Chapter 22: Training

As the final demonstration wrapped up and the crowds calmed down, the judges began their deliberations for the expo. The room grew quieter as the excitement shifted toward anticipation.

I could see the judges seated at the front of the stage, a mix of world-renowned scientists, inventors, and dignitaries, all murmuring among themselves.

Dad, as usual, leaned back in his seat with a smirk, as if he already knew the outcome. Mum glanced at me with a warm smile, clearly proud of the day's events. I tried to stay calm, but my heart was racing from the adrenaline of the demonstration.

The lead judge, a tall man with sharp features and glasses that reflected the light dramatically, stood up.

His presence alone was enough to quiet the entire room. With a tap on the microphone, he began to speak.

"Today, we've seen incredible innovations, each one bringing a new era of technology and creativity to the forefront. From groundbreaking advancements in medical science to cutting-edge combat gear, I-Island has once again proven to be a hub for innovation."

He paused, scanning the audience. "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for—the awards."

The tension in the room was thick as he called out the winners in various categories. Medical devices, energy solutions, AI technology—one by one, the prizes were awarded, and applause followed each announcement. 

Then, the judge cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. "And now, for the final category: Defence and Tactical Innovation. This year's winner has not only revolutionised personal combat but has also taken an outdated piece of military equipment and redesigned it for a new generation. The ODM gear, presented by Prince Aiden Wilhelm Fritz of Paradis."

The crowd exploded into cheers. I felt a rush of excitement and pride. It was hard to believe that something I'd worked on with my team was being recognised on such a grand stage. The royal guards around me stood taller, grinning in approval. 

David Shield, sitting with his daughter Melissa, clapped enthusiastically, clearly impressed by the showcase. I caught Melissa's eye, and she gave me a thumbs-up, mouthing, "Well deserved."

As I stood to accept the award, I could feel the weight of the moment—this was bigger than me. It was for Paradis, for the future of our nation's defences, and for what was yet to come.

The lead judge handed me the sleek trophy, and the spotlight was back on me. "Your Highness," he said, his voice loud enough to fill the room, "your work on the ODM gear is extraordinary. Not only does it bring back a piece of history, but it propels us into the future. We're eager to see what else you'll contribute to the world."

I nodded, trying to keep my cool. "Thank you. I couldn't have done it without my team and the support of my family. This is only the beginning."

As the applause washed over me again, I glanced at my parents. Mum gave me a proud smile, and Dad? He just winked, as if to say, "Told you so."

With that, the judging part of the expo concluded.

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A month had flown by since the expo, and I finally decided it was time to get back to my quirk training. I'd been so wrapped up in the ODM gear and all the excitement surrounding it that I'd neglected my own abilities.

I needed to hone my reality manipulation quirk if I was going to be ready for whatever lay ahead.

The next morning, I was summoned to the royal gym. Dad had promised I'd be meeting my new mentor, but he wouldn't give me any hints. I was both curious and a bit anxious. Who could it be?

As I walked through the grand hallways, I felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. The royal gym was a vast space filled with various training equipment and areas for combat practice.

I opened the door, and the first thing I noticed was the bright light pouring in from the skylights. It was an impressive setup.

Then, my jaw nearly dropped. Standing there, all tall and imposing, was none other than Star and Stripes, America's number one hero—Cathleen Bate! She had that confident aura that just radiated strength and determination.

Her iconic outfit sparkled in the gym light, and I couldn't believe Dad had managed to get her here.

"Wow, uh… hey!" I stammered, a mix of awe and excitement bubbling inside me. "You're really here?"

She turned to face me, a welcoming smile spreading across her face. "Hey there, Aiden! I've heard a lot about you. Your ODM gear demonstration was impressive!"

"Thanks! But I can't believe you're my mentor now. This is amazing!" I was practically bouncing on my feet.

Cathleen chuckled. "Well, your father thought it was time you got some serious training. With your quirk and all, I'm excited to see what you can do."

"Me too! I've been wanting to push my limits, especially after everything that's happened." I felt a rush of determination.

"Good! Let's get started. We'll begin with some basic exercises to see how well you can manipulate reality. From there, we can focus on your strengths and weaknesses." She gestured for me to follow her to an open training area.

As we moved to the mats, I couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated. I knew of her reputation, how she'd taken down formidable foes and saved countless lives. But at the same time, her approachable demeanor made it easier to calm my nerves.

"Alright, Aiden," she said, her tone shifting to a more serious one. "Let's see what you've got. Show me how you manipulate reality."

I took a deep breath, focusing on my quirk. I envisioned a simple reality shift—something to demonstrate my control. In a blink, I made a few weights appear around us, stacking them neatly in the air.

Cathleen's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Impressive! But can you do something more… dynamic?"

"Dynamic, huh? Alright, I'll give it a shot!" I concentrated harder, and suddenly, the weights began to float and swirl around us, creating a vortex of spinning metal.

"Nice! But remember," she said, "it's not just about the flash. You need to think about how to use it in combat scenarios. Can you control them when they're moving like that?"

I struggled a bit to maintain the vortex, but I managed to keep it stable. "I think so!"

"Good! Let's step it up a notch. I want you to try manipulating the weights to attack me while I dodge. It'll help you learn to multitask your quirk during combat."

"Okay!" I grinned, excitement flooding me again. 

I took a moment to steady myself before launching into the exercise. "Alright, here we go!" I focused on the weights again, swirling them around with intent. I sent one darting toward Cathleen, who sidestepped effortlessly, a smirk on her face.

"Nice try! But you'll need to be quicker than that if you want to catch me," she teased, darting back and forth. I sent a few more weights her way, trying to predict her movements, but she danced around them like a pro.

Suddenly, I got a bit overzealous. The weights began to spin faster, and I could feel my focus slipping. It became harder to control them as they flew chaotically around the gym.

"Whoa, Aiden! Reel it in a bit!" Cathleen shouted, watching the weights zoom about dangerously. I was about to redirect them when she stepped in closer, her expression shifting to one of concentration.

"New Order!" she declared, touching a nearby weight with her hand. "This weight will not move unless I say so!" 

[A/N It was honestly unnecessary but whatevs]

In an instant, the weight froze mid-air, and the chaos around us subsided. I blinked, a mix of awe and embarrassment flooding me. "How did you do that?"

She grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "That's the power of my quirk. New Order allows me to alter reality by physically touching a subject and declaring a rule. It's like setting a new law of physics just for that object. But it requires precise control and understanding."

"That's incredible!" I said, a little envious. "So you can just change things at will?"

"Exactly! But it takes a lot of practice to master. You have to be clear and decisive with your rules." She crossed her arms, her expression turning serious. "Now, let's talk about your quirk. Reality manipulation is powerful, but it can easily spiral out of control if you're not careful. You've got great potential, Aiden, but you need to learn to focus and harness it."

I nodded, still processing her demonstration. "Right. So, I need to find a balance between creativity and control?"

"Exactly. You can create or destroy anything within your reality, but if you lose control, it can backfire, just like what happened just now. It's similar to how I have to be precise with my New Order. If I don't state my rule clearly, things can get messy."

I felt a sense of determination bubbling inside me. "I get it! I need to refine my focus and really think about what I want to achieve."

"Let's practice that," she encouraged. "This time, I want you to visualize exactly what you want to create or manipulate. Think of it as setting a clear command in your mind before you act."

Taking her advice to heart, I focused again, envisioning a single weight morphing into a shield in front of me. I concentrated hard, feeling the energy build. Slowly, the weight shimmered and transformed into a solid, shimmering barrier.

"Great! Now try using it in a defensive scenario. Imagine I'm attacking you, and you need to protect yourself." Cathleen charged toward me, and I instinctively raised the shield just in time to block her advance.

"Nice reflexes!" she praised, giving me a thumbs-up. "Now try to maintain it while I apply pressure."

I gritted my teeth, trying to keep the shield intact as she pushed against it with her own strength. I could feel the strain as the energy surged, but I held firm.

"See? You're getting the hang of it!" she encouraged. "Just remember, your quirk can be incredibly versatile. It's all about how you envision it."

As we continued to train, I realized I was beginning to understand the nuances of my power. With Cathleen's guidance, I felt like I was finally stepping into my potential.

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