"Stand up."
My master's voice was calm.
Too calm.
I rose to my feet, muscles still sore from yesterday's refinement. My body felt stronger—but unfamiliar, as if it no longer belonged to the boy I used to be.
"Today," he said, "you learn how to kill."
No drama.
No hesitation.
Just truth.
He stepped forward.
In an instant, the world shrank.
Pressure exploded outward.
My instincts screamed.
[Hostile Killing Intent Detected.]
[Mental Resistance Engaged.]
My heart skipped a beat.
This wasn't mana.
This was intent—pure, overwhelming will to kill.
My knees trembled.
"Feel it," my master said.
"This is what separates warriors from corpses."
He moved.
I didn't even see how.
One moment he was in front of me—
The next, his fingers rested lightly on my throat.
If he pressed…
I swallowed.
Hard.
"First lesson," he said quietly.
"Technique is meaningless if your mind freezes."
He released me and stepped back.
"Attack."
I clenched my fists and charged.
Fast.
Strong.
He dodged with a single step.
I struck again.
And again.
Each attack missed by a hair.
My frustration grew.
"Too much power," he said.
"Too little control."
He struck my chest.
Not hard.
Yet the shock sent me flying.
I crashed into the ground, lungs empty.
[Combat Feedback Received.]
[Skill Proficiency Increasing.]
Agility +0.3
Control +0.2
I forced myself up.
Blood trickled from my mouth.
"Again," I said.
My master smiled faintly.
Good.
This time, I slowed down.
I watched his shoulders.
His feet.
The shift in weight.
When he moved, I reacted.
Our fists clashed.
The impact echoed.
I slid back, but stayed standing.
Progress.
"Second lesson," he said.
"Killing intent is a weapon."
He released it fully.
The air turned heavy.
My vision darkened.
Death pressed against my skin.
[Trait Activated: Ruthless Mind.]
[Fear Suppression Increased.]
I gritted my teeth and stepped forward.
Not away.
Toward him.
For the first time…
My master's eyes widened.
"Good," he said softly.
"You didn't retreat."
The pressure vanished.
I collapsed to one knee, gasping.
The system pulsed.
[Combat Comprehension Increased.]
[New Skill Acquired: Basic Killing Intent.]
Effect: Weakens enemy focus when released.
I stared at my trembling hands.
So this was it.
My master turned away.
"You're no longer a child," he said.
"From now on, every fight you enter…"
He paused.
"…is life or death."
I looked up at his back.
And for the first time—
I believed him.