Aelric woke up before the sun rose. The borderlands were never warm, but today felt colder than usual. Maybe it was the wind… or maybe it was because he only slept two hours before being awakened by the footsteps of patrolling soldiers.
He sat up slowly, stretching his shoulders.
"Hahh… first day here and it already feels like I've been living a month."
Outside, a rooster crowed—though it sounded half-hearted, like even the rooster wasn't sure if it wanted to be awake.
Aelric stood, grabbed his thin cloak, and stepped out of the small building that served as his room. Many soldiers were already up, preparing gear or warming their hands by small fires.
Geros was in the corner brewing something that smelled… intense.
"Morning, Lord Aelric," he said without turning.
Aelric approached. "Shouldn't I be the one greeting you first?"
"Too many soldiers died because they woke up late," Geros replied, handing him a cup. "I don't want my new lord joining the list."
Aelric stared at the brown, murky drink. "Is this safe to drink?"
"Not really. But it keeps you awake."
Aelric shrugged and gulped it down. It tasted like boiled old wood. "Good god…"
"Is that a compliment?"
"No."
Geros chuckled.
Aelric took another sip, then glanced toward the small training ground behind the outpost. "Is Mira awake?"
"She's been up before me," Geros answered. "Said she wants to prepare for morning training."
Aelric nodded. "Alright, I'll go."
"Be careful," Geros warned. "After last night's attack, there might still be stray monsters around."
Aelric raised a brow. "Yeah, I'd rather not die for the first time on day two."
---
Aelric found Mira at the training field. She was standing with her eyes closed, doing the breathing exercise he taught her last night. Morning dew clung to her hair, making her look slightly frozen.
"Mira," Aelric called.
She opened her eyes quickly. "L-Lord Aelric! Good morning!"
Aelric folded his arms. "You didn't sleep?"
"A-a little…" Mira looked down. "I wanted to practice mana again… maybe get better… just a bit faster…"
Aelric sighed. "Mira, you need sleep too. Even I slept last night— and I'm usually terrible at it."
She clenched her hands awkwardly. "But… I don't want to disappoint you."
Aelric exhaled slowly.
"Listen," he said gently. "You're my first student here. I don't care if you're weak. Everyone starts at the bottom. Even I…"
Aelric paused, choosing words that didn't crush his dignity.
"…even I couldn't do anything back then."
Mira blinked at him. "But last night… you looked really strong…"
Aelric chuckled. "No. I'm just good at looking like I know what I'm doing."
Mira quickly covered her mouth, holding back a laugh. Probably the first time she smiled comfortably since meeting him.
Aelric patted her shoulder. "Okay. We'll try something different today."
"What should I do, Lord?" she asked eagerly.
"You're going to learn how to move," Aelric said. "Before mana, before spells, before swords—you need to learn how to run."
Mira swallowed. "H-how far…?"
"Anything that doesn't kill you."
"T-that's… not very clear, Lord."
"That's the point of training."
---
Morning practice went faster than she expected. Aelric taught her how to control her breathing, how to steady her steps, and how not to panic when she got tired. Mira wasn't athletic, but she was disciplined.
Every time she was about to collapse, Aelric was right behind her, fixing her breathing rhythm and giving one simple instruction:
"Slow, but keep moving. Don't stop."
After thirty minutes, a small panel appeared in front of Aelric.
[Mira: Physical Endurance +1]
[Mira: Mana Core Flicker — 14%]
Good progress.
Mira dropped to the ground, panting. "I-I'm dying…"
"You're still breathing," Aelric replied, sitting beside her. "The dead don't complain."
Mira made a soft groan, like a cat that had its energy squeezed out.
---
While they rested, Geros approached with a serious face.
"Lord Aelric, a message for you," he said.
Aelric straightened. "From who?"
"From the capital—Eldoria."
"That was fast," Aelric murmured.
Geros handed him a sealed scroll. "Delivered by a special courier. He said it's urgent."
"From my father?"
"I don't know, Lord. But the seal… it isn't the royal one."
Aelric narrowed his eyes. The symbol indeed wasn't royal—it was a pair of crossed swords engulfed in flame. A noble faction's insignia.
"Which faction is this…?" Aelric muttered.
Geros lowered his voice. "One that… dislikes your position, Lord."
Aelric let out a dry laugh. "Of course. No noble likes a prince with no class."
He opened the scroll.
The message was short.
"We know you're alive.
We know where you are.
And we know you're no threat.
Stay that way, and we'll let you breathe."
Aelric went silent.
Not because he was afraid—
but because of how utterly pathetic the threat was.
"Geros," he said calmly. "Do these idiots think I'll obey just because they sent a cheap threat?"
"I'm not sure, Lord."
Aelric crushed the scroll into dust-like shreds. "Fine. If they want me to stay weak… I'll do the opposite."
Mira looked at him, confused. "Lord… is something wrong?"
Aelric sighed. "Just some fools who can't accept that I'm still alive."
Mira didn't respond, but her eyes showed worry.
He patted her head. "We'll train again later. For now… I want to check the eastern wall. Something's been bothering me."
Geros nodded. "I'll join you."
"A-and me?" Mira asked softly.
"You need rest," Aelric said. "Don't push yourself."
She bit her lip, but nodded.
Aelric and Geros walked toward the eastern wall—where monsters had attacked the night before. As they approached, Aelric instantly felt something was wrong.
Monster remains didn't vanish like usual. Normally demon bodies turned to black smoke as they died.
But this morning… black crust-like residue remained on the ground, as if something about last night's horde had changed.
Geros whistled. "This… isn't normal."
Aelric crouched. "This world loves surprises, huh…"
"In my experience," Geros said quietly,
"when a horde leaves remains like this… it means one thing."
Aelric raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Geros swallowed. "A stronger monster has awakened."
Aelric looked toward the dark forest in the distance.
A panel flashed.
[New Threat Detected]
[Species: Unknown — Elite Tier Signals]
[Estimated Arrival: 3–5 Days]
Aelric let out a long breath.
"Averra really isn't done greeting me, huh?"
He smiled slightly—half resigned, half excited.
"Well then," he muttered.
"If this world wants to throw elite monsters at me…
I'll throw something back."