I stepped onto the training grounds where the morning sun cast long shadows.
Standing at the center of the field was Sir Aldven — tall, stern, and unshakably calm. His grey hair tied into a short tail, and his eyes sharp as ever, even in his age.
Seated nearby were my mother and father, watching quietly. Layla, bouncing on Mother's lap, waved her tiny arms toward me with excitement.
"Good morning, Young Master," Sir Aldven greeted, his voice deep and commanding.
"Good morning, Sir Aldven," I replied with a respectful nod.
Sir Aldven wasn't just any knight. He had once been the pride of the Morris family — a man whose name made enemies tremble. Time may have touched his body, but the aura of a seasoned warrior still clung to him.
"Pick up the wooden sword," he instructed.
I reached for the training weapon and took my stance. The wood felt familiar in my grip, but my heart beat faster today. This wasn't just training — it was a test.
"Come at me as if you intend to kill. You may use magic freely."
"Are you sure?" I asked, surprised by the offer.
He smiled. "Yes. I'm certain."
I didn't wait.
Activating Flash Step, I surged forward in a burst of speed, kicking up a trail of dust behind me. My wooden blade slashed toward him in a clean arc—
Clack!
He blocked it effortlessly.
Another strike. Another block.
Then another. Still blocked.
"Hah—each of his attacks are getting deflected," my mother murmured, a mixture of pride and concern in her voice.
I skidded back, conjuring a small fireball in my hand. I hurled it forward — a quick cast meant to test him.
He swatted it aside with his sword like it was nothing.
But in that moment, I vanished from his sight, circling behind him with another Flash Step and aimed for his blind spot.
Clack!
Again, he blocked it — without even turning.
"Cheap tricks won't work on me, Young Master."
"I know," I admitted, backing off.
I circled him with repeated Flash Steps, building momentum and stacking agility as I rained down fireballs from all sides.
Each one he deflected calmly.
He hadn't even broken a sweat.
I needed to change the tempo.
Gathering my mana, I formed a massive fireball — large enough to obscure his field of vision.
From the sidelines, my father narrowed his eyes. "That's a lot of mana…"
"System," I whispered. "Put three points into Agility."
> [Agility increased: 13 → 16]
The moment the fireball launched forward, I summoned a gust with Aerogenesis and leapt into the air. I spun mid-air and dived down with my sword raised.
"Got you!"
Even Father looked surprised. "Oh? That speed—"
But Sir Aldven calmly looked up at me with cold precision.
Thwack!
His sword connected with my head mid-swing, and I crashed onto the ground, dazed. My mana reserves were nearly dry, and my limbs refused to move. I lay there, catching my breath, defeated but exhilarated.
Layla's cheer had turned into a worried pout as she tugged on Mother's sleeve.
Sir Aldven approached, chuckling.
"I may be an old man, but I've still got some fight left in me. That last move, though—clever."
"How did you block those spells… without even looking?" I asked, still catching my breath.
"You rely too much on magic," he said bluntly. "Your swordplay is… sloppy. You use your blade like a backup tool."
I frowned slightly, but nodded. He wasn't wrong.
"Don't be discouraged," he said, ruffling my hair. "For someone your age, you're exceptional. But magic won't always be enough."
I knew that too well. I was strong—for my age. But not nearly strong enough for what was about to come.
In seven years, I'd found no signs of demonic activity. No clues. No leads. Only time ticking down, slowly closing the gap between me and the inevitable.
I needed to get stronger.
I needed that item.
My gaze drifted toward the distant north — beyond the walls of our estate. Towering peaks loomed in the distance.
The Kapi Mountains.
A place that held something special. Something powerful. A hidden treasure only I, a former player, knew about.
And if I waited too long, I'd lose my chance to claim it.
"Thank you for sparring, Sir Aldven."
"It was my honor," he replied with a faint smile.
I turned and walked toward my father, who was still seated calmly.
"I have a request," I said, meeting his eyes.
He raised a brow. "What is it?"
"I want to go to the Kapi Mountains."