Chapter 6: Soul academy

Chapter 6: Soul Football The next morning, Ifenna felt a renewed sense of determination. His conversation with Manasseh the day before had given him a fresh perspective, but now, as he walked to the Academy’s training field, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. He had heard whispers in the hallways about "Soul Football," but no one had explained it to him in detail. When he arrived at the field, it was larger than any football field he had ever seen, stretching far into the distance. Students were already gathering, some stretching, others performing small exercises with their soul powers. The ball in the middle of the field gleamed brightly, but it wasn’t an ordinary ball. It shimmered, occasionally sparking with elemental energy—fire, water, and even lightning. Ifenna blinked in surprise. This is not like any football I’ve seen. "Welcome to Soul Football!" A voice boomed from the side of the field. Ifenna turned to see a tall, muscular man with a wild grin on his face. "For those of you who are new," the man continued, "I’m Coach Alaric, and Soul Football is about teamwork, strategy, and, most importantly, controlling your soul powers under pressure." Manasseh appeared next to Ifenna, giving him a playful nudge. "You ready for this? It’s pretty intense, but a lot of fun." "Yeah, I guess," Ifenna replied, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "I’ve never played football with powers before." Manasseh grinned. "Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it. The rules are simple—just like regular football, but with the added twist that you can use your soul abilities to help you play. No heavy attacks, though. This is a test of control, not destruction." Coach Alaric clapped his hands, and the students split into two teams. Ifenna found himself placed on a team with Manasseh, Kaiara, and a few others he recognized from class. Their opponents were equally formidable, each one brimming with energy and confidence. Alaric threw the ball into the center of the field, and it floated in the air, shimmering with a burst of multi-colored light. "Alright, teams!" he shouted. "Let’s see what you’ve got. Begin!" Immediately, the field erupted into action. One of the opposing players, a girl with fire abilities, shot forward, her speed enhanced by a burst of flames beneath her feet. She reached the ball first, her fiery aura surrounding her as she kicked it toward her team. Ifenna watched in awe as Kaiara intercepted the ball with a swift movement, summoning a wave of water to block the fire-enhanced kick. The ball bounced toward Manasseh, who used his earth abilities to create a brief tremor, nudging the ball closer to him. He deftly passed it to Ifenna with a grin. "Your turn!" Manasseh shouted. Ifenna’s heart raced. He had barely used his powers for anything beyond small exercises, and now he was expected to use them in a game? He quickly moved toward the ball, summoning the faint glow of his soul energy. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the ball forward, but instead of moving in a straight line, it arced unpredictably, the raw energy swirling around it. "Nice move!" Kaiara called out as she darted ahead to catch the ball. Her water powers surged, creating a sleek path as she dribbled the ball toward the goal. However, the opposing team wasn’t going to let them score so easily. A tall boy with wind powers dashed forward, his body moving as swiftly as the breeze, and stole the ball from Kaiara with a well-timed gust of wind. "Not bad!" Manasseh shouted, stepping forward to defend. He stomped his foot, and the ground beneath the boy cracked slightly, causing him to lose his balance. The ball was free once more, bouncing wildly as the soul energy within it pulsed and shifted. Ifenna knew this was his chance. He sprinted toward the ball, feeling the light energy in his palms intensify. The closer he got, the more he could sense the pulse of the game, the flow of energy surrounding each player. It was chaotic, but also beautiful—a dance of elements in constant motion. Just as the ball came within reach, Ifenna channeled his energy. Instead of trying to control it with brute force, he let the light guide him, feeling the rhythm of the game. He kicked the ball with precision, sending it soaring toward the goal. The ball spun through the air, leaving a trail of glowing energy behind it. The opposing goalkeeper, a boy with rock-like skin, braced himself, but the ball curved unexpectedly, slipping past him into the goal with a brilliant flash of light. "Goal!" Coach Alaric shouted, clearly impressed. "Nice one, Ifenna!" Ifenna’s teammates cheered, and even Kaiara gave him an approving nod. Manasseh jogged over, clapping him on the back. "Told you you’d get the hang of it!" Ifenna grinned, his confidence growing. This wasn’t just football—it was a test of his ability to adapt, to let his powers flow naturally. He felt lighter on his feet, more in tune with the energy around him. The game continued with both teams pushing their limits. Players summoned wind to boost their speed, used fire to shoot powerful passes, and even manipulated water and earth to create barriers and traps. Every move required quick thinking and precise control of their powers. By the end of the game, Ifenna had scored two more goals, each one a testament to his growing understanding of his soul energy. His team ultimately won, but more importantly, he had learned something new about himself. The raw energy he summoned was unpredictable, but it also gave him a unique advantage. The key was learning how to direct it. As the students left the field, sweaty and tired but buzzing with excitement, Coach Alaric called out, "Good game, everyone! Remember, it’s not just about power. It’s about precision, control, and teamwork. Tomorrow, we’ll see how well you can apply those skills in more advanced scenarios." Ifenna wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing over at Manasseh and Kaiara. They were talking animatedly about the game, already planning strategies for the next one. For the first time since arriving at the Academy, Ifenna didn’t feel out of place. He was part of something bigger, and he was beginning to understand his role in it. As he walked back toward the Academy, a small smile tugged at his lips. This place was strange, challenging, and even a little intimidating—but it was also full of opportunities to discover who he truly was.