I'll emphasise once more how awesome Power Control was. This was for many reasons, although the main one can be left to your imagination. In today's lesson, since Mr Allen had now experienced a preview of our talents and control over them so far, he had set each of us individual tasks to carry out. He explained at the beginning of the lesson that we had two key focuses. The first focus included the fact that all of us didn't need to close our eyes to use our powers. Instead, we just needed to feel and learn to become one with them. Mr Allen told us that this was something which we could practise at any time, such as sitting down quietly in our dorm rooms and listening to the recognisable call of our powers, which varied from person to person.

The second focus was mostly aimed at Blaze and me. Unlike Gretel and Ivy, who were constantly surrounded by their elements, Blaze and I usually had to rely heavily on hoping that our element was nearby. Therefore, although there were water objects in the room, as well as a lake outside to practise on once I had fully mastered my powers, this fact made it difficult for us to channel and use our powers. Mr Allen had a way to help us with this situation. This way was harder than most people could imagine and, in his opinion, made our powers the most difficult to control and use. After all, to succeed, Mr Allen told us that we had to learn how to control and create our powers with thought alone. However, in his opinion, once mastered, this method would ensure ultimate success.

After seeing to Gretel, who had set to work practising her talent in a specially constructed side room and Ivy, who was now seated in a pretend garden area in the far side of the classroom, Mr Allen set to work training us.

"It took me many, many years of hard work, dedication and patience until I reached the level I'm now at," he explained, demonstrating this statement with effortless ease. His element swirled about the area we were working in, created with just his mind. "What's more," he continued, "after I had mastered controlling my power with thought alone, it took me even longer until I could control it well. Therefore, don't expect to be able to do this immediately." We both nodded, fully understanding what he had said, before he finalised his introductory speech."Both of you are extremely talented," he stated, smiling at us warmly. "However, like the others, you've a long way to go until you can leave this academy, free of the fears that you will harm others in any shape, way or form. That being said, let's begin."

Once Mr Allen had finished his introduction, he set to work positioning us so that we were sitting on the ground facing him.

Then, our training commenced.

"First things first," he began, "I want you to try and switch off all your senses apart from touch and sight, but don't close your eyes as you do this, even though that sounds impossible." I was surprised by this comment. It sounded like a strange and unmanageable thing to do. Mr Allen smiled at me reassuringly and my body automatically relaxed. Gosh, he had such a lovely smile. "That's right," he nodded at me. "Maximum relaxation is vital. Now, once you're completely at ease, gradually switch off your senses, until touch and sight are all that remain. Take it slowly," he instructed. "Imagine that you have all the time in the world."

Initially, I'm not going to lie, I struggled with this. It was hard to relax and concentrate, especially when Ivy and Gretel were grunting in frustration and I could smell the faint wafts of dinner floating under the classroom door. To make matters harder, Blaze seemed to be able to pick up this step quicker than I could, so much so that his beaming smile made me feel quite jealous.

Mr Allen's voice disrupted my envious thoughts.

"Relax," he said, smiling encouragingly and looking at me. "Just relax and allow yourself to feel and embrace your power."

Following his instructions, I allowed myself to switch off my senses, whilst keeping somewhat awake and alert as I did so. As soon as this happened, bit by bit, I felt the electrical charge, which constantly whizzed about inside me, become stronger by the second. The noise level in the room dimmed and the smell of dinner slowly became non-existent. In the end, as my sight and touch intensified, the electric charge ultimately turned into glorious, overpowering warmth. It was as if my body was burning up, but it wasn't an uncomfortable sensation.

In actual fact, it was the opposite.

As I became overwhelmed with this wonderful warmth, I caught Mr Allen's eye and I saw him gesturing at me, wanting to bring me back to reality. Therefore, with a nod, I allowed my power to return to its usual strength, until it became once more a gentle tingle.

Mr Allen beamed at Blaze and I.

"Wow," he said, his voice filled with admiration and respect. "The two of you picked that tricky task up so quickly. It normally takes others far more attempts to achieve what you just did."

At hearing this news, Blaze and I exchanged pleased glances. Realising our potential, Mr Allen decided to take the whole situation one step further.

"OK," he spoke again, bringing us back to attention. "Now that I've seen what the two of you are capable of, let's try and see if we can take this lesson to the next level. Therefore," he instructed, "I want you to enter that same zone again but, when you do, I want you to grasp hold of the power you feel and try to visually project it, without closing your eyes. Do you understand me?"

Blaze and I nodded. Then, we followed his instructions meticulously. It took me a long time and many failed attempts to once again master the art of switching on and off my other senses. By the end, I realised that Blaze was now the one struggling, although I put this down to the nature of his unpredictable powers. When I felt that familiar rush of electric pulse and realised that I was completely in tune with it, I relaxed my body, until my powers passed over me like a soothing, warm wave.

Instantly, I knew we were one.

Slowly, ignoring everything else around me and concentrating entirely on my own task, I listened to the call of my powers. A rich, beautiful, jubilant melody filled my mind and, as soon as I noticed it, I tried to grab hold of it. It slipped and slid like liquid between my mental hands, refusing to obey my command.

What's more, my powers behaved like a naughty child, constantly changing direction and trying to hide in the darkest corners of my mind. Nevertheless, I refused to be beaten, despite the fact that I could hear Mr Allen faintly suggesting that I call it a day, especially as Blaze had decided to stop.

Giving up was just not in my DNA.

Suddenly, my mental fingers grasped the core of my powers, which was a vibrant blue and green and I was overwhelmed with the salty, smell of the ocean.

The result was incredible.

As soon as I had made contact with my powers, my body exploded in electricity and heat, which was reflected in the swirling, ocean colours of my eyes. As my powers and I met each other properly for the first time, I sensed that, deep down, there was more to them than met the eye. All the same, concentrating, I pushed myself, willing my powers to do as I mentally commanded. Water suddenly formed from thin air, swirling about me like a raging current. All this happened in only a few seconds, although, to me, it felt like an eternity of glory. I laughed, delighted with what was happening and proud of my achievements, as a sparkling waterfall was created before my very eyes.

As soon as this amazing creation had been born, my powers began to buck wildly. It was as if they had a mind of their own. As I tried to tame them, I heard Mr Allen's voice once more, in the far distance.

He was shouting.

As soon as Mr Allen's sharp voice met my ears, my concentration broke, just like it had done previously. In an instant, the water, which I had created, fell to the ground, soaking Blaze and Mr Allen, yet again, from head to toe. After the ringing in my ears had subsided, I met their shocked and somewhat terrified faces with an equally surprised and fearful look.

Blaze was the first one to speak.

"A...Alex," he whispered, although his voice sounded like it had been magnified a million times over in the deathly silence. "A...are you alright?"

Slowly, I nodded, before blushing red.

"I...I'm so, so sorry," I abruptly burst out, unable to contain the jumble of mixed emotions rocketing around my body. "I...I didn't mean –"

Mr Allen cut me off with a wave of his hand.

"No apologies are needed," Mr Allen said, once he had managed to close his gaping mouth and wring out his t-shirt. "Although I think that everyone has had enough training for today."

The moment Mr Allen had finished, I dropped my eyes, trying to slow my still frantically beating heart. My fellow classmates groaned in disappointment at hearing this news. Once the others had started to tidy up and collect their things ready to go down to dinner, Mr Allen motioned for me to step outside. Feeling my blush deepen, I followed him and three pairs of eyes tracked my every movement. It was only when we were out of sight and ear shot, that Mr Allen let loose his real emotions on the matter.

"Alex," Mr Allen muttered, swallowing profusely, unsure about how to approach the subject in question. After taking many deep breaths, he continued. "I'm not really sure about how to say this but I'm both frightened and mesmerised by your talent." I gave him a small smile at hearing his words and let out a sigh of relief. After all, I had thought that I was going to be in huge trouble for what I had just done. Seeing his genuinely astonished stare made me blush further. "The extent of your power is like nothing I or anyone else has ever witnessed in a long time. Therefore," he continued, "knowing this information has got me thinking if you would like personal training sessions?"

At this news, my eyes lit up, for I couldn't have thought of a more perfect way of spending my days training with this superhot teacher. It was as if all my dreams had come true. Clearly reading my mind, which caused me to go an even darker red, he explained all in far greater detail.

"The lessons wouldn't be with me," he chuckled, "although I'd be more than happy to train you. No. I was thinking more of having personal training sessions with Vladimir Alcaeus. Then, you'd be receiving the best in the business!"

My heart fluttered.

Now, that was the kind of offer you couldn't refuse, although it was a shame not to be taught by Mr Allen. I had often fantasised about having a one on one lesson with him.

Painfully ignoring that enjoyable thought, I accepted his offer.

"That would be amazing," I heard myself answer in a breathy tone. "Only if Vladimir would be willing to train me that is?"

Mr Allen smiled.

"I'm sure he would be only too happy to oblige," he replied. "After all, outstanding talent like yours is something that I know, for a fact, he wouldn't say no to."

After hearing the last of his words, I agreed that, if Vladimir was willing to train me, then I was more than willing to accept what was being offered. Mr Allen was delighted by this confirmation, a fact emphasised by his glowing grin and his vigorous shaking of my hand, as we made the deal. Then, the two of us returned back to the training room.

As soon as Mr Allen and I re-entered the classroom, the bell went, signalling the end of the lesson. This noise was met with a small groan from all of us. Once I had collected my things, Gretel, Blaze, Ivy and I set off to dinner, excitedly talking about what had just happened. As we walked, I eventually asked Blaze about his background.

"So..." I asked him. "How did you end up here, in England?"

Blaze met my question with a small, knowing smile.

"It was my parents' idea actually," he chuckled. "They met when my father, who's English and a successful businessman, was on holiday, touring the Canadian Rockies. My mother was a local guide, who lived in the town of Jasper and it was love at first sight," he continued, laughing. "As soon as my father was due to return home, he arranged for my mother to fly back to England with him. They couldn't keep their hands off each other and, naturally, one thing led to another," he finalised. "That's why I'm here."

At hearing his last comment, a small smile passed over my lips, especially as Blaze waggled his eyebrows shrewdly up and down.

I wasn't done interrogating him.

"Surely you must regret not being able to see the Canadian scenery and live alongside its wildlife on a daily basis?" I asked him. "I mean, it's not like you have the chance to see a moose or a grizzly bear here every day! Therefore, really," I concluded, "in comparison to Canada, British wildlife is pretty lame."

At hearing my comment, Blaze laughed harder than he had done previously.

"You do know that only happens in certain areas of the country and I'd most likely feel shock, both on the animals part and mine, as opposed to excitement, if that happened!" he retorted, noting my amused expression. "At least here, the only dangerous animal you might face is an ill-tempered fox or a stray cat. All the same," he finalised, "it would be pretty cool, I suppose, although I do travel to Canada every summer to see my mother's half of the family - the ones she abandoned for love."

When Blaze had finished telling his life-story, I shot him a small smile. His tale was actually rather wonderful and, as long as his parents and he were happy, then that was all that mattered. Eventually, the two of us parted ways and, whilst I headed off to console my rumbling stomach, I hoped my story would have a similar, fairy-tail ending. 

***********
AN:

It's my bae again so I'm happy and yes, I told you Mr Allen might get wet again and that prediction came true! Really, he needed to after being so damn hot 🔥 I hope you enjoyed Blaze's backstory too. I love Canada so I had to show my appreciation somehow :)