Chapter 13

We arrived at the Guard Barracks just under an hour later. I followed the Lieutenant through the building. Once in the training yard, I was impressed by the obstacle course they had. It reminded me of the course I had to run regularly in the Marines.

Petra explained what was to happen as we walked to the beginning of the course, “Ok, for a baseline, I want you to run the course without using your mana.” She pointed to a couple of hourglasses embedded in posts, “When I say go, I’ll turn the first glass and start your time. We will use the others for your other runs.”

I cleared my M4 before handing it off to Petra, then I began to stretch and get my blood pumping. Once I was ready, I moved to the starting line and gave her a thumbs up to let her know I was ready. I took off when I heard the word “GO!” I was surprised at how much the armor’s extra weight affected my performance. I was upset when I finished the course.

“Is something wrong, Shaun,” asked a concerned Petra.

I replied angrily, “No. I need to rerun it.” She just nodded in understanding and reset the glass. My second attempt was much better. I had adjusted to the weight and balance of the armor during my first run.

When I walked up happy, Petra smiled and kissed my cheek, “That was very impressive. Only ten minutes, most take twenty the first time. Now I want you to run it fully magically enhanced for speed. Do not augment your strength. You could just jump right over the course.” I nodded in understanding, wondering how this would help me learn to control the process. Petra was stunned by the sonic boom that was released when I started my third run. I managed to finish the course in just under five seconds.

I laughed when I saw The impish otter’s jaw on the ground. When I closed her mouth with a finger, she finally came out of her daze, “What the hell was that! I’ve never heard a boom when someone took off before.”

“I must have broken the sound barrier when I left. Sound travels at about 700 mph, so I was going at least 701 mph.” I replied. Her darling face was scrunched up in confusion. “Just know I was going faster than any sounds I was making,” I laughed. Once we settled ourselves, I asked, “So, what is next? I’m not sure how this is going to help.”

She gave me a knowing look before informing me, “Now, you are going to run the course in specific amounts of time. In the first couple of attempts, I will give you a five-second leeway on either side. I will close that gap the better you are until I expect perfect timing. Your first goal will be three minutes, chop, chop. We don’t have all night.”

I shook my head at her antics as I walked back to the start. We spent the next few hours practicing like this. In the last half hour, she was randomly shouting the time just before saying go. I was exhausted when we finished for the day. Limping up to my sexy partner, I kissed her gently before commenting, “Wow, I never considered training my magic control that way. I ran that course like, a hundred times. I’ll be dreaming about it.”

She laughed as we started the walk home, “Maybe, we’ll see what you dream of tonight.” I couldn’t read the look in her eyes. While walking through the barracks, several guards stepped out of one of the squad bays.

The biggest one sneered when he saw my arm around Petra’s waist, “What do we have here, boys, a disgusting animal lover. What, couldn’t get a real woman to ride your millimeter peter?” The others laughed at his little joke. My expression hardened in anger. Few things pissed me off more than worthless fucks like this.

“Do you know these useless wastes, Lt. Lontra,” I asked Petra. A few eyes shot up when I addressed her. Three of them froze at her name and slipped back into the bay when they recognized the name.

Petra rested her hands on her hips before addressing the rookies angrily, “No, I do not, Knight Kaughman. It seems I might have to talk to the captain about their training.”

“I’m Erikson Chauvin, you worthless animal. What gives you the right to disparage a noble,” was his angry retort. He pulled back and made to slap my mate. I shook my head while pulling and opening my asp.