The Beginning Chapter 1 Page 11-15

Arriving on the scene, I find two little kids and their pets surrounded by shattered glass and a group of middle-aged men, barking at them, about something? Honestly, I can't make squat of what they're yellin' about, seriously, at this point, it's more so they are just yelling at the top of their lungs while seasoning it with all their anger. Make that dumping all of their anger... Better see if I can break this up, speaking of, where the heck is security?

: Hey guys, let's calm down and talk things out alright?"

Drunk and stinky: WHAT'S IT TO YA?!! WE AIN'T GOTTA DO SQUAT!! NOW GET OUT UNLESS YOU WANNA PUMMELING!!" Puffing his chest and spitting at me as he screams something like a threat? I bet these drunk, old, garbage, are itching for a fight.

Drunk and big: YEAH!! SO GET LOST!!!" Okay, now I can make heads or tails of what he's saying, also, this drunk garbage is pretty big, gonna have to keep my eye on him.

: Dang. Here I thought we could talk things out; oh well, let's make this quick."

Closing the gap on the big guy, he needs to go first; I'll start with some leg kicks to chop him down; then slipping a haymaker I throw a well timed overhand right; it connects to his jaw and his lights are out. Hearing the first drunk casting a flame spell, he's slurring pretty bad but I think it's a basic lvl.2 FlameBall; that's a pretty bad spell to get shot, a couple hits and I'll be toast, literally! Tightening my guard; I step in, and barely dodge a lvl.2 FlameBall that flies past my head! That's it! Throwing an overhand right; followed up with a liver spear; it sends him kissing the floor. Getting tackled by the big drunk, and even more old drunks, I sprawl to keep my legs from his hands and this will hurt but, bracing for impact! Slipping; bobbing; weaving; as many of their attacks both physical and Magicia, I get clipped by a few but I'm still on me feet! Using lateral footwork to avoid getting surrounded by these fools, I throw a few shots here and there to keep them at bay until I find that one moment, then I'll throw a counter hard enough to have them sleeping for days... Like now! Catching one of them with a lead left check hook, it hits square on the cheeks; right below the eye socket. Smashing another fool's nose in with a sledgehammer right, and as he drops I narrowly roll out of a lvl.2 FlameBall that's wider than the first one! Jeez potato vinegar chips! ... For a bunch of ol drunk fools, they sure know how to put up a fight, but with only 3 left on jello legs, and clearly halfway to sleeping for days like their friends, this won't take much longer; finishing off the last 3 not long after my prediction, I'm a little bruised, partially singed, but mostly alright! Helping out the 2 little kids and their pets find their caretaker; apparently they're from the orphanage near the temple; they came here to have some fun and grab some chow but then came those drunk fools.

Blue Boy: Thanks again Mister! You're our hero!"

Strawberry Girl: yeah! Hero like what big bwothe say!"

: You both are adorable; also very nice! You're welcome, now go on, I'm sure your caretaker is worried about you two."

watching them run to the arms of their caretaker, I wave goodbye and leave to pick up their orders and begin my journey back to Castle Sparrow! Watching as a few cars; cycles; motorcycles on the streets, it's amazing how technology is improving. Although, most people still prefer to use Magicia to get around most places; most of society haven't taken much to technology; not when most of them are, at least, decent enough in Magicia. Unlike me of course... And any other Disabled out there... Also, the prices for most vehicles are straight up at the sky! Like what???! Even the older models are still pretty high if you compare them to other means of transportation; speaking of, public transportation is where these vehicles are mostly used. After the Värhūchtenheim Wars, and other world changing events; lead to the need to change the transport industry, mostly for the public use, and or transport of goods. Which is why a single use ticket for any train; bus; boat; planes; cost about a BLT sandwich in most Western Union Cities. The wind is really talkative today; a constant conversation without words; without any voices. Having dinner together with Mom, and Sisters, I go on autopilot through our conversations cause I can't help thinking about failing all of Mr. Earl's classes coming up soon, and being a Disabled doesn't cut me a lot of slack... Good golly gee, how am I gonna pass this time?

Sara: You know, if you keep that face up you'll get stuck that way." Talking while chewing, for a lady; Sara doesn't act much like a lady. She's been like this since way back... But she sure uses the " Mom! Jack hit me again!!" Card perfectly.

Yasmin: Don't worry Bro, you got this; just do what you always do." With a deadpan look, she asks if she's wrong? Oh wow... I am speechless, and why am I not surprised, I think she gets a kick out of seeing me struggling.

" That's easy to say when you can use Magicia."

Yasmin: Of course; but it never stopped you before, right." Going back to her bowl of congee with slices of thousand years old egg, Yasmin got a point; I've never been stopped, and I won't start now!

Sadie: Yasmin is right, Pumpkin; I know you'll find a way; if you're stuck, try going back to the beginning." Taking Mom's words carefully she does have a point, but I'm not ready to go back yet; I can't go back because I ... I .... I can't...

Sara:... So! Mom, how's Mr. Thornbush? Is the painting alright?"

Sadie: yes, it's almost done; I just need to add in a few touches and let it dry; then it's off to Mr. Thornbush." Asking Mom if she'd like me to help drop it off for her, she thinks about it for a minute; a minute later, she agrees. Dinner goes by and after helping out with cleanup duties, Mom goes back to her studio to work on her other projects; Sara is working on the next big thing on MagWeb; Yasmin is in her room studying. As for me, I'm in my room crawling up the walls for a way to pass Mr. Earl's upcoming classes; his up, upcoming classes, and every other classes of every teacher I have. ... What do I do?? I'm barely making any progress in Magicia, but I have to meet the score requirements like any other students, or I won't pass; not passing means I can't continue to be a student; because it would be the third time I've scored lowest, and that means I'm out. Alright Jack, just breathe deep and keep calm; I can do this; I just need to stick to what I know, which is not giving up when it gets tough. Attempting to cast Mirror Eyes; Mana from my chest gathers around my eyes, and just like all my previous attempts; I fail. Straight up fail... Being a Disabled sure sucks.... Trying to cast Mirror Eyes until it's late pass my bedtime; I still got tomorrow at least. Tucking myself in, I toss and turn as I get ideas leaking in on what I could do to pass Mr. Earl's upcoming classes, and they're very, very, very, tiny droplets of ideas. Maybe .... Maybe I'll know tomorrow?...

The Sun rises in the sky...

Yellow and Dark blues mingle together...

A beautiful oil painting, a picture through

the window in my room...

Hitting the clock; I drag myself outta bed and I'm surprised I'm up this early; I usually wake up to my alarm and Sara's screaming. January/4/2019. Stretching like a grass dancing in the wind, a few of my bones pop and going through the rest of my morning routine in autopilot, I'm still a little caught in my dreams; food from around the world; floating cotton candy; rainbow chocolate... But there's also a me that uses Magicia... Except, he's the old me.... A nightmare ends my dreams. Snapping out of it completely, I get started on breakfast and on cue, here comes Mom; Sara; Yasmin. Having breakfast together as always, leaving first cause I agreed to help Mom out with delivery; I get into Mom's workspace through the kitchen. Carefully with steady hands and a gentle touch; I am off to Mr. Thornbush's home; located a little far from ours, but that's fine. I should have enough time to make it back to Fuller Academy. After maximum speed walking; cutting through shortcuts; avoiding close calls with dirt! I finally made it... Mr. Thornbush's home. A little a lot on the extravagant side; also tons and tons of gold all around... Handing the painting off to Mr. Thornbush himself, he beams a big grin on his face slapping my back as he marvels his portrait; his portrait with gold all around him; how expected. Putting the handover letter in my duffel bag, I sling it over my back and I'm off like lightning! Making it will be tight; down to the last second probably. Getting through obstacles and maneuvering over houses; shops; buildings; I take my shortcut through the forest of Boro Mountains, and I've got 5 minutes left; I need to go faster!! Blowing through the front doors; I roll and continue sprinting all the way to Mr. Earl's class; arriving right on the dot, and just as Mr. Earl is about to close his door... Alright... Just need to... Catch my breath...

Mr. Earl:... Jack, are you alright? ... Do you need some water?" Mr. Earl ask; his voice deep as seas and forest of Boro Mountain; calm and mysterious as the air around him. However, the care and concern in his voice is kinda unique; rarely I ever heard this much emotion.... And no! I'm not trying to make myself super special or anything! Mr. Earl told me himself that I'm more than just another of his students; past or present; he sees me as his son. And I'm glad that he does...

" No thanks Mr. Earl, I'm fine, really, and I'm not late am I?"

Mr. Earl: No, no, no, just in time... Now go take your seat, Jack. Class, I know that some of you are struggling for the upcoming tests; hence why; today's class shall be to help all of you."

Random student: Yeah! Like Jack!"

Mr. Earl: That is strike one, add two more, and I'll have you at detention."

Hearing the random student apologize, he huffs, he puffs, about it but he holds back from interrupting Mr. Earl. He spoke so sternly that he surprised... Everyone...

Mr. Earl: Today we will revisit the basics of Magicia; chaneling Mana flow; Mana breathing exercises; and a few tips to aid you. Now then, let us begin!" Clapping his hands once; we all take our notebooks and study material from way back forever ago. Wait a second... Didn't Mom said something about going back to where I started? But... I guess this counts? I'm not ready to go back... I don't think I ever will be... Going over the basics; Mana flow is the practice of channeling Mana from the well of a person; and the well is where Mana is contained in the human body; but Disabled people lack this well or theirs has been broken; I'm part of the second. However, I guess, there's a silver lining, and that's that I can have some Mana in my broken well; I only have to work oh, about, 300 times more than everyone else. But that's cool. I've never given up and I sure as french fries won't start now!

A Few Hours Later...................

Stopping for lunch break. Mr. Earl's class today, was super, duper, helpful; not just for me; the few other students struggling really needed this. Walking through the hallways is like always, shoving, elbows, bags hitting me by

"accident". Never a dull moment I guess... Arriving at the cafeteria; thankfully I get more than just scraps like last time; navigating through a sea of students sitting around their tables; some very eager to see me land with my face smacked to my lunch; I manage to safely arrive at our table. Everyone's here except for Lars and Jeremy, who comes a couple minutes later, asking how their morning was; they say they had a good morning overall.

Grayson: Bro, where were you!? We thought something happened Bro!" Loud and caring, part of the Grayson package, a big part of his charm comes from it too.

"... Had to do a delivery for my Mom."

Kimberly: Mhm... Mr. Thornbush; self portrait surrounded by gold; more gold; nothing but gold. I am right, aren't I? Jackie." Resting her chin on the back of her hand; her fingers curls in like the paws of a cat; taking a slow sip of her favorite tea. You know, she's really starting to sell the idea she's omniscient, I mean, can you seriously, say I'm wrong??

" Yeah, that's it. So how are all of your classes going? Good I hope."

Lars: Eh. Science is tough, but I'm really juiced for the project we're doing!"

Jeremy: Magicia made me keck more times than I can handle; I'm surprised I haven't vomit thus far." From his speech to his facial expressions, Jeremy isn't lying, he really does feel like emptying his stomach! Oh goodness corn crisps... I'm done for! If Jeremy can feel like this than what about me??!

Danni: Same here; jeez are they busting our asses! Don't get me started on battle tactics and stratagems; getting it right is like finding string in a stack of needles..." Yikes! Danni is mad... Like; really mad she's gonna need 2 bowls of Porter's Rock homemade ice cream. Her raspy voice rocking like thunder, and not at all soft like MoMo balls. Yup. She's definitely mad...

Grayson: Uhm... I guess I'm lucky? I mean, don't get me wrong Bros, physical combat has me on my butt a lot! But I'm happy!" Loud and deep as the ocean, and full of confidence, like the sun. I guess he'd be struggling the least out of all of us... At least one of us doesn't have to struggle so much...

Danni: Hey Kimmy, didn't yer Mom put yer in business class? Y'know, I think if I ever wanted to go bald; take me with you when yer go." Oof. The sarcasm and the truthfulness, we feel you Danni, we totally do...

Kimberly: Why of course; who needs a professional salon; 2-3 hours of business class will shave your head clean." Hmmm... I would like to say Kimberly's just joking like Danni, but another part of me thinks she's serious, I can't quite tell, and I'm not too sure if I want to.....

" Well... Not that I think I've got it harder, but, I'm a Disabled; competing against non Disabled; can't get much harder than that."

Kimberly:... Of course. Jackie, is there anything we can assist you with? Magicia is my forte; Jeremy as well; we can assist you if that is what you need?" She's so genuine, and the warmth in her voice like a fireplace lit during winter, and the way her character and brilliance shows, same as royalty, always impressed me. Jeremy chimes in, adding that he could use a good distraction to get his mind off of his Magicia lessons.

" Thanks guys, I appreciate it but I think I can manage-" My left hand, it feels weird, actually, it feels numb and nothing? Trying to move my fingers, they twitch a little but they can't move, nor can my hand for that matter, alright just breathe me; don't panic and stay calm; put on your I'm totally fine face; act cool and tough through it!

" Hey guys, I think I gotta us e the bathroom! BRB!"

Grayson:.... He's hiding something isn't he?"

Lars; Definitely. Question is; what's he hiding?"

Speed walking to the medic room; Dr. Appleburr said I should see him if I have any questions; or any injuries; just feeling off in general I guess. Finding Dr. Appleburr easy enough, he's sitting behind his desk doing paperwork, when he notices me standing here, and freaking out a little and that something is clearly wrong! Explaining what's going on; I also tell Dr. Appleburr about how my nerves were finicky; and glitching; like bad reception. Doing a check-up; he's quiet for awhile which really isn't helping much; if anything, it's making me panic more.... Explaining why my left hand is numb and why I can't really control it, and why my body's nervous system is all finicky and glitching like bad reception, he says; all the electricity I took from Jerkwad's Lightning Magicia; caused a point or part of my nervous system to shut down; like an isolated blackout; hence why I can't control my left hand. This sucks! Well... I suppose I can still use it in some way? Maybe? Leaving Dr. Appleburr and the medic room, I thanked him a bunch for helping me out again, and I probably missed lunch; I better get my behind to Mr. Earl's class before I'm late.... Arriving last again, at least I'm not as tight on time as this morning, now I've got like, a solid 1 1/2 second before I'm late.

Mr. Earl: Jack, this is the second time you've came last but not late; am I seeing a pattern? Should I be worried?" He says jokingly, which is surprising since Mr. Earl hardly jokes around when the students are here. And all of them are probably upset at me, for making class any longer than it needs to be... Yeah... What's new? Hunkering down on my seat, Mr. Earl's class goes on like always, and like always, I feel like my brain is overheating, but I also feel like... Like I'm close to the breakthrough I need.

Mr. Earl: Alright then, to summarize today's class; Magicia; Mana; and how even Disabled can learn them; that is what we've touched."

Mr. Earl: Always remember my students, when a path is blocked, when you can't find the answer, change your perspective; your view of the problem; your position; and you will find the answer." Inspired by Mr. Earl's words, I bet most of them are too, and how can they not be?? Now for sure! I'm gonna get that breakthrough!!

I don't care how much, how hard, I have to train, I will breakthrough and stand with my friends!!! Filing out of Mr. Earl's classroom like lunch break all over again, at least a few of them picked up the extra material Mr. Earl put on his desk. Talking with Mr. Earl about what we covered today and if he's got any tips that may help me out, we go over until a knock on his door disrupts us from our conversation.

Grayson: Hey Bro! Sorry to bother you, but we gotta head back, remember?" Big and loud as a Liobear, but way more caring and reliable in a pinch to fix stuff, Grayson sure does stand out from the crowd in a good way of course!

Mr. Earl: Grayson, good to see you as always, well, I believe that's our time for today; I will see you tomorrow, Jack. Now both of you stay safe." Ruffling my hair, Mr. Earl returns to his job while Grayson and I leave Fuller Academy, after all, as much as I enjoy being with Mr. Earl, I've got stuff to do. Walking out the grand doors of Fuller Academy, the whole crew is here and I'm feeling even more pumped!

" Hey guys, do you wanna train with me? I think I'm really close to having a breakthrough! I can feel it..."

Grayson: Count me in, Bro! You know we got your back!"

Danni: Grayson's right, c'mon! I'm fired up!" Raspy and rocking like thunder; Danni's extra fired up! Which is super awesome! ... And that means I'll probably get my butt handed to me... A lot... Oh well, the price of success is never cheap and I won't quit!

Jeremy: For the purpose of training, I suggest we use your usual training grounds, Jack. It has been some time since we went there."... Crab sticks and corn crackers! I forgot to redo the grass and spiffy it up a bit! But they won't know will they? ... Nah. I'm sure they won't know.....

Several Ads Later....

Kimberly: Jackie, would you mind explaining how the grass and ground here are burned?" Pointing with her eyes to the most biggest patch of burnt ground, I calmly say that I have no clue whatsoever! Is how I imagined myself in my head but I know I'm nothing like that, more so, I trip and fall over my words with sweaty palms, cause I sense she'll whoop my butt if she knew... And then they would join in on it too...

Kimberly:... Sigh* Moving on, whom would you like to spar first, Jackie? Me? Jeremy? Danni? Perhaps Grayson to make it easier?" Hearing the little taunting tone seasoned into her voice, Kimberly masks it well but I know, this is definitely a challenge, and a good one that I'll take head on!

"... I'm choosing... Danni and Jeremy! Together!"

Kimberly: Oh ho ho~ How confident of you, Jackie, taking them both together increases the difficulty much, much, more..."

" I know... But I can feel it.... I'm close to my breakthrough..." Clenching my hands into fists, my left isn't as tight as I'd like, but it's gonna have to do, cause I'm not backing down now!!

Danni: That's the spirit! C'mon Jer-Jer Let's help our good ol' Bro Jack!" Raspy and rocking like thunder, Danni's really pumped about our sparring session which is kinda scary...

Jeremy: I'm right by your side, and I'm more than happy to help Jack, after all, what better way is there than to learn Magicia first hand." Calm and ready to get our sparring session rolling, Jeremy's excited, and wait a sec... What you mean about learning first hand?? Jeremy??!

Kimberly: Then I shall act as referee, get into your positions, and wait for my mark." Taking their position, Jeremy stands a good three to six meters out, while Danni's only a couple meters away, just like what I'd expect. Jeremy's fighting style consists of using long ranged Magicia spells and sometimes incantations for spells that are too complicated for him to do in his head. Danni on the other hand, prefers to use Magicia to boost her physical capabilities and sticks to mid-long range attacks both spells and physical attacks, before completely squaring up and dropping bombs to get that K.O win. Alright just breathe and remember what you learned from Mr. Earl's classes today, I just need to change my perspective on how I approach Magicia. Closing my eyes and getting into my rythm, I know I'm close to the breakthrough... I just need to find a way... To find the path there... Something to make it happen... Hearing Kimberly start the sparring session, I tighten my guard and sprint towards Jeremy; I need to stop him before he can get his heavy hitters up and running; but I know they know that I'd need to do this to have shot; using Rabbit Dance to keep the distance between us straight off the gate. Rabbit Dance is a Magicia that enhances the speed of the user; also they can stay longer in the air after jumping; Rabbit Dance has some amounts of Feather Fall allowing the user to fall slower; Feather Fall is a Magicia that makes the user fall slower. Pressuring Jeremy by staying on him, I'm slowly closing in but I'm taking too much damage to my guard! I've gotta hang on!... I need to be... I need to.... Ah! Barely getting out the way of a Danni special; cutting the air with her three kick special; the last one got through my guard a little. I need to keep up the pressure! Adding more lateral movement into my footwork, Danni's kicks are missing more but some still connect, even if they only graze me, it still hurts, it hurts enough that I messed up! Crab cakes! Getting pinned down by a flurry Ice Bullets! ... Ice Bullets; part of the Ice Magicia, the user creates small ice balls and shoots them at high speed; low damage and low Mana cost; but effective for keeping someone away. Taking a knee, I knew I had a long way to go but... This is insane! ..... Wait.... What am I saying? Get a grip! Getting back up, something flashes my eyes but it's too fast that I don't know what it is, it's probably nothing... Peeking through my active guard at Jeremy and Danni, she's got her spells lined up so Jeremy's probably gonna back off to get one of his heavy hitters ready, then this is it! Taking advantage of the tiny, tiny, gap that's made; I dash in like always but suddenly it's like, I've chopped the earth between us like what?? Taking another step and we're face to face. Okay. What the heck??! Naniiiiiiii!!!!!.... Throwing a left right combo to his hips, I don't know how or what just happen but I'm gonna take advantage of it! Trying to push me away, Jeremy obviously has reach over me but infighting is my forte, and using my head to push him off balance, this sets him up for a three hook special! Double lefts and a right! Grazing Jeremy with the right on his cheek, he turns away just enough to save himself from hitting the ground, alright, just gotta keep this up! Danni! Bobbing; weaving; pulling back; ducking; side stepping; I'm actually doing this?!! Throwing a jab that goes just a tad bit too wide, I slip in a crisp 1-2 and Danni takes a knee!! What????!!!........... What's happening to me?!!! Am I finally using Magicia??! I'm using Magicia!!! ..... Alright let's try this again, getting back up, Danni looks awesome with her Mana flowing out of her like Kimberly. Focusing on drawing all of my Mana from my core, and flowing it to my hands, I focus on forming a sphere made of Mana in my palms, but nothing. Why can't I do the most basic spell???! I was just using some kind of Mana or Magicia! So why can't I do it now that I need it to work????... Getting dropped over and over and over; over; over; and over again... Needless to say I didn't expect anything more than this so I'm not too shocked, but dang, it still hurts to hit the ground so many times....

Grayson: Bro... Are you alright?"

" Totally.... Just gotta catch... My.... My breath a little...."

Jeremy:... Jack, you definitely are stronger... I am still feeling all those hooks..." Smiling while breathing like he just did a 100m sprint, Jeremy is definitely tired but I can't believe how many times he got me! He's still way too good ..

" I'm sorry! I didn't mean to go too hard, are you okay??"

Jeremy" Definitely.... But I unfortunately can't continue, I'm sorry for not having a higher damage tolerance..." Looking a little sad and sounding disappointed, his voice is still the same serene and easy going, caring and super chill vibes. But he shouldn't be disappointed; he totally kicked my butt more than I kicked his! Not that it counts or anything!....

" Don't sweat it! I'm just glad you guys helped me! I... I know you're all busy and all so it means a lot that you're all here..."

Danni: aw... It's nothing dude! C'mon, you ready for another round?"

" uhm-"

Kimberly: Jackie, why not spar with me? I'm certain I can help you breakthrough, and if not, well... You will gain more experience." Uhm.... Yeah the way Kimberly sounds is making me feel like taking her offer would just end with me in a puddle of I so regret it. Yet... The chance of gaining more experience is tempting.... What to do... What to do?....

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