The fire kept crackling under the small improvised structures. The flames weren’t large, but remained stable, fed by dry branches and well-placed leaves. Smoke rose in thin lines, disappearing among the tree canopies. The artificial star’s light began descending in intensity, adopting a warmer tone. It wasn’t a real sunset, but the system simulated the change precisely enough to alter the environment’s perception.

Hok Nerris observed each of the bonfires unhurriedly. He walked among them, stopping just enough to evaluate the material’s disposition, the way flames held themselves, and each student’s reaction.

He crouched beside the fire of one of the more distant students and pushed aside a branch with his boot’s tip. The flames flickered an instant before going out.

"Too compact," he said. "Without air, there’s no fire."

He stood up without looking back.

Aku kept his gaze fixed on his own bonfire. He didn’t touch it. He observed how it consumed the material, how the embers’ color changed, how heat concentrated in the center. His posture was relaxed, but his attention remained active.

Bīng Xuě was squatting in front of his, throwing small branches with an entertained smile.

"I could stay here all afternoon," he commented, turning a stick between his fingers. "It’s simple."

Gerald didn’t separate from his fire. He added material with excessive care, as if fearing to break the balance at any moment. He leaned, blew gently, and rearranged the pieces again.

"I don’t want it to go out..."

Hok took a step back and raised his gaze toward the group.

"Gather what’s necessary. We’re moving."

Some took time to react. Others extinguished their fires quickly, covering them with dirt. Aku stood up without hesitating, crushing the embers with his sole until they stopped glowing. Bīng Xuě imitated him without caring. Gerald made sure twice that no burning remains were left before standing up.

The group started moving again.

The forest had changed. The dimmer light created longer shadows, areas where visibility decreased slightly. Sounds became more noticeable. The crunch of leaves, the brush of clothing against branches, students’ breathing.

Hok didn’t speak. His pace didn’t vary.

After several minutes, he stopped in an area where terrain descended gently toward a small hollow. The ground there was softer, with wet areas and irregular marks.

He turned for the first time since they had started walking.

"Orientation."

He pointed at the environment with a short gesture.

"If you don’t know where you are, what you do doesn’t matter. You’ll be lost anyway."

He crouched and picked up a handful of dirt. He squeezed it in his hand and then let it fall.

"Terrain speaks. Always."

He pointed at a nearby slope.

"Water goes down there. Always down."

Then he raised his gaze toward the tree canopies.

"Light marks direction. Even if it’s not a real sun, it follows a pattern."

He moved a few steps toward a trunk and placed his hand on the bark.

"Moss grows where there’s more moisture. It’s not a perfect compass, but it adds up."

He stepped aside.

"I want you to mark a reference point and return here without following me."

The group hesitated. Some looked around, trying to decide.

Bīng Xuě shrugged.

"Okay."

He turned and began walking in a straight line, without worrying too much.

Gerald looked at him with concern.

"Shouldn’t we... plan it a bit?"

Aku had already moved. He didn’t advance quickly. He observed. His gaze swept the ground, the inclines, the trees’ position. He took a few steps, stopped, turned his head slightly and changed direction a couple degrees before continuing.

Gerald took a deep breath and decided to follow a concrete point: a tree with a twisted branch protruding to one side. He memorized it before advancing toward another visible point.

The exercise didn’t last long, but was enough to separate the group into small trajectories.

Bīng Xuě returned first. He walked calmly, without showing signs of having gotten lost.

"More or less," he said, shrugging. "I took a turn."

Aku arrived after. His route had been cleaner. He stopped exactly at the same point where he had started, without needing to correct.

Gerald appeared a few seconds later. He hesitated at the end, turned on himself an instant and then found the correct reference.

"Almost went past..."

Hok observed them without expression.

"It’s not difficult," he said. "But under pressure, it will be."

He turned again.

"Continue."

The group advanced again. Light kept descending little by little. The golden tone faded, replaced by a softer, more uniform clarity.

Terrain changed again. This time, rockier. There were small elevations, areas where ground was unstable. Thick roots protruded in different directions.

Hok stopped beside one of them.

"Movement."

He planted his foot on a root.

"Here you fall."

He moved toward a cleaner area.

"Here you pass."

Then he gave a short jump toward a flat stone, landing without noise.

"Control."

He stood up.

"Cross this without making noise. Without stumbling. Without running."

He stepped aside from the path.

Bīng Xuě was the first to try. His body moved with natural ease. He jumped roots, placed his foot on firm points, turned without losing balance. He made no unnecessary noise.

"This I do like," he murmured.

Aku advanced after. His movements were more contained. He didn’t jump if unnecessary. He shifted weight precisely, always seeking the most stable point before supporting. His step barely produced sound.

Gerald looked at the terrain and swallowed.

"Okay... slowly..."

He took the first step carefully. His foot brushed a root. He stopped, readjusted his posture and continued. Each movement was measured, but more rigid. He avoided errors, but didn’t flow.

At one point, his foot slipped slightly on a stone. He stopped dead, recovering balance before continuing.

"Almost..."

When he finished, he exhaled forcefully.

Hok made no comment. He only observed.

The group reunited on the other side.

The forest was darker now. The artificial star’s simulation reduced light intensity, approaching what would be a real nightfall.

Some students began showing signs of fatigue. Breathing was heavier, movements less precise.

Hok looked at them all.

"It’s not over yet."

He turned and began walking again.

The sound of his steps marked the rhythm.

The class continued. And night was approaching.