- 5th August 2138, Noon, GCA Campus Classroom -
I'd captured the attention of Siska's seemingly protective twin brother and was toying with him a little. All to help him of course, but that didn't dismiss the fact I found it rather amusing.
I mean really, who didn't find a guy with a chip on his shoulder amusing? Especially, when that chip was his sister.
"Who's asking?" I retorted, hoping to get an interesting response.
Clasping his hands together for a moment, before turning to me. In a sharp and sudden moment, he clawed at the collar of my shirt. Grasping it with his surprisingly stout arm. Holding me up a good meter from the desk.
"Her brother, you dick." He snarled. Showing his anger at me for simply mentioning her.
Was it just me or did this guy have a really fierce temper? Admittedly I didn't want to cause too much of a scene, so I explained myself. Using some random excuse I'd made on the fly.
"We're friends, I'm Erik. Stop grabbing me or I'll be forced to fight back" I whispered, Sprinkling in a threat in an arguably menacing manner. To ease things along nicely.
Upon hearing I was Erik he seemed to lose his grip almost instantly. Perhaps Siska had spoken to him about me. A quiet, high-pitched giggle could be heard from my side. Perhaps our little altercation had received the nigh-unwavering attention of Eliora to my left.
"Don't hurt her. Okay?" He said, feigning one last fragment of toughness before slumping in his seat, to focus on his work.
"Alright alright," I responded reassuringly, turning to Eliora. "What's so funny?"
Still giggling to herself, Eliora introduced herself in a rather very polite manner. Akin to that of a Princess.
"My name is Eliora of the Fleming family, heir to the Fleming-Archimed joint estate." She articulated in a voice I'd only expect to come out of somebody formed in the womb of pure luxury.
She flicked her long verdant hair to the side, as she anticipated my response wiht bated breath. Her demeanor was like that of a customer awaiting her food from a waiter at a restaurant.
It seemed she was trying to disregard the fact she'd quite obviously giggled at my conversation with Siska's brother, who'd yet to inform me of his name.
An aurora of sparkling jewel-covered brooches clasped onto the lapel of her blazer. She still had her rather dignified shoes from the Bus in, it turns out they were EX-Foci.
"Oh yes my last, I do say. My name is Erik Graham, of the Graham family of Dawnport. Nice to meet you." I sarcastically remarked, a huge smirk overspreading my face from mouth to ear.
She reacted akin to a deer in old age headlights her eyes wide. Face deep with what could only be described as shock, perhaps she'd realized I was making fun of her.
"Goodness, I did not expect to encounter one as cultured as oneself at this fine institution. Regretfully many students here seek rather British." She remarked, in a refined and elegant way only a well-mannered young girl could muster.
Ah. It seems I may have completely deceived her… An unfortunate accident. I didn't think she'd take that joke as fact. That was what a sheltered childhood did to a girl.
Flicking her leaf-like hair from in front of her fave like an intrepid young soul exploring a forest. Finding the precious set of deep green emerald gems lay on either side of her nose.
Put simply, her eyes were beautiful like a fairy forest of feverish flora.
That's not to say I have a thing for her. I'm just one for neutral analysis. When something is beautiful, it's beautiful. Nothing of note there.
After a good ten or so minutes of chatter, it was eventually our turn to speak to Professor Lehrer. His tall, body overshadowed both Eliora and I as he stood between our desks.
Articulating himself with gentlemanly elegance as he stood, with the HoverBlackboard, ready to tutor us.
"Now then, let's begin today's lesson shall we?"
"Yes sir" we both replied.
"Right, I'm going to teach you about EX-Foci real quick." He informed us in an intelligent yet charismatic tone. Smooth as a well-brewed coffee.
With a quick click of his stylus, the HoverBlackboard turned on and the light dissipated into the air as it materialized into a diagram of something called Cinna's Theorem.
It looked to be a theorem used to represent the relationship between the EX-Energy and the energy conductive metal inset within all EX-Foci.
"EX-Foci work by channeling your EX-Energy through a physical representation of what we call an EX-Circle." He pointed at the now highlighted image of a typical staff-based EX-Foci.
"Put simply it's just a portable magic circle if either of you know of such a concept from the various games and novels you've likely read." He finished, pushing up his glasses with confidence.
"Some EX-Foci require a specific element to operate, otherwise it's comparatively simple. Like your shoes, young lady." He noted, pointing at Eliora's shoes. "They look to be a Speed-Lumen type, am I right?"
Eliora instantly responded "Indeed, I'm glad to be reassured of my tutor's intellectual faculties. Good day to you."
If the professor's explanation was correct, it would be simply logical for me to stockpile weapons and equipment of this sort.
EX-Foci seem very important in becoming stronger. I already had the fryer-type EX-Foci, perhaps asking Warmund about them would be a good idea.
-------:-
The lesson ended with a loud but cheery tone coming from the speakers set up around the campus. A dignified voice spoke, coming from beside me.
"A moment of your time, Mr. Graham."
"What do you want, Eliora?" I retorted rather rudely.
"That's no way to speak to a lady, and I shall bestow upon you a second chance due to your..." She replied, looking me up and down. Trying to think of something before obviously giving up.
"Anyway, here is my InfoComm ID. You'd do well for yourself to add me." She requested as she passed me her InfoComm device.
Was she trying to flex her riches at me? Her InfoComm was completely bedazzled in various gems and rare metals. A definitive show of status.
"We'll see," I said breezily.
As I spoke, she pulled a face only a spoiled brat could ever pull. One of sadness and greed.
She wasn't giving me a choice, was she? Did she want to join a team with me later in the year? Team sign-ups were later on in the year.
Perhaps she still thought I was some big shot in the Dawnport community. Nonetheless, I added her and began walking to my apartment.
-------:-
I sat on the mat with my legs crossed. My eyes were fastened shut as I concentrated on my breathing. The book suggested I try to keep a stable energy flow when attempting to enhance my Energy. Informing me that If I were to lose focus I'd have to start over.
I'd been sitting patiently on the mat for several minutes, preparing myself. I pictured the flow of Extrinsic Energy throughout my body. I could see it. I was in a state of total zen. In total control of my body.
I had attained the point where I could begin to enhance my energy. Manipulating the energy flowing through my body to my mind. It was time to develop my inner-power.
For the lower levels of enhancement, the book suggested I tried to fold my energy upon itself. Compressing it like the spacetime around a black hole. Following this, I began directing the energy in my body to combine at one point, folding itself.
It was challenging, the energy resisted my attempts to compress it.
As if I was waging a everlating war on myself, my body began to feel the iron curtain of fatigue slowly encroaching upon it.
Expending more and more energy to attempt to reach the first proper stage of enhancement. This was why I had to train with Warmund, otherwise, my body had the potential to be ripped asunder.
Eventually, I managed to compress my energy to the point where it was the size of a small marble. It was so dense that I could barely hold it within my mind. My body was trembling with the effort, but I had done it.
The first level of enhancement was complete. I'd formed my initial foundation upon which to improve The book taught me to treat it like a galaxy, starting with a black hole and forming more astral material around it.
This was tremendous. I'd finally reach a new realm of strength. It was presumably time to learn some new techniques. I felt like I could let off at least 400 Zeigens without tireing. I'd finally caught up with my class.
Peering at my InfoComm's timetable software, I was in luck. Tomorrow was scheduled for another lesson on Extrinsic arts with Starla Blume...