“Like this?”

“Horrible. Place your toes on the ground first, then shift your weight to your feet.”

“That’s what I did.”

Lytha shook her head. “Do it again. You’re making too much sound.”

“I can’t help it,” Shaden complained, eyeing the ground. “The leaves are in the way.”

He flinched as his tutor threw an insect at him; the centipede landed flat on his face, and Shaden yelled, shaking his head as fast as he could to get the insect off. The creature landed on the ground with a soft thump and slithered away without a sound.

“You’re still scared of bugs,” Lytha sighed in disapproval.

“I am—I’m not! You just threw it at my face!”

“Your reflexes were horrible.”

“I—”

“If that had been a dagger, you’d be dead.”

Shaden bit his lower lip in frustration. That’s what she always told him. If this was this, you’d be dead. If this was that, and that was this, your neck would be gone. Though he had an idea of why his tutor was constantly warning him, hearing it every day got on his nerves. It wasn’t as if people were trying to kill him. Not yet, at least.

Yet he couldn’t complain. Or rather, he didn’t want to complain. He wanted to improve, but his lack of growth was upsetting. His tutor never seemed satisfied, and she always asked for more. He could tell that she was pushing him. He wanted to meet her expectations.

It was difficult. It was frequently like this. Difficult at the beginning. But it became easier with repetition, and he remembered the days when he had first tried to circulate. He just had to push through.

“Sorry,” he said in a low voice. After taking in a deep breath, he fluttered his legs and began to circulate again. “I’ll try harder.”

Under the wary eye of his tutor, Shaden lowered his body and took another step forward.

* * *

Shaden ducked just in time as an eight-legged creature whizzed by above his head.

“……Hah! I totally saw that coming—”

His mouth and eyes automatically closed shut as a slimy giant slug smacked onto his face. A few seconds passed as something unpleasant rose inside of him. He gripped his fists, and without daring to breathe, he yanked the gooey slug with his thumb and index finger off of himself and threw it away to the side.

“Oh. My. Goodness,” he mouthed in disgust.

“Always stay alert, even when the attack ends.”

“Did it really have to be a slug?”

Lytha shrugged. “It was the closest thing I could find.”

Shaden frowned and wiped his hand on the grass. After chanting some magic, he washed his face with some water and yanked away the cloth that Lytha dangled in front of him.

“Nasty. I guess it was a good thing that it wasn’t a dagger,” he said sarcastically. “Good thing I’m not dead.”

Lytha raised an eyebrow. “If it was one, you wouldn’t be joking.”

“Well it wasn’t, right?”

After letting out a large sigh, Shaden got up from his knees and tossed the cloth on a tree branch. He was tired. He had done nothing but crawl as silently as he could on the grass and leaves. Circulating helped a lot, and he had gotten the hang of it somewhat, but his spirit was—

He smacked his face and straightened his eyes. Excuses wouldn’t get him anywhere.

Whether he liked it or not, he had to push on.

* * *

“Oh no.”

Shaden gawked at the blood that was pouring down his arm, stunned momentarily by the deep cut that split apart his skin. The blood oozed out at a frightening pace, and time seemed to slow as Shaden’s consciousness dully began to grasp the situation.

He had been practicing with his dagger. His tutor had said they would begin using it soon. Since he had practiced with a wooden sword before, he had thought that it would be an easy task. There was the handle, and there was the blade, and he just had to swing it around. It was as simple as that.

Circulating enhanced his senses incredibly. He figured that he would try some cool tricks with his dagger.

“……what have I done.”

His senses going back into order, he looked around for something to cover the wound with. Frantically, hand shaking from either fear or the loss of blood, Shaden applied pressure to his arm with his other hand.

Oh shoot oh shoot oh shoot oh shoot—

“Shaden!”

“Help!” yelped Shaden at his tutor, who was running towards him with a package in her hand. She threw the package to the side and tore apart her sleeve in one fluid motion. Shaden put out his arm, and without saying a word, she wrapped the cloth around the wound tightly.

“I knew it was too early for you. We’re returning to walking—”

“Wait, wait.”

Realizing that he could use magic, Shaden closed his eyes and poured his mana into his wound, imagining the flesh mending together. Something itched beneath the makeshift bandage, and he knew it was working. It was the first time he was using the magic on himself, and he had been afraid that it wouldn’t work. But after the pain subsided and he removed the cloth, the wound was gone; there was no scar.

“See? I’m fine now.”

He swung his arm around a few times for his tutor to see, who was observing him with a cold gaze.

“I can even move my fingers. Nothing’s—”

“I know, I can see it.”

Shaden retrieved his dagger from the ground and stored it back into its sheath. “I’m completely ready,” he stated confidently. “Please.”

Lytha grabbed Shaden’s arm and inspected it. “You never told me you could heal yourself. It’s unbelievable. There’s no sign of the wound,” she observed.

“You never asked.”

“Father told me I’d be shocked, but this—”

She locked her eyes on Shaden’s and stared at them for a full few seconds. “Who are you, exactly? You can erase your presence, but you say that you didn’t grow up in Skotos. I know you’re Garthan’s son, but that thick-skulled idiot would never agree to send you back to Skotos.”

“I’m Shaden.”

“Yes, I know you’re Shaden.”

Lytha let go of Shaden’s arm and stared at him for a while longer. Just when Shaden was becoming nervous, she clapped her hands together and nodded.

“I understand now. You’re no ordinary six-year-old. No more crawling, no more idling around. You don’t cry, you don’t complain.”

A malicious smile crawled up her lips. “So, you know how to heal yourself. Perfect.”

And Shaden realized that the past three weeks had been nothing but a joke.

〄 〄 〄

Lytha silently watched Shaden’s chest heave up and down as he slept. His breaths made no sound, unlike Eilae’s which uttered tiny puffs of air every time her chest came down. After being told to move silently for so long, the boy was even silent during his sleep.

During those two years, she had raised Shaden, teaching him the basics of basics, everything a Limen child should know. After the trip, he’d learn far much more, but for now, the basics had been drilled into him. If someone had told her that a child of six who had lived outside of Skotos was to learn the elementary arts of the family in just two years, she would have chuckled. Sure, it would be possible, but the child’s mental state would be unstable. If the future of the house was left to someone with a shaky mind, the family would be no more.

That was why she was apprehensive. The things Shaden went through definitely were not suited for his age. His determination had prevented her from limiting her methods, and his lack of complaints made her raise the bar little by little. His body would have been covered with scars if it weren’t for his healing magic, which in itself was something extraordinary. It wasn’t impossible—she knew of some individuals capable of regenerating their fingers—but for a child, it was too much.

Perhaps he wasn’t a Limen, but it simply wasn’t possible. Her father would never allow it, and neither would she. She knew the importance of their blood. She had also asked her brother about Shaden, to which he replied, “I know you can handle him. He’s a smart boy.”

That idiot.

Then again, Shaden spoke like a normal child. She couldn’t see anything wrong with him. If she ignored the impossible amount of mana the boy held and his occasional chantless spells, he was somewhat normal.

Lytha straightened her hair with her fingers and leaned back on the chair. Her dark eyes stared at the ceiling, unmoving and pondering.

Two more years. And a companion—no, multiple companions who would further uncover Shaden’s personality. He…never seemed to seek entertainment until now. During their training period, he had never asked to rest.

Were all children like this? She didn’t think so. Shaden was a special case. He was too determined for a child.

She glanced over at Eilae. The girl was burdened, but she did not show it. She really wished the children would act their age. She wanted to see them vulnerable in a mental sense. Then she could comfort them like she comforted her little brother.

Maybe all children are like this, she thought to herself.

Sometimes she thought of starting a family when all of this was over.

〄 〄 〄

“I heard you came over.”

“I did.”

“Sorry I wasn’t home.”

“No! Not at all. Are you well now?”

“I’m fine. Really.”

Demund forced a smile onto his lips and looked down at his lap. The invisible tension within the car was pressing down on him. The weekend now over, he and Enariss were going to school together again, but there was a kind of difficult air between the two of them.

“Demund, I lied to you,” said Enariss after an awkward silence. “I wasn’t actually sick. I—”

“I know. Everyone needs some fresh air from time to time.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I’ve known you for a year now,” said Demund, stretching his arms. “I think I know when you need some time by yourself.”

“Psh. I doubt that,” snorted Enariss.

“Made you smile.”

“What?”

“I haven’t seen you smile at all these past few days.”

“Oh…”

Demund tapped his fingers against his leg and took in a deep breath. Silently, of course.

“It’s because of that cloaked person, right?”

“Who could you possibly mean.”

“Remember when we were returning home from school last week? There was a hooded person, and you stopped the car to chase after him.”

“………Did you tell my dad about……him?”

“No.”

“That’s good. Please don’t.”

“Gosh, Ena. You aren’t acting like yourself,” said Demund with a sigh.

“What do you mean?”

“You were almost always cheerful. Now you look like a fish. You had that air around you, like a celebrity. Now you feel like a normal high schooler with a bunch of things to worry about.”

“But I am a high schooler.”

“Yes, you are. But you aren’t being you. You know, the smartest person in school you.”

“Demund…just stop. Fine, I am worried about something. Are you happy now? What if I told you that hooded person was a supervillain who killed my mother? And now I’m furious at getting revenge at him, but then he told me this—”

Enariss’s quivering shoulders relaxed as she stopped herself. She shook her head.

“Forget about it. It’s nothing serious.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Just forget about it. I’m fine now. Don’t worry about anything.”

Demund sank into his seat glanced at Enariss. Her head was turned away from him.

“Alright.”

〄 〄 〄

“Remember, your test is this Friday.”

Demund quickly made a memo inside of his phone and packed his belongings as the school bell began to ring. He looked over at Enariss, but she had already left the room. She was a busy person. The captain of the MMA club was a busy person. Demund looked around with an uneasy gaze as the students began to leave the room one by one. He really didn’t know anyone in his class besides Enariss. No one bothered to talk to him, not even the people who seemed to be close to Enariss.

Perhaps it was a good thing. He was crippled, and the fact that he wasn’t the subject to some unwanted attention was relieving. It still unnerved him, walking around with a missing leg. He wore long pants to hide it, and his steps were very natural, so people likely didn’t notice it. Currently, he was just another normal student in the elite class.

He bit his cheek. It was a pity that he wasn’t in the same class as Riley and Rhyne. The only difference between their classes was that he took two more subjects than they did, who took physical courses instead. But compared to the normal classes, their education was the same. It was that the elite classes’ had a broader area of material to cover.

After placing his bag on his back, he looked around. No one paid attention to him here. Enariss had gotten busier.

Was it good or was it bad?

Putting aside his thoughts, he made his way towards the MMA Club.

〄 〄 〄

Riley and Rhyne were already there, working on their leg muscles with some additional weights. After seeing Demund enter the room, they waved towards him. Demund waved back and joined them after he changed into sportswear.

“How’s it going?” Rhyne asked. “I feel like I’m going to die from homework. Are tests next week for you too?”

“Uh-huh. There’s a lot of material to cover.”

“So I was thinking. Maybe we could begin our study group again.”

“Actually. I was thinking of the same thing.”

“Guess it’s settled then!” said Riley with a smile. “So, same day, same time? And the location?”

“We have a chat you know.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ll just upload it on the chat. Do you think Enariss will still be in?”

Rhyne looked at Demund for confirmation, who shrugged.

“She looked like she was going through some things,” he said. “But I think so? She…”

An image of her leaving the classroom without him flashed before him.

“She…seemed busy. I’m not sure.”

“Hmm. Well, no problem in asking.”

Rhyne uploaded the message onto the group chat and returned his phone to his bag.

“Anyways, Demund,” he continued. “The real thing we were planning on asking you. You know that October break is coming soon, right?”

“Not that soon.”

“Soon enough. So, me and Riley usually hang out together then. Go on a little camping trip or something. Want to come?”

“It’ll be great! Last year, we were still, you know. New to each other,” added Riley. “It’s really not a big thing. Just us, camping. Or sleeping over somewhere.”

“Really?” exclaimed Demund. “I’m in. I’m totally in.”

“Nice!” said Rhyne, clapping his hands. “And yeah, that’s it. We can go over the details later. We still have two months left.”

“I’m already excited.”

How long had it been since he had gone on a trip? A few with Jothan. Probably once every two years. Maybe three. And none…no, once with his parents.

“Alright Demund,” began Riley, “So Rhyne and I learned some exercising techniques during our classes. Apparently, some motions help move around your SAP better. Here, let me……”

〄 〄 〄

“I’ll do it,” said Enariss.

“Really?”

She nodded. “Besides, you won’t have a ride if I’m not going.”

“I didn’t think of that.”

Demund twiddled his thumbs in relief. She had just seemed so busy to do anything else. Despite the fact that it was only the third week of school, Enariss always seemed to have something planned. As expected of the number one student in the school. It would be a lie to say that he didn’t feel out of place sitting with her side by side.

Was he…burdening her?

“So are we starting tomorrow?”

“I think so,” replied Demund while taking out his phone. “The test coming up this Friday. I think that’s why they wanted to restart the study group.”

“Mhmm. And you? How’s the elite class?”

“I can handle it. I put my trust in studying ahead of time and after.”

“You’re totally a bookworm.”

“I’d say I’m not the only one. How about you? You don’t study?”

Enariss shrugged. “A little. But listening in class is enough. It’s all in the lectures.”

“That’s totally unfair,” lamented Demund while shaking his head.

“Says the one who scored perfectly last year.”

“Hey, I was lucky. I worked really hard for those scores.” He frowned as he realized something. “Wait a sec. Didn’t you score perfectly too?”

“Who knows?”

“Wow.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.”

“……gotcha.”

Demund grunted as Enariss punched him on the shoulder. “Things just come naturally to me,” she said with a huff. “I’m just good at this.”

“You’re good at everything.”

“Like I said; I’m just who I am. And I’m not good at everything. There are plenty of things I’m bad at.”

“Like?”

“Cooking.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep!”

Demund rolled his eyes and buried his face into his bag. Yep. He felt out of place. If only he had Shaden’s—

No. Stop.

He had to be content.

So, he let out a weak laugh and punched Enariss back on her shoulder lightly. She chuckled and went back to using her phone.

Once again, her expression turned dark as she scrolled through her device. Her smile faded away as her visage hardened.

Would he ever get the chance to ask her about the hooded figure? Would she ever tell him? Share her worries with him? He wanted her to rely on him a bit more. Out of nowhere, a negative thought floated into his mind. Maybe she wasn’t relying on him because he couldn’t be relied on. She was always the one who helped, and the opposite wasn’t true…

Who would rely on a cripple.

Demund shook his head to get the thoughts out.

Stop.

〄 〄 〄

A brand new day, and Shaden was ready to begin the next step of his journey. He yawned and stretched his arms out. His back was burdened with a large bag filled with new supplies, but he barely felt its weight. Keeping the body in shape was very important.

They were walking towards the restaurant they had designated as their meeting place. Eilae didn’t seem very happy about the additional company.

“I’m not so sure about…these beastmen,” she mumbled to Shaden as they continued to walk. “They tried to rob us, and now you’ve decided to take them with us.”

“Yep.”

“I don’t understand. For what reason?”

Shaden let out a deep breath and watched the mist vanish into the air.

“Sympathy.”

“Sym…pathy?”

“They lost their mother and were stranded here. We’re simply going to take them up north to their village. It’s no big deal.”

“But the money—the cost for two additional…”

She trailed off and shut her mouth.

“I suppose I’m just another addition to your journey as well,” she whispered. “I’m in no position to talk about the costs.”

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

Eilae looked up at Shaden with a small smile, her expression completely neutral.

“Nothing in particular. I’m looking forward to these……new companions.”

Looking at the children’s interaction, Lytha sighed. The majority of her agreed with Eilae. Shaden was being unwise by taking along two strangers with them, even if he said that he had found out about their backgrounds. The cost of travel would definitely not be small (though it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle), and many would consider it to be a waste. There was simply no merit in this, except for educational purposes.

Shaden had to learn for himself. He had learned how to dodge a dagger by first being stabbed by one.

The beastmen were waiting outside of the store. Though their faces were still too lean, they looked refreshed, and their clothes actually appeared to be warm. They were sitting on the benches outside of the shop, not yet open, and the older one looked up after his nose twitched.

“Thank you. And sorry. For everything,” said Ronar the moment they were close. “We didn’t do anything illegal; I promise. We just want to go home.” His brother, Prem, got up and bowed awkwardly.

Lytha gave them a small nod and walked away. Shaden motioned to the two, and they began to follow them through the fresh morning air. Eilae quickened her footsteps slightly to stay at Lytha’s heels, and Shaden sped down to approach the beastmen.

“So! How have you been?” he said cheerfully.

“We ate well, thanks to you,” said Ronar. “And we bought new clothes. Was that okay?”

“Of course!”

“I’ve been meaning to ask, but, how old are you?”

“Me? I’m eight.”

“Eight!”

Ronar shook his head in disbelief. “You’re younger than Prem.”

“I don’t look that old, do I?”

“No, no, it’s just that,”

He sniffed around Shaden a few times.

“You don’t smell like a kid.”

“You can smell that?”

“A little.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

Shaden motioned towards Eilae with his head. “She’s probably shy. She may be a little rude.”

“Oh, no, please, don’t mind us. We have nothing to say. Can I carry the bag for you?”

“No need. It’s pretty heavy. You can be casual with me, you know.”

The beastman’s eyes widened slightly, then returned to their original size.

“No. It’s better for us this way.”

“Why?”

“We never know when you might toss us away, so we need to act our best,” blurted Prem to Shaden. It was a whisper, but Shaden clearly heard it. Ronar's mouth opened in horror and he gave his brother a solid smack on the head.

“Yes, but you aren’t supposed to say that!”

“I—I’m—”

Prem’s eyes started to well up with liquid, so Shaden frantically waved his arms in front of the boy.

“It’s fine, it’s fine! I don’t care about that. You’re going home, okay? I’ll make sure of it.”

“……really? Promise?”

“I promise,” said Shaden. “So don’t cry.”

The young beastmen sniffed a few times then calmed down.

“Thanks. And sorry,” apologized Ronar.

Shaden crossed his arms and looked over the two. What did they go through that made them so stiff, so nervous?

“You guys need to be more relaxed,” he concluded. “It’s going to be a long trip.”