The courtyard of Ardent Keep was silent now, the last whispers of sunlight vanishing completely into twilight.
Kael Ardent stood motionless, the practice sword still firm in his hands.
His body felt different. Stronger.
But his mind was clouded with uncertainty.
The system interface remained floating in front of him, faintly glowing, though no further commands presented themselves.
He stared at it for a long moment, as if expecting more guidance.
Footsteps echoed from the side.
"Kael," a calm, measured voice called.
He turned to see Master Eldric, the family's swordsmanship instructor, approaching.
A man in his sixties, with a neatly trimmed beard and eyes that seemed to peer through lies and excuses alike.
"So, the rumors are true," Eldric said without a hint of surprise, his gaze fixed firmly on the young man.
"You possess something… extraordinary."
Kael swallowed. "I don't understand it myself, Master. It appeared without warning."
Eldric nodded, expression unreadable. "A system… an ability like that has not been seen in Eldoria for centuries.
It is a dangerous power, but also a potential gift.
Do you intend to waste it as you have wasted your sword?"
Kael clenched his teeth.
"I don't want to be a disgrace any longer."
Eldric studied him for a moment, then gestured toward the training grounds.
"Very well.
Your first lesson begins now."
Kael followed, each step heavier than the last.
Doubt weighed on him, but beneath it, a spark of determination flared.
The training ground was an open space, surrounded by towering stone walls covered in creeping ivy.
Several training dummies stood in neat rows, their wooden bodies scarred from years of blows.
Eldric drew his own sword—a masterwork blade, its steel shimmering faintly in the dim light.
He moved with effortless grace, a lifetime of discipline in every step.
"First, the stance," Eldric instructed.
"Balance is the foundation of swordsmanship. Without balance, neither strength nor speed matters."
Kael obeyed, placing his feet shoulder-width apart, mimicking the posture Eldric demonstrated.
"Good," Eldric said, voice sharp.
"Now, swing."
Kael raised the practice sword and attempted a horizontal strike toward the dummy's midsection.
The blade fell short, hitting air rather than wood.
His body trembled from the effort.
"Again," Eldric commanded, his tone unwavering.
Kael swung once more.
Again, he missed.
Frustration burned in his chest, but he clenched his fists harder.
"Your muscles lack control," Eldric said.
"Strength alone is worthless. Precision and timing are your allies."
Kael nodded, sweat now pouring down his face.
He raised the blade for the third attempt, focusing not on power, but on rhythm, balance, and alignment.
The sword struck true.
The wooden dummy bore the mark of the blow, splintering slightly.
Kael staggered back, breathing heavily.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Impressive," Eldric said, a rare tone of approval entering his voice.
"Not because you succeeded, but because you adapted.
This is only the beginning, Kael."
The system interface blinked again.
"Quest Unlocked: Basic Training – First Strike
Objective: Successfully strike a training dummy.
Reward: +10 Experience, +1 System Point."
A small notification appeared beneath it.
Kael stared at the system window in amazement as the numbers increased.
His heartbeat steadied.
For the first time, he felt progress—not an accident, but a result of effort.
Hours passed as Eldric guided him through basic stances, footwork, and simple attack combinations.
Kael's body, though sore and unsteady, began to respond.
The slow transformation of weakness into capability was undeniable.
When night fully descended, the courtyard was bathed in moonlight.
Kael stood, exhausted but satisfied.
Master Eldric approached once more.
"Do not think that this system will do the work for you," he warned.
"Strength without discipline is as hollow as a blade without an edge.
Your journey is just beginning, and far greater trials await."
Kael nodded solemnly.
In the distance, beneath layers of stone and darkness, the skeletal Malgath stirred further.
The ancient necromancer's power pulsed in tandem with the faint, unfamiliar light that now resided in Kael Ardent.
The first step was taken, and neither destiny nor darkness would relent.