James picked up the hardcover book on the table and tossed it over. Erik hurriedly caught it and looked at the cover—Physics: The Four Fundamental Forces of the Universe.
"Take your science classes at school seriously. I'll arrange a tutor for you later to help you catch up. Ideally, you'll study physics and mechanical engineering when you're older."
Erik's face fell. He hadn't been able to study properly during those years of war, and math and science were already the subjects he dreaded most. A few casual words from his dad had just decided the course of his miserable future.
"Show me what you can do." James raised his chin, gesturing for Erik to demonstrate his ability with the metal darts stacked in the training room.
The young Mr. Lehnsherr's expression turned serious. He held his right arm straight out, fingers spread, and twelve alloy darts—over thirty centimeters long and four or five centimeters wide—shot up into the air. They darted over in an instant and circled Erik like a school of silver fish in the sea.
Erik raised his left hand as well, spreading the fingers of his right. He crossed his hands, and the twelve darts split into two groups, weaving back and forth. As Erik's nimble fingers moved with an inexplicable sense of rhythm and beauty, their paths grew increasingly complex.
Each of the twelve blue-black alloy darts followed its own path, like a person moving their left and right hands in two different ways—except now there were twelve movements happening at once.
The sound of metal slicing through the air at high speed filled the entire underground training room. For a moment, the sight was dazzling.
Watching Erik, so serious and focused, Emma couldn't help feeling a little envious of his extraordinary ability. The Mind Stone's