The Training grounds seemed to grow colder at his words, the weight of the statement settling heavily in the air. Saiphee’s eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. "Oh... Alright. Good to know," he replied, his voice quieter now as he absorbed the warning.
Quartz nodded curtly, his demeanor as sharp and unyielding as ever. "Just remember, Saiphee," he said, his tone softening only slightly, "this isn’t a toy. It’s a weapon, and it’s designed to protect you in the field. Don’t take it lightly."
Saiphee nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking in. As he adjusted the watch on his wrist, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and unease. He glanced at Vantheos again, who had finally peeled his gaze away from the wall, his expression unreadable. There was something about the way Vantheos looked at him now—something softer, as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words.
"Thanks, Quartz," Saiphee said at last, breaking the tension. He managed a small smile, though his thoughts were already racing. What kind of power had Quartz just handed him?
"Your abilities are teleportation and energy projection. A truly unique combination," Quartz explained, his tone matter-of-fact as he handed Saiphee the watch-like device. "This watch will channel the energy you need to teleport efficiently while also enabling you to project powerful energy beams. It’s designed to work seamlessly with your physiology and combat style—or lack thereof," he added, smirking slightly.
Saiphee laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, I can’t argue with that. I’m not exactly an athlete."
Quartz adjusted his glasses, his expression unchanging. "Exactly. Based on your stats, you’re terrible at running. That’s why teleportation will be invaluable to you—it eliminates the need to rely on speed. This ability will allow you to move across the battlefield instantaneously, avoiding enemies and gaining the upper hand."
The weight of Quartz’s words hung in the air as Saiphee examined the watch on his wrist. Its sleek design and glowing interface pulsed faintly, as though alive with potential. "So... how do I start?" he asked hesitantly.
"Simple," Quartz replied, his voice firm. "First, focus your mind. Visualize where you want to go. Relax your body, but keep your thoughts sharp. Teleportation requires precision, not brute force."
Step One: Mental Focus
Quartz stepped back, giving Saiphee space. "Close your eyes," he instructed. "Picture the spot you want to appear in. Imagine every detail—the texture of the ground, the distance from where you’re standing, the feeling of being there."
Saiphee nodded and took a deep breath, shutting his eyes. His mind raced, struggling to block out distractions. The faint hum of the watch on his wrist seemed to grow louder as he concentrated. He envisioned a point just ten feet away, focusing on the faint scuff marks on the training room floor.
"Good," Quartz said, observing him closely. "Now, channel the energy from the watch. Feel it flowing through you. It’s not about forcing it—let it guide you."
Saiphee’s brow furrowed as he tapped into the watch’s energy. A warm sensation spread from his wrist to his entire body, like a current of electricity coursing through his veins. He felt light, almost weightless.
Step Two: Starting Teleportation
"Now," Quartz commanded, "release the energy. Imagine yourself stepping into that space, as though the distance between here and there doesn’t exist."
With a deep breath, Saiphee released the energy. For a split second, the world around him blurred, and he felt a strange pulling sensation—as though he were being stretched and compressed simultaneously. Then, with a soft whoosh, he reappeared ten feet away, slightly disoriented but unharmed.
"I did it!" Saiphee exclaimed, a mix of surprise and pride in his voice.
"Not bad," Quartz said, unimpressed. "But that was the easiest step. Let’s see if you can do it again without looking like you’re going to pass out."
Step Three: Precision and Repetition
Over the next hour, Quartz pushed Saiphee to teleport repeatedly, increasing the distance each time. "Focus on the details," he reminded. "Precision is everything. If you overshoot or undershoot your target, you could end up in a wall—or worse."
Saiphee gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his face as he teleported again and again. Each jump became smoother, the disorientation fading as he grew accustomed to the sensation. The watch’s energy seemed to sync with his own, making the process feel almost natural.
Step Four: Combat Teleportation
"Now, let’s add a layer of difficulty," Quartz announced, tossing a small rubber ball into the air. "Teleport and catch this before it hits the ground."
Saiphee blinked. "Are you serious?"
"No shit," Quartz replied. "In combat, you’ll need to think fast and act faster. This exercise will help you react instinctively while teleporting."
With a sigh, Saiphee prepared himself. Quartz threw the ball, and Saiphee focused on its trajectory. In a flash, he teleported, his hand closing around the ball just before it hit the floor.
"Good," Quartz said with a rare hint of approval. "Now do it again."
Step Five: Altogether
After several rounds of teleportation drills, Quartz introduced the next challenge. "It’s time to incorporate your energy projection. While teleporting, fire a beam at the target." He pointed to a series of glowing orbs suspended in the air.
"Teleport and shoot?" Saiphee asked, incredulous.
"Yes," Quartz said flatly. "In real combat, you won’t have the luxury of separating your actions. You’ll need to attack while on the move."
Saiphee hesitated but nodded. He visualized the nearest orb, teleporting in a flash. As he reappeared, he raised his hand, channeling energy from the watch. A bright blue beam shot forth, narrowly missing the target.
"Close, but not good enough," Quartz said. "Keep practicing."
Conclusion
By the end of the session, Saiphee was both exhausted and exhilarated. He had successfully mastered the combination of teleportation and energy projection, hitting several targets with impressive precision while moving fluidly across the room. Though there was still much to learn, a newfound spark of confidence glimmered within him.
Quartz, arms crossed, watched him with a critical eye. "Not bad for a beginner," he muttered begrudgingly. "But don’t get cocky. This is just the beginning."
Saiphee wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled, his breath heavy but triumphant. "I’ll get better. Just wait and see."
From the sidelines, Vantheos watched intently, his eyes fixed on Saiphee. There was something about the way Saiphee moved—his determination, his focus, and even the moments of uncertainty that made him all the more captivating. It was hard to tear his gaze away.
"I think you’re already off to a great start," Vantheos said, his voice soft and warm, almost as if he were speaking more to himself than to Saiphee. The words hung in the air longer than usual, and his smile lingered, a little too fond, a little too genuine.
When Saiphee looked up and caught his gaze, the air between them shifted. For a brief moment, everything seemed to slow down, charged with something unspoken. Vantheos’ heart raced as their eyes locked, and he quickly turned his head, trying to hide the sudden warmth flooding his face. His smile, however, remained softer than before, and his heart continued to beat a little faster.
"Keep it up," Vantheos added, his voice steady again, but with a tenderness that hadn’t been there before. He couldn’t help but feel a quiet longing as he watched Saiphee, something that went beyond admiration.
"Your turn, Vantheos," Quartz said distractedly, his attention divided as he busied himself with holographic tabs, speaking to various people. He barely looked up from his work, his voice monotone, as if teaching Saiphee had already drained him for the day.
Vantheos, however, didn’t seem to mind Quartz’s indifference. His focus was entirely on Saiphee. He wanted to impress him, to show him just how capable he was. His lips curled into a confident smirk, and his eyes flicked to Saiphee, who was still catching his breath from the last drill.
"A piece of cake," Vantheos muttered, though his voice carried more than just arrogance—it held a quiet determination, a desire to demonstrate his skills in front of Saiphee.
With practiced ease, Vantheos raised his left arm, clenching his fist as a sleek, high-tech gauntlet materialized around his wrist. His other arm extended, and with a swift motion, a gun formed from the metallic fibers of his arm, its barrel gleaming under the light. He flexed his fingers, feeling the weight of the weapon, knowing it was an extension of himself.
But this time, it wasn’t just about the fight. Vantheos wasn’t merely training for his own benefit. He wanted to show Saiphee how powerful he was, how effortlessly he could handle any challenge. He wanted to impress him.
As he took his stance, Vantheos could feel the rush of adrenaline, but there was something else too—an edge of excitement, of anticipation. His heart beat faster as he glanced at Saiphee, who was still watching from the sidelines, eyes wide with curiosity. Vantheos’ smile softened, and he steadied himself.
"Let’s do this," he muttered, his voice low, more to himself than to anyone else.
Without waiting for further instruction, Vantheos teleported across the room in a burst of energy, appearing behind a set of floating targets. In one smooth motion, he raised his arm and fired, his gun transforming into a precise energy blaster. The beam shot out with pinpoint accuracy, obliterating the first target.
He didn’t stop there. As Saiphee watched, Vantheos teleported again, his body moving fluidly, effortlessly. Another shot rang out, hitting the next target with perfect precision. Each movement seemed to flow into the next, as if Vantheos was dancing through the air. His gun shifted, transforming into a different weapon—rapid-fire mode. He didn’t hesitate. The shots came in quick succession, each one finding its mark.
But it wasn’t just about skill—it was about showing off for Saiphee. Vantheos could feel his eyes on him, and the thought made his heart race with a new kind of energy. He wasn’t just performing these moves because they were part of the training. He was doing them to impress Saiphee, to prove that he was more than capable.
As Vantheos teleported again, this time higher into the air, he landed with a soft thud, his gun now morphing into a sniper rifle. He aimed carefully, steadying his breath. The rifle’s precision was unmatched, and he knew Saiphee would appreciate the skill it took to line up such a perfect shot. With a deep breath, he fired, the blue energy bolt streaking across the room to hit the target dead center.
He couldn’t help but glance over at Saiphee, his eyes searching for a reaction. Saiphee’s expression was unreadable, but Vantheos noticed the way his gaze followed his every move. It was all the encouragement he needed.
"Not bad," Quartz said, glancing up for a brief moment, though his tone was still indifferent. "But don’t get cocky."
Vantheos didn’t care about Quartz’s words. He was focused on Saiphee. He teleported again, this time in mid-air, and fired a volley of shots while spinning, hitting multiple targets from all angles. His movements were fast, sharp, and fluid, each one designed to show off his skill. He wanted Saiphee to see how effortlessly he could handle the combat, how much experience he had.
Finally, Vantheos landed gracefully, his heart still racing from the adrenaline of the training. His gauntlet retracted, and the gun dissolved back into his arm. He stood tall, his chest rising and falling with each breath, but his eyes were still on Saiphee.
"Keep it up," Quartz muttered, though there was no real enthusiasm in his voice.
But Vantheos wasn’t listening to Quartz. His gaze remained fixed on Saiphee, his smile softening. He wanted to see that look of admiration, that spark of respect in Saiphee’s eyes. The thought of impressing him made his heart beat just a little faster.
"You think I did well?" Vantheos asked, his voice quieter than before, his eyes not leaving Saiphee’s face.
Saiphee blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. He hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Yeah… that was impressive," he said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
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