" Everybody can use the energy. We don't know where it comes from but it is everywhere. To awaken energy you need to experience life or dlife-or-deathns or contact with energy directly. In your case, I conclude that you experience both." Thorn smiled widely.
The aura around his hand becomes denser. Aaron doesn't know how to put it but that is the feeling he is getting right now.
And slowly the dense grey aura polished like a round surface. "Right now. I am controlling the energy." Thorn said.
Aaron also copies the same thing but it is hard. He feels that controlling the energy is like moving objects with the mind.
" At first, you will find it difficult to control let alone use the energy."
Aaron turned off the energy, and he sighed. He's hoping that he would do crazy things like him. " So what kind of power does the energy give?"
" Various things, like increase physical strength, speed and boost recovery speed. That is the thing you got as soon as you awaken. If you coat energy into your fist and punch, your attack got more force than a regular punch."
Thorn cleared his throat. "I will tell you the basic of energy. You can't learn from others."
" Why?" Aaron asked.
" You don't want to walk other people's path. Now I will start the lesson."
" You can use the energy in many ways. Suddenly increase your speed in mid-battle. Or condense your energy to the point that you can kill others. But nobody uses that kind of thing because you can cancel the attack with your energy."
" For example, if I punch you with ten energy output and you use ten energy to block, the punch will feel like an ordinary punch. Because two energy cancels each other. That's happened only in rare cases since nobody can match the energy output equally."
" You can also heal by focusing energy on your wound. That has pros and cons, you can fight as long as you have more energy and your opponent can do the same thing. So if a group of people attacks you, no matter how much power you have, you will eventually wear out."
Thorn touched the coffee cup shadow and slowly said, [ Shadow manipulation.]
He grabbed the shadow like an object, the cup shadow slowly melt and change into a small black knife.
" Innate techniques. That is what energy granted us. It is tricky to deal with another technique user. So let's hope that they will send a novice to kill you."
" How do you know that someone will kill me?" Aaron swallowed saliva.
" Because I told them about you. Relax you can't blame me for that. I can't help you either. So I hope that you will survive. Oh. One more thing, you can get stronger in mid-battle. That is I have to tell you, I believe you are not stupid enough to think that is the only thing energy can do. Remember this world is infinite."
As he said the last word, the darkness around him rushed toward Thorn and he disappeared.
Aaron stays there for a minute, he is thinking about all the words Thorn has told. He doesn't care that much about the energy. Sure it is great and all but Thorn's words and manner were suspicious.
It is almost like he is plotting something using him as a tool.
" Tch!"
He hated it. ' now that I am somehow involved in this mess. I need information and strength. '
Aaron again activated his energy flow. Slowly he tried to train it. " It is no use."
" I don't know when I will get killed, it is better to avoid the crowd and Clarie until I managed to solve the problem."
He picked up the two cups and washed them. Looking at the time, it is 7 pm. He has a lot of sleep in the hospital so he decided to train his body and energy for a bit. He wants to see what kind of thing he can do with it.
The next morning, Aaron is doing push up and core training. This habit root in his routine for a long time.
" Finish." He let out loud. He took the wet towel beside him and wipe the sweat from his face. Placing the towel on his neck, he walked toward the bathroom.
The mirror in the bathroom reflects his whole body. He flexes his muscles, making sure all of his wounds were healed. It's not that he doesn't trust the hospital report, extra care is important.
He unconsciously placed his hand over his chest to feel his heartbeat. " Great, all good."
A grey aura appeared around his body, Aaron concentrate the aura around his hand, and nothing changed. He sighed.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
He heard his phone ringing from the living room. He turned off the light and picked up the phone to see who is calling him in the early morning.
( Claire.)
He answered the call.
" Hello."
" Aaron, do you want to eat breakfast with me? My sister wants to check out a new coffee shop near your area. So how about a date?" A nonstop chatter comes from the phone, he regrets putting his phone near his ears.
" Sorry, I am going to work on my project. I don't have any time left."
" You mean core project?" Claire asked.
" Yeah."
" Okay. Love you bye."
" Love you too." Aaron hung up. In truth, he doesn't have any projects. Last night, he check his email he was expelled from the school. He doesn't care about it anymore. It was a military school so the rules were tight. He could field a report but his life is on the line.
As for the money, he got some left from his father's insurance. He sits down on the floor, closing his eyes. He found his thoughts difficult to control and introspect. No matter how much he tried, he still lost his focus as random thoughts surfaced in his mind.
But soon he got familiar with it.
Time has passed.
It is now 3 pm. " Damn, I don't know. Focusing on something would consume that much time."
He makes a quick sandwich. While eating the sandwich, he noticed that all the colour around him slowly losing.
With a quick decision he active his energy and stay on guard. Soon the room only has seven colours.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
[ Red.]
The red chair beside Aaron lost its colour and the man with the red coat appeared. The man punched to the side but Aaron guard him with his hands.
He used all of his energy into guarding. The fist connects with his arms. Aaron thought he would be sent flying away like last time, but to his surprise, it doesn't hurt.
The man backed away, he was startled.
" I don't expect your energy would be this smooth." the man said.
[ Orange.]
Again those words came into Aaron's mind. The man's red coat immediately turns orange. He pulled the orange desk toward Aaron with a swift hand movement.
Aaron punched the desk, and it crumbled instantly. ' His power must be telekinesis. ' he thought.
Before the dust settles down.
[ Yellow.]
A punch comes from his back, and Aaron can't function anymore because of the pain. Lay down on the floor.
' Dammit, where does he come from. Was his power just like Thorn's? Or it is unique to him. '
A hand grabbed his hair and slammed it into the floor. The man pulled up and looked at Aaron's face. Seeing him conscious he once again slammed down.
Again. Again.
Soon enough there is nothing but blood on his hand. The man stopped. He thought that Aaron is already losing consciousness.
He stands up and decides to finish the prey with a quick knife. He turned around to find a knife in the room. ' That is a boring fight. He doesn't even know how to counter my techniques. Should I eat ramen? I heard there is a nice restaurant near.'
" Hey, dickhead."
The man turned around, [ Gree..]
Before the technique could activate, a heavy fist land on his face. One could tell that the dense energy around the fist is no joke.
The man broke his nose and lost a few teeth. Aaron let out a satisfactory laugh. He licks the blood from his lips.
[ Red.]
The red ceiling collapsed. There were dust particles everywhere. Aaron picked up a fraction of energy from the left side. So he kicked with all his might.
[ Orange.]
The man disappeared again. Aaron cursed. He bent down trusting his instinct, it is proven right. As a knife slashed, Aaron rushed toward the man.
They both contact each other. The man doesn't let go, Aaron. He got more strength than Aaron.
' Shit, I should fight long-distance.' Aaron thought. He stepped on the man's foot, and as a human being, he let Aaron go.
" Ah."
Aaron throws three punches without a pause to the body. Unknown to him, Aaron is slowly getting faster.
" That is gonna be a pain." The man said.
" Then why don't you back off?"
The man smiled. He makes a hand sign.
[ Clean.]
All the dust around them was carried away by an unknown force. On the floor there remain the two men face to face.
" I can miss a perfect opportunity to improve. What is your name?" The man asked while stretching his body.
" Aaron."
" Mine is Kaleigh. Careful though the real battle start now." Kaleigh said.