Silence.
Brief.
Then—
They attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
"…JARED—"
"…stay back."
"…I AM BACK."
"…further."
"…I SWEAR—"
Jared moved.
Cleaner now.
Sharper.
Each motion—
Efficient.
Learning in real time.
He blocked—
Countered—
Dodged—
No wasted movement.
BAM.
Another hit landed.
This time—
Cleaner.
Stronger.
One attacker staggered.
Silence.
"…he found it," one whispered.
"…first edge."
Jared didn't react.
But inside—
Something clicked.
Not just intelligence.
Application.
Execution.
"…optimization," he muttered.
"…I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS BUT IT SOUNDS COOL," Iris said.
"…focus."
"…I AM FOCUSED ON NOT DYING."
"…acceptable."
The attackers slowed.
Not retreating—
But cautious.
Because now—
The difference was clear.
Jared wasn't just adapting.
He was improving.
Mid-fight.
"…this is just the beginning," he said quietly.
"…THAT'S NOT REASSURING."
"…it wasn't meant to be."
The tension held.
Because both sides understood—
This wasn't the end.
It was the first real step.