Two months had passed since Kael's reincarnation, and his days had become a blur of grueling training and endless hours spent honing his skills. The fortress, once a prison in his mind, had become his sanctuary. Yet, despite his relentless efforts, his progress was still slow. He had come a long way, but he knew that he wasn't strong enough to face the dungeon just yet. The two months had brought him significant improvement, but that wasn't enough to stop the impending catastrophe.
That evening, after his practice had ended, Kael collapsed onto a bench, his muscles sore and aching from the exertion. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, resting for a moment before assessing his progress. He had pushed his body to its limits and his mind was exhausted, but there was a nagging sense of frustration deep inside. He wasn't where he needed to be, and every day he could feel the weight of time slipping away from him.
With a sigh, Kael turned his attention to the system window. The familiar glow of his status screen illuminated his vision as he took a moment to look over his progress. He couldn't afford to let his improvement slip away without acknowledging it. He had worked hard for it, and even though it was slow, he knew it was moving him in the right direction.
---
[System Interface - Kael Thorne]
Name: Kael Thorne
Title(s): Exiled Scion, Fallen Noble, Dignity of the Noble (Passive Trait)
Potential: B+
Current Rank: F (Current Progress: F+)
Trait: None
Attributes:
Strength: 15 (F) → 24 (F+)
Agility: 12 (F) → 18 (F)
Endurance: 27 (F+) → 37 (E-)
Intelligence: 25 (F+) → 35 (E-)
Mana Capacity: 20 (F) → 30 (F+)
Luck: 10 (F-)
---
Kael's eyes lingered on the numbers. They had improved, but he still had so much further to go. His strength was still far below the level required to confront the dungeon, and his mana capacity—while improving—was still far from enough to even attempt something so dangerous. He had pushed himself past his limits, but it didn't seem to be enough. Yet, he couldn't afford to stop. He wouldn't let himself remain weak.
The door to his quarters creaked open, and Liana stepped in, holding a bowl of food in her hands. Kael's tired eyes flickered to her, and despite his exhaustion, a small smile tugged at his lips. She had been a constant source of comfort during these grueling months, always making sure he had food, rest, and words of encouragement.
"I made you dinner," Liana said softly, setting the bowl down in front of him. "You've been training so hard. I want to make sure you're well-fed so you can keep pushing yourself."
Kael gave a small nod of appreciation. "You're always so kind, Liana. I don't deserve all this."
Liana smiled at him, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "It's nothing, really. I just want you to be okay."
He reached for the chopsticks, taking a bite of the food she had prepared. Instantly, he could taste the difference in the ingredients, the care she put into it. "This is amazing, Liana. You're truly a gifted cook."
Liana's blush deepened, and she looked away, slightly flustered. "It's really not much… I just try my best."
Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I think you're being too modest. It's perfect. You've really outdone yourself again."
Liana's smile grew, and she took a seat beside him. They sat in comfortable silence, the moment simple but meaningful. Kael couldn't deny that he had grown fond of her presence. It was one of the few things that felt like home in this fortress, a reminder that there was still warmth in a world that felt so cold.
"I'll be pushing myself harder tomorrow," Kael said, his voice serious but soft. "I can't afford to let my progress stagnate."
Liana looked at him with concern. "Just make sure you don't push yourself too hard, Kael. You need to rest, too."
He gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. I just have to keep moving forward."
---
The following day, Kael was back at his training. His body was sore, his movements sluggish, but he pushed through it. He couldn't afford to slow down now. Every moment of weakness was a step away from his goal. He was determined to make every second count.
As the day drew to a close, Korrin appeared at his door, his expression serious. Kael straightened up at the sight of him, wondering what had brought him here this time.
"The commander wants to see you," Korrin said. His tone was neutral, but there was a hint of something in his voice that Kael couldn't quite place. "Get yourself ready. You're meeting him in his office."
Kael frowned, wondering what this was about. "What's this about?"
"I don't know," Korrin replied, shaking his head. "Just get ready. I'm taking you there now."
Kael nodded, setting down his training sword and following Korrin through the halls. He could feel the weight of the moment in the air. The commander was a figure of great authority, and despite everything, Kael knew he had to be careful. The last thing he needed was to draw unwanted attention to himself.
As they made their way to the commander's office, Kael couldn't help but feel a little nervous. He had met the commander a few times before, but never alone. The man was an imposing figure, a master of strategy and combat. Kael didn't know much about him, but he had heard stories—stories that spoke of the commander's cold, calculating nature and his immense power.
When they reached the commander's office, Korrin stepped aside and nodded for Kael to enter. Kael took a deep breath and walked inside. The room was austere, decorated with maps of the fortress and surrounding areas, battle plans, and reports. It reeked of authority. Behind a large desk sat the commander, his eyes cold and assessing as they locked onto Kael.
"Kael Thorne," the commander said, his voice as hard as iron. "I trust your training has been progressing well."
Kael stood straight, raising his chin slightly, and met the commander's gaze. His passive Stoic Resolve helped him remain calm under the pressure, and his Dignity of the Noble title gave him the confidence to maintain his composure.
"It's been going well, sir," Kael replied, his voice firm. "I've been pushing myself every day."
The commander's gaze didn't soften. "Good. But remember—your actions affect more than just you. You're not the only one in this fortress, and I expect you to act accordingly. Don't let your pride be your downfall."
Kael nodded, his expression unwavering. "Understood, sir."
The commander's eyes narrowed as if he were trying to read Kael's very soul. "I trust you'll be mindful of your actions. I'm leaving for the eastern side of the fortress next week. There have been reports of monsters acting strangely in that area. I'll be leading a group of soldiers to investigate. I expect you to stay out of trouble while I'm away."
Kael's mind raced as the commander spoke. Monsters acting strangely… it couldn't just be a coincidence. Something was happening, something connected to the dungeon. The timing was too perfect. If the commander and his soldiers were leaving, that meant Kael would have the perfect opportunity to investigate the dungeon himself.
He fought to keep his face neutral, not letting his thoughts show. "I'll stay out of trouble, sir. You have my word."
The commander's gaze softened slightly, but just barely. "Good. Don't make things difficult while I'm gone. I don't need to remind you of the consequences."
Kael inclined his head, his expression still calm. "Of course, sir."
---
As he left the commander's office, Kael's mind was already working, planning. Strange monsters, reports of disturbances—it all pointed to the dungeon. The commander's absence would give him the perfect opportunity to investigate. But he had to be careful. He couldn't let anyone know what he was really doing. Not yet.
He walked back to his quarters, his heart pounding with anticipation. The next few days would be crucial. He had to be ready.