The Test

(Joel POV)

Clouds…

I was on the floor again.

I can barely stand up anymore…

I turned to the side to discover Hope's worried gaze. I can't let her worry. This is nothing compared to what I will go through if I leave with them, I can't be weak.

I forced myself to roll and pushed the floor again… I can barely hold my own weight.

I wonder how many times I will be able to stand up again. I need to do something to get to their level… and I'm not sure if just training will get me there.

I raised my gaze and was surprised by his eyes. This is the first time he looked me in the eyes.

Those vibrant green eyes that seemed to pierce my soul… it was the same color as Hope's, but his eyes gave a pressure a didn't know a human could feel.

"This will be your training from now on… and it will get harsher. Are you okay with it?"

I nodded, I couldn't talk as it would prevent me from breathing and I don't want to pass out because of lack of oxygen in my brain.

"Good, this is just a small condition, now before getting to the tests, tell me what your real intentions with my sister are."

I felt a chill down my spine, as an omen of the upcoming pressure…

I was completely paralyzed… I wanted to run, but my legs didn't respond.

I forgot how to breathe why I'm so scared? It's a simple question, right?

"Ah-…"

I tried to open my mouth to talk, but nothing came out. I'm sure that he seems taller than before, or maybe I got smaller? I tried to step back, but legs failed and without their support, I fell on my butt.

This is it… he is going to kill me…

I just recalled the time that I spend with Hope, our first kiss, the long talks, her big green eyes. My intentions? How do you even answer that? Should I say that I want to marry her? It's too soon to think about that, I can't even protect her…

I took a step towards me… I'm done, the pressure is growing and I'm getting dizzy… if I pass out will I fail? Will be unable to stay with her?

As if nothing has happened a huge weight was lifted from my chest…

*haaaaaa*

I took a deep breath, and the only thought on my mind was what just happened. Gerhard was holding Hope who wanted to come here on the verge of tears.

I saw him nodding to himself, deep in thought.

"Two tests…"

He said.

"By the time we leave, you will need to be able to handle this pressure."

I nodded subconsciously.

"And the second test… Hope and G kept talking about how smart and creative you are… create something with this."

On the floor in front of me, five small gray marbles appeared… I wanted to touch them, but I was barely able to move right now.

My oxygen-lacking brain needed a few seconds to process what happened… did he just give me a chance to go with them?

_____________________________

(Spencer's POV)

After the training, Joel was so tired that he had to go rest before leaving, we sent Alfred to help him take a bath, Hope was too worried to scream at me for the moment and went down to take care of him too.

"Don't you think you went a little overboard? Don't misunderstand me, I would have loved to do something like that to you too, but don't you think it was a little too much?"

G looked at me with an amused smile. He probably finds fun that I have to go through this.

"Mmmm… he needs a little push."

"It felt more like a spartan kick into a canyon."

"Which part?"

"The guy already is shy and self-conscious, you didn't need to use your aura to scare him or beat him so harshly… or make him train all the time he was here, the guy is just starting and is a normal human."

"Probably not, but it works for what I wanted."

"Scare him away from your sister?"

"If just that's all it takes for him to run away, it's better if he goes far from my sister, but that's not what I was doing."

"Then?"

"He needs willpower, I don't want Hope risking her life to protect him because he wasn't able to handle and Alpha's pressure or something like that. He needs to understand his level and attempt to be better… in his own way."

"Mmm?"

"You will get it from the second test. Give him this… Is what I know about the source stones and If he asks you to build something do it."

I gave him a little booklet with what I know so far.

"So… the marbles are for him to support himself?"

"Not really if he builds something for someone else I don't care, but I prefer something for himself, anything that can boost his chances of survival will do."

"He is coming with us?"

"Yes, he will have no problems with the tests… As I was saying, all he needs is a little push and his power will do the rest."

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(Hope's POV)

"I'm really sorry, if I knew that he was going to be like this I would never have told him…"

Joel's head was resting on my lap with his eyes closed. I was combing his hair. Seeing him like this just made me want to go and kick my brother's a*s.

"You really do that training every day?"

He opened his eyes and avoided mine, he seemed to be deep in thought… does he think that I'm a monster now?

"Yes, but don't worry, I'll talk with him to go easy on you… I can't believe he would do something like that!!"

"No! Don't do that…"

I froze for a second and got worried.

"You have nothing to prove! I don't want you to end like this every day!"

"In fact, I have to prove myself to him if I want to go with you…."

"Crap that's true… but still, this is too much for a normal human!"

He seemed a little down by my words.

"Sorry I didn't mean it like that… it's just that Espers normally have special physics and making you go through this kind of training is just going to harm you… I don't want that… I'll just tell him that I'll stay here in Green Shelter and we enjoy Christmas okay?"

"Don't talk to him… I want to show him that I can do this… Please."

"I-i…"

I don't understand, everything would be easier if I just talk with Spence and we make a simplified training for Joel, but if I do that, he will get mad at me.

Why would he want to do this?

Is this a man's pride or something? I hope he is not an M.

"I know that it makes no sense to you, but please trust me… I can't help but feel as if he is trying to help us in his own way…"

He had one of the gray marbles in his hand.

I think he just wants to beat him because I didn't tell him about us sooner, but I have to trust him right?

"If I feel that he is going overboard, I will kick his a*s, even if you get mad at me."

"Deal, Thank you."

He grabbed my hand and gave it a weak squeeze. He moved his gaze and kept inspecting the little marble my brother gave him.

"Now to start my test… do you know what this is?"

It was the first time I saw these marbles.