The following morning, Kael and Erendil stood on a ridge overlooking the village. The world seemed deceptively peaceful in the dawn light, the wheat fields below swaying gently in the breeze. Kael's hands were still raw from the fight, the faint aches a stark reminder of how close he'd come to death.
Erendil leaned on his walking stick, his piercing eyes scanning the horizon. "You're lucky to be alive," he said, breaking the silence. "Most people assigned a Path like 'Eternal Novice' wouldn't last a single encounter."
Kael flinched at the words. "I didn't ask for this Path," he said bitterly. "What kind of future can I possibly have with a title like that?"
Erendil chuckled. "The System rarely gives you what you want. But sometimes, it gives you what you need."
Kael's jaw tightened. He was tired of cryptic answers. "What does that even mean? The System decides everything—our roles, our skills, even whether we live or die. How is that fair?"
"It's not," Erendil said simply. "But fairness has nothing to do with it. The System is a test, Kael. A forge designed to break or temper those who are subjected to it. And in your case…" He trailed off, studying Kael thoughtfully.
"In my case, what?"
Erendil smiled faintly. "You might be one of the few who can break the forge itself."
Kael frowned, unsure whether to take that as a compliment or a warning.
[System Notification]
• New Quest: Unlock Your Potential
• Description: Train under the guidance of Erendil to uncover the hidden aspects of your Path.
• Objective: Reach Level 5 within one week.
• Rewards: Class Evolution.
• Failure Penalty: Path Regression.
Path Regression?" Kael read aloud, the words making his stomach churn.
"If you fail," Erendil explained, "your Path could degrade into something even weaker. Eternal Novice might turn into Forgotten Wanderer—or worse."
Kael clenched his fists. "So you're saying I have no choice but to succeed?"
"Exactly," Erendil said, his tone almost cheerful. "And lucky for you, I'm a very good teacher."
The First Lesson
Kael followed Erendil into the forest, the dense canopy above casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the ground. The old man moved with surprising agility for someone his age, navigating the uneven terrain as if it were second nature.
"What exactly are you teaching me?" Kael asked, ducking under a low-hanging branch.
"Survival," Erendil said. "The System doesn't reward strength alone. It rewards adaptability, creativity, and the ability to exploit your environment. That's why your Path is more powerful than you realize."
Kael frowned. "Eternal Novice? Powerful? That's a stretch."
"Not at all," Erendil said. "Your Path isn't limited to a single skill set like most others. A Sword Saint can only master the sword. A Pyromancer can only command fire. But you? You're a blank slate. You can borrow from any Path and make it your own."
Kael blinked. "Borrow? How?"
"You'll see soon enough," Erendil said, a sly smile on his face.
They stopped in a small clearing, where a lone wolf prowled at the edge of the trees. The creature's fur was silver, its eyes glowing faintly with a supernatural light.
"Your first lesson," Erendil said, gesturing toward the wolf, "is to fight without fighting."
Kael stared at him. "What does that even mean? That's a wolf. It'll kill me."
"Not if you outsmart it," Erendil said. "The System gave you 'Adaptive Strike.' Use it."
Kael hesitated, his pulse quickening as the wolf's gaze locked onto him. Slowly, he picked up a fallen branch, gripping it like a makeshift staff.
"Stay calm," Erendil instructed. "The wolf is testing you, just as the System does. Show weakness, and it will pounce. Show strength, and it will respect you."
The wolf began to circle, its movements fluid and deliberate. Kael's grip tightened on the branch.
"Adaptive Strike," he whispered, willing the skill to activate. The System responded with a faint glow that enveloped the branch.
[Adaptive Strike: Improvised Weapon Enhancement]
• Effect: Increases damage and accuracy for a single strike.
The wolf lunged, a blur of silver and teeth. Kael sidestepped at the last second, swinging the branch in a wide arc. It struck the wolf's flank with a sharp crack, sending it sprawling.
Adaptive Strike] successfully used!
• Damage inflicted: 10 points.
The wolf growled, its luminous eyes narrowing as it rose to its feet. But instead of attacking again, it backed away, its posture shifting from aggression to caution.
Kael lowered the branch, his chest heaving. "It's… retreating?"
Erendil nodded. "You've shown it that you're not an easy target. In the wild, most creatures won't waste energy on prey that can fight back."
"That's it?" Kael asked, still on edge.
"For now," Erendil said. "But don't get too comfortable. The System won't always give you a way out."
As they made their way back to the ridge, Kael couldn't stop thinking about the fight. Something about the wolf's glowing eyes had unsettled him.
"What was that wolf?" he asked. "It didn't seem… normal."
"It wasn't," Erendil said. "That was a Karma Beast, a creature born from the excess Karma of its environment. They're rare in these parts, but the System generates them to maintain balance."
"Balance?"
"Positive Karma attracts creatures of light, while Negative Karma breeds darkness," Erendil explained. "Your actions don't just affect you. They shape the world around you."
Kael frowned, recalling the bandit encounter. He had earned Positive Karma by sparing their lives, but what if he'd chosen differently?
"So if I'd killed the bandits…"
"You might have attracted something far worse than a wolf," Erendil said. "But sometimes, the greater risk is worth it. You'll have to decide for yourself when to show mercy—and when to strike."
Kael felt a chill run down his spine. The System wasn't just a test. It was a game of consequences, and every choice carried a price.
"Tomorrow," Erendil said, "we'll start working on your next skill. For now, rest. You'll need your strength for what's to come."
Kael nodded, his mind racing with questions. He still didn't fully trust Erendil, but one thing was clear: if he wanted to survive—and maybe even thrive in this world—he would have to master the System before it mastered him.