They continued walking along the forest path, flanked by tall, slender trees whose leaves whispered secrets in the cool, rhythmic air.

  ?We’ve been walking for ages, Aelira thought, watching Zaek’s broad back sway slightly with each step. Does Sensei even know where we’re going? He didn’t exactly inspire confidence, strolling along as if he were on a leisurely park walk rather than a purposeful journey through potentially dangerous territory.

  ?“Sensei, are you s—”

  ?“Shh. Quiet.”

  ?Zaek’s hand clamped over her mouth before she could finish. His sudden, sharp seriousness startled her. Her resistance died instantly as her eyes followed his gaze past his shoulder. She saw it then—a majestic, ancient-looking beast moving low through the undergrowth.

  ?It moved on all fours, its body hugging the earth like a living boulder. Heavy plates of natural armor covered its back—ginger-colored and marked with pale tan stripes that rippled like sunlight through autumn leaves. Its tail ended in a formidable club, studded with ball-shaped spikes. The creature paused, lifting its heavy head, mouth agape in a silent scenting of the air, before lumbering onward. Each heavy footfall echoed with a dull thud on the soft forest floor.

  ?“Sensei... what do we do?” Aelira whispered against his palm.

  ?Zaek slowly lowered his hand. “Nothing. They’re just passing through.” He brought a hand to his chin, observing the creature thoughtfully. “If I remember right, they call these Knollbacks. Probably heading for the river nearby.” His eyes flicked to the side. “And judging by the looks of things, they haven’t eaten yet.”

  ?Aelira followed his gaze and saw the freshly disturbed earth near the path—deep gouges and overturned roots where the beast had been foraging.

  ?“If we stay quiet, they'll be gone soon enough,” Zaek murmured.

  ?They crouched low behind a thicket, watching in silence as the massive creature ambled past—oblivious or indifferent to their presence—eventually disappearing into the dense green of the woods.

  ?“Still,” Aelira breathed out, relief mixing with awe, “isn’t it difficult to move with all that armor? It looks incredibly heavy.”

  ?“That armor’s the only thing keeping it off the menu,” Zaek replied dryly.

  ?“Predators? Can something really hunt that?”

  ?“I don't remember what hunts them specifically,” Zaek shrugged, “but mountain trolls could flip these things over like turtles. Even that giant I dealt with up north could probably crush one without breaking a sweat.”

  ?A shiver traced Aelira’s spine. “The world is… scary.”

  ?Zaek let out a sudden bark of laughter, the sound surprisingly loud in the quiet forest. He clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Puhahaha… The world’s scary, yeah. That’s the most honest thing you've said all day, kid.”

  ?Aelira just looked at him with her usual dull, unimpressed expression.

  ?“You didn’t slack off back there, did you?” Zaek asked, his grin remaining. “Keep the Coverage up?”

  ?“I kept doing it. Like you said.”

  ?“Good. Doesn’t matter what’s happening—a monster walking by, needing to pee, whatever—you never let it drop. Eventually, it’ll be like breathing. You won’t even have to think about it.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  ?“Sensei… are you using it right now? All-time Coverage?”

  ?“Obviously,” he scoffed lightly. “This is essential even for a high-level knight, let alone someone aiming to be a Hero.”

  ?“So… was Mr. Telgit using it?”

  ?“Telgit?” Zaek paused, recalling the knight. “Ah, that guy. He was using it, I guess. He wasn't using Max Coverage, though. He didn't have enough mana to maintain that kind of density for long.”

  ?Aelira absorbed this, then asked, “Can you use both? Max Coverage on top of All-time?”

  ?“That’s the step after this one,” Zaek said, pushing himself up. “Now, let’s get moving. The way is clear.”

  ?When they reached the next town—a small cluster of buildings nestled in a slightly warmer valley—Aelira was still on her feet, though her shoulders drooped with fatigue.

  ?Mmh. Learning fast, as usual, Zaek thought, hiding a chuckle of approval. He pointed toward a sturdy-looking inn with a painted sign of a frothing mug.

  ?The common room was warmer and more bustling than the previous stops, filled with the low murmur of conversation and the clatter of tankards—a sign they were moving away from the harsh northern territories.

  ?“A room for two. Separate beds,” Zaek said to the innkeeper. Aelira kept her hood pulled low, her face shadowed—mindful of the stares her hair had drawn before.

  ?“Five Dalma,” the innkeeper stated.

  ?“Here.” Zaek dropped the coins onto the counter, a faint grimace flickering across his face. Shit… I should’ve taken my money back from that bastard in Illagas after I knocked him out.

  ?Once in their modest room, Aelira immediately sat on the edge of the bed, her body practically begging to collapse. Zaek watched her for a moment before unfolding his map.

  ?She looks more energetic than after the first day, he mused. Getting better at the Coverage. Almost time for the next step. A devilish glint entered his eyes.

  ?His thoughts shifted. Still… those kidnapping rumors bother me. I can’t investigate properly with her in tow. Too dangerous dragging her into something like that yet. Maybe on the way back... if she’s stronger.

  ?They had left the town several hours ago, walking steadily along the path as it wound through another stretch of woodland. Aelira was scanning the trees, estimating the remaining daylight.

  ?“Sensei, how much farther? We’ve been—”

  ?Zaek stopped abruptly. In a fluid motion, his practice sword was out, the worn wood humming as it cut the air.

  ?“Sensei?!” Aelira stumbled back, startled.

  ?He leveled the blade toward her, his stance relaxed but ready. “Time to speed things up, kid. From now on, you fight me. Randomly. Often.”

  ?“Fight… you?” Aelira stared, her expression flat. The idea clearly held no appeal.

  ?“Yep. Don’t worry,” he added with a grin. “I won’t go all out. This is just pressure training—forcing you to keep All-time Coverage active while your mind is busy fighting.”

  ?“Ugh… I really don’t like—”

  ?“Here I come!”

  ?He blurred forward. Aelira barely had time to react, bringing her own practice sword up defensively.

  ?CLACK!

  ?The impact jarred her arm. She met his blade just barely, using the momentum to throw herself backward. She landed lightly, lifting her head with a flicker of pride at her quick reaction—only to see Zaek’s deeply disappointed expression.

  ?“You dropped it instantly,” he said flatly. “That’s not good. You should’ve been able to hold the All-time Coverage through the impact.”

  ?Aelira’s eyes widened. She instinctively checked herself, feeling for the familiar thrum of mana. He’s right… As soon as he moved, I abandoned the thin layer and defaulted to Max Coverage for defense without even thinking...

  ?“Again.”

  ?He raised his sword once more and came at her. Aelira dodged, weaving backward, focusing entirely on evasion. Zaek stopped, lowering his sword—his silence more damning than any words.

  ?“It’s your fault, Sensei!” Aelira burst out. “How am I supposed to counter you without using Max Coverage? My body just does it!”

  ?“Kid,” Zaek sighed, looking almost pained, “I’m going incredibly easy on you right now. If you can't hold a thin layer against a gentle breeze like this, you'll never survive a real storm.”

  ?Taking it easy, he says… Aelira glared. Her dull eyes could pierce steel.

  ?“Once more.”

  ?Each time he attacked, the same thing happened. Aelira would instinctively parry, relying on the familiar surge of Max Coverage, completely forgetting the delicate, constant hum of the technique she was supposed to be mastering.

  ?Zaek finally stopped, planting his sword tip in the dirt. “We’re doing this so you can master the habit. There’s no point if you 'switch' every time a fly lands on you.”

  ?Aelira leaned on her sword, panting heavily. “Huff… Huff… I'm... trying...”

  ?Zaek watched her for a moment, then sighed, the frustration easing. “Well… at least your stamina’s improving. Let’s take a break. Catch your breath, kid.”

  ?“O-Okay...”