fynovel Chapter 128: Calm young minds
Chapter 128: Calm young minds
Chapter 128: Calm young mindsInside the battered carriage, a brief silence hung as the dust of the explosion drifted through the cracks in the wood. The students, cheeks flushed with adrenaline, turned as one and gave Chief Varros a collective thumbs-up. Their eyes gleamed with a strange mixture of confidence and shared purpose.
Chief Varros, his chest still heaving from the effort of conjuring that mighty blast, lowered his sword slightly. The light that shimmered along its blade flickered like the last embers of a fire, but he held it steady. He offered them a wry, exhausted smile. "That wasn’t all I had," he said, his voice rough. "I’ve enough mana left for maybe... fifteen more of those blasts before this cursed magic circle drains me dry."
The students exchanged quick glances. Ruvin grinned and gave a short nod. "Fifteen’s more than enough, sir."
Varros blinked at them, surprised by their certainty. "Are you sure you need me to keep burning my strength like that? Are you certain?"
Selin’s eyes sparkled with a trace of mischief. "Absolutely, Chief. It feels just like one of Teacher Nolan’s insane training exercises." She elbowed Calien, who smirked in agreement.
Varros narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Hmmm... and after that? What happens once I’ve given you what you want?"
The students fell into a hushed huddle, their voices dropping low. The tension in the carriage grew thick as they outlined their next move. "Our goal," Erik whispered, "is to find towers. Any tall buildings. Climb to the top and hole up there until dawn. We stay quiet, hidden. Let them
And then, at last, after what felt like hours—after his arms ached from wielding the sword, after his mana felt stretched thin as spider silk—Calien slowed.
He turned to Erik, his expression calm, but his eyes gleamed with determination.
"Alright," Calien said quietly, but with finality. "Let’s go back."
Varros let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He glanced over his shoulder at the town they had circled, at the monsters they’d drawn away. The path was clear. The plan had worked.
And for the first time that night, Varros allowed himself a flicker of hope.
He followed them back toward the town’s heart, the students leading the way, and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, he felt not like their protector—but their equal.