I felt the sting of the morning air on my face, my lungs burning, every muscle in my body screaming as Krager and I moved through the forest in a relentless rhythm of attack and defence. The scent of earth, wet leaves, and Krager’s dark, musky aura filled my senses, grounding me even as my mind teetered on a razor’s edge. Every swing, every dodge, every precise strike of my blade against his steel reminded me that I had to be stronger, faster, sharper. There was no room for error not anymore.
Krager’s eyes gleamed with dark amusement. “You’re improving,” he said, his voice low, almost a growl. “But you still think too much, Zanny. Your mind hesitates when it should act.”
“I know,” I admitted, panting, muscles trembling from exertion. “I just… I can’t afford to fail, not with him, not wit
