Noah wasn't lying, his eyes were full of belief.
The captain's expression turned serious.
"Noah, why do you want to train?"
It was a fair question. Noah had never wanted to train, but that was only because he considered himself too weak compared to the others.
"Simple, captain. I want to win."
Kuer's expression changed.
'Why now? He changed his mind five days before the tournament, and now he wants to win it too?'
It was a fair thought. It would be impossible for anyone to try to win the tournament, but not for Noah.
The skill unlocked through Elise was strong enough that he could afford the luxury of trying. Even though he had never tried it before, he was convinced. SSS skills, after all, are the strongest that exist.
It wouldn't be easy even with that, but with Kuer's help, he thought he could make huge strides in the few days remaining.
Noah had never really committed himself, and because of that, he had never trained hard. Such an aggressive approach to training would push his body beyond its usual limits, providing him with stimuli he had never experienced before. Stimuli that, in a short time, would make him much stronger.
"Why do you want to win? You've never committed yourself, so why now?"
Kuer was perplexed, but he wasn't looking for a way to refuse Noah's request. He just wanted to understand what drove him to fight with such determination. If the motivation behind his change was empty, then everything would be pointless.
'I can't believe I actually have to use that excuse. Well, not that I really care.'
Noah remembered one of the interests he had seen through his skill: loyalty.
He decided to use this to win Kuer's heart.
"I want to stand by His Majesty's side. My goal is much higher than that of a simple knight in the protection team, but for now, I need to be there," he said, a tear running down his face.
Kuer was so moved by Noah's dedication that he almost began to cry.
'What a pure boy.'
"All right, Noah. I'll help you, but know that it won't be easy."
Noah knew it wouldn't be easy, especially after the speech he had just given. If it weren't for that damn system, he would have preferred to die.
"See you tomorrow, before dawn. Two hours of training together before we join the others."
'Before we join the others...' Noah thought, despairing.
"All right, see you tomorrow, Captain."
Kuer grinned sinisterly as Noah walked away. Noticing this, a shiver ran through him.
Leaving the training room, Noah began walking towards his room.
[Congratulations, you tricked Kuer by playing on his feelings. You are a horrible person.]
[Title earned: Clown]
[The title acts passively, making the lies of those who use it seem more convincing.]
Titles were additional enhancements, mainly obtained for significant experiences or various achievements. They were divided into two ranks: active and passive. Usually, the active ones were much rarer and therefore much stronger, but they obviously had equally important limitations.
"Should I thank you for the power of the title, or should I curse you for giving me this one? It's all your fault, system," Noah muttered, swollen with rage and ready to insult it in any way he could.
It was now nighttime. Noah had arrived in his room and decided to rest. He knew that for the next four days, his life would never be the same.
***
'Do I really have to get up already?
The time had already come.
Noah was forced to get up and go straight to the training room. He didn't feel like it, but he was honest in wanting to improve, so he decided to do his best. After all, if he didn't do his best, he would die.
"You're right on time. Good job, Noah. Let's get started."
Kuer seemed more pumped than ever. Noah wondered if he really had slept at all.
"Your training will consist of a ten-kilometer run, three hundred push-ups, and three hundred sit-ups in three sets. We'll finish the training with a fight against me, where I'll help you refine your technique and gain experience in the field."
"Really, push-ups, running, and sit-ups?"
Noah wasn't convinced by these exercises as they were too basic. He needed to get strong quickly and didn't want to waste time on useless things.
"Yes, really. You're so bad right now that even walking would do you good. Don't underestimate these exercises. They are fundamental in any case."
Kuer was visibly angry. Noah didn't respond for fear of what would happen to him if he complained again.
Besides, Kuer was right. Noah was in terrible shape.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I'll start right away."
Noah started with running. After just 2 kilometers, he couldn't take it anymore. His legs were shaking, he was out of breath, and his heart was about to burst. Nevertheless, it was necessary to become stronger, so he continued until the end.
Running was essential for improving agility and endurance.
Then he moved on to push-ups and sit-ups. They were less tiring than running, but after doing 100, his body began to give way. His arms were weakened and could no longer hold him up. He simply continued out of inertia.
"Well done, Noah."
Kuer's voice was honest and proud. Seeing someone work so hard filled him with joy. After all, one of Kuer's interests was perseverance.
"Well, now let's finish our training. Take the sword and attack me as if you wanted to kill me. If you can make me use the sword in these four days, I can guarantee you will have victory in your grasp."
Noah nodded and took the sword.
He ran towards him with all his remaining strength, then struck with all his might. He thought he had done it, but Kuer simply had to move to dodge it.
After dodging, Kuer counterattacked with a punch straight to Noah's stomach, almost making him puke.
Noah's embarrassment was too much. He expected him to beat him easily, but not to humiliate him as well.
"Remember, no opponent will ever be kind to you. In a battle, there are two possibilities: you win or you die. Now get up and fight again."
Despite his severity, Noah sensed that the man in front of him was treating him with the utmost respect. For Kuer, this confrontation had the weight of an official duel, even though the distance between them was enormous. Never underestimate your opponent, that was the message he was trying to convey.
Noah stood up as Kuer requested and began to attack him.
His movements were slower and less powerful.
"Before, you were too convinced you could do something, but now you let yourself be overwhelmed by anger and remain powerless. You must learn to control your emotions, they are a warrior's main weapon. If you can manage not to be overwhelmed by them even in the worst situations, then you will become a diamond in a sea of coal."
Noah understood what he was saying, but he couldn't explain why he was unable to control his anger. Was it because of the humiliation? No, that wasn't it. He just wanted to become stronger.
One of his deepest desires was to be so powerful as to be disgusting. He didn't want people to look down on him anymore. He wanted to be able to defend himself and those he cared about, even if it meant becoming a monster in the eyes of others.
A simple desire. As simple as it is complex.
[Congratulations, a new title has been unlocked. You were able to understand what you truly desire without anyone's help.]
[Title: Impassive]
[Allows you to control your emotions even in difficult moments]
'..Thank you.'
Noah's first sincere thank you, like that of a child, was directed at the system.
Noah took a breath and attacked again. This time his attacks were calm and controlled. They were still the work of an inexperienced hand, but they were definitely full of determination.
'You little bastard... And to think that until yesterday you didn't even want to commit to daily training.'
Kuer began to smile before knocking Noah to the ground again.
"We're done for today. Now you'll start training with the others."
"You're a demon," Noah muttered, breathless.
Despite everything, as he uttered those words, Noah had a hidden smile. It was as if that torture somehow amused him.