[April 16th, 2024] Training Center, Dragon Kingdom, Blue Star
Rey walked through the narrow hallway, which was reserved for individual training rooms.
Doors stood in a neat row along one side, silent and sealed, each hiding someone chasing strength in their own way.
He glanced at the card in his hand.
Room 68.
After a short search, he stopped before the correct door and swiped the card through the gate system.
A soft beep sounded.
The door slid open.
Inside was a compact but well-kept room. Training dummies stood near the center, while wooden weapons of different types rested against one wall.
Rey scanned the space and nodded.
"Decent for the price," he muttered. "Not like I have another choice anyway."
He dragged one dummy to the center and picked up a wooden sword.
Standing before it, he exhaled.
"Alright… let's begin."
He swung.
The blade struck the dummy with a dull crackle.
There was no visible damage.
The next instant, the dummy shot backwards like a cannonball and slammed into the wall.
Rey blinked.
"Oo—psie."
He scratched his head, staring at the fallen dummy.
"These things are way too light. They can't handle my force at all."
Behind him, Aiden materialised, arms crossed, watching silently.
He already knew the solution.
He chose not to speak.
Rey groaned, then snapped his fingers.
"Ah. Right."
He picked the dummy up and placed it back in position, then turned his head slightly.
"Zero, can you armour this thing?"
[...Fine, if you insist.]
Black particles seeped from Rey's shadow, crawling across the floor before wrapping around the dummy like liquid metal.
In moments, the fragile training target looked like a heavily armoured figure.
Rey didn't hesitate.
He slashed again.
This time, the dummy rocked backwards… then rebounded upright like a roly-poly toy.
Rey grinned.
"Much better."
He attacked relentlessly.
Slash after slash.
Only when his arms began to ache did he finally stop.
A panel appeared before his eyes.
======
1. Sword: F- (74%)
2. Dagger and Knives: F (12%)
3. Spear: F- (0%)
4. Shield: F- (0%)
5. Bow: F- (0%)
6. Great sword: F- (0%)
7. Hand to Hand: F (10%)
8. Gun: F- (0%)
9. Hammer: F- (0%)
10. Katana: F- (0%)
======
"So it really does show progress."
Encouraged, Rey continued.
Every few minutes, he checked again.
Slowly, painfully, the sword proficiency climbed.
When it finally crossed into F Rank, Rey felt it.
His grip steadied.
His footing improved.
Even the way the blade responded felt slightly different.
Then—
One strike bent the armoured dummy several centimeters deeper than before.
"Huh?"
Rey turned sharply.
"What was that?"
Victor stepped forward, rubbing his chin.
"…Kid."
He sighed.
"You're terrible at training."
Rey froze.
"…What?"
"But I thought— I mean, half an hour for a rank up isn't bad, right?"
Victor shook his head.
"A normal candidate clears that stage in minutes."
Aiden nodded calmly.
"I've seen many."
He looked Rey straight in the eyes.
"You're among the worst."
Silence.
The sword slipped from Rey's fingers and hit the floor.
Behind them, Zero's gaze sharpened.
Victor panicked.
"B—but that doesn't mean you're useless!"
"Yes," Aiden added quickly. "There are other paths. Magic. Strategy. Alchemy. Soul arts—"
Rey raised a hand.
"I understand."
His face was calm.
"I know I can't match your previous host."
He bent down and picked up the sword again.
"But I'll reach your expectations anyway."
Then he attacked.
Harder.
Faster.
With twice the desperation.
The results came quickly.
======
Sword: F {2% → 85%)
======
Even Aiden frowned in surprise.
But moments later, Rey collapsed flat on his back, gasping for air.
His muscles screamed.
His vision blurred.
Only thanks to Victor's relic did his body recover after several minutes.
Rey laughed weakly.
Progress was progress.
After resting, he checked the time.
3 hours and 11 minutes remaining.
He stood again.
This time, improvement slowed to a crawl.
Aiden spoke quietly.
"You're swinging like someone trying to survive, not someone trying to master a blade."
"Random attacks won't carry you into higher realms."
Rey clenched his teeth.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Again.
Still nothing.
Just as frustration peaked—
That feeling returned.
A faint, cold clarity.
Rey closed his eyes.
He breathed.
Feet firm.
Grip steady.
Without opening his eyes, he struck.
The armoured dummy crashed to the floor.
Zero's armour remained intact.
Victor smiled.
"Lowest stage enlightenment."
He chuckled.
"Twice, even."
A panel flashed.
======
Sword: F+ {88% → 00%)}
======
Rey stared at it.
Then collapsed.
Hard.
"Kid!" Victor shouted.
"…Oi..."