101 : The First Year III pt. 47 (1/2)

The feast ended at eleven, giving the students enough time to go back to their rooms to wash or relax. Everyone knew that the next morning would be the beginning of the first few matches. Those that were competing on the first day either left the feast early or never showed up. Most of them were from the upper class. No freshmen would compete on the first day, their matches wouldn't be held until the last day.

Reason being it would allow the younger students to see what their older peers were capable of. Having an EXO ability is one thing knowing how to use it is one thing, but having control over it is another. The difference in skill was not due to the EXO ability you have, but experience.

With the elder students going up first, the younger ones would gain experience just by watching them duel it out. While many of the younger students may not gain anything from just watching, the ones that did would benefit greatly.

After parting ways with Freya and Alyson, Nick and Matthew headed back to their room. The two of them were both exhausted from the dancing and talking, so they were ready to just lay down on their beds.

Matthew yawned and covered his mouth with his hand as they entered the room. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head, trying to stay awake.

”You want to head in first?”

Matthew pointed towards the bathroom that was left wide open. While he was sleepy, he could wait it out a little longer until Nick finished.

Nick shook his head. He could tell how sleepy Matthew was, so how could he go first? Best let him go in so he could get some rest. Nick was used to staying up late, he was not sleepy.

Nick was tired, but not sleepy. He tired from the long trip, dancing and chatting with everyone. It was still pretty early for him, he'd use this time to meditate a bit.

Nick could feel that he was close to furthering his EXO ability, Providence. His goal was to develop it so he could see into the future. His sensei told him the steps needed to advance his EXO into the direction he wanted. The only thing Nick had trouble with was advancing.

He followed every step, he tempered his eyesight, and he reached the end of the path. His next advancement into his EXO would not be foresight, but something different. It was a basic version of foresight, one that did not have all the abilities of the latter. It was the first step into developing into the actual foresight.

First, he would advance, then learn how to control his new abilities. After Nick would have to train and temper his eyes once more before he made his final advancement.

However, he was stuck.

Matthew did not say anything as he grabbed another set of clothes and a towel. He headed straight for the bathroom.

The other two boys in their room were both asleep so Matthew was careful not to make too much noise. He'd hate it if his sleep was disturbed, so he would not try to interrupt others sleep.

While Matthew was in the shower Nick sat on his bed with his legs crossed and eyes closed. He was doing image training as he pictured himself fighting against his sensei.

Nick lost every fight, but he never stopped. When he fell, he dusts himself off and fought again.

”I'm done, you can go in now.”

Matthew's words woke Nick up as he walked past Nick's bed with dirty clothes in his arms.

Nick opened his eyes and uncrossed his legs. He leaned over the side of his bed and unzipped his suitcase as he grabbed a few clothes.

The windows in the bathroom was still foggy from the steam the shower emitted. Nick undressed and grabbed his shower gel as he headed into the shower.

It was a walk in shower with a see-through glass. Nick turned on the nob and let the water run. The water was slightly hot as it hit his body.

Nick let out a long breath as he placed both his hands against the wall. His head hung underneath the shower head as the water continued to fall. Nick's brown hair was soaked, but his body was relaxed.

Thoughts and ideas that cleansed Nick's mind vanish. His worries went away as the water dripped off his body. He was in a relaxed state, with nothing to worry about. He couldn't hide the fact of how good this shower felt to him.

As he closed his eyes and enjoyed his shower, a strange sensation came over him. Images flashed through his eyes like a video was playing. Nick's eyes started to have this burning feeling. He rubbed his eyes, but the feeling wouldn't go away.

Seconds turned into minutes, but the feeling didn't stop. Nick felt like he lost track of time as he endured the pain. When the burning sensation finally came to a halt, Nick was relieved.

”What was that?”

Nick squinted his eyes as he tried to recall what just occurred. The images that appeared clear as day, he could no longer remember them. It was like he never saw them in the first place. This was the first time something like this ever happened.

He would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't worried. If this happened again, what would he do? What if it occurred during a fight?

Nick never experienced this before, but he knew he needed to calm down. The more he worried about it, the worse he'd become.

Tomorrow he'd ask his mother about it, they both had the same ability so maybe she knew. Nick did not like asking for help, but he had a feeling this was not something he could overcome on his on. There was only so much one person could accomplish.

Turning off the water Nick headed out of the shower and grabbed his towel. Drying himself off from top to bottom, he threw on his underwear and shorts. Leaving his upper half exposed he left the bathroom.

Nick put his clothes away and laid down on his bed. Both hands interlocked behind his head as he looked up towards the ceiling. It was plain white, but calming to the eyes. Nick just stared at it with no thoughts clouding his mind.

Eventually, his eyes closed as he drifted off to sleep.

”Come back here Nick!”

A little girl with long blonde hair chased after Nick. Her body covered with mud, ruining her white floral dress. She laughed as she chased after Nick, trying to get him dirty as well.

”No! Stay away, you're dirty.”

A young version of Nick yelled out at the little girl as he continued to run. He ran in a circular path, but the little girl behind him did not seem to pay attention. Her only focus was on him.

”If you don't stop i'll get upset!”

The little blonde haired girl stopped and stomped her small feet. Nick continued to run from her, she was tired! She did not show it as she wanted Nick to lower his guard. It worked as Nick stopped too, only a few feet away from her.

”I don't care! You're trying to dirty me for no reason.”

”It's because you made fun of me.”

The little girl snorted as she crossed her arms.

”It's only right I pay you back!”

She pounced towards Nick, this was the moment she was waiting for. Her arms spread out as she tossed her body forward. Her pretty little face covered in mud hit something.

She tried to move forward but couldn't.

Nick had his hand outstretched blocking her from coming forward.

”Look at you too, so cute. Nick, Alex look this way and smile at the camera.”

A young woman with long brown hair held a camera in her hands as she kneeled on the ground. A moment like this may never come again it was best to save it.

She smiled as she took pictures of the two little kids. Seeing them like this she couldn't help but laugh.

”I wish I had a friend like Alex growing up. Treat her better Nick.”

The young woman patted little Nick on the head as she got up. She smiled and looked down at the two little kids. How she wished she had someone like that growing up. If she did, things could have turned out differently.

”Mom! Don't take her side.”

Nick pointed his free hand at his mother, Olivia. He was upset she took Alex's side instead of his. It was always like this, she always treated Alex better than him.

Alex who was still trying to grab hold of Nick was all smiles.

”Ya, treat me better!”

Olivia just continued to laugh.

The scene distorted as the seasons changed. The leaves on the trees were falling down one by one, as Nick wrapped himself in a checkered scarf.

He watched as the little blonde haired girl threw leaves into the air without worry.

”Alex, it's time to head back. Mom will be worried if we don't.”

Nick walked up to Alex and tried to grab her shoulder. She started to pout as Nick was ruining her fun. He always did that!

”What are you worrying about? You'll protect me right?”

Alex had that look in her eyes, one that Nick fell for everytime. He sighed, why was she so cute?

”Whatever! But we're leaving in ten more minutes.”

Nick gave up trying to get Alex to leave the park with him. It was still a bit early, and they did not need to be back for lunch anytime soon.

Alex grinned as she pulled on Nick's arm. The two of them fell into the pile of leaves on the ground. Alex was giggling while Nick was upset.

”Alex!”

Nick jumped on her, but she did not go down easy. The two little kids rolled around getting all dirty. Both enjoying the moment.

”What are you doing?”

A voice asked the two of them causing Alex and Nick to cease all movement. Both of them looked and saw a little girl wearing a black coat with long black hair and black eyes.

”Playing, what's it to ya?”

Alex pushed Nick off her as she wondered who this girl was.

”My dad says only little children play, so you two are children. No wonder!”

The little black haired girl crossed her arms as she looked at both Nick and Alex.

Alex's cheeks turned red. She was a child, so what? She did not need to be reminded of it. Alex pointed her finger at the black haired girl.

”You're a child too!”

”No, i'm not! I'm an adult.”

The black haired girl pouted as she stomped her feet.

”You are the same as me! If i'm a child, you're a child. There's nothing wrong with playing, your dad is wrong.”

Alex rolled her eyes at the black haired girl.

Shocked filled the black haired girls face, leaving her mouth wide open.

”M-my dads never wrong! You're the one that's wrong. Humph, I don't care anymore i'm leaving.”

The little black-haired girl turned around and started to walk away.

”That's it? Leaving after you're defeated? That's what children do!”

Alex started teasing the black haired girl. It worked too as the black haired girl halted her steps.

Nick could have sworn he saw steam rise from her face when the black-haired girl turned around. Her face was red and her fist was clenched together.

”You're so annoying!”

The black haired girl whined.

Nick started laughing, he did not really know why he just did. He held his stomach and started to laugh. Alex laughed along with Nick, but the black-haired girl did not.

”You want to play with us?”

Nick wiped the tears of joy from his face while he asked the black haired girl.

”Me? Play? No way!”

The black haired girl pointed towards herself and shook her head. She was an adult, there was no need for her to play. Only children played around, she knew this because her father told her.