Gifted

Classes, or Gifted classes has finally started and it was an intense whirlwind ride, the least to say.

The classes started, which actually happened at the middle of the week. Everyone was gathered once again at the classroom, with the doors now fixed.

"Hi guys!" Isabelle greeted everyone with a smile. "Can I ask everyone to sit close together, please" Isabelle requested, when she saw that everyone was scattered all over the classroom.

No one really complained and complied with Isabelle's request.

"We'll just have to inform you guys that, in all honesty we didn't manage to prepare much for today since us three don't really know what we're getting ourselves into, as well. We were also thrown into this just the night before and we only have an hour of sleep to prepare to the best of our abilities." Isabelle said, hoping nobody decides to leave and decrease their already low number, compare to the other Guilds who has hundreds of members.

Everyone was a little unsure on how they should react, so they just kept quiet. Seeing that nobody was leaving, Isabelle let out a relieved sigh.

"Ever since the first time I've seen Gifts until now, I noticed that there is a major key component to unlock a Gifted's full potential" Isabelle said, which piqued everyone's interest. "Can you guys, guess what it is?"

"The thing that was always drilled in our brains when we were at our previous Guild is that, power is everything" Chen answered

"Well, power is part of the bigger picture, but not quite that answer I was looking for. Good answer though" Isabelle with a smile. She was really relieved that people were actually participating. "Anyone else wanna try?"

Various answers flowed from everyone, but it wasn't what Isabelle was looking for.

"Last try, anyone?" Isabelle said

Everyone was really thinking hard on what key component can unlock the full potential of a Gifted. While everyone is racking their brains for the answer, a very surprising voice popped out from the back row.

"Focus" Kai said, which surprised everyone.

Kai is a very reserved person and rarely speaks. So him actually participating was really a pleasant surprise for Isabelle.

"Good answer, but it's not it" Isabelle said, giving him a big smile.

"Everyone really had good answers, but the answer I was looking for is -"

"It's creativity" Isabelle said, which was not really what everyone was expecting.

"Creativity? How so?" Minerva asked, who was curious to know why creativity was the answer. Being the daughter of Master Egor; Power is everything, that is what's always been drilled in her brain even at such a young age. So hearing that power really isn't everything, grabbed her attention.

"Creativity is only limited by one's imagination. So adding a little sprinkle of creativity to your Gifts can result in endless possibilities" Isabelle said excitedly, which left her with a bunch of confused looks.

"Uhhh… I think you better elaborate that a little deeper" June suggested. He and some from Crystal Mist understood what Isabelle was trying to say, but to the people that was stuck in the Castle for so long and to Jordan who has the biggest question mark on his face, didn't really get what Isabelle was trying to say. They mostly didn't understand because, it's a very unorthodox way of teaching them how to use their Gifts, from what they were all taught in the Castle. While in the case of Jordan and Charlie, they haven't been Gifteds that long.

When Isabelle saw that June had a point, she said ruefully "I might have gotten a little excited there"

"For me to further explain what mean, we'll have to go to the training facility. Let's go" Isabelle said, who looked more excited that her students.

Just as everyone was heading out of the classroom, Alisa noticed something.

"Where are Fleur and Sophia?" Alisa asked

"Oh, they're already at the training facility. We had something for them to do." Alex answered.

As everyone entered the training facility, they were all greeted by Fleur and Sophia who's standing behind something, that's covered by a large black fabric.

"What took you people so long? I almost fell asleep waiting" Fleur said, who yawned for good measure.

"So, does that mean you guys already finished it?" Pearl asked

"Of course! Who do you think you are talking to?" Fleur said proudly

"Perfect, so it's time for us to show them our little surprise" Isabelle said with a big smile.

"Oh great, another surprise" Jordan muttered

"Yeah, I think I already reached my quota of surprises today" Andrew said in agreement.

"Alright guys, feast your eyes on your new training uniforms!" Fleur said, just as Sophia pulled the black fabric, revealing racks full of clothes.

"Whoa!" Pan said in amazement, as she walks forward with sparkling eyes.

"This is amazing! How did you guys make this so fast?" Alisa asked

"The queen of fashion design is within our presence" Fleur said dramatically as she gesture towards Sophia who blushed uncontrollably "My girl Sophia right here made all of that in an hour and you guys don't have to worry about fit issues, because they will all surly fit like a glove"

"Alright guys, grab your uniforms with your name on it, then you can change at the locker rooms" Alex instructed everyone

Once everyone was changed, they all headed to the Mini Arena where Isabelle, Alex and Pearl are waiting.

"Woooow! You guys look great!" Isabelle said, nodding her head in approval.

The guy's tops were varying from tank tops to fitted shirts to long sleeved fitted shirts. While they're all wearing training pants for their bottom half. Fleur stated that the male uniforms varies depending on what type of Gift they have.

On the girls' side, they also have some variety in style. They were all wearing training bras, but no training bra was the same, with some distinct styling in each of them. While they were all wearing training leggings for their bottom half. In Charlotte's case, Fleur didn't want to take the elegance away from her so Sophia made her a dress instead. She's was wearing a black fitted dress with a high slit on the side. The dress stuck to Charlotte's elegant nature, but it's still comfortable to move in.

The only thing that they all had in common was the black training shoes that they are wearing.

"So how do you guys feel with the new uniforms?" Isabelle asked

"I second that. The fabric are so light and soft, plus comfortable too" Alisa said

"Don't forget fashionable" Fleur added

"That too"

"Great! So continuing on with our class. Caleb can I ask you to come down please" Isabelle said, whose eyes are sparkling while looking at Caleb.

Caleb on the other hand stood without missing a beat, and was immediately beside Isabelle, as their eyes never left each other.

"Alright enough with the lovey dovey" Alex said, clearing his throat

"Caleb, you're in class. Focus!" Alisa said, scolding her brother

Fleur said, rolling her eyes "I swear y'all are so sweet that ants are going to be swarmin' both of you"

Both Caleb and Isabelle straighten up, as they both head back to earth.

"Sure" Caleb compiled, then entered the Mini Arena.

Caleb summoned his spear, then nodded at Isabelle, signaling her that he was ready.

Isabelle faced the rest of her students who were sitting on the bleachers and said "Alright guys, watch carefully."

As the barriers activated; upon closing his eyes, blue and red energy bursted around him. The two energies dance around him, treating everyone to a wonderful light show. The fiery red, with the misty blue energy slowly started merging with each other, turning violet.

"That's great, keep going!" Isabelled cheered under her breath.

Caleb then gradually started spinning his spear around. It started slow at first but it got faster and faster by every turn. Once Caleb felt the click, he suddenly stopped and hit a stance. The violet energy burst outwardly, then got s.u.c.k.e.d by Caleb's body all at once. After a second of pause, Caleb thrusts his spear forward, releasing the concentrated energy in front of him, that actually cracked that barriers from it's concentrated power.

Everyone was speechless, in amazement.

Pan felt her heart skip a beat, while the others felt the sudden excitement started bubbling in their hearts.

Isabelle on the other hand got way too excited, that she forgot that she was teaching a class and almost tacked Caleb once the barriers were deactivated. Caleb caught her just in time, and picked her up with a huge grin on his face.

"It's all thanks to you" Caleb said tenderly, gently cups her face with both hands, as their foreheads touch, making their heads only inches apart.

Their beautiful moment together was cut short by two clearing of throats, getting both their attention. Alex and Pearl starred at both of them with crossed arms and unamused faces, gesturing their head to the bleachers full of students whose completely speechless, for a whole different reason (*Writer speaking* I thinks, it's mostly because of the PDA? Who knows.).

Pan looked at both of them with dreamy eyes, while their friends from Crystal Mist just shook their head with a knowing smile.

When both of them saw that everyone was staring at them with a variety of expressions. Isabelle's face heat up and immediately detached herself from Caleb. Caleb on the other hand already missed the feeling of having Isabelle in his arms.

"Th-thank you Caleb, fo-fo-for your demonstration" Isabelle stuttered, which made their friends from Crystal Mist snicker

Caleb glared at them as he heads back to his sit, while his friends tried holding their laughs.

After calming herself down, Isabelle went to serious mode once again.

"Believe it or not, the thing the inspired that move was-" Then Isabelle gestured towards Alex, who's suddenly holding champagne bottle.

Alex opened the champagne bottle, making the cork pop and fly across the bleachers that was caught by Kai, who's sitting at the back row, with one hand.

"Nice catch" Alex praised

"From what you all just saw, that was the inspiration behind that powerful move that was just demonstrated by Caleb." Isabelle said "Who would have thought that a cork popping out of a champagne bottle could be translated into using your Gifts. It might be unusual but it certainly was effective right?" which everyone nodded.

"So who wants to learn something new today?" Isabelle asked with a big smile

Some expressed their excitement, but others were a little more reserved.

"So we're going to be doing a little show and tell. That means you show your Gifts once again like what you did in the evaluations, but this time you're going to give us some details on what exactly is you can do and how does it work, so that everyone will be getting a better understanding of your Gift, okay?" Isabelle said

Everyone responded in understanding.

"So, who will be firsssssssssst?" Isabelle said as her eyes moves from student to student. "Alex, who do you think?"

"Nadet, you're first!" Alex called out.

Nadet was shocked that he was chosen first, but he stood up and walked over to the Mini Arena.

After Nadet gave the signal, the barriers activated. Nedet took his shirt off, showing his tone scared body as he stretched his muscles. He then hunched over for a second before swiftly straightening his back, revealing a pair of long beautiful white wings on his back.

"Behold an angel just descended from heaven" Fleur said dreamily

Nedet suddenly launched up, and just stayed in the air, really looking like an angel. After a moment of demonstration, Nedet slowly glided down until his feet touched the ground.

"That's great Nadet! So now tell us what you can do?" Isabelle said

"I have.....wings and can.....fly" Nadet said, like it should already be obvious

"That's it?" Isabelle asked, like she was waiting for more

"Uhhhh....Yeah, that's it" Nadet answered, with a hint of embarrassment in his voice

Suddenly Isabelle's expression turned serious, like hard serious.

"From your answer alone, I already learned so much about you" Isabelle said

"She's mad" Sophia said under her breath, but loud enough for the people from Crystal Mist to hear.

Nadet gave Isabelle a strange look. He also felt the sudden shift in her mood and he does't even what triggered it.

"I bet you've been told a lot that you're useless right?" Isabelle said, which shocked everyone. Because the way she said, it was really kinda hurtful. But she didn't stop there.

"You've also been told, that you're powerless. Good for nothing Gifted, who could just fly! Am I right?" Isabelle asked Nadet with a hard voice.

Nadet couldn't answer. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, as he listens to the very words that tortured him for a very long time. Every word felt like a stab in the heart, that he couldn't hide the pain that he felt, in his face.

"Answer me! Am I right?" Isabelle asked again. Nadet's silence only fueled her anger.

Nadet still kept quiet and hung his head low. He'd been beaten senseless, cursed at day in and day out, he'd been violated in more ways that not, and the only thing that kept him from giving up on life was his pride. He held on to it, or rather what's remaining of it. But now telling him to admit that what Isabelle said was true would take it all away.

"You don't want to answer? That means it true then?" Isabelle said

Nadet still didn't answer, but he gradually started breathing faster like he was having a panic attack.

"Well you don't have to answer, because you're weak anyway right?" Isabelle taunted, which sent another stab at Nadet's heart.

"What? It's not like, it's not true right?" Isabelle fuel that fire even more.

"Stop it" Nadet said, with pained voice

"What? you don't like to hear what's the truth?"

"Stop it" Nadet said again

"Why would I? You heard this already, I was just repeating it!" Isabelle said

"Stop it" Nadet said, through his gritted teeth

"Hey!-" Shiro and Ji Soo shouted as shot up from their sits. But they din't get to continue what they about to say when Minerva cut them off.

"Sit down! Both of you" Minerva said with a hard commanding voice.

"But-" Shiro started but Minerva gave him a hard glare.

"Whoa, Isabelle really is getting a little harsh?" June said, who's very shock to see this side of Isabelle.

"There's something weird" Alisa said "Her heart rate is to the roof"

Then Jordan said "She didn't mean a single word that she was saying" as his eyes focused of Isabelle

"How did you know?" Caleb asked, giving him a confused look

But before Jordan could answer, Nadet's pained scream spread through out the training facility.

"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP IT! Please stop, no more" Nadet begged as he fell on his knees "I admit, okay! I'm weak! I'm useless! My Gift is useless! I'm not powerful enough..." Nadet said with a raspy voice, as tears streamed his cheeks.

Then Isabelle turned to the rest of her students "Who else felt that way?"

A lot raised their hands. Shiro, Ji Soo, Chen, Shawi; even Minerva and Kai raised their hands.

"See, that's all you're guy's problems. You guys can never see past what you are right now" Isabelle said with a hard voice but her eye are welling up with tears. "You guys don't even appreciate the Gifts that you have. You know, for as long as I can remember, I kept wishing I had superpowers. I kept fantasizing over the possibility day and night. I watched a bunch of animes and played video games, because that was the only comfort that I ever had. But I knew that all of it was only possible in my head, in my imagination, until I had my first encounter with you Gifteds. I was shocked at fist, but when it really sunk in that it was all real, It was the happiest day of my life. I was very happy! but then when I saw you guys, unsatisfied with what you have, I got really angry! Do you guys know how many people would give up anything for a chance to fly? I've watched an anime, and one of the characters there said 'Every power has it's purpose. You were given that power for a reason'. So don't think that flying is nothing, IT IS SOMETHING! Every Gift that each and everyone of you is something! There is no such thing as a weak Gift, because all Gifts are powerful in their own unique way. You have to get this drilled in your heads, 'YOU ARE NOT WEAK!'."

Everyone could just hung their heads low in shame. They felt every ounce of sincerity in Isabelle's voice. It was like a wake up call for everyone.

"And you Nadet" Isabelle said as she turns back to Nadet "You are not weak! You're beautiful and extraordinary! Just like Fleur said, you are an angel!" Isabelle said with tender voice

Nadet lifted his head and saw the sincerity in Isabelle's eyes. For a very long time he was told that he was nothing, and now someone was telling him that he was something; someone with a Gift that has a purpose. It really overwhelmed him, more quiet tears just started streaming down his cheeks.

"Gotta agree with my girl there. No hot angel could ever be weak! Am I right or am I right?"Fleur said, turning to her friends, which they agreed with smiling faces.

"See, you gotta believe in yourself more, okay?" Isabelle said, kneeling down in front of Nadet, looking at him directly straight in the eyes, with a big smile.

Suddenly Nadet felt a warm feeling spread through his body, It's like the fire in him that was long burnt out was rekindled, and the motivation and determination within him never burned so brightly. With a revived determination, Nadet looked at Isabelle and said "Please teach me!"

With a bright tender smile, Isabelle said "I'd love too"

And everyone erupted in cheers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Wow, that was intense" Minjae said "You picked a really great teacher for them, Lady Maria" he said as he nodded in acknowledgment.

Maria, Minjae and Miayaka where all watching at a room, that oversees that whole training facility.

"I have found the perfect teachers indeed" Maria said, as she herself was mighty impressed. She believed that the three could really do it, and thankfully she wasn't wrong.