Condition Evolution 4 by Kevin Sinclair (parable of the sower read online .txt) 📗

up to the challenge. I waited for the usual sudden switch to her attacking a different door. It didn’t come; this time she maintained the pressure on this door, while attacking my Control Room door simultaneously. She almost had me with the change of tactic. Every ounce of me was focused on preventing Ialos from entering either of the doors as she slowly increased pressure on both. When I felt gentle pressure on my Nerve Center door, I could barely muster the strength to respond to it. She steadily began to pile pressure onto that door too. I held on for everything I was worth, but this was like nothing I had faced from her before. There came a point where my mind just gave out and all my defenses dropped at once.

“Well done, Vakuna! That was an impressive display,” she said into my mind.

I was still reeling from the onslaught, but managed to speak. “You do not have to patronize me, Ialos. I failed, once again.”

“My Wisdom and Intelligence ratings are both at their maximum, Vakuna. 890 out of 1000. My Mental Defense is at 810. You couldn’t possibly hold out against me, yet. I pushed you further than ever before, because that is how you will progress. You learn more from failure than you do from success.”

“That may be, but failure is not great for confidence,” I sulked.

“Believe me, you did extremely well. Bear in mind that you don’t need to achieve my levels in order to keep me out. I’d say another two hundred levels in Mental Resistance and some work on Wisdom, and I’ll no longer be able to enter.”

“How will you train me to increase it past that point then?”

“You must be attacked by multiple people at the same time.”

“Oh, that sounds unpleasant.”

“It really is. But it’s the most effective way to develop the skill.”

“Okay, then let’s keep at it. I’ll be satisfied if I can keep just one powerful person out.”

“Good to hear you say that. Let us go again.”

We spent over two hours building my Mental Resistance. At no point did I feel stronger, but a quick check of my score showed it had increased by a whole ten points after the brutal onslaught Ialos had put me through. So I had to be happy with the development, though it was unusual that she pushed me so hard.

We stopped briefly for some lunch, before Ialos put me on the levitation course. I was far more competent than that first day, speeding around the hoop's in a little under two minutes was my record, though I didn’t make it that quickly every time. I enjoyed this the most of my training. Sometimes Ialos would even join in to explain how best to execute a turn or demonstrate other options to increase speed. Just as I was finding a rhythm, the productive day was darkened by the arrival of Fiekela and Kirel.

“Good day to you both,” Fiekela said cheerily, waving a hand. Kirel loomed alongside him, opting to remain silent.

“We have discussed this mysterious door at great length, and have devised a plan.”

“What do you mean? A plan for my door? I thought that you were looking for other ways to increase my Wisdom.”

“We will certainly get to that. But there is an enigma inside your head, and we believe that to help you progress with maximum efficiency we must first uncover the answers to this mystery. As this door is unique to you, and you are indeed unique yourself, it is almost certain to hold the key to obtaining your full Potential. Wouldn’t that be fantastic?” Fiekela said excitedly.

I looked at him, probably conveying the doubt that I felt. “What are you intending to do?”

“We are going to inspect it, then try to enter, with our combined abilities. It is highly unlikely any harm should befall you with the attempt. Both Kirel and I are close to our upper Potential limits, so you can rest easy,” Fiekela said.

My mind screamed that what I was hearing was a bad idea, and I trusted that inner voice more than I trusted these two men. “I am sorry, but every sense that I have screams that this is a really bad idea. You should not make this attempt.”

“Don’t worry yourself, you are in safe hands. Would you care to come down from there and take a seat?”

I looked at Fiekela, dumbfounded. “I have acquiesced to everything you have asked of me so far. Perhaps it’s time to show the same faith back and listen to me. It is without a doubt a terrible idea for you to open that door,” I said, not moving from the platform.

“Vakuna, you are failing to take into account our differing levels of knowledge and indeed Wisdom. You must see how foolish it is to compare your mere Wisdom of 19 against Kirel’s and my own combined?” Fiekela exclaimed with a self-satisfied smirk.

“Unless there is something you are trying to hide?” Kirel finally spoke, a sneer stretched across his gaunt face.

“I think you should respect Vakuna’s choice,” Ialos finally spoke. The two men turned to face her, staring daggers.

“Ialos, we thank you for your service today, you may leave,” Fiekela said coldly.

“I will remain and say again that it is unwise to force this decision through.”

“Your own council has voted unanimously for this action. Do you wish to defy us, Ialos?”

“I only suggest you rethink in light of this new information,” Ialos stated confidently. Boy, was I glad to have her here with me.

“What new information? That this immature child, with so little understanding of anything, has decided he does not like the sound of our proposal? No, we will not be reconsidering. This is happening now,” Fiekela snapped. They did not speak again, but there appeared to be a heated mental debate going on, before Ialos angrily stormed off toward her office.

Fiekela looked back up at me. “Vakuna, come down right now! You are behaving like a spoilt youth. This is of