Settling into the monotony of classwork and following a routine is a strange thing to get accustomed to again. My fellow students of class 1-10 gradually warm up to me and the wary looks aimed at me lessen significantly.
I can read at a basic level now and it's strange to see words in places that have always been overlooked by me. Even stranger is the feeling of deep fatigue in my muscles, the countless laps I'm punished with only increase alongside the weight I carry.
There are a few standout students in my class besides Elias and I, the two I admonished on the first day have quickly proved themselves.
Anthony Blount is a mop of curly black hair that sits atop a stout frame, his stamina is something to be desired, but he has a grade 7 abyss affinity that he's able to condense. He seems to take Zyre's teachings in and immediately use it to improve himself. The other is Ayvic Flatstone, his affinity grade was barely above the requirement of 5 or higher. This didn't stop him however, because he condensed earlier today during the guided meditation. His name was strange, and he has an accent that doesn't belong to our Dellmond kingdom.
Him and three others in our class are sons of noble dignitaries from Dralume, a closely allied kingdom to the west. They are the first and only foreigners at Elomburg due to the updated treaty our nations agreed upon earlier this year in an act of strengthening ties.
I can't help but think that it wasn't a coincidence that they were all placed in class 1-10. Nobles interfering in the academy with politics most likely.
Only seven of our twenty have been able to condense an affinity so far and nervousness mixed with desperation keeps plaguing the classroom. I was banned by Zyre from attempting to condense again before some Professor came back from a research expedition.
Tomorrow is an exciting day for me; our class is heading out of the academy into the Glumsticks. Thats the name given to the forest outside of Watercrest, I'd say it's an appropriate name due to the dark and foreboding atmosphere surrounding it. I hadn't passed through it myself, but I did see its tree line from the wagon id hitched a ride on after leaving Saltpond.
Zyre explained that we were going core hunting, so the beasts we needed to kill were all going to be evolved. He said something about staying within a certain radius of the tree line and that second stage beasts shouldn't be a problem. Whatever that means.
Dean looked at his food and grimaced, he was a little on edge about our outing tomorrow. Him and his twin hadn't condensed their earth affinities yet, the pressure of being expelled was weighing down on them heavily. Elias, ever the people person, tried cheering them up.
"C'mon guys! Stop brooding like Kelric for a moment and think. Even if we don't get earth cores tomorrow, you still have half a month! Plenty of time to condense naturally."
Jean smiled a little at the jab aimed at me and nodded.
Dean had a look of horror on his face now and turned to his brother, "I'm really not in my right mind if I look like Kelric.."
Quite a few laughs went around our table as I scowled. Somehow, Elias had turned everyone's respect and trepidation of my strength into something different. People made jokes with me and at me randomly now, it makes me a little uneasy at how friendly I'm treated by mere acquaintances.
After dinner, I head to the obstacle course. My body aches, but the only way to stifle my desire is exhaustion. I've been meeting with Marinah less frequently these last couple of days as well, I don't want her to see me if I slip. Other than the boat passage back from Kalabar, this is the longest stretch I've gone without killing someone.
Zyre catches my attention before I start and shakes his head, "Go back and rest. If you make a mistake because your too tired, others will have to pick up your slack."
This man has always irked me, and my patience is thin today. He doesn't step back when I release my bloodlust and instead just stares. His voice is commanding now.
"Head to bed, Kelric. I will not say it again."
He shouldn't have taken that tone with me, it's too late as I lunge forward.
When I reach him, he blocks my outstretched hand headed towards his throat. He swipes his arm to the side, following through with the momentum and elbows my chin. I taste a little blood, biting my tongue when my jaws smack together.
My other hand grabs his wrist and squeezes, a knee to my gut makes me let go.
Gods... my anger is hot now.
I'm burning and spots of black dot my vision as Zyre's eyes widen. He's shouting, but I can't hear him as my body surges with power. My fist connects with his forehead as I dash forward. His body ragdolls and crashes backwards in a spinning tumble.
I'm moving again and my mind is consumed in its wrath.
Flashes of images appear and make a stop motion film in my head as I watch from behind half lidded eyes. My arm picks up Zyre by the throat and the other rears back to pierce forward in a knife hand, aiming to rip out his heart.
My body is stopped suddenly, and Zyre is saying something. I still can't hear him as I'm trapped in my own mind, the rage still in charge of coherent thought.
We lock eyes for an eternity.
I don't know how long it's been when the buzzing of insects and wind ruffled leaves finally penetrate my ears.
The rage has subsided, and I panic when I realize I can't move. My joints are locked and no matter how I struggle, I'm paralyzed. Zyre notices my expression and waves a hand; I collapse to my knees as his shadow extends. Wriggling masses of black flow off my body and too him.
"Go back to your room and sleep. We have shit to do tomorrow." His voice sounds bone weary, and he leaves without waiting for a reply.
Elias is asleep when I return, and I can only try to do the same. Too many questions about what just happened flood my mind, but with no one to answer me, it's an exercise in futility to worry about it right now. I should apologize to Zyre tomorrow for breaking his wrist, I felt it snap when I squeezed it.
I should, but I won't.
I wonder if life affinity can mend broken bones.