Dulce Periculum

6. Dragging Behind

Warning for brief smut in the second half of the chapter!

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On Yunho's first day of training, Bora picked him up in his room. He was awkward in his skin-tight training shirt and leggings, but she assured him he looked great. At her compliment about his physique, Yunho rubbed his nape.

"You'll get used to it. It's like joining a new gym," she beamed at him as she skipped ahead, sporty from head to toe through careful maintenance.

The gym was in the basement of the institute. Several arenas offered space for games and gymnastics, and Yunho even spotted a sign which invited to an indoor pool. Awed, he pointed it out to Bora. They continued into another hall, but he was curious to visit sometime. Yunho couldn't remember the last time he got to swim in a pool, even for leisure.

"We can swim here?"

Bora glanced over her shoulder. Despite her smaller height, her pace was speedy and Yunho almost had to jog to keep up with her. When she marched through, some guides greeted her with grins while the espers jumped aside so they wouldn't be in her way.

Yunho felt safe with her, but he was also spooked to find protection with a girl more than a head smaller than him. Usually, he was social and friendly to new opportunities, not afraid of strangers, especially not those of his age. He supposed the shock of his awakening sat deep. The daunting luxury of the building kept reminding him where he was. Who he was.

"Ah, yep. You can drop by whenever you want. Just be careful. We have a few high-level espers who rule the area and they get cranky if they feel their training is getting disturbed," Bora advised him. Yunho made a mental note. After Lux, he wasn't too keen on meeting the heroes and getting disillusioned.

Dutifully, he followed behind Bora as they made their way into the gym. There was an area for sparring matches safely cushioned with mats, and the rest of the room was filled with all sorts of training equipment. Weapons lined the walls and trainers oversaw the espers and guides, making sure no one lost their wits in the heat of the moment.

Bora pointed her finger at the workout machines. Everything was polished and shiny, looking like new. The dim lights once more offered an air of glamour and somehow, the air didn't stink of sweat and bodies.

"I'll be busy over there if you need me. Look around and speak to the trainers. It's probably best if you train with other espers who can take the role of your opponent."

Relieved to have her nearby, Yunho gave her a thumbs up. She sent one back and hopped off, leaving Yunho to get to know people by himself.

He found himself in groups who knew Bora before, but so far, he didn't have the chance to introduce himself to anyone. Having an esper friend would be nice, especially on the same level.

Yunho stuck to the sidelines first, getting an idea of how things worked here. Guides usually sparred with other guides and the espers seemed matched up in specific patterns. Yunho guessed it was either by their level or because their powers were compatible and wouldn't hurt each other. Of the pair he watched, one flicked lightning, another could move items with the power of their mind. Heat and icy winds filled the square and tingled over Yunho's skin with that unmistakable danger.

Mindful to get too close, Yunho lingered near an instructor who watched with crossed arms how the espers danced around each other. They practised using their powers for offense and defence, using their surroundings in their favour. Though they didn't unleash their full vigour, they looked practised in what they were doing. Serious in the pinch of their faces.

Awed, Yunho tried to memorise their fluid movements. If he worked hard, could he be like that? If he gained the confidence that he would live, he would be less scared to go out there.