"Is that really something you should be telling others?" Jessica couldn’t help but ask after hearing his story.

Saleh was tilting his head, completely confused. She could only sigh at this.

Having not been sleeping well. Even when the two were given ample reason to need it. Alas, Jessica found her mind start to wonder, chasing out sleep as it did.

Possibly after speaking of it. Maybe for thinking of it. Some moans and groans had started to sound from Saleh's direction. With his back to her, she couldn't see his expression.

From sounds alone, likely not anything good. Shortly after, he woke up with a start. It was a bit unnerving, to say the least.

Having found herself a bit lonely, she ended up speaking to him. She wasn't going to pry. However, he seemed to want to share.

As a child, he didn't really have memories. Therefore, his recollection came from those around him. 

Thus, as one can imagine. Regardless of anything else. Saleh was raised by the people who killed his parents. Even if they wronged the Tribe first.

Looking at the confused expression on his face, she had so many things to say. Too many. Opening her mouth, nothing came out.

Everblood was the one that broke the silence. He had been sitting cross-legged in a meditative state. When he opened his eyes, or how long he had been listening, was another question she couldn't answer.

"Watching you two makes one wonder. One has barely left his Tribe for a year and doesn't understand common sense outside the Tribe. The other has never stopped traveling, but only understands the south."

"What do you know of me?" Hearing this she turned in his direction, Jessica couldn't help but inquire in a surprised tone. 

"Not specifically. I paid a visit to Izic when I went out to get food. I also know the things Everwood once told me about."

Without going further into details, he changed the subject. Looking between the two, "The Blue Wolf Tribe doesn't lie. Not even white lies. Doing so will get you kicked out of the Tribe. If the lie was bad, they might even get hunted down."

She swears there was a bit of a smirk as he looked at his student. It wasn’t a good smile by any means. Before she could figure it out, it was as if to signify the truth.

Saleh spoke in a clean and honest tone, "We can lie, but not to tribesmen."

Bringing a hand over her face, she could only imagine the hardships he would face. 

"You shouldn't tell people that." Seeing his expression asking why, having no choice, she peeked at Everblood and saw some praise in his eyes.

"If you are allowed to lie to people not in your Tribe. There isn't any reason to tell them the truth. Don't get me wrong. I'm not telling you to always lie."

Pausing to deliberate. Jessica found a hypothetical.

"Say your teacher wasn't here. We're in a situation similar to earlier. Now, their numbers are not as large as the number of before."

Making sure he was following along, "If you could handle all the enemies on your own. That would be for the best. However, if we dealt with the enemies together. That would be by far better idea."

Looking him into the eyes, she asked, "If I were to ask if you were confident in dealing with all of them? What would you say?"

Having followed along, he didn't need to think about it, "Of course I could."

Seeing an interesting glint in Everblood's eyes, she struck while the iron was hot, "Did you already forget what your teacher told you earlier today?"

With a bit of panic in his eyes, "He just said it. How could I forget?"

With a sigh, he drove the point home for her, "You already admit that if life and death came, you wouldn't throw yourself into the fire for her. I also told you, keep your eyes open. At any moment, another person, group, or entity could join a fight at any minute. Fights aren’t static situations that cannot change."

Smiling, she spoke up at this moment, "This is the reason when the question asked earlier. In a situation where your life isn't on the line, why voluntarily ask for more trouble. If someone else comes and that easy situation is taken off the board. Now you have the energy to run away."

Looking wryly at his teacher from the corner of his eye, "So you're not telling me to lie all the time. Just don't always tell the truth?"

Everblood spoke, "Yes. What she is getting at is, do not bring trouble onto yourself. You have talent, only at the moment you are incredibly weak. Talent is a future resource that has very little if any value at the present. Never make a decision with arrogance in mind. Plan for the worst while keeping some of your strength hidden whenever possible."

It was only at that moment she yawned. Realizing their initial conversation was much darker. He had perfectly diverted their attention away. Seemingly without effort. When she realized this, Everblood had already closed his eyes.

Throwing a few more sticks on the fire, she went to bed. As for keeping guard, normally for people like Saleh and her, that was a necessity. Right now, they could enjoy sleeping at night.

For the journey forward would continue to be littered with fights. As for those at around Grade C, they could sleep with one eye open. Though, this eye wasn’t a physical eye.

At that level, it became natural to become more attuned with the world. Mana was a product of nature, therefore, when nature was disturbed. At least in the immediate surroundings, it became easier to stir in their sleep.

Although, similar to much of the world. This was a case by case thing. Those that were like her, constantly traveling, used to keeping their guard up. Such things became second nature, the old man said, by the time she reaches Grade D. She would be able to feel changes around her.

This was done by teaching her to pay close attention to her surroundings. He would constantly test her, to ensure that she learned this trick. By the time she reached Grade C, so long as she didn’t lower her guard and allow the skill to grow rusty.

There were likely no issues being able to have sensitivity of her surroundings even when fully sleeping. Best would be to learn to sleep lightly, quality went down, but the safety was increased.