Chapter 246: Chapter 246: The One Who Stands

"...Not bad."

He muttered it under his breath, not smiling too much, but the satisfaction was there.

What caught him more wasn’t the number.

It was what came next.

Sovereign Investment.

Intent Reflection.

He exhaled slowly.

"...This is where it starts."

He didn’t fully understand how far it could go yet, but he had already seen enough to know one thing.

If this worked the way he thought it would... then none of them would stay the same.

Not just him.

All of them.

That thought alone pushed him forward as he picked up his pace.

"Torren next."

Unlike the others, this one wasn’t going to be as simple.

Torren was in the middle of his training.

And from the look of it... it wasn’t going easy on him.

Arthur slowed slightly as he got closer, watching for a moment.

Torren stood firm in front of a set of training dummies, his shield raised as another attack came in.

A swinging boulder from the side.

Arrows from above.

It wasn’t ordered. It wasn’t timed.

It just came.

He blocked the first hit, the impact pushing him back half a step.

Then he turned, catching two arrows on his shield.

A third slipped past and grazed his arm.

He didn’t react.

Didn’t complain.

Just adjusted his stance again.

Arthur’s eyes sharpened slightly.

"...He’s holding."

But it wasn’t clean.

Torren was slower now and breathing heavier.

His movements still solid, but the weight of the training was starting to show.

Another boulder came.

Faster this time and from a bad angle.

Arthur didn’t wait.

A slight motion of his hand and the air shifted.

The boulder veered just enough, pushed off its path before it could crash into Torren.

It slammed into the ground beside him instead.

Torren braced for impact..

But it never came.

He blinked then turned to see Arthur who stood a few steps away, hand still slightly raised.

"You’re about to get flattened."

Torren stared for a second, then let out a breath.

"...Yeah. Felt that one."

Arthur stepped forward, already moving into position.

"Take a second. I’ll cover."

Torren hesitated.

Just for a moment.

Then nodded.

"Alright."

No pride.

No stubborn refusal.

He stepped back slightly, lowering his shield as he reached for a potion.

Arthur moved in fully.

Another wave of arrows came down.

He shifted his stance slightly, and the air bent around him.

The arrows changed direction mid-flight, sliding past him or dropping off course completely.

To anyone watching, it looked simple.

But Torren saw it clearly.

"...That skill..."

Arthur didn’t look back.

"Focus on recovering."

Torren huffed a quiet laugh as he uncorked the potion.

"Hard not to notice it."

He took a sip, then another, shoulders easing slightly as the effect kicked in.

Arthur kept moving.

A boulder came from the side.

He redirected it again, this time letting it roll past instead of breaking its momentum.

Arrows followed.

Then another.

Everything that came into the space bent around him like it had already lost.

Torren watched for a second.

Not with envy.

Not really.

Just... acknowledgment.

"That’s a crazy ability."

Arthur shrugged lightly.

"It’s useful."

Torren chuckled.

"Understatement."

He rolled his shoulder slightly, testing the tension.

"...Still. I’ll catch up."

Arthur smirked.

"I’m counting on it."

There was no doubt in his voice.

Torren noticed that too.

Arthur just said like it was obvious.

Torren nodded once.

"...Yeah."

He meant it.

The thought settled in his chest quietly.

Stronger.

He had to be. Not just to keep up.

But to hold as that was his role.

And he had felt it clearly in the dungeon.

Two wolves.

Three with support.

That was his limit.

And that wasn’t enough.

He clenched his grip on the shield slightly.

"...Not enough."

Arthur glanced at him briefly.

"You’ll get there."

Torren looked at him.

"...You always say that."

Arthur shrugged.

"And I’m always right."

That got a small laugh out of him.

"Confident."

"Realistic."

Torren shook his head slightly.

"...Same thing, huh."

Arthur didn’t argue.

Another round of attacks came, and he handled them just as easily.

After a few seconds, Torren straightened fully.

"...Alright. I’m good."

Arthur stepped back without hesitation.

"Go ahead."

Torren moved forward again, lifting his shield as the next wave came.

This time, he braced better.

Not perfect.. but steadier.

Arthur watched for a moment, then spoke.

"Mel’s doing the obstacle course."

Torren blocked another hit, glancing back briefly.

"...Already?"

Arthur nodded.

"Yeah. And she already got weights added."

Torren blinked.

"...First day?"

Arthur grinned slightly.

"She’s adapting fast."

Torren let out a short breath.

"You sound proud."

Arthur didn’t even pause.

"I am."

That answer came too easily.

Too naturally.

Torren laughed.

"...You really do sound like a parent."

Arthur shook his head, still smiling.

"Can’t help it."

Torren blocked another strike, this one heavier.

His arm dipped slightly, but he held.

"...She’ll get strong."

Arthur nodded.

"She will."

There was a small pause between them.

Not awkward.

Just... settled.

Then Torren spoke again.

"I’m good to continue."

Arthur stepped fully aside this time.

"Alright."

This was it.

He didn’t hesitate.

Not like before.

The moment felt right, and he didn’t try to overthink it.

"Torren."

Torren glanced at him while still adjusting his stance.

"Yeah?"

Arthur met his gaze.

"Get stronger."

Simple.

Then he added,

"And watch our backs out there."

Torren didn’t respond immediately.

He understood what that meant.

Not just words.

Responsibility.

Trust.

He turned fully this time, lowering his shield just enough.

"...I will."

Arthur extended his hand.

Torren looked at it once.. then took it with a firm grip and no questions.

"Trust me on that."

Arthur nodded.

"I do."

They held it for a second.

That was enough.

Arthur let go first and stepped back.

"Don’t fall behind."

Torren smirked slightly.

"You first."

Arthur laughed.

"Not happening."

He turned and started walking away, giving a small wave without looking back.

"Keep going."

Torren didn’t answer.

He didn’t need to.

He was already moving again.

Stronger than a moment ago.

More grounded.

Arthur barely took a few steps before it appeared.

Right on time.