The Golden Rider Book 1: The Golden Traitor

Chapter 3.7

Despite Headmaster being eager for me to learn about my "special talents," he wasn't too keen on me practicing anywhere near the Academy. Something about ruining the progress made on repairing the courtyard as well as the possibility of someone being electrocuted. As such, he sent Bates and I off to the beaches on the other side of the mountains surrounding the Valley so I could be around air with a lot of moisture. I had never been there before, so Bates led the way. Adonis and Cain flew at a nice easy pace.

"I can't believe you've never been to the beach Val!" Bates called out.

"Well, it's not like I had a Dragon to take me there."

"You could have stolen one." I snorted.

"I doubt that would have worked. I guess I never really saw the point. It's too cold here most of the year, and the beaches near the Fourth Academy are way too far away to even think about hitching a ride with someone."

"Yeah, yeah, enough with the excuses."

"So, how are you going to teach me-"

Just you? Adonis asked.

"Us-how to use our magic storm powers?"

"Oh ye of little faith. You still underestimate me after all we've been through together?"

"I don't recall you managing to get out of that prison cell by yourself."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Smarty pants."

"Hey, show your teacher some respect!" Adonis chuckled.

You two would make such a cute couple. I blushed. Plus, you're basically going on a date today.

Adonis!

Don't worry. Cain and I will be your chaperones. I nudged him hard between the ribs causing him to falter in the air a bit.

"You two okay over there?" Bates called.

"Yeah. Adonis is just being Adonis."

And Val is just being Val.

It was a pretty short flight threw a pass in the mountains to get to the beach. Not sure what to expect, Adonis landed daintily on the dark yellow sand.

I don't like this. I don't feel stable. He said as I got off and was surprised as the sand shifted underneath my feet. Adonis walked over to the water after I took off his saddle and sniffed the water before wading in up to his knees. He sat down and let the waves crash over his scales. This isn't so bad.

Bad student.

I can do everything I need to do over here. Or do you want me to hold your hand? I stuck my tongue out at him.

You can stay over there lazy bum.

If you insist.

"So, Headmaster gave me some advice to help you learn your 'magic storm powers' as you so delicately put it."

"Sounds cool."

"Well, for starters, it isn't called magic. Magic refers to spell casting and such. When a Rider and Dragon exhibit extraordinary gifts, it's called having an Affinity. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. In battles, you unconsciously release storms when you're anxious, nervous, scared, and so on and so forth. Usually strong emotions such as these are triggers for anyone with an Affinity to have it lash out; however, any strong enough emotion will do. So, I'm going to need you to think of a strong emotion or feeling that you can easily call up."