"Now, I'll demonstrate the most effective way to train your soul," Kael said, sitting on the floor.
Kinson raised an eyebrow. It was actually the classic meditation pose!
"Is that pose a part of it? Or just something you like doing?" he asked.
She gave him a flat look. "Just watch quietly, alright?"
Kael closed her eyes, but remained otherwise unmoving. Suddenly, Kinson's chest tightened, and he felt an odd sense of pressure, as though he were underwater. His eyes were drawn to Kael, who seemed to be emitting an unearthly aura. The effect ended a second later, and she opened her eyes.
"That's basically it. Now do it," she said.
"Okay, I'll try," he said, and sat down cross legged.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In, out. In, out. Then he opened again..
"Uh, I actually have no idea how to feel out my soul," he admitted.
"It's not something that can be described. It should feel similar to when you first awakened your power though. Different for everyone," she rolled her eyes.
Kinson nodded, then again closed his eyes. Just like when he awakened, huh? At that time, there was a strange resonation, almost like a standing in a loud concert, that shook his whole body. As he reflected, a mysterious energy filled him. He tensed his muscles, trying to replicate the feeling.
"No, not like that. Your soul isn't a part of your physical body. You must feel it in a different way," Kael exclaimed.
How was he supposed to feel something that couldn't be felt? Full of questions, Kinson began to recall that odd feeling once more. As he did so, his mind sharpened in focus. A shiver passed through him, and he felt the existence of something he hadn't recognized before. It was a part of him, but not, at the same time. It was like feeling his own heart beat. He attached himself to the feeling, embracing it.
"That's it! I can't believe you grabbed it so quickly!" For the first time, Kael actually seemed excited. "Now, do our best to draw out that energy, and fill your body with it.
Kinson didn't respond, but tried to follow her guidance. He imagined the energy like a river, and tried to pull it into himself. Unfortunately, it was a little hard to imagine, and he felt unsuccessful.
After several minutes, Kinson realized he was exhausted. He opened his eyes, and found himself panting. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his muscles shook.
"I couldn't do it," he said. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do! How can you expect me to succeed so quickly?
"Don't get mad at me. I just told you what to do. Besides, it looks like you did better than you thought," she said.
"I didn't feel anything different. My soul never reacted beyond me being able to feel it. I don't know why I assumed this, of all things, would go my way," Kinson said, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Yeah, yeah, you're right. I forgot you're the expert here," Kael mocked him.
"Well, what do you think?" Kinson said.
"A class one like you basically has a soul with no power at all. If you were to draw it in, you wouldn't even be able to tell. But it was pretty obvious you were doing something. Does sitting for a few minutes normally make you sweat like a dog?" she asked?
Kinson blinked, her sarcastic remarks actually making sense. "Oh, I never thought of that. So, you mean I did succeed, but the effects were too small for me to tell?"
"Something like that. In the future, practice like that as much as you can. When you break into Class 2, you should be able to feel something more."
Kinson meditated for the rest of his advanced study time, taking breaks periodically. It would have been great to go at it nonstop for the whole time, like some kind of martial arts master, but, to be frank, it was exhausting. The strangest part was that he had no idea why he got tired. By the time he had to leave, it felt like he had pulled several all-nighters in a row.
"Man, does everyone feel like this? Or am I just unlucky?"
Kael rolled her eyes, and laughed. "Everyone does. You think you're some chosen one or something?"
Kinson turned away, hiding his red face. "Just asking," he muttered.
Kael was silent for a moment, then said, "Well, you did work a little harder than most. I only practiced for an hour on my first day. You did almost double that. I suppose that's something you could be a little proud of."
"Thanks," Kinson smiled. Even though they had only known each other for a few hours, he could tell it wouldn't be easy to earn her praise.
The two left the room, walking out into the office once more. Griffon waited for them in a large chair, sprawled out with his feet on a desk. Everyone else seemed to have left the office.
"You two love-birds finally done?," he casually took his feet off the desk, then stood.
"Not funny," Kael scowled.
Griffon laughed. "You can't fool me. I've read my share of novels before. Give it time,"
Kinson glanced at Kael, then shook his head. She wasn't quite his type.
"Joking aside, I had better get going. It's time for my class to start. Oh, but by the way, what is this internship going to look like over the summer? The break starts in a few weeks after all," he said.
"That? Well, I'm not sure. I haven't transferred to the university yet, so…" Kael said.
"I spoke with Andres, and he said you would be free for most of the day but would need to spend a few hours here. You're more than welcome to take a few holidays, but nothing that would interrupt the pace of study and achievement that we need," Griffon explained, then added, "Also, be very careful going forward. This team's existence has been leaked. There might be a few unsavory characters snooping around for information on it. Anything with the government or military seal on it always attracts unwanted attention."
"Got it. I'll be careful," Kinson promised.
"Same, I suppose," Kael said distantly.
"Then I'll see you off!" Griffon said.
"Thanks Kael, I'll continue working hard!" Kinson waved goodbye, then left with Griffon.
"That kid," Kael grumbled after they had gone, "still, I suppose he seems rather diligent. I wonder if he'll be able to truly sync in the deathdream? It would be boring working with only Luthier."