Free The Octopus Effect by Michael Reisman

formulas let us keep watch; they also help hide any Order activity from Outsiders.” She chuckled at Simon’s surprised look. “This way, no students or faculty notice when ‘Professor Winter’ accidentally rearranges a watercooler’s molecules into a massage chair.” She laughed. “True story.”
    â€œAh, but who got to take that chair home?” Ralfagon limped in, dressed as always in his faded tan overcoat.
    The Book of Physics slipped out of Simon’s backpack and floated in front of him. It flashed blue at Ralfagon, who smiled and nodded. “Hello, old friend. And welcome, Simon. Eldonna, we’ll be in my office.”
    Simon was expecting to find Ralfagon’s office messy. The man often used formulas of motion to rearrange things without noticing, making Simon’s mistakes that day seem downright harmless. Today, however, the office was almost neat. Ralfagon noticed Simon looking around in wonder. “It took a great deal of concentration, but I couldn’t have things floating around with your father here.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m here about,” Simon said. He explained his troubles from the day. “How do I control it?”
    â€œThere’s a quick answer and a long one,” Ralfagon said. “The quick one is, you just do. The long one . . . is long.”
    Simon stared. “Um, okay. I’ve got some time.”
    Ralfagon shrugged. “Excellent. I’ve been looking forward to this . . . especially in light of your new position. Which makes you uncomfortable.”
    Simon paused, unsure if he should say it. Finally, “Yes! Can’t you change your mind? Maybe if we go to the Board together and convince them that we can work together, they’ll let us be co-Keepers. You can take charge again, but my friends and I can stay in the Order, too!”
    Ralfagon shook his head. “I doubt that’s an option. Besides, Janathus—though a soulless bureaucrat—may be right. I may be getting old and sloppy.” He gestured as he said this, and Simon had to duck as a chair drifted past. “See?”
    â€œBut won’t you miss it? Being Keeper? The formulas? The Book?”
    â€œI should be fine. Former Keepers usually enjoy a quiet retirement, keeping a few formulas so they can join in Order affairs from time to time. Will I miss my bond with the Book? Yes, very much. But I’ll feel better about it with such a worthy successor.”
    â€œMe? How am I worthy?”
    Ralfagon sighed. “Simon, you may not believe it, but I know you’re ready for this. Age doesn’t matter; all that matters is who you are and what you’re capable of. And you are capable of wonderful things. You saved my life, you stopped terrible villains, you brought your friends such power and joy.”
    â€œThe Book did it all,” Simon protested. “It found me, it gave me the formulas . . . I’ve been lucky, that’s all.”
    â€œOh, really?” Ralfagon said with a chuckle. “The Book and I have had many discussions about you, and neither of us came to that conclusion.” He gave Simon a long look. “You’re losing control of gravity and friction because they’ve become a part of you. When you don’t keep your mind under control, as I’ve stopped doing so well, they can slip out. But the real secret to using Union abilities is that your only boundaries are your intellect and your imagination. And you, my boy, are lacking neither.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? There’s so much I can’t do. I can’t even use space-time; I’m terrified of it. It turned Sirabetta into a thirteen-year-old; if I use it wrong, it could do a lot worse to me or my friends or my family.”
    â€œSimon, do you trust the Book? Completely?”
    â€œYes,” he said, without hesitation.
    â€œThen trust in yourself, especially with space-time. I never used it