A talmid chacham is not supposed to fast since it takes away from his ability to study, although the acharonim allow fasting for repentance even for a talmid chacham.

Under what circumstances would a person fast if it's NOT for repentence? Just stam to deny yourself things?

A dream? To practice self control?

So a torah scholar should not fast for a dream since it will interfere with his ability to study?

Is fasting just as an exercise in self control and Jewish thing?

Aesceticism is hardly unique to Judaism, regardless of purpose.