Chapter 6: Training and Tension

The atmosphere in the camp was thick with unease after Aric's visit. Daisuke found it hard to focus on anything, his mind constantly drifting back to the cold, calculating eyes of the mercenaries. Eren had given him a crash course in survival skills, but now, it felt like the world was pressing in on him, and he had little control over the forces at play.

"Get it together," Daisuke muttered to himself as he tightened his grip on the practice sword. He couldn't let his nerves get the better of him. Not now. Not when he was still so weak. The system inside him pulsed quietly, almost as if it were waiting for him to figure things out.

Eren stood across from him, his eyes hard but his posture calm. "Focus on the basics. You're still trying to rush ahead. That'll get you killed." His voice was steady, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. He had seen firsthand how dangerous it was to act out of desperation.

Daisuke nodded, forcing himself to calm his breathing. The feeling of the sword in his hand, the weight, the balance, was still new to him. It was strange, how natural the movements felt despite this being his first real exposure to swordsmanship.

His body had been enhanced by the system, but without skill, that power would be wasted.

Eren sighed, stepping forward. "Let's take a break," he said, sheathing his sword. "You're not going to improve if you're tense all the time. We'll work on your mental state first."

"Mental state?" Daisuke asked, confused.

Eren motioned for him to follow as he walked toward a nearby creek, its waters sparkling in the sunlight. "Yes. You think combat is only about physical strength and techniques. But your mind is just as important. You need to be able to calm your thoughts, control your fear, and read your surroundings. If your mind is clouded, you won't be able to react quickly enough when the time comes."

Daisuke sat down at the edge of the creek, his legs aching from the training, but he listened intently. Eren's words made sense, especially after their encounter with Aric. That man hadn't been physically threatening, but his presence alone had made Daisuke feel like a target, like prey being sized up. If he didn't learn to manage his fear, he wouldn't stand a chance in the face of real danger.

"Close your eyes," Eren instructed. "Feel the flow of the wind. Listen to the water. Clear your mind."

Daisuke followed the instructions, closing his eyes and allowing the sounds of nature to fill his senses. The wind rustled through the trees, the soft murmur of the creek flowed beside him, and he could hear birds chirping in the distance. Slowly, the tension in his body began to loosen, and he felt a wave of calm wash over him.

"You're doing well," Eren's voice came from somewhere beside him. "Now, imagine a fight. Picture it in your mind. You're facing an opponent—what do you do?"

Daisuke's brow furrowed, but he kept his eyes closed, his mind focusing on the image of a battle. He saw himself holding the sword, facing a shadowy figure. His breathing slowed as he visualized the opponent's movements. He could almost feel the weight of the sword in his hands, the sensation of anticipation building in his chest.

"If you're constantly afraid of your opponent's strength, you'll never see their weaknesses," Eren said. "You need to stop thinking of them as a threat and start looking for ways to counter their moves. Look at their stance, their feet, their breathing. The signs are there if you can calm yourself enough to see them."

Daisuke nodded, though he kept his eyes closed, lost in thought. Look for the weaknesses. Calm down. Trust my instincts.

It was a revelation, one that shifted his perspective on combat. He had always thought that being stronger than your opponent was enough. But now he understood that the true strength lay in reading the fight before it even began.

After several minutes of mental visualization, Daisuke slowly opened his eyes, feeling more centered than he had in days. The tension in his shoulders had eased, and his mind was clearer.

"Good. You've got potential," Eren said, his voice approving. "Now, let's move on to the next phase. We'll focus on using your system."

Daisuke blinked. "My system?"

"Yes," Eren said, his tone becoming more serious. "Your system is an incredible asset, but it's not infallible. You need to understand how to maximize its potential. It can give you strength, speed, and abilities, but it's up to you to wield them effectively."

Eren pulled out a small, silver object from his pouch—it was a crystal, glowing faintly with an inner light.

"This is a mana crystal," Eren explained. "It can amplify your system's abilities. You're still new to all of this, but you'll need something like this when you're facing opponents who don't play by the same rules."

Daisuke took the crystal in his hand, feeling a warm pulse of energy from within it. He could feel the system's power reacting to it, but he didn't fully understand what it did. He stared at Eren, waiting for an explanation.

"This crystal will allow you to focus your system's abilities on specific targets. With your system, you can activate certain skills and augment your physical abilities. But you need to learn how to control that energy. Otherwise, it'll overwhelm you."

Daisuke's heart raced. "So… this crystal helps me focus my abilities?"

"Exactly," Eren said, "but you won't learn how to use it all at once. It's something you have to practice. You can't rely on it forever, but it'll help when you're up against enemies stronger than you."

The crystal hummed in Daisuke's hand, the energy flowing through his body like an electric current. He could feel his muscles tightening, his reflexes sharpening, and his senses heightened. For a brief moment, it felt like the world around him had slowed down, and his body moved with perfect synchronization.

Eren watched him closely. "Good. But remember, you can't always rely on that power. You have to be able to fight even when it's not available."

Daisuke nodded, the weight of his training sinking in. The system was a tool—an incredibly powerful one—but it was only one piece of the puzzle. He needed to become stronger, not just through his abilities, but through his mind, his body, and his skill.

As the day wore on, Eren continued to push Daisuke harder, refining his techniques and forcing him to confront his weaknesses. They practiced different stances, strikes, and blocks, with Eren providing constant feedback. Every time Daisuke faltered, the system would offer a suggestion or a skill enhancement, helping him to correct his mistakes. But it was still clear—he wasn't invincible yet. He had much to learn.

By the time the sun began to set, Daisuke was exhausted, his body aching from the constant training. But there was a new sense of resolve within him. The road ahead would be difficult, but he would walk it.

Eren approached him as he took a seat by the fire. "You're improving. Slowly, but steadily. But remember, the real test will come when we're faced with real danger. Out here, it's not about how strong you are—it's about how smart you fight."

Daisuke stared into the flames, the flickering light casting shadows across his face. He wasn't just training for strength anymore. He was training for survival. And that, above all, was what mattered most.