A week had passed since Scarlet had joined the Duskveil family, and while Ryan had been keeping busy with his daily routine, something had been weighing on his mind—his training. Ryan realized that, in order to protect his family and be ready for the challenges ahead, he needed to push himself harder. But there was only so much he could do alone. He needed guidance from his parents.
One morning at breakfast, Ryan decided it was time to ask for their help.
"Mom, Dad," Ryan began, looking at both of them. "I've been thinking… I want to improve my training. Could you both help me?"
Roger grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Oh? Ready to ask help from your old man?" he teased.
Helena gave Ryan a warm smile. "Of course, we can help. But Ryan, you need to understand, serious training won't be easy. Are you sure you're ready for the challenge?"
Ryan nodded firmly. "I know it'll be hard, but I need to get stronger. I want to work on both my swordsmanship and my magic."
Roger crossed his arms, his usual light-hearted expression becoming more serious. "Well, the sword's my department. You've got the Duskveil bloodline plus unlike me you have high earth magic affinity, so magic's a big part of your potential too. That's where your mother will step in."
Helena nodded. "It sounds like we'll both be part of your training. But before we begin, let's check your current level. Have you used the panel recently?"
Ryan shook his head. "Not yet, but I'll do it now."
With that, Ryan pulled out the panel paper, an alchemical product that bound to the user's consciousness when they pricked their finger. Ryan dropped a small bead of blood onto the paper, watching as it glowed softly and displayed his current stats.
Name: Ryan Duskveil
Age: 10 years
Level: Level 1 Magister
Skills: Earth Spear, Earth Boulder, Amplification Magic, Magic Missile, Primary Gravity Manipulation, Northern Sword Flow (Primary)
Attributes: High Earth Magic Affinity
Ryan looked at his stats thoughtfully. He knew his magic skills were developing well, but his physique wasn't keeping up. His body still felt weaker compared to the knights, and he wanted to improve that.
Ryan chuckled to himself as he glanced at the panel. Which senior time traveler came up with this idea? he thought jokingly. It felt like a game system straight out of a fantasy world, but it worked.
"Looks like I'm doing okay with magic, but my physical strength needs work," Ryan said, looking back at his parents.
Roger nodded in agreement. "That's because knights and magisters share the same leveling system, but knights focus on close combat while magisters rely on long-range skills. Since you're aiming for both, it's going to take more effort."
"I know," Ryan said seriously. "But I want to master both. I can't rely on just magic or just the sword."
Helena smiled softly. "That's an ambitious goal, Ryan. But you have the potential for both. You've got a powerful soul, which is rare for someone who isn't a witch. That might come from me. Your earth magic affinity is also stronger than your father's, so we'll make the most of that."
Roger laughed lightly. "Yeah, I'll admit, my earth magic is nothing special. But your mother's is top-notch, so you're in good hands."
The next morning, Ryan's intensive training began. Roger took him to the training grounds, where the focus was purely on physical combat and swordsmanship. They started with basic forms, but soon Roger pushed Ryan to move faster, striking harder and with more precision.
"Strength is important," Roger said as he demonstrated a powerful overhead strike. "But control is the key. Without control, all the strength in the world won't save you in a real fight."
Ryan followed his father's lead, gripping his sword tightly as he mimicked the overhead strike. The weight of the sword was familiar now, but the force behind each swing still needed refining. His muscles burned from the effort, but he welcomed the challenge.
"Remember, don't just attack blindly," Roger added, correcting Ryan's stance. "Think of each strike as part of a flow. Control the flow, and you control the fight."
They moved through a series of drills, focusing on the northern sword flow, a style known for its precision and fluidity. Roger encouraged Ryan to keep his movements steady and balanced, his steps light but firm. It was exhausting work, but Ryan felt himself improving with each session.
By midday, Ryan's arms were sore, and sweat dripped from his forehead. But despite the exhaustion, there was a deep sense of satisfaction growing inside him. He could feel his body getting stronger, slowly but surely.
Roger clapped him on the back after their training. "Not bad for your first day of real training, son. Keep this up, and you'll be strong enough to take on anyone."
In the evenings, Ryan switched to magical training with Helena. She led both him and Scarlet to a quiet field outside the estate, where they could practice their spells without interruption.
"Magic is about focus," Helena explained as she demonstrated an earth spell, her voice calm and patient. "Earth magic requires you to feel the ground beneath you, to connect with it. Let it ground you, and use its strength."
Ryan stood beside Scarlet, each of them working on their respective magic. Ryan focused on his earth spells, while Scarlet worked on her flame magic. Flames danced on her fingertips as she practiced summoning fire, a glow lighting up her determined expression.
"Earth Spear," Ryan murmured, focusing his mana as he raised his hand. The ground rumbled slightly before a sharp spear of earth shot upward. It was more stable than before, and he felt a sense of pride in his progress.
Scarlet, still getting used to controlling her fire magic, concentrated hard as a small flame flickered in her palm. She breathed steadily, carefully shaping the fire. Helena stood nearby, offering guidance.
"Fire is powerful but dangerous if not controlled," Helena said gently, watching as Scarlet managed to form a small ball of fire. "Focus on balance. Fire can be destructive, but it can also be life-giving."
As the days passed, Ryan's earth magic became more refined. He also practiced non-attribute spells to improve his versatility. Meanwhile, Scarlet grew more confident in her flame magic, learning to summon flames with greater precision.
By the end of each day, Ryan was exhausted but satisfied with his progress. His training with both his parents had started to yield results. His sword skills were becoming sharper, and his magic was growing more refined. Scarlet, too, was showing remarkable improvement in her flame magic, thanks to Helena's guidance.
Late at night, as Ryan lay in bed, reflecting on the day, he felt a sense of accomplishment. There was still a long way to go, but with the support of his parents and the growing bond with Scarlet, he knew he would only get stronger.
to be continued....