The Beginning of Training

The days at Roswaal Mansion passed in a mixture of recovery and controlled anxiety. Subaru still felt the lingering pain of his wound, but with each passing day, his body's strength, boosted by attribute points, seemed to accelerate its healing. Rem, with her impeccable efficiency, brought him nutritious meals and made sure he took his medicine.

Her attitude toward him had softened considerably; she no longer viewed him with the same caution, but with curiosity and a budding trust.

One morning, after Rem had cleared away the breakfast tray, Subaru got out of bed, adrenaline and impatience bubbling inside him. He could no longer remain idle.

"Rem, could you show me the dojo now?" Subaru asked, his voice filled with determination.

Rem, who was about to leave the room, turned around, a small smile appearing on her face. "Sure, Subaru-kun. Follow me."

She led him through the intricate corridors of the mansion, past luxurious halls and libraries filled with ancient tomes, until they reached a massive wooden door.

Opening it, it revealed a large, well-lit space with a polished wooden floor and several practice weapons hanging on the walls. The air smelled of sweat and concentration.

"This is the dojo," Rem said, gesturing to the space. "Lord Roswaal uses it occasionally, and the maids, including Ram and me, practice our basic skills here."

Subaru looked around the place with shining eyes. This was perfect. A place where he could train his new skills and level up without raising too much suspicion.

"Thank you, Rem," Subaru said, feeling renewed enthusiasm. "This is exactly what I needed."

Rem watched him for a moment. "If you need help, don't hesitate to ask. Although I'm not a master, I can give you some basic combat tips."

[Charisma Obstacle Overcome: Strengthening Bonds with a Potential Ally.]

[Reward: 10 EXP, Charisma Increase: 6 -> 7.]

The system flashed with the notification. Subaru smiled. Interactions with Rem were crucial. Her loyalty and support would be vital for the challenges ahead, especially those involving curses and the Witch Cult Arc.

Rem, seemingly satisfied with his answer, withdrew, leaving Subaru alone in the dojo.

Subaru approached a training dummy and, with the Quick Dodge skill active in his mind, began practicing evasive movements. At first, his movements were clumsy, his body still smarting from the wound.

But as he concentrated, the skill seemed to guide him. He felt a deeper connection with his muscles, an anticipation of how to move to avoid an attack. He practiced spins, leans, and sidesteps, trying to be as elusive as Felt.

[Agility and Quick Dodge Training: +2 EXP]

[Agility and Quick Dodge Training: +3 EXP]

[Stamina Training: +2 EXP]

The EXP notifications appeared intermittently. It was slow, but steady progress. It might have been a boring grind, but for Subaru, it was an investment in his survival.

Then he moved on to the sandbags. With his Strength of 7, his punches were no longer as pathetic as the original Subaru's. Although still far from a combatant, he felt a solidity in his fists he hadn't had before. Each impact resonated, releasing some of the frustration and fear he carried.

As he trained, his otaku mind worked tirelessly. He had to remember every detail of future events. The curse of Arlam Village, the demon dogs, the attack of the Witch Cult. The system gave him the tools, but knowledge gave him the strategy.

Suddenly, the dojo door opened, and a figure appeared in the doorway. It wasn't Rem, nor Emilia. It was a tall, slender woman with long, cherry-pink hair and a smile that seemed frozen on her face: Ram.

Ram peered at him with her cherry-colored eyes, a clear expression of disapproval on her face. "It seems the guest is exercising. Barusu, your form is pathetic."

Subaru stopped his training, feeling the familiar sting of Ram's sharp tongue. However, this time, instead of feeling completely crushed, he felt a pang of determination. He had to earn her trust as well.

""Ram, you must be Ram. Rem's sister, right?" Subaru said, attempting a more conciliatory tone. "I apologize if my training is noisy. I'm just trying to get in shape so I can be useful here."

Ram snorted, crossing his arms. "Pathetic. Your skill level is comparable to a child's. There's nothing useful about your movements."

[Charisma Obstacle: Meeting Resilience.]

[No reward. A different approach is required.]

The system had made it clear. With Ram, flattery or simple diplomacy wouldn't work immediately. He needed to prove his worth to her, or at least, give her no reason to doubt him.

"You may be right, Ram," Subaru admitted, to Ram's surprise. "But I'm willing to learn. And I know you're very strong. Perhaps you could give me some pointers?" Anything would be helpful."

Ram stared at him, her smile unwavering, but Subaru noticed a hint of surprise in her eyes. No one had ever asked Ram for advice, at least not like that. The original Subaru, with his bruised ego, would have gotten into a stupid conflict with her.

"Hmph. Your manners are decent, for once. Though your request is ridiculous," Ram said, his tone still sharp, but not entirely disdainful. "I observe your training. I'm not promising you anything."

Subaru felt a small victory. It was a step. He hadn't gained a skill, but he had avoided a conflict and planted a seed of doubt in Ram's mind.

While Ram remained in the dojo, watching him with a critical eye, Subaru continued his training. He knew the next few days would be crucial to his preparation.

We have Subaru training and trying to build relationships.