Jocasta Nu stood in place staring at Nelko, she know he's words were a lie. But seeing as she stepped in before things got out of hand. She chalked it but to simple children bickering and took no further action.
"----Well, since you have given your---greeting perhaps its best for you to return to your quarters for the evening. It's getting late, and the curfew for younglings is drawing near"
She said with a stern voice and even sterner look.
"Y-Y-Yes right away, good evening to you master Jocasta"
He said with panic. Giving another bow before quickly scurrying away like a mouse from a cat.
Jocasta sighed deeply as she watched with sad eyes as Nelko left the archives.
'Truly that ones path to becoming a true jedi will be a difficult one'
She thought to herself.
A moment later after Nelko was out of sight, she turned around and faced Zell with a slightly milder expression.
"That goes for you as well initiate Moon-crest. While I'm all ways pleased to see you in the archives seeking new knowledge it is getting late this evening"
Jocasta gave a momentary glance outside a nearby widow, seeing the setting sun give off a bright orange shine as it slowly sank down below the horizan, symbolizing the day coming to an end.
"Best you call it a day"
"Understood master Nu. Then I will start putting my books away, then I shall return to my quarters too. May you have a good evening"
Giving a half bow Zell returned to his desk and began place the books he had back to their original spots.
Jocasta watched Zell work for a few seconds before smiling slightly as she watched the young miraluka placed the books back in there assigned spots on the archives shelfs.
"If only all younglings shared that ones enthusiasm for knowledge. But sadly that's not case. Well regardless, I never thought a simple five year old would be capable of such dedicated studying. I hope he can hold on to such drive. He got the potential to be an archivist"
She quietly muttered to herself, before continuing her rounds through the archives.
For the last two year Jocasta Nu had watched as Zell made nearly daily visits to the archives, and saw him cover an incredibly large amount of tomes and books.
At first, though impressed at Zell's drive to grasp so much knowledge she didn't think he could retain it all. So from time to time she would check in on him to see how he was doing. One she'd even probe him with simple questions on whatever topic he was reading at the time.
And to her surprise each and every time he'd answer her questions correctly.
Since then Jocasta Nu had taken a mild interest in Zell, and though their relationship couldn't be called close she always became slightly glad to see him whenever he came to the Archives.
'I guess I should prepare my next report to council regarding his progress, soon'
An assignment which was given to her when the jedi council learned that Zell spending such long periods of time in Archives. It was given out of a desire for the council to monitor him, since such behavior was uncommon for a youngling. So they wanted to close eye on him.
*******
Location: Jedi training room - (morning)
The next morning after having breakfast and their morning mediation session, Zell along with the rest of his clan were in one of the temples training rooms.
Today its was decided by the jedi instructor on duty that was supervising them that they would be practicing their telekinesis by lifting small muntuur stones.
The Muntuur stones were a legendary set of seven large stones used by jedi to practice the force, each stone weighing at least five metric tons.
Today the younglings would be using smaller replica muntuur stones to practice with. Each stones being around the size of a soccer ball and weighting five pounds each.
"Now then initiates today we will be using these replica muntuur stones to help fine tone your control with the force. Please come forward and take one stone each from the pile beside me"
The Jedi Instructor said.
One by one, each child approached and took a stone and begin practicing levitating it with the force. For the next good while younglings could be seen with their hands outreached trying to move the stones. Some managed to float their stones a good feet or two off the ground, while others could barely shake them side to side.
The instructor watched as each student displayed varying degrees of proficiency as they tried their best to levitate their stones
AS the instructor scanned over the class their sights soon fall on Zell, who unlike the others was merely stood in place, not even looking at his atone.
Concentrating on his breathing, he shut out the world around him. He quieted his hearing and the world went silent as he blocked out all outside sounds. He allowed is force sight to go dark and blackness claimed his vision.
Completely cutting off all outside simulation, all he did after this was focus. Focusing inward, on himself. And on his connection to the force.
"Calm mind. Shut out all distractions. Feel the force as it flows. Around me. Within me"
Once he found a stable connection he redirected that connection to the stone in front of himself. He raised his arm towards his stone, and instantly with no sign of effort at all the stone began to lift up into the air.
It raised a good to three feet above his head and begin orbiting in circles, as well as performing more creative maneuvers.
The instructor was somewhat taken a back seeing this. This was the first time the Convor clan had ever used the muntuur stones, so he honestly wasn't expecting too much. Just wanting the little ones to get a feel for this exercise for today was the main goal.
So seeing Zell's performance was a surprise. And the other surrounding initiates taking notice of the small spectacle watching with wide eyes.
"Well done initiate MoonCrest. To show such an aptitude for telekinesis on your first try is quiet impressive"
"Thank you instructor"
He said with a calm tone showing not a hint of pride or arrogant at his well earned praise.
Curious to see just how capable Zell really was the instructor had an idea. While he had the rest of the class continue with the basic task of lifting the stones, he took Zell to the side of the class to attempt a slightly more advance exercise.
From a nearby crate the instructor took out and activated five large high tech rings that started hover high in the air, wishing to use them to test Zel's abilities even farther.
"Now initiate MoonCrest I would for you to try moving your stone to pass through these rings"
"Understood, I shall do my best."
Not questioning the teacher on why he had to do a more complex drill that the others Zell did as instructed.
Just as before he outstretched his hand toward his stone. Using the experience he gained previously, he lifted it up into the air even quicker that previously. Soon he willed the stone to start moving toward the rings.
Zel: "Slowly--Slowly, don't rush, clearly image the path for the stone to travel."
Slowly he moved his arm from side side and up and down. And as if reflecting his actions the stone weaved through all five rings as they constantly adjusted their positions. Seeing this the instructor then activated a hand held remote that was inside the same crate as the rings.
The rings then started moving more randomly around the room in and erratic fashion, understanding the instructors intentions Zell without losing his composure did his best to keep up. Moving the stone through the rings as they were in motion.
Sweat started to collect on his brow as he tried to finish the excise to completion, but the task had proven more challenging that the previous ones. Five more minutes would pass before a slightly exhausted Zel began missing rings that had previously caught.
This was the sign for instructor to stop.
"Once again, well done initiate, its clear to me that you are a level or two above your peers. Continue with this progress and you will may become one of the finest jedi our order has ever produced in centuries"
The instructor gave words of encouragement to Zell in recognition of his acomplishment.
"Thank you, instructor"
Zell then gave a small bow.
A short distance Nelko stood in place glaring with tightened fists at Zell after hearing the instructor showing him with praise.
The class carried on for another quarter hour before coming to an end.
**************
After finishing with their training session Zell and the rest of the Convor clan were released to spend the two hours as they liked before having to attend their noon general studies classes
Most of the clan were excited at the newly acquired free time. After they settled down from their excitement some of the younglings chose to go play, while others returned to their dormitory for a quick nap, while a few went for a snack at the temples refectory.
Zell however had other plans. Though he too was happy to receive some leisure time he know he couldn't afford to slack off needlessly. So he instead decided to get a jump on his physical training, which normally done in the afternoon.
If he was to change the course of the future he saw it was imperative that he honed all his skills as quickly as possible. That being said he made sure to never push himself to far, given that his body was still young he needed to avoid any complications or backlash that could arise due to stressing it to much.
Once he saw the room was nearly cleared, as everyone left trickling out of the room, Zell walked over to a nearby weapons rack. On it was a couple of training sabers, which were specialized non lethal lightsabers use for blade training.
As he reached for one wanting to practice his blade work, Zell's instincts suddenly screamed at him, and following them he imminently stepped to the side.
The next instant an object swooshed passed him, ramming straight into the weapons rack, nearly knocking it over. Looking down an astonished Zell saw what was it that had nearly beamed him in the back. It was one of the muntuur stones he and his clan were practicing with earlier.
Turning around in order to determine were this had come from. He caught a glimpse of a small framed figure racing out of the training room exit. From the size and clothing of the figure, they pointed to the culprit being one of his fellow clanmates, all of whom he thought had already left the room by now. As for who it was specifically, even with only a brief glance Zell recognized the unique ponytail that was on the figures head.
''(Sigh)---Not again. Nelko"
Zell said with a sigh in a loathing manner at the one who constantly hounds him with pointless provocations and pranks.
************
Finally alone and after making doubly sure he wouldn't have any farther interruptions Zell stood in the middle of the room in a ready stance wielding a training saber, that he took from the previous weapons rack.
Taking a few deep breath to help center himself, he then began going through the motions of form 1, Shii-Cho, The Way of the Sarlacc, as they were taught to him by the Jedi instructors.
The lightsaber form that all younglings are taught first.
An thirty minutes of nonstop form one katas practice would pass before Zel would put the training saber down and take a sit on the floor to rest. Heaving in and out shallow breaths, with small beads of sweat streaming his cheeks Zell allowed himself Ten minutes of rest before moving on to the next part of his training.
With the ten minutes passed, though still feeling a bit a fatigue in his arms and legs from his earlier practice, he pushed forward.
At present Zell was being circled by three hovering Marksman-H training remotes, specialized trained droids used by the jedi to practice blaster reflecting.
"Beginning level 1 training program"
"Order acknowledge, beginning level 1 program"
At his command one of the marksman-H's started launching stun bolts at random locations on Zel's body, and with ease he blocked and deflected the bolts. Over the course a 5 minute training session he would continue to fend off the droids assault.
"Training time limit has been meet, now switching to stand by mode"
After the droid become docile Zell took a few small breath to collect himself. Once ready he moved onto the next step.
"All right begin level 2 program"
"Order acknowledged, beginning level 2 training program"
This time two droids opened fire on Zell, from two different sides and with different firing rhythms, making it hard to establish a proper flow. And just like the first time Zel would attempt to fend off the stun bolts. Over another 5 minutes, Zell vigorously swung and slashed his training saber blocking the rapid attacks. Multiple times he had to spin and leap around to avid incoming shots aimed at several of his undefended spots of his body.
But as a Miraluka Zell had a very wide field of perception thanks to his species natural born affinity with force sight. Granting the ability to see at 360 degrees. Using this trait Zell is able to face one droid and still keep taps on the second one's position, which was floating on his sides waiting for an opening so it can stun him.
"ha ha, al-alright sta-start training pro-program level 3"
After completing his second round Zell was heaving with clear exhaustion, a small spot of sweat could be seen staining his robe around the collar, caused by his high level of physical exertion. Thou he felt like he was reaching his limit he allowed himself only 5 minutes of rest this time before moving to finish the third level.
"Order acknowledged, beginning level 3 training program"
Hearing the droids response Zell quickly took his stance and tried to relax his body as much as he could, in hopes that it to increase his reflexes and movement speed. This next level would be even more intense and treacherous that the last, so his body would need to move as swift as water to have a chance of keeping up.
The air hung still as Zell waited for the next shot, and after just a few seconds that felt like minutes, it began.
(Bang! Bang!)