Narrated by Alex
We hiked back to the campus, where a large crowd gathered in front on a screen. We couldn't see it properly in the distance, and went back faster.
The crowd was too much, for us to go through, so Benji went in our place. After a couple of minutes, he came back, looking happy.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Great news. Mira city is holding the 50th Bender League!"
"What's that?"
"You don't know what a Bender League is? Okay, I'll explain. Ever since the technique of Bending was discovered, and the eight institutions were formed, they met once every seven years, to see who produced the better Benders. Stronghold has won the last three, and would definitely like to keep the streak going."
"How do they decide who wins?"
"A fighting tournament, of course!"
"A tournament?"
"Yes!"
"And I suppose you'll make us take part?"
"Make you? It's entirely your choice if you do."
"Why wouldn't I?" I smirked.
"I'm coming too." John said.
"Time to fight," Gordon cracked his knuckles,"When's it starting?"
Benji said,"Don't get so excited. There's two months."
"Two months? That's so long!"
"Do you expect toddlers to fight with you? You'll face people who may be equal to you, or even better than you. Even before that, you need to secure a place in the school's team!"
"How many people are there in a school team?" I asked.
"Sixty four."
"Sixty four? Isn't that too much?"
"Not really. When all teams gather, there will be 512 in total. Now, that's big. However, they'll reduce it even more. There would be a qualifying race, out of which 32 will be selected."
"So, only 32 people out of 512 will be selected for the tournament?"
"Yep. But the tournament isn't the only way of winning. There are other events too. But the tournament carries a heavy weightage to the rankings. Anyway, there are eight weeks. I can train you well enough to at least get you to your super form."
"Super form?"
"You haven't heard about the forms of Bending too?"
"Nope."
"Alright, let's go out of the campus, and then I'll show you the forms of Bending."
We went outside the campus, and Benji said,"Another explanation session. Every Bender has three forms. Their Base form, Super form, and Ultra form. The Base form is the normal form of a Bender. We all are in Base form right now. The Super form gives a massive boost to the Strengths of a Bender, and is the second form a Bender would obtain. The Ultra form, gives a massive boost to the weaknesses of a Bender. It boost the strengths a little too, but the main thing this form does, is equalise the strengths and weaknesses of a Bender. The boost rate varies from person to person. The appearance changes for each form too."
Benji said,"And, we're done with that. Any questions?"
"Yeah," I said,"Could you show us the forms?"
He smiled,"Why not? Here we go."
He put on a serious face, and white aura started radiating from his body. He grunted slightly, and said,"I've reached the Super form."
There wasn't any difference, other than the white aura, which seemed to surround him everywhere. At least it seemed like that before he turned to us. Open turning, a few changes were clearly visible. His light green eyes had turned pure white. He also looked stronger and more focused.
"So this is the Super form?" I asked.
He smiled and nodded, which was scary with those white eyes.
He closed his eyes, and white energy began to engulf him. Ina couple of seconds, he was fully covered by white energy, and it was impossible to see him. The white energy faded away, and revealed an even more changed Benji. His hair had turned completely white, and his muscles had grown too. He looked dead serious, like he was going to destroy all of us.
And I'm not going to lie, I was totally shocked by that power packed inside that form. Even though I was a total failure in energy control, that feeling of Benji's energy... you didn't require an expert to feel that. That feeling was just.... there. And the amount of energy I could feel....
I couldn't believe that Benji had so much energy inside him. I never even imagined anyone to have so much power inside them. And I could tell that I only sensed a fraction of what he was truly capable of. Judging from the awe-struck and slightly serious face of John, I could bet he felt more energy coming.
I never thought that a cool and kind teacher like Benji had such a serious side. Made him look like a badass to me.
"Here we go," Benji said,"The Ultra form of a Bender."
He blinked, and suddenly, the white from his eyes disappeared, and they turned green again. His hair regained its blonde, and Benji's calm smile was back on his face.
"So," he said,"Did you like it?"
"I..." John looked at himself, and was absorbed in thought. He slightly smiled,"I never thought that having such a power was even possible."
Benji said,"So did I, when I was your age. But always expect the unexpected!"
I said,"Teach me! How do I get these forms?"
Benji looked at me,"I can't teach you how to get these. Because these forms are not acquired by teaching. I can only say that, when your mind, body, and soul are ready, the form will surely come out."
"I'll have to acquire them on my own?"
"More or less."
"Then I will!"
"You will, definitely. But for now, let's focus on the tournament! Tomorrow, 6 a.m., be ready! I'll see you all then!"
He waved at us as he went inside the school building, which glowed yellow and pink with the neon.
We made our way back to town, and I asked John,"Wanna hang out a bit?"
He said,"Sure"
We went to Stronghold Central Square, and entered a restaurant.
I asked John,"So, how's Benji?"
"Mr. Benji's awesome!"
"Mr. Benji?"
"Yeah. I call him that"
"Oh, right."
"Say, would you come to the ledge 15 minutes early? We could have some warm up.."
"Of course!"
"Great," he said, as our hamburgers were served.
We didn't talk while eating. Manners. Also, the hamburgers tasted too great to talk.
Afterwards, we came out, and John said,"Meet you tomorrow at 5:45 a.m. See ya!"
He went towards his home, while I made my way towards mine...