17 Chapter 16–A Small Spark

Kate shoots out a surge of energy—it's underwhelmingly small though.

It doesn't even make it halfway to me, before seeming to splinter to the ground and disperse. I let out an internal sigh of relief. Kate however looks frustrated. She puts her hands together letting charge build in them for a moment before shooting again.

It's still small and moves just as fast at first but at around the same point, it slows. Katestrains immensely but the small surge refuses to move any further—freezing—causing a similar explosion to the one before.

Kate stares at her hands clearly frustrated.

"What's with the small blasts," Marshal interjects, pausing his routine.

Kate's eyes dart to me before she mumbles, "It's easier to control the smaller ones."

"Hmm," Marshal muses, "Can you demonstrate."

Kate obliges and puts her hands a distance away from each other, and begins to course electricity through them. It's a thin line of electricity and she manipulates it into the shape of a simple rabbit. Then she manipulates it into the word "Wannabe".

"Ouch, but then why is my water still unaffected or at the very least Benji unharmed," Marshal asks, eyebrow arched.

Kate thinks for a moment turning back to me—electricity in hand. She launches it toward me—again comes toward me quickly but slows and stops even further away. The line of lightning fizzles out as she releases it.

"Tch, it's easier to control but there's not enough. It stops because I can't move it anymore," Kate says.

"Why are you limiting your range? Break contact and just launch it like at the duels or in the forest," Marshal says.

"It's easier if a part is touching—" Kate protests.

"But this is training," Marshal insists, sighing before pointing a finger toward me.

"Step out of your comfort zone, shoot one of those big blasts we've seen," he says miming an explosion with his hands.

Kate still glances at me—worried. Marshal heaves a big sigh.

"For the last time I'm not asking you to electrocute the poor guy, your target is the water," Marshal reiterates, making the ball of water float up and spin dramatically for emphasis.

"Benji is just in the way, and if you're that worried for his well-being, aim for his jacket—they're not just for show you know," he says, mumbling the last part to her.

Marshal stares at Kate expectantly. She looks like she wants to say something, but instead, she looks at her hands before putting them up again.

Kate takes a deep breath as energy swells, building in her hands. She maintains fierce eye contact with me. I start to feel awkward, but not for long though as the bolt of electricity strikes. It wobbles and wavers on its path toward me as if trying to change course but it fails—striking me. I'd braced myself but then find I didn't have to.

Despite the intensity of the blast, the shock I received wasn't half of what it should've been. Sure, it hurt like hell making my muscles spasm almost making me fall over but other than that I was fine.

'That was around the strength of the one that hit Tuli.'

I dust my jacket unconsciously to find it also unharmed.

"See," Marshal says, with a cheeky grin, "He's fine."

Kate stares at me relieved but disheartened, "But I missed."

"Yeah you did," Marshal says, "Are you gonna give up already?"

"N-no," Kate mumbles.

"Well then, charge up those hands," Marshal commands.

Kate instead gives me a worried glance.

"It didn't hurt too much, did it?"

I shake my head, the tingling already fading. With whatever marks were on this uniform I could definitely take a few more hits.

"Not at all. You don't have to go easy. Do your best," I say, smiling reassuringly.

Marshal shakes his head disbelievingly with a smile giving me a small thumbs up from behind her then with a few crackles of electricity, Kate tries again…

'Ow, ow, ow, ow. Ow.'

'That last one really hit me good.'

We've been at it for what felt like hours, and despite my best efforts, my body betrays me as it teeters and falls over.

"Benji," Kate yelps, rushing over.

'She got really close that time.' I think as my vision fades. 'She actually managed to make it split…I think…one…hit.'

…

"Up and at 'em, Benji, come on," a voice says as I'm slapped awake.

I feel a light searing sensation on my left forearm, and my body aches of a tingling sensation. I blink and Marshal comes into focus. Kate and two others are loitering not too far away. An elf boy stands idly next to me looking proud of himself.

"There he is," Marshal says, realizing I'd woken up.

"Of course he is! I'm pretty amazing."

"Charley, was it? Thanks, man," Marshal says to Charley.

"Don't even worry about it. If anything you've helped me," Charley says—coy.

He looks back to the two standing by Kate—who I assume to be his party members—and sneers at them smugly. One of them rolls their eyes.

"That one's been on my case since the survival task. I was actually hoping for an opportunity like this," Charley explains jabbing a thumb at his teammate.

"Thanks," I mumble, not sure what else to say.

Charley nods to me giving a thumbs-up as he joins his team as they walk off.

"I'm sorry," Kate says, as soon as they're out of earshot.

Her voice—though lightly—is wavering. Those two words were exactly why I'd tried so hard not to end up like this.

"Don't apologize," I say, "You got so close that time…you should be happy."

Kate shakes her head defiantly.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner that you were at your limit?"

'A very good question—that I can't answer.' I think feeling stupid.

Kate was trying so hard I honestly just wanted to tuff it out for her. Especially when I noticed her improvement. I want to keep my stupid mouth shut but I know she wants an answer.

"I just thought I could handle a little more," I mumble, trailing off under her disapproving eyes. Clearly, that wasn't the right answer.

"He's not wrong though," Marshal says, saving me from the cruel silence, "The water definitely got warmer. At the very least you grazed it, which is what I call improvement so go a little easier on him, okay?"

Kate is struggling to look disapproving and happy at the same time. She manages to squash the smile with a pouting frown.

"Let me know when you've hit your limit next time," she says, scolding me.

I try to divert my eyes but hers seem to demand contact.

"Alright," I concede.

"You promise," Kate asks.

I nod my head, "I do."

"Good," Kate says, letting a small smile spread on her face.

"I must say though, Benji, I'm loving the new hair," Marshal says, stifling a laugh.

'My hair?'

I automatically reach for my hair, receiving a small shock for my troubles. While I couldn't see myself I was sure I looked quite ridiculous right now. Kate giggles.

"I don't think it looks too bad," she says.

"Well count me out," Marshal says, shielding his hair dramatically, "I know we haven't decided a team uniform or look or whatever but I veto the 'Static' look."

"I'll consider not giving you a new hairdo if you also veto that horrible team name," Kate says, smoothing out my hair.

Marshal's eyes are solemn as he seriously considers her offer.

"Alright."

The hulking figure that is our instructor calls—getting everyone's attention.

"I saw a lot of interesting routines today. Good job. Class is over now but before you go. I'd like to let you know you are free to use this gym at any time for training. Remember though that this room is only for you, class two. Don't let me catch you here with your friends from other classes, Alright," Mr. Ron says, his eyes slowly scanning the room as everyone wordlessly nods, "Good. Enjoy the rest of your day. You are dismissed."

Unlike our other classes though the sound of a bell isn't heard—even as everyone filters out of the room.