After the Fire Awakened demonstrated their abilities, James turned to the Water Awakened. “Step forward,” he instructed. The children moved as a unit, their movements fluid. Each child focused on manipulating water, creating small orbs that danced around their hands before bursting into sprays as they punched. One boy managed to send a small wave of water cascading from his fist, while a girl created a delicate mist that swirled beautifully around her. Two others struggled to generate anything more than a few droplets, leaving them disappointed.
Next, James called for the Earth Awakened. As they stepped forward, they channeled their power to create small tremors in the ground with their punches. One girl sent a small rock flying into the air, while a boy made a shield of dirt and debris that formed around him with each strike. However, the other boy could only manage to create small clumps of soil, his expression showing a mix of determination and frustration.
Finally, the Wind Awakened took their turn. As they punched, they summoned gusts of wind that swirled around them, creating small whirlwinds. One boy managed to create a small tornado effect with his punches, while a girl made a gentle breeze that rippled through the air. The remaining boy struggled to control the wind, producing only soft breezes that hardly made an impact.
All of the elemental groups finished their demonstrations, and it was finally time for the “Others” group to step forward. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as James turned his gaze toward them.
“Vera, you’re up first,” he instructed, and she stepped forward confidently.
James directed her to influence one of the Fire Awakened. She approached a boy with wild, flaming hair and commanded him to punch the wall continuously. “Hit it harder!” she ordered, her voice steady and authoritative. The boy, seemingly entranced, complied without hesitation. With each punch, Vera watched as the boy’s knuckles turned red, then white, and finally began to bleed.
“Stop!” James called, his voice cutting through the air. The boy looked down at his bloodied hand, bewildered and frightened. A mix of shock and confusion crossed his face as he realized he had lost control of his actions.
Vera stepped back, a hint of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. “I can make them do whatever I want,” she declared, her confidence evident.
Next, it was Flint’s turn. He stepped forward, enthusiasm radiating from him. “Watch this!” he exclaimed. He began to mix flame and wind, creating a swirling vortex of fire that danced in the air and scorched anything it touched. The flames twisted and flickered, leaving everyone in awe of his ability to manipulate the elements so fluidly.
However, his next attempt didn’t go as planned. He tried to combine water and earth to create quicksand but ended up with a muddy puddle instead, much to his frustration. “Well, that was supposed to be cool,” he muttered, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
Then came Shift. He stepped up with quiet confidence, his eyes focused on a piece of metal placed before him. Concentrating, he lifted his hand, and with a wave of his fingers, he used his telekinesis to crumble the metal into a twisted heap. The display was impressive, leaving the others in awe of his precise control.
Mira, a quiet and unremarkable girl, stepped up. Her attempt was weak; with her minimal abilities, she could barely lift a small rock, leaving her feeling insignificant compared to her peers. She quickly stepped back, blending into the background as the others showcased their powers.
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Finally, it was 433’s turn to step forward. The air felt heavy with expectation as James scrutinized him, his expression unreadable. “What is your Awakened ability?” he asked, his tone almost clinical.
A surge of frustration welled up inside 433, and he could feel his face turning slightly red from anger. “I don’t have one,” he replied, his voice steadier than he thought.
James raised an eyebrow, surprised but quickly regaining his composure. “Very well,” he said, his tone shifting. “Then you will practice your martial arts. Everyone else is harnessing their powers; you need to build your physical skills.”
433 nodded, albeit reluctantly. As he moved to the training area, he felt the weight of his peers' gazes on him, some curious, others sympathetic. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the growing sense of inadequacy.
He began his martial arts routine, focusing on his stances and punches. The sound of his feet striking the floor echoed in the large open area. With each movement, he poured his energy into his training, attempting to push aside thoughts of his lack of abilities.
As he practiced, 433 couldn’t help but notice the fire in his peers' eyes as they honed their elemental powers. He longed to feel that same connection to something greater, a sense of belonging that seemed just out of reach.
After a few minutes of practicing, he could hear a low murmur from the others discussing his performance. The whispers stung, but he focused harder, determined to prove himself, even without an Awakened ability. Each punch he threw carried the weight of his desire to be recognized, not just as a number but as an equal among the gifted.
*** *** ***
After several grueling hours of training, the children were finally released for dinner, their collective sigh of relief echoing through the hall. The atmosphere shifted as they shuffled into the cafeteria, a large, stark room illuminated by overhead fluorescent lights that hummed softly.
The rich aroma of a hearty vegetable stew and freshly baked bread filled the air, making their stomachs rumble in anticipation. Long tables stretched across the room, and the kids quickly found their seats. Excited, they recounted the day’s events.
Vera, ever the leader, took her usual spot at the head of the table, her presence commanding. “So, what did everyone think of today’s training?” she asked, glancing around with bright eyes.
“I think I finally got the hang of the fire and wind combo!” Flint exclaimed, grinning widely as he animatedly gestured with his hands, causing a few of the younger kids to giggle at his enthusiasm.
Shift, sitting a bit farther down, nodded in agreement. “You did awesome, Flint! I’m still trying to figure out how to use telekinesis without accidentally making everything float away.” His shy smile brought warmth to the table, and a few kids chuckled in solidarity.
As the food was served—a generous bowl of vegetable stew accompanied by a slice of crusty bread—433 settled at the edge of the table, attempting to remain inconspicuous. He felt the familiar pang of discomfort as he observed his peers engaging in lively conversations, their laughter ringing in the air.
Mira, sitting across from him, caught his eye and leaned in. “Hey, don’t worry about not having power. You’re still a part of the team!” She smiled at him, her voice soft but sincere.
“Thanks,” 433 replied, trying to muster a genuine smile. The warmth of her encouragement offered a fleeting sense of comfort.
As the meal progressed, the children swapped stories about their training triumphs and mishaps. Vera took charge of the conversation, her confidence radiating as she encouraged everyone to share their experiences. “Next time, let’s work together to combine our abilities. Think of the amazing things we could create!”
433 listened intently. While the others excitedly discussed their powers, he pushed his stew around in his bowl, grappling with feelings of inadequacy. The laughter and camaraderie surrounding him felt like a world away.
As dinner continued, Vera stood up, tapping her glass to garner everyone’s attention. “Alright, team! Let’s make our next training session even better! We need to support each other if we want to become the strongest Awakened out there.”