The Prodigy Read online

  Sponsors? Does he mean alumni?

  “Someone must have really deep pockets, eh, Summer? Your parents pay for all of this?” Erik asks. During the applause Erik must have moved over to Summer’s other side. I was so caught up dealing with my own emotions that I didn’t notice.

  “Nah, they didn’t. Well, not all of it, anyway.” Summer shrugs. “We were due for an upgrade. People almost died. They were pretty cool about the whole thing, to be honest. Wait until you see mine. I got lasers installed on my fingertips.”

  “Hold up. Are you serious?” Erik asks. “Lasers?”

  “Ugh. I swear you make it too easy...” Summer presses her fingertips to her head and sighs. “The academy’s tech is generations ahead of what’s currently available to the public. Something like this had to have come from corporate checkbooks. Besides, they moved way too quick on this for it to be someone out of the academy’s personal network... And if you really want to get into it, with all the good that the academy’s done, I’m sure some of the big dogs jumped on the opportunity to help further their own goals. It’s all politics. Like, seriously, if you’re going to take a jab at me, at least make it worth responding to. I need a challenge, man.”

  Politics?

  “...In regards to the availability of these suits, they’ll be distributed at the end of the period,” Mr. Hoover says and then clasps his hands firmly. “Now, moving on...time for our second announcement. There have been rumors of this, I’m sure, but if you turn your attention behind me, we’ll be sure to put those to rest. Ms. Cosgrove, if you will?” Mr. Hoover pivots his body to the door, and shortly after his cue, it opens. Ms. Cosgrove emerges from the other side, and with her, there’s another person—a student our age wearing a battle suit that looks nothing like ours. It’s sleeker and definitely more refined...more breathable too.

  “Class,” Ms. Cosgrove says after planting her hand on the student’s shoulder. “This is Malik, and from now on, he’ll be your cohort.” Malik sheepishly waves his hand, and the class greets him in unison. His head dips slightly, and his dark hair hides his brown eyes.

  “Hi...”

  Mr. Hoover inches forward, directing our attention towards him, and gestures towards the new student with an open palm.

  “As you know, there are a multitude of different areas of study here at the academy. Malik was previously involved with Research and Development, but he had a change of heart while helping us develop our newest model of battle suits. There was some work to be done on our side of things, but we were able to make it happen. Even though Malik’s studies were based in tech, his scores for combat were within the range appropriate for this division. Considering his wide array of talents, we figured it’d be a good fit to place him with the rest of you.”

  “So, we don’t have to hold back then, right?” Summer says under her breath and snickers.

  “No.” Malik raises his head and answers, his gaze piercing through the sea of students and onto us. “You don’t. Treat me just like you would anyone else.” The students collectively gasp and murmur amongst themselves, but I find myself at a loss for words. All I can do is respect his confidence. For a second, I thought he reminded me of me when I first started here, and in a way, he still does, but something’s different. I can see it in his eyes. “After seeing what Von did, I wanted to do what I could to help. There are people all over the world just like him, hurting people... I thought I was doing my best by helping with developments. I was studying to be a scientist, I still am, but I know I can be doing more...that I should be doing more... That’s why I asked Mr. Hoover and Ms. Cosgrove if I can enroll, so please, think of me as your classmate and not some shoe-in. All of you. I’m trying my best here, just like everyone else.”

  “Malik is just as talented as anyone else in this room, as I’m sure you’ll soon find out,” Mr. Hoover adds.

  “Yeah, I totally respect that. We’re all working hard here... What’s your ability, anyway?” Summer asks, shifting her weight to the side. “If you’re here, that means you can fight, yeah?”

  “Summer!” I call out her name, but she completely ignores me, her sights set on Malik.

  “I’d rather not say, but I’d be happy to show you in a match.”

  “Hmph. I’ve only known you for less than five minutes, but you’re already my new favorite person. Hey, Mr. Hoover, Ms. Cosgrove, you cool with this?” The air around Summer’s body begins to grow cold and a mischievous grin emerges on her face.

  “Mr. Hoover, are you really about to let the—”

  “Calm down, Aiden.” Summer growls. “I can take care of myself. Why do you think we’re here, anyway? I’m just giving the man what he wants.”

  “If both parties agree, I don’t see why not. Summer will be an excellent opponent for Malik to demonstrate his skills. It’ll also give the class a chance to see the new suits in action.”

  “Sounds fine by me. You still up for this, Malik?”

  “Yeah.” He nods. “You bet.”

  “Then it’s settled. The exhibition will take place in the indoor arena under the regulations of standard battle protocol,” Ms. Cosgrove announces.

  “Awesome. Looks like you just got your wish,” Summer says.

  “Students, if you will, please make your way to the arena so we can promptly begin. Ms. Cosgrove and I can assure you that you’re in for quite the showing.”

  It’s been so long since I’ve seen Summer fired up, but Malik doesn’t look worried at all. In fact, he’s smiling. Summer’s one of the top students in our class, easily, and Malik’s a fresh face. The fact that Mr. Hoover didn’t call it off from the jump must mean that he’s confident that Malik will at least be able to hold his own...which says a lot about his ability as a fighter. Summer’s a trickster, versatile and powerful. If Malik’s not on his game, Summer will wipe the floor with him.

  Unless...I’m missing something.

  What does Malik have up his sleeve that makes him so confident?

  I watch both of them leave ahead of the crowd, our teachers escorting them to the arena. I know that Summer’s strong, but I can’t shake the feeling that she somehow walked into some sort of trap.

  ****

  Gah, I hope she’ll be okay. She’s an absolute psycho for doing this.

  I make my way up to the stands along with everyone else, overlooking the site of the battle. The arena’s different from where we conduct our ABT exercises, and to be honest, I’ve never really set foot in this room outside of today. There was never a need, and I was never really sure what it was even used for until now. There’s enough room for us to be spread out, so I opt to sit where I can get the best view. “This isn’t what I had in mind when I thought about going to class today, but I’m not complaining,” Erik says after taking his seat next to me. “Crown Academy is known for stunts like this. Anything for the betterment of their students. Even spontaneous fights are cool, I guess.”

  “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

  “Summer? Yeah, she’ll be fine...it’s Summer...and even if she’s not, she’ll make a way.”

  “...Yeah...”

  “But that’s saying a lot. I haven’t actually seen Summer lose to anyone, not counting Von. Her game is solid when it comes to one on one battles. She covers all distances of combat, and her attacks are multidimensional. Her sword can also be her shield, so to speak. She lucked out as far as projector types go. Whatever Malik’s powers are, they’ll have to be devastating to compete with hers. Mr. Hoover said he did have high scores in our field, so that means he should be able to put up a fight. Winning? Well, that’s a whole other story... But don’t tell her I said any of this stuff, okay? She’ll never let me live it down.”

  “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

  “Thanks...” Erik leans back and sighs. “You know, it’s crazy how your fight with Von motivated Malik to change programs, don’t you think? It would’ve been something if it were you down there instead of Summer. You’re like, an
inspiration to him. Isn’t that weird?”

  “It is.” And Malik would have been sorely disappointed if he were squaring up against me. My powers are just about useless right now. I wouldn’t be able to give him the fight he was looking for. “But Summer was there too, so maybe he looks up to her as well. Kaci, too,” I respond, drowning out my inner voice.

  “I don’t know, man. Not everyone knows the whole story, and you were the one who ultimately took him down—that’s what everybody saw. It was that wild attack you used, and that crazy explosion afterward.”

  “Right...” For some reason, hearing Erik talk about my fight causes a tingling sensation in the palm of my right hand. Almost like I’m drawing power. I quickly steal a glance at it, and it fades, but I could have sworn that my body was beginning to pull power on its own.

  “This is going to be good. I wonder what his abilities are,” Clarissa says from behind us while making her way from a couple of rows down. I snap my gaze up from my palm and acknowledge her. She wasn’t sitting with anyone, but she seems to be doing a bit better than when I spoke to her earlier, judging by her body language.

  “Yeah, for sure.”

  “Mind if I watch with you guys?”

  “Knock yourself out,” Erik answers. Our conversation ends, and we all wait for the match to begin. The silence between us gives my mind time to wonder about what’s going on with my powers. That sensation I felt just now didn’t make any sense... I’m not even in danger or anything.

  “Students, as soon as you’re settled, the match will begin.” Over on the ground floor of the arena, Summer and Malik take their places at the polar ends of the fighting stage. “Standard regulations of combat protocol will be enforced upon both parties. If you are unable to continue via lack of consciousness, lack of will, or through our personal judgement, the match will immediately be over. Please, try your best, and compete with honor,” Mr. Hoover announces loud enough for us to hear in the stands. I watch him while he raises his right hand in the air from the sidelines. Ms. Cosgrove is on the opposite side, observing with folded arms. “When I drop my hand, the battle will commence... Begin!”

  At Mr. Hoover’s decree, an icy mist spawns from Summer’s hands, and I notice a slight dip in the room’s temperature. For me to feel the temperature change from here means that she’s not playing around. Without wasting a second, she’s quick to go on the offensive. Summer whips her right arm across her body while running and a barrage of ice crystals streak across the stage towards Malik. He dodges them with relative ease without the use of his powers. The attack’s way too small to be effective at a distance. Even if it was a direct hit, it wouldn’t be enough, but Summer knows that.

  “She made them with her fingertips on the fly like that? Smart. She’s testing him,” Erik points out as we spectate from the stands.

  “She has to gather information somehow, what better way than by using an attack? When we fought against Clarissa’s team she rushed in blind and paid for it. Summer’s stubborn, but she learns from her mistakes. Plus, things are different now. It’s just her. Any mistake she makes can end up costing her the match. That wouldn’t look too good considering how confident she was before it all started.”

  After running to the far right of the arena, Summer launches the same attack a second time, only now, the sickles are faster and more pronounced. Malik dodges them by maneuvering in the opposite direction, respecting their space.

  I still don’t get what he’s trying to do. He’s not really advancing... Does that mean he’s a mixed fighter just like Summer? Usually, someone who’s close-range would try to close the gap between an opponent, and a long-range fighter would prioritize distance at all costs. Malik’s making a conscious effort to fight this way...but why? What’s he planning?

  Rather than chase Malik, Summer plants her feet and shoots a blast of ice ahead of Malik’s projected path. Malik stops short of the attack, but just barely, by twisting his body and shifting his weight. The sudden movement leaves Malik off-balance, and Summer fires another projectile while simultaneously advancing towards him.

  With no possible way to dodge in time, Malik roars and shoots his fist forward as if throwing a punch. A jolt of electricity branches from his fist and collides with Summer’s ice, nullifying the blast, causing a dull boom to reverberate throughout the arena.

  The stadium tremors, and some of the students gasp at the influx of wind and vapor from the two elements clashing. Malik can’t afford to be in awe though—he knew what to expect when he reacted the way he did—and the frontal assault was only part of Summer’s attack. The instant the smoke clears, I see Summer deliver a sidekick to Malik’s ribs. Malik flinches and fires a desperate bolt of electricity at Summer, but she reads the attack and dodges it while simultaneously freezing the hand that he just fired from.

  The weight of the ice forces Malik’s hand to the ground, but he shoots another bolt from point-blank range. With his options limited, Summer anticipates the counter and drives an open palm towards his hand, catching it. Another wave of concussive force shakes the arena, and a thick veil of haze shoots out from the point of impact and gravitates towards the ceiling.

  Summer releases her clasp on Malik’s fist, and in its departure, a bulbous growth of ice engulfs his hand. The combined weight of Summer’s ice on both of his hands forces Malik to sink to one knee, his fists crashing into the ground from being too heavy to lift. Malik strains to summon his electricity, but outside of a few stray sparks, his body has nothing to offer.

  Summer then manifests a blade of ice and extends it towards Malik’s neck.

  “This concludes the exhibition. Summer wins!” Mr. Hoover announces from the sidelines.

  “What just happened?” Erik asks. Right when I open my mouth, Clarissa cranes her neck between our shoulders from the row above.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Clarissa says.

  “No, it isn’t. That’s why I asked...” Erik crosses his arms in speculation, and I glance at Clarissa before speaking.

  “Well, contrary to popular belief, ice is a poor conductor of electricity.”

  “Correct. Ice can serve as a counter if utilized correctly, but it depends on which force is stronger. It’s not perfect, but it can act as a buffer. We all know that Summer can fight from a variety of ranges. Since the new student mimicked her opening, she made the assumption that his abilities had some form of versatility as well—a projection type, most likely with decent range. Furthermore, her initial attacks were segmented. The spires she threw came at different speeds and in different sizes. Malik was comfortable dodging them all but didn’t counter until he was forced to do so. He was banking on his speed and the element of surprise to land a decisive blow.”

  “But Summer saw through his strategy,” I add.

  “She did...and she implemented one of her own. The spires she tossed planted themselves onto the ground rather than crack or melt. In the past, I’ve seen her manipulate pre-existing ice that she had shot, to an extent, so my guess is that she was planning to use them as a trump card of sorts...a surprise attack just in case things didn’t pan out. Like, that beam she shot, for example.”

  “What do you mean?” Erik asks.

  “Yeah, I caught that too. She shot it at a downward angle, but she wasn’t planning on hitting him at all—she was aiming at the floor to cut off his movements,” I explain.

  “Correct again. With Malik being so confident in his speed and power, Summer had to do everything in her power to make him move the way she wanted him to so she could respond with precision. She wanted to test his strength, so she met his attack head-on while increasing the density of her ice. From there, it was just a matter of ending things before the situation got out of control.”

  “Okay, now I’m confused,” I confess. “What do you mean?”

  “Look at her,” Clarissa says after jutting her chin towards the arena floor. “She’s putting up a tough front, but she definitely took damage from their exchanges.” I
look down at the battleground and see portions of her suit are minced around her bicep and shoulder, and she’s breathing heavily. “Her defenses weren’t perfect, but it was good enough to get the job done. When she took Malik’s final attack and neutralized it, it completely crushed his morale. Malik would have had to generate a tremendous amount of energy to shatter the ice Summer encased his hands in, not to mention he was probably losing sensation in his hands fairly quickly, which I’m sure made things worse. Of course, she had other options—safer options—but she went for the one with the biggest payoff. High risk, high reward.”

  “Man, that’s just like Summer.” Erik chuckles while the rest of the students begin to cheer both parties. “Ugh. Why does she always have to be so freaking cool about everything? The new kid put up a good fight though, all things considered.”

  “Honestly, that’s just the way Summer is.”

  “Yeah, but Malik did fine for an exhibition match straight out of Research and Development,” Clarissa says. “I can see why Mr. Hoover and Ms. Cosgrove see potential in him. He was able to somewhat hold his own, which is great. It’s just that Summer’s extremely talented when it comes to combat, and her powers were able to give her an advantage. He would have fared better against most of the roster. In the end, I’m sure I would have beaten him, but his electricity would have been a challenge to work around. Hmm... I’ll have to ask him a bit about his powers when I get the chance, but he seems too uptight. Oh, I know! Maybe I should bake him some cookies.”

  “Ha. Anything for research, huh?” Erik asks.

  “If you had the same outlook, then maybe you wouldn’t be so lost. Aiden’s your teammate, so he’s playing nice, but I have no problem saying what needs to be said.” She shrugs.