Chapter 4:A month of Training

Chapter 4: A Month of Training

Kaito never expected to get used to waking up before dawn, but after a month of training under Aldric, it had become routine.

Every morning started the same way—physical drills, sword practice, and combat exercises until his arms felt like they were going to fall off. Afternoons were spent hunting monsters in the forest, learning how to track, fight, and survive.

It was brutal. It was exhausting. But it was working.

Aldric was the definition of relentless. He didn’t waste time with unnecessary words or encouragement. He just pushed Kaito to his limits, forcing him to adapt through sheer effort and discipline.

And the crazy part?

Kaito could feel himself improving.

At first, his body ached constantly. His movements were sluggish. But by the end of the first week, he could keep up with Aldric’s sparring sessions without instantly getting knocked to the ground.

By the second week, he could land counterattacks.

By the third, he wasn’t just reacting—he was fighting back.

The System inside him was still in Dormant Mode, but it was clear that whatever enhancements it had given him were making a difference. His reflexes were sharper, his stamina lasted longer, and his ability to learn new techniques was far beyond what should have been possible for a beginner.

Still, Aldric never once praised him.

Not until the fourth week, when Kaito finally won a match.

It was just a sparring session, but when Aldric’s blade clashed against his, Kaito saw an opening—and took it. He twisted his grip, knocking Aldric’s sword off balance, and in one clean motion, he drove his own blade straight toward the knight’s chest plate.

Of course, Aldric still blocked it at the last second, but instead of countering, he stepped back.

And then, for the first time ever—

He nodded.

"Good," was all he said before walking off.

Kaito exhaled, rolling his shoulders. That was probably the closest thing to a compliment he was going to get.

A Knight’s Home

Despite the grueling training, there was one thing Kaito actually looked forward to—his evenings at Aldric’s home.

Since their first hunting trip, Kaito had been invited back multiple times for meals. Aldric’s wife, Elena, always insisted on feeding him, and Aria, their daughter, had all but adopted him as an older brother.

She would greet him at the door every time, her tiny arms latching onto his leg, demanding to hear about the "monsters" he fought that day.

It was a small, peaceful routine—one that felt completely opposite from the brutal training during the day.

One evening, after finishing dinner, Kaito sat outside the house, staring at the night sky.

The air was crisp, and the stars shone brightly above the quiet countryside. It reminded him of home—not his actual home back on Earth, but the idea of home. A place where people could just live, laugh, and be safe.

Aldric stepped out, arms crossed as he leaned against the wooden railing.

"You’re thinking about something," he said.

Kaito smirked. "What gave it away?"

"You’re quiet when you think."

Kaito exhaled, glancing toward the house. Inside, he could hear Elena humming as she cleaned up, Aria giggling about something.

"This place… it’s nice," he admitted. "Not just the house, but the life you have here."

Aldric didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked toward the sky.

"It wasn’t always like this," he said finally. "Before Aria was born, I was nothing but a soldier. I fought in the last war against the demons. Back then, I never thought about family. Only duty."

Kaito turned to him, listening.

Aldric continued. "When the war ended, I came back to a kingdom that only saw me as a knight. But when I met Elena, everything changed. For the first time, I wanted something beyond war."

Kaito stayed silent.

Aldric’s story wasn’t anything dramatic. But it was real.

And it made Kaito realize something.

He had power. Not just strength, but actual combat abilities that could make a difference.

And if he had that power, then didn’t he have a responsibility to protect the people who couldn’t fight for themselves?

The families like Aldric’s.

Kaito clenched his fists.

"I want to protect them," he muttered.

Aldric glanced at him. "Who?"

"People like your wife. Your daughter. People who just want to live their lives." Kaito’s voice was firm. "If I have the power to fight, then I should fight for them."

Aldric studied him for a moment.

Then, after a long pause—

He nodded.

"You’re finally starting to understand," he said.

Kaito exhaled, leaning back against the railing.

The war was coming. That much was clear.

But now, for the first time since arriving in this world, he knew why he was going to fight.

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