Sylvara's Rebirth A New Dawn for Abel novel Chapter 124

**Chapter 124: Running Like the Wind**

Veyric felt as though the very essence of the wind was propelling him forward. The fatigue that had once clung to him like a heavy cloak had vanished, and he found himself effortlessly keeping pace with Sylvara, who was leading the charge.

Behind them, Issac, Shannon, and Lara picked up their speed, urgency coursing through their veins as they joined the fray.

In a heartbeat, the vast expanse of the forest was alive with the frantic energy of 200,000 students, all racing deeper into the shadows of the trees.

Bodies collided, a chaotic dance of limbs and determination, as they surged forward, each individual focused solely on evading the unseen threats that lurked behind them.

Amidst this frenzy, Sylvara maintained a keen watch on Veyric while deftly snatching nameplates from unsuspecting peers, her movements fluid and purposeful.

With pursuers hot on their heels, the majority of the crowd was consumed with the singular goal of avoiding the dreaded blanks; the thought of their own nameplates was a distant concern, overshadowed by the primal instinct to survive.

Sylvara, however, seemed unfazed, casually collecting a handful of nameplates as they sprinted onward.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally slowed down, confirming that the instructors had ceased their pursuit.

Five military academies, 200,000 freshmen—all scattered like leaves in this dense, shadowy primeval forest.

Sylvara spotted a colossal tree, its trunk so wide it would take several people to encircle it. She abruptly halted, yanking Veyric to a stop behind her, and leaned against the sturdy bark, drawing in deep breaths as she steadied herself.

Issac, Shannon, and Lara came to a panting stop, hands resting on their knees, their faces flushed and glistening with sweat.

Lara and Shannon exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of disbelief and admiration as they observed the two “deadweights” leaning against the tree, seemingly unfazed by the exertion.

With a breathless tone, Lara finally broke the silence, her voice laced with incredulity. “Did you two take something? You ran this far, and yet you look completely fine?”

Veyric, brimming with energy, wiped the sweat from his brow and flashed a broad grin, his teeth gleaming like a challenge. “Back at the academy, I can run 30 laps in under 8 minutes without even breaking a sweat. This is child’s play for me.”

His confident smile felt like a taunt to Lara, who rolled her eyes, her competitive spirit flaring.

Shannon, intrigued, ventured to probe further. “That’s impressive! What does your daily training routine look like that allows you to run so effortlessly through this uneven terrain, littered with dead leaves and branches?”

“Just the usual training,” Veyric replied, his grin widening as if he wished to showcase an entire set of teeth rather than just eight. “At the military academy, running is our bread and butter. Before I even enrolled, I was clocking in 18 miles a day during strength training.

As he ran, his mind had been consumed with a singular thought: to run, to escape the instructors, to avoid elimination, and to dodge the blanks. The idea of grabbing nameplates hadn’t even crossed his mind.

Lara felt a pang of envy, her heart racing. Instinctively, she wanted those nameplates for herself, hoping to enhance her standing without the effort.

Shannon’s gaze darted from the stack in Veyric’s hands to Sylvara’s still-bulging pocket, realizing she must have even more hidden away. How quick were her hands?

Issac stood in awe, his admiration for his fierce companion growing. She was impressively strong, always pushing boundaries.

Lara extended her hand, a glint of greed in her eyes. “Give me those nameplates! That deadweight can’t use them anyway—might as well let me take them.”

Startled, Veyric instinctively pulled the stack closer, baring his teeth in a protective manner. “Sylvie worked hard to get these. Why should we just hand them over to you?”

Lara raised her chin defiantly, brushing dust from her face as she spoke coolly. “She’s just a sophomore. Mr. Kenobia already said she’s here just to fill space.

“No matter how many she steals, they won’t count towards the final scores. So, why not give them to me? When my score goes up, it boosts the whole team’s glory too.”

The tension in the air was palpable, a clash of wills as they stood at the crossroads of survival and ambition.