Koichi casually sits down beside me, crossing his arms and leaning back with a relaxed smile.
"Guess I'm your break now" he chuckles.
I raised an eyebrow. "Uhm whatever floats your boat"
Before Koichi could reply, a gentle yet forceful cosmic wind sweeps around him, lifting Koichi off the ground.
"Hey, hey! What the – "
Exian stands a short distance away, arms crossed with an unimpressed look.
"Put me down! I was just being supportive! Iris even said I'm her break now!" Koichi says while flailing his arms dramatically.
My eyes widened. "BRO I didn't – "
"If being a bad influence qualifies break, then it's no wonder you're so…relaxed." Exian replied, a tinge of judgement in his voice.
Koichi groans as the wind pulls him higher. "This is character defamation! Abuse of power!" he yells as the wind glides him toward the other side of the training hall where Yzette waits.
Exian glances at me. "Take five more minutes. But don't treat people as break. Especially someone like him."
With that, he left, leaving me time to laugh as Koichi's protests echo across the hall.
----
Exian stood before me, his arms crossed. "Creat– "he cleared his throat. "Iris."
"What skill do you have?"
I hesitated rubbing the back of my neck. "I don't know"
Silence hung in the air for a moment. Then, Exian tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing while thinking.
Okay he looks cool thinking
"Since you were able to transfer your energy and grant me an ability…It's possible you have the potential to do more. Perhaps anything."
"Anything?" I asked, skeptical.
He nodded. "Let's test a theory. Try gathering the wind"
I raised an eyebrow. "The wind? Bro trust me I can't – "
Exian sighed. "Iris, just try it."
"Fine" I stretched my arms out. "Alright wind, hear me! I summon you!"
Nothing happened.
"Impressive" Exian said, deadpan.
"Not helping!" I snapped, trying again. This time I closed my eyes, furrowing my brows. "Wind, come on. Be cool."
A tiny breeze stirred.
I smiled widely.
[The voice inside your head looks at you with judging eyes]
[Pretty sure it might've been natural. Or pity]
My smile faded.
I opened one eye to gauge Exian's reaction. He looked completely unimpressed.
"C'mon at least try to act proud. You've made me feel like a complete fool."
Exian shrugged. "At least you're good at something"
"Wow" I muttered. "Very motivating. How supporting."
He smiles.
"Don't worry. It takes time to master skills."
"When did you master your ability to control cosmic wind then?" I asked.
"The moment I was given the ability, of course." He replied bluntly.
I stared at him, deadpan. "Oh. How silly of me to assume it wasn't instant perfection."
He smirked slightly. "It's not my fault I'm naturally talented"
"You mean I made you talented?" I raised an eyebrow. "Anyway, since when did you go off of the personality I assigned to you?"
Exian's expression softened slightly. "The moment you became my host?"
I blinked. A little taken aback. "You're telling me that all the personality quirks I've put into you… they vanished the second I freed you?"
He nodded. "Not vanished. Just evolved."
"Also free" he said with a smirk. "But you're distracting me from making you train, so let's get back to it."
I sighed heavily as I followed him. "But I'm glad that our meeting has brought you freedom."
Exian smiled faintly. "Freedom …Indeed."