I feel my whole arms going numb after my daily morning task, which makes me want to skip training today.
"No!"
But wasn't allowed to by grandpa.
"The more it hurts, the better it is. Get used to pain, because as a swordsman you'll feel pain every time you fight"
That's what he said.
As such, I have no choice but to continue doing the same swinging motion like yesterday.
Morris then came an hour later just to swing a wooden sword at our wooden sword. It resulted in both of me and Kim Jaesuk's grips becomes loose.
Feeling more pain on my hand, I clenched my teeth to continue training.
I turned my head around to see that Kim Jaesuk's doing the same, which makes me feel quite good as I'm not suffering alone.
"It doesn't hurt that much"
He suddenly said.
"I'm just mimicking your expression"
"You bastard..."
And just like that, the day is over again doing the same routine.
---
A week passed by, and it's Monday again.
Waking up in the morning, I began counting how long since I arrived at this world. Since we arrived on Thursday, its been 17 days since then.
I've been in this world for more than half a month.
After training for a whole week, my hands doesn't feel as numb as before. There's slight pain, but it's bearable. My build has been improving slightly as well thanks to the daily task that I need to do every morning.
The most exciting thing for me is the fact that my attributes have increased.
- STATUS WINDOW -
Name : Alex Stone
Age : 21
Race : Human
Attributes
Strength : 10 (from 8)
Constitution : 15 (from 14)
Dexterity :9
Intelligence : 4
Luck : 8
Grandpa did said that lower amount of attributes increases quite easily, and the challenge began at 20 points.
I'm starting to look forward to how strong I will be at 20 strength.
After pondering for a moment, I get ready to go out and do my daily task as usual.
Finishing up my morning routine with Kim Jaesuk, we both then went to the barracks again for training.
The first hour went just as usual before captain Morris came and swung his sword at ours again.
(clank!)
Look and behold, the result of my training.
The sword didn't flew away like usual, but my hand still went numb from the sensation.
Kim Jaesuk succeed in not releasing his grip since a couple days ago, but I'm finally able to do it just today.
I can't help but feel a little proud of myself.
"Hahahahahhaah did you see that?"
I laughed and said to Kim Jaesuk.
"I told you I'll be able to fo this in just a couple of days more than you"
"Well, but I'm still earlier though?"
"Ughh.."
"Okay stop bickering and listen"
Captain Morris then gathered our attention.
Since you both are able to keep your grip strong, we'll start sparring starting for today.
"Eh?!"
Me and Kim Jaesuk exclaimed at the same time before asking,
"So... you mean sparring as in fighting with sword? Like I'll be fighting Kim Jaesuk?"
I asked.
"Yes, you'll be fighting with a sword, but your opponent won't be each other, but other person"
Captain Morris explained before calling out to someone.
"Ars! Sutra! Come here both of you!"
"Sir!"
Right after shouting out their name, a couple of guys that looked young appeared through the front door of the barrack.
"Starting today, you both will be their sparring partner. Show no mercy, and your task is to make them drop their weapon. Where as Alex and Jaesuk's task will be to keep holding your sword until the end of the time limit, which will be 5 minutes"
Their face changed a little bit before agreeing with captain Morris.
"Yes, sir!"
"Okay hold your position"
We then stand in front of each other with a little bit of distance between ourselves.
Their facial features looked a bit similar, so I assume that they're siblings.
I'll be sparring against the one that looked younger, Ars and Kim Jaesuk will be against the older one, Sutra.
After getting ready, captain Morris started counting.
"Ready, 3...2...1.... start!"
Just as I was thinking how Ars would attack me, he suddenly dashed to me and swung his sword without giving me a chance to react.
(clank!)
And just like that, my sword flew from my grip.
"..."
I just stared blankly at my opponent without realising what happened until few seconds after.
And then I suddenly felt the pain on my hand.
"Ugh..."
"Weak"
"Huh?"
"Captain Morris personally trained you but you can't even grip your sword properly, disappointing"
He said while looking at me with contempt.
"You bastard..."
I said that, but I can't really do anything about it since I lost in the first move.
He then ignored me and looked at Kim Jaesuk and Sutra, before showing a surprised expression.
Following his line of sight, I see that Kim Jaesuk is holding his ground quite well, defending while moving here and there for a couple of minutes, before his sword flew away as well.
Sutra then offered his hand to pull Kim Jaesuk up which he accepted before saying,
"Good work"
While smiling. Kim Jaesuk then replied the same
"You too"
"Alright, Kim Jaesuk did quite well for his first match, but Alex lost straight away. For now, Alex will do the usual hold your sword while Jaesuk will be the one to swing his sword at you"
He tasked us before saying to the sibling
"Ars and Sutra, good work for both of you. You're exempt from today's training and do whatever you want. I'll be staying here to look after them"
"Yes, sir!"
They said before walking away.
I stared at their back remembering the look of contempt that Ars gave me.
"Don't get upset"
Captain Morris suddenly said.
"Pardon?"
"Don't get upset at Ars, he's just envious at the fact that I'm teaching you guys"
"Ahh no, I mean..."
"I know, it's okay. You can do better next time"
"Yes sir..."
I answered clearly feeling down.
Captain Morris then told us to begin the training while observing.
My goal for now is not to release my grip no matter what happen.
"Oh by the way, did your attributes increased Jaesuk?"
I asked.
"Yeah, a bit. Take a look"
- STATUS WINDOW-
Name : Kim Jaesuk
Age : 22
Race : Human
Attributes
Strength : 15 (from 14)
Constitution : 15 (from 14)
Dexterity : 6
Intelligence : 15
Luck : 5
"Whoa you've got 15 strength now"
"Yep. I can't really feel the difference though..."
"Let's start training. Come at me!"
"Alright"
Kim Jaesuk replied before swinging his sword at mine.
---
Night came, and we all sat together at the dining room.
"Come to think of it, what's your profession grandpa?"
I asked grandpa while eating.
"Hmm? It's nothing great. I was a swordsman back when I was active"
"Ohh... what about grandma?"
"Your grandma was a wizard.. a pretty terrifying one at that hahahah"
"Hey, I wasn't okay"
They said jokingly.
Kim Jaesuk then asked
"How do we see our profession or class? I can't see it in the status window"
"Oh you're right. I realised it back when I showed you guys how to open the status window, but I didn't see any classes tab. Which means you need to go to a church to ask them for an awakening"
"Awakening?"
"Yes, its sort of a ritual to be able to see what's your profession. Of course, profession such as alchemist, blacksmith, etc don't really need an awakening as you can just simply become one. But one like swordsman, wizard, priest, etc. need to done through the church. After going through the awakening, you'll be able to see a more advanced status window"
"Ohh I see. By the way, can I see your status window grandpa?"
Kim Jaesuk asked.
Grandpa then smiled slightly before saying
"Nope, its a secret"
"Ah not fair! I showed you mine..."
I said jokingly.
"Hahaha, maybe I'll show it to you in the future"
"What about yours, grandma?"
"I'll show you when grandpa shows his haha"
"Oh, come on..."
We then chatted a bit before Kim Jaesuk asked again
"So, does it mean that if you just trained without going to church ever to get an awakening, you'll never be a swordsman?"
"Nope, it doesn't work like that. The awakening is simply for you to have an official class or profession. Advanced status window will show more of your profession and talent as well, which will benefit you greatly. Of course, if you continue training without ever checking what your talent are, you might get stuck because your passion doesn't fit your talent"
"I see..."
"Anyway, since dinner is finished, clean up your plates and go get rest"
Grandpa said before standing up first.
I then clean up after myself and went back to my room as well.
Thinking about what grandpa said, I begin to ponder
'I trained hard to be a swordsman, but what if my talent it not swordsman? Will I be doing it for nothing then?'
'...'
'I'll just think about it when the times comes, time to sleep'
I then closed my eyes before falling into deep sleep.