The sound of clashing metal echoed through the air. Swords parried each other at a rapid pace. I was fighting against my father or rather, training to withstand his attacks.
Several days had passed since the exam ended. We had all been returned to our respective groups, resuming our usual lives in the bandit town. However, ever since then, my father had begun training me directly in between his duties as a leader.
I often saw him return from missions assigned by the nobles, bringing back well-dressed individuals in chains. I knew they were captives.
With memories from another world, it was hard for me to accept this sight. But running away wasn't an option. If I left, the outside world might not be any different. Because of that, I made a decision: I had to become strong. Only then would I decide what to do next.
"Hah… Speed!"
My body reacted instantly to the activation of reinforcement magic. My movements became faster probably about 20% more agile than before.
However, my father effortlessly deflected my attack. With just a slight twist of his wrist, my sword was knocked aside.
Without pause, he swung his body to the side, pivoting on his left foot. I knew what was coming next a spinning kick!
Bruakh!
I was sent flying to the ground as his kick struck my stomach. My breath was knocked out of me for a moment. But I couldn't afford to stay still. Quickly, I used the momentum of my fall to roll into a crouching position.
My feet planted firmly on the ground.
"Power! Speed!"
Mana surged through my muscles. I launched myself forward, shooting like a bullet. My sword was raised high, ready to strike with all my strength.
But as if he had anticipated my move, my father didn't block my attack head-on. Instead, he spun his sword in a circular motion, letting my swing miss and lose momentum.
'Damn it, he's not stopping my attack he's redirecting my force!'
I had no time to adjust my stance. My father swung his sword from the side.
I barely managed to raise my sword to block.
Clang!
Our swords clashed, but I immediately knew who held the advantage.
My father pressed his blade against mine, forcing me down. I tried to hold my ground, but gravity and his overwhelming strength were against me.
I lost my grip.
The moment my hold weakened, his sword struck my shoulder.
"Argh!!"
A sharp pain shot through my body from my shoulder. I dropped to my knees, struggling to endure it.
"Why are you letting your guard down?!!"
A heavy fist crashed into my face.
Bugh!
Blood mixed with saliva spilled from my mouth. I collapsed, but my father didn't stop. He kept beating me kicking, punching, even striking me with the hilt of his sword.
I tried to stand but another blow sent me crashing down again.
'How long is this going to last…?'
Only after I was completely unable to get up did he finally stop.
"That's enough for today."
I gasped for air, my body feeling like it had been trampled by a wild horse.
"You'll be hunting tomorrow. I have other matters to attend to."
I let out a weak groan. Forcing a ten-year-old to hunt after beating him half to death? Absolutely ridiculous. But… I didn't have a choice.
The next day, with my body still aching, I ventured into the forest alone.
I had hunted before, but to be honest, I had never actually succeeded in catching anything.
Even capturing a single rabbit was a battle for survival.
I pressed myself against the ground, hiding behind a bush. Ahead of me, a wild rabbit nibbled on some grass. My eyes locked onto its movements.
'Alright, this time I can't fail.'
I steadied my breathing, channeling mana into my muscles.
"Speed."
A blur shot out from the bushes. I dashed forward, reaching out to grab it.
But
'So fast!'
The rabbit jumped to the side with an incredible reaction speed.
'Damn it, I forgot! Rabbits have insane reflexes!'
I quickly changed direction, using a tree root as a foothold to propel myself back into the chase.
But every time I was about to catch it, it slipped away at the last second.
I kept running, kept chasing. My breathing grew heavier, my legs started to burn.
Meanwhile, the rabbit continued hopping ahead almost as if it was mocking me.
'Damn it… I won't lose to a rabbit!'
I adjusted my strategy. If I couldn't win with speed, I had to manipulate its path.
I ran ahead of it, forcing it into a narrow passage between the tree roots.
As it tried to jump to the side
"Power!"
I lunged, slamming my body down with all my strength.
"Hah… hah… finally…"
My hands clamped around the rabbit's body. It struggled, trying to escape, but I didn't give it a chance.
Blood dripped onto the ground.
My hands and body were covered in scratches from branches and roots that had scraped me during the chase.
I stared at the rabbit in my grasp. Even just to catch this small creature, I had to fight with everything I had.
"…I'm really weak."
No pride. No sense of victory. Just exhaustion.
I let out a deep sigh, then stood up.
With slow, weary steps, I began my journey back home.
At the very least, tonight, I had something to eat.