Invisible String || Erik Lehnsherr

Chapter 4

The day had gone by in a blur of lessons, introductions, and getting to know the younger students. By the time I returned to my room, I felt both energized and exhausted, the mix of emotions swirling in my mind. I was finally beginning to feel like I belonged here, like I had found my place. But just as I began to unwind, a knock at my door startled me from my thoughts.

I opened the door to find Storm standing there, her calm and commanding presence filling the hallway. She gave me a small smile, through her eyes carried a sense of purpose. "It's time for training," she said simply.

I blinked, caught off guard for a second. "Training? Already?"

She nodded, her gaze steady. "Now that classes are over, it's time for you to join the rest of us. Charles wants you to start training today."

I hesitated, glancing back at my room. "Right... training. But, uh-" I looked down at my jeans and white shirt, definitely not made for any kind of physical activity. "What do I even wear for this?"

Storm's smile widened slightly, amused by my confusion. "Something comfortable. Most of us wear workout clothes or something flexible. You'll want to be able to move easily."

"Right," I said, feeling a bit out of my depth. "I'll figure it out. Give me a minute."

Storm nodded, stepping back to give me space. "Take your time. I'll wait for you."

I quickly closed the door, my mind racing. Training. I knew it was coming, but it still felt surreal. I rummaged through my closet, trying to find something that wouldn't make me look completely out of place. I pulled out a pair of black leggings and a loose-fitting top, hoping it would be suitable for whatever training involved.

After changing, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, wondering what I was about to get into. Sure, I could turn invisible and move things with my mind, but actual combat or training? That was a whole other challenge. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that this was part of the deal, part of learning how to fit into this world.

When I stepped back into the hallway, Storm gave me an approving nod. "That'll work," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, though a part of me was still bracing for whatever was coming.

Storm led the way, her confidence radiating as she walked through the halls. I followed closely behind, my nerves bubbling beneath the surface. Training with the others-people who had been doing this for years-felt like stepping into the deep end of a pool I hadn't swum in before.

"You'll be fine," Storm said, as if reading my thoughts. "We're not throwing you into anything extreme today. Just an introduction to see where you are."

I nodded, though my nerves didn't ease.

As we walked through the halls toward the training facility, Storm's calm footsteps echoed in the quiet space. I was still mentally preparing myself for whatever this training session would involve, but just as I started to feel a little more grounded, Storm spoke up.

"There's one thing I need to mention before we go in," she said, her tone a little more serious now. I glanced at her, sensing that whatever she was about to say wasn't just a casual reminder.

"What's that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Well, we usually train in pairs," Storm explained, her gaze steady as she looked at me. "And since you're new, we've already assigned your partner."

I blinked, already having an idea of where this was going. "Okay... so who's my partner?"

Storm gave me a small, almost apologetic smile. "It's Erik."