Chapter 14 Attempting the unown

  The next few days slipped by quickly as Wendel found himself enamored with Core Resonance, deciphering the ancient technique had been far more tedious and difficult than he thought it would be. Between the combination of obscure text and the ancient way of writing had made reading very slow.

  But that hadn’t stopped him, if he understood it correctly the goal was to channel energy through your core, then bring the energy to key points across your body.

  By doing so you could streamline the speed and density of energy distribution. Enabling an expert in the technique to use less energy, be faster and more far more efficient.

  On paper it had sounded simple, however in real-world application it had turned out to be far easier said than done.

  They began one night after classes in their dorm room. After explaining the basic concept to Cecilia, Gretchen and Rhys. They all sat on the floor and entered a state remarkably similar to meditation.

  The first step was simple; he explained, “start by channeling energy through your core. No different than how you would normally charge up for an attack.”

  “Then the next step is to gently bring the energy to the center of your hands, feet and forehead simultaneously. For now, let’s start with one location. Everyone focus on the palm of their left hand.” Wendel instructed.

  He leaned back into his chair and waited, and once he was sure all three of them were ready, he continued.

  “Now try and take half of that energy and move it to the other hand. While trying to maintain a perfect balance between the two.”

  “It feels strange.” Cecilia said, “I’ve never channeled energy and held it in before.”

  “It’s almost feels…unnatural” Gretchen added.

  Without warning, a pulse of pure aura flew across the room and sent the dining room table flying into the wall.

  All eyes turned towards Rhys.

  Rhys’s ears dropped and he looked at the floor.

  “Oops.” Wendel said. As he shrugged his shoulders.

  He reached over and placed his hand under the small Riolu’s chin and lifted his head up. “It’s all right, I know what I am asking you to do is difficult. Mistakes happen, but that is why we practice.”

  Wendel scratched under Rhys’s chin. And his tail started wagging against the floor.

  “I’ve always hated that table anyway.” Wendel said with a slight chuckle.

  “How about for now we save this training for outside. At least until you all can freely control it.”

  With a quick nod of his head Rhys agreed.

  That night after everyone else had long since fallen asleep. Cecilia sat in the chair near the fireplace. Her eyes were closed and a faint purple glow radiated off of her.

  Her eyes snapped open, “Hmm, applying energy to all five points individually is easy enough but maintaining an equal balance between them all is another matter altogether.”

  “One more try, then I better get some sleep.”

  As her eyes closed a faint purple glow filled the room once more.

  ***

  Before Wendel knew it spring was in full bloom, but flowers and trees were not the only things growing. Tension and worry filled the air too; the academy was abuzz with a familiar edge of panic as the end of year exams were on the horizon.

  Tutoring requests had more than doubled. Some nights Wendel found himself juggling back-to-back sessions with students, helping one group with potion theory before pivoting to biology or battle planning with another. The extra work filled his evenings, but it paid off—literally. Even after the Fire Stone he'd gifted Annabelle, he had still managed to save $4,700.

  It was enough money to breathe easier, but still not near enough…

  One evening near the end of the week, long after most students had left the library, Wendel sat tucked into a quiet corner with Annabelle. Candles burned low, casting warm golden light across the heavy pages they were poring over.

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  Her foot nudged him under the table. “You’re zoning out.”

  He blinked and looked up. “Sorry. I was just thinking about how close the end of the year is.”

  She tilted her head.

  “I know... are you excited? Everything’s moving so fast. It’s hard to believe we’re already prepping for next year.”

  She closed her book gently. “You’re ready. We both are.”

  Wendel gave a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  She furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong?”

  He stared at the edge of his notebook, the corner where he’d idly sketched the outline of a Poké Ball.

  “I won’t be here next year,” he said softly.

  Annabelle blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “My parents… they could barely afford to send me for one year.” He kept his voice even, but his hands tightened slightly on the pencil. “I always knew that going in. I just figured I’d make the most of it while I was here.”

  She sat up straighter, “There has to be a way—”

  He raised his hand to stop her. “I’ve got some savings, but not enough. Not nearly enough for another year.”

  He gave a little chuckle, trying to brush the heaviness off. “I’m glad I came here. Honestly. This place has changed my life. I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible. But... I think this is where my road at the academy ends.”

  Annabelle was quiet for a long time.

  “That’s not fair,” she said finally. “You’re one of the best students here. Everyone knows it.”

  He shrugged. “Life doesn’t care about being fair. It’s okay, though. I’ll figure out something. There are other paths. I just… I’m really going to miss it here.”

  Her jaw tightened, and she looked like she wanted to say more, but she didn’t. Instead, she reached across the table and set her hand lightly on his.

  He nodded, watching the flicker of light on her hair. “Still, I’m going to miss nights like this.”

  “Me too.” Annabelle murmured “What do you think you’re going to do next?”

  Wendel leaned back in his chair and stretched. “Well, I won’t be able to get my trainers license until I’m sixteen. So, I guess I’m headed home after this.”

  “You, back in Mistridge. You would be so bored after one week.”

  “Nah, I kept busy for fourteen years, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, but that was before this place, is small town life really what you want to go back to now?”

  “I don’t know Annabelle…I’ll figure something out.” Wendel let out a heavy sigh and looked down at his watch.

  “Well, it’s getting late, should we head out?”

  “Sure thing, I’ve had enough studying for one night.” Annabelle hopped up and looped her arm through Wendel’s as they made their way towards the door.

  They strolled along the path from the library. Their fingers were intertwined; a quiet, unspoken comfort had settled between them.

  Up ahead, two familiar figures were walking in the opposite direction. Lina Vaughn, with her usual confident stride, was already laughing at something Dale Forrester had just said. He shook his head, grinning, and gestured animatedly.

  Annabelle’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Well, well… if it isn’t trouble itself.”

  Lina glanced up, recognition flashing in her eyes. “Annabelle! Wendel! Didn’t expect to see you out here.”

  “Hi, Lina,” Annabelle said, smiling.

  She tilted her head at Dale then looked back at Lina, a mischievous grin spread across her face. “And you—are you two… a couple or what?”

  Lina froze. Her eyes widened. “What? No! No! No! No! No! No way! No! No! No! Absolutely not!”

  Dale stared at her, mouth hanging agape.

  “Really? Ten No’s? ”

  “NO,” Lina said firmly, crossing her arms and raising her chin. “Add one more for good measure.”

  Annabelle laughed, shaking her head. “Wow… okay. Didn’t know I’d get the full denial package today.”

  Dale grinned sheepishly. “She’s very emphatic. Apparently, I’m just a terrible human being.”

  Wendel chuckled, tugging slightly at Annabelle’s hand. “Looks like someone needs to teach her the concept of subtlety.”

  “Subtlety?” Lina scoffed. “I don’t need subtlety. I need people to understand—clearly—that I am not dating this man.” She jabbed a finger at Dale. “Not dating. Ever. Nope.”

  Annabelle snorted. “Understood.”

  Dale raised his hands in mock surrender. “Message received. Loud and clear.”

  Wendel grinned at Annabelle. “Ready to head back to the dorms? Or do you want to keep spectating the chaos?”

  Annabelle looped her arm through his. “Let’s go. I think we’ve had enough chaos for one night.”

  Lina waved at them. “See you around!

  Annabelle waved back, laughing. “Noted. Loud and clear.”

  As they walked away, Wendel whispered, “She really means it, huh?”

  Annabelle nudged his shoulder. “Not one bit, I would bet a hundred bucks that they are together before the end of the year.”

  “No way, she practically hates him”

  Annabelle scoffed and rolled her eyes “You boys are idiots I swear”

  ***

  The next morning, as the pre-dawn chill lingered across the training field, Wendel found Bea already warming up beside her Hitmontop.

  She glanced up as he approached. “You’re early.”

  “So are you.”

  She cracked her neck. “Up for another round?”

  He smirked and motioned Rhys forward. “Always.”

  What followed wasn’t a battle. Hitmontop guided Rhys with discipline and patience, while pointing out flaws in his balance and footwork, adjusting his form mid-spar.

  Bea stood beside Wendel, with her arms crossed over her chest, she would nod occasionally as Rhys dodged an attack.

  As Rhys nailed a clean feint and struck true, Bea finally spoke.

  “He’s learning fast.”

  “I think he’s got a good teacher.”

  She shrugged. “Only the best.”

  He hesitated. “Can I ask you something?”

  She gave him a sideways glance and nodded.

  “What are you doing after this year? You’ve been training like you’re headed for something big.”

  She was quiet for a moment.

  “I’ve had a couple different offers,” she said slowly.

  “From a few private corporations looking for security. Also, a couple gyms that need to fill their trainer rosters. Hell, there was even a request to travel abroad…to Galar.”

  “That’s amazing, you have so many paths to choose from.”

  “Maybe.” She flexed her fingers. “But I’m not sure yet. I like it here. I like the training... and the quiet. Not every path has to be decided today.”

  He nodded. “Still, I hope you find one that feels right.”

  Bea smiled faintly. “Yeah, me too.”

  From the other side of the field, Cecilia stopped mid-spar with Gretchen and froze.

  Her gaze shifted to Wendel as his sorrow slipped across their mental link, carrying a single, jealous thought.

  Some of us don’t have options…