Chapter 68: Innocence Is Bliss
Kali Woods stood at the edge of the training yard, her fingers tracing the smooth wall that stretched far beyond her view. She tilted her head up, her gaze following the impossibly high barrier that enclosed the Academy. The simulated sun overhead bathed the grounds in a warm, artificial glow, but the coldness of the Academy’s walls remained a constant reminder of her reality.
She turned back to the training yard, where a few guards and scientists were preparing for another session. Claire Langley, one of the few other students Kali knew, was nearby, going through her own exercises. Kali admired Claire’s control and grace with her powers. Sound manipulation was an ability Kali was fascinated by, and Claire wielded it effortlessly.
Kali had just finished her own session—a series of fire control exercises, like always. She felt good about her progress today, though she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to really let go. To see how strong her flames could get if she wasn’t constantly holding them back. The scientists told her that such control was necessary, that her power could be dangerous if not contained. She trusted them, of course. They knew what was best. But still… the thought lingered.
“Kali!” a familiar voice called.
She turned to see Talia Reed approaching, her usual calm expression in place. “Ready for the common area?” Talia asked.
Kali smiled, walking up to her friend. Talia had always been kind to her—one of the few people at the Academy who treated her warmly. They shared a bond, though Kali didn’t fully understand why. To her, the Academy was simply her home. The only place she had ever known. She didn’t know what it was like outside, or why Talia sometimes seemed distant when the subject came up.
As they walked through the high-security corridor, Kali’s curiosity bubbled up again. She had always been full of questions, and while she was used to the guarded answers from the adults around her, it didn’t stop her from asking.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Today, though, it wasn’t the outside world that puzzled her. It was something she had come across in one of the books the Academy provided. The book had been about relationships, but Kali didn’t understand some of the terms. One word in particular had caught her eye: “dating.”
She glanced up at Talia, hesitant but curious. “Talia, what does… ‘dating’ mean?”
Talia slowed her pace, clearly caught off guard by the question. She glanced at Kali, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. “Dating? Where did you come across that?”
“In one of the books they gave me,” Kali replied earnestly. “It was talking about people who date each other. But I don’t understand what it means. Is it like… a special friendship?”
Talia smiled slightly, though there was something almost sad in her eyes. Kali didn’t notice, her innocent gaze focused intently on her friend. “In a way, yes,” Talia said. “It’s when two people like each other and want to spend time together… sometimes romantically.”
Kali’s brow furrowed. “Romantically?”
Talia chuckled softly. “It’s hard to explain. It’s about feelings. Strong feelings that people can have for each other. People date when they want to see if those feelings could turn into something more serious.”
Kali processed this new information, her mind swirling with questions. “So… do people get to choose who they date? Or is it like when the Academy pairs us for training sessions?”
Talia’s smile widened, but this time there was a hint of something else—something guarded. “It’s not like training sessions. People usually choose each other. But it’s not something you need to worry about for now, Kali.”
Kali nodded, though her curiosity only grew. “Do you think… the Academy would let us date?”
Talia’s expression tightened briefly before she regained her composure. “I’m not sure that’s something the Academy would focus on, Kali. We’re here to train, to learn how to control our powers.”
Kali accepted the answer, but the question still lingered in her mind. The more she learned about the outside world, the more she realized how little she truly knew. The Academy kept her safe, they trained her, but there was so much out there that she couldn’t grasp. And each new piece of knowledge only made her more curious.
As they walked into the common area, Kali noticed Claire already seated, reading a book. Kali smiled as she took her seat beside her. “Hey, Claire! Do you know what dating is?”
Claire looked up, her expression blank for a moment before a small smile crept onto her lips. “I think I’ve heard of it,” she replied. “Why? Are you planning on dating someone?”
Kali’s eyes widened. “No! I don’t even know how it works. I was just curious.”
Claire laughed softly, shaking her head. “I think you’ll figure it out someday.”
Kali felt a little embarrassed at her lack of knowledge, but Claire’s easygoing nature made her relax. She leaned back in her seat as she settled down, her mind still swirling with new questions. It seemed like there was always something new to learn, something just beyond her grasp.