8: Power Checkups, Like Doctor’s Checkups, But For Powers

8: Power Checkups, Like Doctor’s Checkups, But For Powers Letting the other students know they could take a break and just enjoy themselves, Angelica, along with Ryker and Electra, left for the training room. Making their way downstairs, they passed through a pair of sliding double doors. Kicking some dust up from the training room’s floor, Ryker did a few stretches before jogging to the center of the room. “I’m calling first, Electra, sorry but I’m not really that sorry.” With Electra just sighing, Ryker grinned and did a flip as he made it to the center of the room. “Angelica, what type of random stuff do you want me to show off? I didn’t do too much practicing over the break.” “Whatever you think you improved on,” Angelica pulled out a clipboard before flipping through the pages. “Let me see what metrics we decided on... There’s regeneration rate? Explosion force per one finger and per hand. Any general progress on a more controlled release of an explosion?” “No, it’s always just concentrated in one instant of time,” Ryker squatted on the ground. “I have some ideas for remote detonation though. But I’m not going to share those right now since well... secrets gotta stay secret. If I figure it out I’ll let you know.” Taking some notes and transcribing a few quotes from Ryker, Angelica took a seat next to Electra who had pulled over a couple of chairs. “You’re free to begin whenever. You’re fine, right Electra? No danger on your end?” “I should be fine, my electricity won’t flare up into overdrive since, subconsciously, he’s well-recognized to not be a danger.” Electra reassured while tying her hair back. Ryker, getting the go ahead, raised his hand. Making sure his hand was in view, he detonated his index finger. BANG. With a shockwave rocking the room, a wave of air exploded outward as Angelica’s hair blew backward. Ryker’s finger, having disintegrated from the explosion, regrew at a speed visible to the naked eye. It didn’t take more than ten seconds before his hand was spotless and healthy. Winking towards Angelica and Electra, Ryker busted out a couple dance moves as Angelica took some notes. Ignoring the “You’re cringe!” from Electra, he stuck out his tongue before doing the worm on the ground. Angelica, on the other hand, entered the zone for a couple seconds and blazed out a paragraph-sized note of observations before calling out to Ryker. “Feel free to continue! I estimate there was a three percent increase in explosion force. Let’s see if the trend continues!” “Got it!” Ryker shouted back before motioning for them to cover their ears. Throwing his loose jacket to the side, he rolled up his sleeve before raising it upward. Looking away and doing his best rockstar impression, he did a fake mic drop with his other hand before detonating his entire hand. With a huge fireball swallowing his body, Ryker used his still existent hand to brush his hair back as the fireball faded. Beads of sweat began running down his forehead due to the sheer heat and his clothes fluttered from the resulting shock wave. “What are those shockwaves...?” A sleepy Nyssa asked as she rolled over on Celeste’s lap. “Is there an earthquake?” “No, just Ryker and Electra doing a power check-up with Angelica,” Celeste ran her hand through Nyssa’s hair. “Don’t worry about it too much, everything’s alright. You can go back to sleep if you want.” “I will...” Nyssa’s voice trailed off as she rolled over. “You’re very warm and nice to sleep on...” With Nyssa’s proclamation, quiet laughs slipped through Celeste’s mouth as she used her sleeve to muffle the last bits of sound. Nyssa was cute. Even when she wasn’t a cat. --- “Yeah, man, you’re done.” Albion murmured to Conrad as they watched Nyssa doze off on Celeste’s lap. “Just give up, bro. Nyssa’s made more progress in a single day than you’ve made over the past year. You’re done.” “I... am inclined to agree. I don’t think your chances are looking too great.” Titus lamented while giving Conrad a couple pats on the back. “I believe in you though, keep trying if she’s really the one.” “Guys, don’t say this,” Conrad fell onto his hands and knees. “You have to believe in me, she’s the one! She’s my female lead!” “This is exactly why you have zero chance with any girls.” Albion’s cold voice cut through Conrad’s desperation. “Absolutely lost any time a girl is within sight.” “Hey, don’t be so mean,” Titus lifted Conrad back up to his feet. “Maybe Conrad can turn it around. Maybe Conrad hasn’t discovered that one... uh... what did you call it, Conrad? Dialogue option? That’ll ‘unlock the route’?” “He’s done. Don’t give him hope like this. Don’t feed his ego.” Albion shook his head while crossing his arms. “Are we next though for power check-ups?” “I think so...” Titus stroked his chin. He wasn’t going to say it out loud, but he cheered for those two! They reminded him of the first little sister he had—the older one of the two. She was trying to woo this girl in her class too!