Lyra did not stop at a single encounter.
Kael realized that quickly.
"I feel like that should have counted as a full lesson," he said as they moved deeper into the forest.
"You did not die," she replied.
"That still feels like a very low standard."
The next creatures came faster, and they did not hesitate the way the first one had. They moved in pairs, forcing Kael to react quickly and adjust without overthinking.
At first, he struggled.
His timing was inconsistent, and his movements lacked precision. He could feel the moment before impact, but acting on it correctly required more control than he had.
"Do not block," Lyra said as another creature lunged toward him.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" he asked, stepping back just enough to avoid the strike.
"Feel it."
Kael exhaled and forced himself to focus.
Instead of reacting to the creature itself, he concentrated on the subtle shift in space just before the attack reached him.
When it came, he moved.
The attack missed.
Not because he was faster—
But because he had changed it just enough.
The creature stumbled past him, its momentum redirected instead of stopped.
Kael allowed himself a small smile.
"…Okay," he said quietly. "That's progress."
By the third encounter, something began to settle into place.
It was not mastery, and it was far from consistent, but it was enough to recognize a pattern. The ability was not about strength or speed—it was about timing and awareness.
Each movement became slightly cleaner.
Slightly more controlled.
When they finally stopped, Kael bent slightly, catching his breath. Sweat clung to his skin, and his arms felt heavier than before.
"I think I'm starting to understand it," he said.
"Not yet," Lyra replied.
"That sounds about right."
She raised her hand again, and the familiar symbols formed in the air.
[Evaluation in Progress]
Kael straightened, watching as the glowing patterns shifted and aligned.
"…I'm being graded right now, aren't I?"
The symbols locked into place.
[Human Unit: Kael]
Rank: F
Skill Identified: Kinetic Redirection
Stability: Low
Kael stared at the result.
"…F?"
Lyra nodded. "Expected."
"I just fought multiple things trying to kill me."
"You survived," she said calmly.
"That still feels like a very low bar."
Kael ran a hand through his hair and glanced back toward the forest.
"So, I got summoned into another world," he said slowly, "and I'm still the weakest one here."
Lyra met his gaze without hesitation.
"Then get stronger."
Kael looked down at his hands again.
They felt the same.
But they didn't behave the same.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"I will."