The next day, a drizzle fell over the Hall territory bordering Kamelot and Aragon, which was also close to the great demonic forest, as the sun rose slowly, illuminating the area with its golden rays and dispelling the darkness.
From above, several buildings could be seen, giving the place a touch of humanity.
On the training field, Adam could be seen jogging at a steady pace. His breathing was controlled, sweat running down his forehead, and steam coming out of his mouth every time he exhaled.
After a few more laps, he stopped. He grabbed a towel to dry off the sweat and a glass of water to rehydrate.
Just a few laps and I'm already at my limit.
Adam sighed softly. He hadn't done much, just run laps around the training field, and he felt exhausted.
He knew this was because his body had never received proper training, but he wasn't sad or worried.
On the contrary, he was satisfied, for he had begun working on his physique much earlier than in his past life, where he had started too late.
Adam opened the window of the mission that had appeared before him that very day, right after he woke up.
[Daily Mission #1]
Push-ups 20: Incomplete (0/20)
Sit-ups 20: Incomplete (0/20)
Squats 20: Incomplete (0/20)
Pull-ups 20: Incomplete (0/20)
Burpees 10: Incomplete (0/10)
Run 1 km: Incomplete (0.2 km/1 km)
Reward: 1 stat point, 1 EXP.
...
I have 800 meters left, then I'll move on to the exercises.
Adam finished drinking his water and resumed running around the training field. His main goal was to increase his endurance and strengthen his body before opening his mana channels.
The mission suited him perfectly.
After running the remaining 800 meters and stretching, he began his basic exercises.
The sun finished rising, and the morning drizzle stopped, leaving the sky clear without a single cloud. The air smelled pleasantly of damp earth.
Adam finished his exercises; his body was drenched in sweat, and his breathing was uneven. The bruises left by his father were still visible.
[You have completed daily mission #1.]
[You received 1 stat point.]
[You received 1 EXP]
After receiving the reward, he opened his status window and was about to use the points he had earned right away.
Adam Hall
Low-ranking knight [EXP: 51/100]
Talent: A
Trait: Fencing (SSS) Hand-to-Hand Combat (D) Tracking (C) Mana Manipulation (C) Magic (SSS)
Strength: 5 +
Stamina: 6 +
Agility: 7 +
Vitality: 10 +
Mana: 5 +
Statistics points: 1
My talent remains at A; I thought it would change to SSS, but it hasn't.
Perhaps the change in his talent is not reflected, as he only has SSS talent in fencing and magic, not in general. Therefore, it would make sense to keep it the same.
But that wasn't important right now.
Adam noticed the slight change in his status: the (+) symbol that had been missing before, but he wasn't too surprised.
Then he clicked once on the "+" in his mana.
[+1 Mana]
The notification window appeared, followed by an increase in his mana from 5 to 6. His stat points were also reduced to 0.
Adam felt no change in his body. This was to be expected, as neither his strength nor his agility had improved.
After making the improvements, he left the place before the knights arrived to train in the field.
After showering, he went to have breakfast.
He went down to the dining room to a long wooden table that could seat ten people. Only his mother, Alisha, was there, sitting in one of the booths. She watched him with a gentle smile as he entered.
"Good morning, son," she greeted him calmly, pointing to the seat next to her. "Come, sit down."
"Good morning, mother," Adam replied as he took his place at the table, overflowing with food.
It was a hearty breakfast, almost festive. There was roast duck, beef soup, fresh salads, and several jugs of wine, both rice and grape.
As they ate in silence, Adam thought about his fiancée. But he distracted his mind with his current and future progress.
Well, if I keep up my training pace and with the help of the system, it might not take me as long to strengthen my body and access mana, thus accelerating my growth at least three or four times over.
"Son, don't be nervous. Your fiancée won't be long," Alisha said as she gracefully wiped her lips.
Adam didn't respond right away. He took a bite of salad.
"I'm not nervous, Mother."
"Hmm..." Alisha tilted her head. "I know the engagement was your father's idea, but... aren't you even curious?"
Adam shook his head gently, a slight smile forming on his lips. Of course, he was curious. More than he was willing to admit. However, he said nothing.
How could he explain to her that he already knew the face of the woman who was about to arrive? That he even remembered the way she smiled... and the way she died?
"It's not that," he replied at last. "I just don't think there's any rush."
Alisha looked at him for a few more seconds, as if trying to read something hidden behind his words. Then she smiled tenderly and did not insist.
Breakfast continued in a calm atmosphere. They talked about simple things: the weather, the servants, small matters concerning the estate. However, for Adam, every bite tasted different.
This was something he missed.
When the table was finally almost empty, and the maids began to leave, Adam excused himself and returned to his room.
There, he took a worn leather-bound book from the shelf: "D-Day," a historical work he had read countless times in his previous life. He sat by the window, let the morning light illuminate the pages, and took a sip of chamomile tea.
But this time he wasn't really reading.
The letters passed before his eyes without leaving a trace. His mind was far away, caught between blurred memories and emotions that refused to remain buried.
What should I feel when I see her...? Joy? Guilt? Fear?
The slight squeak of the door, breaking the silence, snapped him out of his thoughts.
Adam looked up.
A maid had entered with a respectful expression.
"Young master," he announced. "Your fiancée has arrived."
Adam's heart skipped a beat.
He calmly closed the book and placed it on the table. He set his teacup aside and took a deep breath, as if he needed to gather something he had lost long ago.