Chapter 5 5. Ice Cream Chillin'

3 months later-

Silvers stood beside Gabriel, his gaze focused on the young esper as he prepared for his training in lightning manipulation. A set of metal rods was set up before them, each connected to a power source. Silvers held a notebook, ready to record Gabriel's progress.

"Remember, Gabriel, lightning is a volatile force," Silvers began. "You have to feel the energy, understand its flow, and then command it."

Gabriel nodded, his eyes locked on the metal rods. He took a deep breath, trying to connect with the electrical currents around him. His fingers tingled as he extended his hand towards the rods, trying to coax the lightning to respond.

A faint crackle of energy danced along his fingertips, and with a focused thought, Gabriel directed it towards the nearest rod. A small spark jumped between his hand and the metal, creating a static discharge.

"Not bad," Silvers commented, jotting down a note. "But you need to control the flow more precisely. Feel the rhythm of the electricity, let it dance with your thoughts."

Gabriel nodded again, closing his eyes to shut out distractions. He pictured the flow of electricity in his mind, envisioning it responding to his will. He extended his hand once more, this time channeling the energy with more finesse.

A bright arc of lightning leaped from his fingertips, striking one of the rods with precision. Gabriel's eyes widened in awe, a mixture of excitement and satisfaction filling him.

Silvers smiled, nodding approvingly. "Good job, Gabriel. You're starting to grasp it. But don't let your excitement overtake your focus. Keep practicing, and you'll refine your control even more."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the training area, Silvers focused his attention on Lucas. The air seemed to shimmer around him as he experimented with altering the gravitational forces in the environment. A series of floating spheres floated around him, each responding to his command.

"Remember, Lucas, gravity is the force that binds everything," Silvers instructed. "You must sense its presence, manipulate its pull, and bend it to your will."

Lucas concentrated, trying to feel the invisible force that governed the world around him. He extended his hand towards one of the spheres, his brow furrowed in concentration. Slowly, the sphere began to move, responding to his mental commands.

Silvers observed, noting the sphere's movement and Lucas' focused expression. "You're on the right track, but you need to be more fluid in your control. It's not just about moving objects, it's about altering their weight and direction."

Lucas nodded, adjusting his stance and his mental approach. He envisioned the sphere becoming lighter, its gravitational pull weakening. The sphere responded, floating upwards with ease.

"Good, Lucas," Silvers commented, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Now, try to create a field of altered gravity around you. Make yourself feel lighter, as if you're defying the earth's pull."

Lucas closed his eyes, visualizing the gravitational field around him. He felt a strange sensation as if the air itself was becoming less dense. He slowly lifted off the ground, hovering in mid-air.

Silvers observed Lucas' progress, a pleased smile forming. "Impressive. You're adapting quickly to the concepts. Keep honing your control, and soon you'll be able to manipulate gravity on a larger scale."

As the siblings continued their training, Silvers discussed their progress with Robin, his sidekick. "They're both showing promise. Gabriel has a knack for manipulating lightning, and Lucas is learning to bend gravity to his will. Their abilities are raw, but with time and guidance, they could become formidable."

Silvers leaned against a table, his arms crossed as he regarded Gabriel and Lucas with a stern expression. "Now, let's talk about the theoretical side of becoming espers."

Gabriel shifted uncomfortably, scratching his head. "Theoretical? You mean like reading books and stuff?"

Silvers raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Gabriel. Reading, studying, and understanding the laws, ethics, and principles that govern espers. It's not all about flashy powers and physical training."

Gabriel sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine, I get it. I'll read the boring stuff."

Silvers smiled, satisfied with their response. "That's the spirit. Remember, you need to pass both the practical and theoretical exams."

"Alright! You got it," Gabriel and Lucas said in unison.

"Time for some bookworm action," Lucas added with a playful grin.

Silvers nodded. "Exactly. Take a breather for today. But starting tomorrow, it's all about hitting the books. Languages, sciences, Esper laws, code of conduct-the whole package."I think you should take a look at

Gabriel rubbed his hands together. "Sounds like a blast."

Silvers raised an eyebrow. "Well, maybe not a blast, but definitely essential."

Lucas chuckled. "We'll make sure to give it our best shot."

Silvers leaned back. "That's the spirit. After a week of cramming, you'll be facing the exam. So make every minute count."

Gabriel gave a mock salute. "Got it, sensei."

Silvers smirked. "I'll hold you to that. Now go, rest up. Tomorrow's a new day."

As the two siblings headed out, Silvers couldn't help but smile. They were taking it seriously, and that determination would take them far in their journey to becoming espers.

"Hey, how about we hit up that new sundae shop at the intersection? I swung by there with Robin after our scouting session last week," Lucas suggested, a dreamy look in his eyes as he recalled the delectable taste of cherries.

"Wait, you and Robin hanging out? Since when did that happen?" Gabriel questioned, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Lucas chuckled. "It's all about networking, my friend. Gotta build those connections, especially if I'm gonna be the future manager of your Esper Guild."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "You're really committed to that role, huh?"

Lucas grinned. "Of course, it's all part of the grand plan."

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Right, I totally buy it."

Lucas playfully nudged his brother. "You better, because it's the truth."

=====================

"Hey Sora, hang tight here, okay? I'm gonna grab us some ice cream," Aoyama instructed, ensuring his younger sister wouldn't stray from the spot.

Sora bobbed her head like the cool kid she was and fist-pumped with excitement. "Woo, ice cream!"

As Aoyama entered the store, he noticed two young espers coming out with jumbo sundaes in their hands.

He overheard their conversation as he passed by.

"So, did she go for the cone, melted your ice cream, and slurped it like a pro? Sweet or salty, spill the beans!" Gabriel teased his brother, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Come on, don't twist things. We were just hungry, that's all," Lucas responded, trying to evade the playful banter.

"Yeah, hungry for each other. I catch you two giving those glances like you're ready to pounce any second. Seriously, I'm still wondering why you two haven't hooked up already," Gabriel mused, a playful grin on his face.

Lucas chuckled, rolling his eyes at his brother's teasing. "Gabe, you've got a wild imagination. We're just friends, nothing more."

Sora, who had been waiting for her brother, suddenly chimed in, her innocent voice breaking the conversation. "What's hooking up?"