"Go."
That was all he said.
Mel turned instantly.
No delay.
No second thoughts.
She ran back toward the course.
This time..
Arthur watched closely.
Not casually like before.
Carefully.
Every step.
Every movement.
Mel moved through the first obstacle.
Slower than before.
Still heavy. Still adjusting.
But..
Cleaner.
Her steps weren't as shaky now. She landed better and pushed off stronger.
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You improved a bit."
Not fully.
Not enough to say she had mastered it.
But it was there.
A difference.
Lyra noticed it too.
"…Hmph."
But she didn't speak.
Not yet.
Mel kept going.
Jump.
Turn.
Land.
Her breathing started to pick up again.
Arthur felt it through the bond.
The strain was still there.
It hadn't disappeared.
If anything, it was building again.
"…You're pushing too hard."
But he didn't call her back.
Not yet.
He had agreed to trust her.
Mel slipped slightly on a turn.
Caught herself. Kept going.
