novelraw Chapter 106: Training(2)
Chapter 106: Training(2)
Years ago, a massive Bridge formed in the crowded city of Tincot, situated at the heart of the nation and counted among the most populated cities in the world.
Back then, technology was far less developed, and managing the two worlds was becoming increasingly difficult.
Keeping people away from the Bridge and handling the frequent Rifts around it was a daunting task, and the lack of manpower had always been a problem.
That was the first time the central government ordered an all-out war against the Sentinels of the Bridge and brought it down.
Not much time had passed, so the damage could still have been contained. However, the task was anything but simple.
The Sentinels that protected every Bridge were far stronger than Ghouls, and they could call forth reinforcements from the other side.
It was a war to remember.
A war that became a nightmare for many.
Twenty special-grade warriors entered the Bridge. Only four returned.
And among the four was Seraph Klaus, the patriarch of the Klaus family, a man who etched his name into history as the one of the strongest Nightwalkers that day.
His name was recognized across the world, and it carried a weight no one could ignore or take lightly.
Alongside being an exceptional hunter, Klaus was also a family man. His wife had stood by him since the days he was nothing more than a delinquent.
That was why, as a husband, he was deeply admirable.
Until he made a mistake and was seduced by his wife’s elder sister.
A year later, a daughter was born from that mistake.
A daughter named Layena.
....
"Are you okay, Layena?" Timothy asked, noticing her sudden silence.
Layena nodded slowly. "Yes, I am fine, sir." She lowered her eyes, then muttered, "I know you’re concerned about me. That’s why you suggested this break. But with all due respect, Vice-commander, I would like to stay here."
Timothy sighed. "Is it your pride speaking, Layena?"
The lavender-eyed girl shook her head. "No, sir. It’s my duty. I am the primary witness to the entire incident, and it is within protocol for the on-site officer to be involved in the investigation."
Timothy pressed his lips together. What she said was true. At some point, Amanda, Hannah, and the others had left the battlefield, leaving only Layena behind.
Not to mention, Layena was the only one who saw that anomaly up close.
Her involvement in this investigation was crucial.
But still, "You don’t have to face her. I know your situation with your family."
Layena smiled faintly. "I am very blessed to have such caring seniors, Vice-commander. And that’s why I don’t feel anxious about her approaching me."
Layena has lived through the worst phase of her life...a phase where she has discovered different ways of hurting herself so she doesn’t end up killing herself.
So, now, with so many people around her and all her connection with Klaus cut off, she was in a far better position to face her.
Timothy exhaled another sigh and slowly rose from the bed.
Approaching her, he rested his hand on Layena’s head and said, "If things becomes difficult consult the Commander or come to me. You are not alone in this, Layena."
Layena nodded, "Thank you, sir."
.....
CRACKLE
"Agh!" Kyle cried, nearly tossing Aquilla away as a shock ran up his arm. It didn’t last long, but even that brief moment was enough to jolt his entire arm.
He had reached his limit for the second time, and it had only been an hour.
He was failing miserably. Every time he tried to focus on more power and less haste, things fell apart.
Concentration required time, and the moment he took time, his Genesis flared and punished him with a shock.
Closing his eyes was out of the question. He had to keep watching the bar panel.
"You are overthinking now," Blake said from the side. He had been patiently observing until now, but finally decided to step in.
"What do you mean?" Kyle asked, lowering his arms, his chest rising and falling steadily.
"You are focusing on too many things. That’s what’s causing the failure." Blake stepped closer, holding out a bottle of water.
Kyle took it and twisted the cap open. As he tilted the bottle to drink, Blake continued,
"I understand you are in a rush to learn your powers, but Kyle, at this rate, you’ll only end up taking more time."
By the time Kyle lowered the bottle, it was empty.
He let out a long breath. "Explain."
Blake crossed his arms. "I need more observation to fully understand your abilities, but from what I’ve seen, you’re trying to improve efficiency to avoid the shock. At the same time, you want to draw out the maximum strength from your bow. Because of all those calculations and your eagerness to find a middle ground, you’re missing the mark every single time."
Blake laid out everything he had observed, and Kyle had to admit, the man was right.
Not being able to extend Eclipse’s range, nor fully utilize the other two arrows, was frustrating.
That was why he had been trying to push the power of the Genesis suppressor. Eclipse was one of his strongest tools against those who would soon be targeting him.
But with the current potential he had unlocked, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
And that was what had been causing his failure.
"Alright, do one thing. Set a smaller goal. Something simpler." Blake pointed toward the target. "Shoot at it again and again. Don’t think, don’t concentrate, and don’t worry about efficiency."
Kyle blinked in surprise. "What kind of arrow? Like—"
"Don’t think. Just shoot," Blake said, guiding him toward the target.
Kyle didn’t question him further. He took a deep breath.
Pulling the string, he infused it with Genesis and released an arrow straight at the target.
Formed from raw Genesis, it had no special effect. It struck the target and dissolved.
"Don’t let it dissolve. Continue."
Kyle didn’t stop.
He kept pulling the string again and again, never letting the Genesis build too much, nor wasting time on aim. His focus was already locked on the target. He didn’t need to aim.
Seven shots. Every one struck the bullseye.
Then he shifted direction and fired at another target. Deep marks began to form on the wooden surface, one after another, as if invisible arrows were carving narrow slits into its center.
The slit deepened, already aligned with the target.
Kyle didn’t linger. He shifted his aim again.
Board to board, target to target, his body moved before the thought could form.
The string snapped. Release. Snap. Release.
Each arrow carved a sharper mark than the last.
Faint splits turned into clean cuts.
Clean cuts deepened into gouges.
The wood began to splinter.
He didn’t stop.
Another turn.
Training dummies now.
Straw burst with each impact, small tears at first, barely noticeable.
Then the tears widened.
Threads snapped.
Stuffing spilled.
His rhythm didn’t break.
Draw. Release.
Draw. Release.
The Genesis no longer flickered. It was growing visible and denser.
Each arrow stayed for a fraction longer before fading.
The force grew.
A strike punched through the dummy’s chest, leaving a clean hole.
Next shot.
The hole widened.
Another.
The entire torso jerked back from the impact.
Kyle stepped, turned, fired again.
No deep breaths, just brutal arrows.
The air cracked with each release.
The next arrow didn’t just pierce.
It detonated.
The dummy burst apart, straw and wood scattering outward.
Kyle finally paused.
The explosion taking him off guard...and so did how harsh his breathing pattern had become.
He looked down at himself and realised his whole shirt was drenched in sweat.
His chest was heaving, arms trembling slightly.
He looked at the gauntlet.
Not a single bar.
He turned towards his brother.
Blake stood there with a satisfied smile.
Kyle’s shoulders relaxed.
He did good.
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. Comments are needed.