Chapter 16 - Part 1

Haiden always had thought of himself as a rather studious Wielder, aside from history, that is, but as of lately something else had occupied his mind. Instead of the numerous spells and brand new techniques he had to commit to memory for his next class with Master Rwoy, Haiden trailed back to the underground tunnel beneath the palace.

One moment in particular where the man he cared deeply for placed his smoldering lips onto his. Brandishing a mark for ever to be felt from now on. The moment replayed infinitely in his mind regardless of the time of the day.

He brushed his lips with a furtive touch as if everyone knew and he didn't want them to see. A wave of warmth traveled in his body. The thrill of a secret shared with Tasgal bloomed in his core and memories of light touches of warm bodies came back to him.

A few drops of water dripped on the side of his cheek bringing Haiden to reality. Just moments before becoming aware of his surroundings a pool of cold water drenched him from head to toe.

"What the fuck?" He quickly got up, soaked, looking around for the culprit. Everyone in class burst into laughs. Malticia made a point to laugh extra loud for only she knew why.

His eyes locked with Master Rwoy's as he stared him down with his hands on his hips, tutting at Haiden.

"You know, young Wielder Haiden," Haiden cringed, Master Rwoy never addressed Haiden like that before. "I would assume that by the sixth call you would at least look up and see who has been shouting your name." Master Rwoy shook his head in disappointment. "Dry yourself up. Quickly, now. We don't have all day." Haiden did as instructed and water collected in his hand. "Good." Master Rwoy gave an appreciative nod. "Now, would you like to demonstrate to the class how a lightning bolt is formed? Surely, you already have the grasp on such a complicated Compounded Spell since you decided to not pay attention." His arms folded across his chest and waited.

"Lightning bolt." Haiden repeated. He knew the theory behind it, he had researched thoroughly for his upcoming battle with Bras in the Trials but had never tried it before. It was a dangerous Spell, unreliable and destructive. All he needed to do is break apart the water in his hand into its two elemental components, separate the hydrogen from the oxygen and once that is complete, condense the remaining hydrogen within a spherical barrier and feed it Fios until it becomes plasma. Now, if this was a plasma strike he would send the volatile gas as a projectile towards his target but it's ineffective and slow; useless in combat. This was the easy part. All week the students have been practicing plasma strike, preparing for lightning bolt, it's more advanced and sought after Spell. Although the instructions were easy enough to understand, in practice they seemed impossible. While streaming Fios into the plasma ball, waves of energy would trigger an electric discharge, the bigger the wave the stronger the bolt. And to direct said bolt a path of low resistance had to be created. The book everyone referenced stated that you need to create a conductor and would list potential methods for various conditions and situations. He memorized all of them, but neither would work now. He was surrounded by his fellow classmates, one small slip and would end up blowing someone up. Even if they had their shields raised as precaution, he couldn't risk it. Not everyone was as powerful as him or Bras, or even Camila and the spell was just too unreliable. He took a few deep breaths and remembered a piece of advice that Screech had told him as he studied and practiced in his room.

Guide energy with charge. Like flying. And so he did. Concentrating on charging the air around his target, which in this case seemed to be a simple wooden plank with an "X" on it, Haiden sent a wave of energy releasing the electric charge in a purple flash of light that struck the plank with a ear shattering boom. It hit. Not quite center, but he was satisfied with blowing away the lower left corner and a round of "Ooos" left his colleagues' mouths.

"Nice hit!" Maree whispered over his shoulder. Haiden's lips twitched into a smirk for a moment before seeing Master Rwoy's angry face.

He sighed in disappointment. "I would congratulate you, Haiden, if you had not placed us in danger." he said, as if he wasn't the one who asked Haiden to fire. "You did not prepare your target. Thank the Creators that by pure luck you hit the target, but if that bolt had hit Miss Malticia, over here, she would have been ash with or without her shield." a round of laughs ensured for a brief moment until Master Rwoy held up a hand. He then looked around the classroom at all the shards of wood on the floor. "Right, I think this lesson should continue outside. Don't you all agree?"

"Don't listen to him Haiden, that was a marvelous shot." Camilla said as she followed the rest.

"Thanks," Haiden replied sullenly. As soon as Camila turned her back and was a few feet away someone had shouldered Haiden with painful intent, almost toppling him over.

"Watch it, nobody." Bras said not sparing one glance over and leaving the classroom. This week had been hell for Haiden. Haiden and Tasgal had missed a whole day trying to get out of the tunnel. Both got an earful for missing class and training but at least they were safe. The very next day, the moment he entered the Master Parvell's classroom Bras' face fell as he saw Haiden with just a few scratches and bruises. He couldn't understand how someone could be so disappointed that a human was still alive, be it friend or foe.

The rest of the week Bras had taken upon himself to make Haiden's life even more miserable. Because of him, Haiden and Tasgal could barely meet for fear of Bras saying something about them. He clearly knew something since he kept shouting Yeva'ah at them that night, even if he had no proof, Haiden understood that he didn't need any. He was too influential and powerful for someone to go against his word.

Being away from Tasgal for such a long time, after finally admitting to his feelings, which to his surprise were mutual, felt like he lost an arm or a leg. Leaving him only to daydream about Tasgal's touch.

Haiden looked around the open grassfield of the Academy grounds at the targets that Master Rwoy erected from the ground. Tall stone pillars next to which were a bunch of materials for them to use; a bucket of water, strips of alloys and metals, glass recipients, and lastly rubber. The exercise was using all available materials to successfully direct the lightning bolt to the pillar. The spell took time to set-up properly, otherwise the Wielder could not accurately direct the bolt to the target. It wasn't a rapid fire spell, but it was an effective one. If the bolt would not rip through the enemy's shield or body, it would definitely stun them momentarily which created openings for a finishing blow.

He saw Malticia struggle to form her plasma ball. Encouraged by her cackle of so-called friends she finally let out a spark that marked the strip of metal she previously melted and to her pillar.

Bras had no problems striking the pillar in consecutive succession, as if he had been doing this all of his life.

"He's definitely been training." Maree said with twisted brows as the sun shun right in his blue eyes.

"Who cares about that brat?" Camila added trying to focus on her aim.

"I do," Haiden replied. He did not tell his friends about what happened. He did not want them to worry or find out his secret. He agreed with Tasgal after they escaped the awful ordeal to not tell anyone. Even if every moment Bras was in Haiden's vicinity a fire burned in his heart for revenge, he could say he was grateful that thanks to him, Haiden now knew Tasgal's feelings and the truth about Mara. Another burden he would carry for the rest of his days on E'a. Another life he failed to save, another regret. "I'm certain I'm going to face him in the Trials. He probably already arranged it." Haiden finally said.

"You don't know that. Maybe he'll loose in the first two where you don't even have to fight!" Camila tried to comfort him, but it did little to help ease his mind.

"Yeah, maybe he'll be too scared to take part all together." Maree added sarcastically and Haiden rolled his eyes then shooting another straight bolt of lightning to his pillar without using any of the materials available.

"How do you do that!?" Camila asked in awe. "It's the sixth time it hit with no path created!"

"Just luck, I guess." he tried to play it off.

"It's statistically impossible." She said and waited for a reply but it never came, Haiden kept launching lighting bolts at his pillar, this time making sure to dose the pillar in salt water. Then shrugged at Camila as an afterthought.

"Look, there's Master Coner." Maree said, looking at the man approaching Master Rwoy. Master Rwoy's black garb was identical with Rowy's but the lower part of his cloak looked drenched as if he had been dragging it through puddles of water. Haiden looked around and the sun had shined all week. There was no sign of any moisture on the ground or stone tile ways. The two men had a short conversation. Master Coner seemed more cheerful than usual while Master Rwoy kept a neutral face as he always did around that man.Master Rwoy cleared his throat to grab everyone's attention.

"Maree, stop for one second, please. I'd like to say that, that slab of steel won't fly anywhere, but the way you're handling we should take cover." With that everyone had finally stopped. Master Rwoy cleared his throat again. "Master Coner just announced that you will all be starting Healing classes early, next week. It seems Headmistress Helena believes you to be quite talented Wielders and wants us to push forward with the curriculum." he said with no emotion or sign in his voice. Master Coner beamed next to him.

"Indeed so, children. Indeed so, and from what I see here, you all are quite something." Master Coner's gaze landed on Haiden and immediately his skin prickled with disgust. Haiden vowed he would never forgive a monster like Coner after he saw Mara's body. He could only imagine what experiments and perverted acts he did to that poor child. His heart cried for her. He felt like it was his responsibility, like it happened because of him. "Following next week, Firstday at the first hour I will see you all in the building next to the infirmary. A fresh new batch is awaiting us and they're best in the morning." he said in an almost singing voice. With a short nod he said his goodbye and left with his hands clasped behind his back as if nothing was wrong.