Cyrus Solaris
In our cosmic energy manipulation class, our task was to become more efficient with augmenting our brains with cosmic energy.
Since Xhatal was an accelerated curriculum, a lot was forced upon us to learn and master in a short period of time. So our brains needed to be operating at higher capacities than normal.
It was exhausting. Many breaks were needed. But the classes weren't boring. Professor Flayne, the main teacher for the concordants, was the head teacher.
He taught using games. So we played games to improve our memory, reaction speed, and pattern recognition. I found his class beneficial for handling Gravisense. I had never thought of channeling cosmic energy into the brain. But since our brains use most of our body's energy, it also drains cosmic energy faster than other body parts.
But in the midst of a brain game, my focus was elsewhere.
The nurse, my team passing its next test, and my father. There has to be another way to get a provisional license. If I were working alone, I could get it no problem. But I can't let this poor excuse of a cluster stop me from obtaining it. I need more power, and becoming a Rift Runner is the only way I can obtain that freely. Otherwise, I'll never catch up to Theron and get revenge.
There were so many things going wrong. At times, I wondered if I was allowed to feel anything good.
"Do you have anywhere else to be?" a voice called out, dragging me from my thoughts.
I looked around the class to find that everyone was gone. Professor Flayne was standing at the head of the class, just waving for my attention.
"How long have I been sitting here?"
"Twenty minutes or so. I know my class is fun, but you can't stay any longer," he said, packing his things into a satchel. I quickly grabbed my things and placed them into my dimensional storage.
"Sorry, professor."
"Don't worry about it. Is something troubling you?"
"What makes you say that?" I asked, trying to change the look on my face.
"I've had many clients in my practice, and I've seen that look before. The look of deep contemplation," he said, gesturing to me to follow him out of the classroom.
"So spill it."
"It's nothing, I promise. I'm just tired; my cosmic energy drains quickly during these exercises." Professor Flayne didn't seem to buy it, but he let it go.
"Alright then. But if you are losing too much cosmic energy too fast. Try not to saturate your brain all at once. See how much you can handle with small increments."
I nodded my head, "I'll try that next time." The professor and I went our separate ways.
I headed to the medbay.
I was in need of the rhodisandra berry. All the intense mental and physical training had made it difficult to recover properly. I also wanted to drop off the lily to apologize for running off.
The medbay wasn't as busy as last time.
Adam's sister's eyes widened slightly when she saw me walk in. She waved me over, her smile warm and inviting.
"What can I do for you?"
Pulling out my dimensional storage, I reached for the lily.
"I wanted to say sorry for running off that day. I had a lot going on," I said, handing her the flower. Her face lit up.
"Thanks so much; this was my favorite growing up."
"A family friend said that it was one of the most treasured flowers in the Valador region. Luckily, the courtyard had some." She nodded and handled the flower with care.
"Is there anything you need?"
"Well, actually yes. Do you have any more of those berries?"
"Actually, I do have a couple more. Classes getting tough?" she asked as she went through the cabinet behind her desk.
"You don't know the half of it. But I think I'm beginning to adjust to it now."
"From what I heard, the first year is always the most difficult. So by the time you are in your second year, doing your internships. It's a piece of cake." The nurse said, as she handed me the last of the berries she had.
"I want to believe you, but each day I stay here, I'm inclined to believe that's not the case." The nurse snickered at the comment.
Looking at her, it was hard to believe that she was related to someone like Adam. Hard to believe that people could diverge into such different paths when they started from the same spot. The longer I looked at her, the angrier I got, his memories flickering in my mind like a motion picture.
I had to leave.
"Thank you for your help, I said, waving goodbye.
Outside the medbay, it was cloudy, and fresh air swooped in to calm the flood of memories, but the sensation still lingered while I walked across the isle.
Then something in my mind intensified; it wasn't memories, but a soft voice.
The voice grew louder with each step. Before long, I was able to recognize the voice.
"Young lord, can you hear me?"
"Solmane, is that you?" I said back through the telepathic link he created.
"It is my lord. I have been trying to get in contact with you, but it has been difficult to reach you since you have been at Xhatal."
"You have? How is everything going back home?"
"I have been making little progress. I'm currently recharging inside your grandfather. But I needed to tell you I sensed another piece of the Solaris clan relic."
"Really, where?"
"It appears to be in some type of vault or safe. I've only been able to sense it when it's open. But I know for certain it's at your academy."
The dwindling embers of my spirit sparked with intensity. I knew what this relic meant for my father and Gramps and for all the members of our fallen clan. This would be a great surprise to bring back during the break. I knew exactly where it was. I had the thought of breaking into the vault. But I know Gramps wouldn't approve of the method. Now all I had to do was get my group to score the highest on the next test.
Easier said than done.