Chapitre 30: We're Going Hunting
After finishing their meals, Laura led the group back into their training routines. The rooftop came alive with the sounds of focus and effort as each member worked tirelessly on honing their abilities.
Laura's sharp eyes moved from one to the next, analyzing their movements with a critical gaze. She was looking for mistakes, inefficiencies, anything that could hinder them in a real battle.
Eric was improving steadily, his fire mana manipulation now smoother and more controlled. His fireballs had become larger, brighter, and he was learning to compress them into smaller, more explosive forms.
Essei was adjusting her stance with the bow, her aim becoming more precise as she practiced with the new arrows. However, Miara, as always, drew most of Laura's attention.
Laura crouched beside Miara, who was once again practicing with life mana, her hands glowing faintly. "You're holding back," Laura said bluntly. "Healing requires balance, but you can't be afraid to let it flow freely when necessary. Right now, you're being too cautious."
Miara's brow furrowed, her frustration evident. "I'm trying, but it's hard to feel how much is too much."
Laura nodded, understanding. "It takes time. Try this: close your eyes. Imagine the mana isn't yours to control. It's like water—it flows where it's needed. Guide it gently, don't push it."
Miara sighed but did as instructed, closing her eyes and letting the glowing energy around her hands shift. This time, it softened, spreading more evenly. Laura smiled faintly and stood. "Better. Keep practicing that."
As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Laura called an end to the session. She let the others wind down, returning to their makeshift seats to drink water and catch their breath.
Laura, however, remained at the edge of the rooftop, her legs dangling as she gazed out at the crumbling skyline.
Eric approached her, his footsteps light. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice calm.
Laura didn't turn but gestured for him to sit. Eric settled beside her, their legs swinging over the edge. He hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, "You okay?"
Laura blinked, pulling herself from her thoughts. She turned to him, offering a small nod. "Yeah. Just thinking."
Eric tilted his head, watching her closely. "About the base you found?"
She shook her head. "Not just that. About everything. The apocalypse, us, where we're heading."
A comfortable silence followed, broken only by the faint sound of wind rustling through the ruins below. Then Eric spoke again, his tone lighter. "I was thinking about when we first met."
Laura raised an eyebrow, curious. "What about it?"
Eric grinned, glancing at her. "Back then, I was just some terrified kid running for his life. You came out of nowhere and saved me."
Laura chuckled softly, a rare warmth in her voice. "You looked like a scared little rabbit."
"I was!" Eric admitted, laughing. "I thought I was done for. But you… you didn't even hesitate. You just stepped in like it was nothing."
"You're exaggerating," Laura said, though her smile hinted at her amusement. "You weren't that helpless."
Eric laughed again, then grew more serious. "But look at us now. You saved me back then, and now we're a team. Feels… surreal, you know?"
Laura nodded, her gaze turning distant again. "It does. But the apocalypse changes things fast. If you don't adapt, you die. Simple as that."
Eric's grin faded, and he looked out at the horizon. "So… what's next?" he asked after a moment. "I mean, are we just going to keep training?"
Laura shook her head, her voice steady as she replied. "We're not just training for the sake of it. We're preparing."
"Preparing for what?" Eric asked, his tone cautious and his brows furrowed.
Laura's expression hardened slightly. "The next wave."
Eric stiffened. "Next wave? When?"
"Two weeks," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Maybe less. And when it comes, the creatures we'll face will make everything we've fought so far look like practice. If I had to compare them, they'd be as strong as the variants we faced in the thinning stage of the apocalypse."
Eric's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. The variants were creatures he still had nightmares about. Faster, stronger, and far deadlier than the ordinary beasts they'd been fighting. "How do we fight something like that?"
"We don't fight like we are now," Laura said, her voice carrying a note of resolve. "That's why we're pushing so hard. That's why we're training every day. When the wave hits, we'll need to be ready."
Eric exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping slightly. But as the weight of her words settled on him, he straightened again. A flicker of determination crossed his face, replacing the worry. "We'll be ready," he said, more to himself than to her.
Laura glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "That's the spirit," she said, patting his shoulder. "You've got potential, Eric. I've known that from the start. That's why I chose you first."
Eric blinked, surprised by her words. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Laura said simply, standing and extending a hand to him. "Come on. We've got something different planned for tonight."
Eric took her hand, allowing her to pull him to his feet. "Different? What do you mean?"
"You'll see," Laura said, her grin taking on a mischievous edge. She turned to the others, raising her voice. "Miara! Essei! Get up. We're not done yet."
The two women, both tired but curious, exchanged glances before joining Laura and Eric. Laura waited until they were all gathered, then crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over them.
"Tonight," she announced, her voice filled with energy, "we're going hunting."
Essei raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hunting?"
Laura nodded, her grin widening. "We've been practicing long enough. It's time to put what we've learned to use. We're going to track down a group of creatures and take them out. Together."
Miara hesitated, her brow furrowing. "Are we… ready for that?"
"We'll find out," Laura said, her tone steady. "This is about testing ourselves—our teamwork, our abilities, everything. We need to know where we stand before the next wave hits. Don't worry. I'll be with you the whole time."
Eric clenched his fists, excitement flickering in his eyes. "Let's do it."
Essei smirked, adjusting her bow. "About time. I've been itching for some action."
Laura nodded, pleased with their responses. She turned toward the edge of the rooftop, her sharp eyes scanning the streets below. "Gear up. We leave in ten."
As the group prepared for their first real hunt, Laura felt a spark of pride. They weren't perfect, but they were improving.
Tonight would be their first step into the chaos of the apocalypse as a united force. And she was determined to make sure they came out stronger on the other side.
— Un nouveau chapitre arrive bientôt — Écrire un avis
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone