21: That’s Not Quite Right

[Seriously? Since when has that ever stopped you…]

[Hmm… He..hehe… hehehe…]

[Just don't kill our classmates again… I happen to like it here.]

If it wasn't for this long beak, I would be making an absolutely devilish grin right about now.

I just realized how to make this much, much more exciting.

Bzzzrzt.

New arcs of lightning reinforce the dome over Neil. From the look of it, each attack uses one of the filaments protecting him. I'll have my opening eventually, just not right now.

I zip over towards him while he's charging up. Each bolt arcing over him grows thicker and more erratic. I'm not sure how much longer he can keep them from shooting off… as It looks like he can barely contain them.

Sparks shoot from his eyes from the sheer force of the electricity. I'm surprised he hasn't exploded from so much power.

I hover above him with the sun at my back.

This doesn't stop him from attacking, as he still knows where to aim. He launches a series of bolts at the sun; however, he can't adjust to the minute movements I make to dodge.

But, he's smarter than repeating a useless tactic.

The next bolt that comes bursts midair, splintering into a multitude of smaller bolts that spider across the sky like a web.

Seeing as no bird or human falls from the sky, he must realize that I'm still there.

Neil briefly looks around to double check but doesn't see me, so he makes the logical conclusion I'm still hiding using the sun.

The few bolts of his dome merge into even more powerful bolts, but greatly thin his defenses. Now, he only has three bolts, but each is as thick as his thigh when compared to the previous twenty, finger-thick bolts he seemed to max out at.

Something about this seems different, so it's time to do that.

By now, Neil should be used to targeting me without consideration for his surroundings. After all, we are on an open field, our class is a good distance away, and there isn't anything valuable to defend or account for.

One of the bolts vanishes from the dome, and the waves of electricity on Neil's body condense and speed up, turning into almost a steady glow.

Here we go!

I zip away, my tiny wings beating furiously as I fly towards the class. My little, hummingbird body screams in protest as it's pushed to its limits.

Neil zeroes in on me with the tunnel vision of battle, adrenaline pumping through his veins. His lack of experience is working to my advantage.

I shriek as I dive into the crowd of onlookers, chased by an exploding crack and sizzle right behind me. I catch a glimpse of lightning forking in the sky and a wall of blue illuminating the silhouettes of my classmates.

Students scream and duck as two more bolts follow, but by now I am already speeding straight up, above the crowd. Steam starts to billow high into the sky.

Mmm… I relish in their screams… then burst out of the steam with a small puff, welcoming the brief cover.

I see a wall of furiously boiling water shielding the scattering students — the source of the steam. I guess Cascade isn't ranked #6 and chosen as an instructor for no reason. Those were some quick reflexes on her part!

From above, I drop down on the now defenseless Neil as a cassowary, my claws at the ready for piercing and gouging.

Splish!

An orb of azure water closes in around me when I'm just above Neil, and I flail around for breath. I'm floating inside of it, but I'm stopped from getting close to the edge to break out.

Penguin time! … I guess…

A glowing, flickering blue from outside the orb catches my attention.

Great…

FWEET! FWEEET!

Instructor Cascade gestures at us to cut it out, but the electricity only grows stronger.

Lemme guess… he's ranked Grade A, but can't control his strength well… Or… he's a sadist… Or both.

A blast of water knocks Neil down, interrupting his charge.

As he stands up, a few stray flickers spark off his body.

Following the gush, a rapid flow of water surges forth and rises up to form Cascade.

Cascade runs up to Neil and grabs him by his shirt collar.

"What do you think you're doing!? You would have seriously injured your classmates if I didn't block it! You have to always — ALWAYS — be aware of your surroundings. Villains want you to destroy the people you're trying to protect." Cascade shoves him back on the ground.

"And you!" — I squirm around in the orb of water. Apparently, I can't swim in it. — "What were you thinking! A hero must never use civilians as a shield! That's exactly what a villain would do! What are you even doing in this academy, Grade C," she spits. "Did you think I would give you special treatment — DO YOU? HUH!?"

I kick and flap around in the orb, but Cascade shows no signs of letting me free. I know penguins can hold their breath a long time… but I'd rather not test that. And special treatment? Isn't that exactly what this is, albeit negative?

"Ridiculous! You're not fit to be a hero. How dare you get Neil to attack your classmates. Do you have no shame!? I'm disgusted with you. If you weren't a special case, I'd have you expelled right this instant!"

My eyes gleam menacingly as I become still, and I turn to glare at Cascade. She's saying this to me? Me? When I was the one who almost got a one sided beatdown until the very end?

I dare her to keep going. Just try me. I'd love an excuse. Please.

Struan's conditions are a bit stifling to my fun. Just give me a reason. Just one. I only need one. That's right. Keep me in this water sphere for just one more minute and you'll regret having ever been born with a mouth and teeth.