This time, I try to keep up. No more laughing with Micah, who seems to have lost his sense of humour as well. My chest aches, my lungs burn, but I concentrate, focusing on my legs, willing them to move faster. As my arms swing, helping to propel me forward, the pain lifts, the wall I was racing against lifts, and it’s… easier. My stride evens out, getting longer, and I’m not fighting to keep up. I’m doing it. I’m running freely. Fast. And I’m passing people until I’m level with one of the girls, and Ten, and one more trainee out in front.
It’s like my body just found another gear, having to go through the struggle like a phase, and coming out on the other side. A pulse of energy surges through me, charging my muscles, and I push against it, using it to run harder.
We all step over the line and turn to sprint back, and now, my legs are sure and firm under each step. I push. My toes dig in, and I urge myself on, running faster and faster.
And I fly.
Until I’m out in front, past the other girl, the world around me a blur, and I’m the first one across the line.
Looking back, I watch as they run towards me, and I see the expressions they have on their faces. Ten is confused, his hair messy and free from the style he wore the other night. The girl with long, golden blonde hair and a red-hued top looks like she might murder me, and I step back instinctively.
It gives her the upper hand, and I silently curse.
The other trainees all cross the line as I watch, and I wait for Micah, who doesn’t look so happy about being last this time.
“Ever?” Rowan comes to my side. “Come with us.” The woman with the long silver hair, Aurelia, I think, joins us, and they lead me through and into one of the classrooms in the training centre.
It’s like the one Micah showed me, a small bookshelf loaded with volumes near the front desk, and several lines of tables evenly spaced through the rest of the room. I find a seat on one of the wooden stools and wait, my heartbeat slowing now that I’m not racing.
Aurelia sits at the desk, which I presume belongs to the Custodian, and Rowan perches on the edge.
“Ever, can you describe to me how you felt on that last sprint?” Aurelia’s voice is calm and soft, lulling me into comfort.
“Um, yes.” I shift. “It was easier. Like a block had been lifted. My muscles didn’t hurt anymore, and my body just did what I wanted, like I had excess energy to run.” Did I do something wrong? I ask myself.
“It didn’t look very comfortable at the start,” Rowan states.
“No. I can’t remember the last time I ran.”
“Yet, you beat two Warrior trainees with the gift of speed.” Aurelia makes the point they’re clearly concerned about.
I look between them. “I’m sorry. Is that bad? I got the impression that you wanted me to run and excel at it. Isn’t that what you implied, Rowan?”
“It is. We’re just trying to work out if you were wilfully mocking us with your first attempt. Maybe trying to gain favour with Micah. Or if it’s something else.”
Are you kidding me? “Like what? And I wasn’t doing anything intentionally. It just… happened. One minute, I was struggling, feeling like my lungs might fail because my chest was squeezing so much. Then it was gone.”
They look at each other.
“Is this going to happen each time I join the trainees? Pulling me aside to quiz my performance?” I shift in my seat and grapple with my annoyance.
“Of course not. It’s just you’re exhibiting?—”
“What is the power I’m manifesting?” I blurt the question. It’s been waiting to be asked out loud for some time. First, with Lyle, maybe with Ten. But certainly now. “What is my Order? That’s what you call it, isn’t it? It’s why I’m here. Tell me?”
“We can’t. Not at the moment. You’ll need to?—”
“Wait for my Transference,” I finish. “Will anyone actually tell me something before this damn ceremony I know nothing about?” It was an infuriating feeling knowing nothing would become clear until it was set. And nobody would budge until then. “Everyone here knew what their power or gift was before it,” I go on, “they have an idea before the Transference. So why can’t anyone tell me mine? Is it weak? Has it not awakened correctly because I’m from outside of Kirrasia?”
They look at each other again, “It’s not always that simple. With some people, yes. Others have a very different Transference. You’ll have to be patient.” Aurelia tries to settle me, but it only sparks more frustration.
My gut tells me to concentrate, focus, and direct my thoughts at both of them, as if in some mock staring contest. There’s no sense of energy from them, no heat or rush, not like with others I’ve been around. And that anger in the pit of my stomach festers and seeps through me as I stand and wait.
Rowan’s eyes level with mine. “What are you doing?” he asks, only it’s edged with accusation.
“Just trying to figure this out.” I stare back at him, my anger strengthening my backbone.
“Perhaps you should return to your apartment for today. You can join us for lessons another time.”
