What can I do?
Can I stop this beast horde?
Even a dozen knights couldn't stop the beast horde, so what can I, an apprentice, do?
Should I spread rumors about the upcoming beast horde?
But even if I did, I couldn't be sure this territory would survive the onslaught.
Just thinking about the beast horde from my previous life sent chills down my spine.
No. I couldn't gamble my survival on that.
Then, what should I do?
Should I escape from this territory?
Right now, I was just an ordinary human—slightly stronger than most, but still far from ready. Running away wasn't an option, not yet. Maybe, after a few years of training, once I reached third-class knight apprentice, I'd have a chance to escape.
But as the thought of escape crossed my mind, guilt began to fill my heart.
Should I leave my friends behind? Those I had trained with for the past ten years. Should I let them die here? But I couldn't tell them about the beast horde. If I did, they'd surely suspect me. And if they reported me to the baron, it would only make things worse.
But staying here meant waiting for death. No matter how guilty I felt, my survival had to come first.
I couldn't be certain if this regression was a one-time chance, but I couldn't risk betting my life on it. With no other choice, I resolved to flee. If I died this time, I might not regress again.
As Adrian thought, night fell quietly. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of the wooden door. Caster, dressed in simple linen clothes, stepped inside.
"Adrian, how's your injury?" Caster asked, concern etched on his face.
"It's better," Adrian replied. "In a few days, I'll be fully recovered."
Caster sighed with relief. "I'm really sorry about what happened during the hunt. I feel like it's all my fault."
"Don't worry about it," Adrian reassured him. "It wasn't all your fault. The beast was stronger than we thought."
Caster seemed to relax, nodding. "I assumed you'd be hungry, so I brought you some bread," he said, placing a loaf on the table.
"Thanks, Caster," Adrian replied.
"The instructor told me to let you know that once you're recovered, you can join the training again."
Adrian nodded. "Thanks for the reminder."
Caster smiled warmly. "Get some rest. I'll see you later."
With that, he bid farewell and left the room.
Once Caster left, Adrian locked the door from inside and walked toward the table. He picked up a piece of bread and took a bite. It was hard and coarse, but for a knight apprentice, it was the best food they could get.
This world wasn't very capable at food production. In fact, this white bread was considered a rare delicacy. As for meat, only nobles had regular access to it, and for knight apprentices, it was only during special occasions. For the typical commoner, who ate nothing but hard, black bread, this was a luxury.
After finishing the bread, he got back into bed, hoping to get some sleep. He needed rest to heal quickly and return to his training.
'This time, I'll survive, no matter what,' he thought as his eyes closed.
---
Five days later, Adrian made his way to the training ground, his injury fully healed after a few days of rest and herbal treatments. The natural resilience of the human body in this world far exceeded that of Earth, allowing him to recover with remarkable speed.
As he approached the training area, the familiar sounds of swords clashing and the lively chatter of his fellow apprentices greeted him.
Spotting him from a distance, Steve, a friend of Adrian's, called out with a grin, "Adrian, you're back already? Thought you'd be out for at least a month."
"Don't joke around, Steve," Adrian replied with a roll of his eyes as he approached the sword rack, selecting a blade.
Steve chuckled. "I'm serious! I really thought you'd need more time to recover. So, what happened out there?"
Adrian shrugged, trying to brush off the teasing. "We got caught off guard. Just one of those things. A little miscommunication, and things went south really quickly."
Steve raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Miscommunication? Sounds like there's more to it than that."
Adrian hesitated for a moment, knowing Steve's straightforward nature. He didn't want to place blame on Caster. "Like I said, just a misstep. It happens."
Steve frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Misstep, huh? Sounds like someone messed up."
Adrian sighed, feeling the weight of the conversation. He didn't have time to explain it all, nor did he want to. "It happens. Nothing to worry about," he deflected, his tone firm.
Not wanting to linger on the topic any longer, Adrian adjusted his grip on the sword and assumed his stance. "Enough about that," he said, shifting the conversation. "Let's focus on training."
With a swift flick of his wrist, Adrian initiated an attack, the familiar movements flowing through his body like second nature. The sharp sound of the blade cutting through the air brought a sense of calm. Survival was his focus, and to achieve that, he knew he needed to become stronger.
As the training session continued, Adrian's concentration deepened. The rhythm of the sword felt effortless in his hands, each strike a reflection of the countless hours spent honing his skills. His body moved on instinct, the weight of the blade grounding him.
As the sun began to set, the sounds of clashing swords gradually faded, replaced by the quieter, more subdued murmur of apprentices wrapping up for the day. Adrian took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow.
---
As the apprentices wrapped up for the day, Steve walked over to Adrian, his expression curious yet thoughtful.
"You've really gotten sharper," Steve remarked, his tone casual but laced with intrigue. "I don't remember you being this… efficient before."
Adrian wiped the sweat from his face with the back of his hand, deliberately keeping his expression neutral. "Guess I've just been more focused lately," he said, trying to downplay the observation.
Steve crossed his arms, studying Adrian closely. "Focused, huh? It's not just that. You've always been decent, but today? It's like you're a step ahead—your timing, your positioning—it's different."
Adrian shrugged, forcing a small laugh. "You're reading too much into it. A few days of rest and a lot of thinking can do wonders."
Steve narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to push too hard. "Right. Well, whatever it is, it's working for you. Just don't forget the rest of us when you stand above all others."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Adrian replied lightly, deflecting the comment.
They began walking back toward the quarters, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across the training ground. The hum of conversation from the other apprentices filled the air, but Steve's gaze remained fixed on Adrian.
"You know," Steve began after a pause, his tone more serious, "you've been acting a bit different too. More… composed, I guess. Like something's changed."
Adrian's steps slowed for a moment before he forced himself to keep walking. "I wouldn't call it different. Maybe I'm just learning to focus on what matters."
Steve chuckled dryly. "That's vague enough to be true. But alright, keep your secrets, Adrian. Just don't forget—friends are here to help, not pry."
Adrian glanced at him, a small, genuine smile breaking through his guarded expression. "Thanks, Steve. I'll keep that in mind."
---
Reaching their quarters, the two exchanged brief goodnights before parting ways. Once inside his room, Adrian sat down on the edge of his bed, letting out a slow breath. The changes in his behavior and skill hadn't gone unnoticed, and Steve was sharp enough to see through his attempts to hide it.
"I need to be more cautious," Adrian muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.
In his previous life, Steve had also been quick to notice when Adrian's behavior began to shift. Back then, Adrian relied on the memories of the original Adrian to mask his inconsistencies and maintain a façade of normalcy. Over time, he had learned to adapt, letting his actions blend seamlessly into the flow of daily life.
But even with that experience, this time felt different. His growing skills, sharpened by both lives, couldn't go unnoticed forever. Steve's remarks during training earlier were a stark reminder of that.
Adrian leaned back against the wall, his mind racing. He knew he had to stay low-key now—avoid drawing any unnecessary attention.
If anyone started noticing things, it could ruin everything, even his escape plan.
The weight of his situation pressed down on him. He couldn't afford to stand out, not yet. One wrong move, and it could all come crashing down.
Adrian clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe. I just need to stay under the radar a little longer.
With that thought, he sank into his bed, the weight of the day catching up to him. As exhaustion set in, the tension in his mind slowly faded, and he drifted into sleep.