After finishing their meal, Felix gives her a hug and cuddles into her, "Thanks mom... I love you." He says, his voice muffled by her shoulder. Melina hugs him back, stroking his hair and his ears. "I love you too, sweetie. More than anything." She says, her voice soft and tender. They stay like that for a while, enjoying each other's presence and comfort.
When they finally separate, Felix feels a lot better. He's still tired, but also happy and content. He tells his mom more about his day, about his classes, his teachers, and his classmates. He tells her about his magic teacher, Nya, and how she's different from other beastkin. How she's nice and shy, and how far she goes for her students. Mentioning practicing giving lessons while leaving out mentioning the plushies. Melina listens with interest, asking questions and making comments. She's especially curious about Luna and her interest in alchemy.
"She sounds like a lovely girl. I'm looking forward to meeting her. You should bring her over soon, maybe this weekend?" She suggests, her eyes twinkling. "We could have a little tea party, or maybe make some potions together. It would be fun." She says, her tone enthusiastic.
"That does sound nice, but I'm not sure it'd be so easy to actually get her to come. She practically hero worships you, and was really scared of saying something wrong and sounding dumb. I tried to reassure her, but she still seemed pretty hesitant to come here." He explains, feeling a bit bad for Luna.
Melina pouts, her lower lip jutting out slightly. "Oh, that's too bad. I don't want her to feel nervous or uncomfortable around me. I'm not that scary, am I?" She asks, her voice a bit playful.
Felix laughs, shaking his head. "No, mom, you're not scary at all. You're the most loving and gentle person I know, but she doesn't know that yet. Maybe if you talk to her first, or send her a message, she'll feel more at ease. Maybe I could talk to her again and try to convince her." He offers, wanting to help.
Melina smiles, her eyes softening. "You're such a good boy, Felix. Always trying to help others. I'm so proud of you." She says, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "Okay, let's do that. I'll write her a note, and you can give it to her tomorrow. How does that sound?" She suggests, her tone hopeful.
Felix nods, smiling. "That sounds perfect. Thank you, mom. I'm sure she'll appreciate it." He says, feeling a bit excited for tomorrow. Maybe he can introduce Luna to his mom, and they can become friends.
Melina leans forward, her elbows on the table and her chin resting on her hands. Her eyes glint with mischief and curiosity, a playful smile on her lips. "So... this Nya... she's a cat beastkin, right? Is she... pretty?" She asks, her voice dripping with suggestion.
Felix feels his face heat up, his ears flattening against his head. "Mom! What are you asking me that for?!" He exclaims, his tone a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "She's my teacher, not... not someone I'd look at like that." He stammers, avoiding his mother's gaze.
Melina chuckles, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Oh, come on, Felix. Don't be shy. I'm just curious. She's the first cat beastkin who's been nice to you, right? I can see how that would make you feel... something for her." She winks at him, her smile widening. "Is she your type, maybe? Do you have a crush on her?" She presses, her voice teasing.
Felix groans, covering his face with his hands. "Mom, stop! I don't have a crush on her. I mean, she's... she's nice, and smart, and cute, but... That would be inappropriate, and I wouldn't want to make her uncomfortable..." He mumbles, his voice barely audible.
Melina laughs, reaching over and ruffling his hair. "Oh, Felix, you're so adorable when you're flustered. I'm just messing with you, sweetie. I don't expect you to fall in love with your teacher, or anyone for that matter. You're still young, and you have plenty of time for that later. However... If you ever do meet someone you like, you can tell me, okay? I won't judge you." She says, her tone softening a bit. "I just want you to be happy, that's all."
Felix looks up at his mom, his eyes wide and sincere. "Thanks, mom. I... I appreciate that, and For what it's worth, I think you'd like Nya too. She's... she's a lot like you, in some ways. She cares a lot about her students, and she works hard to help them. She's also... really cute." He admits, his voice low and shy.
Melina grins, her eyes sparkling. "Well, now I have to meet her. If she has an effect on you like this, then I definitely have to see for myself what she's like~." She says, her voice full of intrigue. "I'll have to think of a good reason to visit the academy, or maybe invite her over for dinner. What do you think?" She asks, her tone playful.
Felix feels his stomach drop, his eyes widening in panic. "No! Mom, no! You can't do that! That would be so embarrassing!" He protests, shaking his head vigorously. "Please, don't. I don't want her to think I'm weird or something. Just... let me handle this, okay?" He pleads, his voice desperate.
Melina laughs, holding up her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'm just kidding. I won't interfere, I promise." She says, her tone reassuring. "Still... if you ever change your mind, or if you need some advice, you know where to find me." She adds, her smile turning sly. "I may be your mom, but I'm still a woman, you know. I know a thing or two about these things." She winks, making Felix groan again.
Felix can't help but laugh, his mood lightening a bit. "Mom, you're impossible. You know that, right?" He says, shaking his head. "But thanks. For everything. I love you." He says, his voice sincere.
Melina's expression softens, her eyes filling with affection. "Of course sweety, and I love you too." She says, her voice warm and tender. She stands up and walks over to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "Now, why don't you go to bed? You've had a long day, and you need your rest. Tomorrow's another day, and who knows what adventures await you?" She suggests, her tone gentle.
Felix hugs her back, feeling a wave of gratitude and love wash over him. "Okay, mom. Good night." He says, pulling away and heading to his room. He changes into his pajamas and climbs into bed, feeling comfortable and cozy. He closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep, his dreams filled with magic, psionics, friends, and a certain cute cat beastkin teacher. He smiles in his sleep, looking forward to another day at the academy.
Felix wakes up the next morning, feeling groggy and sore. He rubs his eyes and sits up, stretching his stiff muscles. He feels like he's been thrashed repeatedly. He also has a hard time focusing and his thoughts feel sluggish. It's not quite a headache, but his mind feels... off. The more he tries to think the worse he feels. Then the memories of the psionics class start flooding back. He remembers how Eleanor made him practice his mental shielding and noise reduction for hours, how he had to constantly fight against his own instincts and habits. He shudders, feeling a mix of dread and embarrassment. Then he remembers he still has to try to do it.
He tries to do what Eleanor taught him, to visualize and construct a shield around his mind, to filter out his psionic noise. Yet as he does so, he feels a sharp pain in his head, like a needle stabbing his brain. It's not a physical pain, but a mental one, and it makes him wince. He realizes that his mind is still raw and overworked from yesterday's exertion, and trying to use it again so soon is like pouring salt on a wound. He tries to ease up on his shield, to make it less rigid and demanding, but it's hard to find the right balance. He doesn't want to be completely exposed, but he also doesn't want to hurt himself more. He settles for a thin, flexible layer of protection, hoping it will be enough to keep his psionic leakage to a minimum.
Felix drags himself out of bed and gets dressed, his movements slow and sluggish. He heads downstairs to the kitchen, where his mom is waiting for him with a plate of eggs and bacon, and a cup of coffee. She smiles at him, her eyes full of concern. "Good morning, sweetie. How are you feeling?" She asks, her voice soft.
Felix sits down at the table, rubbing his temples. "Not great, mom. My head hurts and my body aches. I think I overdid it yesterday with the... Everything, really." He says, sighing. "I don't know if I can go to class today." He admits, feeling a bit guilty about it.
Melina nods, her expression sympathetic. "I figured as much. You were in quite a state when you came home yesterday. I've prepared something for you, to help you recover." She says, placing a small vial of purple liquid in front of him. "Drink this, it'll ease the pain and stiffness."
Felix looks at the vial, then at his mom. "Is this...?" He asks, his voice hesitant.
Melina smiles, nodding. "Yes, it's one of my best. Only the best for my sweet and precious boy~." She says, her tone proud. "It's a combination of painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants. It'll make you feel better in no time."
Felix picks up the vial and uncorks it, sniffing the contents. It smells sweet and spicy, with a hint of mint. He shrugs and drinks it, feeling the liquid slide down his throat. It tastes like honey mixed with pepper, leaving a tingling sensation on his tongue. He feels the effects almost immediately, his body relaxing and his mind clearing a bit. The physical soreness recedes, but the mental fatigue still remains. "Wow, mom, this is amazing. Thank you." He says, feeling grateful.
Felix tries making a proper mental shield again, now that he's feeling a bit better physically. Yet as soon as he does, the sharp pain returns, more intense than before. Immediately regretting his decision. It's a very sharp pain that only lasts for a fraction of a second because he feels the pain and stops right away. His hand gripping his fork extra tight as he grits his teeth.
"What was that, Felix? Are you okay?" She asks, reaching over and touching his forehead. "You look pale. Did the potion not work?" She asks, her voice concerned.
Felix shakes his head, wincing at the movement. "No, the potion worked fine. It's just... I tried to make a mental shield, like Eleanor taught me, but it hurt a lot. I guess psionic strain is a whole different beast than what a potion for soreness can cure... I'll just have to take it easy on the psionics, but I think I can go to classes now." He says, trying to sound confident.
Melina looks at him doubtfully, her brow furrowing. "Are you sure, sweetie? Maybe you should stay home today, rest a bit more." She suggests, her tone gentle.
Felix shakes his head again, more carefully this time. "No, mom, I'm okay. Really. I don't want to fall behind on my first week. I'll be fine, I promise. I just have to be careful with my psionics." He insists, giving her a reassuring smile.
Melina sighs, but nods. "Okay, if you say so. But if you feel any worse, you call me right away, alright? I'll come get you, no matter what." She says, her voice firm. Felix gives her a hug to reassure her.
Melina hugs him back, her arms squeezing him gently. "Okay, have a good day, sweetie, and remember, take care of yourself." She says, her voice soft. She hands him a small note, folded and sealed with a kiss. "This is for Luna. Give it to her when you see her, okay?" She says, her eyes twinkling.
He looks at the letter before saying, "Did you really have to seal it with a kiss? That makes it look like a love letter. Couldn't you just seal it normally? Don't you realize how it'll look when I'm handing her this?" He asks, his tone a bit exasperated. He knows his mom means well, but she can be a bit embarrassing sometimes.
Melina laughs, shaking her head. "Oh, don't be such a prude, Felix. It's just a little gesture of affection. It's not like I'm asking you to kiss her or anything. Of course it's affectionate. I like her already. She admires my work and wants to meet me. Why wouldn't I send her affection?" She says, her voice teasing. "Now go, before you're late." She shoos him away, her smile widening.
Felix sighs and rolls his eyes, but he can't help but smile too. He puts the note in his bag and heads out the door, waving goodbye to his mom. He walks to the academy, feeling a bit nervous about seeing Luna and giving her the note. He hopes she'll like it, and that she won't get the wrong idea. He also hopes his soreness and mental fog won't interfere with his learning. He's determined to make the most of his second day, no matter what.
Felix enters the classroom, his eyes scanning the room for Nya. He sees her standing near her desk, arranging some books and papers. She looks up as he walks in, her eyes meeting his. She smiles at him, her ears twitching slightly. "Good morning, Felix. How are you today?" She asks, her voice low and soft. She seems a bit more confident than yesterday, but still has a hint of nervousness in her tone.
Felix walks over to her, his steps slow and careful. "Good morning, Professor Nya. I'm... okay, I guess. A bit sore and tired, but I'll manage." He says, trying to sound upbeat. He can't help but stare at her, noticing how cute she looks today. She's wearing a different robe than yesterday, this one is light blue and has silver embroidery on the cuffs and collar. It suits her, bringing out her green eyes and brown hair. He feels his cheeks flush a bit, and quickly looks away.
Nya notices his reaction and tilts her head, curious. "Is something wrong, Felix? You seem... distracted." She observes, her voice gentle. She wonders if he's feeling unwell, or if something else is bothering him. She also wonders if he's still thinking about their conversation yesterday, and if he has any questions or concerns.
Felix shakes his head, trying to focus. Shifting the focus to genuine concerns he has, "Well... I'm kind of worried about my psionics class. I had a bit of a hard time yesterday, and I'm still feeling the effects of it. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with today's lesson." He admits, feeling a bit embarrassed. He doesn't want to sound like a whiner, but he also doesn't want to lie to her. He trusts her, and feels like he can be honest with her.
Nya frowns, her ears drooping a bit. She reaches out and touches his arm, her touch warm and soft. "Oh, Felix... I'm sorry to hear that. I've heard that psionics can be very demanding, especially if you're not used to it. Also Eleanor is a very tough teacher. Tough but fair, though definitely still hard on students... Though I can reassure you from speaking with her that she does care, and isn't being strict for no reason." She says, her voice sympathetic. "I'm sure she doesn't expect you to be perfect, though. She just wants you to learn and grow. You should try to relax and not push yourself too hard. I'm sure you're trying your best." She adds, her eyes sincere.
Felix smiles at her, feeling a bit comforted by her words. She has a way of making him feel better, even when he's feeling down. "Thanks, Professor. That means a lot to me. You're a great teacher, you know that?" He says, his voice genuine. Then he remembers the other thing he wanted to talk to her about. "Oh, and by the way... I was wondering if I could help you carry your stuff today. You know, with your weak constitution and all. I don't mind, really. It's no trouble." He offers, his tone casual. He hopes she'll accept, he wants to be useful to her, and also spend more time with her.
Nya looks surprised, her eyes widening. She blushes a bit, her cheeks turning pink. "Oh... um... you don't have to do that, Felix. I'm fine, really. I don't want to burden you with my things." She says, her voice hesitant. She's touched by his offer, but also a bit flustered. No one has ever offered to help her like that before, and she's not used to it. She also worries that it might look inappropriate, or that he might be making fun of her.
Felix insists, shaking his head. "It's not a burden, Professor. I might be struggling with my psionics right now, but I have a strong body. Carrying them will be no trouble for me at all. I really just want to help." He says, his voice earnest. He hopes she'll see that he's not just being polite, but that he genuinely cares about her.
Nya looks at him, her eyes searching his face. She sees the sincerity and kindness in his expression, and feels a flutter in her chest. She smiles softly, her ears perking up a bit. "Well... if you're really sure... then I guess I can accept your offer. Thank you, Felix. You're very sweet." She says, her voice shy but happy. She hands him a stack of books, her fingers brushing against his. She feels a spark of electricity at the contact, and quickly pulls away, her blush deepening.
Felix takes the books, feeling a bit giddy. He notices her reaction and wonders if she feels the same way he does. He hopes so, but he's not sure. He doesn't want to make things awkward between them, but he also doesn't want to miss a chance to get closer to her. He decides to play it cool for now, and see how things go. "No problem, Professor. Just let me know if there's anything else I can help you with." He says, his tone friendly. He follows her to the front of the classroom, where she instructs him on where to put everything. She gives him a grateful look, and then begins the class.
The class goes by smoothly, well, at least for her standards. She still stammers and has a hard time projecting her voice. Though this time she does occasionally get a little help from Felix. He gets the idea of subtly reinforcing her voice with wind magic. He tries to make it unnoticeable, just a slight boost to her volume and clarity, but enough to make her more audible. He hopes she doesn't mind, but it seems to work, as the students pay more attention and ask fewer questions about repeating herself.
When the bell rings, signaling the end of the class, Nya thanks him with a smile. "That was a good idea, Felix. Using magic to enhance my voice... I should have thought of that myself. You're very clever." She compliments, her eyes shining with admiration. She then turns to the other students, who are packing up their things. "Class dismissed. I'll see you all tomorrow. Have a good day." She says, her voice a bit louder than usual.
The students file out of the room, chatting and laughing. Some of them give Felix curious looks, wondering what his relationship with the professor is. Felix ignores them, focusing on Nya. "You're welcome, Professor. I'm glad I could help. You're a great teacher, and you deserve to be heard." He says, his voice sincere.
Nya blushes again, her ears flattening against her head. "Oh, stop it, Felix. You're making me blush, and please, call me Nya when we're alone. No need for formalities." She says, her voice shy but playful. She gathers her things, and Felix helps her carry them out of the classroom. They walk together down the hallway, their steps in sync. Felix listens as she talks excitedly about her lesson plan. When they get to her office she tells him where to set everything down. She then tells him before he leaves, "Well, thank you again, Felix. I appreciate your help, I really do. A student like you is a godsend for someone like me just starting out teaching." She says, leaning against her desk. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" She asks, her voice hopeful.
Felix nods, smiling. "Of course, Nya. I wouldn't miss it for anything." He says, his voice warm. He feels a strong connection with her, and he wants to explore it further. He's not sure if she feels the same way, but he's willing to find out. He bids her farewell and leaves her office, his heart racing with excitement. He can't wait for their next class.
Felix walks into the training grounds, feeling a bit more upbeat after his conversation with Nya. He spots Grog near the weapon racks, checking out a large axe. Grog sees him and grins, waving him over. "Hey, Felix! Ready for another round?" He asks, his voice booming. He looks eager and energetic, as always.
Felix walks over to him, returning his smile. "Hey, Grog. Sure, why not? I could use a good workout." He says, his tone casual. He tries to not let his mental fatigue show, but he's not sure if he succeeds.
Grog picks up the axe and swings it a few times, testing its weight and balance. "Awesome. I've been looking forward to sparring with you again. You're not as weak as you look, you know? You've got some fight in you." He says, his voice impressed. Though when Felix tries to take up a combat stance and activate his psionically intentioned magic enhancement he feels the sharp pain again. He winces and his technique fails to activate. He can't use it at the same time as him trying to maintain his minimal psionic shield.
Grog notices his reaction and frowns, lowering his axe. "What's wrong, Felix? Are you hurt?" He asks, his voice concerned. "I don't want to fight you if you're not feeling well."
Felix shakes his head, trying to wave it off. "No, I'm fine, it's just... a mental thing. I've been overusing my psionics, and it's taking a toll on me. I'm trying to maintain my mental shield and not broadcast my thoughts, but it's painful and difficult." He explains, feeling a bit frustrated. "I don't want to skip this class, but I'm not sure if I can perform well either." He admits, sighing.
Grog nods, understanding. "Ah, I see. Yeah, psionics can be a real pain if you don't know how to handle them. I'm a wilder, so I know a thing or two about mental disciplines. It's not the same, but it's similar enough." He says, his tone thoughtful. "You know, maybe you're going about it the wrong way. You're trying too hard to shield and silence your mind, when you should be letting it flow and channel it into something else." He suggests, his voice wise.
"The 'broadcasting' is outgoing energy, right? Why not make that power the shield? I just think of protecting my mind like it's my skin. Not something I'm actively holding in place, but a part of me and I just am my shield. There's a strict line between what's 'me' and 'not me', and I just keep the 'not me' out." He elaborates, his expression serious. "Maybe that would work for you too. Or maybe not, but it's worth a try, right?" He shrugs, his tone casual.
Felix blinks, his eyes wide with surprise. He never thought of it that way before. He always assumed that shielding was something he had to actively construct and maintain, like a wall or a bubble. Though if he could make it more natural, more instinctive, like his own skin... Then maybe it would be easier and less painful. He decides to give it a try, and focuses on his mind again. This time, instead of imagining a barrier around his thoughts, he imagines his thoughts as his own domain, his own territory, and anything else as foreign and unwelcome. He feels a sense of clarity and calm wash over him, and the pain fades away, mostly. He also senses the psionic leak, his continual psionic output that becomes broadcasting, and imagines a channel that directs it towards powering his mental defense.