The forest seemed normal, but the air did not.
With each step, Lys felt the Vital Energy vibrate deeper into her body.
She walked with the spear in her back, next to Kael, who walked quietly as if walking in a park full of monsters.

— Are you feeling this? — asked her.

— The weight of existence?
(pause)
— Or just the hassle of knowing that maybe there is some invisible entity looking at us with an ugly face?

— .Maybe both of them.

Later, they stopped at an isolated clearing.
Kael leaned against a tree as Lys struck a pile of rocks with his makeshift spear.

Each blow cracked a little more. Every movement was cleaner, more concentrated.
The grimoire recorded everything.

Technique Progress “Stocked Interior”: 24%

Kael watched in silence, his arms folded.

— No longer looks like an angry child hitting a tree.

— And is that praise?

— is what you have for today.

As the sun began to recede, Lys fell down sitting, sweating and gasping.
Kael threw the canteen at her.

— Water. So you don't die before it gets interesting.

She laughed softly and took a sip. He remained silent for a while, until he asked:

— Master... can I tell you something?

Kael did not even turn around. He only replied:

— Let me try to guess.
His father was strong. He tried to fight something too powerful. Was killed. His whole family is gone.
You survived, grew up angry, and now you want to get strong enough to take revenge and change everything.

Lys was silent.

— Got it right?

She looked at him with a surprised expression, then nodded.

— That's right.
— But.. It was not just to get revenge. I want to enter the competition of species.
— Show mortals still have value. That no one will step on me without consequence.

Kael was silent for a few seconds.
Then he gave a small smile.

— There.
— A story without a twist. Objectives. Clare.
— I like that.

Later, while preparing a simple camp, the grimoire blinked hard.

Detected External Interference.
Origin: Upper Plane Unknown.
Content:
“Beware where you step, deadly. Not every stone is ground.”
— Signed: Benevolent Observer

Kael read it aloud.

— "Benevolent Observer"?
(pause)
— Worried is my left egg.

The ghost appeared floating.

— You just received a cosmic threat and responded with offensive anatomy.

— If someone is spying on me, at least bring snacks.

Kael turned to Lys, pointing to the dark road ahead.

— Bora continue.

— But now?

— You want to enter this tournament, right?
Then you'll need more than catchphrases and cute strokes.
You're going to need to be the kind of person who makes immortal entities think twice.

Lys clenched the handle of the spear.

— I will be.

Kael smiled on his side.

— That's it. Now you're speaking my language.