Chapitre 33: The Sparks Of Change
The recruits assembled in the training area, the atmosphere was electric.
As they prepared for the exercises ahead, there was a shared feeling that this marked the beginning of an important chapter, not just for the agency struggling to regain its footing, but for each of them embarking on their own paths to greatness.
They were in the same agency, but the competition was individual.
As the group dispersed to prepare, Adrian approached Victoria, attempting to regain his composure.
"Victoria, always a pleasure," he said smoothly. "If there's anything you need, you know you can count on me."
She gave him a polite but distant smile.
"Thank you, Adrian. I trust you'll do your best today."
Eratz and Ryder moved toward the training area, discussing.
"What's on the menu though? I thought we would be immediately fighting, why the medical test?" Ryder remarked.
Mercury caught up with them.
"Just a formal protocol," she said. "There's always a medical test for new recruits, nothing to worry about. Come, I'll show you your locker quickly."
As they began their discovery of the place, the atmosphere in the hall was charged with an invisible tension.
Adrian watched from a distance, his eyes narrowed.
"This isn't over," he muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Victoria and Zara observed the group, their expressions reflecting a mix of hope and determination.
"I can feel it just by the gaze, this time you really surpassed yourself." Victoria commented quietly.
Zara nodded in agreement.
"Yup, I think I deserve more praises, they might be just what we need to turn things around."
They were led to a training facility equipped with advanced but slightly outdated equipment. The first test was an endurance run on treadmills. Mercury was taking the role of the medic, taking notes of the results.
Eratz was next to Adrian.
"Hope you're ready to eat my dust," Adrian sneered.
Eratz raised an eyebrow.
"You're that old?"
The treadmills started, and Adrian set his speed high, casting smug glances at Eratz. But Eratz matched his pace effortlessly, his breathing steady and movements fluid.
Minutes passed, and sweat began to bead on Adrian's forehead. His breaths became labored, while Eratz showed no signs of tiring, almost bored.
"How... What... are you...Hey?... " Adrian panted.
Eratz glanced over.
"... Hm? Can you form a sentence? I don't read minds."
Around them, other recruits struggled to keep up. Ryder pushed himself, determined not to fall behind, but he couldn't help but marvel at Eratz's stamina.
Next came the strength and agility tests. Eratz navigated the obstacle course with ease, his movements precise and controlled. He leaped over hurdles, climbed walls, and dodged obstacles as if it were second nature.
"He's amazing," Zara whispered to Victoria, watching from the sidelines. "And without beastification."
Victoria nodded thoughtfully.
"I really want to see his beastification though, you should have taken some pictures."
As the physical exams continued, fatigue began to show on the faces of many recruits. Muscles ached, and breaths were heavy. But Eratz remained composed, barely breaking a sweat. For him, it wasn't even a warm up.
Finally, it was time for the full-body examination. The male recruits were instructed to remove their shirts for a comprehensive health check.
The atmosphere in the room shifted as shirts came off, revealing a range of physiques among the recruits.
Eratz calmly pulled off his shirt, revealing a physique that seemed carved from stone.
His muscles were well-defined and perfectly balanced, broad shoulders leading to a chiseled chest, with pectoral muscles that stood out prominently. His abdomen displayed a set of toned abs, each muscle distinctly etched.
Scars crisscrossed his skin, faint lines that hinted at violent past battles.
A hush fell over the room as eyes turned toward him. Conversations tapered off, and a palpable sense of awe settled among the recruits.
Adrian, who had been flexing subtly to showcase his own physique, glanced over and felt a jolt of insecurity.
Standing next to Eratz's chiseled form, his own body seemed decidedly ordinary. He crossed his arms over his chest, subtly trying to flex his muscles and harden his stomach, but it was no use.
The contrast was too great, and the confidence he usually wore like armor began to crack.
Zara, couldn't help but take notice. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, followed by a subtle smile.
"Well," she murmured softly, "that explains a lot."
Ryder, standing nearby, raised his eyebrows in astonishment.
"Eratz, are you even human?" he joked with a grin. "Where have you been hiding that body?"
Mercury, acting as the assistant for the medical exams, approached Eratz with a clipboard in hand.
She aimed to maintain a professional demeanor, but her eyes momentarily drifted over the planes of his chest and the definition of his pectoral muscles.
"Alright, let's proceed with the examination," she said, her voice wavering slightly.
She placed a stethoscope against his chest, the cool metal making contact with his warm skin.
"Deep breath in," she instructed.
Eratz inhaled deeply, his chest rising. Mercury's gaze traced the movement.
".... and out!" she continued.
She moved the stethoscope to another spot, her fingertips brushing against a larger scar.
"Does this mark have a story?" she asked, more out of personal curiosity than medical necessity.
Eratz glanced down.
"Learned the hard way to not hunt a water beast in shallow water, he chewed me a little but I chewed him back." he replied simply.
Mercury nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on him.
"Fascinating," she murmured, almost to herself.
Victoria, observing from a few steps away, noticed Mercury's prolonged attention. Holding a smile, she stepped forward.
"Mercury, I'm pretty sure there are other recruits waiting."
Mercury blinked, snapping back to reality. "Right! Of course," she replied hurriedly. "Everything looks excellent, Eratz. You're in remarkable shape."
"Thank you," Eratz replied.
As Mercury moved quickly on to the next recruit, Victoria approached, her gaze assessing Eratz thoughtfully.
"Impressive," she remarked, her eyes meeting his. "Your physical condition is outstanding."
Eratz nodded respectfully.
"Good, it means I can fight soon, right?"
Adrian watched the exchange from a distance, his expression a mix of envy and frustration.
He clenched his jaw, feeling overshadowed by the attention Eratz was receiving.
The other recruits whispered among themselves.
"Did you see those scars?" one murmured.
"That's not normal, what the fuck?" another commented.
As the examinations continued, the results for Eratz came back with outstanding marks. His endurance levels were off the charts, reflexes sharp, and overall health impeccable.
Victoria shared the results with Zara.
"I'll need to check his contract," she noted. "I need to be sure you're not pranking me."
Zara nodded in agreement.
"Since we're at this, what's about changing a little the date of the contract duration? Like adding one or two zeros?"
The medical exams wrapped up, and the recruits began to prepare for the next phase of their training.
Eratz pulled his shirt back on, oblivious to some of the lingering glances cast his way.
After the tests, Victoria gathered everyone in a meeting room. The atmosphere was solemn but hopeful.
"First, congratulations on completing the assessments," she began. "I have some things to share with you all."
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
"Years ago, I was a professional Beast Master, like you all. I had success, fame, and everything that comes with it. But I chose to leave that life behind to start this agency. My dream has always been to nurture young talents, to help the next generation rise."
She sighed softly.
"However, not everyone agreed with my decision. Some powerful individuals felt betrayed by my choices and used their influence to hinder us. They've spread rumors, cut off our resources, and made it difficult for us to attract new talent."
Eratz listened intently.
"This agency would have closed long ago if not for Zara and Mercury," Victoria continued. "Zara stepped up in ways I never expected, taking on multiple roles to keep us afloat. Mercury became our ace, her skills and dedication bringing us victories when we needed them most."
Mercury shifted slightly but remained silent.
Victoria offered a gentle smile.
"I want to thank each of you, especially our latest recruits, Eratz and Ryder, for choosing to join us despite our struggles. Your presence here means more than you know. I have great expectations for you."
The two gave a slight nod,Victoria's eyes glistened with gratitude.
"With your licenses, you can now enter Level 1 arenas and challenge other Beast Masters. Each victory will not only earn you significant rewards but also help rebuild our reputation."
Eratz's eyes widened.
"We can start battling immediately?"
"Yes," Victoria confirmed. "It's an opportunity to gain experience and bring much-needed funds to the agency."
Ryder jumped with joy.
"Fantastic! Let's start right away, Eratz! To the arena!"
Eratz, however, took a moment to consider this, recalling the strong opponents he'd seen the day before. "I think I'll go tomorrow," he said thoughtfully. "I want to make sure I'm ready. There's still something I need to work on in the forest."
His mind conjured the image of the Terrakrus, the elusive beast that had haunted his thoughts since his last encounter in the cavern.
He was determined to track it, and catch it, but he preferred to keep this quest to himself.
Just then, Mercury approached him. "Mind if I join you?" she asked casually, though her eyes reflected genuine interest. "I'd like to see how you train."
Around them, the other recruits exchanged surprised glances. Mercury, the ice queen whom many admired from afar, rarely showed interest in anyone.
Adrian's expression turned sour.
"She wants to train with him?" he muttered under his breath, feeling a sting of jealousy and humiliation.
Eratz was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't planned on company, especially since he intended to hunt the Terrakrus right after. But after a brief hesitation, he nodded.
"Sure, I'd like that. Maybe bring Milo too?"
Mercury's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Great. We'll meet in the morning."
Before they could part ways, Adrian strode over with a forced grin.
"Hey, since we're all gearing up, how about I join you guys for training?" he suggested, trying to sound casual.
Mercury's gaze shifted to him, her eyes getting colder.
"No thanks," she said firmly. "We have specific plans."
He chuckled awkwardly.
"Come on, the more the merrier. I could show you some advanced techniques."
Eratz remained silent, sensing the tension.
Mercury crossed her arms. "I said no. We're fine on our own."
Adrian's smile faded, a hint of annoyance creeping in.
"Why not? Afraid I might outshine you?"
Eratz raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you have any friend?"
A few nearby recruits stifled laughs, and Adrian's face reddened.
"Fine," he muttered, backing off. "Suit yourselves, fools."
As he walked away, the other recruits exchanged amused glances, further irritating him.
Ryder gave Eratz a playful nudge.
"Looks like you're quite popular," he teased. "But are you sure about bringing Milo along?"
Eratz shrugged.
"Why not? He could use the experience."
"Ah, forget it," Ryder replied. "But I think I'll stick around here. I want to focus on mastering beastification. This place is perfect for that."
Victoria watched the exchange with renewed hope. Turning to Zara.
"This could be the fresh start we've been waiting for."
"Let's hope," Zara replied, her eyes following Eratz and Mercury. "They might just be the key to turning things around."
Leaving the agency, Eratz felt a many emotions, excitement, responsibility, and a deep desire to make a difference. The revelation about the agency's struggles only fueled his determination to perform better.
That evening at home, he shared the day's events with his family. Colin listened eagerly, her eyes wide with admiration.
"You're going back to the forest? Can I come this time too?" she asked, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Eratz smiled warmly at his younger cousin.
"Actually, I was hoping you'd ask. If you're still interested in beast taming, I'd like to teach you a few things. But I'm warning you, it'll be intense."
Colin's face lit up.
"Really? Oh thank you! Thanks Eratz, I won't let you down!"
He chuckled softly.
"I know you won't. Get some rest tonight; we'll head out early."
Cassie placed a gentle hand on Colin's shoulder.
"Be careful out there, both of you," she advised, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"We will," Eratz assured her. "It's time Colin got some real experience."
Roger nodded approvingly.
"It's good for her to learn from you. Just make sure to keep an eye out. With you around, she risks nothing."
"Always," Eratz promised.
Later that night, as the household settled, Eratz found Colin sitting on the porch steps, gazing up at the stars.
"Nervous?" he asked, taking a seat beside her.
"A little," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But mostly excited."
He smiled reassuringly.
"That's normal. The forest can be challenging, but I believe you're ready."
She looked up at him, determination shining in her eyes.
"I'll work hard. I want to be as strong as you someday."
Eratz placed a hand on her shoulder.
"And I want to see you stronger than me. I'll make you the strongest monster of our family."
Colin grinned.
"Thanks, Eratz. I'm glad you're finally taking me with you."
"Me too," he replied softly. "Imagine if we could both be pro? Aunt Cassie and Uncle Roger would be so relieved."
She laughed lightly.
"Maybe! We'll work together and buy a huge house, and we'll live together forever."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the night air cool and refreshing.
"Get some sleep," Eratz finally said, standing up. "Little monsters sleep early."
Colin nodded.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight," he replied, heading inside.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone