The faint glow of dawn filtered through the windows of the Faction Hall as Ethan trudged toward the training grounds. His arms ached from the sparring session with Darion the day before, and the nagging doubt of whether he belonged in this world lingered in his mind. Yet, beneath the exhaustion, there was a flicker of determination. He had survived the awakening, and he wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.
Alina was already waiting for him by the practice dummies, her auburn hair catching the early morning light. She smiled as he approached, her expression a mixture of encouragement and amusement.
"You're on time," she said, handing him a flask of water. "I wasn't sure you'd get out of bed after yesterday."
Ethan took the flask gratefully, taking a long sip before replying. "I'm not about to let Darion think he's right about me."
Alina chuckled. "That's the spirit. But today's training is going to push you even harder. We're focusing on your constructs. If you're going to be effective in the field, you need more than a shield and a spear."
Ethan nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "What do I need to do?"
Alina stepped back, gesturing to the dummies lined up in the clearing. "The Emerald Forge is all about intent. Your constructs are limited only by your imagination and your emotional control. Start with something simple. Focus on what you need to accomplish and let the energy respond."
Ethan closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. The warmth of the Emerald Forge stirred within him, a gentle pulse that grew stronger as he focused. He imagined a weapon that could strike swiftly, something more versatile than the spear. The energy flowed through him, and when he opened his eyes, a short sword materialized in his hand. Its green surface shimmered faintly, and its weight felt natural.
Alina raised an eyebrow. "Not bad. Now, let's see you use it."
She gestured to one of the dummies, a humanoid figure carved from dense wood. Ethan stepped forward, gripping the sword tightly. He swung with all his strength, the blade biting into the dummy's side with a satisfying thunk. Splinters flew, and the dummy wobbled but held firm.
"Good," Alina said. "But strength isn't everything. Your constructs will falter if you don't balance power with precision. Try again, but this time, focus on control."
Ethan adjusted his grip, calming his racing thoughts. He took another swing, this time aiming for the dummy's neck. The sword sliced cleanly through the wood, the top half of the dummy tumbling to the ground.
Alina clapped her hands, her smile widening. "Much better. Keep this up, and you'll be ready for missions in no time."
Ethan couldn't help but smile, a spark of pride warming his chest. "Thanks. What's next?"
Alina's expression turned serious. "Your constructs are only as strong as your emotional stability. If you let fear or anger take over, the Forge will reflect it. You need to learn how to channel those emotions without letting them control you. For that, we're going to spar."
"Spar?" Ethan asked, his smile fading. "Didn't we do enough of that yesterday?"
"Yesterday was a test," Alina said, drawing a pair of glowing daggers from thin air. "Today is training. Don't hold back."
Ethan hesitated but summoned the sword again, its green light pulsing faintly. Alina moved with incredible speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. Her first strike came low, aiming for his legs. He barely managed to block, the impact vibrating up his arm.
"Focus," Alina said, her tone calm but firm. "Anticipate my movements. Don't just react."
Ethan gritted his teeth, trying to follow her advice. He parried her next strike and countered with a quick thrust, but she dodged effortlessly, her daggers flashing as they sliced through the air. One of them grazed his arm, the sting sharp and immediate.
"Don't let it distract you," she said, circling him. "Pain is part of the process. Use it."
Ethan took a deep breath, steadying himself. He let the Forge's energy flow more freely, and the sword in his hand shifted, its blade elongating into a polearm. Alina's eyes widened slightly, and she nodded in approval.
"Good. Adaptation is key," she said. "Now show me what you've got."
With renewed confidence, Ethan pressed the attack. The polearm's reach allowed him to keep Alina at bay, and he began to find a rhythm. For every strike she made, he countered, his movements growing more fluid. The sparring match became a dance of light and motion, and for the first time, Ethan felt like he belonged.
Finally, Alina stepped back, lowering her daggers. "That's enough for today," she said, breathing heavily. "You've got a long way to go, but the potential is there."
Ethan let the polearm dissolve, the energy fading into the air. He wiped the sweat from his brow, a small smile on his face. "Thanks. I'll keep working on it."
Alina nodded. "You'd better. The next time we spar, I won't go easy on you."
As they left the training grounds, Ethan felt a newfound sense of purpose. His journey was only beginning, but for the first time, he believed he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
I'm not the same person I was, he thought, determination hardening in his chest. This world gave me a second chance, and I won't waste it.