The evening was quiet, the trees whispering softly as the fire crackled low. Aren sat beside the last glowing embers, his body still aching from the grueling day. He stared at the dark sky above, eyes locked on the stars peeking through the branches.
"Tomorrow…" he started to say, but then he paused.
His fingers tightened around the dagger lying beside him. "No," he muttered, his voice sharp and determined. "Not tomorrow. We finish it today."
The dagger hummed lightly, almost as if it was laughing in surprise. "Today? You're serious?"Aren pushed himself up, ignoring the deep pull in his muscles. He rolled his shoulders, his eyes burning with a fierce light.
"Yes," he said firmly. "We reach one hundred percent tonight. No delays. I want that first rank complete before the moon sets."
The dagger shimmered in the firelight, its voice low but excited. "Then pick me up. Let's move."Aren grabbed it, feeling the familiar weight in his hand. He stepped to the cleared training ground behind the watchtower, the earth still warm from the sun.
"Ready?" the dagger asked.
Aren nodded once. "Let's do this."
They started moving, Aren shifting his stance and sliding forward, every motion sharper and more precise than before. Sweat broke out on his forehead immediately, running down his neck and soaking his clothes, but he didn't stop.
The dagger guided him, correcting tiny details. "Lower. Faster. Your right foot is still slow. Again!"
Time seemed to disappear as he repeated the steps over and over. His arms trembled, his legs felt like they would give out, but each repetition pushed him closer to the edge , and closer to mastery.
The moon hung high now, bright and watchful. Aren moved like a shadow in the pale light, his movements no longer forced but flowing, almost like a dance.
"Almost there," the dagger whispered, its voice full of rising pride. "Don't stop now!"
Aren gritted his teeth, ignoring the burning in his muscles, pushing harder and faster. He could feel something inside him shifting, a new balance awakening.
Finally, he made the last turn, grounded perfectly, arms locked in a smooth strike. The air felt electric around him. He froze in that final stance, chest heaving.
Then, in a sudden flash, the dagger's form shimmered and transformed into a long, elegant spear in his hands. Along its shaft, ten spiral-shaped parts gleamed faintly, and the first spiral burst into a brilliant blue glow.
Aren stared at it, breathless, eyes wide with wonder."You did it," the dagger's voice said, softer now, full of approval. "First rank: complete. One hundred percent."
Aren slowly straightened, staring at the newly awakened spear. He ran his fingers over the glowing blue spiral, a proud grin spreading across his face despite his exhaustion.
"So this is what it feels like," he murmured. "The real beginning."
The dagger, now in spear form, pulsed lightly. "There are ten spirals. Each rank completed will light up another. When all ten shine bright blue… you will become the Top Rank and the true Boss Master. The ultimate bearer of the legacy."
Aren let out a small, shaky laugh, filled with equal parts excitement and relief.
He took a slow step back, letting the spear rest against his shoulder. The ground under him felt more real, more steady, as if the forest itself was recognizing his progress.
"One down," he said softly, his voice almost lost to the night breeze. "Nine more to go."
The spear shimmered in agreement.
Aren turned and looked at the dying fire nearby, a satisfied calm settling over him. Despite the sweat and soreness, he felt more alive than ever.
He took another careful look at the spear, the single blue spiral shining like a star in the darkness."From today," he whispered, his eyes full of fierce resolve, "I move forward. No turning back. No half-steps."
He leaned the spear gently beside the watchtower, sat down, and let his tired body finally rest. The moon looked down, silent and proud, as if it had watched every step of his struggle.
And deep in the woods, unseen eyes might have been watching ,but Aren no longer cared. He knew his path now, and he would carve it himself, one glowing spiral at a time.