Team fighting [2]

The impact was brutal, almost deafening. The Grizzly-Croc's claws clashed against Aiden's fists, the creature's brute force colliding with the young dhampir's supernatural power. Aiden felt his muscles scream in protest, but he held fast, refusing to yield an inch of ground.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Ethan raise his hands, using his gravity power to weigh down the monster's movements, hindering it as best he could. It was difficult for him to do much more, given the weight of this monster, as well as its robustness. Kai followed up with a volley of targeted lightning bolts, aiming at the creature's weak points: eyes, muzzle, joints.

But despite their combined assaults, the Grizzly-Croc did not weaken. Its rage seemed fueled by pain, feeding its destructive frenzy.

"We need to change tactics!" shouted Mina, summoning a new spectral animal, a massive ghostly wolf. "We won't be able to defeat it with brute force!"

Aiden nodded, parrying the monster's redoubled attacks as best he could. His mind was working at full speed, looking for a weakness, a strategy. 

"Mina, Ethan!" he called. "Immobilize it as much as possible! Kai, focus your lightning on a single point, where I'll strike!"

His friends nodded, a glimmer of understanding in their eyes. It was risky, but they had to go all out.

Mina directed her spectral wolf to harass the Grizzly-Croc's hind legs, forcing it to divide its attention. At the same time, Ethan intensified his gravitational grip, specifically targeting the beast's forelimbs.

The monster growled in frustration, its movements becoming heavier, slower. That was the moment Aiden was waiting for.

With a defiant shout, he charged, focusing all his strength into his fist. He aimed for the Grizzly-Croc's chest, where he hoped to find its heart.

At the precise moment his blow was about to land, Kai unleashed a veritable storm of lightning, directing all his power at the same point, emptying all his energy into the attack.

The shock was deafening, blinding. A blood-curdling roar tore through the air, mingled with the acrid smell of burnt flesh.

Aiden felt his knuckles smash against the monster's rib cage, in an explosion of pain and triumph. He had the impression of hitting a granite wall, a superhuman resistance... Before feeling something give way under his assault.

The Grizzly-Croc collapsed with a pitiful moan, shaken by spasms, almost parodic in view of its massive stature. Its motionless body on the ground, a gaping, smoking hole in the middle of its chest.

For a long moment, the four friends remained frozen, panting, struggling to believe it was over. Then, slowly, an incredulous smile appeared on their faces, before turning into cries of victory.

"We did it!" exclaimed Ethan, his voice vibrating with adrenaline. "We defeated it!"

Aiden nodded, still stunned by the intensity of the fight. His knuckles ached atrociously, already purplish and swollen. He too had put all his power into that blow, and against the monster's tough skin, his fist was in bad shape. But it was an almost pleasant pain, like a tangible reminder of their triumph.

"Congratulations, young people!"

Their teacher's voice pulled them out of their state of grace. He stood at the entrance to the arena, an approving smile on his lips.

"You have demonstrated remarkable teamwork and great ingenuity," he praised. "It was a fine demonstration of what a united and determined group can accomplish. Although there are many things to improve, this will give you a first benchmark for future battles. You will thus be able to observe your evolution."

Mina flushed with pleasure, Kai puffed out his chest, and even Ethan seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

As for Aiden, he felt a gentle warmth spread through his chest. The euphoria of victory, certainly, but also a deeper, more precious feeling: that of belonging to something, of having companions to rely on. Even if it was only the beginning, it was the first time for him, fighting while trusting other people, coordinating to defeat a powerful enemy, he was starting to enjoy this feeling.

It was a feeling both new and infinitely comforting. He who had always been a loner, an outsider, was discovering the joys of friendship and mutual trust. And it was exhilarating, almost as much as the taste of blood on his tongue.

Suddenly, a notification popped up before his eyes, almost startling him.

"Quest completed: Arena Triumph.

Reward: 500 experience points, +1 characteristic point of your choice.

Bonus: For defeating the Grizzly-Croc in less than 10 minutes: +100 additional experience points, +1 point in Intelligence."

Aiden's eyes widened, incredulous and delighted. Not only had they succeeded, but the system also recognized the quality of their performance! It was a double victory, and a serious dose of motivation.

Mina threw herself around Aiden's neck, drunk with joy and adrenaline. 

"We make a hell of a team, don't we?" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

Aiden, caught off guard, awkwardly returned her embrace. The contact was both soft and electrifying, awakening emotions in him that he thought had long been extinguished.

"That's right," he agreed, savoring despite himself the warmth of this body pressed against his, those curves brushing his skin.

But as Mina pulled away, a final mischievous glance over her shoulder, Aiden caught Ethan's gaze, who gave him a knowing wink.

With this fight, Aiden realized that he was missing many things. First, he needed a weapon. Then, although his characteristics were superior, he was ultimately at the same level as many students with powers. He needed to find how to level up, how to further increase his characteristics.

Aiden headed for the arena exit, his mind already focused on the next steps. He needed to find a way to progress quickly, to fully exploit his potential as a dhampir, and for this he had a few ideas.