After about a month, Axel and Spliff's stealth improved tremendously. However, the boys had only managed to advance themselves seven feet at most, and their steps were undetectable to Brace at thirty yards. Despite their improvements, the boys started to get frustrated with their task.

  “How do we even know this is possible?” Asked Spliff. “What if you gave us an impossible task so you didn't have to train us anymore?”

  “You’ll need to get used to doing your best regardless of whether you think it's possible or not, Spliff,” replied Brace.

  “We won't succeed at this rate. Can you show us how you would do it?” Asked Axel.

  Brace was happy to hear Axel ask the question. He was proud of his students for trying to find innovative ways to succeed.

  “Alright,” said Brace, “let’s switch places.”

  The two boys blindfolded themselves and rested against the tree that Brace had been sitting at. Brace had anticipated the boys would ask to hear him try to prepare a rock in his pocket. When the boys were ready, Brace threw the rock immediately, and Axel took off his blindfold in response.

  “Got you, Axel. That means my starting point is three feet closer from now on,” said Brace as he drew the new line on the ground.

  “Don’t take off your blindfold till you hear he’s far away from the start line,” said Spliff after taking off his own blindfold.

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  “Got it,” said Axel

  The boys looked at Brace again before putting their blindfolds back on. It was never more apparent to the boys that Brace was on a different level than they were. He was twenty-seven yards away, and it felt like he was right on top of the boys. He stood there, ready to pounce like a big cat ready to attack its prey. And the boys could sense that Brace could close the distance in a second if he wanted to.

  The boys listened intently as the soft wind blew leaves around them, trying to detect any abnormalities in the sounds of nature.

  “Hello, boys.” When the two boys removed their blindfolds, they were amazed to learn that Brace had silently traversed the open field.

  “I can’t believe you did that,” Said Axel.

  “And so fast,” Said Spliff.

  “How did you do that?” Asked Axel.

  “I picked up my leg and hovered it above the ground before me, keeping my ankle loose. I quickly swung my foot back and forth, lightly pushing the leaves from a single spot on the ground, and then I was free to step silently and repeat the process. This technique is similar to a skill move used in the Earthly game of soccer, known as the Elastico. Though this likely won’t help you two at all. It would likely take months after learning the Elastico to do what I did silently. I hate to break it to you boys, but you’ll almost definitely need to find another way.”

  “Why’d you even show us then?” said Spliff under his breath.

  “You guys asked,“ said Brace.

  “Is there any advice or tips you could give us, Mr.Knapps?” Asked Axel.

  Brace didn’t want to give them any tips initially. However, he felt he should reward Axel for asking for what he wanted straightforwardly.

  “I waited for the wind to pick up to do the noisiest stuff.”

  “See, that’s something,” Axel said cheerfully to Spliff.

  “Let's try it again,” said Spliff.