"This is really not the time," Yvonne said.

"That sounds like you’re hiding something."

"I studied hero tactics because my daughters wanted to become heroes," she admitted. "I watched their training recordings, read whatever material they brought home, and tried to learn enough to help them."

The penalty disappeared.

[The truth has been acknowledged.]

[Perception restored.]

Luke looked at her differently. "You studied all of that just so you could help them?"

"They were entering a dangerous world that I couldn’t follow them into." Her voice softened. "Learning everything I could was the only way I knew how to support them."

The monsters continued closing in.

Yvonne managed a strained smile. "Unfortunately, reading about a fight is much easier than standing in one."

"At least one of us read something."

"And what did you do?"

"I practiced three skills for ten minutes and almost fell over twice."

"That explains a lot."

Despite everything, Luke laughed, and some of the tension left his chest.

Fresh lines of light spread across Yvonne’s blindfold.

"Watch the one in front," she said. "The others move when you attack."

Luke focused on the nearest creature. "Tell me when."

Yvonne searched the immediate futures. In one, Luke thrust too early and lost the spear. In another, he retreated until all three creatures trapped him near the edge.

"Don’t attack it."

Luke frowned. "You just told me to watch it."

"I changed my mind."

The creature charged.

"What do I do?"

"Run toward it."

"That sounds like a really bad idea."

"Trust me."

Luke ran.

The monster raised its claws, and Yvonne called out before he entered its reach.

"Quickstep past it."

Luke selected a position behind the creature and activated the skill. The arena blurred, and he appeared beyond the monster.

He stumbled on landing, but he managed to stay on his feet.

[Mana: 18/50]

The two flanking creatures had already committed to their attacks. With Luke no longer in front of them, both crashed into the first monster.

Bodies slammed together as claws tore through gray flesh.

Luke stared. "That actually worked."

"I saw one future where it worked."

"Only one?"

"It was the useful one."

He decided he did not want to hear about the others.

The monsters struggled apart. One remained on the ground while the other two recovered.

"Which one?" Luke asked.

"The one on your right."

Luke turned.

"Other right!"

He corrected himself just before the creature attacked. Its claws passed beside his chest, and Luke thrust the spear into its side.

He pulled the weapon free and moved before the monster could grab it. His motions remained ugly, but each one came faster than before.

When the creature turned toward him, Luke stepped outside its next attack without waiting for Yvonne. He had seen the same shoulder movement enough times to recognize it.

Its foot struck the ground.

Luke drove the spear into its chest.

"Arcane Thrust!"

Blue light raced along the shaft. Magic exploded through the monster’s body and tore out through its back before the creature dissolved into smoke.

[Mana: 6/50]

[Enemy defeated.]

The sudden loss of resistance nearly sent Luke to the ground.

Yvonne reached him and caught his shoulder. "You used almost all your mana."

"I know."

"You only have six points left."

"I saw the number, Yvonne."

"You don’t need to snap at me. I’m only worried."

Luke exhaled. "Sorry."

Her fingers gave his shoulder a small squeeze. "Just be careful."

Three monsters remained.

One had been badly injured in the collision, another had suffered several cuts, and the creature waiting farther back finally began to approach.

Luke pulled the spear into position. Without Reinforce, the tip wandered slightly.

Yvonne noticed. "Your arms are shaking."

"I can still hold the spear."

He glanced at the trembling point.

"At least, I think I can."

Yvonne laughed softly. "At least you’re getting better at this honesty thing."

The healthier of the two nearby monsters charged.

Yvonne activated Oracle’s Glimpse again. Her shoulders tensed, and the futures seemed slower to appear this time.

"Don’t let it grab the spear," she said.

"How?"

"I’m still looking."

"Yvonne."

"I know, Luke!"

The creature closed in.

Luke could not wait.

He thrust toward its chest, and the monster caught the shaft exactly as Yvonne had feared. When it jerked him forward, Luke allowed himself to move with the pull instead of fighting it.

Yvonne made a surprised sound as the future shifted.

Luke slid one hand farther along the spear, stepped close, and drove his knee into the monster’s stomach. The blow did little damage, but the creature bent slightly.

He slammed the metal base of the weapon onto its foot. The monster’s grip loosened, allowing Luke to twist the spear free.

"I didn’t tell you to do that," Yvonne said.

"I know."

The monster swung, and Luke ducked awkwardly. He nearly struck his head against its chest before stumbling to the side.

The creature turned.

"Right shoulder," Yvonne said.

Luke saw it dip. "Low."

"Yes."

He stepped aside, and the claws missed. Luke struck behind the creature’s knee with the shaft, turned the spear, and thrust toward its throat.

The blade missed the center but entered beneath its jaw.

The creature collapsed into smoke.

[Enemy defeated.]

Luke leaned against the spear. "Two left."

The injured monster pushed itself off the ground while the final creature approached from the edge.

His breathing came in rough gasps. His back and arm burned, his mana was almost empty, and the spear felt heavier with every second.

Yvonne moved beside him. The light beneath her blindfold had dimmed enough that Luke could barely see the symbols.

"Can you still use your ability?" he asked.

"For a little longer."

"Is that enough?"

"I don’t know."

Her honesty did not make him feel better.

The wounded monster charged first.

Yvonne searched the future and saw Luke struck when he stepped left. If he moved right, he lost the spear, while remaining still ended with the creature throwing him over the edge.

"What is it?" Luke asked when her breathing caught.

"Wait."

The creature drew closer.

"Every direction I give you ends badly," Yvonne said.

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"I don’t know yet. Give me another second."

The monster raised its claws.

Luke tightened his hands around the spear. "What happens if I attack?"

"It catches the weapon."

"And if I dodge?"

"It follows."

"What if I do both?"

Yvonne searched again, but no answer came.

"I don’t know, Luke."

He stepped forward. "Then I’ll try something."

Luke thrust before the creature entered his full reach. The monster grabbed the spearhead instead of the shaft, splitting its palm against the blade.

He released one hand and allowed the spear to rotate within its grip. As the point turned downward, Luke stepped aside and used the shaft as a lever.

The monster’s injured arm twisted across its body, dragging it off balance.

Luke drove his shoulder into its chest.

Both of them fell.

The creature landed on its back, and Luke landed on top of it while still gripping the spear. One claw rose toward his face.

"Left hand!" Yvonne shouted.

Luke caught the creature’s wrist with his free hand, but its strength slowly forced his arm backward.

Yvonne ran toward them and grabbed the end of the spear with both hands.

"What do I do?"

"Push!"

Together, they drove the weapon down. The blade entered the monster’s chest, and it shrieked before dissolving beneath Luke.

[Enemy defeated.]

Luke remained on his hands and knees, breathing hard.

"One left."