Chapter 4: Training
I remember why I hated school. Waking up at 6:30, 5 times a week can kill a child. Classes were also as boring as I remembered. Surprisingly a lot of the them were similar. Everyday there would be a universal language class that everybody had to attend. The universal language was called the Intergalactic standard, but it was basically English. Afterwards, there would be some science based classes, history classes, art classes, etc. It was the same old stuff. Fortunately or unfortunately, Beings that were attuned with the force tended to learn things at frightening speeds. This would usually be considered a good thing, but I think it just gave the academy an excuse to cram double the workload down all the students brains.
The one interesting class I had was a kind of philosophy based class. The class was named the “Jedi Code” and basically went over what the Jedi were all about.
“The Jedi Code is derived from the Light side of the Force. As the light side we focus on the positive emotions that we experience. Things like honesty, mercy, compassion, and self-sacrifice also align with the Jedi Code. Although we believe in positive emotions, Jedi do not need emotion as it may twists the decisions of the mind. Material wealth and attachments are also some things we have can often become incentives for us to become distracted or make rash decisions. As padawans, you have to detach yourselves from the world and see the bigger picture.” Explained the teacher.
“How about love?” I raised my hand and asked.
“Love is indeed a positive emotion but can be dangerous too. Jedi Practice unconditional love so that we can love everyone equally. If we view everyone as equals, we can make decisions strictly based on logistics and pro’s and con’s. Love can get in the way of decision and can sometimes jeopardize whole operations. For example, pretend if a man was in love with his wife. if he had the choice to save his wife or a 10 strangers who would he choose? Now of course different circumstances call for different kinds of actions but undoubtedly he would experience a great turmoil in his heart. As Jedi, we must erase this turmoil and become disciplined to make the best decisions.”
Ashla - The Light Side of the Force
Understanding the light side (8%)
*RIIIIIIIIIIIING*
“It seems school is finished for the day”
Sighs of relief could be heard all around the room as the students rushed out in a stampede.
Rolg and I were in different class sections so we had different schedules during school, which was really unfortunate because I had no one to talk to during the school day. Each class-year was divided randomly into 3 different sections, 50 trainees in each section. I was in section 1A (1 stands for being a first-year and A is one of the sections) while Rolg was in section 1C. Because we were in different sections, we decided to meet at the training fields.
As I was nearing the training field I heard my name being shouted.
“PUPS!”
I turned around to see Rolg running up to me.
“Pups! I love the Academy! There’s so much interesting stuff to do here.” Rolg was excited
“Really?” I asked.
“Yea! Anyways lets go, I’m sure Master Annon is waiting for us.”
I forgot that this was Rolg's first time in school. I remember I used to love school in the beginning too. Oh how days have changed.
“I’ll race you there!” Rolg took off using force movement.
“You cheat!” I said. I quickly ran after him.
Although he had a head start, I had more experience with force movement. I saw the meeting place and picked up more speed. He noticed that I was right behind him and started to book it. We were neck and neck now and I was about to pass him when we got lifted up into the air. We looked up and saw Master Annon staring at us and shaking his head.
“You kids aren’t allowed to use force applications until I say!” Demanded Annon
“What why?” Rolg said
“It will disrupt the training process for other kids. You don’t think they will get jealous?” He dropped us onto the ground and started to talk again. “Anyways, we are going to spar a little. Both of you come at me at once, you are allowed to use force abilities this time since no one is around yet.”
“Two against one! Come on Pups, We can take him!” Said Rolg
I wasn’t too sure though… There’s a reason he was a master. But I started to get ready anyways.
Master Annon just stood their with his hands behind his back as Rolf and I distanced ourselves to get on opposite sides of each other. Master Annon was now in between us still with his hands behind his back.
In perfect harmony Rolg and I attacked at the same time. Rolg, enhanced by the force, jumped in the air, spun, and tried to land a kick onto Annon’s head. At the same time, I sped towards his lower side and executed a sweep with my legs. The plan was for me to unbalance him so that Rolg would be able to find an opening and hit him.
Unfortunately my attempt to unbalance him didn’t work at all. My legs felt like it hit a rock. Rolg didn’t fare well either as Master just grabbed his leg and swung him on top of me.
“Is that it? I expected more from two of the strongest padawans this year” MAster Annon said.
Rolg and I looked at each other and started Plan B. During one of our adventures back home, we figured out that Rolg couldn’t use lightning. Maybe it was because he was still considered pure as a 6 year old, but he just couldn’t do it. But we did figure out he could amplify my lighting by adding some of his power to it. We could only do this by keeping in physical contact though.So the plan this time was to pretend to attack him but at the last moment shoot a bolt of lightning instead.
So we commenced our attack. We came at him from the same side and were acting like we were going to punch him, but instead Rolg grabbed my arm and gave me some of his energy. Channeling the energy from Rolg and I into a single bolt, I sent it flying towards our target. Unlike last time, we forced him to move from his spot and have him dodge the bolt. He looked surprised at first and Rolg and I celebrated our little victory. All of a sudden we were lifted up into the air again. Master Annon seemed angry.
“I should have told you earlier but you are never allowed to use force lightning again”, said Master Annon.
“Why? I’m not hurting anyone?”, I shouted in defiance
“Force Lightning is a application of the sith! And no you did not hurt anyone yet, but do you realize how much power was in that bolt you sent at me?”
He pointed at a mechanical training drone that had the misfortune of getting hit by the lightning. There was a big hole in the head of the droid still smoking from the heat the bolt caused.
“Force Lightning itself isn’t considered dark, but it is too easy to kill someone with it. If I didn’t dodge that, I could have died!”, He raised his voice
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
I was still shocked that our combined attack did that much damage. The thought of killing someone just hit me. I had almost killed someone...
Master Annon continued, “Now by saying you are never allowed to use it again was a bit of an exaggeration. There are several Jedi knights and master that use force lightning. In fact, if used in the proper way, it can effectively stun your opponent for a few seconds. But even then it is still risky. lighting is unpredictable. If you aim at the chest, you could hit the head instead. Pure energy does not like to be contained. That is why the sith use lightning so much. They can unleash devastating amounts of unrestrained energy and have no qualms about who or what they killed. Do you understand? It isn’t about whether lightning is bad or not. You two, even with the strength you have, have neither the control nor discipline to use it properly.”
Rolg and I hung our heads in shame. We knew what we did was a huge mistake.
After starring as us for a few moments he regained his normal face. And spoke in a soft voice.
“I am sorry. I won’t tell anyone, but please be careful lightning is not something you should play with. And the academy might kick you out too just because you used it. Do you understand?
“Yes Master”, we both said.
“Good. Now today we are going to learn how to hide your presence. Usually student learn this during later years of their training, but you two have an immense amount of pressure coming form you. If some bad people happen to notice there could be trouble. So sit down and start to meditate.”
We did as he asked and started to meditate.
“Mhmm, So you do know who to meditate. That will speed things up a bit. Now all you have to do to conceal your presence is to imagine a layer of film covering yourself. Concentrate. I know you guys can do this.”
The concept seemed simple enough so I started to picture myself wrapped up in film. I seemed to have got it right away because Master Annon said, “Good job Pups. I think you got the hang of it”
Buried Presence Beginner 1 (20%)
You are still visible but can conceal your presence from others.
Soon after Rolg got the same results.
“So now that you’ve learned how to hide your presence, keep doing it till I say stop. If you fail, you won’t like the punishment that will come after”, Said Master Annon
It didn’t seem that hard so I continued to do as he asked. But then an hour passed by and then another.
How long is this going to last?
My bottom was starting to get sore from sitting in a cross-legged style for so long. I opened my eyes to see that Rolg was fidgeting in his discomfort.
It should be over soon.
But I was wrong. It was now the middle of the night, 4AM to be exact. We had been successfully concealing our presence for over 12 hours now. Fortunately, by this time I had figured out how to move around and use Buried Pressure at the same time, but I was falling asleep now. I was in danger of messing up my 12 hour streak.
5AM - An hour passed...My eyes started to droop
6AM - Another hour...I’ll just close my eyes for a little
…
Before I know it, it’s already 7AM.
Shoot, I slept! I was wondering of the horrors that would await me when Master Annon congratulated Rolg and me. “Congratulations! You’ve passed the test and successfully maintained your concealment throughout the night! You should now be able to keep Buried Presence on at all times.”
Quest Complete! Master Annon’s Test
Maintain Buried Presence throughout the night.
Rewards:
Intermediate level Buried Presence
Force Affinity Exp
----
Buried Presence Intermediate 1(0%)
You are visible but can conceal your presence from others
-you can control how much presence you produce
-you can now keep Buried Presence activated during sleep
Force Affinity Beginner 7 (30%)
You can bend and use the power of the force to your will
Force Movement 6 (2%)
You can enhance your movement by applying the force
Force Lightning 2 (80%)
You can create tiny bursts of electricity
The Dark Side
Understanding the Dark Side (3%)
“I mean this was all awesome but...I’m kinda tired now”, said Rolg. He was barely awake
I didn’t have the strength to agree.
“Time for school,” Annon said with an evil grin on his face. “I expect you to be here on time again! No slacking.” Master Annon chuckled to himself as he watched Pups and Rolg trudging away.
Rolg and I were walking back when he spoke.
“That was pretty stupid, huh?” Rolg said
“What was?” I was starting to see phantom circles in the sky... way too tired
“The lightning combo”
“Oh, yea…” I snapped back to attention.
The stunt we pulled today could have killed out master.
“You’re going to stop right?”
… (silence)
“You’re going to stop right???” Rolg was getting anxious
“I think I’m going to keep practicing.”, I eventually said
“Wha. Why? don’t you remember what happened today?”
“I know. I know. But I need to learn how to control it so something like this won’t happen again.”
“You’re crazy. What happens if you get caught?”
“I won’t, Alright! I won’t let it happen.”
*Sigh “Alright, fine. Just promise me you won’t get caught. The Academy is fun an all, but it would suck without you.”
“Yea same. Don’t worry I’ll only do it when I completely sure no one is around. Anyways, I think I’m going to skip classes.”
“Why? Classes are so exciting!”
The rest of the walk back Rolg tried to convince me to not skip, which he eventually did.
Today is going to be so dumb...
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Author’s Notes
*There will be lightsabers!
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