Location: Forest Ridge, east of Rosemary Village
Time: June, X772
Age: Kaito – 7 years old
---
The forest ridge rose gently from the outskirts of Rosemary Village, more slope than mountain, its terrain uneven with exposed roots, moss-covered stone, and patches of tall grass that whispered when the wind passed through.
Perfect ground.
Not for fighting.
For learning.
Kaito moved ahead of Erza, light on his feet, steps placed carefully without conscious thought. He wasn't running. Wasn't sneaking either. Just… moving correctly.
Erza watched from a few paces behind.
He doesn't waste motion anymore.
That realization settled heavier than she expected.
Two years ago, he'd copied techniques. Now, he understood them.
"Stop there," she said.
Kaito halted instantly, turning without surprise.
Erza stepped beside him and pointed to the ground—disturbed leaves, faint claw marks etched into the soil, almost erased by time.
"Tell me what passed through."
Kaito crouched, fingers hovering but not touching.
"Medium-sized," he said after a moment. "Quadruped. Weight distributed unevenly… injured back leg. Passed through yesterday evening."
Erza blinked once.
"Anything else?"
He tilted his head, focusing. "It avoided open ground. Smart. Or cautious."
A pause.
"…Not hostile unless cornered."
Erza smiled faintly. "Good."
She straightened. "We'll track it. Not to fight. To observe."
Kaito nodded, excitement contained but present.
---
Midday – Deeper Along the Ridge
They followed the trail at a measured pace.
No rushing. No shortcuts.
Kaito adjusted his breathing instinctively as the terrain steepened, mana reinforcing muscles just enough to prevent fatigue. Not enhancement—efficiency.
The creature revealed itself near a rocky clearing.
A ridge boar.
Scarred. Old. One tusk cracked near the base.
It snorted softly as it rooted through the soil, unaware of them.
Kaito watched silently.
Strong… but past its peak.
Erza crouched beside him. "What do you see?"
"Experience," he whispered. "It survived a lot."
She glanced at him, surprised by the answer.
"And what do we do?"
Kaito considered it carefully.
"…Nothing."
Erza nodded once. "Correct."
They observed for several minutes before retreating without sound.
No fight.
No materials taken.
The lesson wasn't about victory.
---
Afternoon – Controlled Training
Further along the ridge, Erza finally stopped.
"Now," she said, drawing her sword, "we train."
Kaito's eyes sharpened.
She didn't attack.
Instead, she stepped into range and stopped.
"Defend," she said simply.
No countdown.
No warning.
Her blade moved.
Kaito reacted instantly—sidestep, pivot, arm raised to redirect the flat of the blade away from his body. He didn't block with strength. He redirected with timing.
Metal rang softly.
Again.
And again.
Each exchange lasted only a heartbeat.
Erza increased speed gradually, testing reaction, not power.
Kaito adapted.
Sweat formed, but his breathing stayed steady.
After the final exchange, Erza stepped back and lowered her sword.
"Enough."
Kaito exhaled slowly, hands trembling just a little—not from fear, but effort.
"You're improving faster than you think," she said.
He smiled sheepishly. "You're not going easy."
"No." A pause. "I'm being honest."
That mattered more.
---
Evening – Returning to Rosemary
The village lights came into view as the sky darkened.
Kaito carried a few small stones he'd selected during the walk—not random. Balanced. Dense. Useful later.
Erza noticed but didn't comment.
At the village edge, Kaito looked back at the ridge.
"Tomorrow?" he asked.
She followed his gaze. "Tomorrow."
June nights settled gently over Rosemary Village.
Not dramatic.
Not dangerous.
Just another step forward.
---
End of Chapter 18
---