Chapter 14

It wasn't until the day before the proving that Nick got his chance to spar against Naomi. Keith had made Nick keep up the charade about not unlocking his power that whole week. Then, told Naomi to give it a try, taking over training the physicals on their last day before the proving, so she could try to help Nick.

Nick was ecstatic to have time alone with Naomi, but also nervous. Keith's warning hung above his head. Naomi seemed to have noticed something was amiss, as he had been less chipper around her. He guessed she thought it was just his nerves about his lack of powers.

"So, Nicky, what do you want do?" She stood there, basked in sunlight, and Nick caught his breath.

"Well, Keith's just been sparring with me this whole time..." And he had, the last few days, with Nick having finally found his power, had been filled with some intense sparring matches. He was still had no chance against the fourth year, but he was confident now he could rank first among the first years. Dagr was still drawing in additional physical energy for him daily as well, allowing him to continue getting stronger at an accelerated rate.

"Hmm, I feel like that's got to have been.... a bit one sided." She smiled and walked towards him.

"Well, I've gotten really good at getting hit." She laughed at his joke, and he felt himself starting to relax.

"My poor Nicky." She was right in front of him. Suddenly her hand was on his face, a soft, gentle touch. "Is there anything that you can think of that might help you unlock your powers?"

Right now, Nick couldn't quite think of anything.

"I, ugh, I" He was stuttering, how embarrassing.

She laughed and turned away, Nick could still feel her touch.

Focus Nicky. Dagr was taunting him.

"Maybe if we spar, I'll be able to draw upon my power, like when we first met?"

"Oh, that's right, I was your first time." She started laughing again, and Nick felt his face turning red.

"Very well Nicky, show me why you deserve to be a physical." She took up a stance, deadly yet elegant.

Let's do this.

Nick pulled in his power, letting the fire fill him to the brim, setting up his wall to stop hold the others at bay. It was becoming a lot easier.

"Let's."

Without warning he moved. His movements flowed like water, and he struck like lightning, giving Naomi no time to react. The moment he struck, he stepped back, preparing for her counter. He had grown cautious of fourth years.

Naomi didn't react in pain, and the surprise on her face was quickly replaced with a deadly smile. Suddenly she was attacking Nick, strikes coming from every direction at once. Keith used heavy, fast blows, changing the directions he was striking Nick from. Naomi's style was completely different.

It was like she was everywhere at once, her body a blur, her strikes fast, just slipping past Nick's defenses. It felt like she was landing ten hits for every punch he saw. The scariest part of it was he knew this wasn't her full power.

"C'mon Nicky, don't disappoint me." She was having fun with this. Nick grinned, he was going to show her what he had been learning.

He leapt away from her flurry of blows, he had a plan. The moment he landed, he pushed back off, driving himself towards her. She had started to pursue, and her force kept her from being able to stop his tackle. Using his size, he wrapped his arms around her, and drove her to the ground.

"Oh Nicky," Her tone told him he had made a terrible mistake.

The moment they hit the ground, she was simply gone from his arms. He felt a tension on his arm, followed by a searing pain, and he was suddenly on his back, his arm dislocated. Now, Naomi was straddling him, pinning both his arms down.

"I don't think anyone's ever tried to take me to the ground." She grinned devilishly and pressed down harder. Nick struggled against her, tried to free his wrists from her grasp, but it seemed impossible.

"It appears I've made a terrible mistake." His voice was strained as he squirmed to free himself. He tried bucking her off, but she held fast.

"Aww, I rather like this position." She leaned closer to him face a few inches from his. "Tell me Nicky, what do you want?"

He was extremely aware now of their proximity, and the position she had him in was making him extremely uncomfortable. Sensations were filling him he did not understand.

"I, I want to become a DRED Knight." He managed to get out.

"Why?" She whispered, eyes starring deep into his.

"To protect those I care for, and to protect humanity."

"How noble," She seemed lost in thought for a second. "Do you want anything else?"

"Um...."

"You're so cute and innocent Nicky." She leaned back and laughed, letting go of him as she did.

"Wha-" She stood and turned away from him, looking down at the first years.

"How long have you had your powers for Nicky?"

"A few days, Keith wanted me to surprise you." He walked next to her.

"Of course he did." Nick couldn't read her tone. "I'm proud of you Nicky." She was looking at him now. She moved and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes.

"Naomi..."

"Prove yourself to me tomorrow, promise you'll rank first." Her eyes were serious.

"I promise." Nick didn't want to let her down.

"Good, I want to spend more time with you." She smiled up and him. Nick was standing completely still, unable to process what he should be doing. Keith's warning was still in the back of his mind, nagging at him.

"I, I do too." To hell with the strongest physical at the Academy.

"Good," She leaned up then, and Nick was certain she was going to kiss him. "Then keep proving yourself to me." She stopped, a mere inch away, before dropping back down and letting go off him.

"I expect so much from you Nicky." She was suddenly gone.

"I won't let you down." Nick whispered aloud. He was going to rank first tomorrow.