It's like a weight is lifted off his mind. The strain that already exists isn't gone, but he's not burdening his mind nearly as much with this new model of mental shielding and the cost of it practically becoming self-sustaining. He opens his eyes and looks at Grog, who's watching him with interest. "Wow... Grog, that... that actually worked. I feel... better. Not perfect, but better. Thank you." He says, his voice grateful.
Grog smiles, looking proud. "No problem, buddy. I'm glad I could help. That's what friends are for, right?" He says, his voice friendly. He raises his axe again, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now, are you ready to show me what you've got? Or are you still going to hold back on me?" He taunts, his tone playful.
Felix grins, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "You asked for it, Grog. Don't come crying to me when you lose." He says, his voice confident. He activates his physical enhancement as expected and feels his body become stronger and faster. He faces Grog, who charges at him with a roar. The fight begins.
The fight is intense and exhilarating, as Felix and Grog exchange blows and dodge each other's attacks. Felix starts noticing that he can see Grog's wilder energy a lot better, and can even see which parts of his body he's channeling it into. It's like a new sense that lets him see Grog's intent and power in his mind. It's hard to explain, but it makes the fight more interesting and challenging.
He uses this advantage to anticipate Grog's moves, and counter them with his own. Like if Grog concentrates his wilder energy in his fist, that's a sign that a punch is coming. If he puts it in his leg, then a kick. If he spreads it all over his body, then a tackle. Felix can react faster and more effectively, and gains the upper hand. He manages to land a few solid hits on Grog, making him grunt and stagger.
Grog, however, is not one to give up easily. He's impressed by Felix's improvement, but can also tell what Felix is doing. Starting to do supernatural feints to throw Felix off. Channeling energy in his fist, but then kicking. Spreading his energy, but then punching. Or simply hiding his energy from view. It becomes a mental battle as much as a physical one, as they try to outsmart and outmaneuver each other. Though Grog has the upper hand again, but not decisively. It's a close match, and both of them are enjoying it.
The fight goes on for a while, until the instructor calls a stop to it. He claps his hands, getting their attention. "Okay, that's enough for today. You two did well, but I think you're both reaching your limits. It's time to cool down and stretch." He says, his voice stern but fair. He then adds, "Next time, you can try sparring with a more diverse set of weapons, or maybe some teamwork exercises. This class is not just about fighting, but also about learning from each other and adapting to different situations. Keep that in mind, and keep up the good work." He says, before walking away to check on the other students.
Felix and Grog nod, breathing heavily. They look at each other, and smile. They fist bump, and then go to get some water and towels. They sit on the sidelines, watching the other students sparring. They talk about their fight, complimenting each other's skills and strategies. Grog asks Felix, "What's your family like?" As a way to get to know him better.
Felix shrugs, taking a sip of water. "It's just me and my mom. She's an alchemist, and she runs a potion shop in town. She's the best, really. She's smart, kind, beautiful, and always supportive of me. I'm extremely lucky to have her and I do my best not to take her for granted." He says, his voice fond.
Grog whistles, impressed. "Wow, that sounds nice. I wish I had a mom like that. My tribe is well... They mean well, but everything is a battle. It's just the orc way. I wouldn't say I hate it, but sometimes I wish I could relax more around them." He says, his voice a bit wistful. "What about your dad? Did he leave or something?" He asks, curious.
Felix shakes his head, his expression darkening a bit. "Yeah, he left before I was old enough to form memories of him. I really don't know what he was like, and mom doesn't talk about him. Except maybe saying I'm a spitting image of him." He answers, his tone neutral. "It doesn't bother me anymore. Sometimes I'm curious where he is or what he's like, but my mom raised me the best she could by herself and I don't really feel like I was deprived of anything by not having my dad there." He says, trying to sound mature.
Grog nods, understanding. "I see. Well, you're a strong guy, Felix. I admire that. You don't let your past define you, you make your own future. That's what a real warrior does." He says, his voice respectful. He then changes the topic, wanting to lighten the mood. "So, what do you think of the other students? Anyone you like or dislike?" He asks, his tone curious.
Felix thinks for a moment, before answering. "Well, there's Luna, she's a wood elf who likes alchemy, like my mom. She's nice, and I hope we can be friends. Then there's Arden, he's a psion who attacked me in the psionics class. He's a jerk, and I don't like him. Then there's the professor of my magic class, Nya. She's a really good teacher, and then there's my psionics teacher Eleanor. She really kicked my ass during psionics class and I hated it. Though in retrospect, she taught me really useful stuff and put in a lot of effort to help me." He says, his voice honest. He decides not to mention his crush on Nya, for obvious reasons.
Grog listens attentively, nodding along. "Sounds good, making friends. Though even if it might not seem like it, even having enemies is useful in its own way. It helps you become stronger, gives you an incentive to not be weak. Plus if your enemies are really bad, people will like you more for standing against them. Also good teachers are important. I hope you learn a lot from them." He says, his voice wise. He then grins, "But hey, if you ever need someone to beat up Arden for you, just let me know. An enemy of yours is an enemy of mine, but I wouldn't want to steal your thunder if you'd rather beat them down yourself." He says, his tone joking but sincere.
Felix laughs, feeling a bit touched by his offer. "Thanks, Grog. You're a good friend. I'll keep that in mind." He says, his voice grateful. He checks the time, and sees that the class is almost over. "We should probably get going. I have to meet Luna and give her something." He says, standing up.
Grog stands up too, stretching his muscles. "Yeah, I gotta get going too. I have my wilder class to get to. Though I'll see ya tomorrow." He says, his tone cheerful. He gives Felix a friendly punch on the shoulder, and then walks away, waving.
Felix waves back, feeling happy. He's glad he made a friend like Grog. He leaves the training grounds and heads to the cafeteria, where he agreed to meet Luna. He wonders how she'll react to his mom's note, and if she'll agree to visit his home. He hopes so, he wants them to get along. He finds a table near the window, and waits for her, feeling a bit nervous but also excited.
Felix waits nervously at the table, his hands fidgeting with the letter. He's worried about Luna getting the wrong idea, or any bystanders who see him hand it to her similarly getting the wrong idea. He checks his mental shield, making sure it's still in place and not causing him any pain. It seems to be working fine, though he's still a bit sore and tired. He hopes Luna will show up soon, he doesn't want to keep her waiting.
He sees her walking towards him, carrying a tray of food. She's wearing a simple green dress, a woven straw hat, and has a small pouch attached to a belt. She smiles when she sees him, and sits down across from him. "Hi, Felix. How was your morning?" She asks, her voice friendly and relaxed.
Felix smiles back, trying to act casual. "Hi, Luna. I wasn't feeling so great this morning because I overdid it yesterday, but I'm doing better..." He says, his tone a bit vague. He decides to get straight to the point, before he loses his courage. "By the way, I have something for you. From my mom." He says, handing her the letter.
Luna looks surprised, her eyes widening. She takes the letter, her fingers brushing against his. She reads the name on the envelope, and her cheeks flush a bit. "Your mom... wrote me a letter? That's so sweet of her. What does it say?" She asks, her voice curious. She doesn't seem to mind the seal, or notice it. She's more interested in the content.
Felix feels relieved, and a bit silly for worrying so much. "I'd assume it's about inviting you to her shop, or otherwise reassuring you she wants to meet you without any judgement if you're not perfect. Though I didn't open or read it myself of course, since that would be a rude violation of privacy." He says, his tone honest. He hopes his mom didn't say anything too embarrassing or forward.
Luna nods, her expression softening. "Of course, I wouldn't expect you to. Thank you for giving it to me, Felix. This means a lot to me." She says, her voice sincere. She carefully opens the envelope, and takes out the paper inside. She reads it silently, her eyes scanning the words.
Her smile grows wider as she reads, and she lets out a small gasp of delight. "Oh, wow... This is so nice of her. She says she'd love to meet me, and that she's proud of me for pursuing alchemy. She also gave me her address and some tips on how to make some basic potions. She even invited me to her shop next weekend, if I'm free. This is... this is amazing." She says, her voice full of awe and gratitude. She looks at Felix, her eyes shining. "Your mom is the best, Felix. Thank you so much for introducing us."
Felix grins, feeling happy for her. "You're welcome, Luna. I'm glad you like it. I think you two will get along great. You have a lot in common, after all." He says, his tone cheerful. He's glad his mom's letter had the effect he hoped for, and that Luna didn't get scared off by it.
Luna nods, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I think so too. Though I still hope I can live up to her expectations. I don't want to disappoint her." She says, her voice a bit nervous. She looks at the letter again, and then at Felix. "Would you... maybe want to come with me? To her shop, I mean. It would make me feel more comfortable, and I'm sure she'd be happy to see you too." She suggests, her tone hopeful.
Felix is a bit surprised by her request, but not opposed to it. "Of course, it's no trouble. Though when did you want to go? This weekend? It's Tuesday now, right?" He asks, his voice curious. He's not sure if he has any plans for the weekend, but he'd be willing to change them for Luna.
Luna nods, her ears perking up. "Yes, this Saturday would be perfect. I don't have any classes or obligations then. Plus, I'm eager to meet her as soon as possible. You don't mind, do you?" She asks, her voice eager.
Felix shakes his head, smiling. "No, not at all. I live there after all." She reacts somewhat surprised and curious, "You live in the shop?" He clarifies, "Well, above it. My mom owns the whole building, and we live on the second floor. It's pretty convenient." He says, his tone casual.
Luna's eyes widen, her mouth forming an 'o' shape. "Oh, I see. That makes sense. I guess I'll see you there then. I'm so excited, Felix. This is going to be great." She says, her voice cheerful. She then looks at her food, realizing she hasn't eaten yet. "Oh, I should eat something. I'm starving. I'll see you at our general education class soon." She says, her tone apologetic. She starts eating her food, which looks like a salad and a sandwich.
Felix nods, realizing he's also hungry. He gets up and goes to get his own food, which is a bowl of soup and a slice of bread. He comes back to the table and sits down, eating quietly. He's happy that things are going well with Luna, and that his mom's letter worked. He wonders what else this week will bring, and if he'll have any more interesting encounters. He smiles to himself, feeling optimistic. Maybe this academy won't be so bad after all.
Felix and Luna walk to their general education class together, chatting along the way. Luna tells him more about her alchemy projects, and he listens with interest. He finds her passion for the subject admirable, even if he doesn't share it. They enter the classroom and sit down at their usual seats, in the middle row.
The teacher starts right away as he starts the lecture like a well oiled machine. "Good morning, class. Today we're going to continue our discussion on the history of the adventurer's guild, and how it went from scattered small outposts to the consolidated and sprawling organization we know today. Pay attention, because this will be on the test." He says, his voice monotone and dry. He writes some dates and names on the board, not bothering to explain them in detail.
Felix tries to follow along, but soon finds himself lost. The names and dates blur together, and he can't remember which event happened when, or who was involved. He feels a headache coming on, and rubs his temples. He glances at Luna, who is taking notes furiously, her pen flying across the paper. He wonders how she can keep up with the teacher's pace, and if she can help him.
He leans over and whispers, "Hey, Luna... Can I borrow your notes later? I'm having a hard time understanding this." He asks, his voice low.
Luna looks at him and smiles, her eyes kind. "Sure, no problem. Though maybe I can help you now? This comes naturally to me. Plus, if you want I can give you some tips on how to remember dates and names better." She whispers back, her tone helpful. She then proceeds to whisper some mnemonics and associations that she uses to memorize historical facts. They're clever and funny, and Felix finds himself amused and impressed.
"Wow, that's... that's actually really good. How did you come up with those?" He asks, his voice curious.
Luna shrugs, her cheeks flushing a bit. "Oh, I don't know... I just make up stories or rhymes in my head. It helps me remember things better. I guess I have a good memory for details." She says, her voice humble. She then adds, "Besides, I think it's cute that you struggle with this. It makes you more relatable, you know? You're so good at everything else, it's nice to see you have a weakness." She teases, her eyes twinkling.
Felix feels his face heat up, and he's not sure if it's from embarrassment or flattery. "Hey, don't make fun of me. History is just... It feels very boring, needlessly complicated, and irrelevant..." He says, his tone defensive. He crosses his arms over his chest, pouting a bit.
Luna laughs softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "I'm sorry, I'm not making fun of you. I just think it's charming. I've heard people talking about you a lot, along with the other students mentioned as exceptional during the opening ceremony. It's actually kind of nice to see you're not perfect or untouchable and great at everything. It makes you more... approachable." She says, her voice sincere.
Felix relaxes a bit, feeling a bit flattered. "Oh... Well, thank you. I guess. Though when you say people talk about me... What are they saying? My psionics class yesterday... Well, I don't want to get into details, but it didn't go so great..." He says, his voice hesitant.
Luna looks at him with concern, her ears drooping. "Oh, no... What happened? Did you have trouble with the exercises? Or did someone bother you?" She asks, her voice worried. She places a hand on his arm, squeezing it gently. "You can tell me if you want. I'm here for you." She says, her tone supportive.
Felix sighs, deciding to tell her the truth. "Well, it was kind of both. It turned out I was basically using psionics wrong for six years and kind of made a fool of myself, as well as coming across like a psionic menace..." He explains, feeling ashamed. "The teacher had to give me a crash course on how to shield and silence my mind, and it was really painful and exhausting. Then one of the other students got mad at me for being too loud and attacked me. I didn't mean to hurt him, but I kind of overreacted and gave him psionic backlash. I felt terrible about it, but the teacher said it was his fault. Still, it was not a good first impression." He says, his voice gloomy.
Luna listens attentively, her expression sympathetic. "Oh, Felix... That sounds awful. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But hey, it's not your fault, right? You didn't know any better, and you were provoked. I think you handled it as well as you could, given the circumstances. Don't worry about the other students, they'll forget about it soon enough. Or at least, they'll move on to something else." She says, trying to cheer him up. "The important thing is that you learned something valuable, and that you have a teacher who cares about you, and you have me, too. You've done a lot more help for me than you probably realize, and of course I'll help you too if I can." She adds, her voice warm.
Felix smiles, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Luna. Just want to check, but... We're friends now, right?" He asks, his voice hopeful.
Luna beams at him, her eyes sparkling. "Of course we are, silly. I thought that was obvious." She says, her tone playful. She then looks at the teacher, who's still droning on about the adventurer's guild. "Though we should probably focus on the lesson now. We don't want to miss anything important." She says, her voice serious. She goes back to taking notes, and Felix does the same, using her tips to help him remember the facts. He feels grateful for her friendship, and glad he met her. He thinks maybe this class won't be so bad after all.
Felix and Luna finish their notes and pack up their things as the class ends. The teacher gives them a brief summary of the main points and dismisses them. Felix stands up and stretches, feeling a bit stiff from sitting for so long. He looks at Luna, who is also standing up and smiling at him. "That wasn't so bad, thanks to you. You're a lifesaver." He says, his voice grateful.
Luna giggles, shaking her head. "You're too kind, Felix. I'm just doing what any friend would do. Though I'm happy I could help. You know, you're not as bad at history as you think. You just need some practice and motivation." She says, her tone encouraging. She then checks the time and gasps. "Oh, no! I'm going to be late for my alchemy class! I have to run!" She exclaims, grabbing her bag and dashing out of the room. "See you later, Felix!" She shouts over her shoulder, waving.
Felix waves back, chuckling. He's amused by her sudden burst of energy, and also a bit impressed. He decides to head to his own next class, which is psionics. He feels a bit nervous about it, but also determined. He's going to show Eleanor that he can control his power and not cause any trouble.