Chapter 7: A Test of Resolve

Daisuke woke to the sound of rustling leaves and birdsong. The sun had barely risen, and a cool morning mist clung to the ground, covering the camp in a blanket of fog. The fire from the night before had long since died out, leaving behind only a faint trace of warmth in the air.

Eren was already awake, sharpening his sword as usual. Daisuke stretched, his muscles sore from the previous day's training, but his mind was clearer now. After several hours of meditation, focusing on the crystal and the system's flow, he felt more attuned to his body and abilities than he had ever been before.

"Morning," Daisuke said, his voice hoarse but steady. Eren looked up, offering a brief nod.

"Ready for today?" Eren asked, his tone surprisingly light. "We've covered the basics. Now it's time to see if you're ready for a real test."

Daisuke frowned. "A test? What do you mean?"

Eren stood up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "We'll be sparring. I'll push you to your limits, and you'll learn how well you can handle the pressure. If you survive today, you'll be one step closer to being able to protect yourself out here. And maybe, just maybe, you'll understand what's at stake."

Daisuke's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected this. Eren had been hard on him during their practice, but a sparring match—especially with someone like Eren—was a whole different level.

"What kind of sparring are we talking about?" Daisuke asked, trying to mask the anxiety creeping up his spine. "I'm not exactly ready to face you head-on."

"You won't be facing me head-on," Eren replied, his tone sharp but not unkind. "I'll be teaching you how to read your opponent's movements and react quickly. It's less about brute strength and more about tactics. You've got the tools—you just need to know how to use them."

Daisuke nodded, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He wasn't sure if he was ready, but there was no turning back now.

They moved to a clearing nearby, the fog swirling around them like a living thing. Eren drew his sword, holding it lightly in his hand, the tip pointing toward the ground.

"Let's begin," Eren said.

Daisuke reached for his own practice sword. It felt heavier than before, as if the weight of the moment was pressing down on him. His heart pounded in his chest as he faced Eren, who was now observing him with a sharp, calculating gaze. Eren was a veteran, and Daisuke had barely begun to scratch the surface of his potential.

"Focus," Eren said, his voice cutting through the silence. "Don't think about the outcome. Just react."

Daisuke barely had time to process the command before Eren lunged at him, fast—faster than he could have anticipated. The sword cut through the air, and instinctively, Daisuke raised his own weapon to block.

Clang!

The force of the blow rattled his arms, and he nearly lost his footing. He gritted his teeth, forcing his body to stay upright. But Eren was relentless. With a swift twist, he withdrew and came at Daisuke from the side, his blade moving with fluid grace.

Daisuke barely had time to react. His sword was too slow to block the incoming strike. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade, but Eren was already there, pressing the attack. The world seemed to blur around him. Daisuke's breath came in sharp, shallow gasps as he tried to keep up.

Each strike from Eren was measured, each movement purposeful. It wasn't just about speed—it was about precision. Eren was testing him, pushing him to learn, to adapt.

Focus on the weaknesses, Daisuke reminded himself. Calm down. Think.

As Eren's blade came down again, Daisuke sidestepped with more confidence, his movements sharper. This time, he was ready. With a fluid motion, he swung his practice sword in a defensive arc, deflecting Eren's attack just enough to create an opening.

Eren's eyes gleamed with approval as he took a step back. "Good. Now you're starting to understand. But don't let your guard down."

Daisuke felt a surge of adrenaline as the fight continued. He could hear his own heartbeat, feel his muscles straining under the pressure, but the world around him was quieter now. The system's power flowed through him, and with every movement, he felt more in tune with it.

His vision sharpened, the clearing before him becoming clearer as his reflexes sped up. He saw Eren's next move before it even happened—a feint to the left, a quick step to the right. Daisuke reacted instinctively, sidestepping and countering with a strike of his own.

Clang!

The sound of their swords clashing echoed through the clearing, and for a moment, everything stopped. Eren's sword was inches from Daisuke's neck, and Daisuke's blade was pressed against Eren's chest.

"Well," Eren said, his voice almost amused. "Not bad. You're learning."

Daisuke's heart was pounding, his breath coming in short bursts. He hadn't won, but he hadn't been defeated either. He had held his ground.

"You've got a long way to go," Eren said, lowering his sword. "But that's a start. The next phase of training is even harder. You'll need to learn how to fight multiple opponents, how to adapt on the fly."

Daisuke nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I'm ready. I'll do whatever it takes."

Eren studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Good. Because if you're going to survive in this world, you'll need to become more than just a fighter. You'll need to become someone people can rely on. And that starts with knowing how to protect yourself when you're alone."

Daisuke's eyes narrowed. He had known that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but Eren's words struck a chord. This world was unforgiving, and only the strong survived.

Eren stepped back, sheathing his sword. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we move on to the next phase."

As Daisuke sat down to catch his breath, he glanced over at the distant trees. He knew this was just the beginning. There were still dangers lurking in the shadows, and many more challenges ahead. But he was ready. More than ready.

He had to be.