New beginning

{POV JOHAN}

One day had passed since I was reprimanded by the soldiers for disappearing from my room without informing anyone. I could only apologize for the incident, although the real reason was my need for information. Despite yesterday's incident adding negative points in the eyes of my classmates, I felt it was a price that had to be paid.

They, as usual, were very excited and felt superior because in this world they had the fantasy powers they had dreamed of. They looked down on me with disdainful looks, as if my status as a "Modern Soldier" was something to be scorned. They might consider their jobs more noble or heroic than mine.

As we were gathered again in the knights' barracks, the training ground for the kingdom's knights, I felt a more disdainful gaze than usual. The barracks were filled with the clang of swords and shields, and the shouts of commanders training the knights. Amidst all this bustle, mocking glances from the knights and classmates pierced me like arrows. The atmosphere reminded me of the times in Japan when I was treated the same way. There was a reason why I was treated like that, and it wasn't a cliché reason. There was something I had to keep secret about my identity.

I swept my gaze across the entire barracks, observing every corner. Knights in shining armor were training earnestly. The sunlight reflected off their shields, creating dazzling flashes. In one corner, I saw my classmate, Touya, with his arrogant smile, showing off his new skills. He was surrounded by several friends who seemed mesmerized by his abilities. I could only sigh inwardly, realizing that in this world, I was still considered insignificant.

However, even in this pressured situation, I knew I had to remain calm and focused. I decided not to dwell too much on their disdainful looks. Instead, I was determined to learn more about the Deus Machina system and find a way to earn credit points.

I leaned against the barracks wall, trying to calm myself. 'I need to find out more about this system and how to use it to my advantage,' I thought, recalling the Shop feature I had discovered yesterday. 'Modern weapons could make a big difference in battle, but I need credits to buy them. I need to figure out how to earn credit points.'

Meanwhile, the knights and my classmates continued to train, their voices echoing throughout the barracks. I felt like I was in the midst of a real battlefield, even though this was just a training ground. 'I have to stay focused,' I muttered to myself. 'There's a lot I need to learn and do.'

...

The royal knights assigned as our trainers seemed quite wise. They didn't immediately push us, children who had never fought in their lives, into this harsh world. Instead, we were instructed to follow regular exercise routines like running, learning our respective jobs, and applying them in intensive training until the evening. The trainers tried to ensure that we had a strong physical foundation before facing more challenging tasks.

However, because of my unique job, no one was willing to train me. The trainers seemed puzzled and hesitant about how to develop the "Modern Soldier" job I possessed. I understood their confusion, considering my uncommon job in this world. Therefore, I decided to train myself. Recalling military training I had witnessed in my original world, I began planning military-style exercises demonstrated on important days. I thought of mimicking Spartan training, which formed the basis of American military training.

Early in the morning, when the sun had just risen and the morning mist still enveloped the barracks, I started with a morning run. With steady breaths and steady steps, I jogged around the training area. No one paid attention; everyone was busy with their own training. I kept running, feeling the fresh morning air and hearing the birds chirping in the distance. The beautiful scenery reminded me that I shouldn't give up.

After a few laps, I moved on to other physical exercises. Push-ups, sit-ups, planks, and various other strength exercises. I did each move with enthusiasm, trying to push myself further each time. Although my body started to tire, I didn't stop. I knew I had to keep practicing and strengthening myself.

When I finished the physical training, I began to study my job more deeply. I tried to access the Deus Machina system again and see if there were further clues on how to develop abilities as a "Modern Soldier". Reflecting on the available information, I tried to imagine how abilities like Tactical Assault, Advanced Firearm Proficiency, and Adaptive Combat Training could be applied in real battle situations.

During this self-training, some classmates watched me with curiosity. Some of them might feel that my training was strange and didn't fit their way of training. However, I didn't care about their opinions. I focused on my goal, which was to become stronger and be prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

In the evening, when the joint training finally ended, I felt satisfied with the effort I had put in. Sweat soaked my body, and every muscle felt tense and tired, but there was a sense of achievement that made me feel better. I stretched my body, feeling the cool evening breeze sweep over my skin. The sun began to set on the horizon, coloring the sky with beautiful shades of orange and red, adding a peaceful atmosphere after a day filled with hard work.

I realized that even though I was in a foreign world filled with people who looked down on me, I still had control over my own efforts. No matter what others thought or said, I knew that as long as I kept trying and training, I could become stronger and more prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

As I walked back to my room, feeling every heavy yet satisfying step, a voice suddenly sounded in my mind.

Ding!

The voice was like a small bell ringing softly yet clearly, causing me to pause for a moment and furrow my brow. I looked around, making sure no one else had heard the sound. However, it seemed that the voice was only audible to me.

"Profile," I whispered softly, hoping to find further clues.

The status window appeared before my eyes, glowing with a soft blue light. This time, there was something new there. A message appeared at the bottom of the status window.

Congratulations! You have reached the early stage of self-training. The Deus Machina system has activated additional features as a reward for your efforts.

I fell silent for a moment, digesting this information. So, the system really responded to effort and hard work. A feeling of pride and relief flowed within me. I stared at the status window with curiosity and hope.

Carefully, I checked the newly unlocked features. There was a new option called "Daily Missions" and "Special Challenges". Daily Missions seemed to provide credit points as rewards for various tasks to be completed each day, while Special Challenges offered bigger rewards but with higher difficulty.

I smirked. This was a great opportunity for me. With enough credit points, I could get the equipment I needed from the Shop and improve my abilities as a Modern Soldier.

"I have to make the most of this," I muttered to myself, a soft whisper reflecting my determination.

Nodding to myself, I walked away towards my room, traversing the corridors of the castle that were now being abandoned by the setting sun. The twilight crept between the ancient stone pillars, casting a dramatic impression on the atmosphere. The sky reddened in the west, casting warm shades of orange and red on the magnificent castle view.

The dim sunlight illuminated my steps, as if guiding me towards a new beginning.