The Glitch in the World

Aiden stood in the middle of the training hall, rubbing his tabernacles. Lines of law floated around him, lapping and intertwining like a digital spiderweb. Master Lin watched patiently from the side, his hands clasped behind his reverse.

" You are overthinking it," Master Lin said calmly.

Aiden let out an irritated shriek." It's just. there's so important. How am I supposed to flash back all of these variables and functions at the same time?"

Master Lin crossed over, his shoes vocally knocking against the bottom of the cavernous space." The law does not need to be controlled. It needs to be understood. Feel it, not force it."

Aiden frowns." Easier said than done."

" Close your eyes," Master Lin instructs.

" Again?"

" Cater me."

Aiden closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

" Now," Master Lin continued," imagine the law not as lines and figures, but as a part of you. Let it flow naturally, like your own twinkle."

Aiden concentrated, trying to tune out his studies. sluggishly, the chaotic mess of law began to harmonize, the lines syncing up like musical notes forming a air.

" There you go," Master Lin said vocally." Now, try to manipulate a small part of it."

Aiden reached out mentally, nudging a beachfront of law. It responded, shifting easily under his guidance.

He opened his eyes to see a small sphere of light floating above his win. It palpitated gently, emitting a warm gleam.

" I did it," Aiden rumored, a grin spreading across his face.

" Well done," Master Lin jounced." Flash back this feeling. It's not about control; it's about connection."

Aiden looked at the sphere, feeling a sense of accomplishment he would noway endured before." What is coming?"

Master Lin chortled." Eager, are not we? Let's take it one step at a time. For now, concentrate on maintaining the sphere's stability."

As Aiden concentrated, the sphere began to wobble. He sustained his breathing, and the sphere stabilized.

" Good. Now, try changing its shape."

He allowed of a cell, and the sphere sluggishly morphed into a geometric shape with defined edges.

" veritably emotional," Master Lin said." utmost beginners take weeks to get to this point."

Aiden signed modestly." I guess I've a good schoolteacher."

Master Lin smiled." overpraise will get you far and wide."

They spent the rest of the day experimenting with the manipulation of canons. Aiden learned how to change the color of objects and indeed produce some simple constructs. The more he rehearsed, the more intuitive it came.

At the end of the session, Master Lin gave Aiden a small, old tablet." I want you to have this."

Aiden flipped through the runners, looking at the numerous handwritten notes and sketches." What's this?"

" Just some studies and compliances I have gathered over the times. It might help you on your trip."

" Thanks," Aiden said unfeignedly." I will take good care of it."

" See that you do," Master Lin replied with a wink." Now, go get some rest. We will pick up again hereafter."

Walking back to his room, Aiden felt lighter than air. He could n't stay to tell Maya about his progress. As he turned a corner, he nearly banged into her.

" Whoa there," she laughed, catching her balance." You look like you just won the lottery."

" perhaps I did," he beamed." Master Lin gave me this." He held up the tablet.

Her eyes widened." No way. That is a big deal."

" Really?"

" Yeah! He does not just hand out particular notes to anyone. He must see commodity special in you."

Aiden felt a flush creep up his neck." Well, I did manage to produce some cool stuff moment."

" Show me!"

" Alright, but not then. Let's go to the practice room."

They headed over, and Aiden eagerly demonstrated his new chops. He created shapes, manipulated colors, and indeed formed a small, fluttering raspberry made of light.

Maya clapped her hands in excitement." That is amazing!"

" That is great," he said, feeling a swell of pride.

She cocked her head to one side, thinking." You know, we could try combining our capacities."

" How so?"

" Well, I have been working on dynamic constructs — effects that can move and acclimatize. perhaps we can combine what we have learned."

" Sounds fun. Let's give it a shot."

They spent the coming hour thrashing about, horselaugh filling the room at every misstep. At one point, they managed to produce a ball of energy that bounced around, making them duck and dodge until it sizzled out.

" Okay, note to tone watch the energy parameters," Aiden chortled.

" Agreed," Maya chortled, brushing a beachfront of hair from her face.

As effects quieted down, Maya sat cross-legged on the bottom." So, how are you doing about everything?"

Aiden sat beside her." Actually? Overwhelmed but in a good way. It's a lot to take in, but I feel like I am actually making progress."

" You are a natural," she said unfeignedly." Not everyone picks it up this snappily."

" Thanks. I could not have done it without you and Master Lin."

She smiled." We are a platoon now."

Aiden dithered for a moment." Can I ask you commodity?"

" Sure."

" Why did you decide to help me? I mean, you slightly knew me."

Maya looked thoughtful." I guess I saw a bit of myself in you. When I first got then, I felt lost. But people reached out and guided me. I wanted to do the same."

" I am glad you did," he said vocally.

They sat in silence for a moment, also Maya got up." We should presumably get some rest."

" Yeah, you are right."

Aiden walked out of the practice room with a newfound sense of gratefulness. Despite all that was to come, he knew he wasn't alone.

That evening, Aiden sat on his bed, going through Master Lin's tablet. He came across an entry that really caught his eye

" The true power of law manipulation lies not in altering reality, but in understanding the balance between change and constancy."

He pondered the words, realizing there was further to this trip than just learning cool tricks. There were ethical and philosophical aspects he had not considered.

Just then, his phone buzzed—a message from Jake.

> Jake: Hey man, haven't seen you in a while. Everything cool?

Aiden's stomach twisted. In all the chaos, he'd almost forgotten about his life back in Eastbrook.

> Aiden: Hey! Sorry, things have been crazy. Let's catch up soon.

He stared at the screen, wondering how he'd balance his old life with this new reality. Would Jake even understand?

Determined not to dwell on it tonight, he set the phone aside and lay down. As he drifted off, code patterns danced behind his eyelids, weaving stories yet to unfold.