Narrated by Alex
John's Enforcer packed a lot of strength.
My chest felt compressed, and it was difficult to breathe. My ears were ringing, and my vision was blurred. John didn't even charge it as long as he did the other day. And still, the power was enough to distort my senses, even though he'd just begun developing it. I didn't wanna know what would happen if he went full power on me.....
I was back to normal after a minute, and got up. John looked at me,"You okay?"
"Did you somehow miss the word 'sparring' when Benji said it?"
"So you're injured?"
"Nah. Not by a long shot. But if you'd taken this a few notches even further.... I don't even wanna imagine what'd happen."
John smiled and nodded,"Same, I guess. Anyway, let's go back to the house. Benji has something to talk about."
"I'mma bet it's gonna be compliments for you."
"Who knows? Let's go."
We went inside the house. Anne sat on a chair, and Gordon relaxed on a sofa. John found a recliner, and sat down on it. I slumped down on the sofa next to Gordon.
Benji appeared with a box. He set the box down on the table, and opened it up. Several bottles were inside.
"You must be thirsty," he said,"help yourself!"
Gordon grabbed two soda bottles, and opened one. Anne chose mango juice, and John went for a bottle of cold coffee. I took a can of Coke, and opened it up.
Benji grabbed a chair, and sat down. He said,"Today, you all have done well. I'm really impressed by all of you, and I'm surprised at your progress in just a matter of five days. And we've got seven more weeks to go! You all could get promoted to Class A by the next month itself!"
John opened his bottle, and said,"If we get promoted, will you still be our teacher?"
"Well, it depends on you. You can either continue with the same teacher, or train with 'better' ones." He muttered something, which I couldn't make out.
"Well, I'd continue with you as my teacher. I'm pretty lucky to have you as a teacher."
"Are you buttering me?"
"No way! Also, I've noticed that you turn serious whenever matters related to you and the school are brought up. Did something happen in the past?"
Benji sighed,"Yes. It's a pretty long story, but you need not know about it for now."
"Why not?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure that it might affect your preparation for the tournament. I don't know if the change would be for the better or for the worse, but I don't want to risk it."
"Fine," John said, and sipped his drink.
"Oh, also, I wanted to ask you all something. This tournament, is a very prestigious event. It can create legends, but this is not always the reason people enter here. Every person has a reason of their own, and I just want to know why each of you wants to enter this tournament. It's fine if you don't tell, though. I'm asking, so that I get to know your motives and feelings, and train you better. Gordon, for what purpose do you want to enter the tournament?"
Gordon closed his eyes, and finished a bottle. He said,"I dunno. I don't have much of a reason to enter. Guess I just wanna fight people for fun."
Benji nodded,"So you have a love for fighting. Anne, what's your aim to achieve through the tournament?"
Anne looked at her drink,"I... just want to show the world, that.... even the tiniest and most timid people can actually defend themselves, if they have the confidence.."
"I see. John, why do you seek to enter this tournament?"
John placed his empty bottle down, and looked up,"I wanna learn. New techniques, new styles, new strategies. I wanna meet new people, and see their techniques. I wanna perfect my style, my abilities, and this tournament is a good start for this."
Benji nodded,"A passion for learning. Alex, what about you?"
I smiled,"I want to test myself! I'mma train vigorously, and push my body to its limits! I'm gonna enter the tournament, and see how I have actually improved!"
Benji smiled,"You all have different reasons for entering. That's really good. Now, tomorrow is a Sunday, and you're free to do whatever you want. Go to the city, and enjoy! From Monday, your training gets harder. I'll increase the number of rocks and their weight, and increase the weight of your clothes too. We'll also learn how to fire basic energy blasts during this week, so be ready! I'm gonna make you all some dinner now."
He went to the kitchen, and we looked at each other.
A small question wandered at the back of my mind. I turned to John, and said,"Hey, when you fired the Enforcer first, you had completely obliterated the tree, and burnt it down. Why didn't it happen to me? Not like I wanted it to happen........"
John said,"I just covered the beam with another layer of my energy, so the pure energy won't come come in contact with you, but the outer layer would act like a solid surface, and hit you."
"You did that so quickly in a matter of seconds?"
"Well, it ain't that hard. I just need to imagine the energy covering. If I get the picture correct, it's done!"
"Man, you're good at this."
"Maybe. But you're good in your own way too. You've got amazing strength and durability!"
I shrugged.
John said,"I'm going for a walk," and went outside.
Benji made us dinner. We spoke a lot, but it was just silly conversations and jokes. At night, I began randomly thinking.
Tomorrow was Sunday. Our free day. I could finally go back to the city, go to Easton's Cafe, grab the best hamburgers, watch films, and most importantly, visit my family.
I drifted off to sleep with these thoughts in my mind, as Saturday came to an end.