Class 2 : Learn to Become a Glow Stick!

narrated by Alex

While hanging out waiting for John, the vibe around the academy was buzzing with this mix of excitement and curiosity. The sun was doing its golden thing in the sky, casting a warm glow on everyone hustling around. Students were like bees in a hive, buzzing with anticipation for the next class – it was practically crackling in the air.

I took in the scene, the whole academy radiating this vibe of endless possibilities. You could practically taste the energy, this feeling that something big was about to go down. Man, I couldn't wait.

John strolled up, giving me this nod like he'd just conquered the world. "Ready for today, Alex?"

I shot him a grin. "As ready as I'll ever be. You?"

He chuckled, that easygoing vibe of his in full swing, chequered shirt over a white tee and black pants with sneakers on the bottom. "Let's see if Benji can turn us into bending prodigies by the end of the day."

Anne and Gordon strolled in, and let me tell you, the air wasn't exactly filled with sunshine and rainbows. Nope, it was more like an invisible storm brewing as they exchanged glances that could rival a lightning strike.

Anne made her way towards John, and they both had a cute little exchange of greetings and the usual, while I obviously got Gordon to deal with.

I made several attempts to strike up a conversation with Gordon.

"Hey, Gordon! Ready for today's class?"

Gordon's response was brief and to the point. "Yeah."

Feeling determined, I continued, "You know, I heard the training gets intense. But it's all in good fun, right?"

Gordon's expression remained stoic. "We'll see."

Undeterred, I tried a different approach. "So, any hobbies or interests outside of bending?"

Gordon shot me a look that hinted he wasn't particularly keen on delving into his personal interests. It was a subtle yet clear signal that further interrogation might not be welcome.

I shrugged and went back to waiting for Benji, and that's when Benji entered, his long hair rippling in the wind, a smile on his bearded face.

"Ready for today's class?" He said, and we all nodded in response.

He led us behind the campus, towards the field at the back

Benji gestured towards the open field bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun. "Nature has a way of enhancing the connection with your energy. I find it more fitting for our endeavors. Follow me, and let's embrace the outdoors for today's lesson."

"Alright then. So I did some background work after class yesterday, just checking what you all had been doing previously! So you all did learn something about energy, and some basic self defense stuff. So I hear John has some basic manipulation down already, Alex and Gordon prefer to let their hands to the talking, and Anne isn't even interested in violence. Is that right?"

We all nodded, and he continued, "Let's get started then."

Benji leaned forward, his eyes filled with enthusiasm. "Now, bending, folks, is more than just combat. Back in the day, it was mostly about throwing punches and defending yourself. But now, it's everywhere. Construction workers use it to lift heavy materials; artists create stunning displays with their bending finesse. It's like a language that goes beyond words, connecting us to the very essence of energy."

He gestured to the academy grounds. "This field, this city, is our canvas. Your energy is the brush, and bending is the art. So, we're not just learning to fight; we're learning to express, to create, and to connect with the world in a way that goes beyond the physical."

Benji paused, letting the words sink in. "Think of bending as a dance. A dance between you, the energy, and the world around you. It's about finding that rhythm, that connection that allows you to move with the flow of energy. And that, my students, is what we're going to explore together."

"Now, when it comes to using energy, it's all about imagination and willpower," Benji explained. "Close your eyes for a moment, visualize what you want the energy to do, feel its flow within you, and then, with sheer determination, summon it forth. It's like directing a play – you're the director, and the energy is your cast. Make them perform the way you envision."

He demonstrated, his hand extended, and a small orb of energy materialized. "See? It's about connecting with the energy, making it an extension of your will. The more vividly you can picture what you want, the more responsive the energy becomes. It's like having a conversation with a close friend; you think, and it responds."

Benji encouraged them to try. "Give it a shot. Imagine a simple task, like moving a leaf or creating a small energy sphere. Focus, feel the energy, and let it respond to your intention. This is where the magic begins!"

"Begin by closing your eyes, and concentrating. Try to feel your energy coursing inside of you. If you are able to concentrate, you'll feel the hum."

Benji said to feel our energy, so I closed my eyes, giving it a shot. It was kinda like trying to catch a vibe in the air, you know? And slowly, I got this faint hum going through me. It's like the energy knew I was paying attention, doing its little dance under my skin. For the first time, I felt like, okay, maybe there's something to this energy stuff.

I figured I'd give it a shot, right? So, I focused a bit more, tried to stir things up. Imagined the hum getting stronger. It's like trying to crank up the volume on your favorite song. Lo and behold, the hum got a bit louder, like the energy was jamming along with my vibe. It wasn't exactly a concert, but it was something.

Okay, this was unexpected. I opened my eyes, and bam! There I was, glowing in this cool shade of purple. I didn't sign up for a light show, but hey, I'll take it. It felt empowering, like I tapped into this secret glow-up feature. Purple might be my color after all.

So, there I am, vibing in purple, and guess what? John's rocking the red aura, Anne's got this soothing green thing going on, and Gordon's just chilling in a cool blue. It's like a cosmic light parade, and I'm digging the whole superhero team vibe we've got. Who knew energy could be so stylish?

"Good! You've all managed to tap into your energy! Now, try to imagine a ball in front of you, and will your energy to take the form. It's like passing a mental command to your energy within!" Benji said.

Benji's throwing us a curveball now. Imagine a sphere, he says. Easy, right? Well, not when you're dealing with cosmic energy. So, there I am, trying to boss my energy around like I'm some energy puppeteer. Willing a sphere into existence, it's like telepathically telling your energy, "Hey, be a ball, won't you?"

But my cosmic puppetry skills? Not quite on point. The sphere's playing hard to get. But hey, it's early days in Energy Bending 101, right? We're just warming up our energy muscles.

My cosmic puppetry dreams are dashed. I'm trying to coax my energy into this neat little sphere, but it's not having it. Maybe it's got stage fright or something. I'm left there, mentally pleading with it, "C'mon, be a good energy and form a sphere!" But nope, it's a rebel. Not today, Alex. Not today.

So I opened my eyes, and looked around, to see the others' progress .

Anne, wrapped in a vivid green glow, takes a shot at pulling the energy into a more defined form. She's reaching for it, trying to shape it with her thoughts, but it slips away like sand through her fingers. The energy dances around her, defying her attempts to corral it into a solid shape.

Gordon's getting all worked up, right? His hands, they're just bathed in this intense blue light, like he's brewing up a storm or something. He's aiming to summon this energy in front of him, but it's more like the blue glow is throwing a tantrum, refusing to listen. The guy's visibly irritated, and you can almost feel the heat coming off his frustration.

Now, John's doing his thing, and you see this red aura forming around him. It's like he's got this crimson cloud of energy swirling in his hands, but when he tries to shape it into a proper sphere in front of him, it sort of falters. It's just there, hanging in the air, not really doing much. Like it's caught in this indecision, unsure of where to go or what to do.

So, here we are, the four of us, each surrounded by this colorful glow. John's got this red aura swirling around him, Anne's covered in this calming green, and Gordon's got this intense blue radiance. As for me, I've got this faint purple hum around me. But, despite the vibrant display, none of us seem to be getting it right with the whole sphere thing. It's like a bunch of glow sticks at a concert, each trying to outshine the other, but not really hitting the mark.

Finally, Benji calls a timeout on our glowing escapade, probably thinking we need a breather. He says we did well for the first day, but it's clear we've got a long way to go. As for me, I'm gearing up for a wrestling match with my own energy. It's like trying to tame a wild animal – elusive, unpredictable, and definitely not interested in following my lead. Looks like my energy and I are in for a rollercoaster ride.