The Elemental Night School, The Dawn of Echoburne: Book 3 ♛

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

~James~

"So, the trick with this move is being able to keep a steady focus on a single point. In this case, that single point is the bullseye," I begin to explain, moving to stand in front of the target next to the one Valarie has been practicing on. I stand sideways to it and lift a single hand towards it. "You want to keep your eyes and the aim of your finger directly on that spot," I continue, pointing a finger towards the centre of the target as I do so, "then you essentially want to command your element to do the same. It has to compress and concentrate itself, and travel in a direct line from you to the bullseye." I flick my finger upwards to summon some earth from the ground, and it all compacts together to form a little dart, like what I had been practicing before. I carefully use my line of sight to align my finger with the bullseye, then do a flicking motion with my wrist. The dart speeds through the air and tears directly through the centre of the target, leaving a small, neat circular hole, with the rest of the target being intact. I turn and walk back towards Valarie. "What my sister does with air is creates a sort of small wind tunnel, where the air is tightly packed together and spinning quickly to give it the power and momentum. Then she commands it to travel straight from her to the bullseye. She might even bring the tip of the wind tunnel to a point so it cuts through the target more smoothly." I make gestures with my hands as I explain to make it easier to understand. "Most people require a lot of concentration and practice, so don't worry if you don't get it straight away."

~Valarie~

I listen carefully to James's directions, and step I front of the target, creating a little burst of air and move it around as I make it smaller and smaller, all the while focusing on increasing the amount of energy I out in my force. I then pin my finger on the target and release my attack, shooting a hole through the side. "Well not too bad., I do say so myself." I comment, resting my chin on my palm.

James looks at the target and raises an eyebrow, his expression clearly showing that he was impressed. "For a first time...that was pretty dang good," he says with a wide grin. "With more practice, eventually you'll be able to improve your aim to hit the centre, and also concentrate your power more so that the hole is even smaller and a little less jagged. But if you go in and show that off on your first lesson...you'll certainly impress the teachers. You're a natural at this, Val." He paused. He apprently was so used to shortening his sister's name that he had subconsciously done it with Valarie's as well. "You don't mind if I call you Val, do you?"

"Oh no, not at all." I say in a disregarding manner. "And thank you for helping me. I mean, why should I need an instructor when I have you?" I muse, smiling at him as I cross my arms behind my back.

James chuckles and smirks. "Because the instructors still know a lot more than I do. I'm just good at acting like I know what I'm doing all the time. Besides, unlike me, the instructors won't wind up roping you into elaborate trouble making schemes." He gives me a cheeky grin. James seemed like the type to often played down his intelligence, and whilst it was probably true that the teachers were well practiced in things that he wasn't, he semmed to know be the kind of kid to know an awful lot for a student.

"I know, but in my preference two methods of doing something help me learn the method better. Tell you what, would you be up to mentoring me in the evenings on my element?" I ask him. "Because I could learn more and progress faster with my element then." I continue.

James shrugs and smiles. "Sure, why not?" he replies, his smile widening into a grin for a few moments. "And I'm sure Rhia will be happy to help out as well, especially since she's air like you, so would probably be able to give you some good pointers. But aside from that, I guess you can consider me your new mentor. Feel free to call me Sir, Master or Highly Esteemed Mr Hartley, whichever suits you best." He makes his tone sound serious, though the twinkle in his eyes and the smirk on his lips make it clear that he is just joking around.