Secret Flaw

Violet, a tall woman dressed in all black stood in front of five thirteen year olds standing three feet apart from each other — as if annoyed by their neighbors presence. 

"I want to start the bad part of this conversation where I explain how idiotic you all are. Throwing your spells together without a care in the world is shameful! Especially over the body of a water mage! You all know very well how weak the water affinity is at a low mana core stage… It may have been a situation filled with greed to win and steal his flags, but still. Sometimes you need to learn to take a loss."

'Seriously… I don't think a water affinity is all that weak. Sure, anything physical can pass through a water barrier, besides those silk webs. But, if I learn how to use the principle of absorption, or maybe even change the surface tension, I could possibly stop any physical and non-magical attack.

Tigon cut in by stepping forward during Violet's momentary pause. His long black cloak with a floral white stripe down the middle was a testament to the man's stature and the way he carried himself. Unfortunately, the man was as bald as one could be… "No one was hurt right?"

"Y-yes. Besides maybe 963. Remind me, what is your name again?" Violet asked hesitantly.

"Elijah Veran." So you know my number…' Elijah thought.

"Ah, the water mage with the knack for creativity and combat I see. You know, for you to be at the center of this without so much as a scratch on your head, I am quite impressed!" 

Tigon went on to explain that while he did not bear witness to the event, he understood Violet's reasoning from pulling the five from the game. After careful consideration and explanations of their talents they showed during the game, Tigon began writing in his notebook — likely filled with anyone who had caught his attention. While everyone except for Elijah were already in that notebook, Elijah could tell just by looking from afar — the calm and slow squiggles he made were exactly how he would spell his own name. 

It was as if he had wanted him to see it, and understand he is one above all.

The group dispersed with Violet following the boy she had marked down as a target to watch.

"So Elijah, how did you stop everything from happening?" She asked calmly while walking to his side.

"What do you mean? Didn't you see it?"

"Well, what I saw was a power completely unrelated to a water mage. A power very similar to a concussive force."

Elijah quickly thought about the events before speaking. 'I lifted my arm through the pressure, and released the tension causing my hand to slam to the floor. Could I have used far more mana than I expected, causing the mana to be released into the air upon contact?'

"To be honest, I don't really remember much about what happened besides my entire body on the brink of being squished like a bug. If anything, It is Curtis who is at the most fault." Elijah paused. "But… I am pretty sure the wormhole guy was part of the reason why no one got hurt."

Violet agreed with his statement, and quietly walked away jumping into the night sky without making so much as a sound.

This game had been unlike anything Elijah had taken part in before, even more so than the King of Crystals. However, the idea that Violet had brought into Elijah's mind wasn't something he hadn't thought of before. That body that the dreaded scientist had given him through an obscene amount of physical harm and torture, had resulted in a body that reacted to mana in different ways. 

If what Violet said was true, and the small bits and pieces that Elijah was beginning to piece together were also true. Then it would mean his changed body had come with more than just the strength to bust through any barrier, but the ability to recreate the powers of the gods — minus the flaws that so many of them have to live with.

"Elijah! You are Elijah, right?" Kallus ran from the corner of the wall back to Elijah's position considering he had been one of the first to leave the meeting.

"Yes. You are Kallus right? Uhh… You face is all dirty."" Elijah was confused, just before, Kallus' face had been completely clean besides the small amount of dirt picked up within the battlefield. Even now, they heard the rumbles from afar.

"Ah… That was Jace, when I wasn't looking… he tripped me with his silk strings…"

Easily, Elijah was able to feel resentment within his voice. "Are you a commoner?"

"Y-yes, but it doesn't matter!"

"I know. I am a commoner too, and I feel your pain." Elijah quickly cut in just before he was about to continue. Instead of letting his feelings run wild in an attempt to justify his anger, Elijah gave him the only solution to the problem. "We just have to keep on pushing without a care in the world. If someone ever talks back to you in a demeaning way, just say… You're good. Trust me, they won't know what to say back because you are either being angry with them or using words of kindness."

"Hmmm, I don't know… I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it." Kallus said while beginning to walk again, right next to Elijah.

Currently, a friendship is being built. However, Elijah could only think about how Niko was doing, and whether or not he had used his illusion ability to throw off even the spectators that were keeping a close eye on him. After all, Niko was somehow better at all things related to close range combat and planning ahead. 

Being that the nature of this game was to get close, Elijah was sure he had caught the attention of a spectator just like himself.

Walking into a massive courtyard decorated with absolutely nothing but bushes, simple plants, and grand and tall buildings that were able to house over 3000 people at once, Elijah looked up into the dark sky as if reaching for his past.

Familiar patterns of stars, and the smell of greenery clouded his senses, as if trying to distract himself from the tears coming down his cheeks.

"Ahh… The things I would do to show you this…"

"Did you say something Elijah?" Kallus asked while just barely hearing the mutters of Elijah.

"Huh? No… I didn't. I am in the left building, so I'm going this way. Have a good night of rest!" Elijah didn't make too much eye contact while bidding his farewell.

"Okay! I'll see you tomorrow!"

…

The stone staircase felt endless as his emotions came to fruition. "Damn… just ten minutes ago I was fine, but now…"

Elijah watched as a tear splashed against the stone stairs. What he feared was that the trauma he had gone through within Astraea, and losing almost everyone he cared about, had affected him in ways that only began to show dopamine of combat subsided.

Dopamine worked in a funny way, the most anyone would receive would be in the moments leading up to said action. During and after the action, the dopamine levels would slowly drop back to normal.

The action, need for survival, and now the competitive spirit he is feeling within his soul is the sole factor for his "ignorance", which was benefiting and destroying him.

Before, Elijah would have taken the first opportunity to confront these emotions and put them to rest, but…

Now he feels scared, deathly afraid, and only wants to cover his sorrows with pure action and adrenaline.

…

"Don't worry, I already know what the final game is, and we will get our revenge. I just have to find the right spectator willing to be paid off." 

Tap. Tap.

Tap. Tap.

"Just be careful with your power… I can't bear to wake up and see a completely different person sleeping in the bed of my friend…"

"Damn… That water-boy destroyed my silk strings. It caused me a sudden spike in pain…"

Tap. Tap.

Tap. Tap.

"Don't worry about it too much, just sneak out later and pick up the strings after everyone has fallen asleep. I know you don't have a problem with sneaking around…"

Inside the stairwell, at the very top, were two thirteen year old boys walking to their room. Being that Elijah had heard the latter half of the conversation, he instantly began to soften his steps while approaching.

It was obvious the spidery boy had a serious flaw, one that would potentially cause him to turn into an entirely knew person.