Days stretched into weeks, and Kian's progress became undeniable. His control over his lightning grew sharper, the wild arcs of green energy that once lashed out without warning now bent obediently to his will. Chandler's relentless training pushed him to the brink each day, forcing him to understand not just the raw power he held but the precision needed to master it.
They stood in the training grounds under a shroud of mist one cool morning, the sun barely peeking over the mountains. The grass was slick with dew, glistening like tiny shards of glass. Kian's feet were planted firmly, eyes locked forward, hands held out as arcs of green lightning curled around his arms. His breathing was steady, controlled.
"Today, we're going to step it up," Chandler announced, his arms crossed. His telekinetic energy rippled subtly around him, the pressure unmistakable. He watched Kian with sharp, unyielding eyes. "If you want to truly refine what you have, you need to be able to use it without thinking. Instinct, boy. Right now, you're hesitating."
Kian clenched his fists, the arcs of energy flickering. "I'm not hesitating."
"Oh? Prove it."
Chandler flicked his wrist, and a surge of invisible force hurtled toward Kian like a freight train. Kian's eyes widened, but his body moved instinctively, green lightning spiraling up his legs as he vanished from sight, reappearing ten feet to the right with a crackle of energy.
"Good," Chandler nodded approvingly. "But too slow."
Without warning, another wave of telekinetic energy smashed toward him. Kian reacted faster this time, his lightning pulsing in time with his heartbeat. He ducked low, sparks spraying from his fingertips as he twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the blast. His landing was less graceful, knees hitting the wet grass with a thud, but he didn't falter.
"Better," Chandler called out, his expression hardening. "Again."
Kian barely had time to react as three more bursts flew toward him. His instincts flared, and for a brief moment, he stopped thinking entirely. His veins hummed with power, and his body moved as if possessed. He sidestepped the first blast, deflected the second with a concentrated pulse of green lightning, and hurled a bolt of his own straight through the third, splitting it in two.
The smell of ozone filled the air as the shattered telekinetic blast dispersed around him. Kian stood panting, electricity still crackling off his fingertips. His eyes were sharper now, more focused.
Chandler raised an eyebrow. "That's it. That's what I want to see."
Kian grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm getting faster."
"You are. But you're still not fluid enough," Chandler said, stepping forward. His hand shot out, and Kian barely reacted in time to leap backward as the ground where he'd stood cracked open.
Kian straightened, eyes narrowing. "That's... a bit much, don't you think?"
"You want to get stronger, don't you?" Chandler shot back, his voice stern. "You think your enemies are going to hold back?" He gestured around the field, the grass still smoking from the last blast. "This is where you break your limits. Right here. Right now."
Kian took a deep breath, nodding. His body pulsed with energy, the green lightning crackling brighter now, more alive. He could feel it thrumming under his skin, like it was just waiting to be unleashed.
"All right," he said, raising his hands. "Let's go again."
The next hour was a blur of movement. Kian darted through the clearing, lightning flashing with every step. His dodges grew cleaner, his counterattacks sharper. Chandler continued to hammer him with invisible force, never once letting up, never once offering a reprieve.
By the time the sun had risen fully, painting the sky with streaks of orange and violet, Kian stood panting in the middle of the field. His hands still sparked with residual energy, his heart pounding, but his smile was triumphant. He had done it he had moved faster, reacted sharper. His muscles ached with fatigue, but his mind was clearer than ever.
Chandler stepped forward, nodding with approval. "You're starting to understand."
Kian straightened, electricity flickering off his shoulders like dying embers. "I can feel it... I'm not just using it. I'm part of it."
"That's right." Chandler's expression softened just slightly. "But you've got a long way to go."
Kian smirked, wiping his brow. "I wouldn't have it any other way."