Eric found himself perched on the bench in the expansive gymnasium, surrounded by the rhythmic symphony of sparring partners executing their self-defense maneuvers on the azure gym mats. The instructor overseeing this lively spectacle was an imposing figure, his striking blonde hair and piercing green eyes softened by a warm, welcoming smile. He couldn't help but cast a curious glance in Eric's direction, wondering why he had chosen to sit out this particular practice session.
Eric, determined not to reveal the weariness that had been gnawing at him, straightened up. In reality, he had stretched himself thin with a relentless schedule of extracurricular activities, his demanding major, and a host of personal hobbies. Rarely did he have the luxury of being home before 8 pm, only to set his alarm for 7 am and do it all over again the next day.
The instructor, sensing Eric's reluctance to participate, settled down on the bench beside him, eager to understand his student's perspective.
"Sitting out again, Eric?" The instructor's tone carried a blend of curiosity and concern. "You do realize that practice is the path to perfection, don't you?"
Eric responded with a sly grin, his heavy eyelids betraying the exhaustion he felt. "Well, you know, I thought I had these new moves down pat already."
The instructor's probing gaze didn't waver. "Ah, but what about your partner? Are they equally confident in mastering these new techniques?"
Eric looked down at the ground, his confidence shaken for a moment. "No, Mr. Agreste. I told them that I needed to rest for a moment." Mr. Agreste scanned the room to find Eric's partner, sitting alone on the gym mat on their phone not paying attention.
"You're overworking yourself again, aren't you?" Mr. Agreste said, his tone seemingly grew more serious as he stood up.
"Yes. I'm afraid so." Eric replied with a nervous laugh.
"You know. My wife used to do the same thing. Enrolled in a million activities and hobbies. Class president and all. Do you know what she does now?"
Eric quickly nodded his head. He knew all about the improved Agreste fashion brand taken over by Mrs. Agreste a few years back.
"All of those other things. They really didn't mean much long term. For a while, she didn't know what she wanted to do anymore because she focused on too many things that her true passion had to take a backseat." Mr Agreste spoke wisely. "I see great potential in you Eric, but you need to learn that you can't do it all." Mr Agreste was starting to sound pretty wise for a man only 10 years older than Eric.
"What about you, Mr. Agreste? When did you learn you didn't like modeling and wanted to do this instead?" Eric asked honestly.
"I never liked modeling to tell you the truth. I think I just wanted to hide my distaste for it from my dad's sake because he wanted me to inherit the brand. I lived through a dangerous era back in Paris, during Hawkmoth's reign. Now, I just want to help people with everyday struggles. Ladybug and Chat Noir were brave back then. I would like to help out the regular folk just like they did back then…" Mr. Agreste trailed off as if he was reminiscing a pleasant memory.
"They've been gone for quite a while, haven't they? Think we'll ever see them again" Eric responded.
Mr. Agreste froze for a moment before becoming silent in thought. "I think it was time for them to hang up the so-called costumes. Being a superhero is more of a symbol than a full-time career. Since Chrysallis was defeated, there hasn't been enough danger to warrant such a powerful force. I think that if something were to come up again… Someone else would step into those shoes."
Eric leaned back on the bench at the thought. A superhero. It would be an interesting path. Not quite a career but just… a symbol? Eric shook his head at the thought but kept it in his mind. Suddenly, Mr. Agreste glanced up at the clock and quickly ended the self-defense class after realizing it already went 10 minutes over the usual time. As the students filed out of the room, Mr. Agreste turned towards Eric one more time as if to say something but changed his mind and retreated back towards his office.
Eric walked up the stairs to the main building, searching for his girlfriend who would be getting out of class at the same time as him. Elizabeth was fairly tall with dark black hair and cyan tips. She usually kept on a few necklaces with pendants and crystals hanging from the middle and long painted nails. Eric quickly spotted her amongst the small crowd of students.
"Hey Liz, how was class?" Eric asked her. Elizabeth looked slightly annoyed after coming out of class.
"It was alright but…" She trailed off.
"What's wrong?" Eric asked.
"David. He keeps trying to hit on me and act all innocent. I've asked him to stop like a million times. I told him I'm leaving his stupid art club. I'm tired with the obsession at this point. I'm thinking of reporting it to the college." Elizabeth confessed.
"Well honey, you know I support you with anything you do. Did you want me to talk to him?" Eric asked.
Elizabeth laughed for a moment. "I'm not sure that would wind up well for either of you. He would probably end up in the hospital and you would end up expelled or arrested. I think it's best to just go through the legal channels and avoid the creep."
Eric nodded in agreement. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, offering comfort and support. As they walked together, he couldn't help but think about the wisdom Mr. Agreste had shared with him. Perhaps it was time for him to reevaluate his own priorities and find that balance between ambition and well-being. The path to self-discovery and growth was as challenging as any martial art, but Eric was ready to embrace it, one step at a time.
In the immediate aftermath of their conversation with Mr. Agreste, Eric and Elizabeth decided to take a leisurely stroll through the campus. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm, golden hue across the quad. Eric felt a sense of calm he hadn't experienced in a long time.
"I think Mr. Agreste was right," Eric said, breaking the silence as they walked hand in hand. "I've been spreading myself too thin lately."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "I've noticed. You've been a whirlwind of activity. But don't forget, it's okay to slow down and take a breather. We all need that."
Eric smiled at her, grateful for her understanding. "You're right, Liz. And you, with the whole David situation, you're incredibly strong for standing up against that."
Elizabeth squeezed his hand affectionately. "We've got each other's backs, remember?"
As they continued their leisurely stroll, the weight of their responsibilities began to feel a little lighter. They knew they had a long journey ahead, but for now, they were content in the company of one another, learning to embrace the importance of balance in their lives.
Unbeknownst to Eric and Elizabeth, Adrien watched them from a distance, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He admired the way the couple was handling their challenges and the newfound wisdom they were gaining. As he observed, Adrien discreetly reached for his phone and made a call.
"Hey, Marinette," he said in hushed tones. "I think I might have found someone."
Marinette's curiosity was piqued as she replied from the other end of the line, "Really? Tell me more."
Adrien continued to watch Eric and Elizabeth, who were now engaged in an animated conversation, their faces illuminated by the soft, golden rays of the setting sun. "They have potential, Marinette, both individually and together. I think they could be the ones."
Marinette nodded, her voice filled with intrigue. "Keep an eye on them, Adrien. Let's assess their abilities and readiness before making any decisions."
Adrien, with a determined look, agreed, "Of course, Marinette. I'll continue to mentor them discreetly, and we'll see where this leads."
With that, Adrien hung up the phone, a sense of anticipation and purpose filling his heart. Little did Eric and Elizabeth know that their journey was about to take an unexpected turn, one that would lead them into a world of hidden potential and extraordinary responsibilities.
With one final glance, Adrien left the couple alone to be with each other. Now was not the time to push this on them. They would find out sooner or later.
As the day wore on and the sun began its descent below the horizon, a palpable unease settled over the campus. David, still simmering with anger, found himself unable to quell the waves of rejection that washed over him. Little did he know that Luna, the enigmatic villain who had been lurking in the shadows, saw this very moment as the perfect opportunity to set her sinister plan into motion.
Inside his dimly lit art room, David's frustration and despair intensified with each passing moment. Luna, sensing his negative emotions, reached out to summon her dark power. With an eerie flutter of her hands, a butterfly emerged from the shadows—an otherworldly creature with wings shrouded in deep shades of violet and ink-black.
The butterfly, a manifestation of Luna's malevolence, began to circle David, its presence hypnotic and unsettling. It hovered nearer and nearer to the crumpled art club poster that lay on the floor. Its elongated antennae quivered with anticipation, and with a delicate touch, it landed on the poster.
In a sudden burst of shadowy energy, the Inkwraith emerged—a menacing figure draped in swirling darkness. His eyes gleamed with malevolence, and a wicked grin twisted his lips. With his newfound power, he possessed the ability to bring his ink-based creations to life, drawing forth terror from the depths of his ink-black canvas that was once the simple crumpled poster. He used his ink-covered fingers to draw a statue of Elizabeth, his true love. He would have her if it was the last thing he did. His mission was simple. Kill Eric. Get the girl. The statue manifested, also covered in swirling black ink. He stepped closer to the statue, his inky feet made sickening squishes on the tile.
"Eric. You don't know how screwed you are right now" Inkwraith said in a deep monotone voice. Suddenly, a light came on in the art club. One of the fellow students from the club had walked in on the Inkwraiths plotting. Quickly, the Inkwraith slinked down into a black puddle of ink and moved quickly, seeping down into a nearby ventilation shaft on a new mission. Find Eric at all costs.