Chapter 42: Designs

Kael remained quiet for a moment before asking, "So you saw something suspicious but ignored it?"

"Yes. And someone nearly died because I didn’t speak up," Eric admitted.

He didn’t try to excuse himself or blame anyone else.

"That’s why I tell beginners to pay attention during those boring lessons," Eric continued. "You don’t have to be the strongest person in the room to help your team. Sometimes, you just need to notice something and speak before it’s too late."

Kael looked down at his folder. He had been thinking about becoming stronger, and the unusual reaction during his assessment had given him a little confidence, even though he didn’t understand what had caused it. However, Eric’s story reminded him that strength alone couldn’t solve every problem.

"What if you aren’t sure you’ve seen something dangerous?" Kael asked.

"Say something anyway," Eric advised. "Your team can decide whether it matters. It’s better to waste a few seconds checking than to lose someone because everyone stayed quiet."

Eric stood up and adjusted his equipment.

"I should get going. I’ve got a meeting with my team," he said.

Before leaving, he looked back at Kael.

"One more thing. Don’t let anyone pressure you into joining an assignment before you’re ready. Some hunters will tell you that you’re wasting time if you don’t enter a dungeon as soon as possible. Those people won’t pay your hospital bills, and they won’t explain things to your family if you don’t come home."

Kael’s expression changed slightly at the last sentence. He thought about Sera and Noah waiting for him at home.

"Thanks. I’ll remember that," Kael replied.

"I hope you do," Eric said before walking away.

Kael remained seated for a moment, with the training folder resting on his knees. He had come to the Association to collect a schedule, but Eric’s warning had given him something else to think about.

Marcus found Kael a little later in one of the Association’s training rooms. The instructor was standing beside a rack of practice weapons and speaking to another staff member. When Marcus noticed Kael, he ended the conversation and walked over.

"You’re looking better," Marcus said.

"Still sore," Kael replied.

"That’s what happens when someone gets hit harder than he can handle," Marcus remarked.

Kael gave him a tired look. "You could have warned me before knocking me unconscious."

"I did warn you that you weren’t ready," Marcus replied.

"You also kept insulting my family," Kael pointed out.

Marcus folded his arms. "And you kept charging at me without thinking."

Kael had no answer to that because Marcus wasn’t entirely wrong.

Marcus’s expression became more serious as he moved the conversation back to business.

"I’ve reviewed your preliminary assessment. Your performance was inconsistent. You showed moments of unusual strength and movement, but you couldn’t control them well enough to use them reliably," Marcus explained.

"Does that mean the appraisal stone was broken?" Kael asked.

"I don’t know," Marcus answered. "The first reading was abnormal, and the final result was F-rank. Until we understand the difference, I’m treating you as an F-rank trainee."

Kael nodded. He had expected as much.

"Your training starts tomorrow," Marcus continued. "You’ll learn how to move, defend yourself, handle a weapon, and work with other people. Don’t worry about trying to impress anyone. Focus on doing each exercise properly."

"What about practical assignments?" Kael asked.

"Not yet. You need to complete your beginner training and pass the required assessments first. Even then, we’ll consider what kind of work is appropriate for you," Marcus replied.

Marcus picked up a wooden practice sword from the rack and placed it back in its proper position.

"I know you want to become stronger quickly, Kael. But rushing won’t help you protect anyone. If you get yourself killed because you can’t accept your current limits, your family will be left dealing with the consequences," Marcus warned.

Kael thought of Sera waiting at home with Noah. He didn’t want to become another source of worry for them, especially after seeing how upset Sera had been when he returned injured.

"I understand," Kael replied.

"Good. Then go home and rest. Be here tomorrow morning on time," Marcus instructed.

Kael tucked the schedule into his folder and left the training room. He hadn’t gained a new skill or become stronger during the visit. Instead, he had learned more about the work he wanted to do and the risks that came with it.

For now, that was enough.

====

When Kael returned to the apartment, he found Sera sitting at the table with her sketchbook open. Noah was sleeping nearby, his small chest rising and falling beneath his blanket.

Sera looked up as Kael entered.

"How did it go?" she asked.

Kael took off his shoes and walked over to her. "They gave me my schedule. My first lesson is tomorrow morning."

"How long will it last?" Sera asked.

"A few hours, I think. The schedule includes safety, monster behavior, combat, weapon handling, and other things," Kael explained.

Sera closed her sketchbook halfway. "That sounds reasonable."

"I also spoke to a hunter who told me about an assignment that went wrong. His team nearly lost someone because they became careless," Kael added.

He explained what Eric had told him, including how the hunter had moved ahead without waiting for his teammates and how Eric had failed to warn the others about the movement he noticed.

Sera listened without interrupting.

"That must have been difficult for him," she said when Kael finished. "Knowing he could have warned them."

"Yes. He still blames himself," Kael replied.

Sera thought about it for a moment before asking, "Do you think you’ll be able to follow those rules when you’re actually in danger?"

Kael considered the question instead of answering immediately.

"I don’t know. I’ve never been in a real fight with a monster. But I’ll learn, and I’ll try not to let fear or anger make decisions for me," Kael answered honestly.

Sera studied his face.

"That’s all I wanted to hear. I know you want to protect us, but I don’t want you thinking you have to prove something every time you step outside," she told him.

Kael reached for her hand.

"I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone. I want to be someone you and Noah can rely on. That includes coming home safely, not just becoming stronger," Kael explained.

Sera’s fingers tightened around his.

"Thank you for telling me everything," she said.

"I promised I would," Kael replied.

"And you remembered," Sera added.

Kael smiled slightly. "I’m trying to make a habit of it."

Noah stirred in his sleep, making a small sound before settling again. Kael glanced at him, then at Sera’s sketchbook.

"Were you working on the living room design?" Kael asked.

"I was trying to finish the first version, but I stopped when Noah woke up earlier. I thought I’d continue after lunch," Sera explained.

"Why don’t you work on it now? I’ll watch him when he wakes," Kael offered.

Sera hesitated. "You should rest too."

"I will. I’m not going to start exercising. Sitting with Noah is fine," Kael assured her.

She looked at him for a moment before reopening her sketchbook.

"All right. But if your chest starts hurting more, tell me," Sera said.

"I will," Kael promised.

Kael sat beside the baby and checked that his blanket wasn’t covering his face. Then he settled back into the chair, keeping Noah within reach while Sera returned to her drawing.

For a while, the apartment was quiet except for the faint sound of her pencil moving across the page. Kael glanced at the training schedule on the table and thought about the lessons waiting for him the next morning. He had a long way to go, and he understood that more clearly now than before.

However, he didn’t need to solve everything that day. For the moment, Noah was sleeping, Sera was drawing, and Kael was exactly where he needed to be.

A little later, Noah began to fuss. Kael leaned forward and gently picked him up.

"All right, little man. Let’s see what’s wrong," Kael murmured as he checked his son’s face.

Sera looked up from her sketchbook.

"Do you want me to check?" she asked.

Kael shook his head gently. "Finish your drawing. I’ll try first."

He checked Noah’s diaper, then held him close and rocked him slowly. After a few moments, Noah settled against his chest.

Kael looked over at Sera, who had returned to her sketch.

"Looks like I’ve got this one," Kael said quietly.

Sera smiled without looking away from her work. "You do."