The VR match with the cat-costumed fighter had left Adam feeling exhilarated but worn out. His heart still pounded from the adrenaline, and he could still feel the sting of his virtual injuries. It was different in the VR world—more intense, more real—but it only reminded him that there were levels to his power he hadn't even touched yet.
After his victory, he stepped out of the VR pod, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Shawn was already waiting for him, leaning casually against the wall with a grin plastered on his face.
"Not bad," Shawn said, giving Adam a thumbs-up. "That was a close call with that guy. I thought you were done for, but then you pulled out that flame shield—good thinking."
Adam grinned back, feeling a rush of confidence. "Yeah, I wasn't sure it would hold up, but it worked. That cat fighter's fast, though. I've never fought anyone like that before."
Shawn chuckled. "That's the beauty of Ability War. You never know who you'll be up against. But hey, you've got fire, which means you've got a huge advantage. Don't forget that."
Adam nodded, still processing the match. "Yeah, but there's more to it. I need to learn to control it better. I almost lost control a few times back there."
Shawn slapped him on the back. "You'll get the hang of it. You're not the only one here learning how to control powers. Besides, there's still the real world to train in. Just think—Elemental Class tomorrow! If you're ready, that is."
Adam smiled, his mind flashing to the upcoming class. "I'm ready. Let's see what they can teach us about using our powers for real."
The next day, the group met up in front of the training hall for Elemental Class. It was a massive building with high ceilings, designed for large-scale training. Inside, students gathered around a series of different zones, each focusing on a specific type of element: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. The whole atmosphere felt electric, buzzing with the potential of everyone's powers.
The instructor, a tall woman with piercing green eyes and silver hair, stepped forward and clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Welcome to Elemental Class! I'm Instructor Kaela, and I'll be guiding you through the fundamentals of controlling and enhancing your powers. If you're here, it's because you've been identified as someone with the potential to harness elemental forces. Now, let's see what you're made of!"
Adam's heart raced as he looked around at the other students. He could see a few familiar faces from school, but most of them were strangers. Some of them were clearly excited, while others seemed a little intimidated. Elizabeth looked calm as ever, though Max was practically bouncing on his heels in anticipation. Tyler stood with a casual confidence, clearly ready to dive in.
Kaela began, walking over to a large training circle. "We'll start with a basic assessment. I'll call each of you up to show me your powers in action. Don't hold back, but remember—this is about control. We're here to teach, not to see who can blow things up the most."
The students lined up, and one by one, they demonstrated their abilities. A girl with long, flowing brown hair summoned water from the ground, forming a gentle stream that she shaped into a shimmering water whip. A guy with short black hair created a wall of stone, his hands glowing with earthy energy as the stone formed and solidified in front of him. A student with wings of light summoned a burst of golden energy, creating a blinding flash in the air.
When it was Adam's turn, he stepped forward, trying to mask the nervous flutter in his chest. This wasn't just another virtual battle. This was real, with real consequences if he lost control. He took a deep breath and focused. He had to show them he could control his flames, that he wasn't some kid playing with fire.
Adam extended his hand, and a small flame flickered into life at his fingertips. It wasn't much, just a little spark, but it was enough. As Kaela nodded for him to continue, he clenched his fist, and the flame grew, twisting into a small ball of fire that hovered in the air above his palm.
"Nice," Kaela said, watching him closely. "But can you do more than just summon a flame?"
Adam's eyes narrowed. He had to push it further. He raised both hands now, the fire swirling around them like a tornado. Heat radiated from him, and the flames roared to life, dancing and crackling as they expanded.
"Alright, let's see if you can control it," Kaela said, her voice steady.
Adam closed his eyes, concentrating hard. He could feel the heat in the air, the power in his palms, but he had to maintain control. He summoned a thin stream of flame from one hand, directing it toward a target. The fire moved with precision, splitting into smaller threads of flame as he manipulated it.
The flames didn't go wild. They didn't scorch the ground or burn anything out of control. He could feel it—his control was getting stronger.
"Impressive," Kaela said, folding her arms across her chest. "That's the kind of precision I want to see. Now, let's see how you handle this."
She raised a hand, and suddenly, the training area changed. The ground shifted, becoming a rocky, uneven terrain. From the ground, massive stone golems began to rise, their heavy feet thundering against the floor.
"These golems are designed to test your ability to focus under pressure," Kaela called out. "Your job is to use your powers to break through them. But you have to be careful. They're tough."
Adam's heart skipped a beat. This was nothing like the controlled environment of the VR game. These golems were real—well, as real as training props could get. They were massive, each one towering over him with thick stone armor and arms capable of crushing anything in their path.
"Let's do this," Adam muttered to himself, stepping into a fighting stance.
The first golem lunged at him, its giant fist swinging toward his head. Adam ducked, summoning a barrier of blue flame around him just in time to deflect the blow. The heat from the flames wasn't just for show—it pushed against the stone, creating cracks where the fire touched.
"Not bad," Kaela called, watching him carefully. "But can you do more?"
Adam's mind raced. He needed to be faster, more precise. The fire that had once felt unpredictable was beginning to feel more like an extension of himself.
He focused again, pushing his energy into the flames. This time, he summoned a series of fire arrows, shooting them at the golem's joints and weak points. The arrows exploded on impact, causing the golem to stagger. It tried to punch him again, but Adam was already in motion, leaping out of the way and launching another barrage of fire arrows into the golem's chest.
With a final strike, the golem collapsed into a heap of crumbled stone.
The class erupted into applause. Kaela nodded in approval. "Well done. That was impressive. You've got control, Adam. Keep working on it."
Adam stood there, breathing heavily but grinning. He had done it. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. His flames had burned through the stone, and for the first time, he felt like he was really in control.
As he caught his breath, Elizabeth walked over with a smile. "You're on fire—literally," she joked, elbowing him gently.
"Thanks," Adam said, wiping his brow. "I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of this."
Max joined them, giving Adam a thumbs-up. "That was wild. You're definitely ready for the next level, man."
Adam's smile widened. "Let's just hope the next level doesn't involve fighting stone giants again."
Shawn laughed. "Knowing Elemental Class? It probably will."
Kaela called out, "Alright, everyone, let's take a short break and get ready for the next round. Don't get too comfortable—there's plenty more to come."
As Adam took a seat, he felt the fire inside him flicker again, a reminder of the power he had yet to fully tap into. But with each passing moment, he knew he was getting closer. And for the first time in a long time, he felt ready to face whatever came next.