The rush of energy from completing my first task still lingered in my veins. I had actually felt the mana—it was like discovering a brand new sense, like learning how to see or breathe for the first time.
Kaito tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "You sure you've never felt mana before?"
I couldn't stop the grin tugging at my lips. "First time."
Before he could say more, a deep voice rolled across the training ground like thunder on a calm morning.
"Oh-ho! Early morning training, huh? This is good."
We both turned.
Elder Jiro approached us with his usual casual elegance. Despite being 431 years old, the man moved like a panther—silent, confident, and dangerous. His long, silver-gray hair was tied neatly behind his head, and his sharp gaze scanned the field with the ease of someone who'd seen ten lifetimes of war.
"But training without a proper guide won't get you far," he said, smirking. "Luckily, I know just the person to help you."
He turned toward the village and raised his voice. "Ryoji! Get over here!"
Heavy footsteps echoed from the distance.
And then—he arrived.
A man who looked like he'd walked straight out of a demon's nightmare stepped onto the field. His expression? Grim. His aura? Suffocating. His presence? Terrifying.
Kaito's face lit up like a festival lantern. "Father!"
Wait—what?
This guy was going to train me?
My legs already wanted to run.
Elder Jiro grinned. "Hiroshi, meet Ryoji Kasama. A retired elite soldier from the kingdom's frontlines. He'll be training you… along with Kaito."
I swallowed hard.
I made a promise to get stronger—but this man looked scarier than that Direwolf I fought. Maybe even scarier than a tax audit.
Ryoji crossed his arms, his piercing eyes like twin black holes. "Didn't I tell you to sleep properly?"
His voice was deep—no, deeper than deep. It was the kind of voice that didn't ask questions. It made statements.
I scratched the back of my head nervously. "Uh… yeah. New place. Couldn't sleep."
His eyes narrowed even further, if that was even possible. "Then you'll die soon."
"…Huh?"
He stepped closer. My instincts screamed at me to run. Instead, I stood frozen.
"I'll train you," he said with a voice like iron, "until you want to kill yourself."
I gulped.
What happened to encouraging teachers?!
"I mean… I'm just a middle-aged corporate worker," I muttered under my breath. "I barely passed gym class…"
Before I could make a proper protest, Ryoji clapped his hands once, a sound like a gunshot in the quiet morning. "Let's see what you've got."
Kaito bounced on his feet like an excited puppy. "Ohh! Boohoo! Father's going to train you too?! This is gonna be fun!"
Fun, he says. This felt more like a death sentence.
Ryoji picked up one of the wooden swords lying nearby and tossed it at me. I caught it—barely.
"Kid," he barked. "Get in your stance."
I hesitated, trying to remember what Kaito taught me earlier, but—
BAM!
Before I even raised my sword properly, Ryoji's blade smacked mine with enough force to nearly knock me over.
"What the—?!"
"Too slow," Ryoji muttered like he was bored.
He came at me again.
BAM!
I stumbled back, barely managing to hold my ground.
"Too stiff," he said, eyes scanning my posture. "Your grip—too tight. Loosen it. Let your weapon become an extension of your body."
I adjusted my grip, breathing in shakily.
Another swing. This time, I blocked it—barely. The impact still rattled through my arms like a shockwave.
"Better," he said. "But your endurance is trash."
On the sideline, Kaito was dying of laughter. "Hahaha! Hiroshi-san, you look like you're fighting for your life!"
"I am fighting for my life!" I snapped.
Elder Jiro chuckled. "Ryoji's training is brutal. But if you survive, you'll become a real warrior."
Great, I thought. All I wanted was to not die from a monster. Now I might die from training.
Ryoji lowered his sword and looked at me again. "Enough for now. Show me your magic."
I hesitated. "I… just started. I don't really—"
He grinned. That same demonic grin Kaito had, only ten times worse. "Then show me what you've got."
I took a deep breath and nodded. Time to try.
Feel the mana.
I closed my eyes.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
I focused—on the tingling flow beneath my skin, the current humming inside me. The mana was there, like a quiet river waiting to be awakened.
I raised my hand.
WHOOSH!
A small burst of mana sparked from my palm, shooting forward and rustling the grass in front of me.
There was a brief silence.
Ryoji nodded. "Not bad."
I blinked. "…Wait. That's it?"
His smirk widened. "You have potential."
For a moment, relief flooded my body.
And then—
"Tomorrow morning," Ryoji said, stepping back, "we begin real training."
Kaito cheered like he'd just been invited to a party.
I panicked.
What have I gotten myself into…?