Jasmine brushed her hair back, breathing hard but smiling. "That's five, Lupin! Five on my own!"
Lupin's ears perked up, acknowledging her achievement with a soft growl of approval.
"Well done."
They both turned at Arthur's voice.
Jasmine's eyes widened. "Fateless! I—I did what you told me to do. No more hiding behind Lupin."
Arthur stepped into the clearing. "I can see that."
Lupin trotted over, brushing against Arthur in greeting before sitting at attention.
Arthur nodded, studying the girl more carefully.
Her stance was stronger, her eyes sharper. Progress—real progress.
"Your form has improved," he said, nodding at the wolf corpses scattered around the clearing. "And your aim."
Jasmine beamed at the praise. "I've been practicing that knee drop for three days! Did you see how I didn't even have to look behind me?"
"I saw." Arthur picked up one of her arrows, examining the fletching. "Level 10 now?"
