Felix's gaze swept the scene one last time before he walked off into the night, his mind already turning to whatever came next.