Clouds drifted clear of the moon, leaving the forest bright enough to draw soft outlines around every treetop. Max hovered just above that line, Bob keeping them afloat as they stayed in stealth, eyes focused on one object. Below, in a clearing a few miles from Sunreach’s wall, Miranna and Shale Spark circled a lumbering stone - skinned hound. She’s baiting the left shoulder again. Letting it think that her side is open. She’ll switch at the last breath. Five heartbeats to finish. Max counted silently. On the fourth beat, Miranna feinted outside, rolled beneath a claw, and slid her blade under the creature’s jaw. When the fifth beat came, Shale Spark pinned the back legs. The hound sagged, falling to the ground as Miranna stepped clear. Even from here, Max could see that her breathing was even. It would appear my math checks out. Clearly, she got her defiance from her mother, as you’d never do something like that. Bob and Max both laughed internally, each knowing Miranna was probably doomed due to the qualities Tanila and he both shared. Miranna wiped her sword clean, scanning the tree line. After a few seconds, they saw her motion to Shale Spark to move on. Max drifted behind, hidden by his Stealth skill. He could have landed, offered pointers, but watching unseen told him more. That neck strike was cleaner this time. Each fight makes her a better fighter. Her footwork, too. She’s blending your pivot with Cordellia’s heel slide. Even though Cordellia’s an archer, she’s light on her feet when someone gets close. If Miranna keeps this pace, dungeon floors won’t be enough challenge for her when she turns forty years old. Or sooner, if we push a loophole. Max frowned as Bob flew them over a section of taller trees. That age limit is locked. I haven’t asked Jazzjak about it yet as I don’t want to share what you did before. Do you think that if you poke it, the Archons and the system might poke back? Besides, the last time you did something of that caliber, I lost you for a while. If we believe it’s a risk worth taking, I’m willing to do so. As much as it hurt us having me locked away, you became a better fighter and caster because of it. Our ability to work together had become a crutch for you. I handled too much of the casting and never considered what would happen if it were taken away. Max grunted silently as they moved toward his daughter and the red dragon. But what if, in doing so, they take notice of Miranna? What if her early access somehow causes others to notice her? I’m certain they are aware of her. Your wife’s bloodline is proof of that. The problem is akin to your artifact. Someone, somewhere, is playing a game that appears to be against the rules. That weapon shouldn’t have been allowed to be forged, and yet not only was it created, but it is also hidden from the system. I guess you can only hope she stays hidden as long as possible. True… But we’d need a party that won’t treat her like a glass figurine. Hana’s fiancé is steady with a shield, and the twins shoot straight. They might work best since they know her, but their past is where I’d want to start her out. Below, Miranna knelt by the fallen hound, pried loose a fist - sized crystal from its hide. Likely planning a pommel stone. She’ll probably be a blacksmith of renown before she gains her first stat from leveling. At least she won’t be stuck at level one like someone. Adventurer or not, I love the fact that she still forgets to wipe soot off her nose. Miranna returned through the east gate. She and Shale Spark appeared to be struggling to contain their excitement as they returned with loot. Max waited until the guards logged her name, then banked toward the tower. Tanila’s study windows gave off the occasional magical glow. He landed on the balcony, dropping stealth with a thought, and slipped inside. Nearly a hundred parchments covered her large table set up in this room. Spell circles, rune ladders, and neat notes were all written in Tanila’s clean, flowing hand. She was sharpening a piece of chalk when he kissed her cheek. “You’re back later than I expected,” she said without looking up. “No scratches, even though a few came close in the beginning,” Max replied, moving to pour himself some water. Cup in hand, he sat on a bench. “She keeps to the tree line, stays clear of bad positions. She and that wyrmling both showed good judgment.” Tanila set the chalk down, turning to face him. “Shale Spark followed her orders?” “I’m not sure I would call it following orders. Both worked well together. The wyrmling did a good job guarding her flank. Even better, Shale Spark didn’t torch the woods.” He looked over the rune ladders on a parchment near him. “Lesson for the academy?” “Some of the lower mages need some magical foundations. Between them and the enchanters, none seem to realize how a little bit of study can help them create new things with the same spell. Even better is learning to control and focus. I owe Tom for his training and for making me take a look at a few of these differently.” She rubbed her temple. “I just finished the safety foldouts for ranges on AoE spells also. No one likes getting hit by a mage spell from another caster outside your party.” Max tapped the page. “The foldouts are good. Besides, your students will be fine. They got the greatest teacher in the world.” Tanila’s shoulders relaxed a little, but the worry line along her forehead stayed. “She’s pushing at boundaries.” If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. “I know.” Max leaned back. “Tonight she dismembered a troll - hound with cleaner form than some bronze - badge hunters.” Tanila’s smile revealed that she was both proud and sad. “You know that’s not what I meant. We knew we couldn’t keep that door shut. Now that she’s tasted it, we both know she’ll want to do it more.” “You’re right,” Max replied, tracing the rim of his cup. “The next step is giving her the right key so she doesn’t blow a door off.” They talked through options. Both knew a private squad filled with friends that understood her and how a dungeon worked would be best. The strength was well balanced, and no one had egos bigger than the city gate. Tanila offered training blocks she could do with their daughter during the week. A few lessons on elemental control, combined with what Max could show her in how to combine metal and magic, would take her farther than most. He also discussed the option of giving some of the gear he had crafted years ago for the day that would come. They would offer a little more protection and damage while not spoiling her and making Miranna dependent on gear. “Mother Bear bloodline still scales?” Max asked, thinking of Tanila’s modified stats. “Always,” she answered. “If danger comes for her, I’ll show them what a rampaging mother is like. If she falls… The system will find out how deadly I can be.” Max believed it. He could see the glow around his wife’s gold eyes as they talked. Perhaps we should set aside how both of her parents are ready to destroy everything if your daughter gets hurt. I remember someone once telling me that guiding one’s heart matters more. Max repeated the thought. Tanila nodded. “We can go speak to her now. Better to do it while she’s no doubt riding high after last night.” Max found Miranna in the forge. Her hair was in a tangle, and both eyes were only half open. She was sanding a blade hilt, her movements automatic even though it was obvious she was tired. “Mir,” Max called, gentle. Miranna jerked upward, nearly dropping the file. “Dad! Uh… Morning.” “You go looking for herbs again all night before coming here?” “I was in the forest last night and this morning, I couldn’t sleep,” she said, cheeks slightly pink. “My mind kept replaying angles.” Tanila came in a minute later, a mug of tea in each hand. “Why don’t you try sipping a little bit. It’s not good to have bags under one’s eyes when they’re as young as you.” Miranna accepted the mug, almost cradling it in both hands. “I know… I should have gone to bed… But there were a few things I wanted to do before then.” “And that wyrmling. Where is Shale Spark?” Max asked with a chuckle. “That dragon’s as bad as you were at ten.” “Bad? Or brilliant?” Miranna replied before taking a sip. “Both.” He lifted a second mug. “Come upstairs. We need to talk.” He could sense his daughter’s reaction to the tone he used. She set the tools aside, wiped both hands on a rag. They sat where the morning breeze carried the fresh scent of bread across the rail. Max laid a velvet bundle on the table where they were seated. Tanila set a plate of honey rolls beside it. Find the newest release on ⓝovelFire.net “I watched your outing,” Max said, eyes fixed upon his daughter, who seemed to sense the change in Tanila’s and his mood. Miranna’s shoulders stiffened, then sagged. “I… I wanted to ask for permission, but after hearing what the others had faced… I’m sorry. But I didn’t go into a dungeon like I promised!” Tanila reached for her hand. “We’re not angry. A little frustrated, but we’re also proud. We knew this day would come. We just want you to be careful. Those beasts aren’t the danger. What is dangerous is going off alone, even with Shale Spark. Besides fighting at night in a place like the forest without a team has been the downfall of others.” Miranna nodded. “I know.” Max unrolled the velvet his hand was resting on. A mithril shirt shimmered. Beside it lay twin short swords. He smiled when Miranna gasped and seemed unable to exhale. “We think you’re ready for low-tier dungeons,” Max said. “You’ll go with a squad we trust. You’ll go with your friends since they know you the best. Listen when I say that what I give will help keep you safe, but that learning to trust your party and work with them is far more than a piece of equipment.” Miranna’s eyes blinked rapidly as her finger traced a few mail links. “Really?! You’re going to let me go in the dungeons?!” “With conditions,” Tanila added. “No dungeons outside the ones we approve of. No solo forays until forty. You’ll come home and report everything after every run.” “Done,” Miranna almost shouted. Her eyes glowed bright gold now. Max leaned in. “Listen closely, little star. Bob and I aren’t sure if the system is tracking your growth yet. Somehow, you are gaining skills when you shouldn’t be able to. Even though you can’t get experience, you are receiving things that seem outside the rules I would expect to be in place. We’ll take our time, seeing what happens and how the system responds. Do you understand?” Max believed his daughter as well. “Your armor isn’t enchanted with amazing stats beyond providing solid protection. We’ve discussed this multiple times. Even Edward doesn’t get gear too far above his level because each fighter must learn to fight with their own power. Trust me… the day you lose it and have to fight without equipment is the day you’ll learn if it is you or just what you wear. On that day, many find out they never truly learned how to fight.” Miranna lifted one blade. “This is way better than mine.” “A father’s gift.” Max winked. Tanila pulled a gray potion from her dimensional space and set it down. “This is a one-time use. If things are going bad and you know that getting hit could end your life, and there is no way out, drink this. It will only block one attack, but that one may be the difference between life and death.” Miranna swallowed hard, taking the potion and looking at it a few times. “I’ll find a way to replace this.” “That will come later,” Tanila replied. “Today, we trust you to do what you say. Tomorrow we’ll adjust everything as you follow through.” Miranna looked between them, her eyes watering slightly. “I love you both.” Max opened his arms. She hugged him first, then moved to her mother. Max cleared his throat. “Go to bed. Two hours of rest, and then we’ll do some drills.” Miranna saluted, far more serious than usual. She then laughed and jogged to the stairs. Tanila leaned an elbow on the rail next to their table. “Our little star burns brighter.” Max’s fingers found hers as he stretched his arm across the table. “Soon she’ll blaze a trail across the sky.” They watched the sun crest the horizon, bakery smoke rising to meet the light. From the stairs below, Miranna laughed again, and the sound brought an even bigger smile to both of them.