## Chapter 3: Shadows of Doubt
The sun hung high in the sky, its warm rays bathing the town of Verenth in a golden glow. Lucas Blake sat on the edge of the riverbank, his feet dangling above the gently flowing water. The serene beauty of the landscape contrasted sharply with the turmoil roiling in his mind.
The events of the Awakening Festival replayed in his head like a broken record. The bright light, the excitement, and then the chilling realization that no one, not even the mayor, seemed to understand what "formless energy manipulation" truly meant. His quirk was supposed to define him, but instead, it left him feeling lost and confused.
"Hey, Lucas!" Ethan's voice broke through his thoughts. He jogged down the path, waving as he approached. "I've been looking for you. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Lucas replied, trying to sound casual, but the weight of his worries was hard to mask. "Just... thinking."
Ethan sat beside him, tossing small pebbles into the river. "About your quirk, right? I mean, that was unexpected."
"Unexpected is one way to put it," Lucas sighed, watching the ripples spread out from the stones. "No one has a clue what it is. What if I can't even use it?"
Ethan shrugged, his brow furrowing. "You just need to figure it out! Everyone starts somewhere, right? Look at me! I had no idea how to control the wind at first."
Lucas turned to his friend, a hint of a smile breaking through his frown. "You mean the time you nearly blew Mrs. Hawthorne's hat into the river?"
"Hey, that was a fluke!" Ethan protested, laughter bubbling up despite the situation. "Besides, I learned to control it, didn't I? So can you."
"Yeah, but your quirk makes sense. Air can move, shift, and flow. Mine is... formless." Lucas kicked a pebble into the water, watching it disappear beneath the surface. "How do I control something that has no form?"
"Maybe it's not about controlling it at all," Ethan suggested. "What if it's more about understanding it? You need to discover what formless energy means for you."
Lucas mulled over Ethan's words. Understanding his quirk sounded much more manageable than mastering it immediately. He recalled the warm surge of energy he felt when he touched the Awakening Stone. There had been something there, something alive within him.
"Okay, so how do I start?" Lucas asked, turning to face Ethan.
Ethan's face lit up. "I heard about this training ground in the woods outside of town. It's supposed to be a good place for people to practice their quirks and learn more about them. We should go check it out!"
"I don't know…" Lucas hesitated. "What if I look like a fool?"
Ethan rolled his eyes, nudging Lucas with his shoulder. "You won't! Besides, who cares what anyone thinks? This is about you figuring out what you can do. Come on, it'll be fun!"
After a moment of contemplation, Lucas nodded. "Alright, let's do it."
---
The two friends made their way through the vibrant forest, the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves creating a comforting backdrop. As they entered a clearing, Lucas spotted a group of teenagers gathered around, each demonstrating their quirks.
A boy in the center summoned a small whirlwind, swirling leaves around him, while a girl nearby manipulated the ground, causing flowers to bloom instantly at her feet. The energy in the air was palpable, charged with excitement and determination.
"Look at them go," Ethan said, his eyes gleaming. "This is what we need, Lucas. You can do this!"
Stepping into the clearing, Lucas felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation. He glanced at Ethan, who offered an encouraging smile.
"Hey! You two!" a girl with bright blue hair called out. "Come join us! Are you here to practice your quirks?"
Lucas took a deep breath, stepping forward. "I... I'm Lucas. I awakened a quirk called formless energy manipulation."
The girl's eyes widened in surprise. "That's unique! I've never heard of it before. What does it do?"
"Um, I'm not sure yet," Lucas admitted, a flush creeping up his cheeks. "That's why I'm here."
"No worries!" the girl replied, her enthusiasm unrestrained. "Just try to feel the energy inside you. Everyone's quirk is an extension of themselves. You'll figure it out!"
Lucas nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. He moved to the edge of the clearing, closing his eyes as he focused on the energy within him.
He took a deep breath, recalling the warmth he had felt at the festival. The warmth surged again, spreading through his body. **Okay, let's see what I can do.**
Opening his eyes, Lucas extended his hands in front of him. He concentrated, willing the energy to take shape. For a moment, nothing happened. He furrowed his brow, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Suddenly, a faint shimmer appeared in the air before him, flickering like candlelight. Lucas gasped, staring at the strange light. "Did you see that?" he called out, excitement bubbling in his chest.
"Yeah!" Ethan exclaimed, stepping closer. "Keep going! What are you doing?"
"I don't know!" Lucas admitted, focusing harder. The shimmer intensified, morphing and swirling like a small cloud of mist. He could feel the energy flowing through him, responding to his thoughts and emotions.
"Try to shape it!" the blue-haired girl encouraged. "Think about what you want it to do!"
Lucas imagined the energy solidifying, forming something useful. He focused on creating a small barrier in front of him, hoping to shield himself from an imaginary attack. The shimmer flared, and to his astonishment, a faint, translucent wall appeared before him.
"Whoa!" Ethan gasped. "You did it! That's amazing!"
Lucas stared in awe at the barrier, exhilaration washing over him. For the first time, he felt a spark of hope. **Maybe this quirk wasn't so formless after all.**
But just as quickly as it had appeared, the barrier flickered and faded, leaving Lucas standing there, breathless.
"Not bad for a first try!" the girl cheered. "You'll get the hang of it! Just keep practicing!"
Lucas smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment swell in his chest. He glanced at Ethan, who was beaming with pride.
"See? You're not just ordinary," Ethan said, clapping him on the back. "You're on your way to becoming something incredible!"
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