They weren't alone.
Kael realized it a moment too late.
The shift in the air came first, subtle but unmistakable, followed by the faint sound of movement behind them. It wasn't careless or loud—it was controlled, deliberate, and confident.
"Step back," Lyra said quietly.
Kael didn't need to ask why. He could already feel it.
Applause broke the silence, slow and measured.
"Well," a familiar voice said, "that was better than I expected."
Kael turned, already knowing who he would see.
The wolf-type Beastkin from the guild stood a short distance away, his posture relaxed but his attention fully focused. His group was with him again, though this time they stayed back, allowing him to step forward alone.
"…You really have a habit of showing up uninvited," Kael said.
The man smiled faintly. "And you have a habit of attracting attention."
Kael exhaled slowly. "Yeah, I'm starting to notice that."
The wolf-type glanced at the fallen creatures around them before returning his gaze to Kael.
"That was cleaner than before," he said. "Still inefficient, but cleaner."
Kael folded his arms. "I'll take what I can get."
"You shouldn't."
The response came without hesitation.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "That's encouraging."
The wolf-type gestured slightly toward the open space between them. "Watch."
Kael frowned but didn't argue.
One of the humans behind the wolf-type stepped forward.
Kael noticed the difference immediately.
It wasn't just confidence. It was control. The human didn't hesitate or shift his weight unnecessarily. Every movement felt deliberate, as if nothing he did was wasted.
Another creature emerged from the edge of the clearing.
It lunged.
The human didn't react the way Kael expected.
He didn't step back or brace for impact.
Instead, he moved just enough to meet the force directly.
His hand lifted slightly—
And the creature stopped mid-motion.
Not redirected.
Not thrown aside.
Stopped.
Then it dropped.
Completely still.
Silence followed.
Kael blinked, staring at the spot where the creature had been.
"…Okay," he said quietly. "That's different."
The wolf-type turned back to him.
"That is control," he said.
Kael didn't respond right away.
He didn't need to.
He understood the difference.
It wasn't strength.
It wasn't speed.
It was precision.
"You're wasting potential," the wolf-type continued.
Kael let out a quiet breath. "I've been here for less than a day."
"That is enough to see it."
Lyra stepped forward, her presence shifting the tension in the air.
"That's enough," she said.
The wolf-type glanced at her, his expression neutral but attentive.
"Protective," he observed.
"Practical," Lyra replied.
A brief silence passed between them.
Then the wolf-type nodded once and stepped back.
"Try not to die," he said as he turned away.
His group followed without question.
Kael watched them go, his expression thoughtful.
"…I don't like him," he said.
"No," Lyra agreed.
"…But he's right."
"Yes."
Kael exhaled slowly.
That was the problem.