Grant Marshall, the world-changing ninja

I was still four years old, but I had already made progress in my chakra control. It wasn't much, but it was enough for me to begin experimenting. What interested me most, however, were the lessons that I was starting to attend. There were many things I didn't yet understand about the world I was in, but one thing was certain: if I was to make it here, I would need more than just raw chakra power. I needed to learn how to use it—strategically, cleverly. And that meant learning the art of illusions.

Today was my first official lesson in illusion techniques. It wasn't something that most children my age would be doing—illusion techniques were typically taught to older students, but the Karama Clan was different. My clan had a long history with illusions, and they believed that even the youngest members should be taught the basics of manipulation early on. Illusions weren't just tricks of the eye; they were the fabric that could warp perceptions, manipulate the mind, and make the impossible seem real.

As I walked into the small training room, I couldn't help but feel a strange excitement. This was the beginning of something that could be the key to so many of the things I had been wondering about—how perception worked, how people could be made to see things that weren't there, how the mind could be manipulated. I had so many questions.

My teacher, Master Tetsuo, stood at the front of the room, looking at me with his usual stern expression. He wasn't a man who smiled often, and he didn't waste time with pleasantries. When he saw me enter, he nodded briefly, signaling me to sit.

"Eren," he began, his voice deep and commanding, "today we will begin your first lessons in illusions. They will not be easy, but they are necessary for someone of your bloodline."

I nodded, eager to begin. My mind was racing with the possibilities. Illusions. I could already see how they could be applied to everything I had learned about chakra. They weren't just tricks—they were a form of control, a way to bend the world to your will, even if only for a short time.

"You will begin with a simple technique," Master Tetsuo continued. "This will not be a full illusion, but rather a sensory alteration. The goal is to change how someone perceives the world around them without affecting reality. You must learn to control their senses."

I raised an eyebrow. This sounded almost like the concept of perception manipulation, which was something I had considered before. The mind was a tricky thing. If you could manipulate how someone perceived the world, you could change their entire experience, without them even knowing. It was like… creating a new reality for them, if only for a moment.

"Close your eyes," Master Tetsuo instructed, and I did as he said. "Now, imagine the world around you. Focus on the sounds, the feeling of the floor beneath your feet, the smell of the air. Picture it in your mind. The goal is to create a fake sensory experience, something that your mind can grasp, even though it isn't real. You will begin with sound. You will hear a bell ringing. But it is not really ringing."

I furrowed my brow in concentration. This was the first time I had been asked to create an illusion like this—something that could trick the senses into believing something was happening that wasn't. I already understood the importance of the mind in this process. The mind had to be convinced before the illusion could take form.

I imagined the bell in my mind, a clear, high-pitched sound echoing through the room. The idea was simple enough, but the challenge was in making it feel real, convincing. I focused my chakra, directing it toward my ears and mind, and slowly, I began to hear the faintest sound—a bell ringing, distant but distinct. I didn't know if it was my imagination or something else, but it felt real. The room seemed to shift slightly as the sound grew clearer.

Master Tetsuo's voice interrupted my concentration. "Well done," he said, though his tone was stern. "That is the first step. But this is only the beginning. Illusions are about control. You must learn to refine this technique, to make it more precise, more powerful. The next lesson will involve creating an entire scenario—a full illusion."

I opened my eyes, feeling the satisfaction of having succeeded, but I also felt a deep desire to go further. This was only the first step, but it opened up so many possibilities. If I could control perception like this, there were no limits to what I could accomplish. I could alter reality itself, even if only for a moment.

"Remember, Eren," Master Tetsuo continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Illusions are not just about creating false experiences. They are about deceiving the mind, making it believe that something is real. But you must be careful. Illusions can be dangerous. The more complex they become, the more difficult they are to control."

I nodded, my mind already racing. I could feel the possibilities opening up before me. This was more than just a skill; it was a weapon, a tool for power. And I intended to master it.

As I left the training room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. I had taken the first step down a path that could lead me to unimaginable heights. This was just the beginning. There was so much more to learn, and I was determined to uncover it all.

End of Chapter 6