Cycle 2 — Chapter 14
Scene 1
Javi POV
"Javi, you came by this week!" Jumping up as he clamped onto my leg. One of the children of this orphanage led a gang of children carrying pipes who were just having a mock war.
"Yeah, I said I would. I told you a man is only as good as his word, Tommy. Come on, everyone, show me your new spells." Not bothering to peel him off me, knowing he'd keep doing it like usual.
"Yes! It's time to show off my hard work!" One of the bigger kids, who's actually the youngest of the ragtag group of pre-teens, Jay, jumped in front of me before the rest.
"Alright, you know the rules. Attacks that land against my hand are usable spells. Let's see how you do with your Earth Bullet, Jay." Nodding his head to my words before he calmed himself down as he stomped the ground, using astral energy to force a piece of rock out of the earth.
Rearing his hand back before landing squarely as his low C-rank strength launched it like a bullet at me. Only to get caught by me as I threw it back softer, hitting his rock-like fist. Causing him to yelp in surprise as he began to frown at losing again.
"Nice attack against each other, but too simple to even last in the first round of Odin Academy. Add a spin to it or something. Make it something different than just a standard shot at me." Giving him a thumbs-up as he nodded before stepping off to the side as Nia stepped up. Being the only girl that fit in with these troublemakers. Sometimes leading them.
"What you got this time, Nia? Last time was lightning bolt and wind cutter before that." Catching her small grin as I watched her steal my technique, using a fireball before blasting wind as a booster. Not understanding the technique I've only begun to truly develop.
"Fine, you win this time, Tia. Who else got secret tricks?"
Coating my arm in flames as I brought my remaining arm to shield Tommy, who's remained clinging to me this entire time.
Blocking the flames as I controlled the astral energy to keep the heat and flames from ruining the park we've already ruined with our monthly training sessions.
"Okay, next, so we can get this over with. I need to get back to train for the next round."
Watching their eyes shine with a light of entertainment as two of them nodded together before launching spells like dual miniguns.
Scene 2
Javi POV
"You know you don't have to keep coming around as often, Javi. I appreciate the help, but I want you to focus on becoming a Traveler."
Placing cookies down on the table as the children lay asleep, napping. After I led them home from the park we meet up at.
"That's not your concern, Ms. Jeanna. I'm ranked first after the first round. They even said they're changing the rules due to my performance."
Bragging, only to be smacked across the head by this elderly woman who refused to show her sickness from astral poisoning.
"I told you about showing off. It'll only attract the flies. They aren't only attracted to shit, my dear boy. You aren't a friendly person to strangers, so you've definitely gained some enemies, and that's your issue."
Taking a cookie from my plate before taking a seat as she shook her head at me.
"I know. I'll try to get better with dealing with people, but blame my teacher. No one told him to train me like a war soldier like those in the old days."
Rubbing the back of my head as I remembered the smell of smoke and his pipe as he usually threw it at me.
"And now my orphanage has kids using pipes as swords. I should've beaten your tail back then, but now I'm too old and tired."
Losing my words as she practically lied about her mobility. Never the last one moving when the kids are involved.
"Let them play for now. Soon they'll be fighting other kids for spots."
Leaning back as I absorbed the silence. Letting it wash over me as I closed my eyes. Hearing her singing as she began to make dinner.
Scene 3
Javi POV
"Where you been at all weekend?"
Barely entering my room before Xavier sniffed me out as the door opened from my hand. He followed into the room behind me as Gabe was already studying at his desk.
"Visiting friends. What about it?"
Laying my luggage bag down from staying at the church over the weekend.
"Dude, there was a big fight in the tunnels last night. The second years practically started wars between each other, so let's go tonight to get some emblems if we can."
Glancing to Gabe, who nodded his head to Xavier, reinforcing that he's telling the truth.
"Not worth it since we have a test this week. TJ said that the school hasn't even considered us as first years yet. All of us are still C-ranks, so it's pretty dumb to go play with the class that has more people touching B-rank than we can muster. Plus, TJ is more cutthroat than Thomas, so while he's our teacher, let's not isolate ourselves from the notes."