For the first time since returning—
Kael felt weak.
Not the kind of weakness from injury.
Not exhaustion.
This was different.
Fundamental.
Like something essential had been stripped away.
He sat against a broken tree, breathing slowly.
Trying to stabilize himself.
"…This feels worse than before…"
Before the system.
Before the power.
Before everything.
Now—
He knew what strength felt like.
And losing it?
It felt unbearable.
"…You're adjusting," she said calmly.
Kael glanced at her.
She stood nearby, watching him.
Uninjured.
Unshaken.
"…Doesn't feel like it."
"…It never does."
Silence followed.
Kael looked down at his hand.
Then clenched it.
"…I can barely feel my core."
That was the biggest problem.
It wasn't gone.
But it was suppressed.
Distant.
Unresponsive.
"…If something attacks now…"
"…You'll die," she said bluntly.
Kael let out a breath.
"…Yeah. Thought so."
No hesitation.
No comfort.
Just truth.
"…So what now?" he asked.
"…Now you learn."
Kael raised a brow.
"…Learn what?"
She stepped closer.
"…How to survive without it."
He stared at her.
"…You're serious."
"…Very."
Kael laughed quietly.
"…You want me to fight in this state?"
"…No."
She stopped in front of him.
"…I want you to live."
That answer—
Caught him off guard.
"…That's new."
"…Is it?"
Kael didn't respond.
Because it was.
Up until now—
Everything had been about growth.
Power.
Pushing limits.
But this?
This was different.
"…Fine," he muttered.
"…Then teach me."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…Good."
She stepped back.
"…First rule."
Her gaze sharpened.
"…Stop relying on what you don't have."
Kael frowned.
"…Easy for you to say."
"…Is it?"
She picked up a small stone.
Then—
Flicked it toward him.
Kael reacted instinctively—
But too slow.
The stone hit his shoulder.
"…Tch."
"…That would've killed you," she said calmly.
"…It was a rock."
"…And you're weak."
Kael went quiet.
"…Again."
She picked up another stone.
This time—
Kael focused.
Watched her movement.
Her posture.
The moment her fingers moved—
He shifted.
The stone missed.
"…Better."
Kael exhaled.
"…So I just need to be faster."
"…No."
She shook her head.
"…You need to be aware."
A pause.
"…Speed comes after."
The training continued.
Not with monsters.
Not with power.
But with simplicity.
Movement.
Timing.
Awareness.
She attacked without warning.
From different angles.
At different speeds.
Kael adapted.
Slowly.
At first—
He failed.
A lot.
Every mistake—
Punished.
Every delay—
Exposed.
But—
He improved.
Not dramatically.
Not instantly.
But steadily.
"…Again," she said.
Kael nodded.
He was breathing heavier now.
His body sore.
But his eyes—
Focused.
Sharp.
She moved.
Fast.
But this time—
Kael saw it.
Not the movement itself—
But the intention.
He stepped aside—
Just enough.
Her attack missed.
"…Good."
Kael didn't smile.
"…Again."
Something had changed.
Not his body.
His mindset.
He wasn't reacting anymore.
He was anticipating.
Hours passed.
Or maybe longer.
Time blurred.
Until finally—
She stopped.
"…That's enough."
Kael stood still.
Breathing steadily.
"…I'm getting it."
"…You are."
She studied him for a moment.
"…Faster than I expected."
Kael shrugged slightly.
"…I've had a lot of practice dying."
That earned a small reaction.
Not laughter.
But something close.
"…That helps."
Kael looked down at his hand again.
Still no response from the system.
"…How long until it comes back?"
"…Depends."
"…On?"
"…How much damage you did to it."
Kael exhaled.
"…So I might be like this for a while."
"…Yes."
Silence.
Then—
A faint shift in the air.
Kael's eyes snapped up.
"…Something's here."
She didn't look surprised.
"…Good."
"…Good?"
"…Now you test it."
Kael frowned.
"…You're not helping?"
"…No."
"…Of course not."
From the trees—
A figure emerged.
Not massive.
Not overwhelming.
But dangerous.
A lean creature.
Covered in dark fur.
Its eyes glowed faintly.
A predator.
Kael steadied his stance.
No system.
No boost.
No safety net.
Just him.
"…Alright…"
The creature lunged.
Fast.
Kael moved.
Not faster—
But smarter.
He sidestepped—
Just enough.
The creature missed.
He countered—
Striking its side.
Not powerful.
But precise.
The creature recoiled.
Then attacked again.
This time—
Faster.
Kael adjusted.
Reading its movement.
Anticipating.
Dodging—
Just before impact.
"…I see it…"
He wasn't guessing anymore.
He was understanding.
The creature lunged again—
But this time—
Kael was ready.
He stepped in.
Not away.
And struck.
A clean hit.
The creature collapsed.
Silence.
Kael stood still.
Breathing steady.
"…That felt…"
Different.
No overwhelming power.
No system assistance.
Just skill.
"…You didn't rely on it."
He glanced at her.
"…Didn't need to."
A pause.
"…That's the point."
Kael looked at his hand again.
"…So when it comes back…"
"…You'll be stronger."
Not because of it.
But despite it.
Kael nodded slowly.
"…Yeah…"
For the first time—
He understood.
Power wasn't just something given.
It was something built.
And this—
Was the foundation.
But even so—
His eyes hardened slightly.
"…Next time…"
He looked deeper into the forest.
"…I won't run."
Because that thing—
Still existed.
And when they met again—
He would be ready.
No matter what it took.
[To Be Continued…]