Chapter 755: She Is Back On Top (2)
Kaelen then spoke, his stern gaze resting on Sheila as the screen continued displaying her movements through different sections of Nalim.
"Your survival decisions were among the best in your year. You managed supplies well, secured shelter without drawing unnecessary attention, maintained your physical condition, and adapted to environmental changes without overreacting. Your zone contained several hidden dangers, particularly with unstable terrain and shifting water sources, yet you allowed very few of those dangers to become crises."
The screen showed Sheila treating a wound along her arm, carefully using only what was necessary rather than wasting supplies or Myst. Another scene showed her refusing to pursue a wounded Horror-class demon when the trail led toward an area with heavier demonic presence. She watched it flee, marked the direction, and moved away.
Regulus glanced briefly toward the students before continuing.
"This is where comparison becomes useful. Liam accomplished something none of you could reasonably ignore, but he overextended so severely that his survival depended on another. Asher dominated many of his battles, but his aggression still caused avoidable injuries and risk. Chris produced exceptional kill counts, but his survival judgment was lacking. Sheila’s assessment was different. Her strength came from balance. Combat, preservation, efficiency, and judgment worked together from beginning to end."
The statement settled over the hall with quiet force.
Many students seemed to accept it more easily than they had accepted the earlier explanations. Sheila had not done the single most shocking thing in Nalim. She had not erased a Berserker. She had not piled up demon bodies with the same brutal volume as Chris or Asher.
But what she had done, she had done consistently. There were fewer holes in her performance. Fewer extreme mistakes. Fewer moments where her own choices nearly destroyed her.
Kaelen’s expression grew more focused. "There is also another area where you have improved significantly. Hesitation."
Sheila’s eyes sharpened slightly.
The word struck something personal.
Kaelen continued, "During the one-month training period before academic studies resumed, I saw your skill clearly. No one doubted that. But I also saw moments where you held yourself back, not from lack of ability, but from uncertainty. You sometimes waited too long to commit. You sometimes allowed the weight of consequence to slow your response. That is understandable, given your position and what you have carried, but understandable does not mean harmless."