Chapter 128: Calm young minds
Inside 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 search in vain."
Varros frowned, puzzled. "Why wait until dawn? Why not strike now?"
Calien couldn’t resist a soft, sarcastic snort. "Because, sir, we’re just humans. And so are your men. Tired, hungry, drained. Unlike those monsters out there, we don’t have endless strength. They’d overwhelm us by sheer numbers eventually."
Varros exhaled through his nose, gaze hardening. "The forest might be safer than this town. The trees could hide us better."
But Selin shook her head firmly. "No. The forest’s too exposed. They’d chase us down, corner us. In town, with walls and doors and rooms, we can make them hunt us room by room if they want us so badly."