Chapter 6: Training Montage

The early morning sun bathed the Velclair Estate in a warm, golden light as Ryuto stood alone on the training grounds, his breath visible in the cool air. He stared at the screen of his smartphone, the soft glow of the quest notification still fresh in his mind.

"Investigate the Strange Presence in the Northern Woods."

It was a clear signal from his system, a call to adventure. But this time, Ryuto knew better than to rush in without preparation. He wasn't about to repeat the same reckless mistakes they'd made with the Forest Boar. If this quest was real, and dangerous, he needed to be ready.

The thought of a new challenge sent a thrill through his veins. He was itching for another chance to prove himself, to gain more power, and, if luck was on his side, to finally level up. But this wasn't something he could handle alone. He needed Roland.

Ryuto had been practicing his magic control for nearly an hour when he heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching. He turned to see Roland jogging toward him, a wide grin plastered across his face as always.

"You're up early again," Roland said, stretching as he came to a stop beside Ryuto. "What's gotten into you lately? You've been training like a madman."

Ryuto shrugged, trying to act casual. "Just trying to get stronger. We can't slack off if we're going to be real adventurers."

Roland chuckled, grabbing his sword from where he'd propped it against the fence. "Fair point. But I feel like you've got something else going on. What's really up?"

Ryuto hesitated for a moment, debating whether to tell Roland about the quest. He knew his friend would be excited, but explaining where the quest came from was always tricky. Roland didn't know what a smartphone was, or what it meant for Ryuto to have such a strange and powerful "magical device" that no one else in this world had seen before.

But Ryuto needed him for this. There was no way he could tackle the quest alone.

"I got a quest," Ryuto said finally, pulling out his smartphone and showing it to Roland. "It's from… uh, my system."

Roland squinted at the glowing screen, a look of confusion crossing his face. "Your system? What's that thing? Looks like some kind of magical relic."

Ryuto mentally kicked himself for being too casual about his phone. He couldn't exactly explain that it was a piece of Earth technology in a world that had never heard of smartphones. He quickly scrambled for a believable explanation.

"It's, uh, a special magical device I found after I was born," Ryuto said, keeping his voice as confident as possible. "It's kind of like a relic, yeah. It's connected to me and gives me quests and tracks my stats."

Roland's eyes widened in awe. "Seriously? That's awesome! No wonder you're so focused all the time. So, this thing gives you quests?"

Ryuto nodded, relieved that Roland bought the explanation. "Yeah, but it doesn't always give me the details. Just the general idea."

He showed Roland the quest notification on the screen.

[Quest: Investigate the Strange Presence in the Northern Woods]

Roland leaned in, reading the text, his grin returning full force. "The Northern Woods, huh? Sounds like an adventure to me! You thinking we're going to find some creepy monster or something?"

"Probably," Ryuto said, though his mind raced with possibilities. "Whatever it is, it's definitely worth checking out. But we can't just go in without a plan. We'll need to prepare."

Roland sheathed his sword, his excitement evident. "Good call. Last time we barely made it out in one piece, and that was just a Forest Boar. So, what's the plan?"

Ryuto tapped his chin, thinking. "We'll train for a few days. Work on our skills, especially our coordination. Then we'll head out once we're confident. I want to make sure we're ready for anything."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Roland said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's get to work."

Cue Training Montage Music

Over the next few days, Ryuto and Roland trained harder than ever before. Ryuto focused intensely on honing his magic control, learning to wield his spells with more precision and less risk of losing control. He practiced summoning fireballs, lightning bolts, and wind blasts, aiming to make each one as accurate as possible.

Roland, on the other hand, sharpened his swordsmanship, going through complex drills that he had learned at the academy. His strikes were faster and more precise than before, his movements becoming more fluid with every swing of his blade.

Each day, they pushed themselves to their limits, and each day, they felt themselves growing stronger. Ryuto could feel his magic becoming more stable, his ability to control the flow of mana improving. But the real challenge would come when they faced the unknown presence in the Northern Woods.

End Training Montage Music.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling session, Roland plopped down on the grass, panting but grinning. "Man, this is intense. But I feel like we're getting somewhere. I mean, you're not blowing stuff up accidentally anymore, so that's progress."

Ryuto chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Yeah, no more accidental explosions. I'm getting the hang of it."

As they sat in the fading sunlight, Roland turned to Ryuto with a curious look. "So, this magical device of yours, does it, like, talk to you? How do you know when you've completed a quest?"

Ryuto thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain it without making it sound too foreign. "Sort of. It gives me notifications. Like, messages that pop up when I've finished something or when there's a new task. Kind of like… I guess you could call it magical communication."

Roland nodded, clearly fascinated. "That's incredible. So, what happens when we finish this quest? Will it give us rewards or something?"

Ryuto smirked. "That's the idea. I've already gotten some experience points and items from past quests. If we complete this one, who knows? We might level up."

Roland's eyes lit up at the mention of leveling up. "Now that's what I'm talking about! More power, more skills, more adventures!"

Ryuto laughed, feeling the same excitement. But despite their enthusiasm, a part of him still felt uneasy about the quest. They were stronger now, sure, but whatever was waiting in the Northern Woods might be unlike anything they had faced before.

"We're almost ready," Ryuto said, more to himself than to Roland. "A few more days, and we'll be good to go."

The Velclair estate was quiet as the day wound down. Ryuto sat on his bed, staring at his smartphone once again. The quest notification still hovered on the screen, a constant reminder of what lay ahead.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," Ryuto called, assuming it was Roland.

But when the door opened, it wasn't Roland who stepped into the room. It was Celeste.

Ryuto's stomach twisted as his sister closed the door behind her, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall with that same knowing look she had given him a few days ago.

"We need to talk, Ryuto," she said softly, though her tone was firm.

Ryuto tried to stay calm, but his heart raced. Did she know?

Ryuto's heart pounded in his chest as Celeste stepped further into the room, her sharp eyes fixed on him. She closed the door quietly behind her, her movements graceful and deliberate, as always, but her presence carried a weight that sent a chill down Ryuto's spine.

She knows something. Ryuto forced himself to stay calm, but he could feel the tension building. Celeste wasn't the type to barge into his room without a reason.

Celeste crossed her arms and stood by the window, her expression softening slightly, though the serious undertone remained. "Ryuto," she began, her voice calm but firm, "you've been acting… strange lately. I've noticed you sneaking out of the estate, and I want to know why."

Ryuto's pulse quickened. She knows. He had been careful, hadn't he? But there was no point denying it now. Celeste wasn't someone he could easily fool, and if she already suspected something, trying to lie would only make things worse.

"I…" Ryuto hesitated, searching for the right words. "I've just been training more. I want to get stronger, like Edwin and Father."

Celeste's gaze narrowed slightly, her suspicion clear. "Training? At night? Ryuto, I know you've been leaving the estate. The guards mentioned hearing noises in the forest. I may not have caught you in the act, but I'm not blind."

Ryuto felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. Of course the guards heard something. We weren't exactly subtle. He swallowed hard, trying to think fast. "Okay, yes. I've been going into the forest. But it's not what you think. Roland and I… we've just been taking on small adventures. It's not dangerous."

Celeste's eyes flashed with frustration. "Not dangerous? Do you really think I'll believe that? You're barely trained, Ryuto. What would Mother say if she knew you were sneaking into the forest at night, risking your life?"

Ryuto winced at the mention of their mother. Duchess Seraphina had always been protective, and if she knew what he and Roland had been up to, there would be serious consequences. But Ryuto couldn't just stop now. He had his system, his quests, and his desire to grow stronger. Giving that up wasn't an option.

"I'm being careful," Ryuto insisted, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm not going out there recklessly. I've got Roland with me, and we've been training hard. I need to do this, Celeste. I need to get stronger."

Celeste's expression softened, but only slightly. She studied him for a long moment, as if weighing her next words carefully. "I understand wanting to grow stronger, Ryuto. But what you're doing is reckless. The world is dangerous, especially now with the war. Monsters are becoming more aggressive, and you're not ready to face that kind of threat."

Ryuto felt a flash of frustration. He knew Celeste cared about him, maybe too much, but she didn't understand what he was capable of. "I'm stronger than you think. I've been practicing my magic, and I've learned a lot. You don't have to worry about me."

Celeste shook her head, stepping closer. "You're my brother. Of course I worry about you. If something happened to you out there…" Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging in the air.

Ryuto clenched his fists, trying to hold back his growing frustration. He understood where Celeste was coming from, but she didn't know about his system or the quests he had been given. To her, it probably seemed like he was just a foolish kid playing at being an adventurer. But this was his path, his chance to gain power, to level up, and to make something of himself in this world.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Celeste," Ryuto said, his voice firm. "I can take care of myself."

Celeste's gaze softened further, but there was still a stubborn edge to her voice. "Maybe. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. If you're going to keep sneaking out, at least let me help you. I know more about combat and magic than you realize."

Ryuto blinked, surprised by her offer. He hadn't expected that. Celeste was overprotective, sure, but he didn't think she'd actually offer to help him with his adventures. He wasn't sure how to respond. Having her around could make things more complicated, especially with his smartphone and its strange powers. But on the other hand, Celeste was strong and experienced. If she joined them, they might have a better chance of surviving whatever lay ahead.

"I don't need you to babysit me," Ryuto said, though his tone lacked its usual bite. "But… maybe we could use your help. Just this once."

Celeste smiled faintly, her expression softening even more. "Good. Then it's settled. I'll keep this between us, but only if you promise to be honest with me from now on. No more sneaking around. Understood?"

Ryuto sighed, feeling the weight of her gaze. He didn't like the idea of being watched over, but he didn't have much of a choice. If this was the only way to keep Celeste off his back, and away from their mother, he'd take it.

"Alright," he muttered. "No more sneaking around."

Celeste nodded, satisfied. "Good. And if you're going into the Northern Woods, you're going to need more than just Roland's sword and your magic. I'll prepare some supplies for you."

Ryuto opened his mouth to protest, but the look on Celeste's face told him it was pointless. She had already made up her mind, and arguing with her wouldn't get him anywhere.

"Fine," he said, reluctantly. "But we're doing this my way."

Celeste chuckled softly. "Of course, little brother. Your way."

She turned and headed for the door, pausing just before she left. "Be careful, Ryuto. I mean it."

With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving Ryuto standing there, his mind racing. He hadn't expected Celeste to offer her help, or to figure out what he'd been doing so quickly. But now that she was involved, things were going to get more complicated.

Still, if she could help them prepare for the Northern Woods, maybe it wasn't all bad. He'd take all the help he could get, just as long as she didn't pry too much into his system.

The next morning, Ryuto met up with Roland at the estate's training grounds, the air still crisp from the early morning chill. Roland was already swinging his sword in practiced arcs, his face glowing with determination.

"Ready for another round?" Roland called, grinning as he spotted Ryuto approaching.

Ryuto nodded, though his thoughts were still on the conversation with Celeste from the night before. He hadn't told Roland yet, he wasn't sure how his friend would react to the idea of Celeste tagging along on their adventures. But they didn't have much of a choice now.

As they began their drills, Ryuto focused on controlling his magic. He conjured small fireballs in his hands, channeling his mana carefully to avoid the mistakes he'd made in the past. His control had improved dramatically over the past few days, but there was still room for growth.

As they trained, Ryuto noticed Roland watching him closely, his expression thoughtful. "You've really been getting the hang of that magic. Think you'll ever show me how that magical device of yours works?"

Ryuto stiffened for a moment, but quickly recovered. "It's not something I can just teach. It's… kind of special to me."

Roland chuckled, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Yeah, I figured. You're full of surprises, Ryuto. But whatever that thing is, it's definitely helping you get stronger. We're going to crush this next quest, no problem."

Ryuto forced a smile, but his mind was still racing. He needed to keep Roland and Celeste from getting too curious about his smartphone. If they knew the truth, that it wasn't just some magical relic, but a piece of technology from another world, they might start asking questions he couldn't answer.

For now, he just had to focus on the task ahead: the Northern Woods. They had trained hard, and with Celeste's help, they'd be more prepared than ever.

But Ryuto couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was waiting for them out there was more dangerous than anything they had faced before.

The sun was well above the horizon when Ryuto and Roland wrapped up their training for the day. Both of them were exhausted, sweat dripping from their brows, but the sense of progress was undeniable. Ryuto's control over his magic had improved significantly, he was no longer worried about accidentally blowing things up, and Roland's swordsmanship had become sharper and more precise.

Ryuto couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and anxiety. They were stronger, more prepared, but the looming quest in the Northern Woods still nagged at the back of his mind. This wasn't just a random skirmish with a Forest Boar; this was a quest from his system, and those never came without real danger.

As they walked off the training grounds, Roland slung his sword over his shoulder and shot Ryuto a grin. "We're getting better, man. Pretty soon, we're going to make the rest of the academy look like amateurs."

Ryuto chuckled, though his thoughts were still on what Celeste had said the night before. She had insisted on helping, and though part of him appreciated her offer, he wasn't sure how it would affect the dynamics of their group. Celeste wasn't someone you could just brush aside, when she made up her mind about something, she followed through.

He glanced at Roland, debating whether to mention it. The last thing he wanted was to make Roland feel like they needed babysitting.

"Hey," Ryuto said after a moment, "there's something I need to tell you."

Roland raised an eyebrow, his grin fading slightly. "What's up?"

Ryuto hesitated, then decided there was no point hiding it. "Celeste knows. About the quest. She… sort of caught on that I've been sneaking out, and now she wants to help us."

Roland stopped in his tracks, blinking in surprise. "Wait, your sister? The one who's always giving you that 'overprotective older sister' look?"

Ryuto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, that one. She's not giving me a choice. She says if I keep sneaking out, she's going to help make sure we don't get ourselves killed."

For a moment, Roland just stared at him, then burst out laughing. "Man, you're in trouble now. Celeste's coming along? We'll never get to do anything dangerous! She's going to keep us on a tight leash."

Ryuto groaned, already knowing Roland was partly right. "Look, I didn't ask for this. But if it keeps her from telling my mom about everything, it's worth it. And who knows? Maybe she'll be useful."

Roland snorted. "Maybe. I mean, she's strong, right? She could probably take down half the academy on her own."

Ryuto nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, she's pretty skilled. She's better with magic and combat than I am. But I'm still in charge. This is our quest."

Roland clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, I'll follow your lead. Just don't let her make all the decisions, or we'll end up on some safe, boring expedition instead of real adventuring."

Ryuto chuckled, though he shared some of Roland's concerns. The last thing he wanted was for Celeste to take control of their quest, but he knew better than to underestimate her. If anyone could help them prepare for what lay ahead, it was her.

Later that evening, as the sun set and cast a warm, orange glow over the estate, Ryuto met with Celeste in one of the estate's sitting rooms. She was already there, her usual composed expression softened by the flickering firelight.

"Have you told Roland?" she asked as Ryuto sat down across from her.

"Yeah," Ryuto said, leaning back in his chair. "He's… not thrilled, but he's on board."

Celeste nodded, her face calm but serious. "Good. I've been preparing some supplies for the journey. We'll need healing potions, basic rations, and a few enchanted weapons, just in case."

Ryuto raised an eyebrow. "You think we'll need all that? It's just a simple investigation."

Celeste's eyes darkened slightly. "I don't know. But the Northern Woods have always been unpredictable. I've heard rumors lately, rumors about strange creatures being spotted deeper in the forest. We can't be too careful."

Ryuto felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard the same rumors, but he hadn't given them much thought. The quest from his system was vague, but the mention of a "strange presence" had always bothered him. If there was something dangerous lurking out there, they needed to be prepared.

"Alright," Ryuto said, his voice more serious now. "We'll take whatever you think we'll need. But remember, this is my quest. We do this my way."

Celeste smiled faintly, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Of course, little brother. We'll do it your way."

The morning of the quest came faster than Ryuto expected. He stood at the edge of the Northern Woods, staring into the dense forest as the early sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above. Beside him, Roland was adjusting his sword belt, while Celeste stood with her arms crossed, a small pack of supplies slung over her shoulder.

The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Despite the early hour, there was a stillness in the air that made the hair on the back of Ryuto's neck stand up. It felt different from when they had faced the Forest Boar, this time, there was a palpable tension, like the forest itself was watching them.

"So," Roland said, breaking the silence, "this is the famous Northern Woods. Not exactly welcoming, huh?"

Ryuto nodded, his eyes scanning the tree line. "It's supposed to be dangerous. That's why we're here."

Celeste stepped forward, her expression calm but alert. "We'll stay close and move carefully. Whatever this presence is, we'll find it, but we don't take unnecessary risks."

Roland shot Ryuto a look, smirking. "Told you she'd play it safe."

Ryuto rolled his eyes but said nothing. He couldn't deny that Celeste's caution was warranted. As much as he wanted to prove himself, there was no point in rushing headfirst into danger without a plan.

Taking a deep breath, Ryuto turned to face the forest. His smartphone buzzed softly in his pocket, reminding him that this wasn't just another adventure, it was a quest, one that could lead to something far more dangerous than they anticipated.

"Alright," Ryuto said, his voice steady. "Let's go."

With that, the three of them stepped into the Northern Woods, the shadows closing in around them as they ventured deeper into the unknown.