"I also started classes in the awakened classroom. It was pretty nice," Travis mentioned.
"Did you meet Abigail and Charlotte?" Evelyn asked.
"I know Abigail. Who's Charlotte?"
"Oh, it's Mrs. Monet. She and I were friends back then. Even now, but we just don't talk that much."
"Oh, yeah, I know her. She's the one who tested me. Also, you can let me go now," Travis said, realizing that Evelyn had her arms wrapped around his waist.
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and playful challenge. "No, you have to kiss me first," she said with a teasing smile. Travis sighed, clearly amused. He gently raised her chin and leaned in to plant a kiss on her lips. The moment was brief but tender.
Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise, her hands instinctively releasing their grip around him as she stood frozen for a moment.
Travis pulled back with a warm smile. "Thanks. I need a shower. We'll talk more during dinner." With that, he turned and walked up the stairs, leaving Evelyn standing there, a look of shock still etched on her face.
Evelyn watched Travis head upstairs and felt a swirl of emotions. "He did it in the morning too. Maybe I'm overreacting. He's just my son," she thought, shaking away her feelings. She glanced around the room and noticed how messy it was.
"I'll call Prisca to clean tomorrow," she decided as she made her way upstairs.
Meanwhile, Travis stepped into the shower, wincing as the hot water hit his sore muscles. The warmth began to soothe his body, washing away the pain.
"Yeah, this is the life. I missed this feeling after a long workout. I'm not a masochist, but the satisfaction of knowing you've pushed yourself is really rewarding," he mused.
As he leaned back, staring at the ceiling, memories of his past training sessions flooded back. One technique he recalled was designed for a particularly tough opponent who could withstand nearly everything. Despite their equal strength, nothing seemed to affect him.
"What was it called again? Internal Shock or something like that. It's a technique where I channel my energy to inflict damage internally rather than attacking the exterior. I used it only for fatal blows, but I need to practice using it more freely. I should work on it outside when everyone's asleep," he thought, already planning his next steps.
Travis finished his bath, scrubbing away the sweat that clung to his body. Each movement felt like a minor ordeal, as his trembling thighs protested the exertion.
"Yeah, totally worth it," he thought, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
He emerged from the bathroom and dressed in comfortable clothes, then headed downstairs for dinner. The warmth and camaraderie of his family provided a comforting end to his intense day. The meal was filled with laughter and good-natured conversation, and Travis relished these moments of familial connection. It was a reminder of how much he cherished their support and affection.
After dinner, he and his little sister tackled the dishes together, enjoying the simple task and each other's company. Once the kitchen was clean, Travis made his way back upstairs, feeling a sense of contentment as he prepared for the night ahead.
A few hours later, as the moon cast a silvery glow over the expansive backyard, Travis stepped outside. The large area behind their house was a perfect space for his experiment. Trees dotted the landscape, their silhouettes dark against the night sky.
Travis positioned himself in front of one of the trees, its trunk sturdy and unassuming. He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of energy coursing through his veins. The night air was crisp, and a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves.
Focusing intently, Travis channeled the energy from his arm into his hands. Red aura began to materialize, shimmering with an intense, fiery brilliance that stood out starkly in the dim surroundings. The aura pulsed rhythmically, casting eerie shadows across the ground.
Taking a deep breath, Travis exhaled slowly, the cool night air mingling with his warm breath. He directed the energy to his index finger, which now glowed with a vivid, crimson flame. The flame flickered and danced, its brightness illuminating the darkness around him.
He extended his finger towards the trunk of the tree. As soon as the red-hot flame made contact, the energy began to spiral into the tree, burrowing through its fibers. A moment later, a blinding explosion erupted, sending splinters of wood and debris flying into the air. The force of the blast shook the ground slightly, and the night was briefly illuminated by the fiery burst.
Crackle
The remnants of the tree fell in smoldering pieces, and the once-sturdy trunk was now a shattered heap. Travis stood there, a sheen of sweat on his forehead, watching the aftermath with a mix of awe and contemplation. The adrenaline from the explosion still lingered, heightening his senses.
"I gotta practice more," he thought, realizing that if he used this tomorrow, he'd kill Jack.
Travis began his training, focusing on controlling his power with precision. He knew he had to hold back, not wanting to create any trouble or attract unwanted attention this early in his life. Each punch, each movement, was calculated. Red energy flared in his hands, but he worked diligently to contain it, to keep it from spiraling out of control as it had before.
For hours, he practiced. The once-pristine backyard was now littered with broken trees, their trunks shattered and splintered from his repeated efforts. Sweat dripped down his face as he finally managed to execute a strike with the right amount of restraint. A tree cracked in half cleanly, but without the destructive explosion that had marked his earlier attempts.
Satisfied with his progress, Travis wiped the sweat from his brow and made his way back to the house, his muscles aching from the intense training. When he reached his room, he collapsed onto his bed with a heavy sigh, the exhaustion hitting him all at once. The cool sheets were a welcome relief against his tired body.
Within seconds, sleep overtook him. His mind drifted away, the night's events fading into the background as he slipped into a deep, much-needed slumber, his body finally at rest after pushing himself to the limit.
---
The next morning.
He woke up as usual, slowly rising from his bed and stretching his stiff muscles. A tired yawn escaped his lips as he rubbed his face, still groggy from sleep. Travis walked over to the window and slid it open, letting the cool morning breeze fill the room. The fresh air felt good against his skin, and he stood there for a moment, taking it in.
"Man, I'm starving," he thought, as his stomach growled in agreement.
He quickly took a shower, the hot water helping to wake him up as he scrubbed away the sleep. Once he was dressed in his uniform, he headed downstairs, grabbed some cereal, and brought it back to his room. He sat on his bed, spooning the cereal into his mouth as he stared out the window, still thinking about the events from the night before.
As he ate, there was a knock on the door. He sighed, already knowing who it was.
"What does she want now?" he thought, setting his bowl aside. "Come in," he called.
Maya walked in with her usual bright smile, her eyes lighting up as she made her way over to him.
TO BE CONTINUED