2025-02-07 21:16:06First Duel
The challenge came at midday. Riel sat in the small courtyard of House Varelis, his legs stretched before him. He had spent the morning testing his limits — walking, pushing his body past the frailty it had suffered for years. His muscles screamed in protest, but he endured.
Then, the summons arrived.
Alek stood in the center of the courtyard, arms folded, a smug grin plastered on his face. “You humiliated me,” he said, his voice thick with venom. “So, we’re settling this now.”
Riel said nothing. Alek’s attendants loitered behind him, grinning, eager for the spectacle. One of them tossed a wooden training sword at Riel’s feet. Riel stared at it.
[System Alert: New Mission Triggered] [Mission: Fight With Honor] [Objective: Do not lose without resistance.] [Penalty: Attribute Reduction]
A sharp warning echoed in his mind. If he simply let Alek win, the System would punish him.
He exhaled slowly.
Alek expected an easy victory. He had no intention of giving it to him.
He bent down, fingers closing around the hilt of the wooden blade. Even its weight was an insult — far lighter than the swords he had wielded in his past life. He turned it over in his grip, testing balance, then raised his gaze to Alek.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked quietly.
Alek scoffed. “Oh? The cripple thinks he has a choice?”
He stepped forward, raising his own wooden sword. “Don’t worry, cousin. I’ll go easy on you.”
That’s the problem, Riel thought. You think you can afford to.
The duel began.
Alek lunged. Riel saw the strike before it even came — a reckless, arrogant overhead swing. Undisciplined. In his past life, such an attack would have been a death sentence. But here? He barely managed to dodge to the side, his body sluggish, too weak to move properly. The wooden sword whistled past his shoulder, missing by inches. Pain flared in his ribs as he twisted — too slow. Alek’s second strike hit hard.
He staggered back, his vision flickering. His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to stay upright.
He had fought battles before. Even if this body was weak, his mind was not.
Analyze. Adapt.
Alek grinned. “Not bad, cripple. You’re still standing. Let’s see for how long, though.”
Kael said nothing. He adjusted, tightening his grip. His stance shifted.
This body wasn’t suited for brute force. But defense? Precision? Timing?
That, he could use.
Alek came at him again, swinging wildly. Predictable.
Riel sidestepped at the last second. This time, he was ready.
His wooden sword lashed out — striking Alek’s wrist.
Alek cursed, his grip slipping.
The watching attendants muttered in surprise.
Riel breathed steadily. He was learning.
The next attack came faster.
Alek, now angry, threw a flurry of wild swings. He blocked two, deflected another — but his body wasn’t strong enough. The fourth strike connected with his ribs.
Hard. Pain exploded through him. He dropped to one knee, gasping, the sword slipping from his grip.
Alek loomed over him, panting, triumphant. “You put up more fight than I expected,” he sneered. “But you’re still weak.”
Riel forced himself to look up, blood trickling from his lip.
Weak. Yes, his body was weak. But not his spirit. That had never wavered.
[Mission Completed.] [Reward: +1 Endurance] [Combat Insight Unlocked]
A faint glow spread through his body. The pain didn’t fade, but his breathing steadied. His mind sharpened.
Alek turned, sheathing his wooden sword. “You got lucky, cousin. But next time? I’ll break you.”
He walked away, his pride intact — but his eyes burned with a promise.
Revenge.
Riel remained on the ground, pressing a hand to his bruised ribs.
He had lost.
But this wasn’t defeat.
He had gained Endurance. Insight.
And most importantly—
He had made Alek wary.
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