Chapter 4: The First Test

The first rays of dawn broke through the trees, casting a soft golden glow over the camp. Daisuke stirred in his tent, the early morning light filtering in through the fabric. He had barely slept, his mind racing with thoughts of the challenges ahead. He had expected reincarnation to be some kind of reset, a fresh start where he could leave behind the dull routines of his old life. But this world, he now knew, was far from a paradise. It was harsh, unforgiving, and filled with dangers. The system guiding him was his only lifeline, but even that came with its own set of unknowns.

As he sat up and stretched, the familiar hum of the system buzzed in his mind, as though reminding him that he wasn't in control—not completely, at least.

"New Quest: Combat Training

Objective: Practice basic combat techniques and survival skills. Completion rewards: Experience points, new combat skills, and physical enhancements."*

The notification vanished, leaving Daisuke with a sense of urgency. Combat training. He had no idea how he would fare against real threats, but today, he would have to face them. He couldn't afford to hesitate anymore.

After quickly gathering his gear, Daisuke stepped out of the tent. The camp was already alive with activity. A few of the travelers were preparing food over the fire, while others sharpened weapons or practiced various skills. Eren was among them, his dark cloak billowing slightly as he moved with a purposeful grace. He noticed Daisuke's arrival and gestured toward a clearing not far from the camp.

"Over here," Eren called out, his voice steady and commanding. "We'll start with some basic drills. Don't expect to be perfect right away, but the sooner you get used to the motions, the better."

Daisuke nodded and followed Eren, trying to push his nerves aside. He had trained his body in the past—through martial arts, calisthenics, and weightlifting—but this was different. This wasn't just a matter of fitness. This was survival.

The clearing was spacious enough, with thick grass underfoot and a few scattered rocks that Daisuke carefully avoided. Eren paced in front of him, eyes sharp as he assessed Daisuke's stance.

"You're going to start with the basics," Eren said, drawing a small wooden practice sword from the sheath at his waist. He held it loosely in one hand, giving Daisuke a simple demonstration of the basic footwork. "Combat isn't just about strength. It's about control. Precision. If you can't control your body, you won't control the fight."

Daisuke nodded again, determined. He took a deep breath and mimicked the footwork, moving cautiously at first. His body felt stiff, like a machine that hadn't been fully wound up. He wasn't used to this yet, not in this new form. But he could feel the power within him, waiting to be tapped. The system had already enhanced his body—strength, speed, reflexes. But now, he had to learn how to use it properly.

"Good," Eren said, his tone approving but not overly encouraging. "Now, let's add some basic strikes. Move fluidly, like you're in control of the weapon, not the other way around."

Daisuke swallowed, feeling a twinge of uncertainty. Weapon. He had never used one before, but as Eren passed him a practice sword, the weight of it in his hand felt oddly natural. The wood was light but sturdy, and it seemed to hum with an energy he couldn't quite place.

The system chimed in, its voice more insistent now:

"New Skill Unlocked: Basic Swordsmanship

You have unlocked the fundamentals of swordsmanship. Practice will enhance your speed, precision, and stamina."*

Daisuke felt a surge of confidence as the words appeared in his vision. A skill. Basic Swordsmanship. It was something, at least. He could work with this. He tried his first strike, a simple overhead chop, and felt the sword cut through the air with a satisfying swish.

"You're not doing too badly," Eren said, watching him with keen interest. "But it's not enough to just swing the sword. Your movements need to flow. You need to anticipate your opponent's reactions. You're fighting against someone who's as fast as you—or faster. You won't have time to think. You'll need to feel it."

Daisuke nodded, his mind racing. His movements were stiff at first, but as Eren continued to guide him, he began to feel the rhythm of the sword. It was like a dance, one where every strike had a purpose, and every motion was part of a greater whole.

They sparred for what felt like hours, though in reality it was probably no more than an hour or so. Daisuke's body ached from the constant movement, but he refused to stop. He had to get better. He had to survive.

As the session came to an end, Eren stepped back, wiping sweat from his brow. Daisuke, on the other hand, was breathing heavily, his arms sore from the constant wielding of the sword.

"You did alright for a beginner," Eren said, his tone approving but still measured. "But this is just the first step. There's more to combat than swordsmanship. You'll need to learn to read your opponent, to control the battlefield. I'll teach you some basics of martial arts next."

Daisuke wiped the sweat from his forehead, grateful for the break. "Martial arts?"

Eren smirked. "You think just using a sword is enough to survive? If you're facing someone without a weapon, or if your sword gets knocked out of your hands, you'll need to know how to fight with your body. It's all about versatility."

Daisuke didn't argue. If Eren said it was necessary, then it probably was. Besides, he had a feeling that his journey wasn't going to be easy. If anything, it was going to be a constant struggle.

As they moved to the next area for training, Eren began to demonstrate some basic martial arts stances, a blend of strikes and defensive techniques that seemed to flow naturally from one to the other. His movements were fluid, graceful, and precise—something Daisuke would need to strive for.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, the others were watching the training with interest. One of the travelers, a woman with short silver hair and sharp blue eyes, spoke quietly to another man beside her.

"He's got potential," she said, her voice soft but perceptive. "Strange… I've never seen someone pick up swordplay so quickly. Almost like he's been trained before."

The man beside her, a grizzled veteran with a deep scar running across his face, nodded slowly. "Potential doesn't mean anything if he can't handle the real fight. This world isn't kind to anyone."

She glanced over at Daisuke, her eyes narrowing slightly. "We'll see. But if he's got what it takes, we might have a valuable ally on our hands."

As the day went on, Daisuke pushed himself further, repeating the drills until his body felt like it might give out. But with every swing, every motion, he could feel his body adapting. The soreness would fade, and new muscle memory would take its place. The system would reward his effort, he was sure of it. But for now, the most important thing was getting better. Surviving.