The training yard was alive with the crisp sound of wood against wood. Each strike echoed through the early morning air, bouncing off the trees and scattering sparrows into the sky. Alex staggered backward, his small frame barely able to hold the wooden sword steady, as Kael's practice blade touched his shoulder with practiced ease.
"Too slow again," Kael said, lowering his stance with an almost lazy grin. His golden hair clung to his forehead with sweat, though his breathing remained steady. "You hesitate before every swing. An enemy won't wait for you to decide."
Alex grit his teeth, tightening his grip on the sword. His palms burned from hours of repetition, his muscles screaming with exhaustion. He had been training since sunrise, the sun now climbing higher into the sky, spilling light across Elderleaf's humble village square. Yet despite the ache, his heart thudded with stubborn resolve.
A soft chime rang in his ears.
[System Notice: Training Quest Active.]
Quest: Endure Kael's Training (Day 2/7).
Objective: Complete today's spar without giving up.
Reward: +20 EXP, +1 Vitality.
Bonus: Progress toward Swordmaster Lv.2.
Alex's tired eyes flickered with renewed fire. This wasn't just practice it was progress. Every strike, every bruise, every correction from Kael brought him closer to the glowing screen of growth.
"Again," Kael urged, adjusting his stance. His movements were smooth, efficient, the mark of someone who had been drilled since childhood. "Sword up. Feet apart. Balance comes before speed."
Alex mirrored him as best as he could. His legs wobbled, arms heavy, but he swung with everything he had. Kael parried with a flick of the wrist, sending Alex stumbling off balance.
[System Notice: Form Break Detected. Progress — 64%.]
Alex grit his teeth and realigned his stance, refusing to look away. He watched Kael's shoulders, the way his weight shifted just before a strike. Again and again their blades clashed, wood snapping the silence of the morning. Each failure brought stinging frustration, but also a flicker of understanding.
Finally, Kael's blade stopped at his throat. He didn't gloat this time his smile was proud. "Better. You lasted longer than yesterday."
Alex fell onto the grass with a groan, arms shaking uncontrollably. The System's voice chimed again.
[Training Quest Complete.]
Rewards Gained: +20 EXP, +1 Vitality.
Swordmaster Progress: 37% → 49%.
"Brother Alex, you didn't fall this time!" a small voice called.
Lyanna leaned over the fence, her silver hair shining in the sunlight. She clapped enthusiastically, her little hands smacking together with far more enthusiasm than rhythm. At only five, she had taken it upon herself to act as Alex's personal cheerleader.
Alex laughed breathlessly. "Not yet…"
Kael tossed him a waterskin. Alex drank deeply, the cool water washing away the dryness in his throat.
Another chime followed.
[Side Quest Unlocked: Sister's Cheer.]
Objective: Accept encouragement from Lyanna during training.
Reward: +5 Charisma, +5 EXP.
Alex blinked, dumbfounded. "That… counts?"
Lyanna puffed out her cheeks, stamping her little foot. "Of course it counts! My cheering makes you stronger!"
The System responded instantly.
[Quest Complete.]
+5 Charisma. +5 EXP.
Alex smiled so wide his cheeks hurt. He tried to hide it, but Kael raised a suspicious brow. "What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing," Alex said quickly, though his heart felt light.
After resting, Kael pointed toward the straw training dummy at the far end of the yard. "Now strikes. One hundred cuts. Each one clean. If you swing like a wild boar, I'll make you start over."
Alex groaned inwardly. His arms were already sore, but he nodded.
[System Notice: Precision Training Initiated.]
Objective: Deliver 100 clean strikes to the training dummy.
Progress: 0/100.
Reward: +25 EXP, +1 Strength.
Bonus: Swordmaster Progress +10%.
He raised the wooden sword and swung.
Thwack.
The first strike was clumsy.
Thwack. Thwack.
By the tenth, he began to find rhythm. Sweat poured down his face, dripping into his eyes, but he continued. Each cut became sharper, more controlled. Lyanna sat nearby, counting each one in a sing-song voice, though she often skipped numbers or repeated them.
"Twenty-eight! Thirty-five! Fifty-two… wait, was that fifty-three?"
Alex laughed despite the burn in his shoulders, shaking his head. "Just keep cheering, Lyanna."
By the time he reached the hundredth strike, his arms trembled so violently he could barely keep the sword steady. With a final grunt, he swung downward, then collapsed to his knees.
The chime was immediate.
[Quest Complete.]
+25 EXP, +1 Strength.
Swordmaster Progress: 49% → 61%.
Kael approached, helping him up. His voice was serious now. "Your form is still rough, but your will is strong. That matters more than talent."
Alex swallowed hard, looking up at his brother with wide eyes. "Will you… teach me the next stance?"
Kael smirked. "Not until you master this one. But you're getting closer."
Lyanna tugged on Alex's tunic, holding up a tiny stick she had found. "Look! I can train too!" She swung the twig wildly, nearly smacking herself in the head.
Both brothers laughed. Alex crouched to pat her head. "One day, I'll teach you too."
She beamed. "Promise?"
He nodded.
That evening, the family gathered for dinner. The small wooden table was filled with stew, freshly baked bread, and roasted vegetables from Mara's garden. Alex could barely lift his spoon, his arms trembling with every movement.
"You train too hard," Mara said gently, refilling his bowl. Her dark hair was tied back, her eyes full of quiet warmth. "A body grows like a tree it takes time to become strong."
Kael chuckled, wolfing down his meal. "If he doesn't train hard, he'll never catch up to me."
Lyanna smacked Kael's arm with her little fist. "Brother Alex will be even stronger than you!"
Everyone laughed.
Eryndor, their father, smiled proudly, though his voice was firm. "Strength is built not only in the arms, but in the spirit. Endurance will be your foundation, Alex. Remember this: a sword is only as strong as the one who holds it."
The System chimed softly.
[Family Dinner Task Complete.]
Reward: +10 EXP. Relationship Affection Increased (Family).
After the meal, Alex stumbled toward his bed, every muscle aching. As he collapsed onto the straw mattress, the System appeared before him once more.
[Status Screen — Alex]
Race: Half-Elf (Human/Elf)
Age: 7
Level: 3
EXP: 80/100
HP: 40/40
MP: 22/22
Strength: 7 (+1)
Vitality: 9 (+1)
Agility: 7
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 10 (+5 from Lyanna's quest)
Swordmaster: Lv.1 (61% → 100% to Lv.2)
[Next Mission Preview:]
Swordmaster Trial: Endure 7 Days of Training Under Kael.
Progress: Day 2/7.
Reward: Unlock Swordmaster Lv.2, Skill: Basic Slash (Active).
Alex's eyes widened. His path was clearer now. If he endured, if he pushed past the pain, he would finally gain a real skill—a true weapon of his own.
He closed his eyes, smiling faintly despite the ache in his body. Tomorrow, he would rise again. Tomorrow, he would swing until his arms gave out, just to see that glowing screen tell him he had grown stronger.
And with Kael's guidance and Lyanna's cheers, he believed deep down that he could endure all seven days.