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SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 45• You Never Asked
••••••As we approach the gate, a guy suddenly reveal himself from behind a near by tree."Hey, guys" He says casually as if he knows us.For a moment it seems I don't recognize him because I have never seen him in casual clothing, but after I scan his appearance, I realize who is standing in front of us."Stan?" Michael and I exclaim with widen eyes.Claire stares as us. "You guys have met?"Stan smiles."Mr Stan, what are you doing here?" I ask."Yeah, you didn't inform me you were coming. And I thought you wouldn't be back anytime soon" Michael adds "Mr Stan?" Claire voice with a confused expression."Yeah, Mr Stan is Michael's personal driver" "Hmm? Stan? You're still working?" Claire asks."Hello Claire! Good to see you again. Well, since you two are surprised to see me here, why don't we go for a cup of coffee so I can explain why. There's a near by coffee shop here"We stare at Stan, surprised he is here on school grounds, because the school only permit it students and teache
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 46• You Never Asked: ii
•••••Thinking about it, it must have been horrible to get your blood suck out regularly."No it wasn't. I was fine" Stan replies to my thoughts."What?" I asked confused to if he just heard my thoughts."So why did you become my driver if you needed to keep a low profile?" Michael asks, immediately Claire walks back and takes her seat."That? I was simply bored" Stan replies, then sips his coffee. "Aren't you guys drinking your coffee?" He asks."You were bored?!" Michael utters with confusion etched on his face."Yes. I was bored of the life I was living. After 9 years of study and intense training, I just got bored of everything. So, I asked your dad for a job. Anna didn't stop me because I would have force my way out of that life if she had tried. And I was already strong enough to be on my own, so she let me""Okay. So why didn't you say anything before? Why now?" I ask.He smiles. "Cause, not until recently, My family did not give me the freedom I wanted. They didn't know I was
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 47• Mastering Intent
North POV••••••"Okay. Specials aren't limited to the Adams family" Professor Thompson says, then picks the marker off her table.She draws four human figures on the marker board. Each representing an Avatar. Three of them holding hands, while one is centered in their middle."Now, this is called 'Celestial Alignment'. This is when three Avatars pour in their Mana into one Avatar at the same time. The three gather up their Mana, then at once, they release it into the Avatar in the middle. This causes the Avatar the middle to unlock a different level of potential. Imbuing one with lots of Mana will create a Special. But note, this method of creating special is not recommended. In fact, it's only when you've reached a certain level that the higher ups permit such method. You may ask why?"She drops her marker and takes a sit on her table's edge."The reason is because of the amount of deaths it has caused. The first Avatars that did this, Kevin, Clark, Rachel, and Finn, weren't success
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 48• Mastering Intent: ii
•••••*Did I imagine interacting with my Angel that night?*I wonder."Hey, North" Michael calls out, pulling me from my thoughts."You are not hungry?" He asks."What?" "You've barely touched your meal. What's going on?" He asks, leaving Claire who's next to me shift her gaze towards me."Oh. Ahhh..""Did that class make you loss your appetite?" Claire asks, then stares back at her meal."No. Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking about something. Nothing to worry about" I say then pick my fork.Michael nods.A moment later, a guy walks in, the room's atmosphere shifts. Conversations pause, eyes drawn to his striking figure. His charming smile spreads as he navigates through the crowd with ease.Someone whispers, "Isn't that Larson Ray?"Another whispers, "Hey, that's Larson."Larson's gaze scans the room, locking onto Claire. He smiles and makes his way towards her, his stride confident."Hey, Larson! Congrats on acing the exams!" A random guy calls out.Larson, attention still on Cl
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 49• Mastering Intent: iii
•••••We assemble before a large, open area. "I'll demonstrate each one, showcasing their unique capabilities."He gestures to a nearby rack, adorned with an array of weapons."First, the sword."Professor Nog unsheathed a gleaming katana, its blade shimmering in the sunlight. With a fluid motion, he assumed a battle stance."Watch closely" he says, eyes focused on the tennis ball in his hand With lightning speed, he tossed the ball forward. In a blur, he closed the distance, sword slicing through the air. Time seemed to slow as the blade intersected the ball, splitting it cleanly.The two halves fluttered to the ground, their trajectory revealing the sword's swift path. Professor Nog stood poised, several steps ahead of his initial position, his stance unwavering.I felt the air vibrate with the hum of his sword, the only sound in the stunned silence.Next, Professor Nog selects a pair of daggers."Dagger techniques require agility and stealth."He wields the daggers with deadly gr
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 50• Mastering Intent: iv
••••••SaturdayI push open the pharmacy door and greet Craig with a nod. "Hey, Craig."Craig smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hey, North! How's your mom doing?""Oh, she's doing well" I reply and wander down the aisles, searching for Mom's prescription medication. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow, and the air is thick with the scent of antiseptic and perfume.While searching for the medication, a sudden presence prickled the hairs on the back of my neck. My senses tingled, alerting me of the sudden change in the air.I slowly turn my gaze towards my left, stare towards the glass window for a brief moment, but I see nothing out of the ordinary. So I get back to looking for mom's medications on the shelf.As I round a shelf, I feel the air become more dense. *Am I sick?*Someone push open the doors, then I hear a man walk in. His boots making an echo with each step he takes.But I ignore it. The man approaches the counter, his movements economical."The
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 51• A Promise
•••••••"What do you think happened to him?" Michael ask."I don't know, but whatever it is, it wasn't normal" Claire replies.Their voice echo in my head."Should we contact the school?" Michael asks."Not yet," Claire says. "We haven't found out what happened yet" I open my eyes and see a ceiling light. My head aches like it's going to split in two as I begin to sit up from the sofa.I groan to the pain, which Informs Michael and Claire who are sitting around the dinning table across the room that I'm awake."North!" Michael exclaims.Claire turns, Concern etched on her face.Michael walks to my side, his eyes scanning my face."North, man, thank God you're awake," he says, relief laced in his voice.I try to speak, but my throat feels parched. Michael hands me a glass of water from the table near by."Slowly, dude," he advises as I take a sip.Claire rises from her seat, her expression a mix of worry and curiosity as she walks towards the back of the couch to my right."What happe
SoulBond: A Beacon Of Hope 52• A Promise: ii
•••••Ken, the Uber driver, waits outside.We walk into the car and take our seats."Hey, where to?" Ken asks, oblivious of my presence, as he tries to reach his fallen air pod case."Two drops," I reply. "First, Michael's place, then mine."Ken nods."Sounds good," he says. "Wait, I know that voice" he grabs the air pod case and seats back straight."North! My man" he smiles.I smile. "Hey, Ken""It's been a while. Are you doing?" He asks."I'm good. So, I used my friend's account to book the ride, but she's not coming. Hope you don't mind" Ken smiles. "Yeah, of course not""Cool. This is my friend, Michael""Oh. Oh... Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Ken" Ken says, then stretch his hand to shake Michael."Same" Michael takes his hand.Ken nods then starts the car."Saint Estate first, right?" Ken asks as we begin to move."Yeah" I reply."Alright. Music?" Ken asks.I look at Michael, he nods."Yeah" I reply."Great!" Ken voice then turns on the music. "So, Michael?""Yeah?" Michael repli
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52• A Promise: ii
•••••Ken, the Uber driver, waits outside.We walk into the car and take our seats."Hey, where to?" Ken asks, oblivious of my presence, as he tries to reach his fallen air pod case."Two drops," I reply. "First, Michael's place, then mine."Ken nods."Sounds good," he says. "Wait, I know that voice" he grabs the air pod case and seats back straight."North! My man" he smiles.I smile. "Hey, Ken""It's been a while. Are you doing?" He asks."I'm good. So, I used my friend's account to book the ride, but she's not coming. Hope you don't mind" Ken smiles. "Yeah, of course not""Cool. This is my friend, Michael""Oh. Oh... Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Ken" Ken says, then stretch his hand to shake Michael."Same" Michael takes his hand.Ken nods then starts the car."Saint Estate first, right?" Ken asks as we begin to move."Yeah" I reply."Alright. Music?" Ken asks.I look at Michael, he nods."Yeah" I reply."Great!" Ken voice then turns on the music. "So, Michael?""Yeah?" Michael repli
51• A Promise
•••••••"What do you think happened to him?" Michael ask."I don't know, but whatever it is, it wasn't normal" Claire replies.Their voice echo in my head."Should we contact the school?" Michael asks."Not yet," Claire says. "We haven't found out what happened yet" I open my eyes and see a ceiling light. My head aches like it's going to split in two as I begin to sit up from the sofa.I groan to the pain, which Informs Michael and Claire who are sitting around the dinning table across the room that I'm awake."North!" Michael exclaims.Claire turns, Concern etched on her face.Michael walks to my side, his eyes scanning my face."North, man, thank God you're awake," he says, relief laced in his voice.I try to speak, but my throat feels parched. Michael hands me a glass of water from the table near by."Slowly, dude," he advises as I take a sip.Claire rises from her seat, her expression a mix of worry and curiosity as she walks towards the back of the couch to my right."What happe
50• Mastering Intent: iv
••••••SaturdayI push open the pharmacy door and greet Craig with a nod. "Hey, Craig."Craig smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hey, North! How's your mom doing?""Oh, she's doing well" I reply and wander down the aisles, searching for Mom's prescription medication. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow, and the air is thick with the scent of antiseptic and perfume.While searching for the medication, a sudden presence prickled the hairs on the back of my neck. My senses tingled, alerting me of the sudden change in the air.I slowly turn my gaze towards my left, stare towards the glass window for a brief moment, but I see nothing out of the ordinary. So I get back to looking for mom's medications on the shelf.As I round a shelf, I feel the air become more dense. *Am I sick?*Someone push open the doors, then I hear a man walk in. His boots making an echo with each step he takes.But I ignore it. The man approaches the counter, his movements economical."The
49• Mastering Intent: iii
•••••We assemble before a large, open area. "I'll demonstrate each one, showcasing their unique capabilities."He gestures to a nearby rack, adorned with an array of weapons."First, the sword."Professor Nog unsheathed a gleaming katana, its blade shimmering in the sunlight. With a fluid motion, he assumed a battle stance."Watch closely" he says, eyes focused on the tennis ball in his hand With lightning speed, he tossed the ball forward. In a blur, he closed the distance, sword slicing through the air. Time seemed to slow as the blade intersected the ball, splitting it cleanly.The two halves fluttered to the ground, their trajectory revealing the sword's swift path. Professor Nog stood poised, several steps ahead of his initial position, his stance unwavering.I felt the air vibrate with the hum of his sword, the only sound in the stunned silence.Next, Professor Nog selects a pair of daggers."Dagger techniques require agility and stealth."He wields the daggers with deadly gr
48• Mastering Intent: ii
•••••*Did I imagine interacting with my Angel that night?*I wonder."Hey, North" Michael calls out, pulling me from my thoughts."You are not hungry?" He asks."What?" "You've barely touched your meal. What's going on?" He asks, leaving Claire who's next to me shift her gaze towards me."Oh. Ahhh..""Did that class make you loss your appetite?" Claire asks, then stares back at her meal."No. Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking about something. Nothing to worry about" I say then pick my fork.Michael nods.A moment later, a guy walks in, the room's atmosphere shifts. Conversations pause, eyes drawn to his striking figure. His charming smile spreads as he navigates through the crowd with ease.Someone whispers, "Isn't that Larson Ray?"Another whispers, "Hey, that's Larson."Larson's gaze scans the room, locking onto Claire. He smiles and makes his way towards her, his stride confident."Hey, Larson! Congrats on acing the exams!" A random guy calls out.Larson, attention still on Cl
47• Mastering Intent
North POV••••••"Okay. Specials aren't limited to the Adams family" Professor Thompson says, then picks the marker off her table.She draws four human figures on the marker board. Each representing an Avatar. Three of them holding hands, while one is centered in their middle."Now, this is called 'Celestial Alignment'. This is when three Avatars pour in their Mana into one Avatar at the same time. The three gather up their Mana, then at once, they release it into the Avatar in the middle. This causes the Avatar the middle to unlock a different level of potential. Imbuing one with lots of Mana will create a Special. But note, this method of creating special is not recommended. In fact, it's only when you've reached a certain level that the higher ups permit such method. You may ask why?"She drops her marker and takes a sit on her table's edge."The reason is because of the amount of deaths it has caused. The first Avatars that did this, Kevin, Clark, Rachel, and Finn, weren't success
46• You Never Asked: ii
•••••Thinking about it, it must have been horrible to get your blood suck out regularly."No it wasn't. I was fine" Stan replies to my thoughts."What?" I asked confused to if he just heard my thoughts."So why did you become my driver if you needed to keep a low profile?" Michael asks, immediately Claire walks back and takes her seat."That? I was simply bored" Stan replies, then sips his coffee. "Aren't you guys drinking your coffee?" He asks."You were bored?!" Michael utters with confusion etched on his face."Yes. I was bored of the life I was living. After 9 years of study and intense training, I just got bored of everything. So, I asked your dad for a job. Anna didn't stop me because I would have force my way out of that life if she had tried. And I was already strong enough to be on my own, so she let me""Okay. So why didn't you say anything before? Why now?" I ask.He smiles. "Cause, not until recently, My family did not give me the freedom I wanted. They didn't know I was
45• You Never Asked
••••••As we approach the gate, a guy suddenly reveal himself from behind a near by tree."Hey, guys" He says casually as if he knows us.For a moment it seems I don't recognize him because I have never seen him in casual clothing, but after I scan his appearance, I realize who is standing in front of us."Stan?" Michael and I exclaim with widen eyes.Claire stares as us. "You guys have met?"Stan smiles."Mr Stan, what are you doing here?" I ask."Yeah, you didn't inform me you were coming. And I thought you wouldn't be back anytime soon" Michael adds "Mr Stan?" Claire voice with a confused expression."Yeah, Mr Stan is Michael's personal driver" "Hmm? Stan? You're still working?" Claire asks."Hello Claire! Good to see you again. Well, since you two are surprised to see me here, why don't we go for a cup of coffee so I can explain why. There's a near by coffee shop here"We stare at Stan, surprised he is here on school grounds, because the school only permit it students and teache
44• Claire's Past: iv
•••••2 minutes laterSaint gestures to a holographic projector. "Time for teamwork training. Your objective: land 20 hits on the hologram within 12 minutes. He is on adaptive mode, so go easy on him"The hologram takes form, a sleek, agile fighter.Now in our jumpsuits, we prepare to face the hologram.I take a deep breath, Michael does the same."Let's move!" Claire calls, charging forward.Michael and I follow, forming a triangle around the hologram.In the initial flurry, we land a few hits. Claire's swift kicks connect, while Michael's powerful hooks send the hologram stumbling. My punches find their mark.It feels so easy. Maybe because we are Avatars, or because the hologram's fighting level is on 1.Suddenly, the hologram adapts, its movements becoming more fluid.Michael's attempts multiple strategies, but his execution falters. Claire's eyes track the hologram's movements, yet her timing is off. My vibrokanesis overwhelms me with vibrations, disrupting my focus.As the cloc