"Ready?" Lirael asked, her stance already shifting into a poised, low guard.
Reyn swallowed hard and nodded. "Ready."
Lirael moved first, her speed explosive. She came at him with a diagonal strike that Reyn barely managed to block.
Bang!
The impact jarred his arms, nearly knocking the wooden sword from his grasp. He stumbled back, but quickly recovered, his body reacting instinctively to dodge the follow-up thrust aimed at his midsection.
"Not bad," she said, her tone indicating faint approval. "But let's see how you handle this."
She shifted her stance and came at him with a rapid combination of strikes. Each swing of her sword was precise, fluid, and deceptively powerful.
Reyn struggled to keep up, parrying and dodging where he could, but his movements lacked the refinement needed to effectively counter her assault.
As the seconds ticked by, the pressure mounted. His breathing grew labored, and his muscles burned from the effort of fending off her attacks. He could feel his stamina waning, his legs growing heavy. Yet, somewhere deep within him, there was a surge of determination—an unwillingness to yield.
[Time left:- 00:16]
[Time left:- 00:15]
[Time left:- 00:14]
The system's timer continued counting down, and with each second that passed, Reyn's desperation fueled him to push harder. He gritted his teeth and lunged forward with a desperate swing.
It wasn't a calculated strike, just a wild attempt to keep her at bay. But Lirael sidestepped effortlessly, bringing the flat of her blade down on his shoulder.
Thwack!
"Ack!!" Reyn stumbled and dropped to one knee, gasping for breath as the final seconds of the timer ticked away.
Ding!
[Mission Complete! You lasted 30 seconds in a spar with Lirael!]
[Rewards: Stats Unlocked, +4 on all unlocked stats, +15 ER from Lirael]
The chime echoed in his ears, but Reyn barely registered it as he struggled to rise. Lirael looked down at him, her expression a mixture of surprise and grudging respect.
"You lasted longer than I expected," she admitted, offering him a hand. "But don't let it go to your head. This was nothing compared to a real fight."
Reyn took her hand and got back to his feet, the new surge of energy from the completed mission helping him recover. "I… I'll get better," he said, determination burning in his eyes.
Lirael nodded. "We'll see," she said, her tone carrying a hint of a challenge. "Training resumes at dawn tomorrow. Don't be late."
»«»«»«
The morning came swiftly, the pale light of dawn stretching over the village as Reyn returned to the training grounds, where Lirael was already waiting.
She stood at the edge of the clearing, her expression calm and unreadable as she watched him approach. "Good morning." He said, scratching his head.
Without a word, she gestured for him to begin, and Reyn immediately launched into the drills from the previous day, repeating the basic sword swings and stances with as much precision as he could muster.
Each swing of the wooden practice sword cut through the crisp morning air, his movements fluid yet deliberate. His muscles protested as the strain from the previous day's training lingered, but he pushed through the fatigue, determined not to show any signs of weakness.
While he went through the drills, Lirael circled him, occasionally stepping in to correct his posture or adjust his stance with a swift nudge or a firm word of instruction.
"Again," she ordered, her tone firm. "Focus on your balance. Your footing is off."
Reyn gritted his teeth, nodding as he reset his stance and resumed the drill. He could feel the burn in his arms and legs. He repeated the swings, his movements more refined with each attempt, and though he stumbled once or twice, he quickly recovered.
Ding!
The familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind.
[New Quest: Prove Yourself to Lirael!]
[Objective: Execute five consecutive flawless techniques during training. Reward: +20 ER, Increase Tier 1 Bond with Lirael by 7%]
[Failure: Reduced progress in bond development]
The sudden appearance of the quest gave Reyn pause, and he glanced at Lirael, who was still observing him with a critical eye. It was as if the system was challenging him to meet her expectations—perhaps even exceed them. He couldn't afford to fail.
Reyn took a deep breath, steeling himself. The quest wasn't just about hitting a milestone for the system; it was about proving himself worthy of Lirael's time and effort.
He adjusted his grip on the wooden sword, feeling the weight of the challenge settle onto his shoulders. His gaze focused sharply on the path before him, and he began the drills again.
He repeated the basic sword swing, ensuring that his stance was perfect and his movements were precise. One flawless technique down. Then another. His heart raced as he concentrated, his mind blocking out everything except the rhythm of his strikes. Sweat trickled down his brow, and his muscles ached, but he pushed himself harder, driving toward the goal set by the system.
By the time he executed the fifth flawless technique, a wave of relief washed over him.
Ding!
[Quest Complete! You have executed five consecutive flawless techniques.]
[Rewards: +20 ER, Increased Tier 1 Bond with Lirael (+7%)]
A pulse of energy flowed through him, invigorating his tired limbs and filling him with a sense of accomplishment. He took a moment to catch his breath, glancing at Lirael, who gave him a curt nod of acknowledgment.
"Better," she said, her voice carrying a hint of approval. "But you're still too rigid. A good swordsman needs to be adaptable, not just precise. You have to flow with the movement."
Reyn listened intently, nodding as he absorbed her advice. "Yes, understood," he said, his tone more determined than before.
Lirael continued, "Today's training isn't just about technique. It's about endurance. We'll keep going until your body learns to move on its own. Again."
Reyn's muscles screamed in protest, but he didn't hesitate. He threw himself into the drills, each repetition blurring into the next as he pushed past the limits of his body.
Despite the strain, Reyn found that the techniques came more naturally with each repetition. The movements that had felt awkward and forced the day before now seemed to flow with a rhythm, almost as if his body was beginning to understand what his mind could not yet grasp.
By midday, Lirael called for a break. Reyn dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. His body was drenched in sweat, his muscles trembling with exhaustion.
Yet, there was a sense of satisfaction that filled him, a small spark of pride. He could feel the bond with Lirael growing stronger—subtle, but undeniable.
As he caught his breath, another notification from the system appeared.
[Lirael's Approval has slightly increased.]
[Current Tier 1 Bond Progress: 15%]
Reyn wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced at Lirael, who leaned against a nearby tree, her arms crossed as she studied him with a look that was less critical than before. "You learn quickly," she remarked. "Faster than most."
The praise, however faint, brought a smile to Reyn's lips. "Thank you. I… I'm just doing my best."
"Don't let it get to your head," Lirael replied. "A few days of training won't make you a warrior. There's still much to learn, and if you don't keep up, I'll leave you behind." Her tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a glimmer of something else in her eyes—perhaps a hint of respect.
"Understood," Reyn said, his voice steady. "I won't let you down."
"Good," she replied. "We'll resume in ten minutes. Use the time to stretch and drink some water. You'll need the energy."
As Lirael walked away, Reyn took a deep breath and allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction. He had made progress, not just in his training but also in earning Lirael's acknowledgment. It wasn't much, but it was a start.