The next day, I returned to the dungeon at the same time.
My body was still sore from the previous training. It wasn't the usual pain from battle. It was the pain of someone trying to change the way they fought.
Scarlet was already waiting for me at the entrance.
"Today you're going to repeat everything," she said.
"With no changes?"
"With yesterday's changes. Guard up. No hesitation."
I nodded.
We descended once again through the damp, dark corridors. The smell of the dungeon already felt familiar. The heavy silence too.
And once again, that sensation.
I was being followed.
This time, it was even clearer.
I didn't look back. I didn't comment on it.
If I was right, they were there.
And if they were invisible, it meant they didn't want to be seen.
I decided to ignore it.
The first monsters appeared.
I drew my sword and advanced.
This time, before attacking, I didn't stop to think too much. I just moved.
I kept my arm more tucked in. Shoulders more closed. Shorter strikes.
The fight ended faster than yesterday.
Scarlet watched in silence.
We continued.
More monsters appeared. A larger group.
I advanced again.
One of them tried to strike me from the side exactly like the day before. This time, my guard was already in position. I blocked effortlessly and counterattacked in the same motion.
I noticed the difference.
I was less exposed.
And less slow.
When I finished, I looked at Scarlet.
She gave a slight approving nod.
"Better."
We kept descending.
The feeling of being watched was still there, constant, almost irritating.
I knew that presence well.
It was the same feeling as when Rai'kanna would watch me from afar, trying not to be noticed.
And it wasn't just her.
There were more.
Many more.
We reached a deeper part of the dungeon. Larger creatures began to appear. More aggressive.
I fought.
I focused mana into my legs and advanced with precision. No wide movements. No opening too much space.
One monster tried to grab me from behind. I turned my body and cut off its arm before it could touch me.
Another tried to strike me head-on. I blocked, pushed, and finished it.
When it was over, I was breathing heavily.
Scarlet approached.
"You're starting to understand."
"I can feel the difference."
"You still rely too much on strength. But you're better."
We sat for a few minutes.
I pretended to look only at the ground, but my mind was alert to my surroundings.
I could clearly feel their presence moving.
Trying not to make noise.
Trying not to use too much mana.
Trying to be invisible.
But I knew them all too well.
It was impossible not to notice.
I stood up.
"Let's continue."
Scarlet nodded.
We went deeper.
Time passed without me realizing it. I fought several groups of monsters. Each battle was a test to apply what she had pointed out.
At one point, a monster managed to lightly tear the sleeve of my clothing, but it didn't wound me.
Before, that would have turned into a cut on my arm.
Now, it was only torn fabric.
When I finished, I took a deep breath.
Scarlet looked at me carefully.
"You're learning fast."
"I need to learn fast."
She didn't respond.
We started heading back toward the exit.
The feeling of being followed remained.
Scarlet seemed to notice my silence.
"You're distracted."
"No."
"Yes, you are. Your attention is divided."
I thought for a moment.
"I know."
"Then fix that."
I looked ahead.
"I already have."
She didn't understand what I meant, but she didn't ask.
We left the dungeon.
The surface air felt lighter than ever.
When we started walking back, I was absolutely certain.
They were still there.
Following every step.
I kept silent.
If they wanted to follow me in hiding, then let them.
But I wouldn't comment on it.
As I walked, I noticed something curious.
I was less tired than the day before.
My body was already starting to adapt.
And my mind too.
The way I saw each movement during the fight was changing.
I no longer attacked just to win.
I attacked thinking about not making mistakes.
And that made all the difference.
When I got close to the mansion, the feeling of their presence began to slowly fade.
As if they had moved away before arriving.
I smiled slightly.
I entered the house as if nothing had happened.
But I was certain of one thing.
They had followed me the entire time.
And they thought I hadn't noticed.
And, for some reason, that made me feel more at ease than annoyed.
Because even hidden, they were there.
Watching.
Protecting.
And at the same time, interfering a little.
But I had already decided.
I would keep ignoring it.
At least for now.
I went up to my room thinking about only one thing.
If on the second day I was already changing this much, then this training really would transform me into someone very different from who I used to be.
And that was exactly what I needed.