The academy's training hall was empty save for the sound of wood striking reinforced padding. Lucas stood alone, muscles weighed down with exhaustion as he drove his practice spear into the dummy again and again.
"Three hundred and twelve," he muttered, sweat dripping from his brow.
Every strike reverberated through his arms. Between classes, meals, and brief hours of sleep, Lucas had returned to this place like he was obsessed. He was going to finish the quest. No shortcuts, no cheats. Just effort.
[Quest: Master the Spear – 1000 Hits Remaining: 688]
He gritted his teeth and pushed through. Each stab came a little slower, his arms trembling. Still, he refused to stop. The system was watching. If it demanded 1000 strikes, he would give it 1000.
By the end of the night, his legs ached, his hands were blistered, and he had to bite the inside of his cheek just to stay standing.
[Quest Progress: 998/1000]
"Two more," he whispered.
He took one deep breath, steadied the spear, and thrusted once, then again.
[Quest Complete!] [You have earned a new Trait: Spear Familiarity (Minor)] [Effect: Slight boost to accuracy and handling when using spears]
Lucas collapsed onto the floor, staring up at the rafters of the training hall. The ceiling swam above him as the exhaustion caught up all at once.
But beneath the fatigue was pride.
He'd earned this.
The next morning, Instructor Vale stood at the front of the classroom in her usual dark armor, her posture rigid as always.
"This week, you'll be undergoing an internal assessment. Consider it an early combat exam," she said, voice cold and clipped. "Each of you will face a fellow student in one-on-one sparring."
A murmur ran through the room.
Lucas sat straighter, still sore from the previous night, but alert. Daron shot him a wary glance from the next seat over.
"Matches will be announced shortly. You will not be allowed to use any relics or enchanted items. Standard weapons only. Use of skills is permitted. If you have them."
Vale paused, letting the silence settle.
"This is not a game. Anyone caught attempting to maim or kill will be expelled on the spot."
She clicked a button, and a holographic list appeared above her wristband.
Lucas Hollow vs. Tarin Voss.
The room went silent.
"You're kidding," Daron muttered.
Lucas exhaled slowly. Tarin Voss, the second-year from the cafeteria. The bully from the lineage of a Rank 6 Delver. This was no coincidence. Someone must've pushed for it.
Word spread fast. By the time the students had gathered around the practice arena, whispers had turned into a full-on crowd. First-years lined the perimeter, hungry for drama. Even a few second-years loitered in the back, arms crossed, waiting to see the new kid get flattened.
Tarin stood across from him, arms folded, expression smug. His uniform had been altered to show off his crest, silver and red, the mark of his prestigious family.
"Didn't think they'd actually let you fight me," Tarin said, drawing a standard-issue blade from the rack. "I figured they'd stick you with another nobody."
Lucas picked up a practice spear, rolling it in his hands. No enchantments. No Overdrive Strength. Cooldown still active.
Just him and the weapon.
Instructor Vale stood at the edge of the ring, arms crossed.
"Begin."
Tarin moved fast. His blade sang through the air, the first strike nearly catching Lucas off guard. He parried with the shaft of his spear and backed off, already feeling the difference in experience.
Tarin pressed forward, blade dancing in the sunlight.
Lucas grunted, sidestepped a lunge, and jabbed the butt of the spear toward Tarin's leg. It grazed, barely.
[System Alert: New Quest Available – Endure the Storm]
[Take 5 direct hits in battle and remain standing to gain a temporary buff: Adrenaline Spike (+10% Reaction Speed, +10% Endurance)]
Lucas mentally accepted without hesitation.
The next blow struck him hard in the shoulder. He grit his teeth and spun, using the momentum to drive his spear forward. Tarin blocked it and countered with a slash to Lucas's ribs.
Two.
He could feel the bruises forming, his breathing getting heavier. But the rhythm of the fight was changing. Tarin was showy, aggressive. Lucas focused on survival.
Three. A strike across his thigh.
Four. His forearm.
Then—
[Adrenaline Spike Activated. Duration: 3 Minutes.]
Suddenly, the world sharpened. Lucas could see every twitch of Tarin's muscles, the wind-up of each blow. He ducked under a wide swing and landed a solid strike to Tarin's hip.
Tarin staggered.
Lucas advanced.
He switched up his rhythm, one feint, two real strikes, footwork tighter than before. His spear whirled, the point a blur.
Tarin backpedaled, cursing under his breath.
Lucas took a hit to the ribs—five—but stepped in close and swept Tarin's legs with the shaft of his spear.
The older student hit the ground with a grunt.
Lucas didn't hesitate. He planted his foot on the inside of Tarin's wrist and drove the spear down, not to stab, but to pin.
Instructor Vale's voice rang out.
"Enough. Winner: Lucas Hollow."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Tarin shoved Lucas off and stormed away, red-faced and furious. His followers moved to follow, but none said a word.
Lucas stepped back, chest heaving.
Reyna was there. She hadn't been in the crowd before, but now she approached, her usual guarded look softer.
"Thank you. Again."
Before he could reply, she turned and disappeared into the parting crowd.
Daron slapped him on the back, snapping him back to reality. "Alright, spear-boy. We are training together now. That was insane."
Lucas managed a weak grin.
Back in the dorm, Lucas sat on the edge of his bed and opened his system.
[Quest Complete – Endure the Storm] [Temporary Buff Expired]
[Title Gained: First Blood] [Effect: +10% Strength against human opponents]
He leaned back, staring at the screen. His first title. Not from some gift, not from luck, but from surviving. From winning.
And something told him this was only the beginning.