Chapter 11: Clash Part 2
The pain was intense, but the shock of it brought clarity. Becca was leagues beyond him, but she was still human. Her strength, her speed—it wasn't unattainable. He just wasn't there yet.
"I know what you're thinking."
The wounded Alex looked up.
"But I haven't even warmed up yet. Nor have I used any spells. Real mages, the real deal not whatever you masquerade as, well lets just say we deserve the respect the mortals heap on us."
Alex squared his stance again, breathing heavily. He wasn't going to win this, not today. But if he could just keep going, if he could keep pushing himself, maybe, just maybe, he could close the gap.
"You're tough, I'll give you that," Becca said, her tone more serious now. "But toughness only gets you so far."
She moved again, but this time Alex was ready. He saw the way her foot twisted slightly before she struck, a telltale sign of her next move.
Footwork always give telltale warnings of a move.
He pivoted on his heel, barely dodging the punch aimed at his head.
His counterstrike came fast, but not fast enough—Becca was already moving, her fist catching him square in the stomach.
He doubled over, wheezing, but he managed to stay on his feet.
For a split second, Becca hesitated. "You're adapting fast. That's impressive."
Alex straightened, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're really not going easy on me, are you?"
Becca laughed, shaking her head. "You think this is me going hard? I'm just getting started."
Without warning, she advanced again, her strikes coming in quick succession. Alex tried to dodge, to parry, but he was always a step behind. Becca's fists were like lightning, and every time she landed a hit, it felt like a thunderclap against his body.
In minutes, Alex was on the ground again, his limbs aching, his breath shallow. Becca stood over him, her hands on her hips, not even winded.
"You did better than I expected," she said, her voice softening just a touch. "You've got potential, Alex. You just need more training."
Alex groaned, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "Yeah, I figured that out."
Becca raised her eyebrows. "Ever humble eh?"
Alex looked up, exhausted. "I meant about the training."
Becca reached down, offering him a hand. He took it, and she pulled him to his feet with ease. Her grip was firm, but there was a warmth to it that surprised him.
"You know," she said as they started walking back toward the hostel, "I'm one of the youngest lecturers at the Academy. They don't hand that title out to just anyone."
Alex looked at her, surprised. "A lecturer?"
Becca nodded. "I teach advanced combat magic, but I've been studying hand-to-hand since I could walk. They don't let just anyone in, and it took a lot to prove myself."
There was a weight to her words, something that spoke to years of dedication and struggle. Alex felt a pang of admiration.
He had known Becca was an amazing person, but hearing about her accomplishments made him realize just how far he had to go. She was the definition of a genius!
"And you... must be pretty popular with the guys too right?" he asked, half-joking to lighten the mood.
Becca laughed, a musical sound that eased some of the tension in the air. "You could say that. Being the youngest lecturer, genius, and a true child of fire comes with its perks, though most of it is just people trying to test me. But I don't mind. Keeps me sharp."
"Child of fire?" Alex asked. Royce had mentioned something similar to him when the first met.
"Its something annoying, and its way too early for you to come into contact with all that. You'll learn soon enough. After all, you might be a child of the light yourself."
Alex just shrugged and decided not to press the issue.
"I hope, for your sake, that you're not" She grumbled underneath her breath.
"Hm?"
"I just said that even I can't wait to get strong enough to deal with some annoying stuff"
Alex smiled weakly. "Guess I'm not the only one chasing something."
Becca gave him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable. "You've got a lot of potential, Alex. But if you want to get to my level, you're going to have to work for it. Hard."
Alex nodded, determination flaring in his chest. He wasn't going to let this defeat hold him down. Becca had given him a glimpse of what he could become, and now he had a goal—a powerful, dangerous goal, but a goal nonetheless.
"Then I'll see you here again tomorrow," he said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing him down.
Becca smirked. "Looking forward to it. But who said training is over yet?"
"What do you mean? Wasn't that enough for you?" Alex was getting a bit scared now.
"There's still one more item that you in specific have to take care of. It can only be you unfortunately." She replied with a gleamer of Schadenfreude in her eye.
"No- I mean it can't be! Do you mean!? You can't seriously expect me of all people~"
"Yes Alex! You're making us breakfast."
Alex groaned " Can't Royce and Evie do it? They didn't even have to do hand to hand training!"
"They have their own training to attend to, ones you can't join yet. That is a privilege to be earned. As for you, the chance is going to come soon I think. We're up for patrol in 3 days time. You'll have a chance to earn something soon.
"But till then.... You're the glorified chef."
"But I can barely move!" the teenager complained.
"What am I supposed to do with all these bruises? I doubt even the spoiled fruit is as bad as I am. How am I supposed to deal with all those gluttons' food like this"
Alex thought back to the last meal and shuddered. They were practically inhaling the food.
"Well that's simple. I didn't use any energy, other than my passive release of course. So if you circulate the energy technique, it should relieve the pain. Do it diligently enough and you might just be good as new in time for our session tomorrow."
"Energy technique.?" Alex asked
"I swear to the gods this kid's amnesia is hella annoying." Becca held the bridge of her nose in irritation.