When I opened my eyes in the morning, the light seeping through the window was already bothering my eyelids.
I reflexively tried to fall back asleep.
No luck.
Because I could hear swords clashing outside.
Kai.
⸻
I got out of bed and approached the window.
He was training in the courtyard.
His sword moved with perfect fluidity, like a dance.
How unnecessarily flawless.
Meanwhile, I was just trying to roll over in bed.
Life is unfair.
⸻
I watched him for a while.
Broad shoulders, sharp figure, every movement precise.
His black hair falling slightly over his forehead, swaying with the breeze.
Those icy blue eyes…
There was a calm coldness in his gaze that somehow made you feel safe next to him.
I mumbled to myself,
"Being a knight must not be easy…"
He noticed me.
"You were bound to wake up eventually," he said with a small smile.
I stretched my arms.
"Wasn't hard with your sword practice right outside."
Kai approached and showed me the second sword in his hand.
"We're starting your training today."
I sighed.
Starting sword practice right after waking up wasn't exactly motivational.
But if I wanted to survive in this world, I had to learn.
"I'm… ready. I guess."
⸻
Status Window — Elysia
• Level: 5
• Class: None
• Combat Skill: 3/100
• Magic Skill: 0/100
• Charm: 98/100
• Romance Progression:
• Kai — MAX
• Cassian — MAX
• Lucian — MAX
• Gold: 270
• Housing Level: Basic Cottage - Level 1
⸻
The system is mocking me again: "Charm high, combat zero."
Well, I dumped all my stats into relationships.
But hey, I got to flirt with a knight before dying.
How many people get that? Pretty impressive, honestly.
⸻
During training, Kai handed me the sword.
"Get familiar with your weapon. It must become an extension of you."
I stared at it seriously.
"Hmm… then I should give it a name. Maybe… Can't-Cut-Anything?"
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Can't-Cut-Anything?"
"I mean… I don't think I'll be cutting much yet. Best to manage expectations."
Kai shook his head with a chuckle.
"I thought you were being optimistic. I was wrong."
⸻
I inspected the sword's length.
"Isn't this too big for me? It's half my height."
Kai smirked slightly.
"If your sword is too small, no one will take you seriously. You need to look dangerous."
Honestly, right now I'm only a danger to myself.
⸻
My first grip was awful.
Kai reached over, gently adjusting my wrist.
But this time, he didn't pull his hand away right away.
He held my hand for a few seconds longer than necessary.
Our eyes locked.
You're calling this training, but… you're definitely doing this on purpose.
Kai smiled softly and whispered,
"Much better."
My heartbeat picked up without permission.
⸻
We practiced basic movements.
Kai watched carefully, correcting me with small touches whenever I messed up.
"For your first lesson, not bad at all," he finally said.
"Your muscles will get used to it soon."
I nodded.
"At least I didn't stab my own face. I call that a win for now."
Kai smiled.
"That's how progress starts."
⸻
If only I had grinded some combat stats while playing the game, I could have impressed Kai with fancy moves right now.
But nope.
Let's just hope he's impressed by my premium outfits instead.
⸻
After about an hour of basics, Kai ended the session.
"That's enough for today. Your muscles need to adjust."
I exhaled deeply.
"I might not feel my arms tomorrow."
Kai smiled.
"That's normal at the start."
⸻
At that moment, a system window popped up:
Combat Skill increased!
Combat Skill: 3 → 5
Finally, some progress.
⸻
Kai sheathed his sword and turned to me.
"I have patrol duty today. Some new orders came from the capital."
I looked up.
"The crown prince again?"
Because when I was playing, Kai often complained about this.
Kai shrugged.
"Cassian's been tightening control over palace affairs lately.
Everyone's tense, trying not to get on his bad side.
Lots of political movement going on."
⸻
Cassian.
The guy I maxed romance points with purely through side quests.
We never actually met face-to-face.
Because traveling to Veloria required three real-life hours on a carriage.
And honestly, I never had that kind of patience.
Looking back… was I a bit lazy? Yes.
Could a fully maxed-out romance prince have helped me right now? Probably.
But three hours was just too much back then…
⸻
Kai handed me the sword.
"Rest for today. If I finish early, I'll stop by later."
I nodded.
"Alright."
Kai left to prepare for patrol.
⸻
Then another system screen appeared:
New Daily Quest Available!
Quest: Morning Herb Collection
* Collect: 10x Silverleaf Herb
* Collect: 5x Morning Dew Flower
Reward: 100 Gold, 5 XP
⸻
My eyes glued to the screen.
ONE HUNDRED GOLD?!
That's a fortune!
I need to do this quest.
Immediately. Right now.