A Request for Training - ARC 2

The icy wind howled through the forest, carrying with it the scent of blood and freshly trampled snow. The bodies of wolves and snow raptors lay scattered across the ground, their fur and feathers strewn about after the battle. Veil collected the spoils—a wolf pelt, sharp feathers from the raptors, and the dagger Alynia had plunged into a wolf's flank. Alynia watched silently, her arms crossed. She adjusted her fur coat before turning on her heels and heading toward the cave. Her steps were sure and calm, a stark contrast to Veil's still hesitant movements. He followed behind, limping slightly as pain shot through his injured leg with every step. The fire in the cave crackled softly. Alynia rekindled it, settling herself near the flames as their warmth began to fill the space, driving out the relentless cold from outside. She sat with her tail swaying gently beside her, her sharp eyes fixed on the flickering light. Veil remained standing, his gaze locked on the ground, his fists clenched tightly. His knuckles turned white under the strain. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Alynia (calmly, without looking): "Are you planning to stand there all night?" Veil didn't respond. His chest heaved, his shoulders trembling slightly. Veil (voice trembling but determined): "... Teach me." Alynia turned her head slowly toward him. Her piercing blue eyes scrutinized him without blinking. Her tail froze mid-sway. She narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly surprised by his request. Alynia (neutral tone): "What?" Veil (raising his voice, gaze fixed on her): "Teach me! Magic! Teach me how to fight!" His gaze was unsteady, but his expression was resolute. Tears brimmed at the edges of his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Shame, anger, and the desire to improve—all of it burned in his eyes. Alynia (staring at him for a long moment): "You lost once, and you're already crying?" Veil (shouting): "I would've died! You saw it! Without you, I was finished!" A heavy silence falls. The flames from the fire dance along the walls of the cave. Veil's words still echo in the space. His breathing is ragged, his shoulders rising and falling unevenly. Alynia studied him for a long moment. Then, with a sharp exhale, she closed her eyes briefly. Alynia (getting up slowly): "Magic isn't a toy. It's a force you can't control with willpower alone." She took a step forward, standing face to face with Veil. Her gaze was cold, but her words were clear. Alynia (seriously): "I won't go easy on you. If this is truly what you want, you'll have to push beyond your limits." Her sharp eyes locked onto his. She leaned in slightly, her gaze intense and unyielding, as if daring him to falter. Alynia (cold voice): "You have four days. Not a second more. I don't have time to stay here longer." The words dropped like blades. Four days. No more. Veil stood frozen, his fists still clenched. But this time, he wasn't trembling. He didn't lower his gaze. Veil (exhaling slowly): "Four days... That's enough." Alynia held his gaze for another second before a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She turned back to the fire, sat down, and stared into the flames, her eyes half-closed. She didn't say another word. Veil didn't sit. He remained standing, his eyes fixed on the fire. His gaze had changed. It was harder. Veil (internal thought): Four days... I'll do it. No matter what.