Forging Steel

Kael woke before the sun, the faint light of the barracks casting long, dim shadows across the room. The faint soreness in his muscles reminded him of the sparring from the day before, but he welcomed it. It was proof that his younger body could still be pushed beyond its limits. His resolve to become stronger burned brighter than ever.

The previous quest—saving Alaric—had been a crucial success, but Kael knew he was far from ready. His younger body lacked the endurance, strength, and skill that he had taken for granted in his former life. If he was going to face the challenges ahead, he had to train like a man possessed.

As Kael laced his boots, the soft hum of the Eclipse System filled his ears, signaling another directive.

"New Quest Activated: Forge Your Path. Strengthen your resolve and body. Prove your mettle by challenging and defeating a superior officer in combat."

Kael's lips curled into a grim smile. "A trial by fire, huh? I'll prove my worth. I have no choice but to rise."

The morning air was crisp and cool as Kael approached the training grounds. A few soldiers were already practicing, their movements sluggish as they went through the motions of basic drills. The clanging of swords and grunts of exertion filled the air, but Kael paid them little attention. His focus was on one man: Commander Roderic.

Kael spotted him near the weapon racks. Roderic was a mountain of a man, his muscular frame intimidating even in the dim light. He was known for his brutal training methods and was considered one of the finest warriors in the kingdom. Kael remembered sparring against him in his former life, and the memory of being thoroughly beaten still stung.

Steeling himself, Kael approached.

"Commander Roderic," Kael called out, his voice steady despite the nerves swirling in his chest.

The older man turned, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as they landed on Kael. "Draven, isn't it? What brings you here so early?"

Kael met his gaze without hesitation. "I want to challenge you to a sparring match."

Roderic arched an eyebrow, then let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "You? Challenge me? Do you even know what you're asking for, boy?"

"I do," Kael replied, his voice unwavering. "I need to get stronger, and I know you're the best opponent I could face."

Roderic smirked, his amusement evident. "You've got guts, Draven. But guts won't save you from getting your ass handed to you."

"Maybe not," Kael said, his eyes narrowing. "But I won't get stronger by holding back."

The commander regarded him for a moment before nodding. "All right, then. Let's see what you've got. But don't expect me to take it easy on you."

A small crowd began to gather as Kael and Roderic stepped into the sparring ring. Soldiers whispered among themselves, some placing bets on how quickly the rookie would be defeated.

Roderic stood with his massive broadsword resting casually on his shoulder, his stance relaxed but exuding confidence. Kael, in contrast, held a standard training sword, his grip firm but his muscles tense.

"Ready yourself," Roderic said, his voice calm but commanding. "This won't be a friendly match."

Kael nodded, his eyes never leaving Roderic. "I wouldn't expect it to be."

Roderic moved first, his broadsword cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Kael barely managed to dodge, the blade passing inches from his shoulder. He rolled to the side and came up with his sword raised, his breathing steady but his heart pounding.

"You've got decent reflexes," Roderic said, smirking. "But dodging won't win you this fight."

Kael didn't respond. He was too focused, his mind racing as he analyzed the commander's movements. Roderic's strikes were powerful but deliberate, each one calculated to exploit weaknesses. Kael knew he couldn't match the man's raw strength, so he had to rely on his agility and wits.

The match dragged on, Kael dodging and parrying as best as he could. Every clash of their blades sent shocks through his arms, his muscles straining to keep up.

"You're slowing down, Draven," Roderic said, his tone almost mocking. "This is what happens when you challenge someone out of your league."

Kael gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. "I'm not done yet," he growled, stepping forward to counterattack.

Roderic deflected the blow with ease, his sword swinging in a wide arc. Kael barely managed to block, the force of the impact sending him stumbling back.

The crowd began to murmur, some soldiers shaking their heads. "He's done for," one of them said.

But Kael wasn't about to give up. He forced himself to stand, his grip tightening on his sword.

As Kael prepared for another attack, the Eclipse System activated.

"Analyzing opponent... Tactical suggestions available."

A faint overlay appeared in Kael's vision, highlighting weak points in Roderic's stance and predicting his next move.

Kael's lips twitched into a smirk. "Thank you," he muttered under his breath.

When Roderic moved to strike again, Kael sidestepped with precision, his blade darting out to catch the commander's side. The crowd gasped as the strike landed, drawing a faint trickle of blood.

Roderic grunted, his smirk fading slightly. "Not bad, Draven. You're sharper than I thought."

Kael didn't respond. He couldn't afford to. His movements became more fluid, each strike and parry guided by the system's insights.

Kael saw his opportunity when Roderic overextended slightly during a heavy swing. He stepped inside the commander's guard, his training sword pressing against Roderic's neck.

The training grounds fell silent.

Roderic raised his hands in surrender, a grin spreading across his face. "Well done, Draven. I'll admit, I didn't think you had it in you."

Kael lowered his sword, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. "Thank you, Commander," he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.

As the crowd dispersed, Kael stood alone, his mind replaying the fight. The Eclipse System's voice echoed softly in his ears.

"Quest Complete: Forge Your Path. Strength increased. Skill unlocked: Iron Will – temporarily enhances endurance and focus in combat. Additional Reward: Stat Upgrade – +2 Strength, +2 Agility."

Kael clenched his fists, feeling the faint surge of energy as the system's enhancements took effect. He had proven his resolve, but this was just the beginning.

"I'll get stronger," Kael murmured, his gaze steely. "No matter what it takes."