Chapter 21: Training with Enid
Luke was in the Marginal History class. It had been several days since Sabrina had helped him with his practice. So far, the girl hadn't asked him for anything, and Luke didn't like to be accountable to anyone.
His training to immobilize people stopped since Luke didn't have a partner to practice with. He was planning to ask Enid, but the girl didn't speak to him these days.
A strange occurrence, since she always talks to him during classes, breaks, or in the cafeteria. He noticed Enid's gaze on him during several classes, but she didn't approach him.
"That's all for today. You must read chapter IX for the next class," said the history professor, closing a thick book and dismissing the class.
The students began putting away their supplies and chatting with their friends as they rose from their seats.
[Tell your friend at once to help you practice immobilization] said Edgar, who was hovering near Luke. This time, Edgar did not speak. Luke had already managed to create a mental link with the ghost. It was much more complicated than with a human, but he managed it at this time.
So, they could now speak telepathically. Mostly Luke, since he would look like a madman if he talked to himself.
[Another day...] Luke replied as he put away his supplies. He watched as Enid walked out of the classroom with her friends.
[I get what's going on] said Edgar with a hand on his chin.
[What are you talking about?] asked Luke.
[You don't tell that girl to practice because she won't talk to you first. Put that stupid pride behind you and talk to her] said Edgar.
[Shut up. That's not it] growled Luke as he walked out of the classroom. Today's classes were over. He would go back to his dorm and practice emphasizing his blue aura.
[Famous young writer Luke Poe is afraid to talk to a girl. Are you afraid she'll reject you?] asked Edgar in a mocking tone.
Luke frowned. He decided to ignore his annoying ghost great-great-grandfather. He walked out of the living room and saw Enid leaning against a wall. She seemed to be waiting for someone.
"Luke..." said Enid approaching.
'Enid,' thought Luke a little surprised. He had felt that Enid had already given up on relating to him. As had everyone else.
"What's wrong?" asked Luke.
"I saw you in the quad the other day. I never saw you on weekends outside your dorm... What were you doing?" asked Enid, playing with her hands.
"Nothing. Just getting some air," Luke replied and quickly regretted answering that way. It was the perfect opportunity to ask Enid to help him with his practice and he had missed it.
"Oh, was that..." said Enid with a downcast expression. She thought that Luke had looked at her that day and had the faint hope that for the first time, he would show some interest, but that was not the case.
"I have to go... Bye," said Enid, turning around and starting to walk.
"Wait!" said Luke after a few seconds, and taking Enid by the hand she turned around with surprise and a slight blush on her cheeks.
"W-what's wrong?" asked Enid nervously looking down at Luke's hand and taking hers.
"Actually, yes. I was looking for you," said Luke seriously staring at Enid.
'Was he looking for me? He's so close!' thought Enid, feeling her heart rate rise. Luke's face was very close to hers.
She was happy that Luke went looking for her, but she was more nervous to have him so close and him holding her hand.
"Why were you looking for me?" asked Enid shyly, looking at Luke and noticing his face better than before.
'It's cuter up close,' thought Enid, waiting for Luke's response.
"For training," Luke replied.
...
The atmosphere was silent.
"What? Just for training?" asked Enid after a few seconds.
"Yes. What else for?" said Luke with a raised eyebrow.
'This boy...' thought Enid, frowning and squeezing Luke's hand tighter.
"Ouch, Ouch. Enid your grip. You've got a lot of strength," Luke said painfully. Rare were the occasions where you would see Enid with an unfriendly expression. What had he said wrong?
"I'm sorry," said Enid, letting go of her hand strength, but not letting go of Luke's hand.
"We can let go of each other's hands now," said Luke, trying to get out of Enid's grip, who frowned again at this comment.
Luckily, she decided not to be angered by Luke's comments anymore and let him off the hook.
"So... Why didn't you tell me that day?" asked Enid.
"I saw you and your friends having fun on a Saturday afternoon. I thought it would be boring to go training," replied Luke, being honest.
Who wanted to train on a day off?
"Next time, talk to me. It's not boring if it's with you," Enid said in a commanding tone taking Luke by surprise.
Luke felt his cheeks heat up. It was the first time a girl had ever said something so embarrassing to him.
"Cof... Let's get going to the gym," Luke said, coughing and turning around quickly. He didn't want Enid to see him.
'That's right. Succumb to the love of youth, brat,' thought Edgar with a grin that saw the whole exchange between the two teenagers.
Upon arriving at the gym, Luke explained to Enid about immobilization. She didn't mind having to act as a training dummy. In the intervals that Luke took a breath she talked to him, and unlike other times Luke was much more interested in the conversation.
If Enid didn't resist the immobilization he could hold on as long as he could with Sabrina, but when Enid tried to break free, she was able to do so in a second or two thanks to her great physical strength.
The days passed at Nevermore. Luke got Enid to help him practice his immobilization, and he was lasting longer and longer. Whether the person was not resisting or if they were.
Enid showed no discomfort at being a training dummy since the only one training was Luke.
"Phew... Three minutes and twenty-two seconds..." muttered Luke, watching Enid free herself from his immobilization. In a notebook on the floor, he wrote down how long he managed to keep Enid restrained.
It had been almost a month since he started practicing immobilization with Enid's help every day. His progress was good. Currently, no matter how much Enid uses her maximum strength Luke can keep her restrained for more than three minutes.
Considering that Enid has more strength than the average outcast it is a good time, as it is enough to finish off your enemy.
"It's not a nice feeling to be restrained by an invisible force," commented Enid as she stretched out her arms.
"Sorry," said Luke, feeling bad. He knew it wasn't a good feeling when you can't move a single muscle for several minutes. At first, it was only a few seconds, so it was easier to endure it.
"Hehe, it's okay," Enid said with a giggle sitting down on the floor very close to Luke. Their shoulders touched.
Her relationship with Luke had improved a lot during this time. It would be impossible for Luke to tell her sorry before. If she told her friends about this, they wouldn't believe it.
"Did you improve the time?" asked Enid, looking at the notebook.
"Yes. Ten seconds. A slight improvement," replied Luke.
"By the way, how much do you weigh?" added Luke. He had already asked Enid several times about her weight, but the girl wouldn't answer. She was very stubborn. He needed to know to have a record of his current power.
"Same thing again. I already told you that those things are not asked of a girl," Enid said, raising her finger and putting it in front of Luke as if she was scolding him.
"Sabrina answered," Luke muttered, remembering that Sabrina answered without caring much. Enid's smile disappeared from her face as she heard another girl's name come out of Luke's mouth.
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