The clang of metal rang through the air, sharp and rhythmic like a drumbeat of war. Dust rose with every step, and the morning sun gleamed against the blades.
Han and Shay stood at the center of the training field, swords locked in a fast, relentless exchange. But today—something had changed.
Shay's breath hitched as her sword was pushed back again, Han moving with fierce precision, twin blades dancing around her defenses. He was faster. Sharper. Stronger.
'Incredible…' she thought, gritting her teeth as she parried a low sweep. 'He already surpassed me…'
Pride welled up in her chest—but so did a familiar twinge of jealousy.
With a final pivot, Han's dual blades struck in perfect harmony. One blade knocked Shay's guard aside, and the second swept up, cleanly disarming her with a ringing clang as her sword flew from her hands and thudded into the dirt.
"Pant… pant… pant…" Both were drenched in sweat, breathing heavily from the exertion.
"You win," Shay said, a soft smile on her lips despite the sting of defeat.
Han didn't answer with words. He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, arms wrapping tightly around her. Shay didn't resist—she leaned into him, resting her cheek against his chest as his warmth soaked through her armor.
"Now I can protect you properly," he whispered.
A small, tender smile curved her lips.
Across the field, another battle raged.
Jenna and Tess moved in perfect sync—Tess's spear sweeping forward with raw, explosive force, while Jenna darted low, her dagger slicing toward the target with lethal precision.
Raphtalia.
But Raphtalia's movement was poetry. She twisted her body mid-air, evading both attacks by inches. Her silver blade pulsed with pale light.
"Moonveil Arts…" she called, raising her sword overhead. "Lunar Channeling!"
A graceful slash shimmered through the air, trailing ethereal moonlight as the attack descended toward the spot both Tess and Jenna had just lunged from.
[Raphtalia (☆☆☆☆)'s Moonveil Arts raised to level 2!]
Her blade collided with the ground where their weapons had been a heartbeat earlier, scattering sparks and light.
[Raphtalia (☆☆☆☆)'s Basic Swordsmanship raised to level 5!]
Tess and Jenna had already pulled back, instinct flaring like a sixth sense. They weren't about to let her win so easily.
[Tess (☆☆)'s Basic Spearsmanship raised to level 5!]
[Jenna (☆)'s Basic Dagger Handling raised to level 5!]
"Again!" Tess shouted, eyes gleaming, activating her Warrior's Mark once more. A crimson aura flared briefly around her, boosting her movements.
Jenna darted in from the side, her dagger weaving and flicking like a serpent, her face alight with the thrill of the fight.
Raphtalia met them head-on, sword gleaming with power, her breath heavy but eyes focused.
Three girls. One clash.
And even though she was outnumbered, Raphtalia stood her ground with the unwavering resolve of someone who had finally found a reason to fight.
Still resting in Han's arms, Shay exhaled softly, eyes still on the sparring trio. "Raphtalia… she's really talented… Didn't she pick up the sword just the other day? How can she already match Tess' mastery with the spear?"
"She's…" Shay began.
"A sword prodigy," Han finished for her.
Their eyes met, and they smiled. Quiet understanding and admiration passed between them.
"Hey, you two lovebirds!" Tess called out from across the field, breaking the moment. Behind her, Jenna and Raphtalia were still engaged in their relentless spar.
Han chuckled. "What, Tess?"
Tess smirked, sweat clinging to her brow, but her eyes glowed with warmth. "It's really good to see you smile like that."
Han froze at her words.
"Hahaha, it's true," Shay added, kissing him gently on the cheek. "You were all moody before. I'm glad you're slowly returning to that perverted, lively boy of the village."
"...Sigh," Han sighed, a little flustered.
...
The following days passed in a blur of steel, sweat, and growth. Han, Jenna, Shay, Tess, and Raphtalia trained as hard as they could, their bond with her sharpening alongside their skills.
One morning, after a grueling session, Han found a quiet moment beneath the shade of a tree. He sat down, breathing calmly, and murmured, "Status Window."
A glowing panel blinked into view.
[Han Islat (☆) – Lv.9 (Exp 28/90)]
[Class: Novice]
[Strength: 46/46 (62), Intelligence: 25/25 (58), Stamina: 46/46 (62), Dexterity: 45/45 (60), Spirit: 10]
[Skills: Intermediate Swordsmanship (Lv.1), Combat Logic (Lv.3), Battle Speed (Lv.1), Poison Resistance (Lv.7), Primal Resilience (Lv.3), Feral Senses (Lv.1), Projectile Defense (Lv.7), Indomitable Soul (Lv.4), Nimble Movements (Lv.4), Wild Libido (Lv.2), Basic Combat (Lv.4), Sword Throw (Lv.4), Dual Wielding (Lv.7), Battle Instinct (Lv.1)]
'Nice…' Han thought. His Indomitable Soul leveling up had caused a significant rise in both Intelligence and Spirit, just like Primal Resilience had bolstered his physical stats.
Thanks to his Spirit stat reaching 10, its stats enhancement effect had increased: 130% for Intelligence and 35% for physical attributes.
He turned to glance at Tess.
[Tess Elzaine (☆☆) – Lv.3 (Exp 18/30)]
[Class: Novice]
[Strength: 18/18, Intelligence: 7/7, Stamina: 17/17, Dexterity: 16/16]
[Skills: Basic Spearsmanship (Lv.8), Spear Throw (Lv.7), Spear Vortex (Lv.7), Projectile Defense (Lv.5), Pain Tolerance (Lv.4), Warrior's Mark (Lv.3)]
'She's growing fast too. That Warrior's Mark... it's crazy how quickly her weapon mastery improves thanks to it.'
Then he checked Shay.
[Shay Lathasterie (☆☆☆☆) – Lv.4 (Exp 16/40)]
[Class: Knight]
[Strength: 34/34, Intelligence: 10/10, Stamina: 33/33, Dexterity: 36/36]
[Skills: Combat Logic (Lv.3), Intermediate Swordsmanship (Lv.2), Sword Guard (Lv.6), Sword Grace (Lv.4), Pain Tolerance (Lv.7), Projectile Defense (Lv.9), Knight's Determination (Lv.1)]
'She's still a monster… I only surpassed her raw stats thanks to the enhancements from Primal Resilience and my special rank…'
A 4-Star hero like Shay gained 16 total stat points per level. Meanwhile, Han, a 1-Ethereal Star hero, gained only 8. But if his theory was right—if each Ethereal Star was double the power of a normal one—then a 2-Ethereal Star Han could match a 4-Star hero's growth.
Next, he examined Raphtalia.
[Raphtalia (☆☆☆☆) – Lv.2 (Exp 14/20)]
[Class: Moon God's Reincarnation]
[Strength: 17/17, Intelligence: 30/30, Stamina: 17/17, Dexterity: 21/21]
[Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.7), Projectile Defense (Lv.4), Pain Tolerance (Lv.6), Moonveil Arts (Lv.2)]
'Seeing her class always gets me…' Han thought, smiling.
Finally, he opened Jenna's.
[Jenna Cirai (☆) – Lv.6 (Exp 37/60)]
[Class: Novice]
[Strength: 16/16, Intelligence: 10/10, Stamina: 16/16, Dexterity: 18/18]
[Skills: Basic Archery (Lv.8), Basic Dagger Handling (Lv.6), Switching (Lv.4), Quick Draw (Lv.6), Quick Fire (Lv.4), Hawk's Eye (Lv.4)]
'Jenna... she's really talented. Honestly, for a normal 1-Star hero, she might be as gifted as Raphtalia… if not more,' Han mused. 'But she's still not at our level yet. Not even Tess'.'
Tess and Jenna had comparable base stats, but Tess had Warrior's Mark—and at level 3, it now boosted all her physical stats by 30%.
As Han closed the status windows, satisfied with their progress, a bright chime echoed.
A new notification appeared.
[Welcome to Pick Me Up!]
Han blinked. Then, with a smirk: "Look who decided to visit us."
To be continued...
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I know it was more of a character update chapter, but I still hope you liked it.