Sol: The True Self by Joshua Chou

Author:Joshua Chou [Chou, Joshua]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MindForge
Published: 2018-08-21T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13 – Initiation Day

“So I’m a Sol-user?”

“Yup.”

“When do we start?”

“When I get some tea in my system.”

Ethan picked up a warm cup of tea and downed the whole thing. It got colder over the course of the meeting earlier, but Nikita took his leave after telling Winston the logistical stuff.

The basic rules that he needed to know all boiled down to the mantra of serving in A.X.E.L. They almost sounded obvious too: be respectful, serve the common good, and all the other ethical laws that came with those goals.

He wasn’t sure that Winston understood he was being a quasi-cop.

“How’s the tea?” asked Winston.

Ethan glanced at him. Winston was certainly listening to Nikita earlier, but Ethan wasn’t sure if he was really taking the advice to heart.

Shortly after Nikita took his leave, Winston was more than eager to find out if he could begin training immediately. Ethan would keep his word.

But he wouldn’t be nice about it.

Ethan was glad that they were alone with Nora at the moment, or else someone might strong-arm him into being gentle.

“You seem to be taking the news well,” said Nora. “Most people can’t handle the truth about Wraiths.”

Winston smiled. “Thanks, I guess.”

“Though Iris was a bit too pushy about making Ethan do Liam’s job.”

“Liam’s injured,” said Ethan. “Unless someone else is able bodied and can cast magic.”

Nora looked away. Ethan couldn’t see her face. Perhaps she was thinking of something else?

“Before we head out,” he said, “I gotta tell you a few rules.”

Winston nodded. “The Chief guy told me earlier.”

“I’d like to say the big ones before we begin,” said Ethan. “Are you listening? Because it didn’t look like it earlier.”

“Alright? I’m listening.”

Ethan stuck out his index finger. “One. Don’t ask people for favors because you exorcise Wraiths.”

The other student shrugged. “Kinda weird, but alright.”

“Two. Try to work with a low profile.” After lifting the second appendage, Ethan stuck out his ring finger. “And Three. Finish off all Wraiths with your talisman.”

He produced a talisman with runes etched onto its surface for Winston to see. Winston stared at it with curiosity, but disappointment as well.

“A sticky note?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Ethan replied. He stuffed it back into his pocket. “And it purges Wraiths from people. The only reason to not use one is if you’re killing a lesser Wraith.”

“Did you use this on Hector?” Winston asked.

Ethan frowned. “Did you have any more questions?”

Nora turned back to look at the two of them. Both boys were staring daggers at each other. At least they had restraint, or else this would explode in her face at any second.

Perhaps it would. The space between them threatened to catch on fire.

“I’ll ask later,” Winston said finally.

Ethan and Nora turned away from their newest member. Winston was still sitting comfortably, and he began to smell the tea.

Ethan gave Nora a glance. “I can handle this,” he mouthed silently.

She shook her head.

***

Coach was a good sport over the phone. Ethan requested that they use the gym.

He knew about Ethan’s A.X.E.L. responsibilities. Most of the teachers Ethan had known.

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