Project 7 the First: The Hero's Great Come Back

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

After seven days of training, it was time to resume classes. Lance was walking to school still feeling drowsy from training too hard.
"Are we there yet?" he asked groggily.
"No."
"I don't feel like going to the academy yet. I still wanna stay in bed," he said as he tried to lift his eye lids.
"That's what you get for not getting some rest," said Pagos.
"At least I get to train hard and learn new abilities, and I also get to create my own move," said Lance thinking positive at the same time not in his usual self.
"Hey, Lance!" called out a girl from behind.
When Lance turned, he saw Shelly waving and running to him. Lance felt electrocuted for a moment. He did not know what to do or say to her ever since the incident that happened before. He felt like he wanted to run away, but he also wanted to talk to her. His mind was mixed up.
"Hey, Lance!" Shelly said as she finally caught up to her. "It's been a long time ever since we'd talk."
"Uh." He was perspiring like crazy. "Yeah," he said with an awkward smile on his face. "So, how's it going?"
"Well, fine, I guess. How about you?" she said like how a normal couple would talk to each other.
"I'm fine, too!" Lance replied while feeling weird inside. "So, who did you get as teammates? Are they skilled like you are?"
"Now that you mentioned it," she said as she tried to remember her group. "Well, they're okay. Maybe you could call them a powerhouse."
Then, Lance came back to his senses and was starting to get curious. "Really? So, who are they?"
"From what I can remember... There is Selena Garnet- the strategist. Clyde Harvey who uses blades connected to chains. The famous Yuki Shinata who uses guns like Paolo."
When Lance heard Yuki was on her team, he thought that he will not have any chances of beating her team.
"Yuki, huh?"
"Yeah," she said. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
"No," Lance replied. "Not at all."
"Well, going back. There is also Trisha Bellona. She is sort of a fire type, but she doesn't use red flames. Instead, she uses purple flames," Shelly explained.
"What's the difference?" he asked.
"Don't know? Infact, nobody knows what those flames can burn or melt," she said.
"I see."
"There is also Abbey Askalon who uses a vase. Some people say that she is a descendant of Aquarius. So, she is a water elemental. She summons bodies of water from her vase. And, she doesn't use water for attack, but for illusions. It's her specialty. There is also Jerome Hampher who is an earth elemental. He uses a war hammer. That's about it," Shelly explained. "So, who is on your team?"
"Well, there's me. I guess I'd probably be useless," said Lance belittling himself.
"I don't think so," Pagos interrupted. "I didn't spend the entire break training you for nothing, so you better work hard to beat them."
Shelly giggled in agreement. "You know, he's right. With that secret power of yours, I bet you could beat anyone!"
Lance let out a deep sigh and said, "Why did you have to say that, Pagos."
"Oh, shut up," said Pagos. "I know what I'm saying."
"Whatever," said Lance. "Well, moving on. There are Marjorie Carmen, the annoying ribbon gal; Shannelle Chase, the whatever chanter; Bryan Sanders, the loud-mouthed gambler-"
"Loud-mouthed gambler?" Shelly cluelessly asked.
"Yeah. The guy who uses cards. There are also Albert Arclight, the sword dude; Roderick Dynamo, the silent barrier summoner; and Gavin Striker, the emo archer," Lance finished.
"Wow, you got skilled people in your group," Shelly complimented. "So, cheer up."
"But they're not like your teammates," said Lance. "And, I barely know them. Well, not because I'm new. It's just that I'm not aware of their abilities."
"You'll get to know them soon," said Shelly positively. She was a bubbly person. She always smiled to anyone she met, and she also a positive person who is always active.
Lance wished that he could be like her, so that he could not worry about the things that are about to come.

When they reached school, they said their goodbyes and headed to their respective room assignments. Lance opened the door and saw that everybody was there except their instructor.
"The last one again," said Bryan. "Are you gonna keep this up and set a world record?"
"Sorry," said Lance like he was an innocent child; but, deep inside, he was feeling irritated. He went inside and grabbed a seat on the bar. Everybody was waiting silently for their instructor to come. Some were already impatient.
A few minutes later, the door opened; and Mr. McGuillon entered.
"Hey, everyone!" he greeted as he took a chair and sat in the middle of the room. "Sorry to be late, but I dropped by a shop and saw this new dish in the menu. I really wanted to try it, so I did. And, it tasted delicious! So, how was your break, guys?"
No one responded. The entire room was so silent like there were no people.
"Okay, never mind. Anyway, today I will discuss to you the full details of this semester," said Mr. McGuillon. "This semester will be so short that you won't know what hit you. It will only last for two months only."
"Wow, that is short," said Roderick.
"Yes, it is, Mr. Dynamo. For two weeks, we will be having missions here in the human world. It will also serve as your training to develop your skills and to help you create your own unique techniques. It will also help you to develop co-operation with each other," explained Mr. McGuillon.
"I doubt that," said Bryan as he disagreed with the co-operation part.
"Since you've reached this far, I guess that there is no point for you to go back to the basics. Now, am I right, Mr. Garen?" said Mr. McGuillon as he faced Lance like he was the most crucial one in the team. Everybody started staring at him since they knew that he did not have any powers.
"I'll do my best. Don't worry," he said with a trembling voice. He was so nervous about the things that will happen once they will get involved with missions. He felt like he be the most useless one in the team.
"Another two weeks will be for missions in the other dimension. We will be also staying there until the final exams which I already explained before. The missions in the other dimension will be more complex than the missions that we'll be having here. All of the missions will be graded, by the way, on how you will perform the task at hand. Listen to this," said Mr. McGuillon as he breathed in carefully. "One week before the finals will be for you to train and prepare on your own or as a group. It is up to you. I'd rather suggest you to prepare as a team. It'll help a lot. Lastly. The finals will be happening on the last week. Remember that you all need to become stronger if you want to win. You, guys, aren't the only people who want to win. So, prepare. Especially you, Lance."
"Why me all the time?" Lance asked as he felt irritated already. "I can be strong. Just you wait. We will become the champions of this thing, and I will show you that I'm not just an ordinary human. With powers or not, I will win this."
"Make sure you mean it," said Marjorie. "You sound like your nothing but talk."
"You don't have to be so mean, Marjorie," defended Albert.
"Whatever."
"Enough of that," said Mr. McGuillon. "I will discuss more about the finals when we get there. For now, let's talk about the team name. Every team should have a name. It could be a simple one or a complicated one. We need to decide."
"I got one!" said Bryan. "How about The Poker Club?"
"Excuse me," Gavin interrupted, "but we're not here to gamble. Maybe Legendary Blades?"
"We're not even legendary yet, so why bother?" said Marjorie. "How about Seven Tails?"
"That doesn't even make any sense," said Mr. McGuillon.
Then, the room became silent. They all thought of a good name, but it did not turn out good.
"Got one," Shannelle said to break the silence. "How about Project 7?"
"Well, that could work," Mr. McGuillon agreed. Then, everybody started to agree to one another; so they decided to make that their team name.
"Finally settled, then," said Mr. McGuillon. He stood from his chair and wrote the name on one corner of the magical blackboard using his finger. "That's official. It can't be erased nor changed."
"So, what are we gonna do now?" Albert asked feeling bored already.
"Glad you asked," said Mr. McGuillon. "Now, we're gonna have a test, so that I may know what your powers are capable of. The first part is the scan test. You will be scanned by putting your hand on this tablet."
He pulled out a flat, glass screen screen from his hind pocket like it was a weapon. It was completely transparent. No words nor pictures were on it. It was like an ordinary transparent glass tile.
"That's a tablet?" asked Marjorie feeling confused.
"Yes, it is. You see it is not an ordinary piece of glass," replied Mr. McGuillon. He glanced at the faces of his student like they were wanted criminals. The room became silent again as Mr. McGuillon stared at them.
"Roderick," he called.
Roderick felt startled at first when he was called. He thought that he did something wrong. "Yes?"
"Come here."
He stood from his chair and approached Mr. McGuillon.
"Put your hand here," Mr. McGuillon simply said.
Roderick felt relieved when he heard that. So, he placed his hand on the piece of glass. Then, an outline of his hand appeared to be glowing on the piece of glass. Roderick was surprised to see it. He removed his hand, and the outline disappeared. Then, words came out of the screen saying, "Scan complete." His name and specialty appeared, and a graph also appeared in the middle of the screen. It showed the percentages of his abilities.
The rest were amazed to see it. They suddenly felt excited for their turn except Lance. He was afraid that his powers will be revealed.
Everybody had their turn, and it was finally Lance's turn.
"Okay, Lance. Maybe this will help you know your powers," said Mr. McGuillon with a smile.
Lance slowly stood from his chair and approached him. Everybody was looking at him like he was a wanted criminal in the bounty list. He was sweating like there was no tomorrow. He slowly placed his hand on the tablet. An outline appeared; but, when he removed his hand, the screen said "Scan error. Abilities unknown."
"Obviously," Marjorie muttered.
"Don't feel bad, Lance. You will get to develop your skills soon," said Mr. McGuillon positively.
"I hope," he said sadly. As he returned to his seat, he looked sad; but deep inside he was feeling relieved.
"Okay," said Mr. McGuillon as returned his tablet back in his hind pocket. "Now, we will be having the second part of the test. This test is for you to achieve team work."
"So, are we gonna do it outside?" asked Gavin.
"Why do it outside?" Mr. McGuillon said as he clapped his hands twice. Then, the room changed into a real forest with tall trees and a sky with clouds floating above. "We could just do it in here."
Everybody was shocked with what happened. They can not believe their eyes. The small room was just transformed into a forest by clapping. They felt confused at first, but they got over it.
"This is an endless forest. You can run all you want, but there is no escape," said Mr. McGuillon. He transformed into his battle form. He wore a maroon shirt with a brown vest on. Around him was a sash with pockets. He also wore gray scouting shorts that were below his knees. He wore black, leather combat boots and gloves. Behind him was a bronze, one-bladed battle axe that had a handle that measured four-feet tall. He also had a black eye patch that covered his left eye.
"This is the second test. You are to remove the eye patch of mine using your own tactics as long as you show team work. If you don't, then you will all fail this test; and I won't be allowing you all to participate in the final exams," Mr, McGuillon explained.
"Sounds easy," said Bryan arrogantly like he could do it in less than a minute.
"I'll give you until sundown to do it," he clarified. "Let the test begin!" He suddenly poofed away leaving the seven to work together.
Everybody felt awkward at first. This was their first time together as a team, and they have a test to prove that they are worthy to become skilled warriors.
"So, what do we do?" Shannelle asked.
"I'll be the leader of this team since I am more skilled than all of you," Bryan said to them like he was the boss.
"Excuse me," said Shannelle, "but we're classmates, remember?"
"Whatever. As if I really care," Bryan replied in an insulting way.
"If you want to be the leader, fine! But, I'll show you who is more skilled," said Shannelle fiercely.
"Good to know, then," he replied.
"Stop it, both of you," Albert said. "We're not gonna accomplish anything if you'll keep this up."
"And who gave you permission to speak?" Bryan said.
Albert's temper rose to the maximum level that he punched Bryan so hard he went gliding and hit a tree. "You, stupid bastard! Cut your damn act!"
"Let's just split up for now and track him down separately," Gavin suggested. "Learn all his abilities and strategies. Then, we meet back here and plan a strategy."
Everybody exchanged looks and agreed to Gavin's plan.
"Okay, split!" he signaled.
Everybody went their separate ways and tracked Mr. McGuillon. Lance sort of knew what he was going to do, so he thought of a plan while running into the forest.

Lance was already alone. He looked at his surroundings and saw that it was clear, so he sat down and concentrated.
"Lance," Pagos whispered.
"Yeah."
"What are going to do now?" Pagos asked.
"I'm gonna track him first using the breeze," said Lance.
"Are you sure about that?" Pagos asked feeling worried for him.
"Nobody is around right now, so I might as well do it real quick," said Lance. He did one hand sign and said, "Shallow Mist Sensor!"
Suddenly, a light shallow fog formed above the grass. He was concentrating as the fog spread to every direction.

Mr. McGuillon was running around as far as he could to escape his students. He slowed down to a stop and rested for a while. Then, he noticed that fog was forming at his feet. He was confused at first because it was unusual for a fog to appear in a forest especially when the sky wass brilliant blue and the sun was shining bright.
"Probably Shannelle is doing this," he muttered.
Suddenly, Marjorie jumped off a branch and went flying towards Mr. McGuillon.
"I'll get that eye patch!" she shouted.
"Oh, no you don't!" said Mr. McGuillon as he cut his own arm using his axe. Blood was dripping from his arm. It flowed like he was not scared of losing blood.
He got touched the blood with his fingers and said, "Blood Wall!" His blood rose from the ground rapidly. It was in liquid state at first; but, when the wall formed, it hardened into solid rock.
Marjorie suddenly hit her face against the wall and fell on the ground. She was afraid of what she saw. She felt weak seeing to much blood forming a wall.
"What-what... is that?" She said with trauma going on in her mind.
"I'm sorry to let you see this, but this is my power," Mr. McGuillon said. "I manipulate blood."
She was filled with shock. She crawled back and did not know what to do. She can not stop smelling the blood that reeked. She can not take the smell, so she screamed in terror.

Lance was in the middle of concentrating for any signs of Mr. McGuillon. His eyes closed so that he could focus with his okaerisu. Then, his eyes quickly opened.
"I sense him," he said.
"That took a while," said Pagos like he could do better.
"Whatever," said Lance. "He is just two-hundred kilometers away right about west."
"Good."
"What are you doing?" asked a voice that sounded from above.
Lance was startled for a moment, so he turned to see who it was. Then, he saw Albert standing on the branch staring at him.
"Are you deaf?" he said. "What are you doing?"

***End of Chapter 26***