Rise of the Punch Monkey

Chapter 30

I spent dinner recanting the day's events with Capri, Mathius, and Cami with a significant amount of attention being given to my slip up with Alyssia. Each offered their advice on how to handle the situation, but the general consensus was to honor her wishes and leave her be to which I agreed. The mood grew lighter as the discussion shifted toward my assessment with Mr. Scarasongi. Mathius was the most eager to hear the details and pressed me for information throughout dinner, much to the dismay of Lady Camilla who rolled her eyes as her husband began reliving his own tales of combat against the instructor.

Once dinner was over, I went to the training yard and performed my regime then meditated on the day's events. I found calming my thoughts was difficult given everything that had happened and eventually I just sat there staring at my hands clasped in my lap, thinking on how to further my control. If control was the key to my progression and unlocking new abilities maybe it explained why the humans were so focused on developing adventurers with control gifts.

Mathius came and joined me, plopping onto the ground with his legs sprawled out. "That girl on your mind still?"

"Not at the immediate forefront," I said, distracted.

"What is then?"

I sighed, frustrated at my mental block. "I'm not sure how to increase my level of control so I can develop new abilities," I turned to him. "Mr. Scarasongi said my control was bit lacking and that is something I need if I want to progress."

"Homirus is a good man and knows his craft. I too have been thinking on your dilemma since we began sparring regularly," he said, turning his head upward to gaze at the stars.

"You come up with anything?" I asked, hopeful.

"Nope," he said, still staring at the sky.

I felt the wind fall from my sails and fell onto my back, joining him in his skyward gaze. We sat in silence for a long while, staring.

"But," he said, turning his head toward me, "I may know someone who does..."

Just then I heard the door open and I lifted my head to find Franklin closing the it behind him.

"Lord Mathieson, I have procured the item you requested," he stated as he approached, holding a small wooden box in his hands. I recognized the box from the desk in the study where Mathius did most of his business dealings. I had always assumed it was a fancy cigar box or something like that. Do they even have cigars in this world?

"Excellent!" cried the large man excitedly. He held out his hands like an eager child, "Let's have a look!"

Franklin brought over the box and opened it, holding it out for Mathius to inspect. I sat up and peered inside as Mathius reached in collecting the object with both hands. He held it to his eyes and smiled. The object was a dull, blue orb the size of a baseball and was wholly unremarkable.

"What is that?" I asked.

He held it out and looked at me proudly. "An answer to your problems."

I gave him a questioning look.

"Potential," corrected Franklin.

"Ah yes, thank you, Franklin," said Mathius, dipping his head toward the older man. He then turned to back to me, "A potential answer to your problems. This little ball might be the help you need to rein in those control issues."

I looked toward the unassuming orb again, tilting my head in my inspection.

"It's called a Komaderus Sphere," stated Franklin matter-of-factly.