The green training field stretched wide under the morning sun, dew still glistening on the grass. Training dummies stood at the far end, and wooden swords and shields lined the weapon racks. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and wood.
Adrian stood there, small but determined, his tiny hands gripping a wooden training sword. He wore light practice clothes, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
Across from him stood Serena, her long blue ponytail swaying gently behind her. She rested her wooden sword on her shoulder, smirking confidently at her little brother.
"Grab your sword. Grip it tightly," she instructed, her tone serious, but there was a playful glint in her crystalline eye.
Adrian nodded, gripping the wooden sword with both hands, trying to copy what he'd seen in his past life and from watching the knights train.
Without warning —
Whoosh!
Serena dashed forward, fast and smooth, her feet barely making a sound on the grass.
Clack!
Her wooden sword came swinging from the side, aiming at Adrian's ribs.
Adrian's eyes widened —
Now!
He shifted his feet, raising his sword just in time —
CLANG!
The wood of their blades collided with a satisfying crack, the force of Serena's strike making his small arms tremble.
Adrian gritted his teeth, pushing back even as his grip faltered a bit.
Serena grinned.
"Here I go!"
She stepped back — and then launched a flurry of quick slashes.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
Her sword blurred as it moved, but Adrian tried his best.
Block... block... block!
His form was a little sloppy, his feet shifting awkwardly, but he managed to stop each hit. His small face was focused, tongue sticking out slightly in concentration, making him look unintentionally cute.
Then —
"Chance!" Serena called, voice sharp.
Before Adrian could react, she seemed to vanish —
Whoosh!
Suddenly, she was behind him in a blur of speed.
Wha—?! Adrian's mind raced. So fast...!
On instinct, his hand shot back to defend himself —
And...
His small hand accidentally grabbed onto something soft.
"Hhngh?!"
Serena gasped, her body freezing in place.
Her cheeks flared up bright red in an instant, her eyes going wide — and then rolling slightly in shock and fluster.
"A-a-a...!"
Adrian froze too, realizing what happened a second too late.
Before he could even apologize —
BONK!
Her wooden sword came down on his head, not too hard, but enough to make a thump sound.
Adrian let out the cutest sound:
"Eck!"
His tongue lolled out slightly as he wobbled in place, looking dizzy, his face full of innocence and regret.
Serena covered her face with one hand, turning away slightly, still flustered, trying to calm herself down.
"Y-you... dummy...!" she muttered, voice shaking between embarrassment and trying not to laugh.
Adrian's little hand went up to the spot where Serena's wooden sword had bonked him. He rubbed it gently, his small fingers brushing his soft hair.
"Ouch..." he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper, like a tiny defeated kitten.
He looked up at his sister, his big eyes glistening a bit from the sting.
"S-sorry, sister..." Adrian said, cheeks pink from both the accident and the bonk.
Serena, who had turned away in her flustered state, slowly faced him again. Her face was still red, her bangs doing a poor job at hiding the blush that spread across her cheeks.
She tried to act cool, clearing her throat softly.
"I-it's okay... accidents happen," she said, her voice a little shaky but kind. "Don't worry about it."
She gave him a small, embarrassed smile, then bent down to pick up her sword where she'd dropped it.
That's when it hit him.
Her thick black training pants hugged her form as she leaned over, and Adrian — poor Adrian — couldn't help but notice.
His eyes went wide.
Oh no...
WHY am I noticing this?! I'm too old for this! I'm supposed to be mature!
Inside his mind, he let out a silent scream, face turning bright red.
AHHHHHHH!
He spun on his heel so fast he almost tripped, facing away, trying to will his fluster away. His little heart pounded in his chest, his hands clutched at his small sword as if it could save him.
Calm down! Calm down, Adrian! You're a grown man inside! Get a hold of yourself!
Serena stood back up, oblivious to his inner chaos, brushing dust off her pants and giving him a curious look.
"You okay? You're acting weird..."
Adrian, still facing away, waved his small hand.
"Y-yeah! I'm fine! Let's keep training!"
His voice cracked slightly at the end, making it even more adorable.
The morning sun bathed the Cross family's training field in a warm, golden light. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, but the atmosphere between the two siblings was anything but gentle.
Serena stood firm, her wooden sword resting on her shoulder, blue crystalline eye gleaming with determination. The black training outfit clung tightly to her toned figure, her crop top exposing her midriff slightly, sweat glistening faintly on her skin.
She pointed the tip of her sword at Adrian, who clutched his smaller wooden blade with both hands, cheeks puffed in determination, his big eyes focused and adorable.
"This time... let's get serious, enough about sparring," Serena said, her voice low but firm. She stepped forward, the ground crunching beneath her boots. "Getting hurt is the most efficient way to get stronger. Remember that, little brother."
Adrian gulped, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
The user's sister's words hold merit. Combat experience gained through actual pain stimulates the mind and body to adapt rapidly. This method is referred to in warrior culture as 'combat hardening.'
The system's voice echoed smugly in Adrian's head.
[SYSTEM NOTICE CONTINUES]
Recommendation: Prepare for injury. This will contribute to growth.
Adrian's eye twitched as he thought, "She just wants to pummel me because of that accident, I know it!!!"
He tightened his grip on the wooden sword, tiny hands trembling slightly — not from fear, but from bracing for impact.
Serena's eyes sharpened as she lowered into stance. "Here I come, Adrian!"
And with that, she dashed forward like a black blur against the green field, the sound of her boots barely audible over the rushing wind.
"S-System! System!! Activate Summoning—NOW! Do it fast!!!" Adrian shouted in his mind, his tiny body swaying clumsily as he tried to dodge Serena's oncoming strike.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Summoning interface—OPENED.
But before the spin could even start—thud!—Serena's knee connected lightly with his side, sending a jolt through his small frame. Not hard enough to break anything, but enough to knock the air from his lungs.
"Ghk—!" Adrian gasped, stumbling back, tiny boots sliding against the packed earth. His big eyes wide, cheeks flushed red from both the hit and the panic.
Serena didn't stop. Her figure blurred as she dashed forward again—this time her movements sharper, weaving at different angles like a shadow flickering in sunlight. Adrian could barely follow; she was everywhere at once!
"T-too fast...!"
Suddenly, she was above him.
Adrian lifted his wooden sword just in time, the clash ringing out — CLANG! — as Serena's sword pressed down on his, their faces just inches apart. Adrian's little arms trembled as he struggled to hold her off, his knees nearly buckling.
"S-Sword Skills Category now—!" Adrian's thoughts screamed.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Sword Skills Category interface — ACTIVATED.
A glowing button appeared in his mind's eye. Without thinking, Adrian jabbed at it—his tiny finger brushing upward... accidentally poking Serena's cheek as he did.
Serena's eye twitched.
"What are you doing?" she asked flatly, her voice oddly calm despite the intense moment. "If you're gonna poke someone's eye out... do it faster and... precise!"
Before he could respond, whoosh! — she vanished from above him in a blur of black.
And then — bam! — she reappeared right in front of him, sword ready, that single visible crystalline blue eye shining with both amusement and challenge.
The invisible wheel of fate spun in Adrian's mind, symbols of swords and ancient runes flashing in a blur. His heart raced. In front of him, Serena was already dashing forward again, her wooden sword gleaming under the morning light, ready to strike.
The system's voice echoed softly in his head.
「Spinning... Spinning...」
Adrian lifted his hand just as she closed the distance, his small finger forming the shape of a tiny gun.
— Blast.
A sudden rush of wind exploded from his fingertip, a compressed gust that roared like a storm. Serena's eyes widened at the last second before the blast hit, knocking her backward. Her boots dug into the grass, sliding as she fought to stay upright, her hair whipping wildly around her face.
「Skill Acquired — Sword Mastery: Windedge Style — Beginner's Flow (A-rank)」
「A rare sword style that blends precision with force. Its strikes use the smallest movement to redirect and break the opponent's stance. Even a wooden sword will feel like steel in your hands. Current mastery: novice.」
Adrian's little chest rose and fell, his eyes shining as he felt the flow of energy in his grip.
Serena's grin returned as she steadied herself, cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Not bad, little brother. Let's see what else you've got!"
She blurred toward him again, faster than before. Adrian's feet shifted naturally this time, the style guiding his movement.
He swung his wooden sword—just once.
CLANG!
The sound echoed across the field, sharp like real steel striking. Serena's blade was caught and pushed aside. The force of Adrian's strike surprised them both. Serena's boots scraped along the ground as she was driven back, lines etched deep in the grass beneath her.
Her eyes widened. "That... was incredible."
Adrian's hands trembled slightly, but he held his stance, cheeks flushed with effort and surprise at his own strength.
「First successful use of Windedge Beginner's Flow. Redirection complete.」
「If you master this skill, you can unlock advanced techniques of the Windedge style. Each one will greatly increase your precision, control, and strike power.」
The system's voice echoed in Adrian's mind, but his focus stayed locked on Serena.
Serena's gaze burned with resolve.
"Amazing, brother," she said quietly, but there was fire beneath her words. "They always said you were weak... too fragile to even hold a sword. That you'd always be a failure."
Her fingers curled tighter around the hilt of her wooden blade. Her tone dropped lower, steady and serious.
"I'll prove them wrong. We'll both prove them wrong."
Then—she moved.
Faster than before.
Adrian reacted on instinct. He gripped his wooden sword and brought it down fast—
SWOOSH!
"Haah!" his small voice called out as he swung downward.
But he met nothing. Serena's form was a blur, her image dissolving like mist as she dodged with incredible speed.
Suddenly, she was behind him.
THWACK!
Her wooden sword struck the back of Adrian's legs—just the right spot, just the right force.
"Eh—?!"
Adrian's small body spun in place like a top, his arms flailing slightly, wooden sword wobbling in his grip as he twirled adorably once—twice—before stumbling.
「Warning: Powerful unavoidable strike incoming. Brace yourself.」
Serena didn't waste the opening. She stepped in, her wooden blade aimed clean at his stomach, and thrust.
THUD!
The hit landed solid. Adrian's small frame was knocked backward, flying toward the fence.
CRACK—CREAK!
The fence groaned as Adrian hit it, but it held. A puff of dust rose as he slumped lightly, catching his breath, cheeks pink from the dizzy spin and impact.
Serena's chest rose and fell with her breathing. Her face was red—not from anger, but from excitement and concern.
"Brother... that was... good. You almost had me."
Adrian groaned softly, his small hands pressing to his stomach as he coughed.
"Ahh... t-that hurts..." he muttered, breath shaky.
But despite the pain, he lifted his head, silver eyes sparkling with stubbornness.
"I really... felt that one," he said with a grin, cheeks flushed but determined.
With effort, Adrian pushed himself up, brushing dust off his clothes. His legs wobbled slightly, but he planted his feet.
"One more time!"
Serena watched him, eyes serious but proud.
She twirled her wooden blade with ease, the motion fluid, precise. The morning light glinted off the polished surface as she spun it twice before settling into a low, balanced stance.
Her legs shifted, one forward, one back, sword aimed directly at Adrian. Her black training clothes fit snugly, made for movement and speed, her form steady and strong.
"Of course, little brother," Serena said, her tone gentle but firm.
She slid her foot slightly, blade ready for a clean thrust.
"Let's go for another one."
The air stilled.
Adrian gripped his sword, feeling the pulse of tension.
「User determination: high. Condition: ready for engagement.」
The system's calm voice echoed in his mind, but Adrian focused only on Serena. His heart raced. This was no longer just a spar—it was a challenge he had to rise to.
Serena's sharp gaze locked onto Adrian. Without a word, she dashed forward, the wind trailing behind her swift steps. The morning sun glinted off her wooden blade as she slashed horizontally at Adrian.
Clang!
Adrian's small arms trembled slightly as he blocked the strike, the force pushing him back half a step. His wooden sword groaned under the pressure.
But then — Serena's eyes gleamed with mischief.
It was a feint.
Before Adrian could react, Serena shifted her weight and stepped back gracefully, light as a feather. She lowered her stance, both hands firm on her sword. The world seemed to still for a heartbeat.
Her feet adjusted with precision, one forward, one back, knees slightly bent. The sword pointed directly at Adrian's chest. Her back straight, her form flawless — a picture of refined mastery.
Her blue crystalline eye narrowed.
"Witness the refined sword technique of the Cross Family…"
Her voice was low, determined.
Adrian's breath hitched.
Serena's eyes widened, filled with focus and resolve.
"Seiten Sō !"
("Clear Sky Pierce!")
The air cracked as she burst forward.
To Adrian, she vanished, leaving only a rush of wind and a blur of motion.
Fwshhhh!
She reappeared in front of him, a ghost of speed. Her wooden sword burned bright, coated in a pale, radiant light as if her spirit itself fueled the strike.
"HAA!"
BOOM!
The thrust landed squarely on Adrian's stomach. The force sent him flying backward like a leaf caught in a gale.
"Guhaaa…!" Adrian's breath left him in a sharp gasp, the air stolen from his lungs.
He crashed through the old wooden fence, splinters scattering like sparks, and slammed against a thick tree trunk.
THUD!
His small body slumped for a second, pain rippling through him. His wooden sword snapped at the middle, the upper half spinning off into the grass.
Adrian's hand throbbed, instinctively having shifted at the last second to soften the blow, though the impact still rattled his bones.
The world blurred at the edges, and yet, he grinned through the sting of the strike, one knee trembling as he tried to push himself up again.
Adrian groaned softly, his little body trembling as he tried to push himself up against the tree. His broken wooden sword clattered beside him, the sharp pain in his stomach still pulsing with each breath.
"Haa... I guess... this is my limit," Adrian muttered, a crooked grin forming on his face despite the pain. His messy hair clung to his forehead, his cheeks flushed from exertion.
「Amazing, young master Adrian!」 the system's voice rang in his mind, oddly excited. 「You've endured a battle far beyond your current capabilities. There was no need to defeat her—she's far too experienced for you. Serena Cross... a prodigy among prodigies.」
Adrian blinked, breathing hard, then chuckled weakly. "I figured..."
「As a reward, I will grant you a one-time skill. It will activate now...」
Adrian perked up slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
「Congratulations! You have acquired the temporary skill — Super Lucky Star! For a short while, your luck will shine like the sun!」
The system added in a quieter, mischievous tone: 「Oh, and after this little incident… you'll gain a nice sum of RP too. Just wait for it...」
Adrian couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "This system is really something..." he thought, his small hand rubbing the back of his head.
Suddenly—
"LITTLE BROTHER!!!"
Serena's voice echoed across the field. Adrian turned his head just in time to see her sprinting toward him, her face pale with worry, her blue eye wide and sparkling with genuine concern.
"Are you okay?!" she called, her voice trembling slightly as she neared, her thick black training outfit flapping in the wind.
Her steps were fast—too fast.
Her boots skidded slightly on the grass.
"Ah—!"
Serena's foot caught on a loose stone hidden beneath the grass.
In an instant, she lost her balance, arms flailing as she flew forward.
"NOOOO—!"
Before Adrian could react—
WHUMP!
Serena's lower body landed squarely against Adrian's small face—her hips pressing down on him in the most embarrassing way possible.
Adrian froze. His muffled voice could only let out a small, shocked:
"Mmmphh?!"
Serena's cheeks burned crimson. A small, unintended moan escaped her lips, her eyes rolling slightly from surprise and fluster.
"AHHH! WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS KEEP HAPPENING TODAY?!" she shouted, covering her red face with both hands as she scrambled to get up, her body trembling with embarrassment.
Adrian lay there, dazed, his face bright red under the weight of his sister's unintended crash.
Somewhere deep in his mind, the system snickered.
「Super Lucky Star skill has activated successfully!」